This week at Smexy…

A review – The Scandalous Secrets of Abigail MacGregor by Paula Quinn (historical/sheena)
B review – Never Too Late by Robyn Carr (contemporary/helyce)
B review – Mate Bond by Jennifer Ashley (paranormal/tori)
B- review – Johnnie by Cardeno C. (m/m/pnr/mandi)
C+ review – The Originals: The Loss by Julie Plec (paranormal/sheena)
C- review – Below the Belt by Sidney Halston (contemporary/mandi)
D review – Enslaved by the Viking by Harper St. George (historical/mandi)
D review – One True Heart by Jodi Thomas (contemporary/tori)
D review – Pan’s Salvation by Shyla Colt (contemporary/sheena)

Feature: Captive Prince Book One by CS Pacat
Tori’s Mini Reviews for April
Smexy’s Top Ten

News from Mandi:  I read Enslaved by the Viking by Harper St. George and Below the Belt by Sidney Halston – both I can’t recommend – and both I reviewed this week (see above). Neither worked for me.

In much better news, This Gun for Hire by Jo Goodman is fantastic. Set in the late 1800’s in Colorado, the heroine’s name is Calico Nash and she is a bounty hunter. The hero is a bodyguard and they both get hired to protect the same family. Their banter is just terrific. Sharp, witty and fast. The romance that starts out so slow becomes so sexy and well done. Can’t say enough good things about this one – review coming next week.

City Slicker at the Horny Goat Ranch by Daisy Harris is an okay m/m read. I picked it up because I haven’t read Daisy Harris in a long while and because I own goats so I had to read a book about a goat ranch (although these goats are bred for meat – THE HORROR!) There was a lack of emotional connection for me in this one. I never fully connected with either hero – it was an okay read but I don’t think I’d run out and recommend.

I’m almost done The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen (book 4 in her Ivy Years series) and it’s sooooo good. It deals with shame so well. The heroine is Bella, who we met in the previous book and the hero is a soccer star (we move away from hockey). This series is one of my absolute favorites. Review next week.

News from Tori: Oh tax season, how you make me question my very existence. And math skills. *sigh* Thank goodness for books.

Dark Heir by Jane Yellowrock This series continues to intrigue as Hunter expands on an ongoing storyline. Action and suspense roar through the story while bits of humor and romance offer a reprieve from the overall darkness. Review to come.

Arrow’s Hell by Chantel Fernando Though not as intense or engaging as book one, this one had a certain appeal to it. Fast pacing and fun characterization. The author spends a little too much time flagellating the hero for my liking but I did enjoy the heroine (once she found her groove) and various subplots. Review to come.

Hyde & Seek by Layla Frost Fans of Kristen Ashley will enjoy this cracky romance between a young baker and an older mechanic. Plenty of amusing dialogue, hot sex, and growly male posturing made for a fun fast read.

There you Stand by Christina Lee A bittersweet MM romance between two men who both suffer from tragic pasts. The slow burning romance pairs well with the suspenseful plotline. Review to come.

Homefront by Jessica Scott Scott offers us a sweet and emotional second chance romance that addresses the issues of war, long separations, and the difficulties of long distance relationships. Review to come.

Too Dangerous For A Lady by Jo Beverley I DNF’d this one. Though I adore Beverley’s historical romances and this series in particular, the slow plodding storyline and overwhelming amount of history that is leveled at us in her left me yawning before the 30% mark.

Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep Fans of her previous series will love this new release that combines the best of Estep’s previous worlds to offer us a new heroine whose world is a thrilling combo of magic, angst, humor, and a little bit of romance. Brief references to Ashland makes me wonder if we will see the Spider making any visits to “the most magical place on Earth” in the future. Review to come.

Midnight’s Kiss by Thea Harrison Dark and cunning, Harrison gives us the ending to a long running storyline while reigniting a romance that was destroyed by lies and fear. I loved seeing the different sides to some formerly standoffish characters. Some mild world building offers us a look at the future. My only qualm is I think a certain someone got off too easily for what they did. Review to come.

This weekend I will be finishing up my taxes, doing some redecorating, and hopefully squeezing some reading in.