Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing four books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!
Tristitia by Colette Rhodes
Paranormal Romance; one night stand; dual 1st person pov; explicit heat; 128 pages
A monster x monster novella set in the Shades of Sin universe.
It is best read as 3.5 in the series, after Gula.
Suitable for readers age 18+
Rating - 
How sweet was Calix?
From previous books, I knew him as the surly, somewhat unapproachable chef at the palace. I knew something was brewing between him and Levana, but I had no idea how it was going to happen and if we were going to see it happen or if they'd just appear as a couple in a future story.
So thank you, Colette Rhodes, for giving us this tale.
Levana was the queen's guard, but she knew her time at the palace was temporary. Her father had expectations and she had lived her life trying to meet them.
What happens when she falls in love and the life she wants isn't the life her father has planned?
Loved this book!
How sweet was Calix?
From previous books, I knew him as the surly, somewhat unapproachable chef at the palace. I knew something was brewing between him and Levana, but I had no idea how it was going to happen and if we were going to see it happen or if they'd just appear as a couple in a future story.
So thank you, Colette Rhodes, for giving us this tale.
Levana was the queen's guard, but she knew her time at the palace was temporary. Her father had expectations and she had lived her life trying to meet them.
What happens when she falls in love and the life she wants isn't the life her father has planned?
Loved this book!
A Soul to Touch by Opal Reyne
Paranormal Monster Romance; forbidden; dual 3rd person pov; filthy heat; 501 pages
All Mayumi ever wanted was to hunt Demons.
After being discharged from the Demonslayer guild, Mayumi chose to isolate herself within the forest. The best place to hunt and kill Demons. But, one night, she’s surprised when a different monster is lured by her baits.
Just before she unleashes an arrow that’s aimed to kill, Mayumi pauses. She realises she’s seen that skulled, feline face before and that it had once saved her life.
All Faunus ever wanted was her.
After the Demon King cracked his skull, Faunus returns to watch over the only human he has ever cared for. He knows what his future holds, she would never become his bride, but he wants to spend what remains of his life protecting her.
He never expected that she would ever befriend him, or that she would openly desire him. She’s as fiery as her burning passion, and he’s desperate to let her consume him.
But his time in this world grows short, and Faunus doesn’t know how he can be with Mayumi when he knows nothing will save him.
Rating -
I would give anything to be closer to you, Mayumi. - Faunus
This had to be the most angsty story of the series. At least it was for me because there were a couple of times I swear I was on the verge of tears.
Faunus was by far the most emotional Duskwalker of the bunch. His well of humanity seemed to be depthless, especially when it came to Mayumi. His heart beat for her. His very essence held onto this side of the veil simply to protect and be near her.
And wasn't it awesome how easily she welcomed him to her side?
"I've never lost someone who made me feel so whole. How am I supposed to find my place in a world I know for certain you're not in?... How am I to find someone who felt like they were the other half of me when I know it was you... in all your big, fluffy glory? I hate you so much for doing this to me... And I love you so damn much that it feels like my heart is burning." - Mayumi
There was plenty of absolutely naughty scenes to be had, but it was the growth of their relationship that I concentrated on. It was easy to see how much they cared for each other, even though they were more the "show and not tell" kind of people. And they showed... a lot.
I loved getting to see some familiar faces and also a new one. It gave me a bit more knowledge of demons and elves and hints at more. I'm hoping to find out everything and have every questioned answered by the end of this series.
I would give anything to be closer to you, Mayumi. - Faunus
This had to be the most angsty story of the series. At least it was for me because there were a couple of times I swear I was on the verge of tears.
Faunus was by far the most emotional Duskwalker of the bunch. His well of humanity seemed to be depthless, especially when it came to Mayumi. His heart beat for her. His very essence held onto this side of the veil simply to protect and be near her.
And wasn't it awesome how easily she welcomed him to her side?
"I've never lost someone who made me feel so whole. How am I supposed to find my place in a world I know for certain you're not in?... How am I to find someone who felt like they were the other half of me when I know it was you... in all your big, fluffy glory? I hate you so much for doing this to me... And I love you so damn much that it feels like my heart is burning." - Mayumi
There was plenty of absolutely naughty scenes to be had, but it was the growth of their relationship that I concentrated on. It was easy to see how much they cared for each other, even though they were more the "show and not tell" kind of people. And they showed... a lot.
I loved getting to see some familiar faces and also a new one. It gave me a bit more knowledge of demons and elves and hints at more. I'm hoping to find out everything and have every questioned answered by the end of this series.
Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross
Paranormal Romance; fated mates; dual 1st person pov; explicit heat; 368 pages
Clara Savoie is so confused. She is absolutely positive that Henry Blackwater is practically in love with her. But for some strange reason, he won’t even ask her on a single date. Time to take matters into her own hands.
When Clara shows up on his doorstep with an unusual invitation, tempting cupcakes, and naughty innuendo, Henry has no choice but to say yes. Now he’s the newest member of the High Tea Romance Book Club. While Clara learns the haunting secrets of her broody grim, Henry shows her what commitment from a necromancer truly means.
But when his father is arrested for murder, Henry is dragged back into the nightmare he’s been avoiding all his life. When he steps back into his father’s world, he isn’t just endangering himself but also the bright, beautiful woman he can no longer live without. But he just might have to.
Rating -
The last book of the Stay a Spell series might just be my absolute favorite!
Clara and Henry have been dancing around each other for ages. We all knew that they were into each other, they knew they liked the other, but they never acted on their feelings. That is until Clara can't take it anymore and decides to make the first move.
She brings him closer by sharing their love of romance books, but that is just her first step. She's got a course of seduction set up that Henry has no clue he's been enrolled in. These characters were so oohey gooey and sweet and sexy and I loved them to pieces. Clara with her innate goodness and belief in the greatness of others. Henry with his damage and yet hopeful outlook on life. Their future together was all but guaranteed and I loved witnessing it.
Once again, there were some suspenseful bits and they just about broke my heart, but they also gave Henry a chance to shine, to finally embrace his power, and to heal after his trauma (read the book to learn more). I'm so happy with the endings everyone got and I only wish I could stay longer with these characters I've fallen in love with. I can only imagine the mischief the Savoie sisters and their mates could get up to.
The last book of the Stay a Spell series might just be my absolute favorite!
Clara and Henry have been dancing around each other for ages. We all knew that they were into each other, they knew they liked the other, but they never acted on their feelings. That is until Clara can't take it anymore and decides to make the first move.
As I watched her now, I wondered, not for the first time, if she was in fact my hope and my guide. Because wherever she went, I helplessly followed.
She brings him closer by sharing their love of romance books, but that is just her first step. She's got a course of seduction set up that Henry has no clue he's been enrolled in. These characters were so oohey gooey and sweet and sexy and I loved them to pieces. Clara with her innate goodness and belief in the greatness of others. Henry with his damage and yet hopeful outlook on life. Their future together was all but guaranteed and I loved witnessing it.
Clara. My beautiful Clara. The gold that was mending all of my imperfect, broken pieces.
Once again, there were some suspenseful bits and they just about broke my heart, but they also gave Henry a chance to shine, to finally embrace his power, and to heal after his trauma (read the book to learn more). I'm so happy with the endings everyone got and I only wish I could stay longer with these characters I've fallen in love with. I can only imagine the mischief the Savoie sisters and their mates could get up to.
Rent Free by Lani Lynn Vale
Rating -
1/2Book 5 of Carter Brothers
Release - September 10, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / enemies to lovers
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit
Source - eARC provided by GIVE ME BOOKS PR
Length - 259 pages
Fuck me for choosing the wrong sister.
Atlas Carter was a protector. He was a police officer, had spent years in the Air Force, spent his entire teen years as a volunteer firefighter.
Being a protector was in his blood.
It was his dream.
So when a woman was in a dangerous situation, it was his every instinct to protect her. To shield her. To watch over her.
Only, that woman had played him.
She’d set him up.
She’d made sure that he only saw her.
Then, when the real woman who should hold his heart, the sister, comes into his life, he doesn’t see past the hatred of her to know that she’s only trying to protect him in return.
He spends the next year terrorizing the woman who’s supposed to be his. When the dust finally settles, and he can see clearly once again, she’s no longer there waiting for him.
Atlas Carter was a protector. He was a police officer, had spent years in the Air Force, spent his entire teen years as a volunteer firefighter.
Being a protector was in his blood.
It was his dream.
So when a woman was in a dangerous situation, it was his every instinct to protect her. To shield her. To watch over her.
Only, that woman had played him.
She’d set him up.
She’d made sure that he only saw her.
Then, when the real woman who should hold his heart, the sister, comes into his life, he doesn’t see past the hatred of her to know that she’s only trying to protect him in return.
He spends the next year terrorizing the woman who’s supposed to be his. When the dust finally settles, and he can see clearly once again, she’s no longer there waiting for him.
Previous books in the series:
No Cap * I Can't Even * Thirst Trap * Clap Back
No Cap * I Can't Even * Thirst Trap * Clap Back
Pepper was misunderstood and Atlas was an oblivious fool. He remains that way for much of this story, but there was no denying the chemistry between these characters. And when he finally woke up, he dove right in and I became his number one cheerleader!
I loved Pepper immediately and wanted her to only have great things. She had to put up with a lot and I kept thinking there were better ways to live, but my solutions wouldn't have helped this story and I get that. How her sister became a police officer, I'll never know, but it made me laugh uncontrollably.
Seriously? Did the police department not have a competent psych eval? Were the people of their community not discerning or skeptical?
I enjoyed this story so much, even the drama-filled bits that made me chuckle. The feelings were what mattered most and there was no doubt that Atlas and Pepper had those in abundance.
Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today bestsellers.
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com for more information.
I'm back with a series of books that I read a long time ago (2016), but I remember enjoying them.
The Taking the Fall series is an dual pov erotic romance featuring a woman who can't remember and the mafia man who is desperate to claim her.
Hopefully my reviews inspire someone to give this series a chance.
Book One
Layla O’Leary has had enough. For years she has been haunted by the night she can’t remember. When she learns the only man she's ever loved has betrayed her, she escapes and crafts a new identity. She's finally free...
Carter has waited eight years to claim his woman. Locking him up only fueled his obsession. The day he gets out he's coming for her. Taking the Fall was just the start. Now he'll stop at nothing to possess what's his.
Warning: this book contains a hero who grunts and growls his way through life, a heroine nicknamed Cherry looking to lose it, and instalove so fast and hard your panties might disintegrate. Note: Not responsible for exploding panties.
Rating -
Why oh why did no one tell me how freaking fantastic Alexa Riley are?! I feel like I'm so late to the game!! They are bloody phenomenal!! Although the storyline is a bit OTT and unrealistic, it's crazy good. Throw in their brand of amazingly appealing smut and you've got yourself another winner. I'm completely absorbed with Carter and Layla. Shoot, I'm even rooting for Jeannette and Saint (Michael). I really want to know what happened on the night that Layla can't remember. And Carter... Damn he's my kind of hero I'm sure!
Why oh why did no one tell me how freaking fantastic Alexa Riley are?! I feel like I'm so late to the game!! They are bloody phenomenal!! Although the storyline is a bit OTT and unrealistic, it's crazy good. Throw in their brand of amazingly appealing smut and you've got yourself another winner. I'm completely absorbed with Carter and Layla. Shoot, I'm even rooting for Jeannette and Saint (Michael). I really want to know what happened on the night that Layla can't remember. And Carter... Damn he's my kind of hero I'm sure!
Book Two
Carter has finally claimed his woman and he's never letting her go... Having her has only seemed to fuel his obsession.
Old demons are coming for Cherry and he’s doing everything in his power to protect her. Can he keep her safe while looking over his shoulder? Will her new secret send him over the edge? Can they find peace in chaos?
Maybe the very thing that started it all could give him more than he could have ever dreamed of.
Warning: Volume 2 contains more sexy hotness, sweet gooey love, and an alpha male who would do anything for his Cherry.
Rating -
I'm not even sure how to further convince people about how great this team of writers is. I thank them for providing me with an awesome and entertaining escape from the everyday. Yes, there's a plot and it's exciting but it's not in-depth. If you're looking for a meaty story, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a story with an interesting plot and amazing... amazing... Amazing sex!!!!! Read the f*ck on!! Orgasms out the yingyang people!! Gushes and spurts and splashes oh my!!
I'm not even sure how to further convince people about how great this team of writers is. I thank them for providing me with an awesome and entertaining escape from the everyday. Yes, there's a plot and it's exciting but it's not in-depth. If you're looking for a meaty story, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a story with an interesting plot and amazing... amazing... Amazing sex!!!!! Read the f*ck on!! Orgasms out the yingyang people!! Gushes and spurts and splashes oh my!!
Book Three
Carter has spent years protecting her from this man, but now Layla has fallen right into his hands. With his world crashing down around him, Carter won't stop until he gets the vengeance he deserves. But will he succeed in saving the only person he has ever loved?
Warning: Vol. 3 contains triple the steam, triple the love, and triple the cheese. Not responsible for Kindles covered in Velveeta.
Rating -
4 gush-for-you stars!! These damn books have me sweating lol!! I wish I could post some quotes to give people an idea of what they're in for, but it would be too dirty for GR. It is safe to say that this is another book of smut-worthiness. Oooh Carter is freaking hot. His dirty talk, his descriptions... Not gonna say more. It was great as usual!
4 gush-for-you stars!! These damn books have me sweating lol!! I wish I could post some quotes to give people an idea of what they're in for, but it would be too dirty for GR. It is safe to say that this is another book of smut-worthiness. Oooh Carter is freaking hot. His dirty talk, his descriptions... Not gonna say more. It was great as usual!
Falling In
They met by chance. Or so she thought...
Losing her wasn't something he was willing to do. Sometimes life takes you to the edge, but Jeanette had a Saint to catch her.
This is the short story of how they met, how they fell in love, and how much Saint loves going down on her.
Rating -
I thought Jeannette's story would be more complicated than it actually was. Go figure. I wonder what history she was talking about that prepared her to act knowledgeable with guns and cover stories? Ah well. This was okay for me. There's a lot of sex (as per usual), a murder, a wedding, a birth, a lot of sex, and then some generational stuff thrown in to prepare us for the next book. Did I mention hot sex?! Lmao!!
I thought Jeannette's story would be more complicated than it actually was. Go figure. I wonder what history she was talking about that prepared her to act knowledgeable with guns and cover stories? Ah well. This was okay for me. There's a lot of sex (as per usual), a murder, a wedding, a birth, a lot of sex, and then some generational stuff thrown in to prepare us for the next book. Did I mention hot sex?! Lmao!!
Sharpest Edge, The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair, Her Guardian Angel, and The Night Cap
August 28, 2024
Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing four books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!
Sharpest Edge by Alessa Thorn
Contemporary Romance with magical elements; multiple pov 3rd person; forced proximity; explicit heat
Kon and Athena's revenge on the shady organisation Aurora has painted targets on all of their backs. Now the Edgeworth's dark and bloody past is catching up with them, and there's no way to escape unscathed...
Izabella Silversmith, hacker and budding magician, won't walk away from the family that rescued her from hell, and with her power now rising thanks to Kon's tutoring, she's got more to lose than ever. Iz is determined to see the fight through to the end, even if her secret feelings for Silas are burning her up inside.
Silas wants to get the bastards that are hunting them and put an end to his nightmares once and for all. He needs to keep his eyes on the prize, something easier said than done when he's forced to live with Izabella, the only woman he's ever wanted and will never be good enough for.
Silas and Izabella will have to deal with the darkest parts of their pasts if they are going to have a future, and with invisible forces massing against them, the whole of the Edgeworth Crew is going to have to draw together to defeat what's coming.
Rating - 1/2
So many things about this story worked well for me. It had a heavy tone, but it was punctuated with light and humor, gaining several of my smiles. Both protagonists shared a vulnerability they weren't afraid to face. Their pasts shaped them, creating such strong and meaningful characters I couldn't help but want to learn more about.
I'm a sucker for found family and what these people created was something anyone would love to be a part of. There's an ease and comfort with them and yet they live most of their lives on the edge. Silas and Iz deserved every moment of happiness they could get with each other and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next book.
P.S. Anyone else not surprised, yet equally intrigued by who Leo really is?
1/2So many things about this story worked well for me. It had a heavy tone, but it was punctuated with light and humor, gaining several of my smiles. Both protagonists shared a vulnerability they weren't afraid to face. Their pasts shaped them, creating such strong and meaningful characters I couldn't help but want to learn more about.
I'm a sucker for found family and what these people created was something anyone would love to be a part of. There's an ease and comfort with them and yet they live most of their lives on the edge. Silas and Iz deserved every moment of happiness they could get with each other and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next book.
P.S. Anyone else not surprised, yet equally intrigued by who Leo really is?
The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair by Ashlyn Drewek
Contemporary Romance with dark elements; dual 1st person pov; captive; explicit heat
Roan Sinclair’s life is perfect, just ask anyone. Except, he doesn’t want it. Dedicated to his music, he dreams of a life free from his parents’ expectations. But those dreams are gone the minute he’s kidnapped by a group of merciless Russians.
Determined to make it out alive, Roan vows to do whatever is necessary to secure his freedom, even if that means seducing his tall, dark, and broody captor. But it’s not going to be easy…
In the criminal underworld, falling in love with another man is a death sentence, which means if they’re caught, they’re both dead.
Rating - 1/2
Man, Sasha's self-hatred almost got the best of him.
Men kidnap Roan, his father refuses to negotiate, Sasha and Roan form a strange bond, bad things happen to Roan, Sasha goes ballistic, and they get to be together.
That's the simplified version. Seriously, things went from pretty light and easy with a bit of robbery, a bit of kidnapping, some roughing up of the victim, some slurs, but nothing too dark. Then Roan gets hurt and Sasha loses his mind. Murder rampage and everything kind of lost and I enjoyed it.
Just saying.
I really liked this story, even when Sasha gave me whiplash due to his back and forth. I know there's another book out there, but I'm good with where these characters left things.
1/2Man, Sasha's self-hatred almost got the best of him.
Men kidnap Roan, his father refuses to negotiate, Sasha and Roan form a strange bond, bad things happen to Roan, Sasha goes ballistic, and they get to be together.
That's the simplified version. Seriously, things went from pretty light and easy with a bit of robbery, a bit of kidnapping, some roughing up of the victim, some slurs, but nothing too dark. Then Roan gets hurt and Sasha loses his mind. Murder rampage and everything kind of lost and I enjoyed it.
Just saying.
I really liked this story, even when Sasha gave me whiplash due to his back and forth. I know there's another book out there, but I'm good with where these characters left things.
Her Guardian Angel by Larissa Ione
Paranormal Romance; dual 3rd person pov; forced proximity; descriptive heat
After a difficult childhood and a turbulent stint in the military, Declan Burke finally got his act together. Now he’s a battle-hardened professional bodyguard who takes his job at McKay-Taggart seriously and his playtime – and his playmates – just as seriously. One thing he never does, however, is mix business with pleasure. But when the mysterious, gorgeous Suzanne D’Angelo needs his protection from a stalker, his desire for her burns out of control, tempting him to break all the rules…even as he’s drawn into a dark, dangerous world he didn’t know existed.
Suzanne is an earthbound angel on her critical first mission: protecting Declan from an emerging supernatural threat at all costs. To keep him close, she hires him as her bodyguard. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that she’s in over her head, defenseless against this devastatingly sexy human who makes her crave his forbidden touch.
Together they’ll have to draw on every ounce of their collective training to resist each other as the enemy closes in, but soon it becomes apparent that nothing could have prepared them for the menace to their lives…or their hearts.
Rating - 1/2
I loved pretty much everything about this book. I laughed so hard when Declan broke down his desire for every bit of Suzanne. He totally objectified her, but she did the same to him and it was very hot. Honestly, these two were burning up the pages and I just enjoyed the ride.
Declan is Suzanne's primori and while we don't know why he merits an angel's protection, we know that he'll be protected. What better way to do that then to hire him as a bodyguard, so while he thinks he's guarding Suzanne, she's doing whatever it takes to keep him safe. And when the truth comes out, Declan took it like a champ (while making me laugh). I was thrilled that these two found a way to be together and find some happiness.
There were obviously some tie-ins to the overall Demonica universe and we got to hear from Azagoth and Lilli (what was that about?), Hawkyn, and get glimpses of past and future characters. I'm so upset about what happened to Cipher and am looking forward to reading his book to see what's next for him.
1/2I loved pretty much everything about this book. I laughed so hard when Declan broke down his desire for every bit of Suzanne. He totally objectified her, but she did the same to him and it was very hot. Honestly, these two were burning up the pages and I just enjoyed the ride.
Declan is Suzanne's primori and while we don't know why he merits an angel's protection, we know that he'll be protected. What better way to do that then to hire him as a bodyguard, so while he thinks he's guarding Suzanne, she's doing whatever it takes to keep him safe. And when the truth comes out, Declan took it like a champ (while making me laugh). I was thrilled that these two found a way to be together and find some happiness.
There were obviously some tie-ins to the overall Demonica universe and we got to hear from Azagoth and Lilli (what was that about?), Hawkyn, and get glimpses of past and future characters. I'm so upset about what happened to Cipher and am looking forward to reading his book to see what's next for him.
The Night Cap by Octavia Jensen
Contemporary Romance; dual 1st person pov; workplace; explicit heat
Come out to the bar, they said.
It'll be fun, they said.
But waking up in a stranger's apartment with nothing but a snarky note to guide me isn't actually all that fun.
It is enough to make me curious though, and enough to make me want to go back.
When I find out that the tall, rugged, tattooed, grumpy bar owner not only took care of me when I got too drunk to go home but also let me crash at his place and cuddle his equally-grumpy dog, I know I need to make it happen again.
And again.
And maybe one more time, just to be safe.
They say opposites attract, after all... and I'm definitely attracted.
Rating -
I've never tried this author before, but after reading the blurb, I knew I wanted to give this book a shot. And I liked it. I really did. While I found the blurb a bit misleading (Who is they? And I thought the notes left by Harvey were kinda dope), it wasn't hard to immediately get sucked into the story.
Both characters were messed up, but they somehow worked together really well. At least when Harvey would get out of his own way. And when they came together... *heh heh* ... it was great. I'll definitely be trying this author again.
I've never tried this author before, but after reading the blurb, I knew I wanted to give this book a shot. And I liked it. I really did. While I found the blurb a bit misleading (Who is they? And I thought the notes left by Harvey were kinda dope), it wasn't hard to immediately get sucked into the story.
Both characters were messed up, but they somehow worked together really well. At least when Harvey would get out of his own way. And when they came together... *heh heh* ... it was great. I'll definitely be trying this author again.
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