Book Review: Once An Heiress by Elizabeth Boyce

Title: Once An Heiress
Series: Once A…, Book 2
Author: Elizabeth Boyce
Genre: Historical Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: March 11, 2013 by Crimson Romance

Lily Bachman has the largest dowry the haut ton has seen in years. Her fortune is meant to secure her marriage to a titled gentleman, but instead it has sent every fortune hunter in London into a frenzy. Despite her father’s insistence that she choose a husband, Lily swears she won’t marry any of these “Leeches.” Instead, she focuses on her dreams of opening a charity school. She has everything well in hand – until a devilishly handsome rake sweeps her into a scandalous waltz.

Ethan Helling, Viscount Thorburn, never claimed to be a good man. A well-known rogue, he’s over his ears in gaming debts and is tempted by a friend’s demanding mistress. To continue indulging his appetites, he needs to marry a fortune. The lovely Miss Bachman just so happens to have one, and Ethan vows to win her dowry for himself.

When the seducer becomes the seduced, Lily and Ethan are forced into a hasty marriage. Now, to gain her fortune, Ethan must find a way to make his unwilling bride happy. As he fights to win her affection, Ethan finds himself falling in love with his spirited wife – despite her determination to keep her money, and her heart, out of his hands. With her dreams in ruins and her illusions shattered, can Lily afford to gamble on love?

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Babs

Book Review: Notch in Your Belt by Kayla Bain-Vrba

Title: Notch in Your Belt
Author: Kayla Bain-Vrba
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: August 19, 2015 by Less Than Three Press

Wyatt's first album launched him into country music stardom, a shocking success of gay-country. But now he has to record his second album, and all efforts are coming up blank. His manager finally runs out of patience and sends him inspiration: Bryce, who played keys on Wyatt's tour, and the man that Wyatt is secretly in love with.

Bryce has been in love with Wyatt for a long time, but everyone knows he's a notorious player, there and gone again as soon as he's gotten what he wants. Then Wyatt unexpectedly admits his feelings, and Bryce thinks maybe he's been wrong this whole. But when he wakes up the next morning, Wyatt is gone.

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: J9

Book Review: Biking Bad by Morticia Knight

Title: Biking Bad
Author: Morticia Knight
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MC Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Published: January 2, 2015 by Totally Bound

The Mojave Sidewinders is the largest gay MC club in Southern California. They’re also one-percenters, which makes them alluring to those looking for trouble and a danger to those making it. Luc ‘Zero’ Villarojas has been a brother ever since the club’s prez took him in as a runaway. At thirty-four years of age, he’s content to ride his hog, chase tail and run his tattoo and piercing parlor, Zero to Sixty.

Dylan has had to take care of himself since his aunt died when he was still a teen. Even though he’s barely twenty-two years old, the small spitfire has made his way in the world as best as he can and has even started his own would-be investigative agency. He’s proud of himself, even if his agency is on the edge of town in a ramshackle building.

Working his first big case involving a missing young man, Dylan barges into Road Rage, the Mojave Sidewinder’s exclusive bar, and starts asking questions. When it looks as though he’s about to get beaten up, a large, muscled biker covered in ink comes to his aid. Dylan’s incredibly attracted to him—even if Zero is pretty scary and Dylan’s still a virgin. But is there something Zero knows about the missing man that he’s hiding? And is Dylan in more danger than he realizes?

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: J9

Book Review: Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy by Jodi Linton

Title: Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy
Series: Deputy Laney Briggs, #1.5
Author: Jodi Linton
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by author
Published: August 18, 2014 by Entangled Ignite

Some cowboys are worth getting dirty for.

In her latest adventure, sassy Deputy Laney Briggs discovers the local high school football coach passed out under the stadium bleachers wearing nothing but a smile…and his wife’s lingerie.

Things really start to get wild when she runs into the smoking hot Federal Marshal, Colt Larsen, snooping around the Granger’s house. Quicker than a cold snap comes and goes in Texas, Laney finds herself up to her eyeballs in a case involving a ruthless motorcycle gang, a Mexican drug cartel, a kidnapping, and a shoot-out to rival the O.K. Corral.

In over their heads, Laney calls in the big guns—her very own Texas Ranger, Gunner Wilson, who’s ready to fulfill every last one of her desires. But as things heat up between them, the stakes get higher than ever, and Gunner’s help may not be enough for Laney to get out alive…

amazon | goodreads

 

Reviewed by: Babs

Book Review: Dark Blood by Christine Feehan

Title: Dark Blood
Series: Dark, Book 26
Author: Christine Feehan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: Review copy via NetGalley
Published: September 2, 2014 by Piatkus Books

At long last you are truly back with us…

Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan…

Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth…

For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining.

Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear.

 

Book Review: Vipers Run by Stephanie Tyler

Title: Vipers Run
Series: Skulls Creek, Book 1
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MC Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: July 1, 2014 by Signet

The Vipers Motorcycle Club has strict rules for their brotherhood and the women who enter it. Now one Viper is about to find out how much trouble one woman can be…

Former Army Ranger Christian Cage Owens joined the Vipers Motorcycle Club for its sense of brotherhood. In return, he pledged to live outside the law, protecting club members and their families, as well as keeping other MCs out of Skulls Creek. But when Cage discovers that a rival MC—one Cage has an all too familiar past with—plans to push meth into his town, he calls an old Army buddy turned private investigator who’s helped the Vipers in the past. By doing so, Cage endangers both his friend and Calla Benson, a woman who works in the PI’s office. Now he’s made it his mission to track Calla down and do whatever it takes to protect her.

Thanks to the phone call with Cage, Calla knows she’s formed a deep connection to a dangerous man. She quickly discovers that although he may live by a different set of rules, Cage is an honorable man who wants to be more than her protector—if only she can accept his dangerous lifestyle. But Calla comes to Skulls Creek with her own set of secrets…secrets that threaten to tear her and Cage—and the Vipers MC—apart. As they put their newfound love to the ultimate test, Cage will risk everything he cares about to save her…

Book Review: Waltz With a Lawman by Brit Blaise

Title: Waltz With a Lawman
Author: Brit Blaise
Genre: Historical Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Published: April 4, 2014 by Ellora’s Cave

Lee Moore wants to fulfill his father’s final wish to start a new life in the Arizona Territory. In a drunken stupor, he ends up in bed with his best friend and her brother at the same time. Not only is his chance for a decent life destroyed, he’s forced into marriage.

Ex-lawman Shad Flynn is ready for a change, but not if it involves getting too close to a citified Easterner with a damned nasty wife. Shad can’t control his deepening protectiveness for Lee. When it becomes clear Lee is in danger, Shad will do whatever is needed to keep him safe…even fall in love.

Lee and Shad are on a journey more perilous than their trek to the West. One man has lived by the gun and the other comes from high society, but together they will find that not everyone is who they say they are.

Book Review: Black Moon Rising by Melody Lane

Title: Black  Moon Rising
Author: Melody Lane
Genre: Paranormal Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Published: February 21, 2014 by Ellora’s Cave

Steve enjoys his day job as a shapeshifting bounty hunter—but his personal life is a mess. Nightmares of his father’s death and fantasies of a lost love torment him each night. Until he responds to a bail bondsman’s request to pick up a bail jumper and gets the shock of his life—the presumed murderer is Herman, his long-lost love.

Muscular firefighter Herman never expected to see the man he shared unbelievably hot chemistry with ever again. After all, he’d ditched their relationship and his lifestyle for a chance to reconcile with his estranged father. Could Steve possibly forgive that?

When the Merlotti crime family—all vicious, remorseless werewolves—get a sniff of Herman, the situation becomes desperate. What do they know about Lawrence Fleming’s death, and can Steve save the only man he’s ever loved before it’s too late?

Book Review: Strain by Amelia C. Gormley

Title: Strain
Author: Amelia C. Gormley
Genre: Science-Fiction, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: February 17, 2014 by Riptide Publishing

Rhys Cooper is a dead man. Cut off from the world since childhood, he’s finally exposed to the lethal virus that wiped out most of the human race. Now his only hope for survival is infection by another strain that might confer immunity. But it’s sexually transmitted, and the degradation he feels at submitting to the entire squad of soldiers that rescued him eclipses any potential for pleasure—except with Darius, the squadron’s respected, capable leader.

Sergeant Darius Murrell has seen too much death and too little humanity. He’s spent a decade putting plague victims out of their misery and escorting survivors to a safe haven he can never enjoy. He’d rather help Rhys live than put him down, so when Rhys can’t reconcile himself to doing what’s necessary to survive, Darius is forced to save Rhys in spite of himself.

But with each passing day, it looks less and less likely that Rhys can be saved. Which means that soon Darius might have to put a bullet in the head of the one person in years who reminds him of what it means to be human.

Book Review: Walking on Air by Catherine Anderson

Title: Walking on Air
Series: Valance Family, Book 1
Author: Catherine Anderson
Genre: Historical Romance
Sensuality Rating: Mild
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: February 4, 2014 by Signet

Random, Colorado, is just another stop on the road for solitary gunslinger Gabriel Valance. Known for his drinking, gambling, and womanizing, he prefers to remain a stranger to anyone who crosses his path. But when an upstart gunslinger catches Gabe off guard and shoots him down, he regrets his empty, lonely life with his dying breath....

Golden-haired beauty Nancy Hoffman settled in Random after fleeing an abusive past. Caring for her younger sister and working in a hat shop help her to forge ahead, though she remains fearful and mistrustful of men—and marriage....

Their paths will cross when Gabe gets a second chance at life and a divine mission: to sweep Nancy off her feet, gain her trust, and convince her to believe in his love. And in doing so, the once-hardened cowboy may save himself.

Book Review: Sons of Mayhem Series by Nikki Pink

Title: Oil and Leather, Blood and Whisky
Series: Sons of Mayhem
Author: Nikki Pink
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: bought
Published: September 2013 (self-published)

Synopsis for the first installment, Oil and Leather:

Good girl college junior Nicole is bored. Bored of her boyfriend, bored of frat parties, bored of college life and bored of studying.

When a chance to party with biker gang, the Sons of Mayhem, comes up she jumps at it. Nicole is thrilled to meet the charming but dangerous Vice President of the club, Jase. But when she realizes that the biker lifestyle is rougher than a good college girl like her could ever have imagined she begins to question what she’s getting herself into.

This is the first part of a new hot contemporary new adult series.

Feel the thrill of the ride with Nicole and the Sons of Mayhem.

2013 Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar Reviews - Week Three

The Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar is a collection of 31 stories. The stories can either be purchased as a bundle, where a new story is released each day during the month of December, or can be purchased individually. This year’s holiday theme is Heartwarming. J9 will be reading and reviewing each of the 31 stories from the Advent Calendar and will post her reviews each week in the month of December. The following are reviews for the stories that were released this week.

2013 Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar Reviews - Week One

The Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar is a collection of 31 stories. The stories can either be purchased as a bundle, where a new story is released each day during the month of December, or can be purchased individually. This year’s holiday theme is Heartwarming. J9 will be reading and reviewing each of the 31 stories from the Advent Calendar and will post her reviews each week in the month of December. The following are reviews for the stories that were released this week.

Book Review: Mr. Fix It by Emily Cale

Title: Mr. Fix It
Author: Emily Cale
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: September 27, 2013 by Ellora’s Cave Publishing

Jenni’s home improvement plans have turned into a disaster. The only bright spot in her day is watching her handyman neighbor Rick as he helps out around the neighborhood. Jenni has need of his capable hands in more ways than one, but she refuses to become just another notch on his toolbox.

Rick is entranced by his standoffish neighbor. He has no time for the neighborhood women who throw themselves at him, but he intends to get into Jenni’s house, bed and heart if it’s the last thing he does.

Book Review: Side Line by Ben Ryder

Title: Side Line
Author: Ben Ryder
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: June 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

Having rarely experienced another man’s touch, US Marine Damon O'Connor doesn't identify as gay, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think about strong hands or where treasure trails lead, despite his commitments back home. Damon’s sense of duty is strong, and he’ll stop at nothing to do what’s right, even if that means dying for his country.

While stationed in the Middle East, Damon gets what he least expects in the form of Jay Wells, an out-and-proud British beer promotions manager working in the area. Jay is content working his life away and has no time for relationships. Neither does Damon, as he’s days away from deploying to war. Until they met, love was the last thing on their minds, but they’re determined to enjoy it while they can.

Book Review: Hooked for Life by J.L. Taft

Title: Hooked for Life
Author: J.L. Taft
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: April 26, 2013 by Ellora’s Cave

When Brady comes home for her sister’s birthday, she’s not thrilled to see her smoking-hot high school crush, Darren. He humiliated her all those years ago and the wound still stings. Nevertheless, she can’t deny the heat of attraction between them now. Then he shocks and surprises her by apologizing for his long-ago stupidity. Then taking her back to his place. Then fulfilling every erotic desire she’s cooked up about him for the last decade.

Darren’s always had a thing for Brady, which is why he colluded with her sister to bring her back home. After treating her like a jerk in school, he was too chicken to approach her. Now they’re all grown up and there’s nothing to stop them. While the sex is the hottest either has ever had, they both want more. But with so much pain and distance between them, neither knows how to admit it.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.

Book Review: Misunderstandings by Angel Rothamel

Title: Misunderstandings
Series: SEALS of Cedar, Colorado Series, Book 1
Author: Angel Rothamel
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: May 2013 by MLR Press

What would you do if you got a call informing you that the family as you knew it, was a lie.

Dan Brock, retired SEAL turned mechanic in small town Cedar, Colorado, gets a call that changes his life. Dealing with the family he never knew about, Dan takes his frustrations out on the man, that because of his good looks, Dan refuses to have anything to do with. Dallas Bainbridge's primary job is flying Dan's former CO from place to place. Getting a request to fly Dan to his father's funeral, Dallas tries to keep to himself, not knowing why Dan doesn't like him. Can the two men get past their differences, or will a simple misunderstanding keep them apart?

Book Review: Scorpion by Aleksandr Voinov

Title: Scorpion
Series: Memory of Scorpions, Book 1
Author: Aleksandr Voinov
Genre: Historical Romance, Science Fiction, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: NetGalley
Published: May 27, 2013 by Riptide Publishing

Kendras is a casualty of war: injured, penniless, and quite possibly the last surviving member of the only family he’s ever had—the elite fighting force known as the Scorpions. When a steel-eyed mercenary offers him medicine and shelter in exchange for submission and a secret task, Kendras has no choice but to accept. He is a Scorpion; he’ll do whatever it takes to survive.

But his true goal is to rebuild the Scorpions. Neither Steel’s possessive nature nor Kendras’s shattered foot can keep him from finding the last of his brothers, or the mysterious leader of the Scorpions, the man who held Kendras’s heart long before Steel tried to take it for himself.

The goal is simple, the situation anything but. To rescue his leader and escape from Steel for good, Kendras must fight through a morass of politics and intrigue where enemies may be allies and even allies have hidden agendas. But Kendras isn’t only fighting for his lost lover and tribe—he soon realizes that nothing less than the birth of an Empire is at stake.

Book Review: Built 4 It by Daisy Harris

Title: Built 4 It
Series: Love Bots, Book 3
Author: Daisy Harris
Genre: Science-Fiction, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: NetGalley
Published: January 2012 by Ellora’s Cave

When a riot erupts in Built4’s stein-building lab, the alpha stein Kee drags a submissive young lab assistant into his cage. Kee’s been studying the human. Ben’s sad eyes and slender form call to Kee—urging him to equal parts lust and possessiveness.

Prisoner to the alpha, Ben surrenders to the stein’s fierce determination and gentle seductions. He’s long hated his job, feeling like a monster for following his boss’s orders, especially once he’s seen intelligence flickering in the alpha’s green eyes.

If Kee’s to escape, he needs Ben’s help to learn about the world outside the laboratory—a world full of people, sex and experiences Kee’s only beginning to discover. And guilt-ridden over the things he’s done, Ben can only forgive himself if the alpha forgives his sins first.

Mini-Reviews: Two Short M/M Stories by Madeleine Urban

Blog readers know I’ve been on a Madeleine Urban frenzy lately. I’ve read all the stories she’s written with Rhianne Aile and now have two short novellas she wrote on her own. Presto, review-o!