Book Review: Tempting Her Neighbor (Small Town Temptations #1) by Laura Jardine

Tired of big city life, software developer Cole Sampson moves to a small Canadian town to get some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, his keep-the-hell-away-from-me vibes don’t work on his gorgeous new neighbor.

Waitress Rachel Malone is intrigued by the hot curmudgeon living next door and his very sexy scowl. Sure, he keeps shutting down her every advance, but before long, she finally catches his interest.

A red-hot, sex-only relationship is what they want. But Cole can’t get over the fact he likes cuddling, and Rachel won’t let herself fall in love, not when she’s finally decided to follow her dreams and move to the city. Still, it’s just sex. Isn’t it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't usually read novellas ... the reason is only that I like a longer book. Weird, I know ... it's just that if it ends up being something that I really like, then I want as many pages as the author is willing to crank out, you know? Anyway, I went against my usual "rules" and decided to give this one a go. Not too shabby.

 

I really enjoyed our hero of the story - Cole. He was all grumpy and prickly. He reminded me of my husband. For some reason, I think that stand-offish personality is sexy as hell. I don't know why ... most of the time people think that these grouchy dudes are assholes but they really aren't ... there is usually a very good reason behind the donkey attitude. Then again ... sometimes there isn't and the dude is really just a jerk. Anyway ... Cole was a good dude. I enjoyed his grouchy attitude and the reason why he was that way. You also get to experience a pretty interesting (and extremely slow) transformation within his personality and I always enjoy a good character metamorphosis. 

I kinda liked Rachel as well ... but not as much. It was literally her character that kind of irritated me. She's the kind of chick that wants to just have fun, which is fine. I have no problem with a woman wanting to just go out there and have a much sex as possible - more power to you if that's your deal. But she would say how this is how she is and she's not apologetic for how she is but then in the same breath, she would whine and bellyache that people pick on her and if she was a dude, no one would say a thing about her promiscuity. Look, lady. You can't have it both ways. Either you don't care what people have to say or you do. Anyway, it was just the hypocrisy of her ... is that even the right word? If it isn't, hopefully you know what I mean. 

This isn't your run of the mill, sickeningly sweet romance novel. It's a bit gritty at times and definitely raunchy and naughty at other times. One thing that did stand out is that it's not really what I would consider a romance ... you don't see the romantic interaction between our two main characters ... you see this animalistic need to mate. It's not flowery with a bunch of scented candles and massage oils, it's more get your rocks off, wham-bam thank you ma'am. All in all, not a bad book, but not one to read if you're looking for the mushy love-sick page turner with the dashing guy and the girl next door wallflower. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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Book Review: Red Water by Kristen Mae

He was trying to kill her, too…

Malory Shoemaker would prefer just about any place over the beat-up trailer she’s had to call home since her mom died, so even her tiny dorm room feels like an upgrade. And though she sometimes still hears her father’s whispers in her mind, she’s excelling at school, making new friends, and has even attracted an enigmatic admirer.

But when her new love interest begins to reveal his more unsavory appetites, Malory finds herself a hapless participant in sick games that force her to confront her nasty inner demons. As the game intensifies, so do the whispers in Malory’s head. Now she must decide: accept the fate she’s always believed inevitable, or risk losing the only person who ever made her feel like she was worth fighting for. But how do you let love in when the only thing that feels right is pain?

Erotic and disturbing, Red Water slithers under your skin with its dark, unflinching examination of the psychology of self-loathing and the secret, unspeakable lust for depravity that lies dormant within us all.

 

This is probably the most difficult review I've had to write in a long time. In all reality, probably the hardest review I'll have to write for years to come. 

I think the thing that I most want to communicate with people who decide to read this review is that it's not that I don't like this book. When I first picked it up, I really didn't know what to expect. I've never read anything by this author before and I was really in the dark as to how this might play out. I was immediately a fan when I found out that the main character, Malory, played the cello. I've played the cello since I was 9 years old ... holy crap ... that's almost 3 decades! So I completely understood what Malory was going through with the trials and tribulations of that. I think it's difficult for people who don't play an instrument or sport, for that matter, to understand the dedication and constant turmoil you put yourself through as you try to master something that seems so daunting at times. 

Unfortunately, I connected with Malory on another level also. Dating a guy that is abusive, no matter in which way, can be difficult. My dark times also happened in college, just like with Malory. I'm not totally for sure if that was the reason I had to skip paragraphs and pages of this book or what. But I'm sure that's not too far off base. Malory gets herself into this psychologically, emotionally and physically abusive relationship. Thinking that this was a romance novel with a twist was not anywhere near the truth. This is a novel about that abuse. It's about a chick's need to be in an abusive relationship because she thinks the kind of treatment she's getting is love. She accepts it. Craves it, even. 

This was a very dark, very disturbing read. If I was basing my rating just on how this book made me feel, I wouldn't give it any damn stars. I would have used it for kindling in a trashcan fire. That was my first instinct. But then I finished the book and I stopped and really thought about it. How amazing is an author if they are able to evoke such strong emotions from the reader? If she can make you absolutely HATE a character, make your stomach turn, make you want to cry ... that's got to mean she's pretty badass, right? I think so. 

So maybe this wasn't a book that I would read again. Ever. But that doesn't mean it wasn't well written. It doesn't mean that the story wasn't this deep, dark, black hole that sucks you in and won't let go. And it most certainly doesn't mean that it wasn't a good book. It was ... if you really enjoy the perversion that plagues some of our most inhumane population. While I'm glad that I read it, I'm also glad that I'm done.

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

Available: April 19th, 2017

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Book Review: Art & Seduction by Elaine Radley

The moment playboy Daniel Shaw walked into the gallery, Eliza Kendrick knew she had a problem. All that wavy, dark hair, his crystal-blue eyes, and a sexy sideways smile threatens her control. But she didn't want a player. She wanted a future. So what if she'd had one lapse. The "elevator incident" shouldn't count. Even if it did, it was only one time...

Daniel’s reputation preceded him, but it wasn't that bad. Was it? Even so, it was time to settle down, and he knew who he wanted by his side. He simply needed to convince Eliza. Of course, words can get in the way. They can even get you in trouble. Sometimes it's best just to let passion speak for you.

 

This review is going to be short and sweet. Just like this novel. No, I don't usually read novellas. No, I don't usually read erotica. 

That being said ... I really liked this one. This is the second novella that I've read by this author and once again, it was awesome. For such a short story - only 45 pages - the characters were absolutely perfect. I didn't feel like I wish that I knew something else about them or like anything was missing. The story was the same way ... the plot was perfect, everything was fleshed out and buttoned up at the end.

It read like it was a full length novel. There was a clear beginning, middle and end. I was left completely satisfied as a reader. I can't imagine how difficult it is to tell such an intricate story with so few words. It's quite impressive. 

This is definitely one that you need to give a go. Especially if you're new to the erotica genre. This will get your little toesies wet and introduce you into something you might be unfamiliar with. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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Book Review: Friendly Temptation by Elaine Radley

Ever since Katherine Ainsley's divorce, a hazy line has emerged in her relationship with best friend Dominic Corvalis — one teetering between companionship and lust. When he proposes a dare, she rises to the challenge, even after she finds herself in a place she's never imagined. Besides, Dom is there to support and tease, and the sexual tension percolating beneath their naughty errand is simply too tempting to resist. Perhaps they are meant to be more than just friends. She'll never know until she pushes him across that line...and into the bedroom.

So this book went kind of against what I usually read in two ways ... it's a novella (which I RARELY read) and an erotica (which I also very rarely read). But ... this was by an author that I enjoyed reading and when she asked that I give two of her novellas a go ... I thought, why not!

Here's the deal ... I'm not going to say much because this little gem is only 40-some pages long. I could say one sentence and ruin the whole thing! 

What I WILL say is that the reason I don't usually read novellas is because they are just too short. I've found that authors rarely have enough time to establish characters and the whole plot of the book and then finish it out in so few pages. But that wasn't the case with this one. 

I really enjoyed getting to know Katherine and Dom. I enjoyed them together even more. They brought some amazing chemistry and fireworks to the pages that I hadn't expected to experience so quickly. 

While this is a short story, it will keep you entertained and leave you a satisfied reader because it was entirely fleshed out (no pun intended) (or maybe it was) and you're left with no unresolved issues or feelings. It was just a great short story that I kind of wish went on longer because of how much I liked Dom. And I liked him. A lot. 

Another one knocked out of the park for Radley. I'll definitely be a reader of whatever she comes up with ... no matter the genre or the length. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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Book Review: One of the Guys by Shiloh Walker

Jaynie knew that her fiancé had some serious ménage fantasies going on, but she never expected to catch him acting them out. As if that pain isn't enough, he tells her she couldn't be a real woman if she tried. Reeling from the double blow, confidence shattered, Jaynie turns to Brian, her sexy partner at work. One night, she tells him. She wants one night with him, no strings attached.Brian feels plenty of strings and it's as if all of them are pulling him toward Jaynie. She's sexy, she's funny and she haunts his dreams. Memories of that one night keep him awake and he's dying for another taste of her.But Jaynie doesn't seem at all interested. What's a man to do?

 

This is the second book that I've read by Ms. Shiloh Walker and it most definitely will not be the last. I just absolutely love everything about her writing style. You better buckle up because this review is going to be a bit of a love fest. 

You know, after I finished reading One of the Guys, I decided to take a peak at some other reviews. This is something that I NEVER do because I don't want what someone else thinks to taint my own feelings before I get them down in my review. I won't lie, there can be transference sometimes. Anyhow, I'm reading just review after review and I was a little shocked at what some of the people who didn't like the book were saying. I just didn't get any of the negative feelings that they did when reading this. Although ... I'm not totally for sure that this book should be classified as an erotica novel. It seemed like a regular ol' romance to me but the Genre Gods didn't seem to agree with me. 

So ... the characters are great. I just really loved everything about Jaynie. I liked how she stood up for herself (finally) and how she didn't let her fiance's shenanigans break her spirit. She's a tough chick and I appreciate that in the leading lady of a novel. It just makes things more interesting than when the woman is a pushover and plays Poor Poor Me constantly. I also enjoyed getting to know Brian. I thought that he was a standup dude and the type of guy that all women wish that they had in their lives. Experiencing the ebb and flow of their (sometimes tumultuous) relationship was endearing and sometimes heartbreaking. It's a love story that you'll enjoy reading. Well, once you get past the cheating bastard part. That just made me want to punch the coward in the throat. 

The story chugs along at an awesome pace. There aren't any 'sweet baby Jesus, please make it end' parts that just shouldn't be included in the book. If it's on those pages, it's vital to the story. Since Walker writes that way, you will find yourself just blowing through page after page and not realizing that you're done with the book when you reach the last sentence. 

Well, Walker has got me hooked. After one great book from an author, I find that I'm still a little leery about reading another book by that author. You just never know if that first one was a fluke and you'll be wasting your time on another one. But we're officially in the clear with ANY Shiloh Walker book. I'm a fan for life. Great characters, great story, great reading experience. Great. Book. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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Book Review: Dirty Little Lies (Quick and Dirty #1) by Clare James

Twenty-nine-year-old Stevie Sinclair has just lost everything: her boyfriend, her apartment, even her ugly bird named Free. (Yeah, she knows it’s stupid name, so don’t start.) But most importantly, Stevie’s lost herself.

As she shuffles through her days in worn-out Hello Kitty PJs—eating ice cream, sipping wine, and contemplating her next move—a magazine article catches her attention. Blaring black letters read: "How to Get Your Sexy Back in Six Easy Steps."

Stevie studies the article in the trashy magazine like the good student she is and immediately knows what she has to do. With the magazine article in hand, and a bottle of red in her bag, Stevie embarks on a journey to reclaim her life and win back her ex.

Until she meets Gabe Shannon. Gorgeous, single, and on a quest of his own, Gabe introduces Stevie to a lifestyle that is sure to help get her sexy back and then some. If she doesn’t chicken out … (Oh, you know where this is going.)

What follows is a story of self-discovery, romantic gestures, erotic encounters, and following one's heart--even if it leads in unexpected directions. 

 

Dirty Little Lies. Ugh. I wanted to love this book so much. I was just itching to read this one because I just KNEW that it would be amazing. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. Again, it looks like I'm in the minority on this one because a lot of my Goodreads friends really enjoyed it but it turns out that it just wasn't for me.

The book was going okay for me in the beginning. I enjoyed getting to know Stevie. I really felt bad for this poor girl. Can you imagine being with someone for so long, enjoying each others company but something is missing in your relationship: any kind of sexual spark. That would be difficult. Hell, Stevie lasted longer than I would in the relationship! I would have chunked a deuce and been out of there. 

After the first few chapters of the story, it started to go downhill for me. I don't want this to sound mean but the magazine article that Stevie was hinging all of her happiness on was bullshit. I thought that the six steps to "get her sexy back" was a little lame. When I read about the six steps in the blurb, I was hoping that it would be something juicy. Not that I can come up with anything juicy that would have been better but I just wanted more than what the author came up with. I didn't find it empowering or moving or anything!

And THEN there was the "new lifestyle" that she was introduced to. I'll be honest ... it didn't seem like the sex that happened was consensual. It seemed forced on her and I don't see how Stevie went from 6 lame-o steps to being this sexual, kinky vixen. It seemed totally out of character for her. It was difficult to swallow and to be honest, it just wasn't appealing to read. After I finished the novel, I realized that Stevie's character didn't seem consistent. She seemed like one person at the beginning of the novel, another one in the middle and then a completely different one at the end. I'm not saying that character growth can't happen, it can but the way that this one was fleshed out just didn't seem like it was realistic. Stevie seemed to swing from one extreme to the next. She's okay with not having sex and then she's okay being a nympho and then she's okay with not having it again and then she's okay just having it sometimes. 

There were a few surprises throughout the novel that were a little entertaining but at the same time, there was this convenience to the way that the story went. I read this article once that said when you're writing a book, never go for the convenient situation with the convenient ending because it makes the book unbelievable. That is exactly what happened a few times in this novel. Things would just get buttoned up all nice and pretty without any kind of controversy and I just wish that the controversial way had been how it went because reading about that push and pull of emotions or situations is what makes a book so amazing. 

Anyway, this was the first and probably last book that I read by this author because I just didn't enjoy the way that things went and I don't want to be burned twice. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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Review: Flash Bang (Flash Bang #1) by Meghan March

Rowan Callahan is a career-climbing slut. At least according to the vicious—and false—rumor that is destroying her professional life. But a little thing like her career as an attorney ceases to matter when a plane crashes in downtown Chicago and the entire city goes dark. Her unconventional upbringing makes her suspect the worst: she’s just witnessed the kick-off to the apocalypse. Armed with a backpack of supplies, she leaves Chicago, intent on resetting her skewed priorities and seeking shelter at the family farm with her father and sister. She’s injured and running for her life when she stumbles directly in the crosshairs of two men who just might be her salvation . . . and her greatest temptation.

Graham Buchanan and Zachariah Sawyer are best friends and brothers-in-arms who have been indulging in ménages since before their Force Recon team served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They’ve hung up their uniforms to build a new life for themselves and their team at Castle Creek Whitetail Ranch—a rustic deer hunting preserve that covertly doubles as a doomsday prepper’s paradise. They thought they were prepared for anything until Rowan comes crashing into their lives. Graham and Zach are convinced she’s the one woman who can handle them both, but she has no intention of deviating from her carefully laid plans for longer than it takes her to recover from her injuries. So they propose a deal: they’ll provide her an armed escort home, and in exchange, she’s theirs until they part ways.

It was the perfect plan; except once they've had her, they can’t let her go . . .

Here's the deal. I am not a big supporter of erotica. To be honest, the first of the genre that I read was 50 Shades. And that was only because there was so much buzz around it that I felt left out not having read it and when you're a reviewer, you just can't have that. So I read that book and well, I haven't read many since. Maybe three. But when I saw the description for Flash Bang, I was intrigued for the first time in years in an erotica book. I decided to give it a shot and to be honest, I'm really glad that I did. This book may have changed my view on the entire genre and that's a pretty big deal for someone who practically swore them off. 

Right from the first page, I was hooked. I loved Ro instantly and I couldn't help but root for her throughout the entire book. She was a really well written character that was flawed but knew that she wanted to get her shit together. She was a realistic character in my mind and one I would read about again. Ro isn't one that I'll be forgetting any time soon. I enjoyed the predicament that she was in ... you know, the issue with two hunky boys. For the love of all things fluffy, some of those sex scenes were hot. I was afraid my damn Kindle would burst into flames a few times. 

What I really enjoyed was that this wasn't what I was expecting. With that other erotica I read, there was sex on every damn page and I just got completely bored and ended up skipping sentences, then paragraphs, then whole pages. But with Flash Bang, there is an actual story going on ... this whole apocalypse thing that is going on and all of that had just as much space on the storyline as what was going on with Ro, Graham and Zach. The story had substance and I won't lie, I wasn't really expecting that at all. I found myself becoming entranced in the world that they were immersed in and I couldn't wait to sit down and devour more. 

I don't want to say too much and ruin the story for you but this was a good one. I'm interested in reading the second novel in the series since (as I understand it) it is a continuation of the story that is already in place. You won't be disappointed with this one, I have a feeling that it isn't your normal erotica novel. I will probably read this one again and I'll be picking up number two soon! I'm glad that I took a chance and decided to read out of my normal genres because otherwise, I never would have found a new author that I enjoy and a new series that I can't wait to finish. 

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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