Piper Glen and Rafe, Kade and Talib's book
Their Virgin Concubine (Master of Menage book 3)
By Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Book Blurb:
The country of Bezakistan – renowned for its wealth and the beauty of its deserts
Piper Glen is thrilled when Rafe and Kade al Mussad ask her to visit their country on a business trip. Madly attracted to both, the virginal secretary knows that neither of her intensely handsome bosses desires her. But every night she dreams of having them both in her bed, fulfilling her every need.
Rafe and Kade have finally found the perfect woman in Piper. Sweet and funny. Intelligent and strong. Before they can reveal their feelings, the brothers must fulfill an ancient tradition. Every sheikh must steal his bride and share her with his brothers. They have thirty days to convince Piper to love them all forever.
The country of Bezakistan – notorious for its danger…
Sheikh Talib al Mussad knows his villainous cousin seeks to take his throne. If Talib and his brothers fail to convince the beautiful Piper to love them, all will be lost. After meeting Piper, he knows he would risk everything to possess her heart.
Khalil al Bashir has long coveted his cousin’s rule. Without a bride to seal their birthright, his every wish will come true. If Piper falls for them, he will lose everything but Piper can’t love them if she’s dead…
You would think that a book that was penned by two amazing, erotic authors would end up being a perfect 5 in my rating system. Sadly I was so disappointed with Their Virgin Concubine. I can't believe it. Shayla Black and Lexi Blake are such great writers that normally write books I love with exceptional eroticism. I enjoy their books immensely.
Firstly let me say that Their Virgin Concubine is book 3 in a series but each book can be read as a stand alone. Secondly Amazon had a great deal on where the book was only .88. I totally jumped on that deal because I was going to pay the full price originally.
So what went wrong for me? Well, honestly it was the erotic scenes and the lack there of. There were only 3 in the entire book! One where Piper loses her virginity, a short BDSM play scene between Piper and Tal and then the finale.
Starting with the first scene,it was so quick. The lead up was nicely paced then it was over once she loses her virginity with Tal. The other two brothers have sex with her too but nothing is written about it. It was just understood it happened.
The BDSM scene really wasn't about the sex at all. It was about Piper trying to get Tal to open up to her. It was over before it started and for the amazing BDSM scenes that both authors have written before, this was so light. It was like they didn't want to go "there".
The finale was good but should have been just a regular scene in what I would consider these great authors to deliver.
Now the story itself was also lacking. I loved so many elements but then so much of it fizzled for me. I just wanted more. So much more. I've become greedy I guess.
Kate Daniels
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels book 6)
by Ilona Andrews
Book Blurb:
Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.
Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOVE!!! OMG so good. So so sooooooo good.
Excellent. Fabulous. Can you tell I loved Magic Rises?
I am kind of like a broken record because each one of these Kate Daniels books are better than the previous one and I pretty much rate each on a perfect 5.
Why are these books the best? Kate. Kate is the ultimate. She is supremely badass as a warrior but she is 100% woman. She has no need to wear distracting sexy clothing or have to flirt and bat her eyelashes to get attention. That is one of the reasons I love her so. People, shapeshifters and even scum criminals can't help but respect her. She is witty, brilliant at martial arts and yet she still has so many of the vulnerabilities that women have. She can still get jealous even when she is talking herself out of those ridiculous feelings.
Now in Magic Rises, those jealous feelings aren't really all that ridiculous. Her mate Curran seems to be spending to much time with another female shapeshifter and he also seems to breaking a lot of shapeshifter social blunders with her. For most of the book, Kate takes the high road and knows that there is something more going on but Curran disregards her concerns. I have to say, if felt like Curran was cheating on Kate and ME! How dare he! This particular plot involving Kate and Curran was just the tip of the iceberg within Magic Rises. There was just so much much more.
The main characters spend the majority of the book across the sea in Europe in a castle sharing time with a couple of other packs. There is just so much going on in this story that my review would literally be pages long if I commented on each of the storylines. Now having said that, I don't mean that there is so much going on that your mind is spinning to keep caught up. Not at all. Magic Rises is written to Ilona Andrews' flawless standards and is perfectly executed. I was up to 4:23am until it was done! There was just no way I could put down the story. Besides, I'd just go to bed and dream about them anyways.
Teasers: boat voyage, jealous Kate/jerk Curran, big confrontation, Aunt B story
Ethan Frost and Chloe Girard's book
Ruined (Ethan Frost book 1)
By Tracy Wolff
Book Blurb:
He’s the last man Chloe Girard should love . . . but the first she ever could.
Ethan Frost is a visionary, a genius, every woman’s deepest, darkest fantasy—even mine. And, somehow, I am his.
He stole into my life like a dream. Turned my reality upside down and made my every desire come true—especially those I never knew I had. He demanded everything I had to give and gave me everything of himself in return.
But dreams don’t last forever, and ours is no exception. Because my nightmares are darker, and my wounds deeper, than I could ever reveal. And as much as Ethan wants to protect me, the secrets we we share will only tear us apart.
Ruined is being heavily marketed in the same bucket as Fifty Shades and Bared to You but I am not seeing the connection other than a super rich young billionaire and a tortured past. (But geez how many romances include that formula?)
I love a first person point of view story but if you read Ruined, you are going to spend a lot of time in Chloe's head. The entire book was pretty much her thoughts, her feelings and what secrets she is debating on sharing. I wasn't sure before what the difference was with "New Adult" books but now I understand. The maturity level is definitely evident. Chloe is young. She spends a lot of time worrying about what people with think. She has trust issues and when she finally reveals her past it is only in bits and leaves out major gaps. She also jumps to conclusions quickly. Basically I found a lack of maturity with Chloe; however it was actually quite realistic for her age.
Chloe had a horrible event occur while she was a teenager and not enough time has happened between that horrific event and her current age. With only 5 years separating that dramatic event to the present day, I could really see how she still had a lot of healing to overcome. It sure seemed pretty obvious that Chloe should still be seeking counselling of some sort.
Ethan of course is perfect. Body perfect. Rich perfect. Grounded. Smart. A surfer. A philanthropist. Knows exactly what to say and when to say it. Sexy. Hot. Knows the perfect romantic gifts to send and to top it all off, he knows how to build a sand castle. My eyes were rolling with how unrealistic Ethan was. In fact, his perfection was almost nauseating. I think that is one struggle I have with these billionaire stories. Ethan is so perfect in everything he does and to top it off, he seems to know how to handle an emotional train wreck of woman.
Truthfully, I was not really enjoying Ruined but not enough to stop reading. Everything was so cliched and there wasn't any originality. Until the end. Until that cliff hanger. And now dammit, I have to wait until July to read what happens. I hate cliffhangers.
Sam and Griffin's book
Pieces For You (For You book 2)
By Genna Rulon
Book Blurb:
Samantha Whitney survived unimaginable tragedy only to discover she had been betrayed by a man who claimed to love her. Shattered, Sam spends months at a safe haven trying to piece herself back together. Ready or not, the time has come for her to return home.
As Sam struggles to resume a life that no longer feels familiar, she finds unwavering support in an unexpected, familiar face. Confronting Sam’s raw emotions and open wounds head-on, Griffin manages to take two steps forward for every step she retreats.
But when Sam is once again threatened, Griffin must decide how far he is willing to go to protect the woman he wants…knowing the cost of her safety is the risk of losing her.
Pieces For You is a captivating journey of survival, healing, and sacrifice—teeming with honesty, humor, unexpected twists, and love’s unsurpassed endurance.begin to plague Sam, it is Griffin she is forced to turn to.
I finished book 1, Only For You yesterday and rushed right back to Amazon to buy book 2, Pieces For You.
Pieces For You did not disappoint! I didn't think it was possible but I liked Pieces For You even more than book 1. You could read as a stand alone but you would be missing out on the fabulous relationship that I grew to love between Sam and her bestie, Ev from reading Only For You book 1.
These two best friends Sam and Ev are so witty together. Perfect best friends that are practically sisters. I love their scenes together the most because of their banter. They have so much love and fun together.
In book 1, something tragic happens to Sam. I knew that book 2 would be Sam's book and how she heals through the aftermath of that tragedy. Once again Ev is her number one champion but something beautiful happens in Pieces For You. Sam begins to heal and allows Griffin, the man that has been loving her from afar, into her fractured life. Sam doesn't heal in one chapter and with Griffin as her protector she can put the pieces of her life back together. One thing I loved was reading about the success of Sam's humour coming back. Here is an example - Early on in their relationship Sam and Griffin go to a gym. After he exposes his chest, Sam has a hilarious reaction.
"Fine…I licked you. But it was an involuntary reflex—hot guy, exposed chest…you know how it is."
After that moment, I knew that the old Sam was well on her way back.
I found Pieces For You suspenseful at times and always mesmerizing. I didn't want to miss one group date, therapy session, gym workout, dinner out and I especially didn't want to miss out on Griffin's solo guitar performances at The Stop (his bar).
The beauty of the Kindle app on iPad is that when the author wrote what songs Griffin was singing, it was highlighted and automatically linked over to Youtube to the original artist. What a bonus that was! I ended up making my own playlist on the awesome song selections.
During the story, a new character Meg is introduced and book 3 will be about her. Meg is a perfect friend fit with Ev and Sam and there are definitely some dark secrets in her past. I can't wait to read her story when it is published. That will be an autobuy for me.
Teasers: "No one can understand the scars left on your soul, but you can’t believe you are the only one who bears scars from your suffering."
Hunter Charles and Everleigh Carson's book
Only For You (For You book 1)
By Genna Rulon
Book Blurb:
All Everleigh Carsen wanted to do was complete her final semester at Hensley University and begin the life she planned.
When a wave of violent crime seizes campus, Everleigh is persuaded by her best friend to attend a school sponsored self-defense seminar, where she meets volunteer instructor, Hunter Charles. After Everleigh’s biting sarcasm induces Hunter to eject her from class, an explosive relationship is born.
Everleigh is determined to forget the striking man, but fate—that fickle shrew— continuously intervenes. Unable to escape him, she casts Hunter as her prime adversary. The only complication…Hunter is resolutely pursuing his vindication…by any means necessary. Verbal warfare ensues, and despite Everleigh’s ingenious efforts, in Hunter, she has finally found her equal.
Only For You is a compelling tale of friendship, desire, and redemption—brimming with witty characters, intelligent dialogue, unexpected twists, profound sorrow, unfettered hope, and love’s unassailable perseverance.
Only For You is a blend of comedy, mystery, and romance, which offers laughter, suspense, tears, love and friendship.
Only For You was only .89 on Amazon. I picked up then and wow what a deal. I loved it!
I am thinking that Only For You is my first New Adult book. At least I think it is a New Adult book. I'm not one for getting caught up in labels much. Let's just say that the characters of Only For You are in their last year of university.
I think I have girl crush on Everleigh. She is the best friend every girl wants. She is funny, smart, pretty and so loyal. Her best friend is Sam and they are more like sisters. They balance each other. Friendships like theirs are lifetime long and solid. They are #1 in each other's lives. I was kind of jealous of their friendship.
Only For You moved me. I was so enthralled with the story. There are gruesome attacks happening to women on the campus and the story really highlights the real life insecurity women constantly feel. It was disturbing to have that fact revealed over and over again. The women of the university are scared, transferring to different schools or even just dropping out. Everleigh and Sam are really trying to protect each other through this horrific time. They are vigilant with their protection and even sign up for a self defense class. That is where Everleigh meets Hunter.
Hunter is a big mystery almost the entire story. The reader is constantly wanting him to just love Everleigh. He was struggling with his feelings to just remain friends but the reader has no idea why. It is obvious that he has fallen for her and it is frustrating to keep reading that he claims it is not the right time in his life for a relationship. You can't help but have the suspicion that there is more going on that we are not privy to. Is he already married? Regardless, their friendship is really special and as Everleigh says, he is her un-boyfriend that she goes on un-dates with.
Only For You is so much more than a romance book. It is a story that captured me from beginning on different types of relationships. I read it in a day. I loved how much depth there was in regards to human nature. The way the book ends is not on a cliffhanger BUT (big BUT here) I just have to know what happens next. I need to still be involved with the group of friends and their lives so I am pleased to say, I am diving into the next book right away. (Pieces For You)
Teaser: "You may have experienced a tragedy, but I will not let you become a tragedy."
Camilla and Ivan's story
The Theory of Attraction (The Science of Temptation book 1)
by Delphine Dryden
Book Blurb:
Camilla can set her watch by her hunky rocket-scientist neighbor who jogs past her window each day. She relishes each glimpse of his shirtless abs, and is dying to see more. But it's hard to connect with a man who doesn't seem to know she exists...
Ivan feels at home in the lab, not in social situations. When he finally approaches his attractive neighbor, it's not for a date—he wants tutoring in how to behave at an important fundraiser. Ivan doesn't expect the chemistry between them to be quite so explosive, and is surprised when Cami actually accepts his proposal to embark on a series of "lessons."
Cami soon discovers Ivan's schedule isn't the only thing he likes to be strict about—he needs to be charge in the bedroom as well. She's shocked at how much she comes to enjoy her submissive side, but wonders if a real relationship is in the equation..
Intensely hot! LOVE! A great premise for an erotic story. The Theory of Attraction was an outstanding read for me.
I was attracted to Ivan and all his introvert glory. He is brilliant in the lab or as a professor but just like a lot of highly intellectual geniuses, he was socially awkward. I was so attracted to Ivan's personality. No games with Ivan. No guessing or making assumptions. He is not the type of man a woman would ask, "Does my butt look big in this?" because his unwavering honesty would truthfully tell you that your butt was big and he'd have no qualms about softening the blow. He doesn't "get" how you are not supposed to interrupt people's conversations or lie to spare people's feelings. Just the thought of a crowded room full of party-goers would make him sweat.
Cami is a sweetheart. I really liked that the book started where Cami and Ivan have been neighbours and friends for over two years. As such, the author spares the readers of a crammed in-depth history of Ivan and his "condition". Instead we are treated to Cami's first person point of view detailing her crush on Ivan and all of his quirks.
When Ivan approaches Cami with his request of seeking social training for a very important fundraising, I just knew this was going to be good. I got all giddy and couldn't wait for the training to begin. To my utter and complete surprise a delicious turn in the story occurs where the training ended up being more of a D/s story. Instead the training ended up more Ivan giving Cami instruction on being his submissive. I absolutely loved the lead up to the training. The date at the movie, the whispers in her ear, the placement of hands at the theater, the dinner and the drive home. It was anticipation at it's best.
Now for the best part of the story...the hot erotic play. It was excellent and exciting. Some of the best I've read. It was not dark BDSM and Ivan made an excellent Dom considering his read on people. The author did a great job early on in The Theory of Attraction to tell the story of how patient Ivan was with explaining detailed instructions on a complicated video game to a new player or when he is in his teaching element for the university. So when the time came for Ivan to change into his Dom persona, he did an exceptional job and very believable.
The only time I did an eye roll is when Ivan told Cami something about his biggest fear. Honestly, that part of the story was lame and it would have been a perfect read except for that one part.
Regardless, one of my favourite fun reads so far this year.
Teasers: "I wanted to make Ivan Reynolds completely lose his shit. Barring that, I would settle for Ivan making me completely lose my shit, which seemed a lot more likely."
Grayson Anders and Chloe LaRoche's book
Silent Partner
By Renee Vincent
Book Blurb:
Grayson Anders has it all. He's the co-owner of a happening nightclub in downtown Boston, he's wealthy, and women practically throw themselves at his feet the moment he steps on the dance floor. But profiting from these obvious benefits is not his desire. His passion is dancing and he wants nothing more than to find the perfect dance partner.
Chloe LaRoche is a talented artist, but a failing entrepreneur. Her once thriving studio is now on the brink of foreclosure and unless she paints the next Van Gogh Starry Night, she'll have to cut her losses and say goodbye to her quaint little gallery. Fearing her career is at an end, she drags herself to the local hotspot, determined to drown her worries in the bottom of a shot glass. At least that was the plan...until she lays eyes on a wickedly sexy, swarthy dancer in the club-Grayson Anders. Unable to resist, Chloe finds herself in Grayson's arms, indulging on a passionate, out-of-control, one night stand. And when both awaken the next morning, they are consumed with inspiration. Grayson finds his perfect dance partner and Chloe finally finds her muse. But will her secret destroy both their dreams?
Silent Partner was one of the novels in an eight ebook bundle deal for only .99, Unfortgettable Heroes.
What a great concept for a story Silent Partner was. I have to admit that when I started reading it I was thinking something was going to be a bit different about the Chloe since she seemed to be pretty silent for a heroine. The reader is treated to a lot of what Chloe is thinking but not much in the way of verbal. Of course when we first meet Chloe, it is at a night club where the music is blasting and talking is usually at a minimum anyways.
Grayson is sexy. He completely knows he owns the floor with his dance moves and all the women there want him. It was a toss up between whether he was super confident or completely arrogant. When he starts to gyrate and dance with Chloe, I could picture the pair of them right in front of my eyes.
When Grayson leads Chloe to his apartment above the night club, it was a very sexy read. I loved that he carried the shot glasses in his hands and all the descriptions that were used to get them to the bedroom. Hot!
Without adding too many spoilers, Grayson and Chloe don't immediately become a couple. Grayson has to fix how he wronged Chloe and he did an amazing job. I found Silent Partner a quick and easy read.
Teasers: tossed shots, ab painting "MINE", cabby protector, limo ride apology
Lord Luke Hawkins and Emma (Curtis) Anderson's book
The Rogue's Proposal (House of Trent book 2)
By Jennifer Haymore
Book Blurb:
Lord Lukas Hawkins, the rakish second son of the House of Trent, has never found a wager he couldn't win or a woman he couldn't seduce—until his search for his missing mother leads him to a mysterious encounter with a beautiful stranger.
Luke's mother has been missing for months, and while his honorable older brother Simon, Duke of Trent, leads the official investigation from London, Luke sets out on a somewhat seedier path. Sources have told him his mother was last seen with a scoundrel named Roger Morton, but their association isn't clear. Was she kidnapped or did she go willingly?
While searching for Morton, Luke meets Emma Anderson, a secretive beauty with her own reasons for hunting Morton. At first Luke laughs at the idea of allowing a woman to join him in his search, but soon Emma's insights into Morton—like the woman herself—prove impossible to resist.
I am wow'd right now. I freaking love this series and this book, The Rogue's Proposal is only book 2! You could read The Rogue's Proposal as a stand alone book but I would not recommend it. There is an overall story that is carried forward and is probably going to last until the end of the series. It is not a heavy plot but it is the plot that will link these stories together.
Luke is what I would call my absolutely perfect lover. Note I didn't say perfect man; because he is not a perfect man. But oh wow he can set the sheets on fire. In fact I am willing to say that the intimate scenes between Luke and Emma are one of the best that I have ever in a historical romance (if ever). Their lovemaking was the perfect mix of erotic and mild bondage and complete love. Now don't go into this thinking that The Rogue's Proposal is a BDSM book and be disappointed because it is not. There is mild and sexy bondage which perfectly matched this excellent couple.
I know that the first thing I have reviewed is about Luke and Emma's intimate scenes (which were brilliantly written) but that is only a partial component of this amazing story. The majority of The Rogue's Proposal takes place on a carriage journey from Bristol to Edinburgh and all the way back to London. I loved it! The author, Jennifer Haymore takes the reader on a journey all across the United Kingdom. I was smitten with all the tiny inn's and the chilly countryside journey. Since it was only the two of them making this trek, you really got to know them well.
I adored both Luke and Emma. Luke is supposed to be a rogue and he is just so damn likable. Since Luke was the most distant sibling in book 1, The Duchess Hunt, an explanation is satisfactorily provided on Luke's distant demeanor and especially the grudge he has against his eldest brother, the Duke of Trent. A great story there! Emma was great. She was not a timid lady. She was a bit naive with her lack of experience but she was smart and determined. I found I really liked her.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series. It is out in May 2014 I think.
Teasers: "Do you like to be bound, Mrs. Curtis?"
Jane Darlington and Cal Bonner's book
Nobody's Baby But Mine (Chicago Star book 3)
By Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by Anna Fields
Book Blurb:
A physicist wants to spare her child from becoming a nerdy scientist's kid. So she sets out to snare a dumb jock to father her child.
The style of writing in Nobody's Baby But Mine was classic Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP). I've grown to really enjoy SEP stories but the actual story line of Nobody's Baby But Mine was not my cup of tea. In fact, I found it rather lacking. The idea that a brilliant world class physicist wanted to birth a stupid (non smart) child to be utterly ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the fact that she thought a world class athlete would be the perfect, dumb hick of a sperm donor to impregnate her. I kid you not, right there was the plot.
There was just so much stupidity in Nobody's Baby But Mine I don't even know where to start. From Jane pretending to be a hooker (that doesn't take her clothes off) to luring the superstar athlete Cal (who is used to having women throwing themselves at him) into unknowingly implanting his sperm into her was so far fetched. Not to mention how quickly his entire family forgives Jane from doing what I consider to be one of the most despicable acts a woman can do in regards to deception. The best observance made in Nobody's Baby But Mine was that Jane, who is highly intelligent, is rather dumb as a post.
I found there was nothing redeeming about Jane that would allow me to forgive her. I understand the idea of wanting a baby so badly that you'd do almost anything but all of her reasoning and the way she went about it, was just to unforgiving to me.
I liked Cal but really I liked his family more. It was his mom, dad and grandma that made this story for me. Luckily there was a strong secondary cast with a great side story that made me want to finish out Nobody's Baby But Mine. It was their story that increased the rating to a 2 for me.
Although this story was not my favourite, I am 100% continuing on with this Chicago Stars series. In fact I've already put on hold the fourth book in the series and I can't wait for the library to notify me that Dream a Little Dream is ready for me.
Teasers: Pink bow, coolest grandma ever, Bonner back story
