The Things I Do For You by Minx Malone

Grade-D-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-The Alexanders #2
Reviewed by Kay

Nick Alexander is a financial whiz kid and a bit of a reputed playboy. He owns the reputation with no problem at all but it is more of who he used to be. He had a blistering one night stand with his future sister-in-law awhile back and that has him rethinking his ways.

Raina Winters is a model whose biggest hope is to be a mother. She has endometriosis and has a timetable to get pregnant. She also has a fiancee who seems to be on the same page with a marriage of convenience. She will never forget the night of passion she shared with Nick, her future brother-in-law.

I loved the premise of the book and that's what drew me in. What the book became was tedious and infuriating. Raina was a horribly selfish and annoying heroine. She constantly fought against her feelings for Nick. I won't tell you how they end up as a couple just in case you want to read it for yourself. Nick does everything he can to prove himself and I thought it was a bit ridiculous. I have read Minx Malone before and enjoyed it but not this offering, not at all.

The Jezebel by Saskia Walker

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Low Kink
Genre: Historical set Paranormal
Series: Taskill Witches #3
Reviewed by Anne

Maisie is a witch.  After being forced to watch her mother burned at the stake, Maisie is taken in (actually, nearly kidnapped) by a very rich couple who keep her safe and raise her.  Unfortunately, her adoptive "father" Cyrus is also grooming her to be his possession and tool.  He raises her to be afraid of witch hunters and hide her powers, all while guiding her to use them for his benefit.  Once Maisie realizes what is going on, she runs away and talks ship captain Roderick Cameron into taking her aboard his ship, which is on its way to her homeland of Scotland.  In exchange for the trip she agrees give him her virginity.  He doesn't believe she's a virgin, but agrees to take her on in exchange for sex.

One of the most delightful things about this book is how this setup is quickly turned upside down.  Just reading the summary above or the back of the book blurb sets you up to think Maisie is sacrificing her virginity in order to escape a horrible situation.  In actuality, you find out quickly that losing her virginity will bring her into her full witchy powers.  She knows this, and is using Roderick for her own means.  This makes it so they come into this relationship on pretty equal grounds, and that was refreshing!

Maisie also turns out to really enjoy sex, and isn't shy about that.  Roderick, in turn, really enjoys the fact that Maisie enjoys sex.  There's no slut shaming and no "sex=evil" in this story which was great!  

 

Maisie is also a strong character.  She finds herself in a tough situation and devises a plan to get herself out of it.  I found myself rooting for her, and as much as I liked Roderick, I really wanted Maisie to be her own hero and save herself.  I want you to enjoy this book without me spoiling it for you, so I won't detail how things worked out, but I was really happy with the resolution of things.

 

One final note: This is the third book in the Taskill Witches series. However, I had no problems following along without having read the first two. It stand alone very well - the only problem is you'll want to go back and read the first two, because this one was so good!

Bonds of Need by Lynda Aicher

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: BDSM, high kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Wicked Play #2
Reviewed by Kate

Kendra, a masochist, has escaped an abusive relationship with her self-esteem in tatters and has decided to never give someone the power to hurt her like that again.  That means she will ignore her sexual desires and needs instead.  But when she attends an open night at a sex club (as a way to prove to herself that she no longer needs the pain), she realizes she can't bury her needs forever.  Deklan, co-owner of the sex club, has met Kendra before, but when he sees her at the club he thinks he might be able to help her accept her needs.  And Deklan is always a giver and helper.  Deklan and Kendra enter into a two month Dom/sub contract, but both make discoveries about themselves that change everything.

 

This book was a little more intense, pain-wise, than most other BDSMs that I have read.  A masochist as a heroine was a new experience for me and I enjoyed Kendra's character a lot.  She is a strong woman who has lost herself and is fighting to get back to some sort of normal.  Deklan is a wounded hero who has failed to help too many times in the past.  He struggles with allowing Kendra to find her own way, not helping too much.  I loved watching Kendra and Deklan change during the course of their contract.  I look forward to reading more of this series (the first book is now added to my TBR list) and more by this author.

 

 

Once Tempted by Laura Moore

Grade-D
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Silver Creek #1
Reviewed by Kay

Tess Casari was swept off of her feet into a whirlwind romance and marriage. Less than six months later, she was a estranged widow. Distraught and terribly insecure she plays pin-the-tail-on-the-location and moves to start fresh.

Ward Knowles is a ranch at his family's vacation ranch. He's kind of sullen and somber. He has had his own share of disappointment in the love department. His ex-fiancee dumped him for what she thought was something more.

When Tess starts working at the ranch, she immediately dislikes him despite her attraction to him. Ward doesn't dislike her but is cautious regarding his attraction to her. They play a cat and mouse game with each other and their feelings. As the relationship grows, they each learn more about the other and their secrets.

The story was okay but nothing special. I felt bored throughout most of it and had to force myself to finish it. This was my first novel by this author. It was hard to connect totally with the characters. I pitied Tess for the tragedy she went through with her deceased husband and his family. It ended nicely which was a plus. There were love scenes but they were too tame for me. This would probably be a good read for someone who likes a more tame and/or sedate love story.

Too Hot to Handle by Victoria Dahl

Grade - B

Hotness Level - Blaze
Kink Level - no kink
Genre - Contemporary

Series - Jackson #1
Reviewed by Anne

Merry has been a tumbleweed through life, but she's finally putting down roots and showing her family and friends she can be a success.  She's gotten a job as curator of a ghost town.  She's going to develop it and turn it into a tourist attraction.  Shane lives across the hall from Merry.  He has ties to the ghost town that Merry doesn't know about.  In fact, he is contesting a will that has direct effect on the ghost town.  Merry knows he does carpentry work and asks him to do some restoration work in the ghost town.  Shane accepts the job, thinking he can get a little inside information on the committee opposing him in the lawsuit about the will.  When he starts feeling attracted to Merry, his deception weighs on him, but not quiet enough for him to come clean.

I usually don't like this kind of set up.  I'm not a fan of BIG SECRETS.  And I was initially annoyed at this one.  However, the farther I got into the story, the more believable it got.  Shane tells himself, just a little while longer.  With every passing day you know the revelation of the big secret will be even more painful, but I found myself rooting for them to stay in the lie just a little longer, because they were so good for each other and I knew the truth would rip them apart.  So I understood why Shane kept the secret.  In the end, I felt like his grovel and apology were fitting for the hurt he caused and I was ok with everything.

 

Other than the BIG SECRET, I really have nothing to complain about. I loved Shane and Merry's chemistry.  Victoria Dahl is such a fun and funny writer!  There were so many stand out scenes in this book.  The shower scene, the hidden vibrator scene, all the moments between Merry and Grace were delightful, too.  I really enjoy a book where the characters have real friends.  Raylene at the bar was a hoot!  

 

This is the second book in the Jackson series.  I haven't read the first book and I followed this one just fine.  I'm going to read the first one, though, because Grace was such a good friend to Merry and such a strong woman that I want to know more about her.  This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it!  Dahl is back on my favorite writers list.

Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Pride #8
Reviewed by Kay and Anne

Anne and Kay are both huge Laurenston fans.   This is their joint review.

Kay: Ricky Lee Reed is one of those "Reed Boys". He's a wolf shifter from the Smith pack. He has recently relocated from Tennessee to New York to work security for Llewellyn Security, a shifter run company. Oh, he's also a slow talkin', swagger walkin', non blasphemin' Southern redneck hillbilly.

Antonella Jean-Louise Parker is a jackal shifter and very much a little girl lost in her family of prodigies. She's the eldest child of her family and has devoted her life up until this point to them. She constantly handles and protects every aspect of their lives. Let's not forget, these are shifter children, so to say they are handfuls, is an understatement.

This couple's romance builds slowly. It never boils but it was still precious to read. I was afraid I'd have unanswered questions at the end of the book but I didn't. I got to find out not only who the culprit was but what kind of shifter Livy was. This book had a little of everything. Romance, mystery and suspense.

Shelly Laurenston is a phenomenal author! This latest edition to her Prides series is a masterpiece. This is writing at its finest. Her best book by far and I say that every time she releases a new one. She has hit her stride and keeps on improving book to book. I am worshipping at the alter of Ms. Laurenston. At a time when I was asking myself who my favorite paranormal author is, I now have my answer. If you have never read a Shelly Laurenston novel yet, what the heck is wrong with you?

Anne:  I love Laurenston, too!  Her books suck me in and take me away from my real world!  I love the swearing and violence – though there was a little less swearing in this one due to Ricky Lee’s delicate sensibilities. :)  I don’t think I’d call this Laurenston’s best book yet, though.  For me that will probably always be either Irene and Niles’ book (“Miss Congeniality” in When He Was Bad) or Bo and Blayne’s book (Beast Behaving Badly.)  The fact that Wolf With Benefits has Irene AND Bo and Blayne as secondary characters is what pushed it to an A rating for me.

I thought Ricky Lee and Toni’s story was ok.  I wasn’t blown away by it.  I thought the story was more about Toni’s relationship with her family, especially her siblings.  So, on that basis it would have been a B for me, but when you add in the siblings, Bo and Blayne, and Irene…  well I KNOW I’m going to read it again.  So it bumps to an A.

 

What did you think of Toni's oldest sister, Delilah?  I thought she was horribly creepy!

 

Kay: I agree with you, Anne. She was creepy. She made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Her detachment was chilling. The scene between Olivia and her was scary. I thought the resolution was a little too simple though. What do you think?

Anne: Delilah’s story line made me sad. I really, really was hoping for redemption. I mean, here she was in this wonderful family, and I wanted that to be enough. I didn’t really like the resolution with Delilah either. Oddly, I think it was too complicated for me. There was a very simple ending that I wanted. I understood what they did, and even why they did it that way, but I didn’t like it.

Kay: And what about when they had to go looking for Miki?

 

Anne: While I vaguely remember that they did go see Miki, I don’t really remember it and can’t find it easily on my reader. 

 

Kay: DeeAnn goes to find Miki, who is part of the Magnus Pack. DeeAnn is the only one not afraid to risk the wrath of Sarah, the alpha female of the Magnus Pack. When she came out with the gun on the porch in her long T-shirt, I laughed so hard.

 

Anne:  Oh, yeah!  That was good! I bookmarked some favorite parts.  I LOVED this coversation between Kyle (Toni's 11 year old artist prodigy brother) and Bo Novikov:
 

(Novikov asks) “So do you play hockey?”

“No, sir."

“Really, How come?"

“Because I plan to use my brilliance for something real and important, not something petty like sports."

"Sorry?"

“See, what I like about what you do,” the boy explained, his hands accenting with each word, his voice intense, “is the raw rage and violence. I can use that in my work. And while you’ll probably be forgotten soon after you retire, which is the way of you athletic types whose happiest years are usually when you’re in high school… my legacy will live on for centuries. People will study my work, copy it. My work will start a new art movement, a new wave of creativity born out of blood and violence and rage. And you… youMr. Novikov will be my David."

"David?"

"Like Michaelangelo’s David? But instead my piece will be called Jean-Louis Parker’s Novikov, and it will be the greatest art anyone has ever seen. And you… you, Mr. Novikov, will be my muse."
 

This exchange between the two of them, and so many more scenes with Toni's siblings were just hilarious!  I also really loved Ricky Lee's wolf patience while pursuing Toni.  He was content to be with her and wait for her (or her family) to provide entertainment.  He saw through to the heart of things with her quickly, but was patient enough to let things play out over time.  I really enjoyed that.  Did you have a favorite part?
  

Kay: I also enjoyed the scenes where people tried to guess what Olivia was.   I was a little irritated with how Blayne was treated and am shocked that Bo put up with it. I love Blayne and Toni being mean to her did not sit sell with me at all.

Anne: Olivia!  She was awesome!  I was so afraid we wouldn't get to know *what* she was.  And when it was finally revealed, I laughed and laughed! 

I actually kind of appreciated that someone didn't fall in love with Blayne immediately.  I've always thought she was annoying, though in an endearing way. :) It was hilarious that Toni couldn't remember her name!

Back when we started this review, you said Laurenston just may be your favorite paranormal author.  I think that’s true for me, too.  I really love her books, and this one is one of her best – not so much in the romance for me, but the overall story and humor.  Awesome book!

 

Most Likely to Succeed by Katie Davies

Grade: C
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, Novella
Series: Girl Most Likely to... #1
Reviewed by: Anne

 

Kelsey and Nathan were lab partners back in high school.  Despite having feelings for each other, they never acted on them and lost touch once college rolled around.  Because of this, Nathan doesn't know that Kelsey didn't end up going to college.  Instead, when her mother fell ill, she helped out in her mother's flower shop and ended up staying there.  Now it's class reunion time and Kelsey is ashamed to have her brilliant lab partner discover what she's been doing.

 

Thankfully (for me, hater of BIG SECRETS) this big secret isn't a secret for long.  That was a point in the story's favor.  Unfortunately, it really took a while for this one to be enjoyable for me.  The first half of my copy of the novella is full of bookmarks with comments from me like:

"Wow, that's an odd thing to do after years apart."

"Hero seems to be a saint with no flaws."

"Answers the door in a towel.  Really?"

"Awfully touchy with a stranger."

"Whatever."

The book also has one of my personal pet peeves... sex on top of the hotel comforter.  I just don't trust that that those are washed every time!  PLEASE, fold back the comforter and have sex on the sheets!

 

Once I got past the midpoint of the book (and ignored the comforter sex) the story really grew on me.  Nathan is pretty perfect, but he makes some very real mistakes with Kelsey and things get kind of messy.  That was believable to me and I enjoyed seeing the two of them work through it.  By the end of the novella, I wanted it to be longer.  I wanted to see more of Kelsey's transformation.

 

Interestingly, it looks like the books in this series (I'm going to guess there will be 3) are all taking place during the same 4 days of the high school reunion.  There were enough teasers to really make me want to read the second book, Cutest Couple, which comes out in April.  So, my overall grade is a C, but it's a hopeful C.

Come Away With Me by Kristen Proby

Grade-C+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-With Me In Seattle #1
Reviewed by Kay

Luke Williams is a former actor turned producer who just wants to live his life without the paparazzi hounding his every move. He left Hollywood and moved to the Seattle area, near his parents. He keeps to himself pretty much and enjoys that.

Natalie Connor is a photographer who takes pictures of nature for the most part. She does do couple photos that can be considered erotic. She lives with her roommate, Jules. She is contented in her life as well.

These two characters meet when Luke assumes Natalie is trying to take his picture. Natalie thinks Luke is trying to mug her. They part ways and run into each other the next day at a local shop and from there, a romance is born.

I liked the story but felt it dragged in the middle. Luke was all in and that's always a sexy quality in a hero. Natalie was a good heroine too. She had made mistakes in her past and had tried to move on from them. It was predictable but I was very okay with that. I loved that, at their wedding, Luke had two chairs decorated with her deceased parents' favorite flowers in their honor. My eyes got very teary at that scene.

I will probably read more of this series but I wish there had been a little less sex. I know, I know, I can hardly believe I said that either. This book had copious amounts of sex in it. It was hot but gratuitous. Oh, and I LOVE the cover. Very sexy!

Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl by Gina Lamm

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, time travel
Series: Geek Girl #1
Reviewed by Kate

When Jamie, a video game junkie and self-proclaimed geek, touches an antique bureau, she is transported to 1816 and lands in the bed chamber of Lord Micah of Axelby, Earl of Dunnington. The bureau (unbeknownst to Micah) had been enchanted to bring Micah's one true love to him. Jamie is quickly taken under the wing of the housekeeper Mrs. Knightsbridge, who knew about the enchantment and helps teach Jamie how a proper lady should act in 1816. Micah quickly believes Jamie's story of being from the future after she shows him her smart phone. (After all, who can argue with Angry Birds?) But, can modern girl Jamie really fit in back in Micah's time?

I found Geek Girl filled with lots of snort and snicker moments. I appreciated that the not-so-nice parts of living in 1816 (chamber pots, no tooth brushes, etc.) were not glossed over as they were in some other time travel romances I've read. By the time I finish reading a book, it is typically filled with tons of highlights and notes. Geek Girl sucked me in quickly and kept me so into the story that when I finished I only had 2 notes written. My only complaint is that the ending wasn't the ending I was expecting. Yes, it is a HEA ending, just not what I was expecting (and that's more of a reflection on me than on the book).

The Proposition by Jennifer Lyon

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-The Plus One Chronicles #1
Reviewed by Kay

Sloane Michaels is an ex UFC fighter and a billionaire. He achieved his wealth through fighting and endorsements which he used to open a chain of fitness centers. He is very alpha (sigh) and really is a force of nature. Not classically handsome but ruggedly gorgeous. He's at a wedding and notices the caterer, Kat Thayne. He wants her and that's all there is to it.

Kat Thayne is a scarred woman, in more ways than one. A brutal attack five plus years earlier has left her with a lot of emotional and physical baggage to deal with. She feels like a failure to her family, and after an attack on her best friend, she feels like a failure to him too.

Sloane offers to train her in self defense in exchange for her to be his plus one at events. He'll be her plus one also. Oh, and they will have sex. With no strings attached though.  Kat finally agrees to these terms and boy was I glad.

This book just worked for me on all levels. Easy to read, good characters, good premise and chemistry. Hot, hot, hot! I loved it and I can't wait for book two coming out in May! One of my best of 2013.

Tucker's Fall by Eliza Gayle

Grade: B-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: BDSM
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Series: Purgatory Masters #1
Reviewed by Kate

When Maggie is arrested in a raid of a sex club, she also ends up fired and divorced, all very publicly. So she retreats to her parents' empty cabin to regroup. Tucker escaped his hometown as early as he could, only returning after his father died. Tucker has been denying his inner Dom ever since. He's been waiting for Maggie to return. When Maggie and Tucker meet, sparks fly and they enter into an intense Dom/sub relationship.

I enjoyed meeting both Tucker and Maggie. Tucker seems to be a tortured soul with a tiny bit of stalker (he's done extensive research about Maggie before they get together). A dominant who is actually looking for a commitment was a nice change of pace. Maggie is an extreme case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is left with a few issues involving public places that Tucker deals with very respectfully.

I knew going in that this was not an HEA. There is a mysterious sub-plot about the scandal surrounding Tucker's father's death that appears as if it will be continued through the rest of the series. However, if you ignore the epilogue, there can be a satisfying conclusion for Tucker and Maggie. I look forward to the next installment.

Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-The Montgomerys and Armstrongs
Reviewed by Kay

Genevieve McInnis is a Lowland Laird's daughter on her way to meet her betrothed. Her traveling party is intercepted and massacred. She is taken prisoner by Ian McHugh, who repeatedly rapes her, which leaves her emotionally and physically scarred.

Bowen Montogomery is a second son to a Highland Laird. His brother is the heir to this title and Bowen is his second-in-command. Bowen leads a war party to the McHugh Keep to take out Patrick McHugh, Ian's father and Laird to that clan. Ian was killed by Bowen's brother in the previous book because he kidnapped his wife and terrorized her.

That's the backdrop to this story. Bowen meets Genevieve and is awestruck by her beauty, until she turns her head and he sees the puckered scar on her cheek. He learns she got this scar from Ian McHugh so no one would want to look at his prize possession that he treated worse than an animal.
He made her his whore and passed her around to his cohorts. This was her existence for a year until Ian's death and Patrick's desertion of his clan.

Bowen admires Genevieve's spirit which seems unbroken most of the time. As they get to know one another, he comes to view her , even with the scar, as the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Through clan uprisings, attacks against the Keep, injuries from said attacks and idiocy from the McHugh clan, we see a beautiful love story emerge. The chemistry between the two main characters is sweet and combustible.

There were a few confusing situations for me, such as: Ian slashing Genevieve's face so no one would look at her but he passed her around to his cronies? Doesn't make sense to me. And her demand that her family not know she was alive due to her shame being projected on to them but her family welcomed her back with open arms. I like the idea of the later but I don't know if I buy into it, not in a time period where image was everything.

All-in-all, this was a five star or A+ read for me. Maya Banks is fast becoming one of my favorite historical authors. I love the heroine! She was an innocent who had that innocence shattered but still managed to never truly lose hope, even as she was terrorized by clans people for things that she never asked for and never should've experienced. She was pitiable but never pitiful. I can't wait for Teague's book! In a word, this book was precious. My best read of 2013 so far.

Beyond Control by Kit Rocha

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: BDSM (but pretty light stuff)
Genre: Dystopian
Series: Beyond #2
Reviewed by Anne

Note: This book will be enjoyed much more if you read Beyond Shame first.  I really enjoyed Beyond Shame (my review) and it does a great job of world building and explaining the O'Kane gang.  I think this is especially important in understanding the role sex plays between them all.  In this dystopian world the O'Kane gang is free to give and receive sexual favors... or not.  But they tend toward group play and open displays.  Beyond Shame made me feel comfortable in this world, especially in the relationship that Lex and Noelle have together.  It's like best friends with benefits.

 

OK, so Dallas O'Kane runs Sector 4 and is the leader of the O'Kane gang.  Lex long ago escaped the brothels in Sector 2 and eventually settled into Sector 4 and the O'Kane gang.  She's the unofficial leader of the females and has the respect of everyone in the gang, including Dallas.  There is a strong attraction between Dallas and Lex.  They both know that someday this relationship will be made permanent (the O'Kane version of marriage) but neither has been ready to take the next step toward that.  

 

This story starts with Lex getting a tattoo of Dallas' name, from hip to hip.  She knows it will start the journey toward him officially claiming her.  She's nervous about how that will all go down, but knows it's time to stop stalling.  Getting the tattoo is an in-your-face taunt to Dallas.  Once he discovers it he immediately collars Lex.  Putting a collar on a partner is a short term declaration of ownership/partnership.  Lex is fine with that move, and the rest of the story is how they stumble forward to a long term relationship.

 

Lex's main issue is trusting someone else to take care of her and put her first.  Dallas quickly realizes this, but that doesn't mean their path is smooth.  At the same time there is a political situation afoot that demands their attention as leaders and also drags them back into contact with Sector 2.  (By the way, Sector 2 was a little disappointing.  I expected a lot of heat there.  I think the point was that displays without affection aren't really that hot, but still, I'd been hoping!)

 

I loved the sex scenes in this book.  Hot, and they really show the relationship progress between Dallas and Lex.  I also liked the friendship and support Dallas and Lex (together and individually) got from their friends.  The gang is like a small town with everyone all up in everyone else's business (sometimes literally) and that means everyone is watching Dallas and Lex closely.

 

While I was reading this story I didn't want to put the book down!  I was so caught up in it.  When I was done I immediately wanted to re-read it.  However, part of that was because I want a little reassurance that Dallas and Lex will be ok. They certainly have a rough road ahead of them.  This is due mostly to Dallas' uber-alphaness.  I'm not sure much changed over the course of the book.  The story was more about Lex and Dallas each coming to terms with who the other was.  I was left with the feeling that they will continue to step on each other's feelings, but that they are committed to working things out, though.

 

I can't wait to read the next book in this series.  There are several ongoing story lines and I want to know more!  The next book is due in early Fall 2013.  I'm counting the days and will reread this one while I wait. 

Rocky Mountain Heat by Vivian Arend

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series- Six Pack Ranch #1
Reviewed by Kay

Blake Coleman is the first born of a family of modern day cowboys. He lives at the Six Pack Ranch with the rest of his family. He  takes the responsibilities of ranch life very seriously. Jaxi is the girl next door. She has grown up with the Coleman boys. She has loved Blake for as long as she can remember but he has ignored her at every turn.

These two characters dance around each other and their feelings until one night Jaxi pushes Blake just a little too far. It starts off a domino effect that includes members of his family, from his parents to his brothers.

This started of sweet and engaging but toward the middle I had to force myself to finish the book. I am a huge Lorelei James fan and I wanted this to be like that, I think. This isn't bad but just felt a little long and it lost me for awhile. I don't think I'll continue the series though.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I wanted so badly to finish this book in time to review it for St. Patrick's Day!  And then Spring Break happened.  Well, first the preparing for Spring Break and the four children I'd have home all day happened.  At that point I thought, "Well, I'll just finish the Jill Shalvis story and review that one."  Then school actually got out and my reading time disappeared.  So I didn't even finish the one short story!  I'm so sorry!  But, hey, I'm half way through the Jill Shalvis story and really enjoying it!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I'll tell you about my favorite Irish character ever.  Roarke.  Yeah, I know, you probably already know Roarke. 

Naked in Death, featuring Eve Dallas (tough New-York-City-of-the-future homicide detective) and Roarke (I'm-so-rich-one-name-is-enough.)    How awesome are these two?  The 26th book in their series was released last month!  But I think it's not enough to read these books.  You need to listen on audio.  I feel like I'd recognize these characters if I heard them talking in another room.  The narrator is awesome.  The stories are awesome.  Roarke's Irish accent is awesome. 

So, if you need an excuse, hey, it's St. Patrick's day.  Get yourself an audio copy of Naked in Death and find something productive to do* while you listen, because if you're like me, you'll just want to keep listening, listening, listening.  


*things I do while listening to the In Death series: laundry, house cleaning, sewing, quilting, crocheting, walking, exercising, driving around town.  I've been known to drag out my to-do list just so I can listen longer!

Moosed Up by Tiffinie Helmer

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: ContemporarySeries: Wild Men of Alaska #2
Reviewed by Kate

After discovering her boyfriend is gay, nurse practitioner Eva decides it is time for a drastic change.  She signs on at the clinic in a tiny village in Alaska.  When she is chased up a tree by a moose, she is rescued by Lynx, Alaskan Refuge Officer and certified veterinarian.  Lynx is instantly attracted to Eva, even though she's pretty high maintenance.  Eva's pretty sure she has the ability to turn guys gay, but Lynx's extreme masculinity calls to her.  Will their initial sparks be able to survive a matchmaking pet moose and a band of murderous poachers?

 

I liked this book a lot.  City girl meets country boy.  But this city girl's got a lot of spunk.  Eva's not one to sit and wait for said country boy to save the day.  A quick read at just over 100 pages, this one made me smile quite a bit-especially the pet moose.

An Alpha's Path by Carrie Ann Ryan

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Redwood Pack #1
Reviewed by Kay

Kade Jamenson is over one hundred years old and a werewolf. He's the heir to the throne so to speak. He made a bad decision in choosing a mate. Basically, because the woman he chose wasn't his true mate. It ended badly and he's been kind of surly and brooding ever since.

Melanie Cross is a chemist who has spent all her time in the lab for the last several years. No real dating or sex. She has missed it but just had other things in her life to focus on, like getting her PhD.

Melanie's best friend, Larissa and Kade's brother, Jaspar decide to set the two of them on a blind date. They both reluctantly agree and meet for dinner. Melanie arrives first but when Kade walks in he can smell his true mate's scent.

There's some romance, suspense, choices, family/friend interference and some hot sex in this very short story. It's worth a read but I haven't decided if I will go on in the series yet.

An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Bridgertons #3
Reviewed by Kate

When the Earl of Penwood's illegitimate daughter, Sophie, is dropped off at his doorstep he chooses to raise her as his ward.  Sophie enjoys a quiet existence in the country until the earl's new wife Araminta and her two daughters arrive.  When the earl dies, Sophie is forced to become Araminta's unpaid servant.  Sneaking into Lady Bridgerton's masquerade ball, Sophie meets Benedict.  And, 300 pages later, they live happily ever after.  An obvious retelling of Cinderella that you can't help but love, this book left me with a happy sigh at the end. 

Dusk With A Dangerous Duke by Alexandra Hawkins

Grade-C-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Lords Of Vice #6
Reviewed by Kay

This is the latest installment of the Lords Of Vice series by Alexandra Hawkins. This novel features Hunter and Lady Grace. They have been betrothed since childhood. Grace was in fact a two year old. This arrangement was made up between Hunter's grandmother and Grace's grandfather.

Hunter is a Lord of Vice and the Duke of Huntsley.  Grace is a titled lady in her own right. Hunter left her in the country for nineteen years so they both could grow up. She was kept under his protection after her grandfather's death. She grew up with her governess and not much of anyone else.
Hunter grew up in mischief and lived the lifestyle of a rake. Grace held a love of sorts toward Hunter, By that I mean she was in love with the idea of him and their upcoming marriage. Hunter abandoned Grace in the country with resentment toward her. He didn't want a wife and basically blamed her for their situation. For years, she wrote to him and waited for him to acknowledge her in some way, which he never did.

Grace takes years of slights from Hunter and finally decides she's had enough and comes to London. She calls off the betrothal and starts looking for another husband. Hunter goes absolutely ballistic at the news. See, they will both lose their fortunes if the betrothal doesn't go through. Hunter goes on a mission to court the woman he should never have had to court.

I enjoyed watching Hunter scramble because his treatment of an orphaned girl was abhorrent. He resented a girl who was given to him to protect and he ignored her. I found him as a character to be selfish and repugnant. I love the Lords of Vice series and it is an auto read and buy for me. I was so looking forward to this book. I was disappointed a little and I felt it could've been better. It also didn't get hot until 60% into the book. Even then, you only got an interrupted scene and one full sex scene. I need more and expect more from Alexandra Hawkins. I hope we get it with Frost's book and the series goes out with bang.

Master of the Abyss by Cherise Sinclair

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Reviewed by Kay

Since his girlfriend died a few years ago, Jake (owner of a vacation lodge) has perfected his "for one night only" speech. And almost all the single women in town have heard it, except for Kallie (wilderness guide extrodinaire). Before a business deal can be struck between Kallie and Jake, she needs a quick education in the sort of kink his lodge caters to.

Okay, that's the short version of the romance aspect of the book. The story also includes three over protective cousins, overcoming demons from the past, and a serial killer who has decided Kallie is his next victim. Enthralling and fast paced, I couldn't put this one down. Actually, a big part of me wants to pick it back up and read it again.

Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Camelot #2
Reviewed by Anne

This book made me smile and put Ruthie Knox on my short list.  I'd rank her up there with Jill Shalvis, Victoria Dahl, and Sarah Mayberry.  A sweet and hot romance with some humor thrown in.  I really want to go buy her first two books that I missed.

Ellen is a hard working, divorced single mom of a 2 year old son.  She's also the sister of a very famous singer, Jamie.  Jamie unintentionally turned Ellen's life upside down when he started dating her next door neighbor, Carly.  Even after Jamie and Carly broke up and Jamie left town, the press remains very interested in Carly.  When the paparazzi continues to be aggressive, Jamie hires a security team to take care of Carly and Ellen.  Caleb is head of the security team and very thankful for the job.  He doesn't expect that neither woman will want his protection.  And he doesn't expect to be so attracted to Ellen.

I thought this book would be about a forbidden attraction between Ellen and Caleb.  Thankfully, it's not.  Pretty early in the book Caleb decides it's ok if he has a thing with Ellen.  Also pretty early in the book he decides he doesn't just want sex, he wants more.  So they negotiate.  They negotiate about what security provisions Ellen is willing to make, and they negotiate about what kind of relationship Ellen is willing to have.  I really enjoyed their negotiations.  I really enjoyed almost everything about this book!

Ellen and Caleb both are intelligent and not afraid to apologize when they realize they're in the wrong.  And there are times when they are in the wrong.  They aren't perfect, and that was nice to read.  Ellen especially has a lot to overcome as she comes back to life after divorcing her emotionally abusive husband.  She struggles to not depend on a man and stand on her own.  I really appreciated her journey and felt for her.

Rock star brother Jamie and neighbor Carly have a great story.  I think if their back story had been filled out they could have carried a book on their own.  It certainly added a lighter side to the book when things got heavy between Ellen and Caleb.  Carly's grandma was a hoot, too, but I think I've read too many books in a row that had an outspoken elderly woman character.  They start to all blend together.

My only complaints about the book have to do with Ellen's son, Henry.  I thought his Yoda-style speech pattern was annoying, and his confusion of pronouns felt unrealistic to me.  I could be wrong, though, I'm not a speech expert.  I did LOVE that he called Caleb "Cabe".  Very sweet. 

Overall, my small complaints were handily outbalanced by all of the things I loved in this book.  I highly recommend it and can't wait to read more by Ruthie Knox!

Impact by Tiffinie Helmer

Grade: B-
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary

Series: Wild Men of Alaska #1
Reviewed by Kate

 

Wren can't get out of going back home to be maid of honor in a wedding. Unfortunately, that means she can't get out of seeing Skip, her childhood best friend and the man who put her in prison 5 years ago. Wren has spent the last 5 years secretly pining for Skip. Skip has spent the same time secretly waiting for Wren to get her life under control so they can spend the rest of their lives together. After their plane crashes, Skip and Wren must spend the night in the shell of their crashed plane waiting to be rescued.

Ah, a plane crash and simmering love that has lasted 5 years. Could there be a better recipe for a good story? And, on a surprising note, the tension in this story does not come from having to survive in the Alaskan wilderness, but from the characters themselves. I enjoyed this quick read and the next book in the series is in my TBR pile.

 

Take It Off! by Taylor Cole and Justin Whitfield

Grade: C-
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reviewed by Anne

 

I saw this book and was interested in reading it.  It's a behind the scenes tell all by two former strippers and current romance novel cover models, and who doesn't want to know more about male strippers.  (Well, I don't anymore.)  I really don't know how to review it.  It is what it proclaims to be, but I think I was much more offended by it than I'd imagined.  Well, really, I didn't imagine I'd be offended.  I guess I didn't give it enough thought.  

 

See, I figured there would be stories of sex, and of mishaps, and of risque and funny things that happened to strippers.  And there were.  But I was caught off guard by how much manipulation went on and by what they do to get more tips.  See, the secret to getting tips is having regulars who come to see you and tip you when you're dancing.  (I'm so naive!  I had no idea there were regulars at strip clubs!)  And if you are nice to them and pretend to like them, and even build up a little sexual tension... well, then they'll keep coming back and they'll keep tipping you.  It's best not to have sex with the regulars, since they're your source of money.  If they really push for more, you can let them take you out to lunch and try to make them your "friend."  In that case, they are more likely to keep coming to see you, and keep tipping you.

 

After reading this book I feel like I know lots of tips and tricks of how a stripper picks up a woman for the night.  And if you ever want a quickie with a stripper, here's what you do:  Look really hot.  Or at least hotter than the other women at the show that night. 

The writing in the book was just ok.  There were a couple times where what they were saying was just unclear to me.  I don't know if it was a typo or what.  I also felt like it got increasingly less edited as I moved toward the end of the book.  In the beginning the chapters flowed a bit while covering the material.  By the end it was a just lists of different kinds of information and hook ups.

Going in, I thought I'd come away respecting the hard work that strippers do.  After reading the book I'm having a hard time not being disgusted by men in general.  So what grade to give?  It does give the information it promises.  The writing is ok.  I just didn't enjoy it.  The book came in at 78 pages on my ereader, and I was really glad it wasn't any longer.  So, I'm going with a C-.

Wicked All The Way by Shayla Black

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low Kink
Series-Wicked Lovers #6.5
Reviewed by Kay

Caleb Edgington is a retired Colonel and sniper for the Army. He has been mentioned in the other books of this series but as a background character. This novella is all about him and he's as entertaining as the rest of the men in this series.

Carlotta Buckley is a divorcee and Caleb's daughter-in-law's mother. We met Carlotta a couple of books ago when her daughter rescued her from a abusive marriage. Caleb has been helping her get back on her feet.

Both of these characters had to do a lot of accepting, not only of the other but of themselves and their pasts. It was nice to read about Carlotta trying to be more independent after her marriage and Caleb trying to be less domineering with her.

Oh, Shayla Black. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. If you've never read Shayla Black then I highly suggest you do. No one writes a love scene better! No one! Her love scenes blister the pages and have you reaching for something to fan yourself with. Her stories are endearing for the most part. A little heavy on the BDSM at times for me, but I'm a little prudish to begin with for that sub-genre(pardon the pun). This was a great read and I can't wait for the next book in this series coming out May 7th!

Reaper's Property by Joanna Wylde

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low Kink
Series-Reapers MC #1
Reviewed by Kay

I decided to read this book because they talked about on another review site and they liked it. I enjoyed Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley, so I thought, what the heck.

Horse, and yes that's his name, is a member of the Reapers motorcycle club. He's ex-Special Forces and a big guy. Very alpha male. Very, very alpha male. He's very rough and tumble. I can't express that enough.

Marie is a sweet character who is going through a divorce from an abusive husband. She lives with her brother Jeff in a trailer as she tries to get her life back on course. Jeff gets into trouble with the Reapers and Marie is taken as collateral. She becomes Horse's house mouse. This entails lots of sex but not benefits that an old lady gets.

This story was really good. I enjoyed it alot. It reminded me of Sons Of Anarchy, which is a show I love. Horse and Marie lit up the pages. Their chemistry is WOW! I don't want to give too much of the story away, so I'll stop there. Just as a warning and an FYI, if you don't like alpha males, don't read this. If you don't like a dirty book, don't read this. Lucky for me, I love them both.

I