Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Trapped in His World by Stella Noir and Roxy Sinclaire

Trapped in His World by Stella Noir and Roxy Sinclaire
Dark Romance Series, Book 1
Publisher: Stella Noir (January 2016)
69 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

In desperate need of money, Navia agrees to fill in for her friend as a secretary while she’s gone on her honeymoon, but Navia ends up falling for the boss and isn’t sure how to feel about it. Jason is a brooding, mysterious man with some deep-seated problems—not the least of which is his penchant for inflicting pain on women during intercourse, and his callous behavior otherwise. Navia struggles with a love/hate dichotomy about Jason and his hurtful behavior. Jason is dangerously close to abusive/stalker material here, but Navia isn’t entirely put off by it. This could have done with a bit more proofreading work, and the ending felt rather rushed (and perhaps oversimplified), but the complexity of the characters really holds your interest. I’m still not sure what to think of Jason. Quick, interesting read!

Friday, January 22, 2016

Prymal Passion by Jianne Carlo

Prymal Passion by Jianne Carlo
Prymal Series, Book 3
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing (February 2015)
241 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Bandit (alpha cat/wolf/human shifter) had all but given up on ever finding his mate and had tried to resign himself that he would never have children of his own, when he caught an intruder on his property and was surprised to find he recognized the woman as his mate. Kata had only recently discovered her own connections to the shifter world and is running for her life with her baby sister, stumbling upon Bandit at just the right time. Bandit’s quick acceptance of his mate and his all-encompassing urge to protect his ready-made family was so sweet, and despite Kata needing a bit more time to come to terms with things, Kata and Bandit were great together from the beginning. I hope we see more of Dimitri in further books! Quick read!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Prince Hudson by Lily Cahill

Prince Hudson by Lily Cahill
Alpha Bear Princes, Book 1
Publisher: Nameless Shameless Women LLC (January 2016)
152 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Kay is expecting to meet her ex for dinner in hopes that he’s had a change of heart and wants to get back together, instead he’s a no-show and she catches the eye of Hudson (billionaire bear shifter) who persuades her to enjoy the evening with him. Hudson believes Kay is his mate, and quickly moves to do anything and everything he can to keep her. I loved this story! Hudson is alpha through and through, coming across as a very dominating personality without being crass about it. Kay is strong without being abrasive, and I liked her immediately. This story is a little on the shorter side (more novella length) but fulfilling nonetheless. Quick, entertaining read! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Carnal by Jianne Carlo

Carnal by Jianne Carlo
Wind Dancer Series, Book 3
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing (December 2015)
226 pages, eBook (provided by the Author)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Harry has to wed a virgin, and soon, or his father’s fortune will go to his back-stabbing stepmother instead of him. The matchmaker he hires sets him up with Martine, a young woman with more secrets than he could have ever imagined, which is okay at first because the whole thing starts out as strictly a business deal, but it quickly becomes quite a bit more personal as Harry and Martine get to know each other. Harry was sweet throughout this whole thing, a guy it is near impossible to dislike, but I felt a bit bad for him given all Martine’s secrets. I wished she could have trusted him a bit earlier on and let him help her. The unraveling of Martine’s past was almost like the solving of a mystery, and it was enjoyable in and of itself. Entertaining modern-day mail-order bride type of story. Great series!

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Notorious by Jianne Carlo

Notorious by Jianne Carlo
Wind Dancer Series, Book 2
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing (December 2015)
268 pages, eBook (provided by the Author)
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Su-Lin mistakenly goes into the men’s steam room and meets Terry, both are instantly besotted with each other, and Terry quickly settles it so Su-Lin and her aunt and uncle will take a three-week cruise on his yacht. I loved this story! Su-Lin is sweet and naive, but with surprising strength of spirit. After a sheltered youth, she is eager to explore her sexuality for the first time and Terry is more than willing to help her. The more Terry gets to know Su-Lin, the more he is convinced he’s ruined beyond repair for anyone, but especially someone as pure as Su-Lin. Great story of a bad boy being reformed by an innocent. There is a lot of mystery surrounding Su-Lin and her pushy relations, but I loved Terry’s protectiveness once he realizes the danger Su-Lin is in. Great, quick read! I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, Carnal!

Friday, January 8, 2016

Manhandled by Jianne Carlo

Manhandled by Jianne Carlo
Wind Dancer Series, Book 1
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing (December 2015)
253 pages, eBook (provided by the Author)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Rolan and Sarita had a whirlwind romance in high school, but Rolan’s draft into college football, as well as the tumultuous events in Sarita’s life at the time, split them apart only to be unexpectedly reunited on the yacht of a friend over a decade later and reveal the existence of a son that Rolan never knew he had. Sarita had a huge chip on her shoulder throughout most of this story, but Rolan just steamrolled over it and, once they were together again, the chemistry was scorching. Amusing scenarios involving the presence of their twelve year old son on the yacht, as well as other people. A lot of lying and hiding things ‘to protect people’—which is never a good idea. Enjoyable, quick read with some great secondary characters! I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, Notorious!