I’m reviewing Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins at Smexybooks

Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins
Mature YA/Contemporary Romance
October 1, 2013
Harlequin TEEN

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “Chaos is good.” “Good? There are people humping in the closet. Before cake.”

Cami Broussard has her senior year all mapped out. She will continue to work in her father’s restaurant and become an apprentice chef once she graduates; allowing her to continue working along side her boyfriend, Luke. When Cami’s step mother, Estella, announces her nephew, Julian, will be coming to live with them to recuperate from a war injury, Cami is put out by the onslaught of change coming into her home and her life.

Julian Wyatt was raised by his aunt when his mother and father passed away. Severely wounded in Afghanistan when he and his team came upon a roadside bomb, his aunt decides to bring him home from the VA hospital, hoping that she can help heal more than just his physical wounds. He doesn’t want to be there and makes his opinions known loud and clearly.

From first meeting, Cami and Julian lock horns and butt heads. Cami feels bad for what Julian has gone through but she refuses to coddle him or allow him to take his frustrations out on her. Julian is understandably angry. He is dealing with a severe case of PTSD and survivors guilt. He’s also feeling guilty for his attraction to his seventeen year old housemate.

As their prickly animosity grows into a heady attraction, Julian and Cami will discover a lot about themselves and each other.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Bound By Night by Larissa Ione at Smexybooks

Bound By Night (MoonBound Vampire Clan, #1) by Larissa Ione
Paranormal Romance
September 24, 2013
Pocket Books

Favorite Quote: “I should have been a relationship therapist or some shit.“

In a world where vampires are enslaved to humans, one woman and one man seek to right a terrible wrong and find a love worth dying for.

Nicole Martin hates vampires. As a child, she watched her family’s vampire slaves revolt and decimate her entire family right before her eyes. Taken out of the US as a child, Nicole is back and ready to take up the reins of her family’s company, Daedelus, as CEO. She plans to continue her work finding a cure for vampirism in hopes she can not only obliterate her memories of her past but also the entire bloodsucking vampire race.

Riker, a member of the renegade vampire clan, MoonBound, has waited years to exact revenge against the Martin for the deaths of his mate and friends. When Nicole Martin comes back to the states to take over her parents’ company as CEO,  Riker sees the perfect opportunity to take his revenge and kidnaps Nicole in order to use her as a bargaining chip against a rival clan. Determined to make her pay for her family’s crime, he finds himself becoming obsessed with her instead.

Nicole led a fairly sheltered life overseas and had no idea of the atrocities her parents’ company committed against the vampires. Life with the MoonBound clan quickly disabuses Nicole of her prejudices and forces her to take a long hard look at her own crimes against them. Her disgust and shame forces her to use her in depth knowledge of vampire biology to help find cures to problems that plague the vampires. She also finds her attraction to Riker growing though Riker’s own prejudice against her and her family leaves her little doubt he does not return her feelings.

Caught between a rival vampire clan’s need for revenge and a human company who doesn’t want to give up their experiments, Nicole and Riker find themselves falling deeper for one another as their respective species begin taking steps towards war.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.com

Review: Susan Gregg Gilmore's The Funeral Dress

The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore
Contemporary Fiction/Southern
Released: September 24, 2013
Broadway/Random House

Emmalee Bullard dropped out of school to begin work at the Tennewa Shirt Factory at age sixteen when her father refused to take her to school anymore and demanded she find a job. She is paired with Leona Lane, a long time employee, whose own life could have mirrored Emmalee’s but for some of the decisions she made. Leona teaches Emmalee everything she knows about sewing and soon a friendship is borne between the older woman and this younger girl. When Emmalee gets pregnant by a local boy three years later, Leona sees Emmalee struggling to be mother and father to her baby all the while having no one to help her. She offers Emmalee the chance to get out from underneath her father’s thumb by asking her to come live with her and her husband. Leona lost her own son years ago and was unable to have anymore. Leona knows Emmalee could be a good wonderful mother if she is just given the chance and the baby would give Leona another chance at love.

When an accident claims Leona and her husband’s life, Emmalee finds herself adrift again with no relief in sight. Her baby’s father is unable and unwilling to help her; a victim of his family’s ambitions. Disappointed by the life she could have had before Leona died, Emmalee wants to honor Leona in the only way she knows how. She wants to make Leona’s funeral dress. While some of the town rebels against the idea, they don’t feel an unmarried mother should have that right, the funeral director gives her the chance. Using some fabric Emmalee finds in Leona’s home, Emmalee begins the dress, pouring her heart and soul into it’s making. Each stitch holds a dream, a prayer, and a hope for a chance to do right in her life for her daughter. When the town divides on whether Emmalee should be allowed to keep her baby, Emmalee finds she has more friends then she knew and a wall of courage that holds true as she begins the fight to keep her daughter.

 

Read the rest of my review at smexybooks.com

I’m reviewing And Then Comes Marriage by Celeste Bradley at Smexybooks

And Then Come Marriage (Worthington #2) by Celeste Bradley
Historical Romance
Paperback, 352 pages
July 30, 2013
St Martin’s Paperbacks

Favorite Quote: “I know what it’s like to get it all wrong. To do nothing but harm when you meant only the best.”

Book two in Ms. Bradley’s Worthington series,And Then Comes Marriage, is the story of Pollux (Poll) and Castor (Cas) Worthington. Dubbed the Devilish Duo, these outrageous  twins use their looks, charm, and competitive nature to play games of the heart with women. When Poll meets the lovely rich widow Miranda Talbot, he seeks to set up a liaison as everyone knows widows are fair game. Poll and Miranda burgeoning friendship blossoms until Miranda is almost injured in an explosion and is rescued by Cas. Thinking he is Poll, Miranda gives him a passionate kiss in thanks and is shocked by the instant chemistry that explodes. When Miranda discovers the truth and seeks to dissolve her association with both, they beg the chance to court her with the better man winning her hand.

As Miranda, Poll, and Cas circle around each other, with each man determined to be the victor, they draw the straight laced Miranda out of her shell. Married at a young age to a much older and socially rigid man, Miranda was always the epitome of respectability. In his death, Miranda is finally free to be who she wants rather than what was required of her. When the twins antics set in motion a series of events that only serve to alienate Miranda from society, they find themselves for the first time ashamed of their past deeds and must make amends for their devious behavior.

I adored the first book in this series, When She Said I Do. A delightfully funny and erotically charged story, lightly twisted around a Beauty and the Beast theme. While I found this book also amusing and steamy with some plum love scenes, I didn’t get the same buzz from it. There is an underlying darkness to it as we witness the emerging relationship between the three protagonists and their individual issues which causes unnecessary conflict in the book. I would almost call this a coming of age story in that while Miranda is older than the twins (she’s thirty and they are twenty one), all three of them are emotionally immature. Though it starts as a game of sorts,  this becomes the first true romantic relationship for all three when their emotions enter the equation.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw at Smexybooks

Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw
Romance Contemporary
E book, 225 pages
Omnific Publishing

How does a woman get over her one great love? With whitewater rafting, bluegrass, and a touch of revenge…

Kaye is an extreme sports addict with a kind heart and an axe to grind with her childhood sweetheart and ex-husband, renowned writer Samuel Caulfield Cabral. While Samuel enjoys a celebrity life in New York, Kaye remains in their hometown of Lyons, Colorado, running her PR agency and chatting daily with Samuel’s family, the beloved Cabrals—first-generation Mexican-Americans who have embraced Kaye as their own.

But when Samuel returns home for his sister’s wedding with a new love interest, stunning editor Caroline Ortega, the gloves are stripped off. Kaye is determined to unearth the reasons behind the death of their marriage and why two people who lived to love each other were driven apart, all leading to startling revelations about Samuel, about life…and about herself. (Goodreads)

Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw was brought to my attention by Jane from Dear Author. She tweeted about it and in reading her light review on Goodreads, I was intrigued by the premise. I have always enjoyed second chance love stories. There is something addicting in seeing a love affair gone wrong and the efforts the couple will put into making it right again. Lately, those tropes have been mired in over blown dramatics and angst with dollops of miscommunication and the required villous figure who helps in facilitating our couples relationship demise. The mapping out of the story is easy to follow and you know exactly how it will end. just not the specifics of the journey.

What I truly enjoyed about this story is the lack of formula. As I started reading I became fully invested in Samuel and Kaye’s story. It is an emotional,  honest journey of love, loss, regret, guilt, and forgiveness. Well written with a smooth storyline, well plotted conflicts, and an underlying message of forgiveness that forces our couple to look deep inside themselves for the answers  to their questions. Strong realistic characters will sweep you up and break your heart as you follow this tremulous love story.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing Past Regrets by Shelley Munro at Smexybooks

Past Regrets (Love and Friendship, #2) by Shelley Munro
Erotic Romance/Contemporary
September 10, 2013
Samhain Publishing

Favorite Quote: “This was home. Now all he had to do was convince her.“

Julia Maxwell was the consummate party girl when she met Ryan Callander. Once they started dating she became fully committed to the relationship and him. Ryan, who is now a famous rock star, was just starting out when he and Julia met and married and stupidly heeded to his manager’s rule of no marriages among the band members. He and Julia discussed it and both agreed to keep their marriage a secret until the time was right.

After Julia suffers through a terrible tragedy alone and then begins to see the various tabloid pictures showing Ryan with one different woman after another, Julia decides to call it quits and begins the proceeds for divorce. Ryan is upset to discover divorce papers waiting for him. While on a European tour with the band, Ryan was mugged and his memory is just now starting to come back to him. Because no one in the band knew of the marriage, no one called Julia to inform her of his injury and the one time she called Ryan, another woman answered his phone. Unsure exactly who Julia is or why she is divorcing him Ryan decides to go home to recuperate and try mend his relationship with his wife.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing Smoke by Eileen Hopkins at Smexybooks

Smoke (Burned #2) by Eileen Hopkins
YA Romance Contemporary
Released: September 10, 2013
Margaret K. McElderry Books

Favorite Quote: “We are nothing if we cannot tell each other our secrets.”

Pattyn Von Stratten’s father is dead, and Pattyn is on the run. After far too many years of abuse at the hands of her father, and after the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace. Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated. Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life, but is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you’ve known has burned to ash and lies seem far safer than the truth? (Goodreads)

Smoke is the sequel to Ellen Hopkins best selling Burned. Burned gave us the bittersweet heartbreaking story of Pattyn Von Stratten. A teenager whose seemingly perfect life was a lie. Raised in a restrictive and abusive religious family, Pattyn struggles as she begins to question the sacraments of her faith. When she crosses the line, she is sent away and while there learns what true love and freedom means. The end of Burned left us in the air as we watch all of Pattyn’s dreams go up in flames and she sacrifices everything to ensure no one else will suffer what she has.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

Review-Second Chance At Happiness by Heather Lire

Second Chance At Happiness (Holiday, Vermont, #2) by Heather Lire
Romance Contemporary
August 1, 2013
Desert Breeze Publishing

Favorite Quote: “When I imagine myself as an old woman sitting in my chair, the person I want by my side is you.”

When Colin MacCaffe’s personal life comes crashing down around him, he leaves the big city behind for a fresh start in the small town of Holiday Vermont. As the Deputy Chief of Police he spends his time making sure the town he’s come to call his own is safe. The only problem in his peaceful life is the arrival of his next door neighbor’s sister. A woman who threatens to destroy the peace of his new life.

After years of putting one foot in front of the other, acting like she was fine for her family Brynn Sanderson – Jackson is mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. All she wants is a couple of weeks of rest and relaxation while she house sits for her sister. What she gets instead is a trip to the hospital, emergency surgery, and the neighbor next door. A man who makes her feel more than she wants to.

Can these two put their past heartaches behind them, and go after the happiness they’ve always wanted and thought was forever lost to them?(Goodreads)

Heather Lire’s Second Chance At Happiness, the second book in her Holiday, Vermont series, is a sweet lightweight romance with an strong inspirational tone to it. Love and family are two primary themes that interrelate throughout the book, giving us an intimate look at two heart weary people given a second chance at love again. Emotional and humorous scenes keeps the story moving at a steady pace.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

My Review: Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson at Smexybooks

 

Elysian Fields (Sentinel Of New Orleans #3) by Suzanne Johnson
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
August 13, 2013
Tor Books

Favorite Quote: “I would have done as much for anyone. It just happened to be you.”

Elysian Fields picks up a few weeks after the events in River Road. Drusilla Jaco (DJ), is still recovering from the wounds she received battling an insane nymph. When she is called to the scene of a brutal murder, she discovers that a serial killer, known as the Axeman who terrorized New Orleans back in the early 1900’s, has come back from the dead to reign hell on the mortal realm. Further investigations reveal that an unknown necromancer summoned the Axeman and he is gunning for DJ. If DJ’s life wasn’t dangerous enough, she finds herself caught in the middle of a political disaster when the Elven Synod demands access to DJ for training purposes and a freak accident occurs that could spell the end of DJ’s career… and her life.

Elysian Fields is the third book in Suzanne Johnson’s paranormal urban fantasy Sentinel Of New Orleans series. An action packed series that effectively bridges the supernatural with the mundane. Set in an alternate New Orleans, supernaturals intermingle with humans; though most humans aren’t conscious of this. The series is based on Drucilla Jaco, a junior wizard who stands as one of the sentinels charged with standing guard over the supernatural borders in New Orleans. Placed in her position through circumstance, DJ is still in the process of learning to control her powers. We recently learned of DJ’s elven heritage which is already causing her problems in the form of a magic staff that everyone wants but no one can touch until DJ’s death. The series follows her through her life as she investigates supernatural affairs and deals with the inevitable chaos that seems to mock her every step.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.com

I’m reviewing Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick Revolution at Smexybooks

Rock Chick Redemption (Rock Chicks #8) by Kristen Ashley
Romance Contemporary/Suspense
August 13, 2013
Self Published

Favorite Quote: “I’m gonna be Sharleen to your Lee.”

All Ally Nightingale wants is what the rest of the Rock Chicks have. A Hot Bunch guy who loves her to death. She also wants the independence to go her own way. And her own way is leading her to P.I. work, because she is a Nightingale after all. But Ally has secrets, secrets that when revealed cause some very different reactions from those who love her. Some will support her. Some will attempt to stop her. And the one person who holds Ally’s heart will need to make a decision…love her for who she is or lose her forever.

Rock Chick Revolution is the eighth and final book in Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick series. A romantic suspense/contemporary series filled with over the top drama, laughter, sexytimes, and situations that will keep your eye rolling and head snapping throughout. Ashley begins this book the day after the events in Breathe (Colorado Mountain series) Ally Nightingale and her sidekick Brody used their computer skills to help find Faye after she’s been kidnapped and buried alive. Ally and Brody travelled to Colorado with Ren Zanos was hot on her trail; furious Ally has once again placed her life in danger. And that is the root of Ren and Ally’s relationship.  From Ally and Ren’s first meeting, it’s been an eventful emotional ride as Ren chases and tries to corral Ally while Ally runs around doing her own thing and pushes Ren away. Fast pacing and a great set up reveals exactly what happened between Ren and Ally in the beginning to explain why she’s running now.

 

Stop by Smexybooks.com to read the rest of my review and join in a Scavenger Hunt that promises lots of fabulous prizes.

I’m reviewing Along Came A Spider at Smexybooks

Along Came A Spider (Transplanted Tales #3) by Kate SeRine
Paranormal Romance
August 1, 2013
Kensington

Favorite Quote: ““Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty.”

“Wrong fairytale, you idiot.”

Trish “Little Miss” Muffet has loved Nicky “Little Boy” Blue since she was snatched from Make Believe and sent to the Here and Now. But fate had different plans for the two of them and Trish resigned herself to crushing on him from afar. When she is attacked at a crime scene, she is shocked her rescuer is none other than Nicky. Nicky has been missing for two years after he was viciously attacked and his wife killed. Now a vigilante that goes by the moniker “the spider”, Nicky is taking down predators on his way to his ultimate target-Vlad Dracula-the man who ordered the hit on him and his wife. And he needs Trish’s help.

Trish doesn’t believe in Nicky’s renegade way of doling out justice, but she agrees Vlad needs taking down. As Trish and Nicky work together to capture the rogue vampire, the heat that has always simmered between them blazes into a smoldering inferno, but Nicky has no plans to remain in town after his job is done.  With danger coming at them from all sides, Trish knows the only man who can save her is a prickly spider whose touch leaves her breathless. Can Little Miss Muffet convince Little Boy Blue to come sit on her tuffet with her or will fear of the unknown scare them both away?

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Jennifer Estep’s Spartan Frost and Midnight Frost at Smexybooks

 

Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy #4.5)
Youth Adult/Urban Fantasy
June 25, 2013
E book, 60 pages
Kensington

Favorite Quote: “Tell her I’m sorry. Again.”

Spartan Frost is a light novella that falls between Crimson Frost and Midnight Frost and addresses the events from the hero’s POV, Logan Quinn.

In Crimson Frost, Logan was possessed by Loki and tried to kill his girlfriend, Gwen Frost. Guilt over his behavior and fear that Loki may once again possess him has sent Logan running from the academy and Gwen.

 

Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep
Youth Adult/Urban Fantasy
July 30, 2013
Paperback, 400 pages
Kensington

 

Favorite Quote: “Oh, quit feeling sorry for yourself.”

Gwen Frost is back and recovering from her near fatal wound but if she thinks the Reapers are going to wait for her to be at one hundred percent…she’ll have a long wait. When her boss, Nickamedes, is poisoned by a Reaper instead of Gwen, she finds herself travelling to the great outdoors in search of an elusive antidote for the poison. She has a limited window of opportunity to succeed. If she fails, Nickamedes will die. Gwen and her friends go in search of the antidote, well aware that this could be a trap set by the Reapers and death may be all what awaits them.

 

Read both these reviews at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews st Smexybooks

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
Urban Fantasy
Releases: July 30, 2013
Ace

Favorite Quote: ”If you come into these mountains with open hands, I will welcome you. If you come holding a sword, you will die by it.”

Pirates, and sea monsters, and princesses…oh my!

Kate Daniels and her mate, the Beast Lord, find themselves once again putting their life on the line to save an innocent. When two pack teenagers start to go loup, Kate and Curran have to negotiate with the European packs for access to the herbal medicine that can save the teenagers from certain death. The Europeans agree to a trade which requires Kate, Curran, and some of the pack to travel to Europe. The Europeans want Curran and the pack to protect an important pregnant shifter until she gives birth. Then and only then will they release the formula for the medicine. Soon Kate and Curran realize there is much more at stake than simple bodyguard duties. Someone wants Kate and Curran separated permanently and are willing to destroy whoever and whatever gets in their way.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks

I’m reviewing The Gentleman’s Keeper by Bonnie Dee at Smexybooks

The Gentleman’s Keeper by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon
Historical Romance Contemporary/MM
July 9, 2013
Samhain Publishing

 

Favorite Quote: “No pretend son of his was going to go through life unwanted or unloved.“

Everett Gerard left home as a young man and never returned. He has spent many years traveling, burying himself in a haze of alcohol and sex. When he finally rouses himself to read the many letters his bailiff has been sending to him for months; telling him of a young boy who is claiming Everett is his father, he travels to his estate to see for himself. Once Everett sees the boy, there is no doubt he’s a Gerard but he knows for fact the boy is not his. Gerard figures he will deal with the boy and the abbey, then head back to London. But he never figured on Miles Kenway.

Miles Kenway, the Abbey bailiff,  loves his job and the estate. A man who has never been content to stay in one area for long, he finds himself settling and wanting to bring the Abbey back to its former glory. When a young boy appears at the Abbey, claiming Everett Gerard is his father, Miles finds himself at wits end trying to keep the boy from destroying the estate with his pranks and wild mischief. When Everett finally appears, Miles is both elated and unsettled by his attraction to Everett.

As Miles and Everett circle each other and their forbidden desires, unsure how to circumvent the delicate balance between master and servant, they find they must unite when the boy’s real father appears and threatens everything they have have.

Read more of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Fifth Grave Past The Light by Darynda Jones at Smexybooks

Fifth Grave Past The Light (Charley Davidson #5) by Darynda Jones
Urban Fantasy/Mystery
July 9, 2013
St. Martins Press

Favorite Quote: “I’m a virgin. But this is an old shirt.”

Charley Davidson is large and in charge in the fifth installment of Darynda Jones hilariously dark and sexy urban fantasy series. More sex (YEA!!!), more jokes, and even more ghosts will keep you glued to the pages as Charley tries to solve not one but two mysteries, follow a cheater, deal with the son of Satan living next door to her in a MUCH more fabulous apartment then hers and the fact her assistant Cookie seems to think she is suddenly Wyatt Erp.

I adore this series. If you read no other books this year, you must stop and pick up Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson series.  A wickedly funny, sexy, action packed roller coaster ride that will have you howling with laughter as you follow Charley and her over qualified, under paid receptionist/ bff Cookie into the exciting world of private investigation, coffee thievery, and boundary challenged ghosts. A strong character driven series, this urban fantasy takes you on a crazy laughter filled adventure with strong emotional storylines, multiple subplots, charismatic characters, and witty dialogue. Our heroine, Charley Davidson, is the Grim Reaper. She has spent her entire life solving mysteries; first for her father and uncle and then for herself. Once she began to accept her duties as the Grim Reaper, her life became much more interesting. She is still learning what her role in the universe will be but according to Reyes she is a portal to heaven that if breached will enable Hell to reign on earth. Not to put any pressure on her or anything. Yikes.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I'm reviewing Moria Roger’s Haunted Wolves at Smexybooks

Haunted Wolves (Green Pines #2) by Moira Rogers
Paranormal Romance
July 9, 2013
Samhain Publishing

 

Favorite Quote: “I feel like I’m home.“

Lorilei Adams was forced to take on a larger role when her pack was being terrorized by another pack. Having lost everything that meant something to her, Lorilei is physically and mentally tired and ready to give it all up to the alphas of Green Pine Sanctuary.

Colin has spent his life as an enforcer for the council. He was their judge, jury, and executioner against rogue wolves, but he never looked beyond the kill to the survivors. Exhausted and weary himself, he just want to rest.

Colin meets Lorilei and his protective instincts roar to the surface. Colin finds himself struggling not to just take what he wants. Lorilei is attracted to Colin as well but she only wants a physical distraction. Colin wants it all though and soon begins his uneasy seduction.

When an unknown and malicious magic begins to affect the residents of Green Pines, Colin and Lorilei must put aside their uneasiness and work together to discover the person(s) behind the magic. They soon find themselves in a malstorm where passion, lust, friendship, and responsibility all blend together and the final outcome rests completely on their shoulders.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I’m reviewing Hotter Than Ever by Elle Kennedy at Smexybooks

Hotter Than Ever (Out Of Uniform #9) by Elle Kennedy
Romance Contemporary/Erotic
July 9, 2013
Samhain Publishing

 

Favorite Quote: “This is my wife….and these are my daughter’s boyfriends.”

Claire McKinley getting dumped on her wedding day sets the stage for an amazing adventure that ends in love when her former fiance’s brother, Dylan Wade, rescues her and takes her home with him to San Diego. Dylan is not Claire’s biggest fan but no one deserves what she endured. When Claire arrives at Dylan’s house, she meets his “roommate” Aidan and from there, things get interesting. Dylan and Aidan have a complicated relationship that goes beyond platonic. (we see a beginning of it in Getting Hotter) They are both bisexual and while they enjoy each other, they also feel a woman completes their relationship. And they want that woman to be Claire.

Claire is unsure how all this will work. She is attracted sexually to both men but she has concerns and she knows Dylan doesn’t like her. Aidan sees the tension and decides to take matters into his own hands and force a confrontation between Claire and Dylan. A confrontation that sends a firestorm of passion throughout the house and binds all three together. When outside forces learn of their unusual relationship, all three become fodder for gossip which leads to heartache. Can Claire, Dylan, and Aidan stay strong or will they succomb to the wants of others and let their chance at happiness die out?

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I'm reviewing The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore at Smexybooks

The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent #1) by Jennifer Haymore
Historical Romance
June 25, 2013
Forever

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “My reputation has no importance when it comes to you…”

Sarah Osborne is the daughter of the Hawkins family gardener. Having been raised and educated with the Hawkins children, she straddles a very fine line in the family. Not their equal as head chambermaid, but held in higher regards than the average servant. She has loved Simon since she was a child. He rescued her from a mishap with a blackberry bush and he became her knight in shining armor. Sarah had no idea Simon felt the same until they shared a passionate kiss but then Simon fled to London the next day and she has not seen him since.

Simon Hawkins has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Having held the title of Duke since a young man, he has weathered scandals, rumors, and innuendos concerning his family for years. His main goal now is to bring respectability to the House of Trent. Summoned home when his mother suddenly disappears, he is unsure whether she let of her own accord or through nefarious means. This brings him back into Sarah’s life and he is unhappy to see that his feelings for her have not faded. He stayed away from the family estate for years, ashamed for what he saw as taking advantage of Sarah. He knows he and Sarah have no real chance at a true relationship but his heart doesn’t care.

With his mother’s disappearance in mind, Simon decides to move his sister, Lady Esme and Sarah to London for safety reasons. The move puts Simon and Sarah into closer contact and their passion for one another only burns brighter. Their already doomed love affair is further tested by a very determined debutante and papa who sees Simon as her way to become a Duchess and uses any means necessary to achieve their goals. As Simon struggles to maintain status quo and do the right thing by his family and Sarah, the choice is suddenly taken from him and he finds himself hurting them all.

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks. 

I’m reviewing J. Lynn’s Wait For Me at Smexybooks

 

Wait For You by J. Lynn (Wait for You #1)
New Adult
April 2, 2013
William Morrow

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “I think the key to the start of any good relationship is to remember how the other person likes their coffee.”

Avery Morgenstern starts her first day of college by literally running into campus hottie and player, Cameron Hamilton. Six feet plus of pure unadulterated smexyness who suddenly becomes Avery’s shadow. He makes her feel like a goddess but Avery has secrets. Secrets that haunt her days, nights, and impede any chance of her having a normal relationship. Avery arrived at college thousands of miles from home to escape a traumatic event and make a fresh start but when she begins receiving hate filled emails and texts, Avery will have to make a difficult choice. Can she come clean with Cam and let him help her heal? Or will she be forced to stay silent and lose the one person who makes her feel whole again?

**Though this is set to release for publication in print in September through William Morrow, I actually read this months ago when it was released by J Lynn herself in ebook format. I have read both releases many times. The book is available digitally**

Wait For You is a well written addictive new adult novel that addresses a serious subject matter with heartfelt emotion, drama, intrigue, romance, and humor. A fluid storyline that ebbs and flows seamlessly as we are submerged into the lives of the protagonists Avery and Cam. I’m a huge fan of the author, J Lynn, also known as Jennifer Armentrout. I adore her mature YA’s and her adult romantic contemporaries and was delighted to see her writing NA.  Fans of her previous works will not be disappointed. A prolific author whose true gift is her appealing voice and her ability to make her characters realistic and three dimensional. Her characters aren’t perfect and while we do see drama and angst, it’s not over flowing or used as merely a plot device. She digs beneath stereotypical behavior and gives us the real story behind it. Witty dialogue, dynamic scenes, and a well plotted swoon worthy romance serve to make this story an unforgettable read.

 

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.

I'm reviewing Stephanie Laurens The Taming Of Ryder Cavanaugh at Smexybooks

The Taming Of Ryder Cavanaugh (The Cynster Sisters Duos #2) by Stephanie Laurens

Historical Romance
June 25, 2013
Avon

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “If you think I’m going to be the first female in my family to go to the altar a virgin, you’re mistaken.”

The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh is a romance story in the truest form and provides us with a wrap up to the original Cynster series. We witness the last Cynster (of age) to marry-Miss Mary Cynster. I have been a huge fan of this series since reading the first book-Devil’s Bride. Mary is first seen in Devil’s Bride as a young child who holds vigil with the rest of the family when her brother Tolly is killed. That being the catalyst to bringing  Honoria and Devil together. I am astounded that it’s been fifteen years since the first book published .

Mary Cynster is thrilled when her sister, Henrietta, finally finds her true love and the family necklace comes to her. This talisman is supposed to direct the wearer to her hero. Unfortunately for Mary, it seems to be directing her towards someone she is positive is not the one for her-Ryder Cavanaugh, the Marquess of Raventhorne. Mary doesn’t want a man whose temperament and willpower rivals hers. She wants a man that she can direct; as to retain her independence. Mary knows deep down that Ryder is not a man who will ever dance to her tune. Besides, she is convinced it is his half brother, Randolph, who is her perfect match.

Ryder Cavanaugh has never been particularly interested in marriage, but from his first meeting with Mary and her seemingly lack of interest in him, he finds himself taken with this woman and the challenge she presents. Everyone knows the quickest way to send Ryder running the other way is to lavish him with attention; her lack is her undoing. Once Ryder learns she has her eye on his younger brother, he proceeds to shadow her, showing up at various functions and striving to prove to her that Randolph is definitely not the one for her. Ryder decides she is to be his future marchioness and proceeds to set the stage for her conquest. Mary has other plans, though .

Read the rest of my review at Smexybooks.