Fans of this series will be happy to see maidservant, Mary Whitsun, as our heroine. Raised in the orphanage on Maiden Lane, when Lady Caire wed (from Fans of this series will be happy to see maidservant, Mary Whitsun, as our heroine. Raised in the orphanage on Maiden Lane, when Lady Caire wed (from book one, Wicked Intentions), Mary moved in with them and happily serves. She has a passion for reading and saves her wages for months to venture to the book store to select her next read. It’s there that a very strange thing happens – a gentleman swears she is Lady Cecelia, who was kidnapped along with her twin sister as babies. Joanna, the other sister, was returned, but Cecelia was never found. This man, Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, swears that Mary is Joanna’s twin.
The next day, the entire family comes calling to see what all the fuss is about. They declare Mary to be the missing Cecelia, and they welcome her into the family at once. This is all completely mind-boggling for Mary, as she was content in her little life. Now she is being moved to a grand house, fitted for a new wardrobe and the most shocking of all – she is betrothed. As a baby, her marriage was arranged to Henry! But when she went missing, his marriage then transferred to Joanna. But now Mary is back…and his family wants him wed.
While Henry would have done his duty and married the other sister, Joanna, he doesn’t romantically love her. But, Mary catches his eye and his heart. She is not only beautiful but fiery. While she very politely weaves her way through her new family, she has a passionate temper beneath that he loves. They share a love of books and have no problem conversing and debating. Henry feels like this match could really work. Mary, although not knowing Henry that well, is very physically attracted to him, and quickly comes to enjoy his company.
“I want to learn all of you. I want you to know me in return. When I next kiss you, I want you to welcome my lips like a lover instead of a stranger.”
She inhaled sharply. This was like a waking dream, for this man, this fascinating, handsome aristocrat to speak to her so bluntly.
So passionately.
“Do you want that as well?” He was in front of her now.
“Yes,” she said, opening her eyes to meet his gaze boldly. “Yes, I do.”
This is a novella, so it moves along quite quickly. Given the short amount of pages, we do get to know Henry and Mary quite well. I would have liked their romance to have played out longer. They have nice chemistry but Mary’s life is altered so much and so quickly, more pages devoted to her life-change would have been beneficial.
There is a small suspense plot as well. It’s a fun novella – especially for fans of this series. Once Upon a Christmas Eve comes out next month.
Favorite Quote: "Listen to me, my deadly little pearl. Choose love. Always choose love. If the decision is between love and anything else, choose loveFavorite Quote: "Listen to me, my deadly little pearl. Choose love. Always choose love. If the decision is between love and anything else, choose love."
I haven't read Gail Carriger in so long - fail on my part! I really enjoyed the first few Parasol Protectorate books, and then unfortunately, she fell off my radar. Shame on me. Poison or Protect is an adorable novella, that works well as a stand-alone. It falls in the paranormal/steampunk/historical genre and while it took me a few pages to settle into the prose of this book, it is a fast and adorable read.
Lady Preshea Villentia is known as "The Mourning Star" as she has four dead husbands in the grave. Rumors swirl that she poisoned them all, and Preshea is content to let that rumor go - and is also pretty proud of her title.
Preshea was proud of Mourning Star. It took two dead husbands before they called her anything special at all, and when it stuck through the next two, she knew herself to be infamous. It could have been worse; some of her American counterparts got monikers like Black Widow. Absolutely ghastly.
But as the blurb states, "What society doesn’t know is that all her husbands were marked for death by Preshea’s employer." Oooooh. And her final assignment might look boring on paper, but things turn very interesting. Preshea is a trained assassin, and this employer mentioned, a vampire, sends her to a house party out in the country with two goals: One, to keep the duke, who has passionate political views, and who resides at this house, safe from an assassination attempt. And two, to help the duke remove his daughter's suitor, who he deems to be....unsuitable. Preshea agrees, and off she goes.
Our hero is a huge, growly scottish werewolf. Is there anything better than a growly, scottish werewolf? I think not! He is so cute. He ends up at the same house party for two reasons as well: One, his good friend is the unsuitable suitor, who is a little loud, and talks about topics that aren't really proper, and Gavin goes to help keep his friend, Mr. Jackson in check. It's a hard job:
“My pearl of the sea,” he declared at one point, “I will find for you all the delectables of the briny deep. Have you ever had winkles?”
“Pardon me?” Lady Violet was taken aback.
“Winkles!” said Mr Jackson loudly. “Sea snails, don’t ya know? Like whelks, only smaller. Very tasty. You must try them. Next time I visit the seaside, I shall return with a bouquet of the little creatures.”
“Oh, dear.” Lady Violet was coming over faint.
When they all arrive, witty banter ensues. Preshea has a reputation, and she knows it, and uses it to mingle innocently with the guests, all the while keeping an eye on the duke and try to figure out how to breakup a courtship. As the days progress, Gavin and Preshea start this adorable romance. Preshea has had four husbands who have treated her badly. She considers herself a virgin, because she has never wanted their kisses or sexual advances. Gavin is this huge guy, and she can't help but think the worst of him at first.
He would be no different from the others. His tenderness was a front to hide angry force. He was a soldier and he had killed, like her. Once bare of society's trappings, he would be as demanding as any man, as ignorant of her needs, as cruel in his desire. How dare she want? To forget the past so easily?
But he is so sweet, and so gentle, and when their first kiss does come, it's exactly what Preshea needs:
“Will you be kissing me now?” he wondered.
“Should you like it if I did?”
“Verra much.”
She stood on her tiptoes and braced one hand on his shoulder, the other on his wide chest.
He bent down. He had to; even on her toes she wasn’t tall enough. He waited, though, for her to begin. How did he know how much she needed that patience? How important it was for him not to be just another man who wanted to consume her.
Someone find me a werewolf to kiss, immediately!
Great pacing, great sexual tension, great banter - for a quirky, quick read, pick this one up.
What a romantic story! It starts with adorable letters exchanged between the h/h and then they marry without really knowing each other (which I love).What a romantic story! It starts with adorable letters exchanged between the h/h and then they marry without really knowing each other (which I love). Hero is a blacksmith - shy, awkward. Heroine is adorable. SO good. (I love this entire series in general)...more
I like marriage in trouble books - and this one starts with a 15-year marriage that has gone flat. No spark of sex anymore. So they decide to meet on I like marriage in trouble books - and this one starts with a 15-year marriage that has gone flat. No spark of sex anymore. So they decide to meet on a Friday afternoon at home while their kids are at school to rekindle their physical relationship. And they do...in about the first 10% of this book. The remaining book is just them having sex over and over. There really isn't any emotional drama or growth after the very beginning of this book. It's all magically fixed...then I got bored....more
This is a very powerful novella about two strangers who meet in the middle of the night on the Brooklyn Bridget, both about to commit suicide. Yet theThis is a very powerful novella about two strangers who meet in the middle of the night on the Brooklyn Bridget, both about to commit suicide. Yet they can't let the other jump. So they decide to give each other 24 hours. They both set out to convince the other not to do it - and these 24 hours are so well written by the author. I'm so impressed.
I really enjoy marriage in trouble themed romance books. It is a different dynamic than boy meets girl and fall in love. These books usually have oldeI really enjoy marriage in trouble themed romance books. It is a different dynamic than boy meets girl and fall in love. These books usually have older characters and always seem more…mature. And the pain – oh the pain. I love to torture myself with a very painful book and hope to be rewarded with warmth at the end. Laura Florand does a nice job with this.
Kai and Kurt were once happily married but three consecutive miscarriages put Kai over the edge. It wasn’t just the loss of three babies, but the sever post-partum depression she started to endure. She starts to lash out at Kurt, refusing any help he tries to give her. She feels unworthy to be loved and eventually walks out of the marriage. With no contact from him for a year (maybe even a year and a half) she winds up at her mother in-law’s cabin one winter day. At this point, her and Kurt are still legally married but he did sell the house and quietly put half of the proceeds into her bank account. Kurt shows up at the cabin, as he expects his mother to also come for a meeting. Kai creates food segments for her mother inlaw’s magazine. But the snow starts to fall and Kurt’s mother doesn’t show up. What unfolds is a day of Kurt and Kai coming to terms with the why’s and the how’s and the what’s next.
What really shines in this book is the way Laura Florand gets us really into the characters heads. Especially into Kai’s. We can feel her pain and her anxiety. Florand really goes deep and it’s very raw in some places. Kai feels like she failed everyone and that too much time has passed to try to mend anything. Her anxiety over being alone with Kurt is so palpable. That feeling that it is just too much emotion for Kai to deal with really comes across.
I also think there is a fine line in this book placing all the blame at Kai’s feet. And I’m not saying that is the case. But a lot of it falls on Kai, and I think this author does a nice job with how she delicately works Kurt’s feelings and his past into the story.
On top of all the pain is hope and a calm that eventually settles. And in between the intense pain and the eventual calm are some super sexy sex scenes.
Laura Florand picks up her readers and gently places them into the extremely turbulent, painful lives of these two characters effortlessly. I feel like I’ve been with these two a lot longer than 130 pages.
Last year I read the first book in this series and liked it but didn’t love it. So I’m happy to report The Seduction Hypothesis is super cute and sexyLast year I read the first book in this series and liked it but didn’t love it. So I’m happy to report The Seduction Hypothesis is super cute and sexy. With the trope of a ‘Nerd BDSM romance’ it delivers in both the nerd and BDSM aspects.
Ben and Lindsey were dating and doing great, but then Ben panicked and got confused and dumped Lindsey. Part of the problem was that Ben would notice Lindsey admiring and almost obsessively watching their friend Ivan. Ivan recently became involved with Cami (hero and heroine from book one) and Ivan has a certain quality about him. He is the dominant in his relationship and Lindsey is drawn to that. Not drawn to Ivan himself, but the way he acts in his relationship. Having a bunch of mutual friends, they all find themselves in a RV traveling to BeastCon, a comic book convention.
Lindsey is a big fan of the BDSM comic, Balls ‘n Chain and as Ben knows all that that comic entails. While the BDSM element excites him, he feels guilty if he were to pursue it. Guilt that he would be making Lindsey do things that wouldn’t be appropriately feminist. He is clueless that Lindsey is extremely curious about the BDSM lifestyle and wants to try it. But as he travels with Lindsey and their friends, and finally gets clued in that this is what Lindsey wants, and this is who he will get Lindsey back.
I felt this book has much more romance than book one, yet still encompasses the BDSM and nerd stuff quite well. And, I adored Ivan and Cami in this book (they have quite a big role) while I didn’t love them in their book. Ben is very cute. He breaks up with Lindsey more because he panicked, and now he wants her back so very badly. He decides to try to be the alpha/dominant one, which he likes trying, and Lindsey quite enjoys it too. While they have great fun when Ben introduces BDSM into their relationship, it isn’t a magical cure, which I appreciated. They both realize they enjoy the culture of it, and they both want to explore it more when they get home, but they also slowly work out their overall issues which led to their break-up.
Lindsey has never tried BDSM in public or private, but so wants to try it. When Ben approaches her and tries out his “dominant face” her insides melt. It is just what she needs. She questions whether it is the real Ben coming out or whether it’s all for show because he is at the convention. Their experimenting with it is very sexy indeed.
I also love how darn nerdy everyone is! Ivan is a riot with his extreme scheduling and all the other friends are all nerds as well. I just love a nerd romance y’all. And this one is done well.
Event planner Julianne has a lot of money issues. Her mother is sick, her car is almost dead and she wants to go to school. When a sexy (and very richEvent planner Julianne has a lot of money issues. Her mother is sick, her car is almost dead and she wants to go to school. When a sexy (and very rich) man who saw her at one of her events, offers her half a million dollars to sleep with him for the night, she can’t pass it up.
Keegan made his millions or billions (it’s a lot of “illons”) as a young man with his best friend Erik. They were on top of the world, and on top of many women. They found they loved sharing women, and life was good.
Together, he and Keegan made for one outstanding fucking experience, one they’d perfected after years of practice.
But then one night Erik was at their plant, and there was an explosion, severely burning and scarring Erik. After five facial reconstructions, he is done with trying to fix himself. But he is far from healed. He is a recluse and Keegan feels guilty that Erik was there that night. When Keegan gets wind that there is a woman that Erik is finally showing sexual interest in again, he jumps on the opportunity to get Julianne to their house. As Erik hides in the shadows he watches Keegan and Julianne get very intimate. He can’t hide himself for long, and soon he has to face this beautiful woman with his scars.
This series is broken up into 50ish page serials. Three parts are out, and I’m just going to review all three as one review as they all run together. This is a very erotic story. It starts with sex and the bedroom play rarely lets up. The main gist of the story is that Keegan and Erik want Julianne. Erik has no self confidence due to his scars and Keegan walks around quite angry most of the time, due to everything that has happened the past few years. Julianne embraces Erik and his scars, something that shocks him. I like that she doesn’t run away screaming when she sees him. I’m all for a beauty and the beast trope. I think she embraces it a little too easily. Not just his physical appearance but having sex with two strangers. They go from zero to err…69 real fast.
After an amazing night together, the boys don’t call (it’s the holidays and they are busy) so then there are hurt feelings and such. I guess my main frustration is that Julianne wants this serious relationship so quickly. And Keegan and Erik walk around so intense and pissed off about everything. I wanted them to all just settle down, take a breath and just chill.
But but but – I did have fun reading this. It’s super hot. It’s a little over the top with twitching cocks:
Christ, his cock practically pounded against the zipper in his jeans, he was so hard.
Let the poor guy out! But then this happens….
His cock twitched for at least a minute, as he tried not to breath too heavily to give away his presence.
This author writes really hot books and they are fun to read. There is a building question as to whether the explosion was an accident or not and part three does end with a little “oh really?” moment. If you are looking for something erotic and quick, you might like this these.
When I read the blurb for this one and noticed the hero was a car mechanic for Walmart, I knew I had to try it. That type of hero is very appealing toWhen I read the blurb for this one and noticed the hero was a car mechanic for Walmart, I knew I had to try it. That type of hero is very appealing to me. The first 80% of this book is okay, but the last chapter or so really frustrated me and angered me so much, I can’t recommend this one.
Hope Jones is a photographer that designs romance book covers for a small publisher. She recently has been in a drought though, with a lack of models and no motivation to get a cover done for one of the bigger authors. Going to Walmart with a headache, her car breaks down in the parking lot. Luckily, skilled mechanic Jake Troy is working that day. She actually went to high school with Jake and his sister, but doesn’t remember him very well. They hit it off – Jake gives her a lift home as he works on his car, and eventually they go on a date. They start to fall for each other.
Most of this book was okay. Hope acted a bit immature for my tastes sometimes and Jake really could have had any profession. He didn’t necessarily come off as a car mechanic..more just a hunky guy who has the hots for Hope. The author labeled this as a New Adult, but I disagree. The heroine is in her later twenties and both Hope and Jake are established in their careers.
But then something ridiculous happens at the end that made me want to throw my kindle across the room. I’ll put it under a spoiler tag.
(view spoiler)[While Hope and Jake are having sex her camera accidentally goes off as it falls to the floor or something. This results in a shot of them in the throes of passion (but not explicit in the angle. Pretty damn good for a falling camera shot). Hope is desperate for a cover image so she uses this one, and actually submits it to her publisher without telling Jake. She takes an image of Jake, naked, having sex and SUBMITS IT. What in the world? When Jake finds out, he gets pissed and leaves – the end of story. Ridiculous set-up to this cliffhanger ending.) (hide spoiler)]
So lame cliffhanger ending. Lame way to force conflict into the story. Not a fan....more
I’m so glad I was offered Ruby by Jeffe Kennedy for review. She has a couple of erotic BDSM novellas out with Carina Press, and Ruby is a very sexy, qI’m so glad I was offered Ruby by Jeffe Kennedy for review. She has a couple of erotic BDSM novellas out with Carina Press, and Ruby is a very sexy, quick read. Dani is an assistant editor with a fashion magazine and in New Orleans for a photo shoot. She works hard, long hours and because she works in the fashion industry, starves herself just to keep up with the competition. After a very long work day she falls into a restaurant for a bite to eat. Asking the waiter to adjust her order to have less calories, the chef comes storming out, wanting to know who would dare to ask him to make a meal less than stellar. Dani is no wilting flower and she gets into a heated argument with Bobby Prejean which ends with her leaving.
The next day she happens to see Prejean again, and instead of fighting this time he offers her something else. One night of letting go. Of letting him feed her, show her around town and show her pleasure. Prejean likes to be in control, and he can tell for as wound up as Dani is, she needs to submit.
I sometimes feel burned out with BDSM storylines but this one worked well for me. Most of the book is sex, but I liked the chemistry between Dani and Prejean. He tests her limits, he tests her patience, and at the end, she discovers more of who she is. He is definitely the alpha, dominant one, but he also thoughtful. He does small things that make her realize there is more to him than just tying her up and bringing her orgasms (but really, what more do we need? *grins*)
While I think the couple of days spent with these two are done well, I also think we miss out on really getting to know Prejean well. It’s told in Dani’s point of view, and I feel like we were cheated with Prejean’s story. I pretty much feel like I don’t know anything about him besides his sexual proclivities.
With that being said, I was happy that this book ends with more of a happy for now, rather than an all out, I love you which would have felt very out of place.
While this book is full of sex, the author also really captures the setting of New Orleans. I felt like I was in the courtyards, in restaurants and outside at night walking. I like that the author took her time with the imagery of the town. It plays a big and nice part in the story. Especially with Prejean’s cajun roots.
A very sexy book. I wish we could have gotten to know Prejean more but otherwise, fun read.
The first person to recommend this book to me was Claudia, but since then I’ve seen a lot of buzz about this book and for good reason. Mary Ann RiversThe first person to recommend this book to me was Claudia, but since then I’ve seen a lot of buzz about this book and for good reason. Mary Ann Rivers gives us an emotional, moving, sometimes funny, sometimes sad book about two strangers who start with a simple kiss and end with much, much more.
Carrie West is a librarian who is just plain lonely. She has friends, she has great parents and a good job. But after a few years of not dating she is in a funk. Her loved apartment feels too small and she finds herself breaking down in tears in random places. She enjoys reading the personal ads on MetroLink, a website where you can pretty much post anything. They are usually a bit more seedy than a normal dating site and Carrie often finds them amusing and more honest. One catches her eye:
I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only. I won’t touch you below the shoulders. You can touch me anywhere. No dating, no hookups. I will meet with you for as long as you meet me, so if you miss a Wednesday we part as strangers. No picture necessary, we can settle details via IM. Replay back with “Wednesdays Only” in the subject line.
And in a rush of craziness, Carrie emails him, and he responds. With much anticipation, nervousness and fear, Carrie meets him at the park for an hour of kissing. It changes her life.
Brian is an attorney who craves and needs human contact. He has a big thing going on in his life, that doesn’t’ give him much time for anything fun or relaxing. But he can steal away an hour from his lunch to indulge. I’m not going to tell you what is going on with him, as Carrie is left in the dark for a lot of the book as well. But it’s quite impactful and when you learn it you will go, ahhhh. I understand now. Brian and Carrie have this instant chemistry, one that Carrie yearns to pursue, but Brian just can’t. He can’t do more than just kissing her above the shoulders because he knows what will happen if he lets his heart fall for her. But that darn heart has a mind of its own.
This story features two mature, responsible people who both realize that even though you are falling in love, it’s not simple. It’s not always filled with rainbows and happiness. Carrie realizes something big is going on with Brian, and she wants to convey to him so much that she can wait or do whatever it takes to make his life easier
If I’m broken, the break will be clean and easily mended. If he breaks, I’m not sure if there will be enough pieces to approximate. I can afford to go along with what he thinks will protect him. I can have this, and I can give him what he thinks he needs, even if he may deserve better, Even if I don’t know if he actually does.
That statement says so much. For a man she only meets to kiss on a bench, she is ready to give so much to him. I found there are so many powerful moments in this book like this.
For all the seriousness this book is so damn sexy. There is kissing on a bench and phone sex and real sex. It’s really hot. And parts made me giggle too. Carrie has friends who help her navigate through this ordeal and they are fun and supportive. Carrie herself is a hoot as we get this only in her point of view. Her internal monologue can be very entertaining.
In 120 pages, Mary Ann Rivers writes a powerful love story. I immediately went to download her back list and then realized this was her debut. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Very explicit - first in a trilogy novella. Billionaire hero. Heroine is very plain (I liked that). We don't really get to know the hero at all - hopeVery explicit - first in a trilogy novella. Billionaire hero. Heroine is very plain (I liked that). We don't really get to know the hero at all - hope we learn more about him in bk 2. Kinda cracky - didn't want to put it down. VERY erotic. (have to admit a little strange in beginning when heroine fantasizes about purple aliens watching her pleasure herself)....more
Favorite Quote: “Say it, Whitney. Say that every inch of you burns for me. Screams for me. Say that your body is my home. Welcome me the fuck home.”
WhFavorite Quote: “Say it, Whitney. Say that every inch of you burns for me. Screams for me. Say that your body is my home. Welcome me the fuck home.”
What a fun, cracky, erotic read this novella is. This is the first I’ve read of this series (all are stand alones) but I’m definitely going to go back and read the first two. My only complaint about this book is that I wish it were longer. I wish we could have spent more time with Andrew and Whitney and their emotional drama.
Years ago, Andrew and Whitney were hot and heavy. But Whitney’s parents die and she is forced under the guardianship of her uncle, who abused her. After a freak accident, her uncle is killed and Andrew takes the blame. He doesn’t tell Whitney this detail, rather he disappears to the middle east for three years. She thinks he had just up and left her, which devastates her. Instead, he is really serving time in prison, just so she can keep her name clean. Oh the sacrifice Andrew!!
Now he is back and he wants his woman back.
“I’ve been waiting a thousand days to look in your face, Whitney Donahue. Will you dance with me?”
He may be back, but Whitney is wary about why he was gone for three years and how they can move on from here. She also receives a threatening blackmail note, and wonders if she is strong enough this time to take care of it on her own.
Andrew is a wee bit possessive and alpha. Okay, actually is an EXTREME alpha. I loved it about him. When he comes back to reclaim Whitney, and she thinks he has been gone for three years just getting richer, she doesn’t take it too well
“Fuck you, Andrew.”
She shoved past him.
“No.” He spun her around, then ushered her out the door and toward the elevators, anger roiling off him in waves. “I just bought you, Whitney. I flew across a goddamned ocean to come back to you. I rearranged my entire business to make it happen, To make us happen. If I’m fucking anyone, tonight, it’ll be you.
I found the fact that he sacrificed three years of his life so romantic. Such a big gesture. Andrew is full of over the top gestures and sayings in this book.
“When did you get pierced?” she asked, frightened and excited by the novelty. HIs cock glinted with the gold hoop, thrilling her so powerfully, she quivered to her toes.
“The day I left you, so that every erection reminded me I couldn’t have you.”
His words both confused and mesmerized her. “What do you mean?”
“When I left, Whitney…I wanted to mark my cock for you, so that every time it hardened I would dream of all the ways I would pleasure you when I returned. I imagined the ecstasy you would feel….how you’d be undone with it. We both would.”
How can you resist this guy?
I really, really wish this had been a longer story. There is so much we could have dived into – Andrew and Whitney’s past. More about her abuse. A longer reunion. More on the blackmail plot. But for the time I spent reading this, I had a lot of fun.