This week at Smexy…

A review – Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston (paranormal)
A review – Four Friends by Robyn Carr (contemporary)
A review – Dash of Peril by Lori Foster (contemporary)
B review – Unwound by Lorelei James (erotic)
B review – Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton (contemporary)
C+ review – Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins (contemporary)
C review – Spirited by Mary Behre (paranormal)
D review – Trying Too Hard by Molly Ann Wishlade (erotic)

Feature: Marked by Alex Hughes
Smexy’s Top Ten

News From Mandi: I was two for five this week. The bad news first. I had a very hard time with Trying Too Hard by Molly Ann Wishlade. The characters felt too over the top – like they were trying too hard and would never act like they did in real life. And the hero is a rugby player but we miss out on the rugby atmosphere.

Laura’s Wolf by Lia Silver intrigued me because the hero is a Marine werewolf. I wanted growly and alpha. Instead I got a character that was very flat. The heroine was super perfect and annoyed me. Overall just disappointing. Review coming.

I DNF’d The Bare Bones by Layla Wolfe at 20% and I recommend you don’t even try this one. At first it was just silly with ridiculous amounts of flowery words about lady parts and man parts and looking upon the hero’s muscular body and comparing it to a carved turkey. But then molestation, rape, and other very horrible things happened. Including a motorcycle member wearing adult diapers and baby bonnets. You guys. *weeps*

Now for the good! I read two really great books this week. First, Fool me Twice by Meredith Duran features a very broken, tortured duke hero and a heroine who poses as his housekeeper. She wants to steal some documents from him to blackmail someone else but she has to lure the duke out of his bedroom to get to these documents, and he hasn’t left the bedroom for months. Oh the angst. He is so angry and ragey. Great sexual tension. Review coming soon.

I also ready Play by Kylie Scott. The hero is a drummer is a very popular rock band (Lick, book one about the lead singer is fun too). The heroine is someone the hero meets at a party. The hero is VERY playful and silly – I laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. It’s very sexy too. The hero is dealing with something more dark, but overall a really fun story. Highly recommend it. Tori and I will be reviewing soon.

News From Tori:

Hard Times by Cara McKenna-A sexy emotionally gratifying book between two damaged individuals who meet under unusual circumstances and start a love affair through letters. I adored the realism and heartfelt feelings the hero and heroine developed despite their many differences. Cara McKenna just does it for me. Review to come.

Hawk (Burnout, #3) by Dahlia West-I loved Shooter, hated Tex, and liked Hawk. It was a decent story but I was disappointed with the judgmental attitude of the group and Hawk disappointed me with his inability to man up.

Biker Bait (Lost Souls, #1) by Ellie Hunter-I was surprised how much I enjoyed this MC romance suspense. An intriguing fast paced storyline, well developed characters, and a steamy romance though I would have liked if the love scenes were more show than tell. Had a faint SOA vibe though not a copycat.

The Virgin of Clan Sinclair (Clan Sinclair, #3)  by Karen Ranney-A humorous historical romance about a young lady who pens erotic literature and the staid Earl who wants her to stop. Review to come.

My Despicable Ex (Part one) by Sierra Rose-An intriguing second chance romance that fails to deliver. We spend the entire book listening to the heroine reiterate her hate towards the man who left her at the altar and a hero who just keeps repeating, “I’m sorry, why can’t we be friends.” There was no advancement in their relationship and the story just ends. You have to pick up book two to find out what happens.

Frenched by Melanie Harlow is an lightheart frothy mixture of love, lust, and laughter when a jilted anal retentive bride finds herself in Paris and learning to let go in the most delicious ways. I only wish we could have gotten an epilogue.
Until Lily (Until, #3) by Aurora Rose Reynolds A sweet sexy second chance romance. I enjoyed watching Cash and Lily reunite after circumstances force them apart. Lots of steamy sex scenes with some mild BDSM play. My only qualms were the kids, ages 3, were portrayed much older and a few conflicts weren’t resolved beyond a superficial manner.

Play (Stage Dive, #2) by Kylie Scott. All I can say is BUY THIS BOOK. While I liked Lick tremendously, I absolutely LOVED Play.  I laughed so hard for 95% of the book. Mal and Anne are the perfect couple and their romance is a hilarious sexy romp that will keep you giggling and sighing happily to the very end. Review to come.

This weekend I’ll be working on the house with Mr. Bossy Pants (still renovating) and hoping it clears up enough so we can take the boat out on Sunday. On the Kindle is Absolution by Angela Louise McGuirk, I Survived Seattle by JK Hogan, and Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran.