The Rebellious Princess Chooses Two Lovers by Carolyn Rosewood

The Rebellious Princess Chooses Two Lovers by Carolyn Rosewood

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Blurb:

 

In a post-apocalyptic world where pseudo-medieval kingdoms have once again evolved. Princess Cadence of the New West Dominion, a woman used to getting as much sex as she wants, is being forced to choose just one lover, and to keep face with the other kingdoms her parents are insisting he be a real prince.

Dominic of the Northern Free Zone has been sent a royal invitation by Queen Sasha and King Lassiter by mistake. He's bored at home, and has heard of Cadence and her skills in the bedroom, so he dresses the part of a prince and sets off for her castle.

It soon becomes apparent she's more than he bargained for - in and out of the bedroom - and when he realizes she has a soft spot for Ethan, one of the royal gardeners, and that the man is totally besotted with her, he invites Ethan to join them in bed.

Review:

This is not any fairytale you heard as a child.

This book is written like a classic fairytale with a couple of very important twists. I love how Ms. Rosewood gave this fairytale a post-apocalyptic setting. And the princess in this story is no blushing virgin, but a passionate woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it.

The story begins with "Once upon a time..." and each chapter has a similar heading such as: "The Princess took a stroll in the garden." This book has it all. The fairytale dreams and the desert settings of a future land. The "princes" (there are two of course) are no Princes at all. One is a servant and one is pretending to be a Prince. In my book they were both Prince Charming, each able to love Cadence in their own distinct way. Of course their is the usual royal intrigue and melodrama, complete with plenty of hot steamy love scenes. This story is not for a child or the faint of heart. Cadence's Princes take her firmly in hand and show her who is boss. That's just the way she likes it.

I loved this book. It has the headstrong heroine, an alpha hero, and a compassionate hero. What's not to love about this book? The shortness. *pout* I would love to read more about this fairytale land of Princes, Princesses and gardeners sneaking into your bedroom. Maybe one with a stable hand...Just some food for thought, Ms. Rosewood. If you plan to continue this as a series, I will be first in line to buy.

Review by Ursula Avery

Wicked Weekend by Gillian Archer

Wicked Weekend by Gillian Archer

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Blurb:

 

Why did Lauren Vaughn introduce her sister to the man she herself was crazy about? Now Lauren is watching the happy couple at their combined bachelor/bachelorette party—while Lauren sits all alone at the bar. Until she spots a hot stranger with the telltale black handkerchief in his pocket: the signal for "seeks no-strings affair with sexy submissive." Lauren can't take her eyes off him. So when he comes over, she kicks her inner good girl to the curb and follows Jamie Forman to his room, where he makes her scream with pleasure all night long.

But Jamie is a complicated man. He can't handle how desperately he wants her in his bed—and his life. It's up to Lauren to teach him how to make all night last forever.

Review:

 

This book was a short but hot read. The sex was steamy and the overall story was good. The heroines sister was a bitch and I am happy to see she got what she deserved. And I was relieved that Lauren realized how lucky she was to haved dodged that bullet. As far as Jamie, he is definitely a tortured hero: my favorite kind!

I kind of felt that the H/H had a lot of baggage and the story was really too short to explain it away. Also I was a little confused about the "flagging" thing. I don't know if it wasn't better explained because the author assumes a prior knowledge of it all (which I don't have) or maybe she only felt that she explained it enough for the story. In that case, I guess she did, but I like to know details. And that is my failing. I like short stories because they are fast to read, but sometimes I feel like I don't get enough details. Again, my problem. I don't want to stop reading novellas or short stories, but so many of them leave me wanting more.

This book is the first in a series so I am hoping in the future books there will be more explaining of "flagging" Overall, I did enjoy the book. As I explained most of the issues I had with it, were my own personal preference issues. I recommend you give this book a try. I will be looking out for book two in the series.

Review by Ursula Avery

Worth The Scandal by Karen Erickson

Worth The Scandal by Karen Erickson

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Blurb:

"Strictly business? Try telling that to her heart..."

"Worth It, Book 1"

Alexander Worth, President and CEO of Worth Luxury Goods, is a man never to be crossed. His unwavering sense of responsibility to the family business requires him to always be in complete and utter control. Until it comes to Tessa Crawford.

She's quietly professional, shy, voluptuous...and she works for him. Which means she is the one woman he must never touch, no matter how hard his gut twists with need for her.

After rising above her disadvantaged childhood, Tessa knows the last thing she should do is risk throwing it all away by falling into bed with her sexy boss. But on an extended European business trip, all self-imposed barriers burn away in the heat of their sizzling chemistry.

Once back home, though, whispers of corporate espionage turn into full-blown scandal-and Tessa finds out the hard way where Alex's loyalties lie. Determined to soldier on, she picks herself up and carries on with a secret, yet welcomed burden. Never guessing that Alex will make a reappearance in her life, ready to show her once and for all that family does, indeed, come first.

Warning: Contains a sweet-yet-strong woman, and a bossy alpha male brought to his knees by the woman he desperately loves. Involves enough begging and groveling that the reader may be tempted to "accidentally" leave it for her significant other to "find." For instructional purposes only, of course

Review:

 

I can't begin to tell you how I loved this book. But I am sure going to try. I knew going in that Alex was going to make me want to slap his handsome, arrogant face. Ms. Erickson did not disappoint! I was drawn into this book and wasn't able to put it down until I finished. (Thanks a lot Karen for the super late night and long ass day at work that followed.)

The drama, the emotion, and the sex! All the intensity! I loved it. We also got a satisfying glimpse of the other two Worth brothers. I just know their stories are going to be equally fantastic.

In the scene where Alex fires Tessa, as she is riding the elevator down, I was there. I could literally picture her doing the slow slide down the wall and the expression on the security guard's face when those doors opened. I was right there with Tessa, feeling like the world had just ended for her. Ms. Erickson has a way of writing a scene, in fact the whole book, so that you are right there. You ARE Tessa. My heart wrenched and tears threatened.

I absolutely love reading books that make me feel the emotions as the character is experiencing them. And Ms. Erickson certainly does not disappoint in this. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Worth It series. The other two brothers are as flawed as Alex and I am especially looking forward to how the author will redeem Rhett Worth. Well done Ms. Erickson!

Review by Ursula Avery

Play Nice by Gemma Halliday

Play Nice by Gemma Halliday

AMAZON: Play Nice

BARNES & NOBLE: Play Nice

Blurb:

 

She faked her death to escape life as an assassin. But now her enemies have tracked her down, and this time they want her to stay dead.

Anya Danielovich was a highly-trained killing machine in her former life. But that was a long time ago. Today she's just Anna Smith - a single, thirtysomething woman living in San Francisco with an undemanding day job, a loving, if dim-witted, dog, and a simple desire to lead a simple better life. But she's still haunted by her past - the people she killed, the mentor she betrayed, the woman she was. She's taken care to cover her tracks, but she's beginning to feel like she's being watched...
 

 

Nick Dade is a hired gunman, the best of the best. He's read Anya's file inside-out and, after weeks of surveillance, he's ready to pull the trigger...until someone else beats him to the punch. With his agenda shattered, Nick suddenly finds himself thrown together with the woman he's been sent to eliminate. Who is she really? Who hired the second hit? And who can he trust? Together Nick and Anna find themselves embroiled in a web of deceit and desire as an unknown enemy - one with dangerous ties to Anna's former life, and a present-day political assassination - closes in. To unravel the truth, Anna must face her past even if that means risking both Dade's life and her own...for good this time.

Review:

I got an advance copy of this story to review and boy am I ever glad! I have been a huge Gemma Halliday fan since I picked up the very first book in the High Heels Mystery series. So when I had the chance to read her latest, I jumped at it.

A total departure from the zany, friend-centric stories in the High Heels series, Play Nice is a non-stop thrill ride from page one. The story of an assasin trying to leave her former life behind is full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book was really high voltage and I found myself reading faster and faster, both in an effort to keep up with the super fast action and to find out what was going to happen next.

Of course, you can not write a review about this book and not mention the explosive chemistry between Anna and Nick. The sparks fly fast and furious with these two. All this despite the fact that he was sent to kill her and she will do anything to get away.I am trying really hard to be careful what I say so as not to give anything away.

When I got done reading this story, I felt as though I had run a marathon. The fast pace and plot twists left me feeling mentally exhausted and satisfied all at the same time. This story was fantastic and I can not wait to see what happens next in this series! I can't say it any stronger than this: Go buy the book. Now. I see you still sitting there. Get going! It is seriously worth it.

Review by Ursula Avery

Sweetest Seduction by K.B. Alan

Sweetest Seduction by K.B. Alan

Amazon: Sweetest Seduction
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Blurb:
Val’s been Keith’s accountant for nearly a year. She dreams about his body pressed against hers, but there’s no need to let him in on that fact. The hunky photographer spends his days with beautiful models, there’s absolutely no way she can compete. Even if he has been throwing hints her way. She’s satisfied with her vibrator and her daydreams of her favorite client. Mostly.Keith is done trying to sweet-talk his accountant into going out with him. It’s Valentine’s Day, and knowing Val, she doesn’t have any plans beyond putting in a full day’s work. No more asking nicely, he’s just going to plan the day his way and pull her along until she gets with the program. He’s sure a proper date will help Val realize he’s just the man she needs. And a proper date includes lots of touching. And exploring. And toys of a battery-operated nature.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story. It was cute and sweet and kept my attention from the start. I liked how determined Keith is to win Val over. He really likes her and it showed in all the effort he put into making sure thay have the perfect first date. He manages to win her over despite herself. The author has penned a wonderful, sexy, romantic story that reminds me why I love reading. It is the perfect short story to get your mind off life and on hot steamy sex. Oh and romance. *g*

Review by Ursula Avery

Western Ties by Jayne Rylon & Mari Carr

Western Ties by Jayne Rylon & Mari Carr   Buy Amazon:Western Ties

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Blurb:

Compass Brothers, Book 4

Leah Hollister’s sex life needs a swift kick in the pants. Small-town Compton Pass, though, isn’t the place to explore her need for bondage. When she gets an invitation to a BDSM party out in LA, she wastes no time booking a flight.

Her plan to play anonymously is shot to hell when she runs into high-school crush Sawyer Compton—and he lays immediate claim to her.

Sawyer Compton commands total control, in and out of the bedroom. He never thought Leah could handle his darker urges, but one look at the white bracelet that marks her as a sub ripe for the picking, and he knows exactly how this night is going to end. With Leah in his bed.

Leah didn’t expect to enjoy the comfort Sawyer’s familiarity brings, even as his touch takes her to unimaginable heights of pleasure. When bad news from home sends him reeling, she’s more than prepared to offer him anything he needs: her body, her friendship. Even her heart—if Sawyer can loosen the reins over his own to accept her love.


Product Warnings
Invest in tissues. Lots and lots of tissues. Between spicy, set-the-sheets-on-fire bondage romps and the last Compass brother coming home, you'll need them.

Review:

The following review contains some spoilers...Leave now if you don't want to read them.


This book was the culmination of a four book series. You really have to read them all in order because there are parts of them that are all happening at the same time.

That being said, if you have read the first three books, you knew a little bit of what was going to happen in this one. Knowing it was going to happen and reading it are two different things.

This book blew me away. Of course I bawled. Last chance to leave before the spoilers...

Still with me?




(Spoiler ALERT)



This was a wonderful end to the series. Finally we get to know Sawyer. I have to say, I was really pissed for him. I thought the way the brothers kept JD's illness from him was selfish and while they had what seemed like good motives, when it comes to loved ones, sometimes that just makes it worse. Of course I knew eventually that he would forgive them, but I felt like he gave in too easily. I was mad for him and wanted them to suffer just a little longer. Of course each of them has been suffering in their own ways in each of the books.

Leah was the perfect choice for Sawyer. In the beginning we get a chance to get to know her and how she relates to Sawyer. The dynamic of their relationship is colored by their past acquaintance. She is a rock for Sawyer when he needs her most and proves time and time again that she is more than a match for the fourth Compass brother. No matter what her own personal demons, she never lets them get in the way of being there for him.

So we all knew that this was THE END of the series. This book was a wonderful, moving, sad and uplifting book. We all knew that JD was going to die and that it would most likely happen in this book. There was way too much build up for it not to be going that way. But Holy Hannah, the authors could not have written a more dignified or moving death of a character. I knew it was going to be sad, I knew others had cried. I was prepared. Still I found myself, lying in bed, reading this book with tears silently coursing down my face.

The fact that I am reading this one day after my Uncle succumbed to a 20+ year battle with Leukemia just yesterday, probably didn't help. Oh hell, here I go again. I can't say any more.

You must read this book, but above all you must read the entire series. It is a moving portrayal of the kind of family everyone wishes they had. And for four books, you do. You will feel like this IS your family while reading this series.  

Reviewed by Ursula Avery