Outlaw’s Kiss by Nicole Snow

Outlaw’s Kiss by Nicole Snow

Grizzlies MC, Book 1 (Prairie Devils MC Spin-off Series)

Publisher: Ice Lips Press (December 2014)

318 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Before her dad succumbed to cancer, he let Missy know about the fortune stashed in their basement that he’d sold his soul for so Missy and her little sister could have money for the future . . . too bad the Grizzlies came to take it back before they had a chance to doing anything with the nest egg, and it looked like they’d be giving up their lives for their father’s indiscretion as well, until one of the Grizzlies, Brass, stepped out and claimed Missy on the spot as his old lady. I wasn’t sure about Brass at first, having seen him betray his sister in previous Prairie Devils stories, but he was off the drugs this time around and making a new start looked good on him. It opened his eyes to the nastiness around him and what his MC actually was. I liked that he stayed loyal and tried to make a change from within, instead of just ditching. Missy was a little impulsive and foolish at times, but she had good strength. It was nice to see that there are a few good Grizzlies (loved Blackjack). Rabid next? Great read!

Finding Love Between Terror and Rage by Marla Monroe

Finding Love Between Terror and Rage by Marla Monroe

The Howling Death MC, Book 1

Publisher: Siren Publishing (December 2014)

131 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.24)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Brothers Rage and Terror are coming in to take charge of the Settler’s Point charter of The Howling Death MC, hoping to rebuild in anticipation of trouble with the neighboring Vipers MC, so the last thing they need is to get distracted by the cute waitress at the bar their MC frequents, but Mia gets under their skin, and they struggle to keep away from her for her own safety as things start to heat up in town. I loved this story! This was a little more gritty than other books I’ve read by this author, but I thought it really suited the characters. Mia was smart and tough, and really easy to relate to. Rage and Terror were great alphas, Terror a bit softer than Rage, and their protectiveness of Mia was fantastic. There are so many great secondary characters (Scooby, Hawk, Gunner, Bear) and I can’t wait to read further stories from this series. Great read!

Barracuda’s Heart by Jayne Rylon

Barracuda’s Heart by Jayne Rylon

Hot Rods, Book 6

Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.(December 2014)

177 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.44)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

With all of the changes and new additions to their unconventional arrangement with their roommates, Roman’s (Barracuda’s) demons get the upper hand on him and his spiral downward leads him to an overdose and a frantic dash to the hospital to save his life, after which he goes away for rehab, giving everyone involved ample space for thinking time. I have been waiting for Roman and Carver’s story since this series began, and it did not disappoint! Of everyone, Roman isn’t quite so happy to share Carver with the others, and it was interesting to see that explored a bit. It was great to see Roman open up a bit more after he came back from rehab and share his struggles with Carver. Great story and I look forward to Touch of Amber, coming in April 2015!

The Healer by Allison Butler

The Healer by Allison Butler

Publisher: Escape Publishing (October 2014)

224 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.53)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Lynelle is an outcast among her father’s people and disowned by her father, so when her half-brother is taken by Scots she hopes getting the boy back will finally win her father’s favor, but in order to get the boy back she promises to act as a healer for a few weeks, neglecting to tell the Scottish Laird she has healing knowledge but no actual experience with real patients. This scenario could have gone far more wrong than it did for Lynelle, but I found her determination inspiring, seeing her through even during the few times when she lacked self-confidence. William is tortured by grief, having lost many close family members and he is very reluctant to let Lynelle past his protective walls, until he fears he might lose her. I liked the short sex scenes—longer is not necessarily better, and I really appreciated the “abbreviated” length of those in this story. Interesting story of Scots/English relations along the border.

The Gift by Margaret Mallory

The Gift by Margaret Mallory

Publisher: Margaret Mallory (December 2014)

128 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Lily feels she must leave London and the shop she has for her healing practice in the midst of the witch hunts overtaking the city, and though she intended to head north, she didn’t quite intend to become lost in the wilds of northern Scotland, nor to be found freezing to death by a handsome Highlander, but Roderick saves her and brings her back home with him unclear whether this was the lass his grandmother foretold him finding. Despite Roderick’s rocky past in the love department, it was Lily who was more stubborn about being unable to believe in their feelings for each other and that got a little frustrating, especially when Roderick was trying so hard to make things right. But, they had such great chemistry from the start and it was a great holiday-themed highlander tale. For those who read the All the King’s Men Trilogy, Lily was featured as a child in the last story from that series, Knight of Passion. Nice, short read!

MacAlister’s Hope by Laurin Wittig

MacAlister’s Hope by Laurin Wittig

Kilmartin Glen Novella, Sequel to The Devil of Kilmartin

Publisher: Laurin Wittig (October 2014)

91 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Fia is grateful for everything her foster family has given her, but she has largely been hovering in the shadows working hard to learn the ways of being a healer and giving aid where she can, so when the MacAlisters show up demanding her aid, she finds she must step out of the shadows and come into her own as a healer in her own right. Kieron recognizes her immediately as the girl he’s loved ever since a small word of advice from her change his outlook on life, and instilled him with confidence. I love stories of people who glimpsed each other as children, then grow up to reunite and fall in love. The mystical/paranormal qualities of the Winter Stone made a great backdrop for the story. Great short story!

Loving Sanctuary by Becca Van

Loving Sanctuary by Becca Van

Slick Rock Series, Book 12

Publisher: Siren Publishing (December 2014)

125 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.40)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After inadvertently opening one of her boss’s emails, Sabrina overhears him order her death, which sends her on the run and she ends up in Slick Rock where she collapses in the diner from fatigue and a bad case of the flu. Lucky the Wendall brothers (Trick, Trent & Tristan) are there and they take her back to their house to nurse her back to health, but when they find out about the danger she’s in, they all move out to the Heritage brothers Ranch for a while, hoping to lie low. I thought the illness was a bit of an interesting twist, the brothers fawning over her in her fevered state, but she seemed better way faster than I thought was realistic. Maybe it’s just me but the kissing, and interest in other things, while she was sick, seemed a little unrealistic as well. Nonetheless, Sabrina had great chemistry with all three Wendell men, and it was a really enjoyable read. I hope the Heritage brothers (Hank, David & Barry) are next! Great Series!

Sweetwater Springs Scrooge by Debra Holland

Sweetwater Springs Scrooge by Debra Holland

The Montana Sky Series, Book 4.75

Publisher: Debra Holland (December 2014)

50 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: White Heart

Elias messed up his chance to marry Marian years ago, and she ended up marrying someone else, while he ended up living alone on his parents farm and turning into the town Scrooge. But Elias happens to run into Marian’s grandson at the mercantile, and everything seems to fall into place to give him a second chance with the now widowed Marian. Sweet story of two people trying to right past regrets, with a holiday theme. This story takes place at the same time as those in the Sweetwater Springs Christmas collection. Nice, little holiday treat for Montana Sky fans!

Bound Between Brothers by Powerone

Bound Between Brothers by Powerone

Publisher: Sizzler Editions (November 2014)

196 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After finding her fiancé cheating on her, Monika leaves her high-powered job and the big city to return home and work as an architect for her father’s company, only to meet Martin, a man she’s interested in personally as well as professionally, but he seems very shy of initiating anything. After dating Martin for a while, Monika finds he seems to have two sides to his personality, a sweet, timid side and a more harsh, domineering side, so when she finds there are actually identical twin brothers (Martin & Michael) in her life, everything makes more sense. Apparently this story was originally released in a shorter version under the title Opposites. The constant change in personality of the man she was with made it so Monika never quite knew what to expect, but eventually the two personalities started meshing into one and it was interesting to see the brothers take on the traits of the other as time went along, and in the end both men were pretty harsh and demanding. I almost felt it would have been more interesting if Martin had stayed the sweet, gentle one, but oh well. This includes bondage, whip play and menage scenarios, as well as so much more. At the end, there is also a sneak preview included of the first installment of a new sci-fi (alien) BDSM series due out in 2015 called Intergalactic Bondage Colony.