Once Upon A Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Grade-C-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Billionaire Boys Club #4
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
261 pages

I had such high hopes for this book when I first started it. I love Jessica Clare books. It had a billionaire, a down on her luck but strong heroine, great sexual tension and a decent, if not far fetched premise. These are great things in a romance story but at sixty percent in it all fell apart for me.

Griffin, the hero, is a billionaire who belongs to a secret society of friends and a Viscount in his native country. He has to go home to his homeland for a family wedding. A royal family wedding. He would rather do anything other than that but family is family. His assistant comes down with the chicken pox and can't go with him. One of his friends' wives, who he doesn't get along with, offers him her husband's assistant for the trip. He's desperate, so he agrees.

Maylee is from Arkansas and the first person in her family to go to college and get a degree. She sends part of her paychecks back home to her family to give them a somewhat better life. She lives in an unsecured building in a hovel of an apartment. She doesn't have much but she's content with her life. When she gets the chance not only to earn doubletime but to travel, she's so very excited.

When these two meet, Griffin is a total asshat. He insults her at every turn even knowing that he desperately needs her help. To make matters even worse, he becomes attracted to her and still continues to belittle her. This happens through most of the book. At about sixty percent, I'd made my mind up that there would be no redemption for him in my eyes. Not even Jessica Clare's writing could make him likeable. Maylee was a precious heroine and I cried for her several times while reading this book. She was the one bright spot in this story. If you can stand a constantly cruel hero, give it a try.

Taken By The Hero by Stella Rose

Grade-D
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Taken to the Edge
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
30 pages

I wanted something short and sweet and got this instead. This was a teaser to what I assume is an on-going story line. I blame myself for not reasearching this more but it was a freebie, so I thought what the hell.

Mercy Martin has wanted Hunter Green, yes that's his name and yes I did giggle, since she was twelve. He has been her brother's best friend for her whole life. When he gets back from his tours in the Middle East, she figures it's time for him to notice her and she throws herself at him.

Hunter Green, giggle, notices her alright. He sees she's all grown up but two important things stop him from taking what she's offering. First, she's his best friend's sister and he has desires he's sure will make her uncomfortable. He does engage in some fondling and kissing in public though. Three different times where anyone could see them and twice within view of her parents.

I'm not saying the sex in the book was boring because that was the best part of this story. But seriously, who has sex where their brother or parents could see? Ewww, gross. Not to mention, who would you call to bail you out if you got arrested for indecent exposure? There were a couple of other things that bothered me with this story. It seemed like it almost scene jumped without warning. Also, it talks about him being a Marine and two sentences later she sees his picture with his Navy uniform on. I know you can serve in different branches of the military but I don't recall a mention of any Navy service.

I might in the future try to read something else by this author but I want something with a little more chemistry between the characters and more consistency with the writing.

The Day He Kissed Her by Juliana Stone

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #3
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
384 pages

In the town of Crystal Lake, there were four young boys. This is Mackenzie Draper's story, oone of those Bad Boys of Crystal Lake.

He came home for the funeral of one of his best friends. He came back because his reamining friends decided to make their homes here. He thought he'd left his hometown behind, along with his past and his pain. He'd done okay for himself. He has a well paying job, luxuries and a constant parade of women in his bed. One evening he has a one night stand with a beautiful girl with a Boston accent. She's gone in the morning and he's left bewildered.

Lily St. Claire is an heiress of sorts. Her family is wealthy and well known, kinda of like the Hiltons. She's moved to Crystal Lake to be near her best friend, Jake. She's enjoying her new life and the town suits her. It's different but in a good way. Her only regeret is her ill-timed one night stand with her best friend's best friend. She hasn't forgotten him but knows it was a huge mistake.

They see each other at a family get together and Mac pursues her almost relentlessly. They agree to a exclusive but no strings attached relationship. Clear as mud? They both have their demons and baggage to deal with concerning their upbringings. Neglect and abuse are nothing new to them.

I love this series. I really, really do. You think you're getting a series like Jill Shavis' Lucky Harbor or a Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold or even a Toni Blake's Destiny series but it's more than that. Don't get me wrong, I love those other series too but there's more emotion in this one. It tugs at your heart strings. I haven't read one yet that hasn't brought tears to my eyes. Juliana Stone is a master at her craft and I am a devoted fan and reader.

One Night With An Earl by Jennifer Haymore

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-House of Trent #2.5
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
120 pages

This is a short and very sweet novella. It's about an Earl, who never thought he'd be one and a widow who thought she had lost her chance at love before she ever married.

Andrew Sinclair, the Earl of Weston reluctantly agrees to attend a masquerade party held by a member of the Ton. What he finds there is the chance to be with the only woman he has ever loved, Lady Fenwicke. He never thought he'd be the Earl of Weston because the heir before him was sure to have children. Then that heir died but when he tried to claim the woman he loved, she was betrothed to another.

Lady Beatrice Fenwicke, before her marriage, was an innocent seventeen year old girl. During her marriage, she was a victim of domestic abuse. When she was widowed, she became a pariah. Someone to be given the direct cut, ostracized and she became a recluse. She agrees to accompany her best friend to the masquerade ball knowing what her heinous parents would think. She sees the perfect man there. Can she let go one night in her miserable existence? Can she have one night with an Earl?

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the House of Trent series. But this novella? I'm a huge fan of it! It was precious, well paced and steamy. It had a couple of things that are my favorite tropes. Second chance love, a heroine who becomes strong and a loveable hero. Jennifer Haymore was a favorite author of mine with her first series but I kind of got lost after that but now I may have to re-evaluate. Oh, who am I kidding? You had me at masquerade ball.

Favorite lines:

"You have the sweetest laugh I've ever heard."- Andrew

"i'm going to work to earn your trust. I know that's difficult for you. But if one day you trust me completely, Beatrice, then that will be my greatest reward."

Smokin' Hot by Lynn LaFleur

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
288 pages

Smokin' Hot is the latest book by Lynn LaFleur. It has three short stories about volunteer fireman in a small town in Texas. The stories blend together due to the men all being friends.

Singe

Julia Woods has had enough of adventure seeking men to last her a lifetime. She moved away from the last one to a small town in Texas. She enjoys the lifestyle here a lot. While staying with her mom's best friend, she meets Stephen, a volunteer fireman who does roofing as his full time job. He gives her landlord an estimate on hail damage all the while checking out Julia's curves. They start a pretty hot little fling but when she finds out that Stephen is kind of an adrenaline junkie, she bows out of their relationship. Can Stephen get her to take a chance on him despite his adventurous spirit?

Smolder

Marcus Holt still loves his wife. Even after she left and divorced him four years ago. He carries a lot of anger where she is concerned. How could she leave him when he needed her the most? Rayna Holt has never gotten over her anger toward her ex husband. She moved away, got a great job and never looked back. When her grandmother's health brings her back home, she runs into Marcus. After spending some time together,they start talking about all they lost and the emotions that come along with that.

Spark

Talia King has it bad for Dylan. Dylan has it bad for Talia. She's asked him out twice only to be rejected. Dylan wants to give Talia everything she deserves but not him. He can never be assured that he won't hurt her physically. His father looms in his memory big time. Can Talia break through before Dylan ruins their chance at happiness?


This book was okay for me. I really enjoyed the second story the best. It was sweet and a little heart wrenching. The first one was good but I never connected with the two leads totally. The third book I found boring. I know about Dylan's past but he frustrated to no end. All in all, it was just okay. Hot firemen and scorching sex scenes made it more easy to read.

                       

Desperate Housewives of Olympus by Saranna DeWylde

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary Set Paranormal
Reviewed by Kay
314 pages

Man, I enjoyed reading this book and had waited along time to do so. Oh, it was so worth it.

I've always loved Mythology although I'm no expert on it. I think my love of Mythology is because it's a soap opera and I've always loved soap operas. What's not to love? Love, sex,suspense, backstabbing and of course, it's very own over the topness. I don't know if topness is a word but you know what I mean. This novel is about several people. Hades, Persephone, Demeter, Eros, Zeus, Hera, Thanatos, Abstinence, Nyx (who I'd never heard of before) and Apollo(who I loved even after the book Styxx ruined him for me).

It's kind of like the T.V. show, Wife Swap a little bit. The couples you think you know are together aren't and you root for the new couples this very talented author created. You get so sucked in and invested in these couples' stories so quickly. These couples find out that:

1.) Sometimes you get a second chance to get it right.

2.) Loving someone with the heart of your youth doesn't mean forever but it's still an important love.

3.) Age doesn't really matter when it comes to love.

4.) Sometimes you get what you really need even if you never thought you wanted it.

5.) Trust and respect are the most important things in a marriage.

6.) Everyone answers to someone.

What a great read! This author is fantastic and I will absolutely read more by her. Try it if you love Mythology, hot sex, high emotion and finding love in unexpected places. I'll leave you with my favorite quotes from the book.

"Nyx's mother had been none to pleased and she was the scary bitch kitty deluxe in her family."

"I love you like the sun loves the sky-content to burn in its arms for eternity. My love is more constant than the stars and when they shudder into oblivion, it will still be there-strong in my heart as the day it was born. When the mortal world is nothing but dust and ash and all that makes us sentinent has slipped away in the granules of sand through the great hourglass-yes even then. No matter if you never feel your hurt beat again inside of your chest, no matter if you never feel anything but lust for me, I will love you."

"This is enough for me. I don't need anything else but what's in this space of breath between us. Can you feel it? Can you taste it?"

"I'm embarrassed to tell you." "Persephone, after a god has been ears deep in your nether bits,as you've described them, and you've ridden his face like a pony, nothing should ever be a taboo discussion between you."

Throwback Thursday-The Gift by Julie Garwood

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Crown's Spies #3
Genre-Historical
Reviewed by Kay
373 pages

This book was been on my to read list and then off again over and over. I saw it was at the library in Kindle format and thought, what the heck.

It starts when the hero was fourteen and the heroine was four. The King forced these two children into marriage because he was crazy and was sick of the two families fighting. Kind of like a milder Hatfields and McCoys type of feud. Nathan, the hero, is a Scot and the heroine, Sarah, is English. Her father signed the marriage contract for her since at her age she obviously couldn't sign for herself. These two live seperately for years. Like fourteen years.

Nathan has made himself into a shipping magnate. He was an outlaw pirate for a while also but no more. He's ready to get his wife into his life and pregnant with his heir. Over the years he's never even looked in on her. Has no clue what she looks like. To him it doesn't matter, she's a means to an end. Knock her up and he gets the rest of the gift from the King from their marriage contract.

Sarah has always fancied herself in love with Nathan. At least her idea of him. She has grown up in an abusive household full of human vipers. She's polite but semi reserved. When her aunt becomes a victim of family abuse, she becomes a bit more vocal. She breaks her aunt out of house imprisonment and the two try to flee London. When the man who orders her to let him help, she is skeptical to say the least. She totally flips out when she realizes he's her husband.

This book was very cute. Very funny but I felt like they talked in all caps because they shouted at each other all the time.Truly shouted. The setting of the story mostly takes place on his boat and that is not my favorite thing but I pushed through. I liked the characters and the conclusion to the plot. The love scenes were frequent but not swoon worthy. I know the book was originally published in 1991 so I will give the bland love scenes a pass because of that. I enjoyed it but was expecting something more and better from what some call the legendary Julie Garwood. Undecided if I'd read more from her yet.

Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Undeniable #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
332 pages

I'm truly at a loss for words with this review. I think I need a mind scrub and maybe a visit to confession. I'm not Catholic and I'm not making light of religion but I may need some prayer time after this.

Deuce West is an outlaw biker. He lives this lifestyle with no apologies at all. He likes what he does. The drinking, the illegal stuff and the whoring. He has a meeting with Eva Fox when she is visiting her father in prison. Her father is a President of a rival but friendly motorcycle club. Eva is five at their first meeting and when she charms Duece's father at his visit with him, he's taken with her. Not a perverted kind of way either. He's intrigued because she, at age five, listens to classic rock, wears Chucks and wants to be a motorcycle club queen. Duece is eighteen years her senior.

This story continues to span these two character's lifespans. It usually skips ahead by five to seven years.

The things I liked:

The slow build of their relationship. The all consuming attraction. The look inside of the outlaw biker lifestyle, if this is an accurate description. The suspense of the book. The desire of the heroine to try and save everyone around her even as she stays true to what she is.

The things I didn't like:

Deuce is married through most of the book. The constant infidelity of almost every character.

This book was an interesting book to read. Good character development. It sucked me right in and didn't let go. Even when the storylines butted right up to and through my hard limits. If you want a raw, gritty, dirty, and emotional love story, read it. But be prepared for all that it is and that it makes no apologies for it.

Lick by Kylie Scott

    
Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Stage Dive #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
286 pages

This was probably closer to a 4.5 star rating for me. I really enjoyed this book and its characters. I'm kind of a sucker for a rock star romance and this one fit the bill. Not in an over the top way but what felt natural.

Evelyn wakes up in Las Vegas hungover and married to a tattooed, sexy man. She has no real memories of the night before. She fights vomitting and panic at the mere sight of him. She vows no more alcohol and says their marriage was a mistake. David, her husband slams the door as he leaves. The press shows up at the airport and the secret wedding is now known by all. She's married to the guittarist of Stage Dive.

David sees the media's attention focused on Evelyn and he sends for her stating that she needs to sign the divorce papers any way. She walks into a party already in session, sees her husband cozied up to a busty blonde, and is ushered away as if she's a shameful secret. She then sees her husband go off into the poolhouse with the blonde. She meets with his lawyers the next day and oh boy.

This really was a well done book. More emotional than I thought it would be. Funny at times and frustrating at others. My reason for this not being a five star read is that David took too long getting to her after he hurt her so badly. It was said it was all innocent but he allowed himself to be in bad positions with other women and it made me want to punch him in the throat. I wish I could say more about the book but it's a great journey for these two and you should read it yourselves. I wish the sex would've been more descriptive but it was still steamy. I'm definately reading more in this series.

Ripped by Sarah Morgan

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Miller Sisters #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
95 pages

This was a novella about two people who at first seemed polar opposites. This story was based in England, which honestly isn't my favorite thing in contemporary literature, but it was okay. The hero is of Italian descent and very swoon worthy. The heroine is described where I think she was full figured and I love to read about a real sized woman.

It starts at the heroine's friends' wedding to the heroine's ex. She was asked to be a bridesmaid basically to rub it in her face she wasn't marrying the groom. I know, not a real friend. To add insult to injury she was put in a dress that was WAY too small for her figure but she did because of pride and to let them know she wasn't broken by their marriage. It was also said that the groom was a big time cheater, even sleeping with some of the other bridesmaids. Ewww! Well, the best man, the hero of the story comes to the aid of our heroine when her dress literally splits down both sides, exposing her upper assets to the crowd of onlookers. Yes, at church.
After that, they have a heat charged moment in a dressing room, which is interrupted.

This wasn't a bad book but I never engaged with the characters. I didn't dislike them but I didn't love them either. There really wasn't a lot of story, maybe due to the length, but I just felt kind of "Meh".
There was a lot of steamy sex scenes but those fell short for me too. I don't know but this one just didn't gel for me and I won't be reading more in this series.

Wicked Games by Jill Myles

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Games #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
231 pages

Being a fan of Survivor, I didn't know if I'd like this book. The premise is the same as Survivor, so are the challenges and the weather conditions. Even the location in this book was on Survivor. That being said, I did enjoy the book.

Dean is an Olympic medal swimmer who wants to win this game show. Not for the money but for the title. Abby is a writer/reporter who was forced by her boss to step in after another contestant bowed out. She was in fear for her job and was offered a book deal if she played the game. She reluctantly agreed to do it. She and Dean end up paired together and one thing leads to another.

I really enjoyed both main characters. They were funny and likeable. The story was fast paced and I totally bought into their love story. Dean's journal entries were heartwarming. His love for Abby was so obvious but because of her self esteem issues, it was hard for her to truly believe. I enjoy Jill Myles when she wries as Jessica Clare. She does a great job with this novella length story. There's humor, emotion and hot sex. If you are a Survivor fan you'll really enjoy this one.

Fighting Love by Abby Niles

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Love to the Extreme #2
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
352 pages

To say Tommy Sparks is down on his luck would be an understatement. He's lost his MMA title, his self respect and his house. When he was at the top of his sport, he had it all. Money, women popularity and his best friend, Julie. Due to some of his issues, he lost it all. All of it except Julie. Now he has to move in with her until the insurance pays for the losses due to his house catching on fire.

Julie has loved Tommy since she was ten years old. He was her savior then and her very best friend since. They used to sneak into each other's room at night, when their home lives became too much. She has watched an endless parade of friends and women come through Tommy's life. And still, she loves him. She so desperately wants Tommy to see her as a woman and not his "sister". When she offers him a place to stay she knows she has to be careful with her heart and feelings.

This was a great story and more emotional than I thought it would be. I felt bad for Tommy because he never thought that with his past, he'd be good enough for Julie. I really liked both characters up until the end. I thought Julie became kind of a shrew. I know she always felt second place to Tommy's fame but seriously, Julie! Calm your ass down! I will not hesitate to read the first book in this series or any others that follow. I just hope that the heroines aren't shrews.

Desperately Seeking Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel #4.5
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
100 pages

Jeb Stone is the captain of the San Gabriel fire department for shift C. He was married for several years but got divorced. He has an eighteen year old daughter who wants him to date and get on with his life. He meets Nita Moreno at his friend's wedding. He's instantly attracted to her and kind of flirts with her. He is still married at this time and this was a little off-putting for me. There's a reason behind Jeb and his wife's marriage but that's for you to read.

The story moves ahead a few years and Melissa, his friend's wife is coming to get an exclusive interview with a Senator. The Senator that Nita works for. This interview takes place in San Lucia and Jeb gets bamboozled into shadowing Melissa because she's hugely pregnant. He's surprised to see Nita and that his attraction to her hasn't waned.

I hate to admit it but this is one of those series that I have fallen behind on. It's a good series and I hope to catch up on it now. My main complaint in saying that is that her books aren't on Kindle through my library. I love to support the authors I read but sometimes I can't justify the money at the time I want to read it. Then I tend to forget because of the amount of books I have to read.

This is a novella and its just sweet. About two people who have lost and still keep trying to pull it all together. The story is witty, engaging and sexy. If you want a story that is just precious, this is it.

Knock Out by Michele Mannon

Grade-C+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Worth The Fight #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
167 pages

This book is actually more of a three and a half star book for me.

Keane O'Shea is a MMA fighter who is also ex-military. A Marine to be précise. He a big bear of a man in size and temperament. He fights not for the joy but for the release of energy and stress. He also has sex for the release but also because he likes sex. What man doesn't? His sex life is uncomplicated because there's no strings attached. The rest of his life is very complicated though. He has PTSD that he refuses to get treatment for. He's guilt ridden over the death of his best friend and he's surly at best most of the time.

Logan Rettino is a former ballerina still trying to pay off her medical bills. Her fiancé and dance partner dropped her during a performance and she broke her ankle. This injury ruined her career and her fiancé stole money from their accounts that she alone earned. She's been insulted by him through the media relentlessly. She's taken a job as a an Octagon Girl, she carries the cards that announce the upcoming rounds. Because of the humiliation of her injury being made public, people recognize her. She has success at being a Octagon Girl and only needs a few more paychecks to help her open her own dance school. Her boss is a wretch of a man. A surprise kiss starts a media frenzy between her and O'Shea. She's given an ultimatum by her boss that involves O'Shea or she's loses her job.

This was a good, solid read. It did seem a little long at times but was good overall. I enjoyed Logan as a character and she had a good heart. Keane O'Shea is a different animal altogether. This man is in real emotional pain which makes me less than pleasant. The love story was slow building but ended well. The sex was great when it finally happened but you did have to wait for it. I haven't researched to find out if this is a series yet but I would probably read more from this author.

Jagger's Moves by Allie Standifer

Grade-B-

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-No Kink

Series-SEALs on Fire #4

Genre-Contemporary

Reviewed by Kay

66 pages

 

What do you get when you take two childhood friends, whose mothers forced them to remain pen pals after moves separated the families? You get a woman who write erotica for a living and a Navy SEAL.
When Ty, nicknamed Jagger, agrees to pick his former pen pal up from the airport after being pressured by his mother, he sees a woman exit the plane. A drop dead gorgeous woman, no less. His heart almost stops and his world is forever changed.

Alexa is very eager to reconnect with her friend and childhood crush, Ty. She has thought of little else over the years. She's now a grown woman with grown-up desires. She knows that this trip home is when she is gonna make her move.

I enjoyed this book more than the last one I read. Granted, during a short story the love is instantaneous but I didn't really mind the rushing of things. I bought into the whole fantasy of love at first sight. This story didn't have much of a story honestly. But hot sex...WOW, it had that by the boatloads. So far this series has the best quotes. Below are my favorites.

"When you go to your meeting tomorrow or whatever tomorrow evening, your pussy will ache and you won't remember a time when my cock wasn't fucking you."

"You see more in me than I see in myself, and for that, I want to be the person you think I am."

I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Mine to Hold by Cynthia Eden

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Mine #3
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
265 pages

Claire Kramer is a complex woman. Considered fragile but also cunning. She's either broken or a calculating seductress. She has lost everything. Her mom and dad, her sister and for a moment, her sanity. After being in an abusive relationship, she found the courage to leave him. This led to the death of her parents by her ex. Then she lost her sister to murder. She doesn't like to be touched but Noah York wants to touch her, badly.

Noah York is a hotel chain owner, ex-military and a womanizer. He met Claire three months ago and has never forgotten her. He has his own demons to overcome. His own darkness to conquer. He only cares about his two friends and now Claire. She fills this need in him and he can't explain it. When she is stalked, he takes over her life.

I love this series. It has everything I really love. Suspense, really bad, bad guys, sizzling love scenes and a consuming love story. I have to say it again, please Cynthia Eden, never stop writing romantic suspense. This is totally your genre. These two characters had my interest at the close of her previous book and I was looking forward to their story. Now, I want Drake's story. Soon!

Sheltered by Charlotte Stein

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
162 pages

Evie is a girl who has endured living with her abusive, religious nutcase father and her emotionally and mentally checked out mother. She attends a Bible college and tries to be a good girl. She sees herself as fat and too naive. She has these desires to be a normal young woman but lacks the nerve, in the beginning, to really do it.

Van is a punk, at least that's how Evie sees him at first. He is kind of an artsy guy. He's really tall, hairy and tattooed. He smokes pot and hangs out with the guy who lives next door to Evie. He notices the shy, reserved girl next door to his friend. As time goes on they talk and a relationship develops. We find out later that he has some money he got from his grandparent that he uses for college and rent.

This is my first book by Charlotte stein and I liked it. It kind of read almost YA except for the sex scenes. They were sweet but explicit. You could really feel the vulnerability of both lead characters. The innocence was precious. The love story touching if a bit rushed. It was short and sweet. I will definitely read more by this author. Thanks to Anne for mentioning this author.

Afterburn by Sylvia Day

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Afterburn & Aftershock #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
99 pages

Warning, this is a cliffhanger. I am disliking those more and more. However, I enjoyed this start to this series, a lot.

Jackson Rutledge is from a very wealthy, politically powerful family. I can't tell you what he does for a living. I don't know if it was mentioned but it's some sort of wheeling and dealing thing. He and Gia had a five week fling a few years ago and he ended by never calling again.

Gianna Rossi is from a restaurant family but she wants something related but different for herself. She and her family are close. She fell hard for Jax years ago and was very hurt by his actions. He shows up with her competition during a business meeting. This starts all sorts of feelings for Gia's emotions to deal with. Gia's not the same girl she was years ago and Jax is about to find that out.

Is Jax a changed man? Does he care for Gia or is he using her for inside information? I don't know yet but I can't wait to find out. This was a steamy and short read. I really enjoyed it.

Throwing Heat by Jennifer Seasons

                     

Grade-C

Hotness Level-Blaze

Kink Level-No Kink

Series-Diamonds and Dugouts #3

Genre-Contemporary

Reviewed by Kay

100 pages

 

 

This is the third installment in Jennifer Seasons' Diamond and Dugouts series.

Leslie Cutter has always had horrible taste in men. One knocked her up in her teen years, one ruined her name by embezzlement and the latest is a player on and off the field. He's also her brother's best friend and the starting pitcher for the Denver Rush. The book starts off years ago in Miami after her ex leaves the country after the embezzlement fiasco. After a drunken night, she and Peter Kowalskin have a sexual encounter, not full blown but an encounter nonetheless.
Peter can't go through with it and leaves, causing an already insecure woman to doubt herself even more.

Peter is battling his own demons. He is retiring at the end of the season due to a degenerative eye disease and he wants a World Series win to go with it. He regrets not sleeping with Leslie years ago in Miami and wants another chance with her. He offers his place to stay after the building he owns that she lives in has a flood. He makes a wager with her. He will play guitar at the nightclub she manages and help her buy it if she can NOT sleep with him until after Halloween. Leslie jumps at the chance because this is her opportunity at self redemption. She can't lose, right?

I thought this was a cute read. A lot of sexual chemistry and sexy scenes. Only one full blown one though, which was disappointing. There were very good secondary characters and I hope they all have a book. My only complaint was that I wished it was as hot as Jaci Burton's sports series.

                      

Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

Grade-DNF
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
368 pages

Ok, so the blurb on this book sounds so very good.

Scarred MMA fighter, who's also a billionaire meets an almost EMT. He then hires the curvy almost EMT to do first aid at his underground MMA club. She needs the money and thinks he's hot, so she accepts the position, even though she abhors violence. They start to date and are totally into each other, then the book starts to hint at his BDSM tendencies.

I got a text from a friend of mine who was reading the book at the same time I was and she mentioned nipple clamps. My friend, who knows me well was warning me because I now have a "hard limit" with nipple clamps. I decided that I have enough to read without reading about that or any other books delving into BDSM.

This book started out so good. I was super excited but seriously, I have had it up to my eyeballs with this genre and it's flooding of the romance market. If you're into reading about that, then try this book. You may love it. Nice heroine and hot fighter. Even decent secondary characters. Quirky humor also.