His Damsel in Distress by Thianna D.

His Damsel in Distress by Thianna D.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Oh my goodness Ms. D. did you kick off the third season of Corbin’s Bend or what!?!?!?! I absolutely LOVED His Damsel in Distress and know without a doubt that I will be rereading it. As a full-figured gal myself, I connected to Zinnia immediately. I felt badly for her that she was forced to change her name and move because of a stalker, but at least she found a wonderful community to move to. As Brent pointed out later in the book, what better place to hide out from a stalker than a community filled with highly observant Alpha males? Yep, Corbin’s Bend was the best place for her to go. And the fact that its namesake happened to move to the community within a week of her just made it that much better.

The opening scene of His Damsel in Distress is a heartbreaking introduction to Corbin Nelson, the man that Brent named Corbin’s Bend after. Corbin has to watch his wife of 17 years die as he gives the order to have her removed from life support. I was so glad that Brent was there to console Corbin because when he broke down, I just wanted to hold the man while he cried. Thankfully Brent’s support didn’t end at the hospital and he was able to accompany Corbin to the lawyer’s office to go over the will. And boy did he need Brent’s calming presence when he learned that his wife had been stealing money from him for years – I was angry for him. While we weren’t subjected to the full contents of the letter she left him to read upon her death, the parts that were shared were absolutely wretched. I was so relieved when he told Brent he was moving to Corbin’s Bend because that man needed his friends and a fresh start.

One of the many things I liked about the book is that we get a chance to know Zinnia and Corbin as individuals before they get involved. Despite coming to Zinnia’s rescue and having a hard time getting her out of his mind, Corbin does not immediately seek her out and vice versa. They each took some time to get settled in their new homes and the community before their first date. As neither is looking for a relationship and both want to be more than “just friends,” their relationship takes on a comfortable feel that made watching it progress quite enjoyable for me. Their chemistry is intense yet fun, which made for some really great sex scenes that got even better as they began to fall for one another. Despite my enjoyment of their superb sex life, my absolute favorite thing about His Damsel in Distress is that Corbin did not get his panties in a twist when he found out about Zinnia’s stalker and that she was using a fake name. Considering his wife’s dishonesty and how she left him feeling betrayed, I just knew that Corbin was going to cut ties with Zinnia when her secret came out. Thankfully I was wrong because not only did he not get mad at her, he “manned up” and did what he could to help insure her safety. Ms. D. has brought a lot of suspense, humor, steamy sex, and romance to Corbin’s Bend with His Damsel in Distress and I cannot wait to see what else the season holds.

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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Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair

Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It has been a couple of years since I last read Master of the Mountain and upon rereading it, I recalled why I became such a fan of Sinclair’s work. As this was among the very first of the author’s books I read (and I actually looked up my purchase history on Amazon to confirm this), I remember being so taken by the fact that her heroines weren’t the perfect model thin women that society shoves down our throats as being the ideal. And no, just because I’m a plus-sized gal does not make me a skinny-girl hater. Fortunately I was in my early twenties when I came to terms with that fact that my bone structure would never allow me to wear single-digit apparel, not even in shoes. Because of this, reading books in which the woman has curves and gets her man because of those curves has helped immensely over the years in accepting myself as I am. Seeing Sinclair take that theme and apply it to the BDSM lifestyle made this a fascinating read for me, even now three years later – oh yes, I purchased and first read this book on September 1, 2012.

Master of the Mountain isn’t just an erotic romance involving the BDSM lifestyle. It’s also a look at relationships and knowing yourself well enough to know what you want and don’t want in a partner. In the beginning of the book, Rebecca is NOT having a good time with her boyfriend Matt. It is a seriously cringe-worthy scene that is made worse when he suggests that she join him on an upcoming swingers’ weekend. Talk about adding insult to injury – it would have been laughable had it not so very obviously fed into Rebecca’s insecurities. Rebecca’s relationship with Matt seems quite one-sided and probably familiar to many women; not the specifics, but the fact that women (and men too I’m sure) will put far more into a relationship than they’re getting out of it just so that they can be with the partner they’ve been led to believe they should be with, whether it be by family or societal standards. While Matt might look good on paper and be compatible in many of their regular activities, the fact that he even suggested that Rebecca give swinging a try showed how little he really knew of her. Yes I may have been projecting a bit onto Rebecca, but Matt is not unaware of her self-esteem issues and for him to think she’d be comfortable with other men was mind boggling – even more so when they get to the lodge and Rebecca sees that every other woman there is thin and built – her physical opposite. So with the stage properly set, it’s not the least bit surprising that she’s skeptical when Logan expresses his interest in her. Logan being a dom is vital to his success in getting past Rebecca’s barriers because his authoritative nature is the only thing that keeps her mind at bay and her body responding.

If you’ve ever read any of Sinclair’s books, you know she writes great sex scenes. The chemistry between Rebecca and Logan is both intense and calming. Despite her hesitancy, Rebecca finds that she trusts Logan when she has no reason to other than that he makes her feel safe. While we don’t realize it at the time, his brother points out later in the book just how much Logan must have trusted Rebecca as well. That they only spent four days together seems irrelevant as Sinclair managed to avoid the insta-love feeling that often accompanies such quick developing relationships, perhaps because there was a harsh parting of ways rather than professions of love. Even though Rebecca left the lodge in an emotional upheaval from Logan’s rejection, she left knowing what she didn’t want in a relationship – Matt and his swinger ways – and what she might need in a future relationship to be happy and fulfilled. I loved that Rebecca had a friend she could go to for help in finding out whether it was the D/s or Logan himself that did it for her. Even better was the scene in which Rebecca gets the answers to her questions about D/s, Logan, and her own desirability. I so loved rereading Master of the Mountain again and cannot wait to revisit Master of the Abyss.

I reviewed my personal copy of this book.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Review of Settling The Score by Dani Wade

Settling The Score: A Backstage Pass Novel by Dani Wade

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



As much as I enjoyed Finding Her Rhythm, I enjoyed this book even more. Although we met Becca in the first book, her appearances were mainly limited to her role as the band’s PR person so she was largely an unknown factor. While as Michael’s brother, Daniel played a much larger part in that book and as such I was looking forward to his story because I was already invested in his character and hoped to see him find his happy ending. Fortunately, Ms. Wade’s storytelling was right on track with Settling the Score, making Daniel and Becca’s story a wonderfully engaging read for me.

Both the opening scene and the closing scene of this book are amazing. You get to see just how much Becca affects Daniel and that it doesn’t waver at all throughout the novel. I actually felt badly for Daniel as he reveals that he has had feelings for Becca ever since she started as the band’s PR rep five years ago but has never been able to get her to see the man behind his public persona. But don’t jump to conclusions and make Becca out to be the bad guy in this relationship. She’s dealing with personal baggage from a previous relationship that has left her filled with self-doubt and blind to Daniel’s attraction. As we learn in the opening scene, the chemistry between the two is so all consuming that the world fades away with just a kiss. But Becca’s self-consciousness means that Daniel has to be patient and he proves that when properly motivated, he can really take his time … in more ways than one. I just want to say that Daniel can blindfold me any day … WOW!

As with the first book in the series, there is a romantic suspense angle to the story; however, it is much more pervasive in Settling the Score and the title actually alludes to this once you get past the musical inference. Ms. Wade does an excellent job of balancing the relationship development between Daniel and Becca with the ever-increasing threat that is targeting Daniel. It’s not easy to get and maintain a proper balance between sweet and hot and sexy and danger (the bad kind), yet the author has done it and done it well. This was a great addition to the Backstage Pass series and I cannot wait until I have a chance to read all three books in order. I do so hope that Ms. Wade has plans for a fourth book in the 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 Finding Her Rhythm by Dani Wade

Finding Her Rhythm by Dani Wade

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Finding Her Rhythm was an awesome read. I connected with Taylor almost immediately. I felt so bad for her and the situation she found herself in with her stalker ex. Fortunately she has a great friend in Stephen and he has the perfect solution for her – being the nanny for the tween children of rock star Michael Korvello. While their first meeting may not have been the best impression – for either of them – it certainly insured a lasting impression.

Oddly enough my favorite scene in the book was not one of the smoking hot sex scenes, but rather the first time Michael shared a meal with his children and Taylor. I love, love, loved the way Taylor dealt with Matthew’s refusal to clean up his mess. The way in which she presented his choices of either clean up the mess or you don’t get to take part in family fun night appealed to my professional training and I fell under Ms. Wade’s spell that much harder. I was relieved when Michael finally began to let his guard down and realized that pursuing Taylor might be worth the risk to his heart. I don’t know who I was rooting for more, even if it was for the same outcome.

I had so much fun reading Finding Her Rhythm and watching Taylor and Michael build a relationship while trying to sidestep the other’s baggage. While the sex was hot, it was also sweet as Michael set out to help Taylor overcome her body image insecurities and the emotional damage inflicted by her ex. And because Taylor is dealing with a psycho stalker ex, there is a bit of drama and suspense in the final chapters of the book. I absolutely loved Finding Her Rhythm and cannot wait to read Settling the Score.

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 Finding Her Rhythm by Dani Wade blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.



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Review of Skin by Lydia Michaels

Skin by Lydia Michaels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Having read book four and then book one of the series, I was expecting that Skin would begin during that same summer that Sacred Waters and Forsaking Truth overlapped. However, I was quite delighted that it didn’t and that it picks up after Sammy and Colin had gotten together. And because Mallory moved to Center County to take a teaching job, readers of the series get to catch-up with Sammy and Colin – although I can’t actually imagine not learning the latest as close as the McCulloughs are. Despite having read two books already, Finn is the McCullough I felt I knew the least about so I was interested to learn more about Luke’s twin.

I loved this story. Being a plus-sized gal myself, Skin affected me on a more personal level than a lot of the books I read. I’ve been in Mallory’s shoes, I know that inner turmoil one feels when you can’t bring yourself to look in the mirror because your body disgusts you. I also know what it feels like when you catch the attention of that cute guy and can’t imagine that he’s actually interested in you for more than just being friends. To say that I connected with her character would be an understatement. That she ultimately learned to love herself and trust that Finn’s motives were pure made this book that much more of a joy to read.

I appreciated that Ms. Michaels used Finn’s character to remind us that no matter how perfect we think someone is, they have their own insecurities to deal with. Finn is a sweetheart, he’s sexy, he’s loving, he’s family-oriented, but he too questions his worth, which is likely why he put up with Erin for so long. My heart broke for Finn when he wasn’t able to understand that Mallory pushing him away had nothing to do with him. Because he didn’t see her as she saw herself; Finn saw Mallory’s inner beauty. When he forced himself to accept her as a friend-only because he couldn’t imagine her not being in his life, it hurt to see his insecurities come into play. But thankfully, the McCulloughs are not a shy and quiet bunch and when Finn finally got Mallory to pay attention to him and hear what he wanted from her, well my heart was happy again.

Skin is an excellent addition to the McCullough Mountain series. The romance between Finn and Mallory was beautiful, eclipsed only by their own self-acceptance. While the books can be read as standalones, I do recommend reading them in order so that you can get the full experience of the McCulloughs. This is one of those families that you can’t help but hope the author based her characters on real people because they’re the kind of people you want to spend time with. I am in love with the McCulloughs and am excited that I get to read Kelly’s story in a couple of days.

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 Skin by Lydia Michaels blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Striking A Chord by Dani Wade

Striking A Chord by Dani Wade

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I loved it! Sean is not just a hot drummer, he's a hot Irish drummer and I had a blast imagining him speaking with a brogue. Yummy! And as a BBW myself, a sexy rocker who prefers a little cushion for the pushin' is double yummy in my book. Add the plus-sized southern belle, Meghan, who is a realistic combination of feistiness tempered with image issues and this made Striking a Chord a super fun read for me.

Sean had been waiting months to meet his personal assistant with the super sexy voice. Thanks to internet and cell phones, Meghan has been able to avoid a face to face with her boss, until now and she's not sure she can deal with the disappointment she expects him to feel when he learns she's a size 14 and not a size 4. Although she's not what he expected, Sean is not the least bit disappointed in his PA ... until he learns that she has arranged for his estranged brother to meet with him. Someone's getting a spanking (yes, I said that out loud in a sing song voice). And thus begins a bit of an adventure when Sean returns home, dragging Meghan with him, as he attempts to reconcile with his dying father while dealing with a series of unexplained accidents. All the while, trying to figure out what to do with his sassy secretary after 3 months of verbal foreplay. Of course, Meghan can't believe that someone as sexy as Sean could actually be attracted to her and the emotional wounds her ex-husband inflicted are just one more obstacle Sean has to overcome. Fortunately for Meghan (and the reader), Sean is ready, willing, and able to do what needs to be done where Meghan is concerned and let me just say that she is one lucky, lucky girl.

Ms. Wade has created an entertaining couple in Meghan and Sean. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop and found myself laughing out loud several times at their banter. Striking a Chord is the third book in the Backstage Pass series, but it is written as a stand-alone and can be enjoyed without reading the previous books in the series. However, with as much as I enjoyed Ms. Wade's writing, I plan to go back and read books one and two.

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 Striking a Chord by Dani Wade blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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