Virtual Reality by Joey W. Hill

Virtual Reality by Joey W. Hill

Mark is a reclusive Dominant who confines his sexual interests strictly to the online world. On his routine afternoon ferry ride, he meets a woman who rouses the Master in him, and the line snaps between the virtual and real worlds. She begs for him to take her over, and bring them both fulfillment and healing. He wants to refuse her but he finds himself agreeing to spend one day with her. It is a mistake, because the anger he holds inside is fully capable of destroying a soul as rare and beautiful as Nicole’s. But no Master, not even one as strong and disciplined as Mark, can resist the offer of a submissive who wants only one thing—to be his forever.

5 out of 5. I LOVED this story.  I love the fact that Nicole was brave enough to try and find Mark in the first place.  She knew that she loved him, but she had no idea if he loved her in return.  The BDSM in this story was good, but rare.  I also could have done without the description of the deer mating.  When Mark told her to get on the boat…*gasp* omg, I broke down.  I started crying so hard that I woke up my husband. (it was 4am) Let me tell you, I was so ready to throw my kindle at the wall…(not really…those things are expensive!) I’m so glad I kept reading.  Oh, and when Mark started to explain what happened in his marriage. My heart was breaking for him and Nicole because I didn’t know if he was ever going to be able to move on.  This is definitely a keeper!

Happy Reading,

April

Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney

Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney (book 1 in the Fallen Angels series)

A Welsh Methodist minister’s daughter changes her life when she appeals for help to Nicholas Davies, a half-Gypsy earl…

They called him the Demon Earl. They said he could do anything. Son of a rogue and a Gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake until a shattering betrayal left him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside.

Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas sets an impossible price on his aid–only if Clare agrees to live with him for three months, letting the world think the worst, will he intervene.

Furiously Clare accepts his outrageous challenge, and the two are swept into an intoxicating Regency world of danger and desire. As allies, Clare and Nicholas fight to save her community. As adversaries, they explore the hazardous terrain of power and sensuality. And as lovers, they surrender to a passion that threatens the very foundations of their lives.

I LOVED this book.  I did only give it 4 out of 5, but only because it didn’t make me cry.  This is a reread for me.  I read this book a few years ago.  I even forgot the entire plot, which was awesome because it was just like reading it again for the first time.  I was a fan of Clare.  She believed that in order to save the community that she loved and lived in she would do anything, even give up her reputation.  Nicholas is one of my top 10 fictional heroes.  He’s funny and wild and just yummy.  The plot was good, but I figured out who was trying to kill Nicholas pretty early.  There was just no way to disguise that kind of nasty.  Plus, I figured out just what kind of a skank Nicholas’ first wife was, but completely forgot about her involvement with Lord Michael.  I can’t wait to read the others in the series again.

Happy Reading,

April

First Exposure by Elisabeth Naughton

First Exposure by Elisabeth Naughton (prequel in the Aegis series)

A film that could make her career…

America’s sweetheart, Avery Scott, is up for the biggest role of her life, one with Oscar potential. When her girl-next-door fame prevents Avery from doing the in-depth research for the sensual role herself, her assistant insists on traveling to an exclusive couples resort to handle the job. But when her friend goes missing, Avery’s focus shifts from landing the role of a lifetime to finding out what happened on the sultry Caribbean island.

A weekend that will change her life…

Avery contacts Aegis Security and hires one of their elite operatives to accompany her to the resort. She just doesn’t expect to get former undercover FBI agent Cade Blackwell—the man who ripped out her teenage heart twelve years before. Avery’s a good actress. With a little work and a convincing disguise, she’s confident she can fool the staff at the resort. The question is…can she fool Cade? Because one weekend at the sexiest resort in the world with the only man she’s ever loved will expose her to more than just a kinky new lifestyle. It’ll expose her to numerous wicked firsts that will test every ounce of her self-control. And if she’s not careful, she could lose her heart—and her life—in the process

Ok so I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars.  This is a new author for me.  I’ve never read anything by Naughton before, but I can safely say that I’ll be reading more of her in the future.  I got this book in a box set with 10 other stories, so that was a bonus.

I know this was a prequel, but I just wish it had been longer and that it gave more backstory on the characters.  But even without the backstory, it gives enough to make you understand that there is a painful history between Cade and Avery.

SPOILER!

I was happy that Melody was found alive, just in the clutches of human traffickers.  I figured it was going to be something like that or a drug cartel would have killed her, but glad she was alive. Hope to see her in upcoming books because I really want to know what happened to her ex-boyfriend, Dominic. Definitely going to have to buy the rest of this series.

Happy Reading,

April

Trace of Fever by Lori Foster

Trace of Fever by Lori Foster (book 3 in the Edge of Honor series)

Undercover mercenary Trace Rivers loves the adrenaline rush of a well-planned mission. First he’ll earn the trust of corrupt businessman Murray Coburn, then gather the proof he needs to shut down the man’s dirty smuggling operation. It’s a perfect scheme—until Coburn’s long-lost daughter saunters in with her own deadly plan for revenge.

With a smile like an angel and fire in her eyes, Priscilla Patterson isn’t who she seems to be. But neither is the gorgeous bodyguard who ignites all her senses. Joining forces to plot Coburn’s downfall, Priss and Trace must fight the undeniable heat between them. For one wrong move, one lingering embrace, will expose them to the wrath of a merciless opponent….

Ok…first I rated this book 4 out of 5.  But really it’s only a 3 star book.  The extra star was given because of the author.  I love Lori Foster books.  This one just wasn’t up to her standard.  I did NOT like Priss at all.  She was just too much of a brat! Trace was ok as a hero, but I didn’t feel like I knew him as much as I got to know Dare in the last book.  There was no true suspense but the sexual tension was high.  However, the tension broke and I have to say I was kind of let down by it.  Back to the plot, while we know Murray is the bad guy (which, by the way, I’m not a fan of, but he was just too sleazy to even attempt to hide his bad-gayness…) the only real suspense I had was which person was going to kill him…Trace or Priss?  Oh, and whether or not Priss was going to get Trace shot.  Anyway, I’m not going to let this one keep me from finishing the series.  I’m actually really excited to read Jackson and Alani’s story.  Until next time, blog stalkers…if there are any…

Happy Reading,

April

Wonderful by Jill Barnett

Wonderful by Jill Barnett

War weary knight, Merrick de Beaucourt, wants nothing more than a simple life, a peaceful wife, and to oversee his new earldom. What he gets instead are orders from his king, Camrose Castle on the wild and rebellious Welsh borders, and a completely unbiddable wife. For six long years, Lady Clio has waited for her betrothed..waited, and waited. Once the news arrives that he is returning, Clio returns to Camrose to again await the man who ignored her, but now determined to make him pay for the years she languished in a convent. Clio leads Merrick a merry chase, and she takes on the role of an independent alewife, driven to discover the lost recipe for ancient “heather ale,” a magical beer first made by the Picts. Surrounded by the enchanted mists that circle Camrose Castle, these head-strong adversaries embark on a sometimes passionate, sometimes hilarious battle of wills in this unusual 13th Century tale of a brave knight who seeks to claim–and tame–his bride, or so he thinks….

3 out of 5 stars

So this is a re-read for me.  I think I first read this book back in my early twenties.  It’s a good book. Very sweet and kinda funny.  Like how Clio brews ale and it seems that what she’s feeling is making an impact in the ale.  For example, at one point she becomes giggly so when anyone else drinks the ale, they become giggly as well.  Funny.  Now, there are some parts of this book that broke my heart.  Towards the end, to be exact.  I won’t tell you what happens because I want you to read it and form your own opinion, but I needed a tissue at one point.  It’s a quick, cute read.

Happy Reading,

April

Branded by Laura Wright

Branded by Laura Wright

In the small town of River Black, Texas,sits the Triple C—a working cattle ranch that sustains the town. But it also holds painful memories and shocking secrets for the Cavanaugh brothers….

When the Cavanaugh brothers return home for their father’s funeral, they discover unexpected evidence of the old man’s surprising double life—a son named Blue, who wants the Triple C Ranch as much as they do. The eldest son, Deacon, a wealthy businessman who couldn’t wait to leave the ranch and move on with his life, is looking to use his powerful connections to stop Blue at any cost. He never expected the ranch’s forewoman, Mackenzie Byrd, to get in his way.

Mac knows Deacon means to destroy the ranch and therefore destroy her livelihood. But as the two battle for control, their attraction builds. Now Deacon is faced with the choice of a lifetime: Take down the Triple C to feed his need for revenge, or embrace the love of the one person who has broken down every barrier to his heart.

4 out of 5…I HATE A CLIFFHANGER!! But this was such a good one!  I seriously have to find out who kidnapped Cass! I have to find out who SWEET is.  Ok at first, I thought Deacon was a ginormous jerk….but then I figured out what his mom did to him and his brothers after their sister was taken and killed. And their dad did nothing to stop it! I would have some pretty deep anger about that too.  While the sex scenes in this book were a bit weak, the love story and continuing storylines were pretty good.  I even got a little teary-eyed at one point.  Now, I have to go and buy the others in this series (the Cavanaugh Brothers series) because I have to find out who killed Cass!

Happy Reading,

April

When You Dare by Lori Foster

When You Dare by Lori Foster

Professional mercenary Dare Macintosh lives by one hard-and-fast rule: business should never be personal. If a cause appeals to him and the price is right, he’ll take the mission he’s offered. But then the lovely Molly Alexander asks him to help her track down the men who’d had her kidnapped—and for the first time, Dare’s tempted to combine work with pleasure.

Fiercely independent, Molly vows to trust no one until she’s uncovered the truth. Could the enemy be her powerful estranged father? The ex-fiancé who still holds a grudge? Or the not-so-shy fan of her bestselling novels? As the danger heats up around them, the only anchor Molly has is Dare himself. But what she feels for him just might be the most frightening thing of all…

Ok…first off, this book scored a 4 out of 5 for me. So Dare is off to save his friend’s little sister from human sex traffickers, but while he’s there he spies a girl that is separated from the others.  She’s also older and being tortured and abused.  That right there clues him in to the fact that she’s not going to be sold into sex service.  You don’t mess up the merchandise before you sell it.  Molly is drugged so that she can’t struggle and fight as much anymore and so when Dare rescues her (along with the little sister) she is unconscious.  When she wakes up and sees Dare, she thinks she’s still captive so she kicks him in the nose, then he speaks and tells her she’s safe now and that’s pretty much how the book goes.  She’s pretty traumatized and quite rightly, but Dare is bound and determined to keep her safe.  Dare is an awesome hero.  He’s got a badass attitude, but he’s also got a gay best friend, Chris (who gets his own story later on in the Men on the Edge series), and he’s got two dogs who he refers to as “his girls.” So adorable.

So Dare and Molly figure out that she was kidnapped on purpose and it was arranged by someone she is close to. Now, near the end I figured out who it was, but that’s just the way my devious brain works.  Suspect the least suspicious.

Oh and you will hate….HATE Molly’s dad.  He’s a jackass, but I enjoyed the fact that in one of Molly’s books she redeems a hated character and Foster kind of does the same thing for Molly’s dad.  Nice little maneuver there.

Happy Reading,

April

Panther Moon by Regina Carlysle

Panther Moon by Regina Carlysle

Savage Sanctuary, Book Two: Running for her life, Chantrea Morgan, unmated and approaching her time of change, stumbles through the night only to be rescued by a gorgeous yet dangerous male. Blinded by instant recognition of her mate, she clings to him, her only means of salvation. Her body burns for him. Her heart aches with the need to be claimed by this wild Texas panther.Hudson Cates, warrior of the Turquoise Moon tribe of shifters, saves his grieving mate and brings her home to claim her in the only way he can…with orgasmic pleasure, savage possession and a raw sensuality that is bred into their species. In a ritual as old as time, only he, aided by another male from their tribe, can help Trea embrace her panther beast.

Ok…so this story was better than the last I read.  I felt the pain that Trea went through when she lost her parents and wanted so badly to do something about it but wasn’t able to do anything except run.  I so wish this book would have been longer is the only bad thing I can say.  I would have loved to have gotten a better look at Hudson and what was supposed to have made him so cold before.  Oh, also, the ending seemed a little too rushed. I will be reading the rest in the Savage Sanctuary series. 4 out of 5

Happy Reading,

April

Namesake by Marie Harte

Namesake by Marie Harte

In the year 2078, Cross Step, Kansas, is now home to strange portals called Voids. Norms (normal people), Voiders (those who came through the Voids) and Conduits (humans affected by the Voids) all live together, segregated from the rest of the world.
Vicki is a Conduit, a human with the psychic ability to tap into the energy around her. A mistake at a bar puts her under the scrutiny of one very hungry Ravager pack, werewolf-like Voiders who like what they see.
Eric isn’t just any Ravager, he’s Prime, the king of his clan. He takes what he wants, when he wants it—and he wants Vicki. It’ll take more than her sneaking, conniving and seductive ways to dissuade his interest. Because in Vicki, Eric and his packmates have something much more precious than a rare queen…they have a woman to love forever.

Ok…first…let me say, there are other books by this author that I loved.  However, I’m not rating those books…I’m discussing this one.  This book…I couldn’t get into it or even care about the characters.  I mean the first scene between the heroine and heros was an almost group rape…granted the author tried to disguise it as an overly aggressive alpha male and his pack mates trying to get it on with the heroine.

I finished the book only out of respect for the actual plot.  There are other books in this Voider series, but I’m gonna have to pass. 2 out of 5.

Happy Reading,

April

Cowgirls Don’t Cry by Lorelei James

Cowgirls Don’t Cry by Lorelei James (Rough Riders Book 10)

BLURB (from Amazon)

Jessie McKay has accepted her marriage to Luke McKay wasn’t perfect. After two years of widowhood, she’s ready to kick up her bootheels—until Luke’s younger brother shows up to spoil her fun. But if Brandt thinks she’ll ever take orders from another McKay male, he’s got manure for brains.

Brandt McKay has avoided his sweet, sexy sister-in-law ever since the night he confessed his feelings for her weren’t the brotherly type. Unexpectedly faced with proof of Luke’s infidelity, Brandt is forced to ask for Jessie’s help in taking care of Luke’s young son. Jessie agrees on one condition—she wants Brandt’s boots exclusively under her bed for the duration.

The sexual heat that’s always simmered between them ignites. Brandt is determined to make the temporary situation permanent, proving to Jessie he’s a one-woman man. And Jessie is shaken by feelings she’s sworn never to have again for any man…especially not a McKay.

Warning: Contains branding-iron-hot sex , the one McKay on earth who wants to be tamed, and a woman who’s decided tame is for nice girls who finish last.

Ok…So I LOVE the Rough Riders series.  Hot alpha cowboys? What’s not to love?  But I will say that Brandt holds a special place in my heart.  He’s thoughtful and sweet and totally in to Jessie.  He’s protective of her, even when he knows he’s going to be asking her to do something that would be impossible for most women.  But he knows that she can help take care of the poor boy who didn’t ask to be born to her dead cheater of a husband and a teenage mom who can’t seem to make good decisions.

(SPOILERS)

The part that I didn’t like is that Jessie was so distant and sometimes cold.  I mean, I can understand and in the end she really did find love for this little guy who was so innocent and kind of starving for the affection. And oh, when Samantha, Landon’s mom, comes back to get him…my heart broke for Jessie.  She did fall in love with Landon and revealed the reason she was cold and distant sometimes was not just because she knew she would have to eventually give the boy back to his mama, but also because of her own past.

All in all, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.  The reason for this was not only was it hot, but the story tugged on my emotions so hard that I couldn’t put the book down.  Yes, I read straight through the night and found myself crying at 4:30 in the morning.

Happy Reading,

April