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Archives: Reviews

  • Making Faces by Amy Harmon

    You know how when you start reading a book and you get only a few pages into it and start to revel in its prose? One where, if it were told any differently, it wouldn’t be nearly as poetically enjoyable to read? That happened to me while reading Making Faces faster than it has with nearly any other book. It’s not just the sentence structure that caught my attention, but it’s Amy Harmon’s ability to weave such a tale of emotional awareness with surprises and smiles and tears that caught me off-guard in such a beautiful way. I can’t even put together a summary of the book because telling anything more than just “a coming-of-age story met with tragedy and healing romance.” Making Faces is more that just a must-read; it’s required reading.

  • Making Thyme by TJ Hamilton

    The second I finished this book, I sent a message to TJ. The following is the start of our conversation. Angie: “You are a cruel, sadistic wench. TEARS.” TJ: “FUCK. YEAH. TEARS!!!! My job is done! I wanted tears!!!” Angie: “Not nice. I don’t like you right now.” After an admittedly slow buildup through the majority of Making Thyme, TJ closes out the trilogy’s bridge book with one HELL of a tear-jerker. I loved the first book, Buying Thyme, and I’m positive I’ll love the third and final book that’s expected to come out soon. Like many trilogies, Making Thyme is a transitional book, allowing for the lead character to develop. And much like I did in the first book, I fell in love with her and want her to overcome all of the obstacles placed in her way. [October 2013]

  • Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat

    Just like pretty much every other woman alive, I love a good forbidden romance, especially when the heroine is a widowed mother in her late-thirties in love with a twenty-something rock star Marine. Only hot and sexy things can come from that kind of story. And as much as I love a New Orleans setting with New Orleans-native accents and talk of beignets, I’m now more in love with guitar picks and the talents they can *ahem* perform. Adrian and Celeste are meant to be, and when they finally (FINALLY) get together, the chemistry is worth the wait. [October 2013]

  • Convicted by Aleatha Romig

    If you told me while I was reading Consequences that by the end of Convicted, I’d make a place in my heart for Anthony Rawlings, I would have yelled in your face, “YOU BE CRAZY, YO.” In fact, I think I said that exactly to Aleatha Romig several times while I read Consequences and Truth. After his deplorable actions of the first and through the second book, Truth, I couldn’t foresee ever warming up to Tony. It seems Aleatha did the impossible: she forced my heart open and pushed her way in to plant Tony firmly in. In what I describe as a literary soap opera, the trilogy has so many mysteries, twists, turns, murders, relationships, generational vendettas, webs of lies, and tons of money. When read back-to-back—how I recommend it’s read—the books are an epic storytelling. I highly recommend reading this trilogy, and when you get through to the end of Convicted, come talk to me about how much you, too, have grown to love Tony and Claire.

  • The Missionary by Jack Wilder

    Figuring out how to explain why I think you should read this book is more difficult than I expected. In other recommendations, I’ll say things like, “Must read or die!” or “Super awesomely good!” but those flippant phrases don’t really work for this book. The Missionary is tough to read. The subject matter is raw, real, and disgusting. It is not a fantasy. You would never wish what happens in this book on your worst enemy. Unfortunately, it’s something we should read and know about. Human trafficking is a real horror, and this story is based on a true story, or rather a compilation of stories. Wren and Stone find solace and a connection to reality in one another while being immersed in the horror of their circumstances. Without reading the book, it may not seem like it should be a story with romance and sex, but it absolutely finds its place and is understandably appropriate. And it doesn’t hurt that these Wilders know how to pen a steamy love scene. Woah. The Missionary is incredible, haunting, lovely, and a must read. [October 2013]

  • Safe With Me by Kristen Proby

    These With Me In Seattle books just keep getting hotter and hotter. Safe With Me is right on the same hotness level as Rock With Me, replacing the rock star with a fine-ass Navy SEAL. Caleb Montgomery is a hardcore protector, and being in the position to protect Brynna and her twin girls makes for a steamy relationship. As with the other books in the series, I love catching up with the other character, and the girls are hilarious. Safe With Me is a great continuation of this series which is a sexy, fun must-read. [October 2013]

  • Still Human by Kerry Heavens

    TOP 10 OF 2013
    I love Liv and Danny. I want them to be my very best friends, and if they were real people and I lived in England, I think we could totally be BFFs. After the whirlwind rekindled romance of Being Human left me with a severe case of literary blue balls, I couldn’t wait to get back into reading about these two tattooed lovebirds. They had to make it together, right? They needed to find a way to be together after so many years separated and then misunderstandings forced them apart! Without spoiling anything—of course—I’ll just say that Danny has made a place for himself deep in my heart. Being Human and Still Human are highly recommended, must-read books. [October 2013]

  • Fever Dream by Annabel Joseph

    Annabel Joseph makes me want to start my life over as a kinky ballerina. OH… to have the lithe body, the discipline, and super-hot ballet dancer to throw me around like a rag doll. To tie me up, spank my narrow ass, and make me his plaything? Fever Dream makes me want all of these things. The BDSM in the story is just barely this side of tolerable for my fantasies, and it pushes all the limits of any vanilla comfortability. And considering there are two consecutive chapters that have firmly set themselves at the top of my Favorite Sex Scenes of All Time (Merry Christmas!), Fever Dream is a must read! [October 2013]

  • Torn by Kim Karr

    After Connected ended in one of the most intense cliffhangers ever, I was jonesing to get my grubby hands on Torn to find out what the hell was going to happen with these characters. We get our resolution in Torn, and of course, it doesn’t come easy. There are tears, sex, and so many feelings—that’s just from me. Though I personally think Torn could have been wrapped up into a shorter story and another one started in the book, I’m satisfied with the resolution of the main character’s stories. There will be more books in the Connected series, but they will focus on other characters we met in Connected and Torn. I’ll definitely check those out when they’re released. [October 2013]

  • Love and Lists by Tara Sivec

    I love the Ellis family and their friends. They’re crass, they’re hilarious, and they love hard. Jump forward 15-ish years after the end of Troubles and Treats, and we end up in Gavin and Charlotte’s world where they have grown up together as extended family to become clones of their parents. Love and Lists isn’t so much a novel as much as it is over-the-top funny scenes to knock off goals to find ways to get Gavin and Charlotte together. I laughed out loud a few times and loved reading about Claire and Carter and the rest of their extended family.[September 2013]

  • Moore to Lose by Julie Richman

    TOP 10 OF 2013
    You know how you think you know what may happen in a series as it moves along, and you’re totally tuned in to continuing on that journey because you loved its predecessor? Well, throw all of that out the window when you read Moore to Lose. There’s no way you’re going to get any more out of me about this book other than expect the unexpected. Oh, and get some tissues at the ready, because this is a major sobfest for so many reasons. Like, cry-out-loud-and-embarrasingly serious ugly-crying is happening here. If you read Searching for Moore—and if you haven’t, do it now—you need to stop all other activities and read Moore to Lose now. [September 2013]

  • Songs of Submission Series by CD Reiss

    TOP 10 OF 2013
    Bear with me. I’m going to do my best to write this recommendation in a way that honors the brilliance contained in the mix of words compiled by CD Reiss to create the entire Songs of Submission series. But I’m no magician; simply a smut peddler with an instant, deep, and abiding love. Published as a serial of novellas over the course of several months, I did not start reading the books until they were all available to me to read at once. Just like binging on a TV series on Netflix, the “episodes” of the Songs of Submission series is best read back-to-back. Set aside the time to invest in these books. This series is wholly and completely worth the cost and time investment. It is impeccably written, beyond steamy, all-encompassing, and filled with unexpected dramatic twists and turns that had me foregoing all of my motherly, wifely, and professional responsibilities. As each page turned, I HAD to keep turning to find out what was going to happen next. Jonathan and Monica are no doubt set up on a pedestal as one of my favorite fictional couples of all time. Not only is the developing BDSM relationship intriguing, it is intensely sexy, creative, and one of the most realistic I’ve ever read. Songs of Submission is not just a must-read series; it’s a must-read-or-die. HIGHLY recommend! [September 2013]

  • The Dumont Diaries by Alessandra Torre

    I spent the first half of this book trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Which you would think would be a bad thing, but in the case of The Dumont Diaries, it’s part of the allure. Why is she…? What is he…? How could she…? Blackmail and secrets dominate the plot line to the point that I wondered if any of what was happening was (fictional) real or (fictional) fantasy. The sex was hot, there was no lovey-dovey, kissy-kiss face going on here. Everything happened for pure pleasure and greed. While reading this book, I was reminded why I love being immersed in a story that makes wonder and want for more.

  • UnAttainable by Madeline Sheehan

    If there something wrong with loving to read a story about hardened criminals, manwhores, murderers, cheaters, and downright dirty-ass mothereffers, I don’t wanna be right. The third in the series, Unattainable proves that the best is yet to come. When an author like Madeline Sheehan can make a rapist murderer into someone I think deserves love, I fall all over myself wanting others to read the brilliance like I did. Undeniable was gritty and raw, Unbeautifully was tough and heart-wrenching, and Unattainable is unforgiving and intense. These “bad people” don’t deserve love and happiness in the eyes of polite society, but in the fictional world Sheehan creates, it’s what we root for. UnAttainable has earned a spot on my Favorite shelf and is a must-read-or-die. [September 2013]

  • All of You by Christina Lee

    Finally FINALLY a book with characters that are more realistic than fantasy. Yes, of course we want the fantasy, the ridiculous, to live vicariously through the characters; that’s the point of fiction. And then when I get to read a book like this, with characters that are so real and so realistic, I revel in their story, reluctant to finish because I want more. All of You has so much that I want more of this, that I hope and wish on a star that there will be more to read about the hot chemistry of Avery and Bennett. Avery is a character I can relate to more than most any other character I’ve ever read. She’s real, she’s honest, and she learns from her mistakes. All of You is a must-read, must-revel book. [September 2013]

  • Stardust and Starlight by Mimi Strong

    Though Stardust and Starlight are two separate books in a series, I’m going to combine their recommendations. No, it’s not because I’m exceptionally lazy; there’s just no way you can read all of Stardust, get to the end, and put off reading Starlight. As a No-Spoiler Activist, I will not give away any reasons why I say you must read them together, so just trust me when I say when you read one, you must read both. Peaches is a character I related to more than most any other character I’ve ever read. This is partly because of her membership in the Chubby Girls Club, but also because her snarky wit is so relatable to my own personality. Plus, Peaches can get it ON. Stardust and Starlight are definite must-reads, and I can’t wait for the next book to come out. [September 2013]

  • Perfect Regret by A Meredith Walters

    As a spinoff to Bad Rep, Perfect Regret can be read as a standalone, which is how I read it. Sure you’ll know that the couple from the first book ended up together (like you didn’t realize?), but because this isn’t a mystery or shocking twists in the books, you can read them by themselves. I really liked the voice of the main character, Riley. She’s a ball of sarcasm rolled in a bed of snark. However, I couldn’t help but get mad at her cruelty toward the Garrett, guy she was torn over loving or hating. When it finally came *heh* along, the sex was just hot enough for a good New Adult book. Perfect Regret is a terrific beach read or a quick and easy palate cleanser. [September 2013]

  • Cage by Harper Sloan

    This book has everything. (Yes, I’m going all Stefon on you again.) Hot alpha male, damsel in distress, super hot sex, stalker ex drama, crime investigations, and bonus peen piercings! Cage is meant to be read after reading Axel as part of the Corps Security series, though it does revolve around a different couple so it could be read as a standalone but with spoilers. Cage is a great read for those of us who love reading a classic romance story. Highly recommended! [September 2013]

  • Hydraulic Level Five by Sarah Latchaw

    Clearly, Hydraulic Level Five is an unusual name for a romance book. I was thinking it was some kind of homage to some kind of steampunk somethingorother. But no—Hydraulic Level Five is a reference to whitewater rafting and the dangers of treading in rough waters. Throughout the book, metaphors for extreme sports appear as the relationship struggles of the main characters, Kaye and Samuel, unfold. I admit to struggling with the large cast of characters, the interjection of current and past manuscripts written by Samuel, as well as the references to whitewater rafting. Getting past—or reading through—those metaphors is a heartbreaking love story that is making its way back to being a heart-warming love story. Uncovering all of the past mistakes on the parts of pretty much everyone in the story is what makes HL5 a great read. I hope the sequel delves into the behind-closed-doors side of their rekindling love. [September 2013]

  • Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy by EL James

    Why do I give the 50 Shades trilogy a 5-star rating? Because when I read them in early 2012, they made an impact on me. They got me reading again, and at a pace I’d never set before in my life. They got me re-acquainted with sex, they brought me new friends, and they are the genesis for starting Smut Book Club. I couldn’t stop reading once I finished the trilogy. Because of everything these books represent to me—lack of proofreading, notwithstanding—Fifty Shades of Grey is a must-read. [March 2012]

  • Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley

    Dear Tate—You’re a big fat jerk, but dammit if that doesn’t make you even more lovable. Lauren found you, trusted you, you give it to her good, she gives it right back, and you live the definition of a Kristen Ashley alpha male. There’s not much I don’t love about a KA alpha male, except that you’re not really real, and the more I think about it, that’s probably a good thing because I’d be leaving my family behind for a life in the mountains with one of your kind. Your book is long and with a fair amount of depth (thatswhatshesaid), and it’s everything I love about falling into a Kristen Ashley book. Babe? Eyes. Yeah. Your admirer, Angie.

  • Searching for Moore by Julie Richman

    TOP 10 OF 2013
    When I read a book, I want to know next to nothing about it before I start. So when I started reading Searching for Moore and found out within the first two chapters what I should expect to happen with the main characters, I was shocked to find myself loving the idea that I knew where the story was heading but had no idea how it got there. Even knowing—or partly knowing—what would be happening in the future, there were so many heartbreaking and stunning moments in the book that it made me that much more invested in finding out how it all came together, or in some cases, fell apart. The sex was ridiculously hot for the short scenes we’re given, and the characters are more than lovable. (I’m considering leaving my husband and children to go in search of Schooner Moore.) This is the first of a series that ends with many things up in the air. Searching for Moore is a must read! [September 2013]

  • Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

    This book should come with a warning: Crying commences less than 10 pages into reading and continues throughout. Seriously—you think there is only so much that can go wrong for two people until you read about Nova and Quinton. Jessica Sorensen is a master at creating broken, flawed characters you can’t help but want to come out the other side better people who find love and their happily ever after. But if you’ve ever read any other Jessica Sorensen books, you know that you don’t get to have any kind of resolution until well into the second or third book in the series. And that’s exactly what she’s done with Breaking Nova: there’s no resolution except for the promise of more emotional torment in the next book to come. I can’t help but think that it’s so good to feel so much for fictional characters who deserve good things. Breaking Nova is a MUST read. [September 2013]

  • Arsen by Mia Asher

    I don’t even know where to start with this one. I cried, I cried some more; I hated, I mourned, and I wanted so much for good things. Because that’s natural human tendency: to want happiness. But how do I want for a happy ending when there are so many lies and cheating? Because I have empathy and sympathy. This book tore up my insides, spread them out on the sidewalk, and sizzled them up like a fried egg on a summer day. The sex is over-the-top hot and forbidden, and the tension builds up chapter after chapter until something has to break. And what breaks is my heart, but over whom? I’m still not sure. Arsen is a MUST read. [August 2013]

  • Losing Control by Nina Croft

    When you’re looking for the quintessential quick-and-easy read, this is one of the of romance books you pick up. Perfect for a beach read when you don’t want to be a slobbering, crying mess around other people or need a break from an emotions-wrecking book, Losing Control is one to have on hand. The sex is certainly hot and it fits the formula for a couple you root for. [August 2013]

  • Beats by Kendall Grey

    Because Beats is a sequel to Strings, I feel like I need to say first off that Beats is not the raunchy, jaw-dropping sex-fest that Strings is. Beats is so much more than a raunchy read with a heart of gold; rather it’s a rocker with a heart of gold story with some raunchy scenes thrown in. We still get some of Letty’s over-the-top dirty mouth from Jinx’s point of view, and with her lustfest over Toombs, she treats us to all of his and Rax’s finer features as men. The sex is insanely hot with piercings, tattoos, man-on-man action, and major mind games. The book ends more suddenly than I would have hoped, but the third book in the series, Nocturnes, will be out soon, so I’m hoping to pick right back up with Jinx and Toomb’s budding non-traditional romance. A must read! [August 2013]

  • Wethering the Storm by Samantha Towle

    Jake loves Tru; Tru loves Jake. The End. Only, there’s a whole bunch of sexing and loving and surprises and more sexing happening while these two lovebirds figure out their life together. I was excited to read this book after remembering (from what seemed like forever ago) that I liked The Mighty Storm so much. So I was pleasantly pleased at how much more I liked Wethering the Storm than I remember liking TMS. I highly recommend both books and will definitely be reading the next book in the series. [August 2013]

  • Locked, Lockout, Unlocked: The Alpha Group Trilogy by Maya Cross

    The Alpha Group Trilogy is a set of novellas, or shorter-length novels, that are meant to be read together. They’re not considered a serial or a novel series, but rather as a set meant to be read, in my opinion, back-to-back. Now that all three in the set are released, it’s the perfect chance to read them all at one time. The hotness between Sebastian and Sophia is off the charts. He’s a beast in the bedroom, but not so dominating that he’s scary. He just knows what he wants. In terms of a storyline, the crux of the suspense doesn’t happen until well into the second book, so the first book and most of the second are a lot of set-up and build-up. But once the non-bedroom-related action starts, it’s non-stop. The Alpha Trilogy books are a great read for those of us who like a mystery wrapped in a intro-to-kink story. [August 2013]

  • Shooting Scars by Karina Halle

    This book, a continuation of Ellie, Camden, and Javier’s story in Sins & Needles, is seriously messed up. I wanted to stop at one point, throw down my Kindle, and hide in the corner sucking my thumb. The sex was hotter than what was in Sins & Needles, but the criminal minds were that much more twisted. Not that every book needs a moral, but if this book were to have one, it would be “trust no one.” Shooting Scars is an incredible 2nd book that continues the story we read in the first book, and I can only imagine and fear the messedupedness Bold Tricks will bring. [August 2013]

  • The Devil’s Eyes by Jennifer Loren

    The Devil’s Eyes is not a typical happily ever after romance—far from it. There is mystery with mob stories, prostitution, strippers, and murder. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the plot twisted and turned, throwing me off my typically on-point detective skills. Having Lionel Clerc on the cover of the book helped tremendously in giving Nick a face to go with the story in my mind. (I mean, how can you possibly say no to someone with a face only the angel’s could have created?) The Devil’s Eyes is a great read for anyone who likes a quick-moving anti-romance with an antihero you can’t help but want in your bed. [August 2013]