This week at Smexy…

A review – Going Up! by Amy Lane (m/m contemporary)
B+ review – All for You by Jessica Scott (contemporary/military)
B- review – Feel the Heat by Kate Meader (contemporary)
C+ review – Concealed in Death by JD Robb (futuristic suspense)
C+ review –Harlequin Contemporary Boxed set (contemporary)
C review – What goes on Tour by Claire Boston (contemporary)
C review – Strain by Amelia Gormley (m/m sci fi)
C review – A Wicked Hunger by Kiersten Fay (paranormal)
F review – Working It by Kendall Ryan (new adult)

Tori’s Adventures at Coastal Magic Con
Smexy’s Top Ten

News from Mandi: I don’t have a ton to report this week. I finished the Harlequin boxed set which I reviewed this week. I also read A Wicked Hunger which I already reviewed and Impossible Things which I mention in my Top Ten.

Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes is a fun m/m. One hero is super outgoing, more flamboyant and the other is very reserved, quiet serious. There is nice sexual tension leading up to them getting together. Once they do hit the bedroom there is a lot of sex. Maybe too much. I’ll probably give this one a C+. Review coming soon.

Geez…I have nothing else to report. I need to fix this! I’m going to start A Royal World Apart by Maisey Yates (virgin hero) and Night Games by Lisa Marie Perry.

News from Helyce: The past three weeks have been so busy I don’t know where to start.  Between drama with my daughter and high school senior night for my son, my time really has not been my own.  I have read a bit, though, because I always have to make a little time for reading.

I finished Live by Mary Ann Rivers. Though I struggled with this story in the beginning I realized this wasn’t a book that you could read quickly and rush through.  You need to read it slowly and absorb it.  This author writes beautifully descriptive passages, so much so that the images she speaks of are painted in your mind.  Once I relaxed into this story I really did enjoy Destiny and Hefin.  I felt the ending was rushed a bit, but I look forward to more in this series.

I also read Rare by Garrett Leigh.  This m/m romance is a continuation of Slide and continues the story of Pete and Ash.  This story continues to explore the reasons behind Ash’s mental illness and what we learn is awful, dark and sad. With all the emotional sadness, however, some happy things are revealed as well.  The tables turn when Pete get injured in a work accident and Ash needs to take care of him.  Emotionally gripping, I hope author has plans for more in this series.

Because I’d heard a lot about it, and love this author, I read Special Delivery by Heidi Cullinan.  This story is really well done.  I was worried, and to be honest, I had avoided this one because of the BDSM tones-but I would classify this as BDSM light. Mitch is the older man who drives his semi all over the country.  He meets Sam, much younger, when he’s making a delivery.  There is sex in a semi-and things go from there.  There is a strong emotional content though, and both Sam and Mitch have much to get through before they settle in.

For review, I read Vampire Most Wanted by Lynsay Sands.  I am a huge fan of this series.  While paranormal, it’s so much lighter in tone and I appreciate the humor in this author’s writing.  As this is book #20 in this series, the stories have kind of followed a similar pattern-but in this one Marco and Divine kind of break the pattern a bit. Good focus on the couple without a lot of Argeneau family involvement until after the halfway mark.  Review to come.

I’ve been reading Forever Promised by Amy Lane. I’ve been reading it slowly because it’s the last book in a series that I’ve loved.  One of the first m/m romances that I fell into and why I’ve loved anything Amy Lane has written ever since. I’m trying to savor, but it feels different and while all the characters I’ve loved are present, something is missing.  I’m also reading Tough Love by Heidi Cullinan. This book is book 3 in her Special Delivery series.  This one has a much stronger BDSM tone and I’m going slowly waiting for the uncomfortable parts. I’m worried, but we’ll see how it goes.  This weekend I also hope to catch up on some review books, and will start with Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra.  I’ve enjoyed this series and am happy to finally have Luke’s book!

News from Tori: Life keeps interfering with my reading but hopefully things will begin to slowdown soon.

Kissing In Cars by Sara Hessinger Ney. A cute abet short YA that addresses romance, friendship, priorities, and sex with plenty of humor. The heroine alone makes this book engaging with her inner monologue and strong sense of self. Currently free at AMZ.

Concealed In Death by J.D. Robb. This particular installment disappointed with it’s lack of anticipation and tension that I have come to expect.

5 Ways A Boy Can Break Your Heart by Cate Ashwood. A cute second chance romance between a rock star and a music teacher. Enjoyable and hot but I felt the conflict was resolved too fast and easily.

Ride and Thrash by J.C. Emery. Ride, book one in Emery’s Bayonet Scars series, introduces us to the Forsaken MC and the key players involved. Ride was a good start but there were development, characterization, and filler issues. Book two, Thrash, I liked this one so much more then book one.  The filler and development issues seem to have ironed them selves out and the editing problems disappeared. In here we get a better balance between the arc and the romance. It’s not the emotional immature mess that Ride was.

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison. Though sad this is the second to the last book for this series, Harrison brings it as she sets up for what I believe will be a mind blowing finale. Review to come.

Tucker by Juliana Stone. A bittersweet friends to lovers romance. Hot and sexy, Stone does a fabulous job of addressing grief and the guilt of moving on. Review to come.

The Day He Kissed Her by Juliana Stone. An emotional love story between two badly damaged protagonists whose attraction may not be enough to override their issues. Grab your kleenex for this one. Review to come.

Gio by Elizabeth Reyes. DNF. Not a fan of cheaters and this h/H take it to the limit as the author tries to convince us that it’s all okay because it’s true love.

Interview With a Master by Jason Luke. An engaging first half in this narrative interview style story but fails for me in the second half when the heroine becomes a cliche as the romance is introduced.

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan. A sweet romance that leaned a little too heavily into Disney territory.