Double Dragons by Terry Bolryder ~ Review

Title: Double Dragons (Dragons of New York #1)
Author: Terry Bolryder
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Menage
Length: 127 Pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: June 1, 2015
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 1
Heat Rating: 5
Reviewed by: Laurie

They're hot as fire, and if you mess with their mate, you're bound to get burned.

Draven and Ran are dragon shifters, the fire-breathing enforcers of the shifter world. The ones they call when things go wrong. Strong, sexy and wealthy, the only thing the two partners are missing is a mate to share it all with. But that's tricky in the dragon world and after years of searching, the dragons have basically given up. That is, until a sexy, reckless human librarian lands in their path during a mission.

Melissa knows she would have been in hot water had the two handsome, powerful and mysterious men not showed up to save her butt from a group of violent men. Still, when her rescuers take her back to their New York loft, she's confronted by a mystery she never expected. Dragons and other shapeshifting creatures exist. And these dragons are definitely hotblooded.

But as the sexy dragons show Melissa all the perks of being their mate, Melissa is also uncovering the dangerous secrets of the dragon world. If she isn't willing to risk everything, their chances at a happily ever after might just go up in flames.

I am just going to be plain and simple here. If you truly want a good M/F/M ménage story, then I would suggest you move along and don’t bother buying this one. There is no world building, no character development and as for the sex, well that wasn’t hot either. The heroine has never had sex with a man before and their first time she takes them both by double penetration, no joke. The way the book stands now, it's just not enough there to enjoy.

I would rather pay more and get a well-developed book.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Growl Anthology - Review

Title: Growl Anthology
Author: Eve Langlais, Kate Douglas, A.C. Arthur
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 597 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: January 6, 2016
Source: Publisher/Author Request
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: 5
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

In Legal Wolf's Mate, taking on a pro bono murder case isn't a problem for a lawyer who enjoys a challenge. Discovering his new client is his mate? A tad more complicated. Gavin has no intention of settling down, especially not with a woman accused of murder, but once he sets eyes on Megan, his fate is sealed.

In The Alpha's Woman, Kira Radney is all delicious curves and strong will and has no desire to be a subservient mate. When a member of her father's pack attempts to make her his mate by force, Kira has no choice but to flee. The last thing she wants is to submit to any male and their pack. But when her escape attempt leads her straight into the arms of an alpha wolf—a sexy, dangerous, protective alpha—Kira must fight against her need to be free, and her secret desire to be controlled...

In Feral Passions, what better place for an adventurous woman to explore her wild side than a luxurious resort in northern California's beautiful Trinity Alps? Especially when that resort is run by sexy werewolves looking for mates—Feral Passions Resort, where fantasies come true.

Legal Wolf by Eve Langlais was fun and light-hearted in way that only Eve can be when we have a woman being framed for murder and someone trying to kill her. Gavin and Megan are quite an interesting couple. A lawyer and a secretary framed for murder aren't what I would normally expect in a werewolf romance. But together they are a riot and are quite a cute couple. The dialog between them is fun and humorous. But, there are quire a few surprises in store. Megan throws a doozy at you and it makes me love her even more! The cherry on top was Broderick - a mouthy cat that gives us a chance to see Gavin in all his alpha goodness.

Feral Passions is quite the exclusive resort. Will someone please buy me a week's stay there?!?! Cherry is a lucky woman - taken to Feral Passions by her sister and her sister's friend. Where they get to enjoy a week vacation being waiting on by super-hot guys (that may or may not be werewolves) in a remote forest preserve. Heaven! I really love how Cherry changed throughout the story. The wolves are there for her to help boost her confidence and give her a new outlook on her life. Warning - this is the highest sexual rating in the anthology including menage - but it was soooo much fun. I felt like I was part of Cherry's world and now I really want to go back and visit again. Bonus: there's a side romance that runs through the background that is really great, too!

The Alpha's Woman was almost non-stop action and excitement. There's a strong tie to Greek mythology in this one that I really enjoyed. Being able to learn the history of the race of Lycans was just an amazing touch that really brought the story to life. Kira is on the run from her past and to her destiny, but she just doesn't know it. Blaeze was so very interesting. I loved hearing him talk about the history of his family. Blaeze and Kira are both something very special and unique - but I'll let you find out what exactly. Both are alpha's and watching them square off against each other was really great and led to some fantastic dialog and scenes.

Growl is an amazing mix of stories - all featuring really fun werewolf men. Each book is a very different tale that was exciting and sexy and so much fun to read.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Without Restraint by Angela Knight - Review

Title:  Without Restraint (Southern Shields #1)

Author: Angela Knight

Source: Public Library

Genre: Erotic Romantic Suspense

Length: 336 pages

Publisher:  Berkley

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Reviewed by: Artemis

Rating –  5 Stars

Sexual –  5 Flames

The first novel in the explosive new Southern Shield series from New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight explores the intoxicating games between a female cop and a Navy SEAL—and the killer instincts of a secret enemy watching every move they make. 

Atlanta deputy Alexis Rogers and Navy SEAL Frank Murphy know all about power and restraint, necessary force, and pushing their limits. When they meet in the darkness of a BDSM club, their skills are put to use. With each successive night comes a new adrenaline rush, and while they’re falling into something perilously close to love, their games are still too private, too extreme, and too daring ever to be exposed.

But their intimate lives are upended when a fellow deputy of Alex’s is killed. It’s not a tragic hazard of the job. It’s cold-blooded murder. And he’s not the last to be taken out. Now Alex and Frank have found themselves more vulnerable than ever—and exposed to a killer with a twisted vendetta who turns desire into the most dangerous sensation of all.

WOW! What a ride! Ms. Knight delivers a suspenseful BDSM erotic romance with very powerful leading characters. This is not your usual "slap & tickle" erotic romance. Without Restraint offers the reader so much more than a billionaire with a hidden room. It opens with a wicked dungeon scene!

The romance is very erotic; not dark, but some may find it a bit harsh. Because of their employment and positions in the small southern community, all of the kinky couples/characters in this story need to keep their sexual activities hidden from prying eyes. Well damn, that didn't last long and mayhem ensues - makes for a damn good story too!

One (of the many) things I really liked about this book was the way Ms. Knight explained different BDSM terms, lifestyles, attitudes, etc., within the story without getting too technical or bogging it down. A reader new to erotic romance will appreciate the information; whereas, another may learn something new.

Oh wait, I was wrong. The other thing I really, REALLY liked: Someone used the safeword - RED 

Goodreads - Amazon - B&N - iBooks

Review: Jealous and Freakn' (Freakn' Shifters #2) by Eve Langlais

Title: Jealous and Freakn' (Freakn' Shifters #2)
Author: Eve Langlais
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Menage
Length: Novel
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 3
Sexual - 5

Francine’s loved Mitchell, a wolf like herself, since she first set

eyes on him back when they were just kids. However, Mitchell’s never seen her as more than another annoying sister. Determined to make him realize she’s all grown up, she enlists the aide of Alejandro, a gorgeous cat shifter. She never counted on wanting them both.

Alejandro knows Francine is special from the first moment he meets the fiery plump wolf, which is why he suggests she use him to make Mitchell jealous. A great plan, especially if it means getting to kiss those luscious lips. One taste though, and he’s addicted, but how does he make her see past the man she loves to realize she’s also meant to be his mate.

For a long time now Mitchell’s been running from Francine, certain she’s mistaken that their destiny’s lie together. However, the little girl he remembers is all grown up, and when he sees her in the arms of another, a need to claim her overrides all his common sense. But, he’s waited too long and fate has decided that he’s going to have to share. Can he bend enough to accept Francine and another man, or will his jealousy keep him freakn’?

Oh, Francine I loved you so much.  Your mouth, your foul language and off-colored jokes had me laughing and enjoying the dialog you shared with everyone.  You were full of energy and I loved that you knew what you wanted and would do everything in your power get it.  Alejandro - you were one sexy cat and I'd adopt you in a heartbeat.  I loved your attitude and willingness to give the wolf you were falling for anything and everything she needed to be happy.  But Mitchell, you naughty pup.  Your jealousy was just a bit too much for me.  It took you far too long to admit how you felt to yourself and even then you were a bit selfish and just didn't want to share.  Shame on you for making her wait for so long and then making her feel bad because she loved you both.

As you can see, the characters are really what captivated me in Jealous and Freakn'.  Francine was amazing - I want to see more of her.  I can see why she would need two men to keep her occupied.  I really loved Alejandro as well, but Mitchell - he just seemed like such a jerk!  He was down right mean to Francine at times and his actions cause a lot of trouble.  I almost wanted him to get let down and not end up with the girl.

In the long run, Eve fixed all her people up quite nicely and I was very happy with the ending - but getting there was a little more rough for me in this one.  I just don't think I like the way jealousy looks on one of the main guys.   We get to have a couple bad guys in this book that you just love to not like.  And Eve dishes out some wonderful poetic justice to them in the end that I loved.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Other Posts for Eve Langlais' Freakn' Shifters Series

Review: Delicate Freakn' Flower
Review: Delicate Freakn' Flower

Review: Already Freakn' Mated

Review: Jungle Freakn' Bride

Review: Human and Freakn'

Review: Freakn' Cougar

Review: Pirate Dave and His Randy Adventures by Robyn Peterman

Title: Pirate Dave and His Randy Adventures (Handcuffs and Happily Ever Afters #1.5)
Author: Robyn Peterman
Source: Amazon Freebie
Genre: Spoof - PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE
Length: Novella
Release Date: May 22, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 5

** Special Note from Author Robyn Peterman ** This is a spoof. A profane romance
spoof not meant for anyone under 18. I was threatened lovingly and repeatedly by my readers to write the full version of Pirate Dave. He was born of the need to create a horrific career ending romance novel to destroy a really bad, nasty villainess . . . and Thank you Buddha in a tube top, it worked! I laughed my way through writing this and I hope you will enjoy this small slice of my warped brain. NO, this is not what I normally write, but I certainly had a good time penning it! If you want to read the real romance story, you’ll have to peruse HOW HARD CAN IT BE? You’ll find the first three chapters at the end of the hot mess you’re about to read . . . And now, I give you the career ending novella, (hopefully not mine) otherwise known as PIRATE DAVE AND HIS RANDY ADVENTURES.

After all was said and done, the disgusting novella meant to destroy a story stealing New York Time’s best-selling author’s career was successful. Rena Gunderschlict, an accountant with no discernible literary talent, and her band of adorable porno writing grannies came up with the worst piece of literature, (and I use that word loosely), that was ever written. Amazingly enough, it became a cult classic. Who in the hell knew there was an underground need to know and love a Time-Traveling Vampire Warlock with erectile dysfunction and his conjoined lady loves, Laverne and Shirley?

Apparently the need is there and now so is the full version of their story .

This book will make absolutely no sense unless you have read book one - which was beyond amazing!

How Hard Can It Be (Handcuffs and Happily Ever Afters #1): Review

What can I say - Pirate Dave & His Randy Adventures was as horribly awful as I expected - it was beyond hilarious and can totally see why it was a career killing novel.  Seeing the whole story in one piece makes me love How Hard Can It Be even more.  Please keep in mind that this book has done exactly what it was supposed to.  It wasn't supposed to be a work of serious literature (or possible be considered literature at all).  It is a spoof at it's best and I laughed the whole way through.

You must all go and read book one (which is a really amazing romantic comedy) so can chuckle along with me when you read this one.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: THE PAYMENT SERIES by Cassandra Carr

THE PAYMENT SERIES (Prized, Possessed, Purgatory)

Author - Cassandra Carr

Source:  Provided by the author for an honest review

Genre:  Erotica (Consensual Non Consent)

Length:  Written as a three part Serial

Reviewed by:  Cynthia (Artemis)

Rating - 2

Sexual - 5

Catrina Carter is in over her head. Way over her head. She’s in debt and, short of bankruptcy, which wouldn’t happen fast enough to pay the creditors nipping at her heels, Catrina has few choices. Eviction is coming any day, and even though she traded in her great car for a “more affordable” model, it's about to be repossessed too. Catrina goes to Debt Management Associates, or DMA, for help. The cost for DMA's help is something she never thought she could pay, but out of options, Catrina agrees to serve a man who pays her debt in full, and begins training in how to please him. Jared. Her new benefactor. He is tasked with helping Catrina get her life back on track, in addition to taking his pleasure with her and ordering her to oblige friends, colleagues, and even total strangers sexually on his whim.When Catrina leaves the DMA program after her one year term of service, will she be able to keep the lessons Jared literally spanked into her topmost in her mind, or will old habits rear their designer heads?

Individual blurbs:

Prized: The Payment series, part 1

After agreeing to a one-year term of service with a benefactor who can pay her debt, Catrina Carter begins training in how to please a man. But will a benefactor be willing to spend such an astronomical sum—one hundred and fifty thousand dollars—just to have her for a year? She’s about to find out.

Possessed: The Payment series, part 2

Jared, Catrina’s “benefactor”, has agreed to pay off her debt in exchange for one year of service to him. In addition to taking his own pleasure with her, Jared offers Catrina to friends, colleagues, and even total strangers on his whim. But it’s not all fun and pleasure for Jared. As part of the agreement, he’s tasked with helping Catrina get her life back on track. He’ll succeed even if he has to spank every piece of financial information into her, and he finds he just might have to do that.

Purgatory: The Payment series, part 3

Catrina has finished her year-long term of service to Jared, her benefactor, who paid all her debt off. Now she’s on her own again. Will she be able to keep the lessons Jared literally spanked into her topmost in her mind, or will old habits rear their designer heads.

Poor Catrina.  She's a silly girl who likes trendy clothes, a trendy car, lives in a trendy neighborhood, but doesn't have the income to support her spendthrift ways.  When her girlfriend tells her about DMA, she jumps at the chance to find a quick fix to her money problems.  Unfortunately, the featherbrained twit has no idea what she is getting herself into and would have been better off filing bankruptcy.  Instead to have her debt wiped clean, she signs a contract to serve as a sex slave for one year - no questions asked.  Tacked on to the year is the training she must endure before and the months of "follow-up" after her year of service is completed. 

At the auction, Jared antes up and pays off Catrina's debt (and then some; so she will have a "little extra" in the bank when her term of service is finished).  Jared takes his duties very seriously as Catrina's "benefactor" ensuring she is "regularly spanked as per program guidelines."  The majority of Catrina's learning and training was performed on her knees servicing and being available to Jared and others.

THE PAYMENT SERIES is hard-core erotica.  There are no fairytales here, lusty sex scenes or love.  The purpose of Catrina's service is because she "couldn't control her spending."  Some of what you will find are numerous spankings with various implements, gang bangs, anal sex, oral sex, ATM, humiliation, and a machine. At times, the scenes became repetitive and boring, and I didn't really think they served a purpose. Catrina's ass was "reddened" each and every day, often many times a day - it's a wonder she didn't have permanent physical damage.

Finally, Catrina's year of sexual servitude has cum to an end...she's free!  Jared did his utmost best teaching Catrina about finances and how to be financially responsible.  And now the DMA are kind enough to obtain new employment for her.   **Unfuckinbelievable**  That did it...they're all TSTL.

Review Sci-Fi romance Camille's Capture by Evanne Lorraine

Title: Camille’s Capture

Author:  Evanne Lorraine

Source: Author request

Genre: Sci-Fi Erotic M/M/F and M/F/M Romance

Length: Novella

Rating: 3 1/2

Sexual Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Laurie 

Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.

Warning: This story contains two searing hot alpha males and a sweet, but very determined and lushly curved woman. There’s also plenty of violence, red-hot sex, alien naked naughty bits, male/male intimacy and multiple partner interludes.  

Camille’s Capture is a hot Erotic Romance that will leave you panting for more.

It’s amazing to me how many readers has this labeled erotica because it not. Camille Capture has a plot and romance with a Happy Ever After, so it’s Erotic Romance. I loved the story behind Camille is a breeder but she fails to get pregnant after several tries on Earth so she is set to a different planet to find warriors. I enjoyed the back story about Aegis and how he deals with the issue of his best friend truing to be his lover.

You’ll find some very hot M/M/F and M/F/M sex. Both males goes both ways so there is something for every erotic story lover. Beware if you don’t like anal sex because there is lots of it. I have to give the author kudos she as has a very good imagination, the way she describes the Aegis as a demon is very vivid. I will say this he is built for sex;)

The downside for me was Camille is a virgin and to be able to take on these guys without more preparation just wasn’t believable. At first she didn’t want to stay with them and this lasted for a while then all all the sudden it wasn’t a problem  for her to be with them and she was even helping them stay together. I don’t mind that the sudden change but I like to know why the character changes suddenly.

I recommend this one to those that loves a good hot sci-fi adventure. 

Review: The Young and the Submissive (The Doms of Her Life #2) by by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl

Title: The Young and the Submissive (The Doms of Her Life #2)
Author: Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl
Genre: Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: October 29th 2013
Reviewed by: Ollie

Rating - 3
Sexual - 5

Raine Kendall has everything a woman could want…almost. Sexy, tender Dom Liam O’Neill is her knight in shining armor, but Raine is constantly pinching herself. Is he too good to be true or is this growing connection one that could last a lifetime? She’s constantly torn by her abiding feelings for her commanding boss, Macen “Hammer” Hammerman, especially in the wake the mind-blowing night he cast aside the barriers between them and ravaged every inch of her body.

Hammer, Liam’s former best friend, can’t stop coveting Raine. But Liam is determined to hold and guide the woman he loves and see if she can be the submissive of his dreams. However, he’s finding that her trust is hard won and he needs a bloody crowbar to pry open her scarred soul. So he risks everything to win her once and for all. But once he’s put his daring plan in motion, will it cost Liam his heart if he loses Raine to Hammer for good?

Ok I gave in and decided to read book 2 of Doms of her Life despite how the first book ended with me feeling let down. Sometimes you see a train wreck and you can't help to look and find out what is happening and with these characters I couldn't look away from these train wrecked people and I wish I did.

Book 2 continues where Book 1 left off with Raine trying to sort out her feelings for the two men in her life who have come to mean so much to her. Unfortunately, she is unable to see that her inability to give herself completely to either one of them is tearing the men apart from the inside out.

The issue that I continue to have with Raine is she has these two men who are trying to help her to get over her barriers and help her be able to “submit” and become a submissive, but I don't see her as being a submissive at all. I see Raine as an immature woman who is confused and doesn't have the maturity to know what is involved to be in a committed relationship as she continues to break their trust and commitments made. Again I don't feel that she is trying to “train” to be a submissive or wants to be a submissive, just wants to get what she wants.

By the time I reached the end of the book, I had to force myself to finish it as I felt Raine's selfish needs were all about her and did not take into consideration the two men's feelings and how much it was tearing them apart. As Doms I can see how they are trying to take care of her “needs” but in return a submissive obtains pleasure is seeing the pleasure that she gives to a Dom for giving up her gift of control to him. In this case it is not reciprocal because it leaves one of the Dom's questioning his ability to take care of her needs and his difficulty in dealing with the pain building in his heart.

Book 2 is another one of those books that makes me question should I continue with book 3 as the book ends without a happily ever after or even a happy for now. Again the inconsistencies in what the characters say and do in one part of the book to the other leaves me frustrated at times though I don't think in a good way.

Review Freakn' Cougar by Eve Langlais

Title: Freakn' Cougar (Freakn' Shifters #6)
Author: Eve Langlais
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Reviewed by Laurie
Rating: 4
Sexual Rating: 5

Someone’s killing shifters in prison, and Patricia needs help catching the culprit. The

cougar enlists the help of Stu and Ricky, a techno geek and a reformed criminal, a mismatched pair, who turn out to also be her mates. But Patricia’s already loved and lost one man Does she dare allow herself to care again? Older isn’t just wiser, it’s sexier, or at least that’s what a socially challenged wolf and a bad boy panther think. Forced to work together to catch a killer, Stu and Ricky soon find out they’ll have to learn to do more than tolerate each other when they realize a hot forty-something feline is their mate. Can they find a way to work together and make their cougar purr?

Review

One thing you can count on is Eve delivering a great ménage story. Heck, I love her ménages so much she could writes these stories all freaking day and I would make sure I was planted right in front of her with my hands out ready to gobble up the next one. LOL

Freakin’ Cougar is a bit different than other books by Eve. You still get the same great snarky, humorous storylines but this time around you get a real Cougar lady (meaning older lady with a much younger man) in the mix and the setting is mostly in a prison. Prison? How in the heck can someone have a romance in a prison, you say? Well, it’s just one you have to read to find out how well it worked for these three.

What I liked best about the story is the heroine is over 30. Yep, me being over 40 I get sick and tired of reading characters under 25. This is one of the main reasons I read indie published books because they don't have to follow traditional publishing rules, that characters has to be under 25.

Great characters along with a different storyline. I recommend this story to anyone who reads romance. I know some of you don’t like reading PNR but believe me Eve doesn’t create large PNR worlds that will just blow your mind. I myself call her books more along the lines of contemporary romance with some paranormal added. So, don’t be scared, if you love snarky characters, funny storylines then please give this whole series a try.

Can this be read as a standalone? Yes
Sexual warnings: Double penetration

Review: The Young and the Submissive (The Doms of Her Life #2) by by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl

Title: One Dom to Love (The Doms of Her Life #1)
Author: Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl Genre: Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: October 29th 2013
Reviewed by: Ollie

Rating - 3
Sexual - 5

Raine Kendall has everything a woman could want…almost. Sexy, tender Dom Liam O’Neill is her knight in shining armor, but Raine is constantly pinching herself. Is he too good to be true or is this growing connection one that could last a lifetime? She’s constantly torn by her abiding feelings for her commanding boss, Macen “Hammer” Hammerman, especially in the wake the mind-blowing night he cast aside the barriers between them and ravaged every inch of her body.

Hammer, Liam’s former best friend, can’t stop coveting Raine. But Liam is determined to hold and guide the woman he loves and see if she can be the submissive of his dreams. However, he’s finding that her trust is hard won and he needs a bloody crowbar to pry open her scarred soul. So he risks everything to win her once and for all. But once he’s put his daring plan in motion, will it cost Liam his heart if he loses Raine to Hammer for good?

Ok I gave in and decided to read book 2 of Doms of Her Life despite how the first book ended with me feeling let down. Sometimes you see a train wreck and you can't help to look and find out what is happening and with these characters I couldn't look away from these train wrecked people and I wish I did.

Book 2 continues where Book 1 left off with Raine trying to sort out her feelings for the two men in her life who have come to mean so much to her. Unfortunately, she is unable to see that her inability to give herself completely to either one of them is tearing the men apart from the inside out.

The issue that I continue to have with Raine is she has these two men who are trying to help her to get over her barriers and help her be able to “submit” and become a submissive, but I don't see her as being a submissive at all. I see Raine as an immature woman who is confused and doesn't have the maturity to know what is involved to be in a committed relationship as she continues to break their trust and commitments made. Again I don't feel that she is trying to “train” to be a submissive or wants to be a submissive, just wants to get what she wants.

By the time I reached the end of the book, I had to force myself to finish it as I felt Raine's selfish needs were all about her and did not take into consideration the two men's feelings and how much it was tearing them apart. As Doms I can see how they are trying to take care of her “needs” but in return a submissive obtains pleasure is seeing the pleasure that she gives to a Dom for giving up her gift of control to him. In this case it is not reciprocal because it leaves one of the Dom's questioning his ability to take care of her needs and his difficulty in dealing with the pain building in his heart.

Book 2 is another one of those books that makes me question should I continue with book 3 (The Bold and the Dominant) as the book ends without a happily ever after or even a happy for now. Again the inconsistencies in what the characters say and do in one part of the book to the other leaves me frustrated at times though I don't think in a good way.

Review: One Dom to Love (The Doms of Her Life #1) by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl

Title: One Dom to Love (The Doms of Her Life #1)
Author: Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, Isabella LaPearl Genre: Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: December 4th 2012
Reviewed by: Ollie

Rating - 3
Sexual - 5

Raine Kendall has been in love with her boss, Macen Hammerman, for years. Determined to make the man notice that she’s a grown woman with desires and needs, she pours out her heart and offers her body to him—only to be crushingly rejected. But when his friend, very single, very sexy Liam O’Neill watches the other Dom refuse to act on his obvious feelings for Raine, he resolves to step in and do whatever it takes to help Hammer find happiness again, even rousing his friend’s possessive instincts by making the girl a proposition too tempting to refuse. But he never imagines that he’ll end up falling for her himself.

Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the budding runaway from an alley behind his exclusive BDSM Dungeon, he has come to covet the pretty submissive. But tragedy has taught him that he can never be what she needs. So he watches over her while struggling to keep his distance. Liam’s crafty plan blindsides Hammer, especially when he sees how determined his friend is to possess Raine for his own. Hammer isn’t ready to give the lovely submissive over to any other Dom, but can he heal from his past and fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she truly gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?

When I read the blurb I was really looking forward to reading this book because I felt a real deep connection to female character and felt the turmoil she would be going through the the unrequited love theme, but as I read the book couldn't help myself feeling closer to the Doms and the struggles and barriers they fought through. Be warned this book is not for the faint at heart and will draw a lot of emotions out of the reader.

I am going to be honest I had a difficult time rating this book because there were times the characters really pissed me off and hated them. Whether that makes it a 5 star rating because of the emotions it drew out of me or a 3 stars because I found the author contradicting the characters in various parts of the story or the reasoning made no sense.

Raine is a young woman who has been holding onto a crush on Hammer since he rescued her and took her in, but she wants him to see her as a woman and be his everything. Hammer on the other hand, has been secretly in love with her and instead of finally letting her know now that she is old enough (23) he treats her like a sister because he is afraid she couldn't fulfill all his needs. Now here is where I have a problem with the story. When Liam takes interest in Raine and “claims” her as his Hammer goes ballistic claiming she is his and she is the only woman who makes him feel alive and completes him. Yet throughout the book he claims he doesn't want her because he will not be complete because she will not be able to give him what he wants (Master/slave, total power exchange). Well which is it? Believe me at first I really liked Hammer, but as the story progressed his attitude really got on my nerves and he lost his appeal to me.

Then we have Raine who has, for the first time in her life, an amazing relationship developing with Liam and she knows it and yet she still fights it and destroys it. Yes, I know she has baggage which is affecting her ability to appreciate what she has with Liam and what he is offering to give her, but her inability to open up herself really made me wonder if she really wanted to be a submissive because it would complete her or that is a only role she should be shaped into.

In the end I really felt for Liam and all his heartfelt feelings were being cast aside because of Raine's indecisiveness. Yes, we hear about taking care of her needs and doing what is best for her because that is what a Dom does for his submissive, but the key thing that I felt was missing is a submissive does things because it makes her happy to please her Dom and yet all I kept reading was the misery in between the sexy times which seemed one-sided.

In the end I have to say that the sexy times did help to make up for the parts that drove me crazy, but were not able to extinguish them as the heartaches would pop up right after the fun.

Best of 2013: Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass by Melinda DuChamp

Title: Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass (Fifty Shades of Alice #2)
Author: Melinda DuChamp
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: June 22, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 5
Sexual - 5

FIFTY SHADES OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND WAS JUST THE BEGINNING...
Eighteen year old Alice recently had an unprecedneted erotic experience. But her adventures have only just begun to heat up.

NOW SHE MUST TRAVEL THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS...
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Lewis, Alice enters a strange fantasy world where every pleasure - no matter how kinky - is indulged.

INTO TOTAL ECSTASY!! WITH TWO EXCLAMATION POINTS!!
Alice is subjected to amorous escapades beyond her wildest dreams, and taken to the very limit of her sexual endurance.

During her carnal encounters with all manner of men and woman, she is teased to tears by a bondage master, thoroughly used in a three way, enlightened to the sensual joys of a female touch, taken to a sex shop to test different erotic toys, given several special piercings, and is dragged to the HDO where she must fight the frumious Jabbercocky to save all of Looking Glass Land. And you know what we mean by "fight"...

This is for those with dark desires, who wish to explore erotic excess beyond the plain vanilla of everyday life. Follow Alice through the looking glass, if you dare...

 Some may argue that this is not a romance.  I would argue very differently.  There is a heroine and a hero (even if we don't see a whole lot of him). The couple must overcome an obstacle in order to be together (Alice's closed-mindedness).  And of course there must be a HEA - and is there ever!! 

Alice's adventure begins with her favorite white rabbit again and she is instantly thrust into a new and exciting world.  The book (which is quite glad to be an ebook instead of a regular book you might trip over if it happened to be lying on the floor) is filled with wonderful puns and even occasionally makes a joke at its own expense.  Yes, the book knows it's a book.  The style of writing is priceless and so very much fun to read.  Alice must learn to be more open minded about people before she can become a Queen and return home.

We see a few of our favorite characters: Humpty Dumpty, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and a very unusual version of the Jabberwocky - all presented with their own very unique twist.  If you haven't read this series, I would definitely tell you to add it to your "must read" list.  The only downfall is there was supposed to be a third book that has not yet been released.