Review of Body Language by Em Petrova

Body Language by Em Petrova

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Wow! Ummm … just … yeah. Ms. Petrova has done it again. In Body Language we return to the Boot Knockers Ranch for another round of cowboy lovin’. I will admit that initially I was a bit disappointed to learn that Ruthie was only getting one cowboy – no ménage this time. However, Damian turned out to be just the right cowboy to get this job done, no assist needed.

Ruthie is an elementary school teacher with a stringent religious upbringing (seriously, having a nice steak for dinner is gluttonous?), who is hoping that a week at the Boot Knockers Ranch will help her find the big “O” and get over the guilt and shame that her parents instilled in her regarding sex. Fortunately Damian is hot for teacher and cannot wait to start the lessons. If you have read Ms. Petrova’s writing before then you know that she writes good sex and Body Language is no exception. The sex between Ruthie and Damian is H.O.T. hot and more than one scene left me squirming. But there is more to the developing relationship between Ruthie and Damian than just unbelievably hot sex and as secrets are revealed and the week comes to an end, they have to decide whether to say adios or ride off into the sunset together.

Body Language is an excellent addition to the series. I love the way the cowboys are able to fulfil the women’s fantasies, while meeting her needs and helping her come into her own as a sexual individual. The interactions between Ruthie and Damian were entertaining. Characters from book one made appearances so that readers of the series were able to find out what’s going on in their lives. Ms. Petrova once again demonstrated her talent as a writer. She has written a book that is sinfully sexy, yet so freaking sweet in parts – I nearly cried during the Epilogue. I am looking forward to my next visit to the Boot Knockers Ranch already.



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Review of Pushin' Buttons by Em Petrova

Pushin' Buttons by Em Petrova

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Niiiiiiiice! Talk about some hot cowboy lovin’, Ms. Petrova certainly knows her way around a ménage scene, or two, or three. Whew! Sybill may have gone to the Boot Knockers Ranch having never had an orgasm, but she didn’t leave that way … even if she left with her heart broken. What’s a girl to do when the man of her dreams turns out to be two men – one of whom can’t admit he’s in love with the other man? Oh yeah, you got it, we get bisexual cowboys, hot ménage sex, and romance … face it, you can’t get your heartbroken if there’s no romance involved. All of this adds up to a stellar read that I enjoyed from beginning to end (even if I didn’t want it to end).

The Boot Knockers Ranch hosts 20 women each week as the cowboys use their talents and skills to help the women overcome whatever sexual dysfunction that plagues them – virginity, body image issues, fantasy-fulfillment, failure to orgasm, etc. But don’t mistake the Ranch for a bordello. The ladies are carefully screened and matched by a counselor who knows what each cowboy can do and what skills are needed to help the individual woman. While I find the idea fascinating, I thought the added twist that the cowboys are shareholders in the ranch gives them a vested interest in seeing it succeed and helps to keep it professional and above-board. Although Pushin’ Buttons features Hugh and Riggs, it is clear from scenes involving the other cowboys that the men take their job seriously and treat the women with respect. And, in Hugh and Riggs’ case, love.

Being a founding member of the Boot Knockers Ranch, Hugh is taken aback when he responds so strongly to Sybill. He’s not supposed to be taking part in this week’s treatments, but he cannot NOT throw his hat into the ring for her. So it’s no wonder he falls for her and he falls hard – so hard that he takes it personally when he can’t take over the edge. It’s quite endearing how Hugh beats himself up mentally when he finds his pleasure without giving Sybill hers. Though he doesn’t admit it to himself, his determination to please her is not about his ego, it’s about pleasing his woman. Needless to say, he’s not happy when he learns that Riggs has wormed his way into their bed … he doesn’t want to share Sybill, not even with his lover. When he learns that it is at Sybill’s request (and not Riggs’ machinations), he agrees and Sybill (and the reader) is treated to some lip biting, squirm inducing, panty-drenching sex scenes that show that Sybill isn’t the only one who can ride a cowboy. Yee Haw!

What takes Pushin’ Buttons from a 4-star read to a 5-star read for me is the romance. The author doesn’t just give you some great sex scenes that’ll overheat your Kindle, she also writes one heartbreakingly sweet romance as these three characters come to terms with their love for one another in such a brief time. This is especially difficult for Hugh as he’s had his heartbroken by a man before, which is why he is so hesitant to open himself up to Riggs. Does this trio find happiness? Or do they go their separate ways – Sybill back to her life as a researcher in Atlanta and Hugh and Riggs resuming their therapeutic roles as cowboys on the ranch? You’ll have to read Pushin’ Buttons to find out and if you’re a fan of MFM ménages, you won’t be disappointed. This book has made it on my reread list and I’m looking forward to Ms. Petrova’s next book in the Boot Knockers series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Hollow by Ava Conway

Hollow by Ava Conway

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I’m not entirely sure of how I feel about this book. Hollow tells us the story of Lucy White. After a tragic night, she finds herself being investigated for manslaughter. At the advice of her attorney and the insistence of her mother, she admits herself to a mental institution. Once there, Lucy faces the monumental task of finding herself – an objective made that much more difficult each time her mother visits and reveals family secrets. Ms. Conway made it easy to hate Lucy’s mother. The woman was so self-involved that it blew my mind – and I have known some extremely self-involved people. I was not surprised that Lucy finally went off on her mother; frankly, I was surprised it took her that long.

If Lucy’s mother represented the dark cloud in her life, Jayden was her light. While I liked Jayden’s protectiveness of others, especially Flynn, Nesto, and Lucy, and the way in which he found his place within the ward, I never quite connected with him. Or Lucy for that matter. I enjoyed their relationship – the way they bantered, the way they listened to one another, the way they gave the other hope – but something was missing for me that prevented me from connecting the characters fully. Normally I would give a book like this 3 stars for being a good read. However, this is a really well-written book and I did enjoy it. I actually loved the way in which Ms. Conway ended the book. As odd as this may sound, I don’t want to read the sequel if it’s about Lucy and Jayden. I don’t want to know what happens to them next. I like their story as it is … ending in hope and THAT is why I gave Hollow four stars.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Darkness by Laurann Dohner

Darkness by Laurann Dohner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





Mrs. Dohner has done it again! Darkness actually reminds me a lot of the beginning of the series, when there was tons of action and intrigue. While I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few installments that focused more on the internal workings of the NSO (New Species Organization) and/or the relationship of the titled character, this was a nice return to the roots sort of book. Of course, the SECRET was freaking awesome. I don’t remember the last time I wrote a review that I had to work so hard to keep from writing a spoiler. I want to shout it from the rooftops. LOL! At least I’ll only have to wait until the weekend before my New Species reading buddy gets to read the book and we can gossip about it.

With this being the 12th book in the New Species series, I admittedly get a tad confused as to when we met whom despite having read the majority of the series multiple times. Darkness has such a formidable character that I was looking forward to reading his story. As we know, all of the New Species have terrible backgrounds and more baggage than any one being should carry, but Darkness seems to have more than his fair share. While there have been hints in previous books, when his entire story was revealed it was heartbreaking. Mercile is its own brand of evil, but what he was exposed to was far worse – if you can even imagine that. The things that Darkness has done and witnessed make him even more resistant to the idea of finding a mate than the typical New Species male. So it wasn’t surprising that Kat would have to be a strong female to break through … no shrinking violet allowed. Kat’s character actually reminded me a lot of Trisha with her wise cracks and sarcasm. I loved her character and enjoyed getting to know her and watching her relationship with Darkness develop. They were definitely well-matched.

Darkness was a much anticipated release for me and Mrs. Dohner did not disappoint. There is tons of explosive action – both in and out of the bedroom. We have our common struggle as the male New Species struggles with accepting the love of the human woman, yet even after twelve books the author manages to make each story individualized and I’ve never felt like she’s merely recycling a storyline – which is a common complaint about such long series. While I may compare Kat to Trisha or say the book is reminiscent of the series’ early days, it has to do with the emotions the book invokes in me. And because I just can’t help myself, I have to say that I found it rather entertaining that there seems to be a shared familial desire among certain males to tie their female up during sex … LOL! <= Spoiler, kind of but not really. When you read the book, you’ll understand what I mean. If you’re a huge fan of the series, you may figure it out if you really think about it. But otherwise, it won’t mean anything to you. Thank you Ms. Dohner for another great visit to Homeland. I have Smiley on pre-order and am counting down the days.



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Review of When You Make It Home by Claire Ashby

When You Make It Home by Claire Ashby

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was a lovely novel that I consider to be a solid good read. When You Make It Home is a very emotional story about the relationship that develops between Meg, a pregnant single woman, and Theo, a veteran and amputee. As much as I love the premise of two broken people learning to heal themselves through love, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

My biggest issue with the book was that I couldn't quite connect with Meg. I get that she was dealing with pregnancy hormones, but I found her behavior far too erratic to keep up with at times. I loved the Meg she was when she was with Theo – she was happy, caring, and loving. But the Meg that appeared when she let her insecurities slip in or worried about others judging her frustrated me because she would make herself and many of the people around her miserable. As for Theo, I absolutely adored him. Despite their less than impressive first meeting, he befriended Meg and basically infiltrated her life. Even though I knew why he was doing it, I was heartbroken for both of the characters when Theo left Meg. But I could have smacked her – yes, even with her being pregnant – when she refused to talk to him when he came back. Thankfully, Theo refused to be turned away and kept at her until she finally talked to him. While I wouldn’t expect to find sex scenes involving a pregnant woman sexy, the author writes them in such a way that Theo makes you forget that Meg is pregnant, thus making the scenes very stimulating.

What makes this book especially difficult for me to rate is that there are parts of the story that I loved, parts that I liked, and parts that were just “eh” for me. This is just one of those times where the book didn’t quite click for me, but it was still a good book and well worth reading – the birth scene alone was very entertaining. I recommend downloading a sample and checking it out for yourself because Ms. Ashby is a talented writer and When You Make It Home might be the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Chasing Perfection: Vol. III by M.S. Parker

Chasing Perfection: Vol. III by M.S. Parker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

YAY! I was seriously beginning to wonder if these two were ever going to get their act together. I suppose that in a town where everything is “spin,” it’s hard to have open communication. But the way Krissy and DeVon nearly destroyed everything with their inability to ask questions of one another definitely kept me on the edge of my seat as I dove into Volume III.

As the previous two volumes provided insight into Krissy and DeVon as individuals, Chasing Perfection: Vol. III was all about whether or not they would work as a couple, especially when they both were used to being the one in control. While there was tons of DRAMA along the way and new characters to love (Landon and Franco) and hate (Krissy’s mom), this was definitely the romance part of the series. Witnessing DeVon realize exactly how much he had messed up and wondering whether or not he could fix it was great. Even better was Krissy acknowledging the mistakes she had made along the way and her willingness to meet him halfway.

Chasing Perfection: Vol. III is an excellent end to the series. The relationship development, the drama, and the sex (oh so freaking hot) all worked together beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style and the characters she creates. I’m looking forward to reading Ms. Parker’s next series, Sinful Desires, as well as going back and reading her Club Privé series.



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Review of Chasing Perfection: Vol. II by M.S. Parker

Chasing Perfection: Vol. II by M.S. Parker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Unlike volume one, volume two's ending did not make me laugh. I'm feeling as confused as DeVon probably was and am wondering what the heck happened. So yes, I'm hooked and am ready to start volume three because I need answers!!! But first, Chasing Perfection: Vol. II deserves some attention.

Upon finishing the first book, I felt like I had a pretty good understanding of Krissy's character. In the same way, this installment gave me more insight into DeVon. While he is still channeling his inner a$$hole, he also shows that he can be caring, considerate, protective, possessive, and, most importantly, funny. I was so glad I was at home reading because I would have been embarrassed at the snort-laugh that escaped when DeVon told Krissy, “Are you high? Of course not. I wouldn’t even be able to get that guy a job cleaning the set of a porn film.” Gotta love a man with a sense of humor.

Chasing Perfection: Vol. II was a quick well-paced read that I devoured. The chemistry between them is intense, thus making the sex scenes beyond hot! I cannot wait to read Chasing Perfection: Vol. III so I can find out what happens. Alas, I must wait a couple of days, but it will be done impatiently.






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2014 Goodreads Reading Challange

So I just met my 2014 Goodreads Reading Challenge of 300 books. 

As there are still 3 months of reading time left, I will be increasing it for a third time. 

Here I come 400!

Review of Hardworking Man by Kat Oliver

Hardworking Man by Kat Oliver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I have to start by saying that I am almost positive that the blurb has been revised since I initially signed up to review this book, and for the better. I recall thinking it sounded a bit cheesy and over-the-top, but I thought it would make for a rather entertaining read. The new blurb is a much better reflection of Hardworking Man as a serious romance – although the mechanical references certainly elicited some unexpected chuckles on my part.

During the summer after their high school graduation, Jake and Jessica spent a week together right before she left for college. Jessica was determined to make sure that she would not look back on their time together with regret and lived out her fantasies with him. For Jake, Jessica was the one who got away. While they didn’t pine for one another, they certainly remembered their time together. As such, Jessica wasn’t quite prepared to see Jake again when she learned that he was the tech she was going to be interviewing for the next two weeks. Once they both realized that the spark between them was still there, Jessica agreed to see Jake again as long as they could be discreet – being a woman working in a male-dominated industry, knowledge that she was sleeping with one of her interviewees, despite their history, could destroy her career. While they were discreet, they were most certainly adventurous. Boy howdy does Jake know how to get a woman’s engine going. The sex scenes are aplenty, pertinent to the storyline, and freaking HOT!!!

Ms. Oliver has written a sexy romance with an intelligent heroine and a Hardworking Man with callouses on his hands. I actually loved that Jessica was turned on by Jake’s job and the callouses and clinging smell of gas and grease that accompanied it. Not every leading man can be a business suit wearing billionaire or a bad boy biker, so Jake’s profession was a nice change of pace and added a level of realism to the romance that made it that much more enjoyable for me. I really liked Ms. Oliver’s style of writing and I look forward to reading more of her work.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Bound To Please by Kimberly Gardner

Bound To Please by Kimberly Gardner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What’s better than an m/m book? An m/m/m ménage. Having met Benny and Jason in Phoenix Rising, I was excited to read Bound To Please. Despite the brevity of their interactions in the first book, the attraction between Benny and Jason was quite obvious. As this is a romance, I knew they would get their happy ending, I just didn't realize exactly how happy of an ending it would be.

Although Benny and Jason are attracted to one another, Jason refuses to pursue anything because as a Dom who knows himself, he knows that he won’t be satisfied living a vanilla life and Benny is vanilla. While Benny is jealous of the rendezvous he witnesses between Jason and his newest model, Rain, he finds himself drawn to Rain. Accepting that he can’t have Jason, Benny begins seeing Rain. Rain sees the attraction between Benny and Jason and sets out to help the two men connect, but his intentions are not entirely altruistic because he plans to be right there in the middle of it – literally. When the plan works and the three spend the night together, my Kindle was freaking melting it was so hot – the visual nearly short-circuited my brain. And while the chemistry between the three men was so apparent, it was frustrating how they got in their own way by insisting it was all casual. When the thread began to unravel and everything started to fall apart, my heart was breaking for them. But I was absolutely devastated for Benny when his plan to seek out training as a sub backfired so thoroughly.

Thankfully this is a book and everything worked out as it should, but the journey from attraction to connection to heartbreak to happily ever after is one heck of a ride. Bound To Please was an excellent read with lots of drama, lots of hot sex, and a great storyline. Ms. Gardner has produced a wonderful addition to the Playing for Keeps series. While I suspect that the next book will be about Shannon, I do hope that Mario gets bumped to the front of the line as I need to know what's really going on with him. So please, Ms. Gardner, write quickly!

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Bound To Please by Kimberly Gardner blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Serial: Volume One by Lily White & Jaden Wilkes

Serial: Volume One by Lily White & Jaden Wilkes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Wow! I have to say that Serial is off to a blood-curdling start. As this is the first book in the series, it serves to set the stage – introducing the major players, getting a lay of the land, and providing a good amount of background on Jude and insight his sociopathic tendencies. I liked how the authors took us inside Jude’s mind when his urge to kill would come on him and drug us along for the ride when he fed his red. The care with which Ms. White and Ms. Wilkes develop Jude’s character and kills is impressive. As is the abused persona that inhabits Ronnie’s character. It is obvious that these ladies have done their research in both of these disturbing topics and have got to great pains to get their creation right. The interactions feel real as do the murders. I will admit that there was one murder in this volume that I wish could have been done more than once because that individual deserved to die, repeatedly.

Like most, I read for different reasons and the books I choose tend to depend upon my mood (yes, even when I sign up for a review). Sometime I read to get away, to laugh, to fall in love, to fall in lust, to be entertained, to look at the world in a way that is not my normal view, to expand my horizons, and to challenge my belief system. Sometimes I want the book to be so fantastical a work of fiction that there is little or no basis in reality. Other times I like my book to be a work of fiction with a healthy dose of reality. Serial falls into this latter category and provides one heck of a read. This is not a love story (at least not yet) nor is this erotica, this is the mind of a serial killer – so strap in and enjoy the ride because it promises to be a bumpy one full of twists, turns, and things that go bump in the night. I, for one, cannot wait until Volume Two’s release.



Check out the Serial: Volume One by Lily White & Jaden Wilkes blog post on Wicked Reads.


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Review of Bonded by Jaymi Hanako

Bonded by Jaymi Hanako

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Bonded was a really good sci-fi romance. In Lorus, people own slaves, but Jaren is from Earth where the practice has long since been done away with and he finds it quite distasteful. I enjoyed the way in which Ms. Hanako had the captain deal with the cultural differences of the world he married on when he had to purchase the slave who saved his life. His dislike of the situation is worsened when he learns that Taimi is being sold as a virgin sex slave and he must consummate their new “relationship” within the confines of the auction house so that he cannot later claim her to not be a virgin and demand his money back. Because she is a slave and has no right to refuse him, Taimi has to convince him that he is who she would have chosen to give her virginity to before he is comfortable with the situation.

After giving Taimi the best night of her life, she is devastated to learn that the Captain intends to give her her freedom. Quickly realizing that having been born a slave and she has nowhere to go, Jaren offers Taimi a position on his crew. Deciding that it is better to have him in her life as her boss than not having him in her life at all, she accepts. Even as they both are dealing with this change in relationship, they are faced with yet another blow as they learn that the Captain’s ex-wife has escaped prison and his ship is being detained so that it can be searched to insure that he isn’t helping her escape. I found the idea that a man would divorce the woman who had tried to kill him would then be a suspect in helping her escape quite laughable … silly bureaucrats. Oh yeah, did I mention the homicidal ex-wife is a witch, literally? That adds some rather interesting twists to the story. Fortunately for Taimi, the ships detainment means she gets more one-on-one time with the captain and I’ll just say that having gone two years without sex equaled a LOT of pent up sexual need ... lots of steamy scenes!!

Ms. Hanako has produced an enjoyable sci-fi romance with the right amount of action and steam that it kept me engaged from beginning to end. Actually, I got interrupted right before the showdown in chapter eleven and to say I was ticked at my interrupter is putting it nicely. I had to know if the witch got her revenge (yeah, because she’s the victim – darn you Captain for not dying when she tried to kill you). Or if Taimi got her man. There was plenty of action and I was not disappointed with the ending at all. Bonded is a great sci-fi read and I’m looking forward to reading more of Ms. Hanako’s work.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Home Run by Willa Okati

Home Run by Willa Okati

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



As Nate would say, Home Run was absolutely "adorkable." Having gotten more familiar with their characters – and yes, both Nate and Casey are a little dorky at times – I didn't experience the confusion I did in the first book. Considering that this is the first family reunion since their wedding and all seven sisters, their spouses, and their children were there, that's pretty impressive.

I enjoyed that the "conflict" of the story was whether or not Casey would change his mind about not wanting kids by the end of the reunion. Because Nate loves Casey, he's accepted that Casey doesn't want children and is happy with their life as they live it. But seeing Nate interact with a couple of children at the school where he teaches, he begins second-guessing his feelings on children as he knows Nate week be a wonderful father; this doubt is furthered when he sees Nate with his nieces and nephews. Yet Casey isn't as sure of himself and whether or not he's ready for fatherhood. Fortunately the Rule Family Reunion runs amok of children and Casey finds himself warming up to the idea more and more, going so far as to ask one of Nate’s dads (oh yes there are two AND a mother … such a lovely polyamorous parental unit, or should I say crazy) how he knew he was ready to be a father.

The Rule family is a big batch of craziness that kept this book entertaining at the most unexpected of moments. And while they all rally around the new addition, Eamon, who is attending in his fiancé Zeke’s place (Zeke being the actual Rule family member), it is the Epilogue that demonstrates exactly how close and supportive the Rule Family is when it comes to loving and caring for their own. I was in awe of Madeleine. Ms. Okati most certainly hit a Home Run with this one. I do so hope the author decides to write more of this series as I would love to read more about Nate, Casey and the rest of the crazies they surround themselves with.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Through No Fault of My Own by Elena Alexandrescu

Through No Fault of My Own by Elena Alexandrescu

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Once you get past, or should I say into, the writing style, this is pretty good read. By no means am I saying that the writing style is bad because the author is very talented. What I mean is that Through No Fault of My Own reads like a television show – you jump from one scene to the next with almost no segue. However, as soon as I realized what was going on, I got right into the book and enjoyed the ride.

Michael is a sniper for the Company. His mission goes awry and he gets captured. After several weeks pass, he manages to escape. With Abe’s introduction to the story we learn that Michael is just one of many who have been kidnapped, but he is the only one who has escaped; while several of the others have been returned, they came out of the ordeal unable to function any longer. After a briefing by his superior, Abe takes on the assignment to find the mole who has been feeding information to the kidnappers and he wants Michael on his team. This is where the abruptness of the writing style becomes really apparent as what follows is a series of scenes in which Abe and Michael form an operational relationship of Handler-Agent and work together to find out who is responsible. Were you watching this on television, the scene changes would be apparent immediately, but once I realized the format I embraced it and enjoyed watching the partnership form between the two men.

While Through No Fault of My Own is short, it doesn’t prevent Ms. Alexandrescu from packing it full of action. Rest assured that Abe and Michael do catch the responsible party, but there is plenty of action and suspense while doing so. There is just a hint of romance weaved in the story with it culminating with a kiss. So if you’re looking for a romance heavy m/m read, this won’t satisfy your craving. But if you’re looking for a quick action thriller read, then give it a go. I for one hope that the author expands on this series as I would love to read more of Abe and Michael’s story.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Through No Fault of My Own by Elena Alexandrescu blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Holy Frigging Matrimony: A Tangled Series Short Story by Emma Chase

Holy Frigging Matrimony: A Tangled Series Short Story by Emma Chase

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Typically I don't buy short stories like this because I consider them overpriced. Honestly, 99¢ for less than 40 pages rarely turns out to be a good use of my money. One of my favorite authors recently released a 140 page novella for the same price, so in my bargain-hunting mind Holy Frigging Matrimony is not a good buy. But because I'm reviewing Twisted and Tamed and had to go back and reread Tangled, I figured I'd grab Holy Frigging Matrimony too so that I had the full story. I mean, it is the wedding story after all. And as it turned out, it might not have been THE wedding I was expecting, but getting back into Drew's head was so frigging worth the price of admission. If you enjoyed Tangled, you'll definitely enjoy Holy Frigging Matrimony too. So go ahead and splurge – you won’t be disappointed.



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Review of Chasing Perfection: Vol. I by M.S. Parker

Chasing Perfection: Vol. I by M.S. Parker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Let me start at the end and say I literally laughed out loud when I read the ending of this book. While this is not my first serial, it is my first book by M.S. Parker and I have to say that so far I am impressed. Both DeVon and Krissy’s characters are so well written that they feel like real people. Krissy’s reaction to finding out about all of the “tests” DeVon subjected her to was perfect – she wasn’t over-the-top nor did she act like a drama queen.

Once Krissy actually accepted the job and began working at Mirage Talent, well that’s when things between her and DeVon really get interesting. There is a ton of sexual chemistry between the two, but as Krissy refuses to entertain the idea of sleeping with the boss and DeVon refuses to pursue her, that chemistry is turning into some serious sexual tension. I am soooooo looking forward to THAT scene when it occurs. Here’s to hoping that volume two is just as entertaining as Chasing Perfection: Vol. I was.






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Review of In Your Eyes by Cardeno C.

In Your Eyes by Cardeno C.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I do believe that In Your Eyes may be my favorite of the Mates series. As much as I enjoyed the previous books in the series, I think that Samuel's story is my favorite because he undergoes so much personal growth and flourishes in the face of all the challenges he meets. That his social awkwardness reminded me of myself at the same age helped me to connect with him more than the characters in the rest of the series and likely contributes to his being my favorite character thus far.

Samuel is a book learner. He has been groomed for the position of Alpha since childhood and has immersed himself in studying all that he could regarding shifters in general and his pack specifically. While his intelligence and learning is well known and respected by others, his aloofness and inability to connect with his pack emotionally concerns both him and his parents. When circumstances force him to take over as Alpha long before he is ready, he does the best he can in an unbelievably difficult situation. When things yet again do not go according to plan, Samuel finds himself face to face with his true mate ... his MALE true mate. To say that Samuel was shocked to learn who his true mate was would be an understatement, but he was absolutely devastated by the way in which he learned the truth. But as is the case with true mates, tying with Korban completed Samuel in such a way that he was finally able to understand the lessons his father tried to teach him about connecting with his pack. It is the strength of Korban’s love and humanity that gives him the frame of reference he was sorely lacking.

The character development that Samuel undergoes is astounding. It should have felt rushed because so much happened in such a short time, yet the author wrote the scenes in such a way that they felt perfectly paced. As expected, the sex scenes were hot and I swear I could feel Samuel's enthusiasm pouring off the pages once he embraced his sexuality and his mate. In Your Eyes has such a great balance of romance, sexual heat, action and intrigue that I was engrossed from beginning to end. Cardeno C. has written yet another great installment in the Mates series and I can only hope there are more to come.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Mates Series by Cardeno C blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Until Forever Comes by Cardeno C.

Until Forever Comes by Cardeno C.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Another beautiful story from Cardeno C. Having met Miguel and Ethan in Wake Me Up Inside, I was excited to read their story and learn how they became mates, especially considering the animosity that shifters have for vampires in this series. Until Forever Comes did not disappoint as the author weaves a romance that is distinctly different than any I've ever read before.

The book opens with Ethan facing death via suicide by vampire as he can no longer bear his painful existence, both physically and emotionally. Much to his disappointment, he wakes the next morning still alive, but having finally shifted – about a decade later than he should have. His relief at the situation is short-lived and he soon seeks out Miguel, the vampire who spared his life, and who seems to be the star of some rather erotic dreams. It turns out that Ethan isn't the only one feeling the pull and when Miguel finally responds to the draw between them it is hot.

But as with other books I have read by Cardeno C., it is the romance and building of the relationship between Ethan and Miguel that makes this such an enjoyable read. As someone who grew up in a small rural town, I have to say that the author writes redneck well. There were so many phrases used that I grew up hearing. Even more impressive is that Miguel's voice was distinctly different than Ethan's and his pack members and I never noticed a slip in the characters' language. I find that with each of the author's books I read, I become more and more of a fan and Until Forever Comes is no exception. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series momentarily.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Mates Series by Cardeno C blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Wake Me Up Inside by Cardeno C.

Wake Me Up Inside by Cardeno C.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My introduction to Cardeno C’s writing came after reading Perfect Imperfections, so I was quite excited by the opportunity to read the Mates series. I find m/m paranormal romances to be more of a miss than a hit for me as opposed to their contemporary romances counterparts, but I was hopeful that this one would be a hit. Fortunately CC’s talent for crafting a beautiful m/m romance transcends genres and Wake Me Up Inside was even better than I expected.

Zev is his pack’s Alpha. He’s strong. He’s intelligent. He’s dominant. He’s gay. And his true mate is human. Yep, those last two are where Zev’s problems lie. Not because he’s fighting his nature and refuses to acknowledge his homosexuality, but rather because he knows some of his pack members are not going to be accepting of his sexuality or of Jonah. Being human, Jonah has no understanding of why Zev professes his love yet refuses to consummate their relationship. Although frustrating for Jonah, Zev’s refusal leads to years of foreplay that was so freaking hot to read. Even though they were friends during middle school and high school, Zev’s refusal to have sex also meant that their relationship deepened emotionally. This is where the beauty of CC’s writing comes in. Rather than relying upon the mating instinct of shifters as the driving force for their relationship development, Wake Me Up Inside focuses on the building of the emotional relationship between Zev and Jonah. With Zev actively ignoring his mating instinct to insure that Jonah is able to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor, Zev’s sacrifice is just one example of the love the men share and just one of many reasons why I absolutely adored Zev and Jonah.

As much as I loved this book, I do have one teeny, tiny little complaint about it. In the beginning third or so of the book, the past experiences of and between Zev and Jonah are relayed via recalling of memories. While I liked reading about their experiences and how they got to where they are in their relationship, it wasn’t always immediately clear that the passage I was reading was a memory and not in the present. While ultimately it didn’t affect my enjoyment of Wake Me Up Inside, I fear that there are readers who are going to find the writing confusing and give up on the book, thus missing out on a truly entertaining read; the addition of time line headers (e.g., 2 years ago) would benefit the book greatly. Other than that, I loved it and was engaged from beginning to end. I found the twist about Jonah fascinating and am looking forward to starting book 2, Until Forever Comes, next.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Mates Series by Cardeno C blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Mighty Casey by Willa Okati

Mighty Casey by Willa Okati

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Let me start with saying that there were times while I was reading this book that I would get confused as to who said what and had to go back and re-read the passage. Typically, this would not give a book a 5-star rating. However, in the case of Mighty Casey I think my confusion had more to do with me getting caught up in the story and losing track of the “he” than it did with the author’s writing. To put it simply, this was such a fun read that I got so engrossed in the story and I confused myself.

The bulk of Mighty Casey takes place over the course of one day. We learn from the beginning that Casey and his boyfriend Nate have been together for several years despite major differences that would seem to make them not compatible. Casey is a wedding planner and Nate HATES weddings – not marriage, but the actual wedding – and as much as Casey is a romantic and has fantasies of his ideal wedding, he loves Nate more than a ceremony. On the other hand, Nate is a HUGE sports enthusiast and Casey HATES all sports to the point that he has brain-dumped any and all rules of the games he learned growing up. These two should not be compatible, they shouldn’t work as a couple, yet they do. They are absolutely endearing and sexy as all get out in their love for each other, especially in the shower … yummy! As much as Casey dislikes sports, he finds himself enjoying the day at the softball tournament and not just the sexy fun times he and Nate keep sneaking off to have during the breaks between games.

But I don’t know which part of the story I liked the best. When Casey went up to bat OR the proposal scene in which Nate actually managed to fool Casey OR the epilogue. Heck, who am I kidding? I loved it all. I spent most of the time reading with a grin on my face. Ms. Okati has written an entertaining read that I devoured in a matter of hours and I am so excited about reading the sequel, Home Run. I cannot wait to spend more time with Casey and Nate and certainly hope that Mimi makes an appearance too.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Mighty Casey by Willa Okati blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Playing the Game by M.Q. Barber

Playing the Game by M.Q. Barber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Now THAT is how you write a menage!

The MFM is one of my favorite erotica subjects to read; throw in a little BDSM and a bit (or a lot) of MM play and you have the recipe for a potentially great read. And while the last few ménages I've read have been good reads, Ms. Barber combined all of my favorite ingredients and produced a stellar read, at least for me it was.

I did not connect with the characters in Playing the Game, I fell in love with them. Henry, our professorial dominant, is not described as having the physically overwhelming presence of the alpha males I've come to associate with a Dom, yet I found him to be just as affecting and maybe even more so as he uses his voice, experience, and commanding presence to dominate his partners; do not interpret my use of the term professorial to mean that Henry is lacking physically because the man is clearly hot, it is used rather to illustrate his personality. Then we have the delightfully entertaining Jay, a compulsive flirt that every girl should be lucky enough have in her life if only the world were truly fair (thank goodness we have books to rectify that). Finally, we have Alice ... Alice you lucky, lucky girl.

These characters came to life for me and I was so invested in their relationship and interactions that I was suddenly at the end of the book and, BAM, it was over. And this is my only complaint about Playing the Game. There was no winding down of the story, no indication that the end was near, but rather I turned the page expecting the start of a new chapter and instead found that the book had ended and done so rather abruptly. Had I not picked this book up in order to read & review its sequel, I would have been quite upset as there is no indication that there is more to this trio's story. Would this have changed my rating? Probably not, as Playing the Game has been added to my reread list ... the characters are wonderfully written, the book is mesmerizing, and the sex is HAWT!

This is a VERY well written ménage and I am looking forward to the sequel, as well as reading more by this author. Thank you Ms. Barber for writing a book that I can add to my "go to" list when I need a ménage read.



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Review of Guns & Hoses by Brenda Cothern

Guns & Hoses by Brenda Cothern

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



There's a fine line between love and hate and Guns & Hoses illustrates that saying perfectly. Tig and Flame met as children and struck an instant rivalry that has developed into an antagonistic and taunt-filled feud as adults. Their animosity is furthered by the natural rivalry between the Tampa Police Department (where Tig works) and Tampa Fire & Rescue (where Flame works). And I must say that I was delighted that Ms. Cothern went and named her fire fighter Flame.

Due to the hostile nature of the relationship between Flame and Tig, it seemed there was no hope in sight. But thanks to a case of right place, wrong time, Flame learns that Tig is gay. Interestingly, neither man is out at work and has no idea that the other is gay. Tig expects his sexuality to become fuel on the fire that Flame spews at him, so he understandably shocked when Flame's behavior seems more like a come-on than the verbal assault he expected. As Flame makes flag football sinfully sexy, Tig realizes that Flame isn't the homophobe he expected. When they finally hook-up, with Tig intending it to be one night only, it is hot. Hot. HOT! Even hotter is Flame's pursuit of Tig when he decides that one night isn't enough for him. As both Tig and Flame are big, built men, this makes for some rather aggressive behavior in the bedroom and living room and kitchen and bar and you get the point. Their chemistry is intense and this translates into scorchingly hot sex scenes. Ms. Cothern writes great sex.

When complications arise between Flame and his work partner, it jeopardizes his relationship with Tig and it takes a life and death situation to get Tig to talk to him again. I enjoyed Guns & Hoses immensely and hope that Ms. Cothern plans to expand it to a series centered around the bar that is the book's namesake and keeps us up to speed on Flame and Tig's relationship.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Guns & Hoses by Brenda Cothern blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Phoenix Rising by Kimberly Gardner

Phoenix Rising by Kimberly Gardner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



What an absolutely lovely story. Knowing that Phoenix Rising was about the relationship between closeted gay man and an out gay man, I admittedly expected a ton of angsty drama. And while there is drama, particularly from Jim's family, it was more focused on the actual relationship between Jim and Adam. By doing so, Ms. Gardner gave the book a more realistic feel than I anticipated.

That said, I found the opening scene of this book to be extremely entertaining. I mean really? ... a strip-o-gram ... what's not to love? It has to be one of the funniest meets I've ever read. I was actually quite sad for Jimmy when he woke the next morning to find Adam already gone, but thankfully fate intervened and their paths crossed again and again until they finally agreed to give it a go. Despite their age difference, it became clear rather quickly that Adam was actually the more mature member when it came to being public about their relationship. Sadly, his maturity came from the backlash he had to deal with living as an openly gay man and as much as he wanted a public relationship with Jimmy, he didn't want it at Jimmy's professional and personal expense, which was quite indicative of how much he loved Jimmy. Jimmy's naivety came not only from being closeted, but also from his natural personality trait of thinking the best of people.

Adam and Jimmy’s personalities complemented one another beautifully and their physical chemistry was palpable. All of the sex scenes were hot, but the club scene at the end was effing HOT!!! I didn't know Jimmy had it in him. I think that what made Phoenix Rising such a lovely read for me was that Jimmy and Adam not only found each other, but they found themselves as well. As this is the first book in the Playing for Keeps series, I can only hope that the next book lets us catch up with Jimmy and Adam while giving us Jason and Benny's story. Either way, I am so looking forward to reading Bound to Please.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Phoenix Rising by Kimberly Gardner blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Wildcard: Volume Two by Missy Johnson

Wildcard: Volume Two by Missy Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

As much as serials annoy me because of the cliffhanger aspect, Ms. Johnson definitely knows how to write a good serial. Thankfully, she also released part two in a timely manner so that I was able to read it without having to go back and reread part one. By that I mean that when the story opens with Ryder mentally cursing Scarlett I was able to recall the end of volume one with ease.

While Ryder does give Scarlett the opportunity to explain who “the guy” is, he doesn’t do it before taking his metaphorical pound of flesh. This brings me to the only issue I actually had with the story. I cannot imagine any woman, much less Scarlett, being able to rationalize Ryder’s behavior toward her and “forgive” him so quickly. Ryder, at least, has some residual mistrust of her once they’ve reconciled over the issue and that she refuses to explain the situation seems to justify his mistrust.

Wildcard: Volume Two ups the drama for the series. I want to know what Scarlett did that has her ex blackmailing her. I can’t wait to see what happens with the person at the other end of the cell phone. Is Ryder going to accomplish anything with the ex now that he’s involved himself? Can Scarlett and Ryder maintain the passion between them? Seriously, the sex between these two is HOT! So many questions. Fortunately all should be answered in two to three weeks when Wildcard: Volume Three is released. I am looking forward to it already – the sign of a successful serial.







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Review of Dead Reaper Walking by Mina Carter

Dead Reaper Walking by Mina Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I have read several of Ms. Carter’s novelettes and novellas and she never ceases to amaze me. No matter the length of the work, I’ve always finished fully satisfied with whatever I read whether it be a contemporary romance or paranormal romance. Dead Reaper Walking is no different. Once again she has managed to pack what feels like a full-length novel’s worth of action and adventure into less than 100 pages.

As the sequel to The Reaper and the Cop, we are back in Liberty with Troy and Laney and she quickly learns that the werewolf she reaped the night before was just the tip of the iceberg. Liberty has demons and Laney has just been promoted from Violent Deaths to Special Operations, which means there won’t be any Reaper back-up coming to town and she’s on her own. With her promotion comes access to a whole new level of information and skills, neither of which help her during her first encounter with the demon. But when the demon takes Troy, all bets are off as Laney has to decide between her duty as a Reaper and her love for Troy. She also makes a startling discovery about herself that I didn’t see coming.

Again we are treated to the sassy snark that is Laney and she certainly provided a tension-easing laugh when things got too heavy. Of course, Troy is just as sexy as before and, if possible, the chemistry between them is even more intense. Bathroom stall anyone? Dead Reaper Walking combines the right amount of paranormal elements, action, steamy sex, and romance and kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Liberty, Oakwood series because I cannot wait to see what Ms. Carter has planned next for Laney and Troy.




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Review of Forsaking Truth by Lydia Michaels

Forsaking Truth by Lydia Michaels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Although this is book 5 in the McCullough Mountain series, Forsaking Truth can be read as a stand-alone without any confusion. That said, as someone who has read it as a stand-alone, I plan to add the previous books in the series to my reading list as the McCulloughs are a rather entertaining and delightful family and I would like to read each of the siblings’ story. In this installment in the series, we are treated to Luke’s story and his adjustment to major life changes.

Destined to be a professional athlete, Luke suffered an injury during his junior year in college that rendered his career path and dream an impossibility. As such, it is no surprise that Luke is a sullen and withdrawn man, even with those closest to him – his family. This is what makes his reaction when meeting Tristan so surprising to him. Luke doesn’t understand the effect that Tristan has on him until he and Tristan are working together on his house and Tristan kisses him. Luke has never been attracted to a man and Tristan’s kiss freaks him out, not because he didn’t enjoy it, but rather that he did. Because of his painful history, Tristan is just as distraught over the kiss because Luke’s reaction leads Tristan to believe he misread the situation and made a terrible mistake because he enjoyed hanging out with Luke as friends. The tension that mounts as the two deal with their reactions to the kiss come to head and makes for one seriously hot sex scene when Luke admits to himself and Tristan that he enjoyed the kiss and wants more. Unfortunately, Center County is not a liberal area, so the two are forced to keep their relationship a secret, which works for Luke as he is still struggling to accept that he isn’t straight; but Tristan has accepted himself for who he is and as time passes the secrets wear on him, especially when Luke feels he has to “play it straight” to keep their secret. I liked that the author addressed the trials and tribulations that Luke and Tristan endure as their relationship develops and progresses over six years. Ms. Michaels lets the reader enjoy the highs and endure the lows without getting bogged down in the monotony of day-to-day activities that I’ve experienced with some books.

Forsaking Truth is a well-crafted romance between two men, one who accepted his sexuality as a teenager and one who had never realized that he may have been destined to love a man. The fact that Luke accepted some parts of his attraction to Tristan easily, while other parts were problematic for him is what made their story feel so real. The fact that the sex scenes were scorching was an added bonus. I enjoyed reading Luke and Tristan’s story and it is a definite re-read for me. I look forward to reading more of the books in the McCullough Mountain series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Forsaking Truth by Lydia Michaels blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Faking It by Lydia Michaels

Faking It by Lydia Michaels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I loved Faking It! I know that’s not really a shocker as I am completely enamored with the McCullough clan. What was shocking to me was to learn that Kelly wasn’t the most misunderstood McCullough after all. The truths I learned about Sheilagh were so much more surprising to me. Maybe because she’s the only daughter in the McCullough clan, Sheilagh’s presence and story intersects everyone else’s far more pervasively than the other siblings. This actually makes several parts of her story off-limits because of spoiler issues; additionally, her biggest secret is a major spoiler in my opinion. However, I can say that it was amazing to watch her journey as she finds herself, finds happiness in and around her, and finds her other half. Her relationship with Alec was a joy to read and I liked how they both grew from it, despite the age difference. The highs and lows that Sheilagh experienced both saddened and elated me and is a true sign, for me, of just how invested in a character I am. And of course I found Alex as the British professor to be an extra bit of sexy.

I thoroughly enjoyed Faking It and it is an excellent addition to the McCullough Mountain series. I do have one tiny issue with this book – and it’s not really an issue but more of a recommendation. I read this series out of order, starting with book five, Forsaking Truths (Luke’s story). Having done so, I think Sheilagh’s story was that much more meaningful as I was already aware of her issues with Tristan. I’m not sure that I would have felt the same depth of character growth had I not already read about Sheilagh and Tristan. I can only imagine how difficult it can be for a writer to decide when to release which book in a series such as this (especially if they’re having to deal with a less than cooperative muse), but this is one of those rare cases where I am actually recommending that you read book five before reading book four. Although with the McCulloughs you really can’t go wrong in whatever order you read them in. Sadly, this is the last of the books available in the series that I haven’t read and I must now wait for Braydon’s story. Until then, I at least get to revisit the McCullough clan anytime I want. Thank you Ms. Michaels for sharing them with me.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Faking It by Lydia Michaels blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Twisted by Emma Chase

Twisted by Emma Chase

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I am absolutely delighted to be spending the weekend with Drew and Kate. As characters go, they’re pretty freaking cool. I loved being in Drew’s head while reading Tangled and Holy Frigging Matrimony and was looking forward to getting to know Kate just as well. Two years have passed since Tangled, and while I knew I was in for a bumpy ride based on the blurb, I wasn’t prepared for the loop de loop rollercoaster ride Ms. Chase threw me on.

Kate’s pregnancy insured emotional upheaval – nope, that’s not a spoiler because if you didn’t figure that out from the blurb you don’t need to be reading the book. But the epic level of misunderstandings that lead to Drew and Kate’s separation is freaking heartbreaking. For two people whose profession requires clear and concise communication, their failure to communicate clearly during their relationship-destroying argument speaks to the level of hurt and devastation they both felt. No one knows how to hurt you more thoroughly than the person who loves you – they know your strengths and weaknesses and know what weapons to use and precisely where to aim them to do the most damage.

For me, the part that makes a book enjoyable is the journey. I pick up certain books expecting a happy ending, so knowing the ending isn’t as important as what the couple endures to get there. Twisted is a perfect example of this. I knew Drew and Kate would find their way back to one another (or at least I really hoped they would). But it is the journey of self-discovery that Kate must take that made this such an enjoyable read for me. Despite how she came off in Tangled, Kate really doesn’t have it all together and she learned a LOT about herself and what she is capable of when all the chips are down. Twisted is a great addition to the Tangled series and I am looking forward to reading Tamed next because I love Dee.

And for all you Drew fans, don’t worry because Ms. Chase was nice enough to let us back into his head for Twisted’s Epilogue.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Twisted by Emma Chase blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.

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Review of Last Dance for Cadence by Maren Smith

Last Dance for Cadence by Maren Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I do believe that Last Dance for Cadence may now be my favorite of the Corbin’s Bend series. Ms. Smith’s contribution to the series was an emotional read that made my heart break for Cadence time and time again throughout the book. I cannot fathom the betrayal someone would feel having their dreams, their future, and their ability to walk ripped away so painfully by someone who was supposed to care for them. While Cadence has clearly persevered, she sees herself as a failure when she is anything but that. Hitting bottom forces her to contact her “Other Mother” and Cadence goes to stay with her as she tries to get her life back on track.

Mama Venia lives in Corbin’s Bend and has told Cadence nothing about the community. I will say that this lead to a couple of rather entertaining and humorous scenes. Determined to get her life back on track sooner rather than later, Cadence immediately begins looking for a job and finds herself at the home/office of the community’s doctor who is in need of a live-in nanny for his three sons. Despite a rather lackluster first impression, Marcus felt compelled to give her a chance in spite of his reservations about her physical limitations. While the time-frame of the book appears to be relatively short, the author packs so much into the novel showing how the relationship between Cadence and Marcus develops and strengthens that it felt completely right, whereas such a short courtship in the majority of books I’ve read often feels rushed. Regardless of her lack of previous exposure to DD or BDSM, it was clear that Marcus was able to give Cadence the penance she felt she needed and this is perhaps one of the primary reasons I enjoyed the book so thoroughly.

Last Dance for Cadence is a wonderfully written emotional read that is an excellent addition to the Corbin’s Bend series. I loved the way the boys warmed up to Cadence in varying degrees and that while Michael was the last to accept her, he became her fiercest protector. This book has definitely been added to my re-read list, especially when I’m in the need for a cathartic read. As ever, I look forward to the next book in the Corbin’s Bend series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Last Dance for Cadence by Maren Smith blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of The Reaper and the Cop by Mina Carter

The Reaper and the Cop by Mina Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Ms. Carter has proven once again that she is a master at crafting a novella that packs so much into that I forget it’s not a full-length novel. As this is the first book in the Liberty, Oakwood series, it serves as an introduction to Laney – a Grimm Reaper. She is freaking cool as all get out. She’s a serious bada$$ in a tiny little package. And then we get to meet Detective Troy Regan. Troy … mmmmmmmmmm!!! The chemistry between Troy and Laney is intense and makes for one seriously hot sex scene. But as much as I enjoyed that, it was the reaping scene that really sealed the deal for me with this series. I loved The Reaper and the Cop and am looking forward to spending more time in Liberty, Oakwood. Thanks Ms. Carter for yet again exceeding my expectations. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.



Check out the Dead Reaper Walking by Mina Carter Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


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Winn Dixie on 09/09/2014

Because it wouldn't be Ponderings From Paradise if ALL of my posts are book reviews, I'm going to share the results of yesterday's shopping trip to Winn Dixie.

I used:

a $5 off $30 Winn Dixie coupon (Enjoy the City booklets), 

four $1.50 Manufacturer's coupons (Mqs) for the Starbucks coffee, and 

a $1.00 Mq for the Lipton K-cups. 

I paid $20.13 for a Total Savings of $39.20. 

Review of Cash's Fight by Jamie Begley

Cash's Fight by Jamie Begley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Having read only the first book in The Last Riders series, I was excited by the prospect of reading Cash's Fight being as it could be read as a stand-alone. While there were references to previous books in the series, I didn't feel as though I were missing vital information. With that said, I had some difficulty in connecting with Cash and spent the first third of the book on the fence and were it not for Rachel's character, I might not have finished it. Thankfully I stuck with it and thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Oddly enough for me, Rachel was the most interesting character in the book. I tend to lean toward the alpha male, especially when he's a biker, but her character was such an intriguing blend of characteristics. Her generosity knows no bounds and is only surpassed by her loyalty to those who are important to her. I was fascinated by her character progression from the shy and quiet tomboy to the sexy vixen when she tapped into her sexuality. It was astounding to me that someone who was so generous of herself to others was so unknown to the people in her life. And that may be why I didn't like Cash in the beginning as much as I expected to. He knew that she was sheltered by her brothers and wasn't like the women at the club, so he acknowledged to himself that he had to give her time to adjust. Yet when she would hesitate in situations he would interpret it as her judging him and his lifestyle and then get angry. He never took the time to ask her if she was okay or considered that her discomfort was personal – which it tended to be as she was self-conscious around the other women. This irritated me and came off as hypocritical on Cash’s part.

Fortunately his determination to win Rachel and his "you can't get pregnant when..." statements (the first of which had me worried and the second of which tipped his hand) won me over. As expected, the sex was hot, but I must admit that I was initially surprised when he let Train join in, until he clarified how much Train would be participating ... so again, HOT! Cash's Fight was a great read and I will definitely be going back and reading books 2-4 as I want to learn more about the couples that have already gotten together by this book and the rest of the members of The Last Riders.



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Review of Lord Savage by Mia Gabriel

Lord Savage by Mia Gabriel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Well that wasn’t quite what I anticipated when I picked Lord Savage as my historical romance read for the month … and no that is not a complaint. I’m much more accustomed to the demure historical romances in which an unmarried female alone in a man’s company is cause for scandal if he’s not a blood relative. But I must admit that I found this work of historical erotica to be a rather stimulating example of the sub-genre. Of course, we still have the trappings of a typical historical romance with the aristocracy, the sheltered heroine, the titled rake, the villain, and the gossiping servants, but the bulk of the book takes place during a hedonistic week in the country in which the Protector “schools” the Innocent (a newcomer to the parties) on the pleasurable delights of the human body.

I found that having an American heiress as the sheltered heroine to be a delightful twist and that despite having been married, she was still quite innocent when it came to sex, but I suppose that’s what happens when a 17 year-old is married off to her father’s business partner who is 40 years her senior. As for the manner in which Eve first encounters Lord Savage, let’s just say that it set the tone for the remainder of the book. Lord Savage, of course, is all that I would expect from the hero in a regency romance – arrogant British nobility with just a bit of an edge that makes him irresistible to all women – in short, a rake. Because of the nature of “The Game” there is a LOT of sex in Lord Savage, which is why I would categorize it as erotica.

While the sex is most definitely hot, it is the developing relationship between Eve and Lord Savage that has me ready to read the next book in the trilogy now. Speaking of, this is a trilogy and while the ending is not a cliffhanger per se, I was unprepared for it thus making it a definite “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” moment. Initially I was rating this as a four-star read, but it is has become clear to me as I wrote this review that I will definitely reread Lord Savage again as I await the release of book two. Well done Ms. Gabriel and please write quickly.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Chaste by Lydia Michaels

Chaste by Lydia Michaels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Since meeting Kelly in Sacred Waters and watching the way that he befriended Sammy, I have been anticipating his story as I adored his character. I no longer adore Kelly, I love him. I knew that Chaste was going to be a great book and I knew I would love it, but Ms. Michaels made it even better than I anticipated.

Even knowing that there was more to Kelly than the Irish rogue he showed the world, I was still surprised at the depth of his character, his accomplishments, his vulnerabilities, and his insecurities. Us introverts tend to forget that the confident extroverts of the world have insecurities too and Kelly definitely reminded me of this fact. Kelly tries so hard to do the right thing regarding Ashlynn that he kept the both confused at times. But it just highlighted how much he cared about her and, as they got closer, how much he loved her.

Ashlynn was an interesting character in her own right. Up until this book, all we knew about her was that she was a virgin and she had been crushing on Kelly for years. Losing her mother when she was an adolescent and being raised by a single father, she possesses an independent spirit not often seen in women her age. My heart ached for them both as they tried to navigate what they both considered a doomed relationship – with Kelly not thinking he was good enough for her and Ashlynn accepting that Kelly was never going to let her in.

Ms. Michaels has weaved a beautiful story for Kelly and Ashlynn. There were several times during my reading that I expected the end of the book to be just a few pages away, but the author refused to take the easy way out and gives Kelly and Ashlynn a full story that had me laughing and crying. There were moments that I was scared for them and their relationship, but those made the happy moments that much more meaningful. There is so much that occurs in Chaste that I cannot talk about because I refuse to shortchange potential readers of experiencing any of Kelly’s story for themselves. While this book can be read as a stand-alone I strongly recommend reading the prior books first, especially Sacred Waters as it will give you better insight into Kelly before reading his story … that, and the McCulloughs are a wonderful clan and you really don’t want to miss out on a minute with them.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of With This Ring, I Thee...Oh, Sh*t! by Dane Waters

With This Ring, I Thee...Oh, Sh*t! by Dane Waters

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



With This Ring, I Thee…Oh, Sh*t! was a hoot and a half to read. It reads like a reality show on steroids. If there was anything that could go wrong at a wedding it seemed to happen. Murphy’s Law in action. And of course, because everything is bigger in Texas, the drama and hilarious incidents seemed to be that much more.

Dean. He's such a nice guy that he comes off as a bit of a pushover at times – but when he holds his own, boy is he sexy. Dean has accompanied his fiancée to Texas where the finishing touches are being put on their upcoming wedding. Everything seems to be going as planned until he meets Leo, his soon-to-be brother-in-law. Leo sparks an interest Dean hasn't felt since college. Dean finds himself attracted to Leo and is confused by it because he thought he had determined in college that he really wasn’t attracted to men like he thought. But when Dean and Leo get into an argument, Dean ends up kissing Leo and suddenly feels like Leo might be the one. Except he’s marrying Elaine, so what is he supposed to do? Decides that there can’t be anything more than that kiss, but Leo has other ideas. Quickly Dean finds himself dodge wedding minefields while experimenting with Leo to find out if he really does like guys too. And experiment, they do. YeeHaw!!! Ride ‘em cowboy. As for Leo, I adored him. It takes a lot of strength of character to enter the viper’s nest knowing that you’re going to be attacked repeatedly.

Ms. Waters has penned a wonderfully entertaining novel that is both sexy and funny with just a bit of suspense as Buck (Elaine and Leo’s father) wasn’t the only reason that Leo has stayed away from Texas. The wedding scene has to be one of the funniest I have ever read and I absolutely loved it. With This Ring, I Thee…Oh, Sh*t! is a great read and I look forward to read more of the author’s work.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the With This Ring, I Thee...Oh, Sh*t! by Dane Waters blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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