The Awakening by Erika Wilde (aka Janelle Denison)

Grade-A

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-No Kink

Series- The Marriage Diaries #1

Genre-Contemporary

Reviewed by Kate

35 pages

 

Jillian and Dean have been married for years. Now that the kids are out of the house Jillian wants to take their vanilla relationship to a more flavorful level. A surprise trip to the office to get his opinion on some new lingerie seems like a good place to start.

 

I absolutely love a good husband and wife romance. One where they find their way to a better, deeper, hotter relationship. This one starts of hot and steamy and continues to get even hotter!

 

This was a freebie for me, but I turned around and bought the Marriage Diaries Boxed set right away (it was much cheaper to buy the boxed set than each one individually). I rarely let myself buy a series just because I liked the freebie (my budget doesn't allow for that), but I made an exception for this one. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys seeing a married couple spice things up a bit.

Are you a fan of husband/wife romances? Which ones would you recommend?

Crash and Burn by Anne Marsh

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Men of Crash, Fire & Rescue #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
34 pages

I don't even think you could call this a novella. It was a very short story.

Dane and Laura Jo went to high school together. He was the football hero and she was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. They slept together and the Laura Jo left town for different life. She became a pilot with the Armed Forces and Dane is a rescue worker. He rescues Laura Jo from a crash and the two reconnect.

This story was okay for a start to a series. I wished there was more to it but it is what it is. Cute premise, a hot sex scene and a great cover. I may read more to the series.

The Cop And The Girl From The Coffee Shop by Terry Towers

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Coffee Shop Girls #1
Genre-Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
62 pages


Jade works as a barista and her favorite customer is Alex, who's a police officer. During his nightly visits to the drive thru they flirt shamelessly with each other. Finally, he asks her out and they then start to date. This is a very short story so I don't want to give too much away. I really liked this story. It had everything I love in it: an HEA, suspense and hot sex! More sex than story but it worked for me here. I'm gonna read this whole series. Just an FYI, I think it's free on Kindle.

Beauty Touched The Beast by Skye Warren

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level- No Kink
Series- Beauty #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
30 pages

This review will be very short because the story was very short.

Blake Morris is a scarred former soldier both inside and out. He has Erin, a college student who cleans his house to help pay for college. He is super attracted to her but knows he's a trainwreck mentally and physically. He has desired her from afar for a while now. But when Erin lets herself into the house to return a book to him she walks in to a self-pleasuring scene straight out of her own fantasies. To say the situation was awkward is an understatement.

This was a pleasant surprise for me and I loved it. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series that I'm pretty sure I'm hooked on.

One Perfect Night by Bella Andre

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Ember
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay

Love at first sight. That is what this novella is all about. Noah and Colbie have a chance meeting at a ski resort. Noah rescues her from a fall and teaches her how to snow ski better. Then Colbie, who has had her heart broken before, gets frightened over what she's feeling toward a man she's just met. She ends up running away from him. Both characters hire a private detective to find the other when they get back to the city. Oddly, enough they hired the same one, who is a family friend.

This was just okay for me. I mean the premise is one I'm a sucker for. Love at first sight. I liked the characters but never felt the connection between the two. And the love scenes were almost off page and I hate that. I normally like Bella Andre a lot but this one again, was just okay.

Short Rides by Lorelei James

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate
Series-Rough Riders #14.5
Reviewed by Kay

Let me start by saying that this will be a joint review between Kate and I. We have each done a review with Anne but not one together. I'm super excited about it! We'll each give our reviews, a list of our faves of the series and our not so much faves. I hope you enjoy the review as much as we enjoyed the book and writing it.

This novel has three separate parts-

The King Of Hearts is about Cam McKay who is the deputy of this hometown since his discharge from the armed services. He was badly wounded and ended up with part of one leg and hand amputated. On Valentine's Day there is a murder suicide committed and he is on the scene. It was very disturbing because of the nature and brutality of the crime. It also talked about PTSD and getting treatment for it. It was okay for me but a little preachy about gun control. I did enjoy his scenes with the kiddos.

Rough Road was about Trevor, Edgard and Chassie Glazner. They are a committed triad. If you are unfamiliar with that, it means they are all lovers in a committed relationship. They all have children together and raise them together. This story deals with prejudice against their lifestyle involving their son. He's bullied by a child at school and he questions his parents about what the "F" words means.
I do want to point out that the parents of the bully were worst case opinion people. Not every one who disagrees with someone's lifestyle is a jerk about it. I loved the support they got from their extended family and the lovely vacation they got to take.

All Knocked Up is about Jack and Keely Donohue who are awaiting the arrival of baby number one. Between work schedules and pregnancy hormones it's a wild ride. The bonus to this story is that we get multiple babies!

I enjoyed all three stories and can't wait for the next installment in this wonderful series.

My personal favorites in order are (I didn't rate the novellas):
Raising Kane
All Jacked Up
Cowgirls Don't Cry
Chasin' Eight
Rough, Raw and Ready
Kissin' Tell
Branded As Trouble
Cowgirl Up And Ride
Tied Up, Tied Down
Long Hard Ride
Shoulda Been A Cowboy
Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
Cowboy Casanova
Gone Country

Don't get me wrong, I liked them all but some more than others. Now, on to Kate.

What does a series that already has 14 full length books (#15 is slated to be released on 6/18) and 2 novellas need? *waiving hand in the air* OOH, ooh, pick me. I know. An anthology containing a short story and two novellas!

King of Hearts featuring  Cam and Domini left me feeling a bit flat. It gives a glimpse of their home life, but it was lacking the heat that I've come to expect from a Rough Riders book.   D, blaze

Rough Roads revisits Chassie, Trevor and Edgard as they celebrate their anniversary and deal with issues their oldest son is having at school. I loved this one.  B+, inferno

All Knocked Up follows Jack and Keely through the end of her first pregnancy. This one made me laugh out loud. B, inferno.

For those of us waiting for the next installment in the Rough Riders series these stories will help fill the void and pass the time. I'm curious to find out how many of you are riding the Rough Riders train? What was your favorite book so far?

Kate's favorites in order:

I've not listed them before and it was funny because some of them I actually felt my lip curl just reading the title. And Kissin' Tell would have been a few spots lower on the list except for Lorelei James' masterful use of a trampoline :) Makes me smile every time I think about it. I'm curious to know what your favorites are.

1. Rough, Raw and Ready
2. Raising Kane
3. Tied Up, Tied Down
4. Branded As Trouble
5. Cowgirl Up and Ride
6. Strong, Silent Type
7. Cowboy Casanova
8. Kissin' Tell
9. Should Been A Cowboy
10. Cowgirls Don't Cry
11. Gone Country
12. All Jacked Up
13. Long Hard Ride
14. Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
15. Chasin' Eight

Reckless Night by Lisa Marie Rice

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Dangerous #3.5
Reviewed by Kay

This is a very short novella or very short story. It takes place after the novel  Dangerous Passion which I read years ago. It would be very helpful to have read that book first. It's not really a stand alone type of read.

Manuel and Victoria are a married couple living on a tropical island somewhere. They are very devoted to each other and happy. Their life is pleasant and safe which is a huge thing for them, especially Manuel. See, Manuel is really Vicktor (Drake) Drakovich and Victoria is really Grace. They had to change their names due to Drake's former occupation. He was an arms broker/dealer. A very successful and feared one. He faked his and Grace's deaths after an assassination attempt.

Grace throws Drake a birthday party with some new friends on their island and it goes very well. Drake wants to get Grace a Christmas gift that she'll enjoy. She doesn't care for flashy expensive things, so it is difficult for Drake to pick something. He finally decides on a trip to Sydney where he has never been involved with the arms trade before. He feels it will be safe for them.

I leave the story ending for you to read if you like. I love Lisa Marie Rice and enjoyed the epilogue of Drake and Grace. There's a juicy sex scene and a dramatic ending that Rice writes so well.

Hold Me Down Hard by Cathryn Fox

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay

Eden Carver is a farm girl from Iowa who moved to New York to become an actress. Jay Bennett is a police officer for the NYPD. They are best friends who live across the hall from each other. Oh, and they secretly lust after each other, Neither will make a move because they think their desires are too dark for the other and they don't want to ruin their friendship.

This was a very short read and its HOT! Not a lot of story but it wasn't really long enough to tell one. Eden tricks Jay into kissing her and more. I'm certainly glad he fell for it. It's a entertaining and erotic short story.

Tag Team by Nicola Marsh

Grade-D
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Genre-Contemporary Military Suspense
Reviewed by Kay

Garcia "Fox" Garcia and Coralee "Lee" Keaton are cohorts so to speak in the military. They work on a team that deals with environmental terrorism. They are attacked on base and have to hide in a safe room until back up arrives.

These two have hooked up before and somehow find time for a tryst. I won't say anymore as this is a very short story. I didn't love it or hate it.

Hotter Than Hot by Tina Leonard

Grade - D
Hotness Level - Blaze
Kink Level - No Kink
Genre - Contemporary, very short story
Series - Pecan Creek #0.5
Reviewed by Kate
Small town virgin librarian (is there any other kind?) Monet has a secret second job as a sex-advice columnist. When threatening letters start arriving in town, her father hires Elijah to be her bodyguard. Monet decides it's time to learn something about sex and Elijah would be the perfect teacher.

This one is extremely short. Kindle has it listed a 78 pages but I read it in under an hour and it was over by the 47% mark. The rest was a sample of the next book in the series. It seems like a teaser to draw you into the full length book releasing next month, but it falls flat. There are no struggles or obstacles for the characters to overcome, no tension whatsoever. I've seen more tense episodes of the Brady Bunch. The ending is too quick, too easy, and too perfect (just like the Brady Bunch, come to think of it.)

BB Dalton by Cat Johnson

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Red, Hot & Blue #3.5
Reviewed by Kay

This is a very short read. More of a short story than a novella.

BB Dalton is a Navy SEAL. His real name is William Robert Dalton. You guessed it...BB is short for Billy Bob. He was an underwear model in his life before the military.

Katie Jorgenson is an advertising executive, I think. She's in charge of a project that will help recruiting for the military, supposedly. She has chosen BB to be the poster child of this project.

Despite his wishes not to be a part of this, BB and Katie start touring after BB gets his pictures taken. The two become close after spending this time together. Katie is very concerned with the age difference, as she is eleven years his senior. BB could care less about the difference in their ages. Katie fights her attraction but does relent eventually and really, who could blame her.

This is a semi-steamy short story that can be finished in one sitting. I had been wanting and waiting to read a Cat Johnson story for a while. I liked it but I thought it would've been hotter.

Hot Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Dangerous #1.5
Reviewed by Kay

This was a very short read. I first read about these characters four years ago and found this novella about six months ago. I've wanted to read it for awhile but my TBR list is very long and I'm about a year behind on some things. Jack and Caroline's story was just precious. They grew up in the same town. She was the rich, popular girl and Jack was raised by an abusive, drunken father. Caroline showed Jack several acts of kindness, which cemented his adoration of her.

After his stint in the military,  he inherits a great deal of money from his adoptive father. He then returns home to thank Caroline. He finds her still single and from there they fall in love. This story starts a year later, after they've married. Jack is always concerned with Caroline's safety, almost to the point of obsession. He tries to train her in self-defense and to always be aware of her surroundings. She doesn't really take it too seriously.

Caroline owns a bookstore and reads to the kids from the shelter there on special occasions. On one such occasion a step-parent of one the children comes in high on drugs and a hostage situation happens. The story is your to read for the wrap-up but if you've never read Lisa Marie Rice, you're missing out. I love her books. She's writing a military-paranormal romance series now.

Giving by Charlotte Stein

Grade - B
Hotness Level - Inferno
Kink Level - moderate
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Anne

In my continuing trend of reading shorter, dirtier books, I read another of Charlotte Stein's novellas.  Giving is a contemporary set story about Clarissa and her boyfriend, Oliver.  Oliver has given Clarissa three birthday requests.  All of them have to do with Clarissa sexually dominating him in different ways.  Clarissa agrees to do this for Oliver.  Giving tells how they play out these three wishes and Clarissa's surprised response to playing with Oliver in this way.

I thought this was a very well written story.  It's short, but it's very complete.  I felt like I understood what was going on in their heads.  I think this is remarkable because this story crossed my personal kink line.  So even though it got to something that made me personally uncomfortable, I didn't feel uncomfortable for the characters.  It was clear that this was consensual and enjoyable to them, which made it a good read for me.

With This Ring, I Thee Wed edited by Alison Tyler

25 stories of ~10 pages each
Anthology of Contemporary Romance
Grade-B+
Hotness Level- Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Reviewed by Anne

I really enjoy short stories. This was a large collection of ~10 page stories centering on a wedding theme. As usualy with anthologies, it was a bit hit and miss. In the end, though I went with a grade of 4, because there were some real standouts for me. My favorites include: Racing to the Altar by Sommer Marsden A Lucky Wedding by Thomas S. Roche Forsaking All Others by Janine Ashbless- Strippers and Cigars by N.T. Morley Something Blue by Shanna Germain- Anniversary Waltz by Portia Da Costa Love, H...moreI really enjoy short erotica. I love that you can read a whole story in a short setting and explore things you might not be willing to spend a whole novel’s worth of time or price to see if you like. My favorites include: Racing to the Altar by Sommer Marsden – This story features a bride speeding on her way to her wedding, pulled over by a policeman who is NOT sympathetic to her cause.  This was one HOT story! A Lucky Wedding by Thomas S. Roche – A nice interlude alone in the bridal suite before the wedding.  Again, it’s hotness of it that gets me. Forsaking All Others by Janine Ashbless- This was a really interesting story about a couple who often had sex with another couple who were good friends of theirs while they were dating.  It follows their decision of what they would do after they marry.  I thought it was well written! Strippers and Cigars by N.T. Morley – He told his friends he didn’t want a stripper for his bachelor party, but she gave them different instructions.  The exhibitionism of this one is nicely written. Something Blue by Shanna Germain- What if your something blue was bruises and you liked it that way?  Yes. Anniversary Waltz by Portia Da Costa – This is an anniversary story.  She’s spent too much money this month, and the anticipation of what he’ll do when he finds out – on their anniversary, no less – makes for a great story.  I didn’t realize it was Portia Da Costa until I was writing up this review.  She’s becoming a favorite of mine! Love, Honor, and Obey by Rita Winchester – This is a bachelorette party.  The bride is getting a little nervous, but then she gets a call from her groom telling her “Just Say Yes”.  Another well done exhibitionism story. Taking Vows by Kristina Wright – This couple is getting ready to renew their vows, a ceremony their adult children have organized without realizing that their parents are ready to file divorce papers.  There are reasons they don’t want to tell their kids just yet, and they are believable.  This story is about the two of them the night before the ceremony.  I loved it.  As I get older I have a great appreciation for stories about couples who are already married and continuing to work through the different issues that come up and continuing to love each other. Mother of the Bride by Cheyenne Blue – This story really stood out for me because of its tone.  It’s about the mother and father of the bride right before the wedding.  Their mood is very bittersweet.  I thought it was a rare example of sex during a sad, tender moment.  As with the previous story, an older already married couple is the focus.  I loved that it was sexual and hot along with being about mature people at a day that was a little sad for them. One final mention is for the story Something Old, Something New by Sophia Valenti.  It features a young newlywed couple on a cruise ship where they meet a couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.  The younger couple happens to spot the older couple having sex on a desserted ship deck one night.  That particular scene was wonderfully hot, though the story itself was just a 3 for me. The ones I really didn't care for were about cheaters and cheating, which I really didn't enjoy.   All Romance Ebooks Amazon

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