CARNAL KNOWLEDGE by Celeste Anwar
Description: When sassy Kaeli collides with Cajun Lycan, Navarre Lyssandro, it’s chemistry at first sight. If they can survive the vampires who are out to get Navarre, they just might make it work. The Good: Really good action scenes. Kaeli was very sassy and Navarre was very sexy with clever claws that extended (kind of like Wolverine’s). Also, gotta love a Cajun accent. The Bad: Though I liked the characters, there was no time to get to know or care about them. And though the story has really good bones, it was clumsily executed. It felt like getting an outline as opposed to a fully fleshed out short. Also, see the Editing section. The Naughty: Steamy. Explicit language. Editing issues: Weird indents in places. Incorrect capitalization in places....
SHIRA by Tressie Lockwood
Description: Shira narrowly escapes an abusive relationship, only to find herself in the lair of much more dangerous, not to mention grumpy, predator — a leopard shifter named Max. But could this strange relationship eventually turn into love? The Good: I respected Shira’s desire to get out of her abusive relationship, and cheered for her to do so. Also, I liked that she had an even better relationship with Max’s leopard than the hero himself. The Bad: Great obstacles are set up, only to be somewhat clumsily surmounted. Max’s initial resistance to a relationship with Shira is overcome with an unexplained change of heart, and the final showdown with the main villain is a little too neat. The Naughty: Erotic. Editing issues: Minor...
LAID BEAR by Eve Vaughn
Description: After a near-fatal collision, Zora Calloway wakes up in the cabin of three sexy bear-shifter cousins determined to claim her as their mate. Goldilocks and the three bears, indeed! The Good: This is a really sexy take on a beloved fairytale. Ms. Vaughn is a master of old-school erotic romance structure, and the sex really drives the story. But she also gives us a really interesting and well-executed mystery — it provides just the right amount of plot. I also loved that the level-headed, somewhat beta bear was in charge, and this word pairing: “awesomely serious.” The Bad: The relationship-building gets a little lost in the fray of thick sexual tension during the first half of the book. And Heath and Logan often read as alike, as...
THE NAUGHTY SINS OF A SAINT by Tiana Laveen
Description: When Saint, a dynamic, Egyptian-Asian motivational speaker meets Xenia, a popular radio show host, it’s chemistry at first sight. But can this couple clear a whole bunch of hurdles, including their often clashing strong wills, Saint’s mystical roots, Xenia’s disapproving family, and Saint’s many enemies? The Dilemma: I’m at a lost as to how to give this novel a proper review, and I don’t even know how I’d figure out how to give it any kind of letter grade. It’s an epic, polarizing book, and it has many qualities that people will either love or hate. For example… Saint: Saint is a fascinating hero, an engaging speaker who keeps it real and speaks his mind. Even if you don’t agree with what he...
CLAIMING SHAYLA (True Mates) by Zena Wynn
Description: When Shayla flees Refuge, North Carolina after an intense mating session with Rory McFelan, she thought she was done with the alpha of the Sparrowhawks. But as it turns out, she has to go back for her favorite cousin’s wedding. Also, she’s pregnant. And perhaps most importantly of all, Rory isn’t at all prepared to let her go. The Good: As always, Ms. Wynn’s excels at introducing really hot sex into unique situations. There’s a lot going on in this book plot-wise: a rip-roaring romance, a meaty family mystery, and some seriously hardcore sex. Ms. Wynn really goes there — so sensitive readers, be warned. I was worried at points by how many balls she had going up in the air, but somehow she manages to juggle them and...
SEDUCED BY THE WOLF by Zena Wynn
Description: Von Washington has a secret: she has never stopped being pen pals with Master Sergeant Sean Jacobson, the former army buddy of her controlling fiancé. But when Sean comes to town several secrets will be revealed, including that he’s a werewolf! The Good: This is great read with exceptional storytelling, gasp-out-loud twists and turns, and hot, hot, HOT sex. I loved how the author dealt with Sean’s ongoing struggles to control his wolf. And Von’s cousin is awesome. She made me want to call up my favorite cousin for a long overdue chat. The Bad: The epilogue feels tacked on and rushed. The Naughty: Erotic. Women struggling with sexuality. Sexual situations depicted with two different men. Editing issues: 7 typos found....
HAVEN by Nia K. Foxx
Description: As a shifter, who can’t shift, Ashlei Preen has pretty much given up on love — that is, until the new sexy shifter sheriff catches her scent. The Good: I really liked the premise of a shifter who couldn’t shift living in a town of shifters. The sex was very hot, and fans of shifter romances will appreciate the primal details. There were also some really funny comedic moments and the town’s residents are a hoot. The Bad: As much as I loved the premise, the story was weighed down by a really resistant, really insecure heroine, who isn’t given believable motivation. Her stubborn refusal to believe that the hero was truly interested in her was baffling and made for a frustrating read. I also didn’t understand the class...
TAKEN BY A NYMPH by Lizzie Lynn Lee
Description: Nymph Prince Avaran de Charmange is having a terrible time finding a wife, which he needs in order to take his rightful place on the Surian throne, but then he encounters plus-sized beauty, Raine Jackson. The Good: Well, I just loved that the heroine was a plus-sized, plain jane nurse divorcee. This story is funny, has good pacing, and also has good stakes and action. On another note, I really enjoyed Ms. Lee’s bio. The Bad: The novella suffers from a lack of romantic conflict, though it’s well set-up for such. In the end, the hero has a great arc, but the couple does not. The Naughty: Erotic. Explicit language. Tons of hot sex. Older woman, younger man. Editing issues: 5 typos found. Publisher: Indie Length: 61 pages Final Grade: B Click...
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