Review: Educating Aphrodite by Kimberly Killion

Educating Aphrodite by Kimberly Killion

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Two years is too bloody long to be abstinent, especially when one is married to the insatiable Earl of Warwick.

Countess Alexandra Falkner is desperate to rekindle the passion in her marriage. Unfortunately, she lacks the confidence and experience to accomplish her goal. She solicits the help of sexy hypnotist, Vincent Delacroix, to empower her and teach her the art of seduction. What she gets is an education in temptation that leads her heart astray. Will she lose sight of her goal in Delacroix’s arms? Or dare she risk everything to keep them both…?

Reader Advisory: Our sexy heroes aren’t the only two educating the Countess. Alexandra’s new maid has an instruction or two to teach her as well.


Lorien's Review

When her husband Sebastian no longer finds her desirable, Alexandra asks the sexy hypnotist Vincent Delacroix to “educate” her. With the help of Delacroix, she’s able to find the strength and passion that once burned inside of her. But when her husband finds out, what will she do?

Educating Aphrodite is a fun, engaging read with likable characters and quick pacing. The story features memorable secondary characters and deliciously hot sex scenes. There’s a nice twist at the end that was completely unexpected, which answer some of my questions.

Between the fantastic setting and sizzling romance, I was drawn into each scene. The chemistry between Alexandra and Delacroix ignites off the page. The story pulled me into their world and left me wanting more. Although the plot was exciting, I wished it had been longer. Other than that, the steamy dialogues and fantastic writing is worth the read.

4 1/2 Tea Cups!

      

Review: The Surrender of Lacy Morgan by Suzanne Ferrel

The Surrender of Lacy Morgan by Suzanne Ferrel

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Western Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

When two steely-eyed, lean-hipped strangers ride into town, Lacy Morgan knows her past has caught up with her. What she doesn’t know is that the U.S. marshals will do whatever’s necessary to capture her stepfather and his gang of murdering thieves, including bringing Lacy to her knees to serve their sexual needs.

Quinn and his blood brother Dakota are searching for the key to finding the band of outlaws who murdered their adoptive father. When they confront the sultry stepdaughter of the gang’s leader, they discover she’s unaware of her natural submissive tendencies.

As they journey to the gang’s lair, each day the men draw Lacy further and further into a sensuality she’s never known and a trust she’d sworn never to surrender to again. Using her lusty body for their combined pleasure, they find themselves ensnared in the same tender trap.


Wendy's Review

This book captured my attention from the very first sentence. Suzanne intrigued your interest with a story that had you hot and wanting to be hunted by marshals just like Quinn and Dakota.

Lacy Morgan wasn't proud of her past but running was all she had left, hoping against hope that the two marshals that rode into the little town of Beaver Run weren't there for her or her past sins.

Quinn and Dakota were doing their job, finding the outlaws who killed their adoptive father. Nothing was going to stop them from getting justice. When they saw Lacy in the small town they were going through they knew that it was a matter of time before she would lead them to the Devil that robbed the bank and killed Captain. Over the next few days with her depending on them for every need and every sexual orgasm was going to prove challenging to these two marshals who never let a woman come between them and the law they served.

Lacy was use to men who treated women like whores but she wasn't her mother, but as it turned out she was the woman for Quinn and Dakota who loved sharing their women. Quinn would stop at nothing to sexually torture Lacy into revealing all the secrets that she has hidden and to reveal the whereabouts of the hide out. Going through the days with these men wasn't what Lacy was used to. She was used to beatings and what Quinn and Dakota give her is a security she never felt.

Suzanne brought you a story that had you on the edge of your seat one second biting your nails as to what danger laid around the corner, and the next breathing heavy with excitement as Lacy learned that a true submissive was the one with all the power. Loving one man but wanting both was the hardest thing for Lacy to understand. If you are looking for adventure, a sexual mirage and a true love story, then this is the book I would recommend. Great story of the Wild West!

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Hollywood Spank by Shoshanna Evers

Hollywood Spank by Shoshanna Evers

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

When the studio heads for Mark Cannon’s new action movie discover that their leading man likes to spank his personal assistants, they insist Mark hire a professional submissive who won’t run to the tabloids with his kinky secret.

Andrea Landley may be a wonderful assistant, but she lied through her teeth about being a BDSM pro to get the job—and now her real career as an undercover tabloid reporter has gotten very interesting.

Andrea is willing to do whatever it takes to get the dirt for her scathing exposé—even if it means learning how to take a spanking from a movie star. She doesn’t realize until it’s too late that Mark Cannon has a lot more in store for her than just a simple stinging bottom.


Lily's Review

I was completely thrilled to discover that Hollywood Spank was a full length novel as I absolutely adore this author’s voice. Ms Evers is so fresh and descriptive and has such a wonderful way of portraying loving D/s relationships. This book is a great example of her work.

The characters are vibrant and three dimensional and the hero of course a drop dead gorgeous A lister (I would have been disappointed with anything less after looking at the cover, Phew!). The sex is saucy, naughty and imaginative and the Hollywood setting a winner.

I thoroughly enjoyed the thought processes of Mark and Andrea as they battled their way to happiness, never once feeling that they were making rash or foolish decisions. The secondary characters were a great addition to Hollywood Spank bringing both tension and reason and the epilogue was a real treat for a hopeless romantic like myself.

Verdict:

If you like a little mega-stardom with your sexy literature this book won’t disappoint and if you ever see a job advert reading — Wanted - Extremely Discreet Personal Assistant — You might find yourself thinking twice!!

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Crazy by Eve Langlais

Crazy by Eve Langlais

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Institutionalized at a young age after the breakup of her parents, Ella’s always heard
voices. Even worse, the voices in her head like to act. She thinks she’s crazy and destined
to be a patient for life until the night she meets a vampire and for the first time in her life,
the voices shut up.

Zane just wants to enjoy his usual blood buffet, instead he runs into a wisp of a
woman who makes him feel emotions he thought long dead. Rescuing her from the
insane asylum, he brings her home, determined to assuage his lust; a plan that is foiled by
ghostly voices more determined to keep her pure than a steel welded chastity belt.
Together they discover Ella might not be as crazy as everyone thinks, but even as
they discover her innate power, someone from her past wants to hurt her. Will crazy and
undead prevail against covetous evil? And most important of all, will the voices ever
allow them to indulge in the desire that consumes them?


Dodie's Review

This isn't your standard boy meets girl, they fall in love book. Zane's not your normal hero, he's a vampire there to feed from the crazies. He finds himself drawn to Ella, but he keeps trying to talk himself out of seeking her out. Ella is crazy -- ok you got that from the title -- but then Zane swoops in on his white horse and rescues her from the insane asylum. From start to finish, Ella continues to surprise Zane and draw out protective instincts that he didn't realize he had. He saves her from the asylum; she saves him from the monotony in his life.

I really enjoyed reading Zane and Ella's story. The sex scenes sizzle. In a short number of pages, Eve Langlais did a great job of creating complex characters, and an unexpected story line. This was one of those books that I was truly sad when it was over. I really wanted to see where Ella and Zane's relationship goes, and what happens to the two of them after the book ends. Come on, voices in your head mean you're crazy, right? Read Crazy and find out.

5 Tea Cups and a Recommended Read!

      

Review: Act Like We're In Love by Christi Barth

Act Like We're In Love by Christi Barth

Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

When two people make beautiful music together onstage, can their love survive once the curtain falls? Linnea Larson is willing to do anything to keep her family's Minneapolis dinner theatre from going under. Anything, that is, besides accepting a date from the Hollywood hunk her father hired to inject a dose of star power into their production of Guys & Dolls. It's a toss up whether his greatest claim to fame is playing a superhero on screen, or a super stud off screen. Neither fact convinces her he's got what it takes to share her stage. And thanks to a life long pact with her best friend, she never dates actors.

Luke Powell has fame, fortune, and an endless string of women, but also a lingering dissatisfaction with his picture perfect life. Looking for a change, he escapes to his theatrical roots. What he finds are wary cast mates, a nervous best friend convinced the show will ruin Luke's career, and an adorable costar who stubbornly refuses to go out with him. Suddenly singing and dancing aren't the only challenges he'll tackle over the summer. Far from the spotlights of Hollywood, can he find happiness in the footlights of a tiny theatre?

Despite Luke dragging her into his daily paparazzi nightmare, Linnea can't deny her mounting attraction to his irresistible charm. And even if she's crazy enough to chance getting involved, their fling would have a guaranteed expiration date. He's leaving at the end of the run, and she's tied to her family's theatre. Why risk the inevitable heartbreak? Their job is to act like they're in love, but will they decide it's worth the leap to fall in love for real?


Lena's Review

Linnea Larson has waited all her life to take over the family’s theatre. The problem is that before she can she has to do one more play. Not just any play but one that involves a real life Hollywood superstar. Linnea has seen many things as a Broadway actress but none like Luke. He is arrogant, egotistical and yet she is attracted to him. Linnea knows that this career changes of his is all a ploy. Luke is just another actor thinking to stoop low to increase his popularity. Or is he? All her friends say why deny the attraction and just risk it have a little fun. Yet can she really fall for a Hollywood guy like Luke without losing her heart?

Luke is a superstar and loves acting. The problem is that lately he is not feeling the same adrenaline he had before. He is looking for something different and somehow he knows that Linnea Larson is the perfect woman for the change. His whole goal has always been on his career no time for any romance. The thing is that there is something about Linnea that gets him going and he is having a hard time. His main love has always been on the stage not in front of a camera and Linnea doesn’t believe him. Luke knows the passion and chemistry is there from her kisses. Can he convince Linnea that his love is real and not all just an act?

Act like Were in Love by Christi Barth was definitely a great treat to read. Christi Barth has a way with comedy and romance all in one making it real. I loved how Linnea keeps denying the attraction even though you can tell right away they love one another. Now Luke is definitely an actor with goals in his mind yet once a beautiful woman like Linnea enters and he sets everything aside. Definitely a great read and can’t wait for more from this talented author.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: A Mad Passion by Scarlett Scott

A Mad Passion by Scarlett Scott

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Seven years ago, the Marquis of Thornton broke Cleo’s heart. He’s the last man she wants to see at the country house party she’s attending with her sisters. However, fate has a different plan when she finds Thornton standing before her, as devastatingly handsome as ever.

Thornton’s resolve is tempted by Cleo’s reappearance in his life. He’ll stop at nothing to have her back in his arms. Now a respected politician, he jeopardizes his career and reputation with each secret moment he spends with her.

A steamy interlude in a darkened chamber, the crackling tension of a shared Shakespeare scene before the rest of the house guests, and one too many secret kisses prove to Cleo and Thornton that despite their scarred hearts, their feelings for one another may never have changed. But neither is free to pursue the other. Cleo remains hopelessly trapped in a loveless marriage, and Thornton is on the cusp of making an advantageous match. Together they must battle against ruin and swirling scandal to discover if their mad passion is worth the price.


Monica's Review

How far would you go for love? Risk everything that you have built in the last seven years for the name of love. When Thornton finds himself with Cleo after seven years after she broke off their engagement his feelings and her feelings cannot be tamed any longer.

In this heart pounding historical there is so much passion that is shared between Thornton and Cleo, each stare, each touch it leaves you breathless. This story dates back to 1880’s in which society domineered politics and unladylike behavior especially if one is married was unacceptable. It was a little slow in the beginning and took some time to get into the story but after that it was too interesting and captivating to put it down. Thornton and Cleo will have you laughing on how they both act towards each other and the wording they use on each other is just adorable. Even if it does sound a little foolish but it is their way of communicating that they still love each other no matter about the past.

A Mad Passion is a very well-written story and I will gladly read it again. There are several surprises towards the end of the book that make everything come together not only for Cleo but for Thornton and their future together. I found it to be humorous and delightful and most of all enjoyed their passionate chemistry.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Tropical Heat by J. Rose Allister

Tropical Heat (Immortal Paradise, #2) by J. Rose Allister

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

When Steve Detroit goes to a swanky Bahamas resort in search of a cheating spouse, he uncovers a lot more than he bargained for. Sexy hostess Jessamine Valentine stirs a fiery passion in him that threatens to distract him from his mission and swallow his heart whole.

Jessamine could care less about the paranormally-enhanced eroticism all around the island hotel where she works. Then a guest with smoldering emerald eyes awakens a need she has tried hard to forget.

Steve soon discovers Jessamine holds the key to finding his quarry, and unlocks the most intimate secrets of the island beauty, as well as the resort itself--top-floor mysteries kept hidden from mortals. But when one of those secrets threatens to separate them permanently, how will Steve find a way to keep their love alive?


Yadkny's Review

In this tropical paradise not all is how it would seem.

Steve did not come to paradise for vacation, but for a job he would prefer he didn't have to do if but to put some of his sister's worries to rest. Regardless of his intentions, Steve soon finds himself part of a different type of investigation, but he could no more resist the siren call upon seeing Jessamine then she could him.

Jessamine has always taken her job at the Amante Del Mar seriously. It's not as though she would have many options had it not been for the resort owner's generosity. Still she would never have thought that with all of the supernatural things going on around her, that a seemingly normal man could be her downfall.

In this second installment to the Immortal Paradise series, we learn a few more things about this mysteriously erotic resort. Just what is it that each floor of the resort represents and what kind “business” goes on between immortals and humans? It isn't clear what everything is leading to as the storyline continues, but I find myself nonetheless drawn towards this unique series as more immortal creatures are revealed. The demigods Love and Lust are not as heavily involved in this story, but the strong emotional elements they represent are no doubt felt throughout. The story is fast paced and heated in all of the right spots. Ms. Allister delivers another slightly twisted happily-ever-after that will definitely leave you looking forward to the next in the series.

3 ½ Tea Cups!

   

Review: Possession by A.D. Blackburn

Possession (Diabolus Venator, #1) by A.D. Blackburn

Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

In the epic battle between Heaven and Hell, there are angels and demons…and then there’s James.

Tall, dark and deadly, James Gunn is the President of the Diabolus Venator motorcycle club, a group of one time outlaws turned gun-toting, sword-wielding, ass-kicking demon hunters. His no-holds-barred style of dispatching hell's darkest minions has earned him quite the reputation, but when he fights a low-level demon that warns him that his soul is in danger, he laughs it off…until he discovers that they mean to steal his heart to obtain it. When James realizes that a high-ranking demon has marked him for a prime spot in hell, he pulls out all the stops to protect the one thing he loves more than his own soul— his girlfriend, Maddy.

What James doesn’t count on is that this particular demon knows a little bit more about the art of possession than the average minion and he’s forced to make the ultimate choice between the love of his life or his own soul.


Yadkny's Review

He is the “Dark One” and evil will do anything and use anyone in order to possess his soul.

In order to stay at the top of his game while demon hunting, James pushed his girlfriend Maddy away with the idea that keeping her at a distance would keep her safe. In doing so, he didn’t realize that he was actually putting her more at risk. Now something evil is definitely coming this way, but will he and the rest of Diabolus Venator motorcycle club be enough to stop it?

Enter into the Diabolus Venator world as presented by A.D. Blackburn and be prepared to be amazed! Not only is the reader privy to the perspectives of both the hero and heroine, but also the bad guy, yet it is done without revealing too much of the plot so there’s still the element of suspense. The story itself isn’t very lengthy, but what Ms. Blackburn captures in those pages is detailed yet to the point, with a full ending and epilogue. This story is not one you’ll want to put down until it’s over. The character personalities came across quite clearly and with this many bad-boy Alpha males left to explore there are definitely many more untold stories.

I would like to mention that there is a short story titled The Little Red Ribbon, in the anthology ‘Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas by various authors, in which Ms. Blackburn shares the story of James and Maddy’s first meeting. This short story does not have to be read in order to fully enjoy Possession, but James and Maddy quickly became one of my favorite couples, so knowing a little more on their history is fantastic.

I am really excited about this new-to-me author and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

4 1/2 Tea Cups!