Water by Terra Harmony

4 Stars!

WOW! This is a great beginning to a new series. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

Terra does a great job of developing characters and story that are completely believable. The fear, skepticism, anger and curiosity all expressed by Kaitlyn make her seem like one of my friends.
 

I fell in love with Micah right along with her and then I hated him with her as well. I think I hated him longer than she did! I could see the conflict with Shawn early on but had no idea it would take such a nasty turn. I have a few ideas in mind for his punishment!

I thought Kaitlyn’s use of the leaves, dirt and water to escape were original and clever.

Overall, a very well written story and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next!

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Power Play by Chellesie B. Dancer

Sergio is a graphic designer who is trying to reach his goal of making partner in the firm that he works in before the age of 30.  On his way into work, he has this connection with a lady in the elevator that brings out his dominate side.  Before he can learn her name she gets off the elevator and he doesn’t even know which floor she got off on.  Before a big presentation to a very important new client, and the account that could possibly achieve his goal, he runs into his mystery woman once more.   

Enter Liz, she messes with Sergio, flirting outrageously and working him up until his dominance once again makes an appearance.  Sergio is flustered because he knows that he needs to concentrate and get mentally prepared for his meeting but his control snaps.  Liz surprises him after the fact by walking back into the room as the client he needs to impress.   Liz then offers him an opportunity to help her out for the day which then leads to his taking control that night.  It is a power play between Liz trying to get Sergio to come work for her and Sergio dominating her in the bedroom.

I liked the idea for the book, I have always been a fan of BDSM books, but for some reason I wasn’t all that impressed with this one.  For one, it seemed like the book jumped around way too much and heroine just got on my nerves. In a way, Liz was constantly trying to bribe Sergio. Him setting aside his goal of making Partner just really irritated me because his goal meant something and even after him explaining it to Liz. She still continued to act like a spoiled brat and tried to get her way.  Like I stated earlier the story just jumped around too much and tried to bring too much in at once.  I think if the book was longer in length it would be a lot better, being a novella didn’t do the storyline justice.  I would like to read something longer by this author to see if it was just this book that I had a problem with or if I do not click with her writing style.

Soy Sauce Face by Sedonia Guillone

4 Stars!

To Sum it Up:

There’s no secret like the one you keep from yourself.  Jun knows this first hand, as he’s forced to confront his deepest feelings when all his alternate escape routes are thwarted after his career is thrown in question.  Upon seeing himself through his best friend, Tomo’s, eyes, he’ll find the greatest love he never guessed existed.

My Opinion:

This is a very sweet and very emotional romance between two friends who always wanted, but never expected more.

My Thoughts:

This story is a very emotional one, because Jun’s had a tough childhood, and he deals with that periodically throughout the book.  Tomo, his best friend, is the son of the man who took him in and they’ve always been close, but after the man’s death, there’s been tension that neither of them seems to know quite how to alleviate.  Jun is a “host” which is basically a high class male prostitute, and when he’s attacked one night while taking a break, his path in life is thrown into question and he’s forced to sit down and think through everything, no matter how much it hurts.  As usual, Tomo helps him through it, and it’s during this time when emotions are raw and they’re cooped up together for an extended period of time that they’re honesty with each other and themselves becomes apparent.  It’ll bring about what they both need, but were always too afraid to give voice to.

The author does a good job getting the reader emotionally invested and taking us on their journey of healing and reconnecting with each other (in more ways than one).  Tomo cares for Jun in a lot of ways, and it’s actually a little confusing at the beginning because it almost seems more of a fatherly love or brotherly love, but as time goes on you can definitely tell the chemistry between the two men.  If you like gay romance, this is a really touching story to check out!

Bared To You by Sylvia Day

5 Stars!

I absolutely LOVED this book.  This is a story about two wounded and broken individuals who seem to soothe the pains when they are together.  Gideon Cross is a multibillionaire who never has relationships with the women he has sex with, but Eva refuses to just be another notch on his bedpost so to speak.  He is determined to have her in his life.  Eva doesn’t care about Gideon’s wealth or money, she has her own, what she worries about is her past hurting him when their relationship is revealed to the public.  Both keep doing things to screw up, like running when things upset them but it’s like they are drawn together through this indescribable sexual chemistry.  Eva opens up to Gideon about her past and trusts him to never hurt her like that.  Gideon hints at what his demons are but in this book it’s not revealed but one can speculate what it is from what has been revealed to us.  Add to the mix, Carey, Eva’s best friend and roommate who has his own issues to deal with too.

This book reminds me a lot like Fifty Shades of Grey but it is its own story and has its differences that draw you in from almost the beginning.  Gideon is possessive and obsessed with Eva but he is trying to be the man she wants in his life, and even though he keeps screwing up he begs her not to give up on him yet.  Gideon does do some things though in regards to some past relationships that makes you want to slap him and say really and you wonder why she keeps running from you, you idiot!  Eva is just as possessive and I was really hoping at one point she was going to whoop some jealous conniving bitch ass, but she never did.

This is one hot book and I would suggest that you have your husband, boyfriend or significant other nearby when you read this book but the sex scenes are smoking hot, and for me with my deployed husband still gone for at least another month, makes me want to attack him the second he gets home.  I had never read a full length novel by Sylvia Day before Bared to You, but I can guarantee that this will not be my last book; I can’t wait to read the next Crossfire book.

Book Tour: Angel on Fire by Jacquie Johnson

My Secret Romance is so excited to be part of the Angel on Fire Book Tour! Please welcome author Jacquie Johnson to the blog! Take a moment to learn a little bit more about her and her newest book, Angel on Fire.

Wow! Check out Jacquie’s daily writing routine! I have to give this woman credit for all that she does…it can’t be easy. As a former gymnasts myself, I know how much extra she’s doing.  It’s a very grueling schedule and very time consuming on the parents part too. How Jacquie has time to breathe after homeschooling her daughters, which is an unbelievably amazing task to take on, gymnastics, housework, and writing is beyond me. Jacquie sounds like a remarkable woman!

I keep a relatively structured routine.  Since I homeschool my twin daughters, my day starts around 8 in the morning.  This year the girls are studying Latin, Algebra I, grammar, reading, and physical science.  They participated in National Novel Writing Month in November of 2011.  That was a good month for me because I wrote when they did and didn’t feel like I was depriving them of an education.  

Formal schooling ends around 2:00 but the girls generally end up reading or doing homework until 3:30.  I start dinner around 3:00 and they eat at 4:00.  

A few times per week, during the afternoon, I check on my three grandparents, who are in their late eighties and early nineties, and provide assistance chauffeuring them to appointments and running errands. 

My daughters have gymnastics practice from 5 to 9 Monday through Friday, so I use this time to write and take care of mundane household tasks. 

  

My favorite time to write though is late at night, after my husband and daughters have gone to bed.  The house is quiet and I don’t feel guilty about all those chores I didn’t manage to accomplish during the day. I find typing away with a sleeping cocker spaniel at, or on, my feet to be highly relaxing. To me, this isn’t a job or a chore.  It is pure enjoyment. 

I hardly ever find time to write on the weekends.  Between gymnastics meets and visits to my oldest daughter, I’m always on the road and I haven’t figured out how to write and drive at the same time.  This doesn’t mean that the writing process stops.  Long drives offer an opportunity to let my mind wander while I think about the endless possibilities for a story that has been percolating in the back of my mind.  All too often, I get lost – in my thoughts and on the road.                 

Now onto Jacquie’s book, Angel on Fire.

All Angela wants is to understand why her father, security specialist Mac McKenzie, dropped dead on a sidewalk in Boston. Instead, she is thrust into the midst of an international conspiracy when she discovers that her father was working on a classified project at the time of his death. Now, the FBI, a terrorist and a killer have her in their sights.

Former Navy SEAL turned undercover operative, Chase Romero thinks his boss is overreacting when he orders Chase to small town America to protect Angela. But he changes his mind when her home is burglarized and “accidents” begin to happen. The real question becomes, how can he keep her safe if he keeps tripping over his own heart?

After shooting an intruder, Angela flees the scene, and the FBI issues a warrant for her arrest. On the run for her life and her freedom, she places her trust in Chase. As they travel from New England, to the nation’s capital, to the shores of Lake Michigan, the trail – and their attraction – grow hotter. Together, they team up to prevent a global financial market meltdown and face a killer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the project Mac protected with his life.

If you want to learn more about Jacquie, you can visit her site HERE. If you would like to buy the book now, you can do that HERE.


Did I mention there’s a giveaway? Well there is! One lucky commenter will win an ebook of Angel on Fire! All you have to do is comment on this post and LIKE My Secret Romance’s facebook page. A winner will be chosen and posted on Monday. Thanks for stopping by!

LINK TO My Secret Romance’s facebook page

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH YOUR COMMENT. IT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN CONTACT THE WINNER.

Shoulda Been A Cowboy by Lorelei James

Amazon link-Shoulda Been A Cowboy (Rough Riders)

Shoulda Been A Cowboy is book 7 in the Rough Riders Series

4 Stars!

Domini was born in the Ukraine and an orphan at the age of 11. She came to America very young and had to rely on herself to get where she is. The once shy Ukrainian girl is now ready to let loose and wants to be dominated by none other then Cam. Unfortunately for Cam, who wants complete honesty, she is hiding secrets.

Cameron or Cam, is a war hero. He lost his part of his leg in battle and has isolated himself from the rest of his family except for Keely…and now Domini. No one has seen his scars or missing limb. He feels as though he is not a whole man and no one will accept him the way he is because of it. Domini tells Cam that she wants all of him or nothing….or there can’t be relationship between them.

I go back and forth with this book. On one hand I loved it because it’s a Rough Rider book and what’s not to love about Lorelei’s books? But on the other hand I have issues with Cam and the sex scenes.

I personally would have liked to see Cam fight Domini a little longer about his missing leg. For me, he gave in way too soon. I think it was about 25% into the book and he was ok with showing her his stump. Domini was definitely persistent on seeing all of him. There is some darkness in Cam because of being injured in the war…but there wasn’t enough darkness for me. I personally like very dark heroes in my books. I think it would have added a bit more drama and tension to the storyline if Cam was darker. The romance scenes were hot and plentiful! There were a lot of sex scenes in the beginning of this book and I was starting to get turned off because the story line started to disappear. About 50% in that completely changed. The story line picked up and I couldn’t put the book down after that. Another great book to add to the series!

Fighting Fair by Anne Calhoun

Amazon link-Fighting Fair
5 Stars!

Natalie is fighting to save her marriage with Shane. She has gone as far as to enroll them in marriage consoling, but nothing has been accomplished. Shane finds out some excellent news and decides he wants to share it with Natalie. This news comes as a surprise to him since it wasn’t suppose to happen for at least another year.

Since Natalie and Shane are not communicating much with each other, Natalie seeks work advice from her friend, Chris. They meet up at a bar in Manhattan where Shane happens to spot them. Shane walks in and starts assuming things. Shane and Natalie go home and the fighting leads to smoking hot beautiful love making.

I should start off by saying that I am not one to read short stories. They don’t do much for me. They feel too rushed and I just don’t see how it’s possible to connect with the characters when the story is so short.

Well, I am sooooo eating my words now! This is one hot, beautiful, romantic short story, with a side of light BDSM. Oh, how I LOVED this novella! This is my first read by this author and it definitely won’t be my last! Anne Calhoun was able to write an erotic romance with a story line that can hold it’s own. I think it’s very hard for an erotic writer to have romance in their storyline and it not just be about sex. I am definitely a fan of Anne’s now and I will be getting more of her books very soon.

There was only one thing that bothered me with the novella. There is no way anyone can spot someone across the street at a bar in Manhattan, like Shane did with Natalie. I live very close to Manhattan and have been to the city many times. There are just too many people for that to happen. But, I let it slide. Every author is allowed one mistake 🙂

Guilty Pleasures, anyone?

Have you heard of Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews? If not, then you need to check out this blog. IT IS AMAZING! I am constantly stalking that blog. It’s one of those blogs that is a MUST FOLLOW. They have just about every single genre of book reviewed on that site so there is a little something for everyone. There are lots of reviews posted each day. There are tons of other cool things going on there too. For instance, authors taking over her blog for the day, blog hops, advance copy reviews of books we’re dying to read and a very cool weekly appreciation contest for her followers she does. I don’t know how the woman who runs Guilty Pleasures does it. She must never sleep. I swear she’s a vampire. HA! Just kidding! Didi (the woman who runs Guilty Pleasures) is my book blogging idol.

Once Guilty Pleasures hits 1000 followers, she is going to do a very cool giveaway. She is almost there….so the sooner we can get her to hit 1000 followers the sooner the contest for you!

All you have to do is this:

LIKE Guilty Pleasures on Facebook

Now go forth and LIKE this blog and read the reviews! You’re missing out if you don’t!

My Lady Compelled by Shirl Anders

My Lady Compelled is the first book in The Archangels series. It’s a series of six short erotic historical romance books that take place in the Regency era. The Archangels group consist of six men who helped England by spying on the French.

Lord St. John having a wives sale. His wife, Lady Gabriella St. John, is barren and he sees no need to have her anymore as his wife. Lord Drummond Penhurst, the Duke of Kitteridge hears of this sale and names his price. Lord Drummond has always been attracted to Lady Gabriella. He thinks by taking her as his wife he can teach her how to pleasure a man properly. Little does he know Lady Gabriella has never seen a man naked….or what to do with one even though she’s been married for 25 years. Lord Drummond wins and starts his mission off by pleasuring Lady Gabriella….immediately. Lady Gabriella is in shambles after what occurred between her and Lord Drummond. She has never felt or experienced anything so unbelievably amazing in her life. She figures since she was bought and paid for she now needs to do what he says, especially after he brought her to climax and donned her in diamonds.

If you want a fast erotic read, then this book is for you. The story line wasn’t that strong but that didn’t bother me while reading this book. I wanted a hot erotic historical romance and that’s exactly what I got. I enjoyed it and I plan to read the rest.

Seduce Me At Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas

Seduce Me At Sunrise is the 2nd book in the Hathaway Series

5 Stars!

Oh Kev! My heart aches for him and what he went though.

Brava to Lisa Kleypas! Amazing! A HUGE must read! I simply can not get enough of Lisa’s books!

This has to be one of the most heart wrenching novels I have ever read- which happens to be my favorite kind of read. It was romantic, sensual, erotic, classy, emotional, and quite beautiful a love story. I shed quite a few tears while reading this book.

Another book by Lisa that has rendered me speechless…sorry but that’s my review.