Welcome To Sanctuary

Spring Comes to Sanctuary is the first book in Cooper McKenzie's Welcome to Sanctuary series. It's a short read with an intriguing premise which had potential but just didn’t quite deliver. All the possible drama that could’ve ratcheted up the story was missed – Spring’s injury and being lost in the woods, her overprotective parents, and her stalker were never explored enough, fleshed out enough to become real.

When the heroine, Spring, goes backpacking alone for her 30^th birthday, she ends up in trouble by her third day into the journey. She’s nearly ready to give up and head home where she’s safe when a pair of Irish Wolfhounds come walking out of the woods. When they turn into gorgeous twin human males, she is amazed. Then she is excited when they claim her as their mate. There is no shock factor, no drama in their “mating” and while this makes for a lovely romance, it doesn’t make for a very interesting read. Her reaction just seems way to simple and accepting of something so unbelievable.

The author fails to fully develop the three main characters, leaving readers with limited knowledge about Spring and even less about the twins, Adam and Brock. The three characters were obviously meant to be mates but readers know this simply because we are told. The author indicates Spring was feeling a pull towards the men, and the same of the men towards Spring, but the emotion is just absent. Snippets of emotion and connection form as the story progresses but never enough to convince me of any real feelings. This lack of connection combined with poorly developed characters equaled a disappointing read for me.

The author missed her chance to hook readers into a potentially good series by not incorporating more details about the secondary characters who will serve as main characters later in the series. Spring and her four siblings are named after each season - an odd name choice that is a bit elementary school though I suspect the author might’ve been shooting for whimsy and had any information been supplied, readers may have understood this quirkiness. So while her siblings are briefly described, they are otherwise absent, taking away the opportunity to hook readers into the series, enticing us to read more about the characters whom we’ve already developed feelings for. I just don’t think I care enough about them to keep reading the series.

Bummers... I can only honestly give this book 2 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.

This review was originally posted at The Romance Reviews: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2839

Fetch me Friday

Been a busy week with basketball camp for my daughter and football for my son ( I think I may cry). It was also my son’s 6th birthday. Whew! I squeezed in some reading in between all the activities. I’m right on target with my summer to be read list and I’m starting to plan and plot my fall list. Feel free to send me suggestions. Also taking a trip to Richmond August 4 to meet Sherrilyn Kenyon! I can’t wait to get my copy of Nick signed!!! Getting ready for that trip to Philly as well. Someone warn them that we’re coming!

The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston

Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward "accidentally" bumps into Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she's come since high school. Back then, Jess's gangly limbs and bruised heart turn to jelly any time Smitty's "all the better to ravish you with" body came near her. So, some things haven't changed. Except now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp-or twenty-with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy.
The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty's security firm might be a million miles from the loveable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn't want it now, not even with someone targeting her Pack. But Smitty's not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder…

I’ve had the best time reading this series. This one was a little drawn out but it kept me interested. Who doesn’t love the story of two grown adults who have denied their feelings for each other since high school? Bobby Ray walked away from nerdy Jess to keep from breaking her heart. Jess grew up into a successful CEO (and is still slightly nerdy. There’s nothing wrong with a good sword fight LOL) with the devotion of her own pack of wild dogs that I admire. Jess was so determined to show Bobby Ray what he missed and it drove him crazy. I loved that Jess made Bobby Ray work for it. Although he was ever so cocky! In the end I do give Bobby Ray credit he was trying so hard to do right by her.

I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a sword. Cause like I said before nothing like a good sword fight!
PEACE!

Gayle's Submissive Beauty

I’ve read several of Eliza Gayle’s books recently but this is my very favorite. I found myself easily identifying with Gabrielle as a woman seeking to embrace her true self and was so quickly absorbed into the story I didn’t want to stop reading. If you can’t already tell by the book title, there are strong D/s elements so read at your own risk… it’s an indulgence, enjoy – 5 chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Submissive Beauty is a story of trust, surrender and betrayal. The heroine Gabrielle finds herself on a journey of self-discovery that places her at the mercy of two men, Thomas and David. While they teach her to embrace her darkest desires, they also lead her along a path of betrayal. It was a treat to watch her evolve throughout the book from the shy woman to the confident sub.

Needing to understand her hidden desires, Gabrielle goes to The Sanctuary, a local BDSM club, for a seminar/ demonstration. Stood up by a friend who was to accompany her, Gabrielle chooses to stay in the back of the dimmed room and observe the demonstration. But even from where she hides in the back, Thomas’ sexy and masterful voice captivates her. Recognizing her true need for submission, she’s enthralled by the demonstration and finds herself embracing a training relationship almost immediately. (Their first few times together are amazing as they simply come to know one another.)

For Thomas, an experienced Master, Gabrielle is refreshing. His desire for her surpasses other trainees he’s worked with. Her intelligence, humor, and defiance turn him on as much as her submissive tendencies. And even though Thomas accepts the challenge to help train her, he insists he will not develop true feelings for her. Relationships are out of the question but he has a plan. For every trainee he takes on, he also includes a protégé who will be paired after the training is complete. But this time may be different.

David, Thomas’s latest protégé, appears to be the perfect Dom for Gabrielle. He’s sweeter than Thomas but no less dominant. While Thomas is more the disciplinarian, David is the caregiver. Honestly, their ménage relationship works so well because the two Doms complement each other and provide Gabrielle everything she needs. With their guidance, she fully realizes the submissive locked inside. They help her to become comfortable with her desires.

Gabriel is a dichotomy – with her independence warring with her need to be taken care of. She is a strong heroine with endearing vulnerability that unfortunately allows the men to fool her. If submission is about trust, Thomas performs the ultimate act of betrayal by not being truthful with Gabrielle while expecting her to always be truthful with him. This concept of a Dom’s truthfulness is often not explored in BDSM books and is an interesting concept.

Its Thomas’s betrayal and the plot twist that comes out of nowhere at the end of the book that set this book apart from others in this genre. The story isn’t a cliché but rather boasts an original storyline that will have readers wondering what Gabrielle’s HEA will actually be. Usually inclined to guess the ending, even I was surprised at how Gayle handled the conflict and the final conclusion. I very much enjoyed the story. Submissive Beauty is a strong romance between three compelling characters and an absolute indulgence to read.

Happy Humpday - Hot, Hot, Hot!

How we feeling? Hot, Hot, Hot! Buster Poindexter knew how to make it groove in this kind of heat! As for me, not so hot, hot, hot! My vacation of bliss has been spent ferrying a sick child around all the metro Atlanta emergicares with one malady after another (Lyme disease followed by antibiotic reaction followed by strange unidentified rash requiring steroids!). Next year I am going to hide in my house - stay-cation here I come!!! (No seriously, I love visiting with my Southern friends, they are my other second family - my GI girls are my first second family!!!! Mwah!) Anyway, since I am a stress eater and cant afford to blimp out before Authors After Dark next month - how's about we all stick with some calorie free guilty indulgences? Eye candy!!! Mmmmmmmmm

Sarah Brookes, Blood Fever, Liquid Silver Books, July 2010

Sarah Brookes' Rebirth Series returns with book 2, BLOOD FEVER. Parts of this unique story feel hauntingly familiar as the reader realizes that much of this story occurs simultaneously with the events of book 1, Flash of Dark. Many of the events that seemed important but weren't fully explained become clear in this almost alternate view of events. Again, Ms Brookes draws the reader into her uniquely crafted world where vampires, humans and the Fae collide. BLOOD FEVER lifts the veil on the eagerly awaited story of the Tuatha de Danann High King, Quinn and the woman he has never forgotten, Evande.

Evande Austin, Vampire Elder, has been hiding in plain sight for centuries. Denying her nature, running from her past, until one night Evande makes a spontaneous decision to save a man dying from a vicious vampire attack in a New York City alley. Logan Hughes' rebirth as a vampire, a definitive crime in her world, sends Evande and her new creation back into the life of Quinn O'Brien.

Quinn hasn't seen his former love for fifty years, not since she abruptly left his ranch and failed to return. Together, the three must navigate the secrets and deceptions Evande has had to maintain to keep her friends safe and her heart safer. Only love that transcends time can save Evande from her past when it comes back for revenge, but will she have to forsake a new love to maintain an old one?

Creating strong-willed women who revel in their power is what Sara Brookes does well. Evande, her business partner Callista, Ana and even the human Gina - all wear their mantels of power and intelligence in enviable fashion. BLOOD FEVER continues the delve into the darkness within and this makes for some sizzling sexual exploration. Quinn and Logan vie for dominance in an age-old struggle but their desires for Evande do not cloud the storyline.

BLOOD FEVER is a well-written, well-edited darkly sexy paranormal treat. The action is solid, the sexual tension palpable throughout. The world building that can be frustrating in a series debut fleshes out nicely in this second round. Firmly caught in this writer's web, this reader cannot wait for Callista's story to be told!

I give this a tasty five chocolate dipped strawberries! Mmmmmm

This review was previously written for The Romance Reviews.

Honor Bound

Hello all....yes I know I am late this week and I hope that you all can forgive me but it has been a crazy week. My son turned 12 on Tuesday and I am trying to close my Pampered Chef show and I am having surgery on Friday so a few things have slipped past me. I am so excited that August is almost here and it's almost time for our trip to Philly for the Author's After Dark conference. I was just looking at the schedule and it looks like it is going to be so much fun! Sid and Tina are flying in so we get to hang with them. Rebecca, Kim, Jenn and I are driving up so the GI blog will be representing!!! If you are going to be there as well we would love to hear from you and hear what you are most looking forward too. I know for me it's going to be meeting some of my fav authors, my friends have promised me they won't let me go too fan girl crazy over William Neale. I am also looking forward to some to the discussion groups like, You don't know dick… keeping sex fresh throughout a series and I have a Blog, Now what:. I hope you all have a great weekend I know mine will be good because I will be loopy on pain meds. LOL



Honor Bound, Gabrielle Evans, Siren Publishing
Jarl Radulfr is a warrior, the chieftain of his people. It is his duty to protect and fight for them. But duty comes at a price. Radulfr has no one to call his own. When his clan is attacked, he accepts a bride in a peace-pledge to avoid war with a neighboring clan. He doesn't know until he arrives that the bride he has come to claim is a man.
His betrothed is not what he expected, but Radulfr has sworn upon his honor to accept the peace-pledge. It doesn't hurt that Ein is pretty damn cute. Radulfr decides to accept things as they are and begins to take Ein home. But there are those that don't want them to reach home—gods, mercenaries, and the man who started the war in the first place. Radulfr and Ein will have to use all of their wits, and the growing bond between them, to keep themselves alive because gifts from the gods come at a price.

Vikings, and Gods and Berserkers…OH MY!!!

HONOR BOUND is the first book in Ms. Glenn's new Viking Lore series, and she works her magic on Vikings just like she does on cowboys. There is a lot of world building and she states in the beginning that she took a lot of poetic license with the mythology but it made for a unique, exciting story.

Radulfr is the Jarl, or leader of his clan and he is seeking restitution for an unprovoked attack against his clan. He wants the life of the man that led the attack, however Fafnir is the only son of the clan leader and Jarl Dagr begs for mercy and offers his only other child in a peace-pledge betrothal. After some negotiations, Radulfr agrees to the betrothal. Radulfr is surprised when he goes to claim his "bride" to find out he is a man.

Ein's mother was married to Jarl Dagr when she has an affair and Ein is the result of that affair. Sent away at birth, Ein is surprised to find he has been promised in a peace-pledge to another man as his bride. Having secrets of his own, Ein is worried about leaving the only home he has ever known, but upon meeting Radulfr he is pleased to find that he is a man of honor, not to mention drop dead gorgeous.

Both men agree to accept the peace-pledge and honor the betrothal, but just because they do doesn't mean that everyone else will be as accepting. And when the Gods get involved…all bets are off!

What a great start to a new series. The world building while slow at the start is needed to establish a foundation for the tale that she is creating. The Norse vocabulary that is sprinkled intermittently throughout however is frustrating.

Radulfr is the perfect Alpha male, he is strong and protective and isn't afraid to show his mate how much he loves him. Ein, while not as physically strong as Radulfr, is just as protective. I thought I was going to be bothered by the fact that the consummation has to be witnessed by six other people but the way that it is written didn't detract from the connection between the lovers.

There is so much happening in this book that you find yourself flying through the pages and then WHAM! Can you say cliffhanger? Curse you Ms. Glenn for not having the second book written so I can find out what happens next.

If you are looking for a new and creative twist to the legends that we grew up with Honor Bound is that book.

I give Honor Bound 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.
This review originally posted at The Romance Review:
http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2898

Manic Monday

Manic Monday and the start of vacation - sort of! The drive is done but the kid is sick....now we hunt for Emergicares (who wants to go to an Atlanta ER?????) At any rate - the objective of vacation: Read, relax, enjoy! Need I say more? Missing my home girls, need a bit of adult frosty beverage time, other than that....game on!

Piers Anthony, Relationships 4, Phaze Books, September 2010

Piers Anthony has a flair for the dramatic. His science fiction and fantasy stories spin worlds and weave webs which capture reader's imaginations. In RELATIONSHIPS 4, he explores the erotic side of relationships. Unlike the typical erotic shorts, however, Piers Anthony's stories represent those facets of humanity that are less than perfect, but more than real.

Most of his fourteen stories in RELATIONSHIPS 4 focus on those characters who are fairly ordinary. No beauties allowed, no mystical forces uniting people together, the characters in each story grow to life without the magic of fantasy. Their personal motivations may differ but the resulting focus is always on the magic created by sexual unity.

Admittedly, some stories are better than others. By far one of the strongest stories, "Phone Sex" is a short about two people who have morbid fears of using the phone. The older woman, younger man idea normally entices, however in this particular piece, the older woman has no allure other than she listens and supports the younger man. While the storyline leans heavily on their sexual adventures, the relationship that develops feels very human, very real – maybe more real than those mainstream romances where the hero is alpha tough, tall and handsome and the heroine is the perfect blend of beauty and brains.

Not always pretty, sometimes even straight up bizarre, these stories feed the brain and ask a final question in conclusion of each one. Perhaps it is those final questions that stimulate reflection upon the story that feel so captivating. As art imitates life, so do these tales – erotic, occasionally exotic and certainly thought provoking, they celebrate the mundane and seek to find the sexy in the every day. Piers Anthony knows how to find the beauty in every beast.

I give this collection three chocolate dipped strawberries.

This review was previously written for The Romance Reviews.

Touch of Frost- Mythos Academy Series- Who knew that School Could Be So Deadly

Earlier this year we reviewed Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin’s series and really liked it, so we were excited to hear that she had a new YA urban fantasy series coming out. I have read many YA series and enjoy the genre, so I was especially anxious to see what Jennifer would do.

When I heard the premise, I thought it might be a copy of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series just with a female heroine. That analogy would not be a criticism because I really liked that series, but it might get a little boring and not be able to sustain a following. Of course, with the interesting cast of characters she created in her Elemental Assassin’s world, I should have known that Jennifer would deliver much more.

In Mythos Academy we meet Gwen Frost, a new student at Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, and more. Her mother has died and she is trying to figure out why she is at the school when she is not a warrior, but a Gypsy. She has the ability to touch an object and know the object’s history, see what has happened to it or around it, just by touching it.Unfortunately, this is also true when she touches people which is how she knew that her first beau was thinking of another girl when he kissed her. Awkward.

Jennifer tells a great story that kept me guessing until the end and weaves in mythology and magic - finding a way to make it real to the reader who may be in disbelief just like the heroine who approaches the whole world of magic and myth with skepticism. Each of the book’s characters draws you in and makes you want to know more about them and their stories, and yes, we want to see Gwen and Logan Quinn, the totally hot Spartan, get together. Of course, not sure how that will go as he is a bit of a man slut and if she kisses him, she will literally see what he has done and with whom.
I give this book a definite 4.5 chocolate dipped strawberries which is one of the highest ratings I have given to any book I have reviewed.

Read it or get it for your YA; you will definitely get frostbitten and have to read more.

Cat Devon

Frosty Friday

Holy cow it’s hot (no where near frosty!) and I am loving it! I would rather be outside getting my tan on and reading but I gotta work. Been planning and plotting the rest of my summer. Getting ready to celebrate my children’s birthdays, basketball camp for my daughter, soccer practice begins August 1 as well as football for my son, all kinds of doctor appointment, school clothes/supply shopping, trip to Philly, a trip to Richmond and a soccer tourney in Gettysburg PA last of August. Looking at my calendar I won’t be in my office much the month of August. In between all this activity I need to get my read on too! I have 4 more things I’d like to complete before I make my fall/winter to be read list. But this week this is what I squeezed in…….





Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep…..

I was a little skeptical about starting this young adult series. I didn’t want to start another series because I have so many other ones going on and too many to keep up with but I’m glad I picked this one up. In fact I’m going to pass it along to my niece to add to her to be read list.
Gwen is the odd one out at Mythos. She dresses different and has different interests. Not to mention she has no idea how she fits into this world of Gods, Goddess and Warriors. She only known for her gift to find stuff for others using her Gypsy gift but when she is in library and Jasmine the most popular girl in class is killed and nobody seems to care she feels someone has to look into this. After breaking and entering and breaking out of her social shell ever so slightly she solves her case and picks up a friend or two in the process (not sure if you count a talking sword as a friend…your call).

I give this first book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a Coach bag. All that talk of designer handbags makes me all warm and fuzzy!

PEACE

Miss ya Jill!

Humpday Hello - Too Cool School!

There can be no doubt - we are firmly entrenched in the "dog days" of summer! As much as I love our dear friend Kim, she is the only crazy person I know who is enjoying this heat. Personally, when I got the text that it was 78 in L.A. where my son currently is, I was...ummmmm....beyond jealous! It is a well established fact - I am a pasty pale, celtic hot mess who burns whenever I go outside, even with 50spf!!! Me and the summer - not BFF's. As long as I can recall, summer to me means lying on the floor, under the fan, reading and taking mental vacations. (Ok, so I am too old to get my ass off the floor now and am reconciled to reading on the sofa, but hey - it's the same concept!) Oh did I mention snacks were involved in these mental vacations - along with my inability to get off the floor comes my inability to get in my jeans so I am sticking firm with my favorite calorie free indulgence....mmmmmmm Eye Candy!!!!!! Enjoy!

This week spotlights one of our fav authors - who has challenged herself to create from snarky adult urban fantasy a new breed of snarky young adult urban fantasy. I think it's a bullseye hit! Climb aboard and take a trip to Mythos Academy. Here's wishing I was a seventeen year old descendant of a mythological race who gets to train to save the world and solve mysteries. Unfortunately, in real life my only super-power is my keen intellect and superior snarkatude! LOL

Touch of Frost, Jennifer Estep, Kensington Publishing, July 2011

Welcome to Mythos Academy - The school for the descendents of great mythological races: Valkyries, Amazons, Vikings, Romans, Spartans and other ancient warriors. These kids are rich, beautiful, powerful and know their legacy. Gwen Frost isn't like the other students at Mythos Academy - dubbed "the Gypsy girl" by the other students, Gwen has the ability to sense an object's history just by touching. When she finds herself caught in an unexpected murder at Mythos, Gwen gets pulled into the tangled world of the popular warriors at Mythos, even if it means dealing with the snobbery of the popular crowd.

Touch of Frost has the makings of a stellar YA series. The magic ingredients: strong, interesting characters, witty dialogue, really cool setting - all right on. The world building that normally trips me up on the first in many series wasn't even an issue. In fact, having the school near Ashland harkened back to her Elemental Assasin series! In a lot of ways the camp factor that made this novel so fun was that it was more than a little like the Zena Warrior Princess tv series or the Percy Jackson YA series. Uniquely it's own however and Estep has the ability to weave myth and modern seamlessly.

The characters in Estep's writing are my favorite - her heroines are so real. It's the believability, even in the fantastical world of Mythos Academy, that makes the story resonate for me. New girl, unsure of her abilities, grieving the loss of her mother, requiring the bolstering reassurance of her grandmother - those are qualities that are identifiable and moving. There are many YA series with gawky unpopular girls as the lead character. What makes Gwen so different is her refusal to yield, become someone she is not, and her willingness to grow and accept change.

When I met Jennifer Estep at RAW 2010, I had a chance to chat with her about her writing. I love her down-to-earth quality - she makes no bones about the things that interest her and that inspire her. I love that she lets her inner Nerd light shine in her characters as well - girls/women dont have to be demure, polite, deferential creatures - they can be snarky, smart, kick-ass and self-doubting, because let's face it, we are all those things and more in reality.

Not afraid to fan girl squeal...I give this new start a fantastic five chocolate dipped strawberries - but eat 'em fast because in this heat, EVERYTHING is melting!

Touch of Frost

Howdy blog readers, I am a little sad today,a member of our book club family and my bestest neighbor left for Nashville this morning. Jill is one of those people that just after you meet her you feel like you have known her forever. She is an open, caring, funny person and my life is better for having gotten to know her. I will miss living next door to her but now I have an excuse to go to Nashville so it's all good.

If you are a frequent reader of our blog you know that we are fans of Jennifer Estep and she has been gracious enough to give us ARC's of her last couple of books. Her latest book, A Touch of Frost, is the first in her new Mythos Academy young adult series. Me being the self professed mytholgy nerd that I am could not have been happier if I had been drinking wine and eating chocolate.



A Touch of Frost, Jennifer Estep, Kensington, July 2011
My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.
But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Gwen Frost isn't like the other kids at her school. Most are the descendants of Valkyries, Amazons, Vikings, Romans, Spartans or any other host of warriors from all of the pantheons. Gwen is just a gypsy who has the gift of psychometry, the ability to touch an object or person and get physic impressions. She is new at the school and just doesn't fit in with all of the rich snobby kids.

One night Gwen discovers the bloody body of the most popular girl in school in the library and that one of the 13 Artifacts has been stolen. She is surprised to see that no one is mourning for the dead girl and no one seems to be trying to solve her murder. So Gwen decides she will use her powers to figure out what really happened to Jasmine.

I really enjoyed this book and the new world that Ms. Estep is creating. Her writing flows well and pulls the reader into the story quickly. I loved watching Gwen discover her self worth and realize that she was more than she thought she was. I did have a problem with the amount of self recrimination that she goes through it felt a bit repetitive.

Once again Ms. Estep gives us strong secondary characters that I can't wait to read more about. I was half in love with Logan Quinn just from reading his description....love the black hair blue eyes combo. And while I thought Daphne was going to be a total bitch in the beginning, what she did with the emails from Jasmines computer was PRICELESS!! But I have to say I think my favorite character was Vic! Who doesn't want a sarcastic talking sword for a companion?

I had fun with this book and can't wait to see where Gwen and the rest of the student body at Mythos Academy go next! I give A Touch of Frost 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a slice of grandma's pumpkin roll!

Monday madness - greetings and salutations friends and readers. Here we are, struggling to beat the heat, keep things green and generally not succeeding. But I have some suggestions for us all. 1)Remember you are never too old for a Popsicle - it's a great low cal hydration technique and they are tasty too! 2) Remember you are never too old to read Young Adult books - if for no other reason than to remind you why you don't really want to be young again! 3) Enjoy an early Hump Day eye candy sample! If anyone asks at work why you are drooling, tell them it's just so dang hot out!

Jennifer Estep, First Frost, K TEEN BOOKS, Kensington Books

Prequel in some ways to Jennifer Estep's first foray into Young Adult, I honestly cant decide if I should suggest readers read it before or after the actual first in the series, Touch of Frost. A quick twenty-seven page read, First Frost, introduces the reader to the character of Gwen Frost and her Gypsy heritage, psychometry talented world. Spelling out a critical life event alluded to in the Touch of Frost, First Frost feels like a chapter an editor cut but which the writer felt contained really crucial information. And it does. In just a few pages, Estep grabs the reader and pulls him into Ashland once more. Unlike her urban fantasy Elemental Assassin's series, this one delves into the magical world of Mythos Academy.

I love the worlds created by Estep - seemingly everyday ordinary with an undercurrent of strange and fantastical. Her characters are strong, believable, flawed and so lovable. The writing, as always, is fast paced, story clipping along - keep up readers, children's books are not children's play! More on my take on this series on Wednesday - until then. Grab a copy, be prepared to read and discuss. I am excited to share with you, how I spent my summer vacation with a great new book!

I give the promise of this new series five chocolate dipped strawberries....and a Popsicle to help beat the heat!

A Temporary One

Temporary One is a sweet love story with charming characters. Set on a beach in North Carolina, readers meet Charlotte who is spending the summer at her grandparents’ house while planning the next stage of her life. Though we don’t get details that would’ve added more depth to her character, readers understand that Charlotte lost her job and needs a new direction. When she meets her next door neighbor Tyler, she thinks he will be the distraction she needs. But Tyler doesn’t think he wants a distraction, especially this smart-mouthed girl. He’s an active duty Marine, temporarily home from the war and working at the local base while waiting his next deployment. Smart, handsome and funny, he’s a woman’s fantasy but he doesn’t want anyone to leave behind when he returns overseas.

The book opens with Charlotte having a fantasy and at first this confused me because it was a few pages in that I realized it was a daydream and not real. Thank goodness – because sex that soon between two people that don’t seem to know each other is a pet-peeve of mine in romance books. Instead they meet, argue a bit, and then make-up over brownies (yum!) when Charlotte’s grandmother gives her some advice on befriending the boy next door. Their relationship develops naturally and it’s this evolution that is most refreshing about the story. Charlotte and Tyler seem to be soul mates. And somewhere along the way, they discover that sometimes the Temporary One is the one meant to last.

Readers will enjoy this nicely-written romance though they may wish there was more background to the character’s stories to deepen the storyline. But it was good as is - a simple story of two people falling in love.

RATINGS: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

This review was originally posted at The Romance Reviews:
http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2596.

Furry Friends Friday

Hey Hey Hey! It’s Friday and you know what’s special about this Friday? It’s the opening of the last Harry Potter movie. I’m so excited but I will be sobbing the whole time. Harry has been a big chunk of my life. Having fun at the movie openings , standing in line to get the next book at midnight, Halloween costumes and holiday decorations. I’m so sad to see it end. But I’m awaiting the opening of the Pottermore web site (for more info You Tube it). I can re read the books till my heart is content. But right now this is what I read this week in between re watching the Harry Potter movies…….



SHAW'S TAIL by Shelly Laurenston
Brendon Shaw, hotel owner and lion shifter, has seen better days. He's been beaten, had a gun to the back of his head, and had to be rescued by a Pack of shape-shifting wolves. He didn't think he'd survive the night, much less find the woman of his dreams. And he never thought the woman of his dreams would have a Tennessee accent and wear cowboy boots. Once he sets his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go. Ronnie Lee Reed is ready to change her life, and New York City is the place where any girl-even one who runs with a Pack-can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion-shifting, oh-my-what-big-um-paws-you-have men. Then again…


I have to say that these books are so much fun to read. There are so many instances between Ronnie Lee and Sissy Mae that could be me and my “little friends”. We still have plenty of time to get thrown out of and banned from a country. Soooo putting that on my bucket list. One thing I really love about the wolf pack is they stay true to their ways even in New York. They stay true to their Southern roots. It’s also entertaining to read about the females of the lion Pride. I think they just look for reasons to fight. It’s no wonder the males breed with them then leave! Although I do cringe everytime I hear somebody call someone “hoss”! LOL

I give this story 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of tequila.

I open at the close….

Living Out Loud

Life Out Loud is the first book in the Salem Nights series but it’s far from the first of Gabrielle Evan’s books I’ve read. It was more heavily romance than suspense – I enjoyed the romance but was left craving more suspense. The characters were endearing, including the solid cast of secondary characters of which I’m hopeful we’ll see more in future books of this series. But the lead characters stole the show in Life Out Loud with their chemistry. If there is such a thing as a perfect couple, the author created it with Quinn and Zach.

Quinn Harper has returned home to Oregon. It’s been five years since she left to settle in Virginia, finish school and recover from a broken heart. Now that she’s getting her life together, she comes to discover her feelings for her friend Zach are more than she’s ever admitted. Entwined in their family, Quinn needs to let go of the past to claim her future. Quinn is strong – having dealt with the death her parents, the loss of her first love and the burden of being very wealthy. Her perseverance and strength makes her a great heroine deserving of an HEA.

Zach Jenson has returned home to Oregon too. He left his job as an FBI agent to settle down and start a family in the rural town where he grew up. When he learns Quinn is also back, he knows it’s time to tell her how he feels. He’s charming and handsome but it was the gentle care he showed for Quinn that won me over (and the sex was hot too!). Though a bit possessive at times, he’s considerate and thoughtful which makes him a great hero.

Not everyone is happy about Zach and Quinn becoming a couple. Little notes and creepy gifts arrive for Quinn, her car is vandalized and her lawn is set on fire. The mystery of Quinn’s unwelcome admirer was woven into the storyline well and it was a surprise to find out just who the villain was. The author also keeps a morsel of her signature m/m love in Life Out Loud and deals with hatred and prejudice head on. I admire her tenacity in bringing real life issues to the page; and it’s great that it could be there without taking away from the romance. The author put a realistic twist into her story that kept readers waiting until the very end to find out the truth.

While Life Out Loud is not my favorite of Gabrielle Evan’s books – I prefer her paranormal stories better – the story is interesting, the characters endearing and if there was just a little more suspense, it may have been just right for me. RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.

My review of LIFE OUT LOUD by Gabrielle Evans  is also posted at:
http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2606

Hump day hello....it's getting hot in here!

Howdy hump-day posse! Hope you are making it through the heat, I mean week....man, this heat wave is something else. At least the humidity broke around here and it's dry heat - nothing says summer in the south like walking outside and feeling like someone tossed you in the dryer with a load of wet towels!

On the up side, being in a college town means lots of hotties in board shorts playing volley ball outside their apartment complexes and doing that craziest of past-times...running, shirtless please!

I know Ms. Kim is about to fall out of her chair with excitement for the final installment of Harry Potter so we will definitely be "beating the heat" in the local movie theater this weekend. And a few upcoming trips are enough to keep me from wishing I were one of those grossly underpaid school nurses who get the summer off.....poverty vs summer off - that's a tough one! While we ponder this, have a snack - eye candy to ward off those summer time hunger pangs! Mmmmmm.

The Kandy Shoppe, Deborah Dennis, Breathless Press

Kandace Parker wants nothing more than to have a thriving ice cream parlor, but her run down equipment isn't cooperating. Watching her profits melt away each time her freezer breaks is only half her problem – the other half is her sexy repairman, Jason Chapman.

Jason is man enough to admit he's made some mistakes in his personal life; the biggest one was pushing Kandy away years ago. He knows the Ice Cream Queen won't willingly give him a second chance, so he devises a plan to keep him front and center in her life with the hopes of wearing her down.

How far will Jason go to get his second chance? How far will Kandy go to keep her freezer running? When desires collide in The Kandy Shoppe, they'll have to decide if decadent sex is enough or if love can be the best dessert.


THE KANDY SHOPPE may just well be the perfect summer read! Hot enough to melt ice cream, literally, Debora Dennis' breezy story captures the reader from the start with her tale of a romantic "do-over". My advice to readers: take the kids to the pool, park on a lounge chair and bring a big glass of ice water because this is one steamy read!

Kandace Parker inherited her grandfather's small town candy shop. Deciding to reincarnate it as an ice cream parlor, she has dreams of success. Unfortunately, her freezer does not share that same dream and requires constant resurrection by the local service company. Jason Chapman spurned her advances years ago and has been trying to make up ever since. After some seriously spicy persuading on her store counter, Kandy agrees to take a chance on one date with Jason.

Can a woman scorned fall for a reformed playboy? The chemistry between Kandy and Jason sizzles like a hot summer day. Ms Dennis manages to create characters the reader can invest in despite the brevity of this story. Well-developed story, quick witty dialog and hot steamy sex make this an enjoyable treat. This reader will definitely be keeping an eye out for future stories by Ms. Dennis!

I give this summer treat a tasty five chocolate dipped strawberries - ice cream on the side please!

This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews.

Hello all, well I have survived the baseball season! WOO HOO! Yes the season is finally over, not that I don't enjoy watching my son play, but dang sitting in those stands with the heat and the gnats I was ready to snap my leash. Both my kids are at Camp Granny this week.....for those of you that don't know Camp Granny is at Jenn's Moms house, and I can not thank her enough for taking both my kids along with Emma and keeping them occupied and busy for the week. I know they are having fun because I get to see the pictures posted on facebook.

One of my favorite summertime guilty indulgences has been the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. A good friend introduced me to this series about 8 years ago...you know back when we were just on book 9 and I have been laughing my ass off ever since. I love how Stephanie bumbled through life and the myriad of hilarious and scary character's that would come into her life. I have flipped between Joe and Ranger so many times that I have just decided that she should keep both and the men are just going to have to learn to deal with being in a menage relationship! (or better yet dump Stephanie and Joe and Ranger can take the series in a WHOLE new direction.) These books for me are funny, silly fluff and sometimes you need that in life. But even I have come to the conclusion that it might be time to end this series. It's become a little to predictable and things that were funny and fresh in the first 10 books have become blah and repetitive.


Smokin' Seventeen, Janet Evanovich
Where there's smoke there's fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. The bail bonds office has burned to the ground, and bodies are turning up in the empty construction lot. To make matters worse, Stephanie is working out of a motor home she shares with a dancing bear, and Joe Morelli's old world grandmother has declared a vendetta against her. And just when Stephanie decides it might be time to choose between the two men in her life, Morelli and Ranger, a third man from Stephanie's past moves back to Trenton...

I totally got sucked into buying this book on the promise from Ms. Evanovich that this was the "decision" book, and while I don't want to give anything away I feel the need to call BULLSHIT. I liked this book and yes it did make me laugh out loud and yes I even snorted once but AAAAGGGGHHHHH!! Stephanie actually caught some skips quickly, for once, all the best funny stuff was there, Lula, cars exploding, Grandma Mazur at the funeral home, Lula, Grandma Bella and the evil eye, Lula, getting food thrown on her, Lula, capturing someone naked and Lula. There was also more sex in this book than the last 5 combined but I didn't feel any connection between Stephanie and either man so it just felt like filler. If you are a fan and have stuck with the series this long then yes you must read it but get it from the library or wait till it comes out in paperback. I give Smokin' Seventeen 3 chocolate dipped strawberries.

True Identity

Fabulous! That’s all I can say about True Identity. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. It felt so real, as if I was reading a true story and I was instantly invested in the characters. I felt their conflict, their pain, and their dreams. Munro’s True Identity is a true indulgence for a BDSM reader as her descriptive writing brings the story to life.

Pursuing her Master’s degree in sociology, heroine Jillian Stewart presents herself as a straight-laced graduate student but there’s so much more to this likable character. To increase her chances of getting into a good doctorate program and for personal reasons she’s afraid to talk about, Jill selects a controversial subject for her final project – the BDSM subculture. Questioning her own sexuality after a previous lover destroys her self confidence, Jill is determined to wrap her mind around the complexities of the BDSM world.

Jillian’s professor finds her a guide to the BDSM world, Marine Corps Officer Stephan Sachelles. Steph has always chosen to keep his lifestyle choices to himself, frequenting a club miles from home in an effort to protect his privacy. Steph has been a Master at Steele Image for years. He is known to be fair but firm, kind but somewhat aloof. As he takes Jill on a tour through the club, he sees the heart of a true sub inside Jillian far beneath the over-analysis of everything she encounters. Seeing through her project excuse to the real reasons she may want to learn more about their lifestyle, Steph tells her she has to experience their lifestyle before she’ll truly understand.

Jill’s resistance to let go is driving Steph crazy. He knows something is holding her back and, concerned for her welfare, is determined to uncover the truth and become her true Master. As Steph learns more about Jill and her past demons, he falls deeper and deeper in love with her, and becomes more determined to help her find her true identity.

The chemistry between Steph and Jill is nearly instantaneous. He reads her so well and she craves the safety she feels in his presence. Even though there’s very little sex, there is a lot of teasing and foreplay to heat up the pages. The characters work together through some hurdles that brought tears to my eyes and had me holding my breath at times. True Identity is a perfect story for those who like a little conflict with their romance.

NOTE: True Identity is the second book in the Identity Series. It stands alone and does not require reading book one, Identity Crisis. But I’d read it anyway because that book is just as hot.

RATING: 5 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and is also posted at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2835

I am Obsessed

Sanchez twists a simple plot into a good story in Obsessed. Likable characters capture the reader, drawing us into the mystery so well that putting the book down was a challenge.



Halley is the victim of a brutal attempted rape. She is trying to put her life back together, opening a new business with a friend and re-engaging in life. Now a stalker is after her and when she most needs to be rescued, Nick becomes her hero. Though alive, Halley finds herself in the hospital and after that incident her life is not getting any easier. Her stalker is getting more aggressive and Halley begins suffering from panic attacks, indulging in pills until she discovers that Nick seems to be the only person able to calm her. Nick makes her feel safe but with a body made for sin and a badass persona, Nick not only calms Halley, he also ignites a passion within her.


Nick comes with his own baggage. I couldn’t decide whether his past made him perfect for her or just the opposite. Nick had sworn off relationships after losing a woman he cared for until he meets Halley. Nick can’t stay away from Halley once he rescues her from an attacker. Filled with desire and a need to protect, he forms a connection with Halley even though he risks losing her. The evolution of Nick’s character as he progresses from his own mourning to be capable of developing a relationship with Halley is touching.

The mystery of the stalker seems obvious though Sanchez throws in some curve balls that call some other characters to question. But the focus of Obsessed is the relationship forming between Halley and Nick. The interactions between the couple are realistic and believable – much like any real-life couple might be. They had great friends – fun and integral secondary characters – in their respective best friends who truly added to the story. More romance than mystery, Obsessed is a sweet love story of two broken people finding their healing in one another.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

My review of OBSESSED by Lisa Sanchez  is also posted at:

  http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2605

Talk To Me

Carr’s debut novel, Talk To Me, is a well-written, funny and sexy erotic story of falling in love. Carr wove the sexual tension and interludes so seamlessly into the story that they were not just delicious but also necessary. With a consistent pace, the story of Jamie and Drew progressed naturally as the reader felt a sense of presence within the story.

Radio producer Jamie MacMahon moves to New York City to work with radio show host Drew Milan, a retired NHL player. There’s an instant attraction between them but since they are co-workers, they both fight their desire to become more than friends. But then they begin spending more and more time together, on air and in the studio, and the sexual tension builds. The interaction between the characters is fun with playful dialogue; and the reader actually feels the emotions in the air as their connection begins forming.

Still they fight the connection… while Jamie has made mistakes with men in the past she doesn’t want to be another one of Drew’s playthings. With the nickname “the Beast”, Drew is well known for his prowess as a man who sleeps with women but doesn’t date them. He knows Jamie deserves a real relationship and though he can’t give that to her, he also can’t fight the chemistry between them. When he catches her in a provocative situation, Drew gives in to his desire and the sex is nothing short of explosive. These scenes are sensuously descriptive and so well-written, the reader is drawn into the room with the characters.

Despite giving in to their desires and exploring the connection between them, both harbor insecurities that cause them to pause at the thought of a relationship. Jamie’s own insecurities with her past relationship failures and fear of losing her job compete with Drew’s worriers about losing another woman to whom he opens his heart and possibly losing a great producer if their relationship doesn’t work. Readers could easily feel for the characters as they struggled with their insecurities to find a way to their happily ever after.

Talk To Me is a sexy story with the added bonus of having more depth than most. Readers will easily relate to the theme and be cheering the characters on as they discover love in a place neither thought they would.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries


This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can be found at:
http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2647.

Let’s just be friends Friday

Another week has come and gone. Where is my summer going? I won’t complain. It’s been a great summer so far. Not many hours at job #2. Which is good and bad. More time with family but less money. I’ll take the family time any day. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Spent mine at Lake Arrowhead with the family. Sand and sun my two favorite things! This is the book I started over the long weekend it’s the first in the shifter series by Shelly Laurenston. Which are on my to be read list. FYI, there are 2 stories in this book. So without further adieu…..


The Main Event by Shelly Laurenston

CHRISTMAS PRIDE
How come all the good-looking ones are insane? That's what runs through NYPD cop Desiree "Dez" MacDermot's mind the minute she hooks up again with her childhood buddy, Mace Llewellyn. It isn't just the way he stares at her with those too-sexy gold eyes-as if he could devour her on the spot. Or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal bod-o-death. It isn't even that he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle. It's more about that disconcerting, shifting-from-man-to-lion thing that unhinges her…and makes her want more. Mace likes making Dez crazy. In fact, he likes her any way he can get her-in bed, on the desk, here, now, again. Together, they'd always been trouble, but Dez has no idea just how good trouble can feel…



My bad! Not until I started to compose my blog did I realize my summer book’s title is Christmas related. Leave it to me! I’m special. I know. It’s always nice to see two high school crushes get a second chance. In this case there is no denying the attraction the second time around! This story has had me giggling to myself several times. I absolutely love the way that Dez and Mace have no problem embarrassing the crap out of others or each other (get separated from our group at Books A Million and see what happens LOL). People after my own heart! And as in every family there are your crazy/nosy siblings. They mean no harm, they want to protect you but that doesn’t make them any less annoying as hell. I also really enjoyed meeting Mace’s best friend Smitty (cause everybody’s got a friend named Smitty!) and his family. I’m very much looking forward to reading more about them.


I give this story 3-4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a shopping trip to Macy’s because that was one of my favorite scenes and who doesn’t like Macy’s at Christmas??

PEACE

An Erotic Vacation Read

Aloha! I’m a lucky girl sitting here in a cabana on the beautiful Ko’Olina beach in Hawaii. It’s been amazingly relaxing with little more to think about that which chair I should sit in by the pool. The freedom from decision-making is bliss and the state of doing nothing feels decadent. So much of life is busy – I’m not complaining – as I run my sons from activity to activity that I am truly appreciating this time to just relax. Today is my eighth day here in paradise… I’ve sat by the pool every day and have read seven books so far, all of which had been on my TBR pile for awhile but never got to the top because of all the “must reads for reviews”. But during this vacation, I gave myself the right to read anything I chose and nothing I had to. An absolutely refreshing perspective from a person who puts responsibility before pleasure, and it was fabulous.  

My fave vacation read so far has been A Table for Three by Lainey Reese. Hotter than this Hawaiian sun, Ms. Reese scorched me with these amazingly hot sex scenes almost right from the beginning. I couldn’t put the book down (and even brought it with me when I sat on the edge of the pool to cool down!). The suspenseful storyline also helped set it apart from other erotica and added substance to the story. Strong character development linked me immediately to the characters that I came to adore as genuinely good people. And I very much became absorbed in their intricate ménage relationship. It might not be for everyone but this steamy ménage was a perfectly indulgent vacation read that inspired just a bit of fantasizing. ;)

Heroine Riley is sweetly naïve, courageous, adventurous and genuine. On her first night in New York City, she visits a nightclub and finds her attraction to the owner Cade Marshall is instant, mind-blowing - and mutual. When she learns he’s a Dom who will require her complete surrender, even when it comes to submitting to his best friend, Trevor Wellington, she embraces the sexual adventure. And speaking of sexual adventure, my favorite scene happens in a restaurant where I am still hoping the floors were well cleaned.

Now, Cade and Trevor – oh my! - have shared everything, including women, from their earliest days as childhood friends. Cade and Trevor balance one another with strong personalities blending so well it was difficult to imagine them separate. Ms. Reese creates such a deep connection between them that it just seems absolutely natural. And after they spend that first night with Riley, they both recognize that she is the perfect woman to complete them. Like all erotica, the relationship develops too fast but I was too swept up into the story to mind it.

As Cade and Trevor begin their relationship with Riley, she’s sheltered, pampered and protected. At first resistant to the restrictions, Riley shows her strength and determination by offering a compromise with the men who most certainly are not accustomed to compromising. She develops very separate relationships with each man and their personalities come out as the author explores these men’s characters beyond the bedroom. Their interactions create solid connections between each character.

And the suspense ratchets up the conflict when someone targets their relationship, attempting to eliminate Riley from the equation. Despite their protective measures, danger still finds her; and Cade and Trevor realize they cannot cope with losing her. Their love for her shows through in some intense scenes as they are confronted with her mortality and it is a most beautiful thing.

My biggest complaint is with the ending that just seemed too abrupt. I wanted some more development there and would’ve been okay with a longer book in order to get a sense of closure. But the bottom line here is you can’t go wrong with two amazingly sexy Alpha males and one feisty and willing woman. That combination makes this book a full 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries. And since I’m writing this from my lanai at the Marriott Ko’Olina, I think I’ll have a Kohuna Colada too!

Warning: This book contains m/f/m ménage, some bdsm play, lots of steamy pda, and a fine dining experience that will leave you salivating for more.

Humpday Hello - Independence day style

Howdy there humpday peeps! Hope your holiday weekend was glorious! We had a super day at the lake: kids had fun, rain stayed away, books got read! Is that not perfect??? I can hardly believe we are well into summer - it's a classic southern one here - hot, muggy, lots of thunderstorms. Gotta love it!

So today, I have a super summer read - the kind that says: Toss the kids in the pool, grab a cold frosty beverage and enjoy!

Oh, and a tasty calorie free slice of eye candy! Mmmmmmm (Gotta love it too!)



Cinderella and the Sheikh, Teresa Morgan, April 2011

Admit it - every girl has a Cinderella fantasy! Who doesn't have that fantasy of a wealthy, handsome, sexy prince coming to take you away from your dreary world? Teresa Morgan's CINDERELLA AND THE SHEIKH explores that fantasy, manages to make it feel grounded in reality and tempts the reader with the hope of "happily ever after".

Libby Fay presents herself as a heroine a reader can get, envision and empathize with. Working as a waitress in a chi-chi upscale New York boutique hotel, she lives to serve others. Her only hope for her future is that she finds the kind of love her parents enjoyed before her father's death. Sheikh Rasyn ibn Bakr ibn Rahman al Jabar watches the beautiful server every day and determines she will be perfect to fall into the role of his bride to be.

Rasyn woos her, overwhelming her with his financial generosity and sinfully sensual attentions. Whisking her off to his country, Rasyn and Libby appear to be the making of a fantasy come true – that is until Libby discovers Rasyn's terrible secret plan. Can Libby overcome the pain of betrayal? Can a Sheikh be humbled by the power of love?

The characters Ms. Morgan creates are rich and well developed with strengths and weaknesses that make them eminently enjoyable. The settings are beautiful and lush. Libby and Rasyn's romance is sexy and smolders on the page. Watching the wary waitress fall for the Prince, stumbling along the way, makes this story witty and creative.

Hot desert nights filled with sensual loving and tense plot twists makes this story not just an erotic ride but a true emotional journey. Teresa Morgan takes the reader through the fire and ashes in a modern take of the traditional story. Cinderella and the Sheikh may just be the perfect summer read!

I give this super summer treat a five chocolate dipped strawberries, melty summer goodness! Mmmmmmm!
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews.

Out of the Blue

OUT OF THE BLUE will have you laughing out loud. I didn't think I was going to like Georgie at first, kind of felt like she was poaching, but as soon as I met her fish Mercutio, I knew she was my kind of girl. How can you not like someone who defends her mutant black gold fish like a mama bear defending her cub?

Georgie is going through a rough time, she has to move out of her apartment and move into her friend's basement because she can't pay the rent, she was just let go at her temp job and it has seriously been too long since she was laid.

Anthony, playboy extraordinaire, and sometimes Georgie's fuck-buddy, seems to be in a long-term relationship. But this doesn't stop the two from hooking up one night after running into each other while Georgie is out at her friend Tera's hen party.

Etienne, protector of troubled teens, is the current boyfriend of Anthony, and he is looking for an assistant. Georgie is looking for a job but can she work for the man that is currently sexing up her "with benefits" friend? The answer is yes, because she is just that desperate. But it doesn't happen without some interesting negotiations.

When a more than working relationship develops between Georgie and Etienne, Anthony couldn't be more thrilled. He has been hoping to find a way to add Georgie to his relationship with Etienne and knew that Etienne was more than agreeable. But the phrase "Careful what you wish for, you just might get it" could be their theme song.

This book was a little slow to start for me and it took me a while to warm up to the characters. Georgie, in the beginning really comes across as a flighty slut, Anthony as a commitment phobic playboy and Etienne as blah. But once I got into the story I was fully committed to their roller coaster ride. There is a lot of fun, snarky dialogue which is something that when done right makes a book for me. The secondary characters of Tera and her husband and daughter helped to round out the story line and again added some humor and realism.

I felt this book read very true in its depiction of making a ménage work, and dealt with some very real emotions when it doesn't. The humor helped what could have been a very heavy emotional book turn into a great relationship read. If you are looking for a book that will make you feel a lot of different emotions, OUT OF THE BLUE is a book that you will want to add to your library.
I give Out of the Blue 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.
This review was originally posted at The Romance Reviews:

http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2555