This week at Smexy…

B+ review – Behind the Mask by Carolyn Crane (suspense/mandi)
B review – Rescuing the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon (contemporary/helyce)
B- review – Under the Lights by Shannon Stacey (contemporary/mandi)
C review – Carry Me Home by Lia Riley (new adult/mandi)

DNF Round-Up
Wicked Wednesday
Guest Author Jessica Peterson
Top Ten

News from Mandi: I’m still catching up with review books so a lot of what I read this week I already reviewed. I know – I’m so boring!

I did read Suddenly One Summer by Julie James and it was cute. Slower paced than some of her other books, but I really enjoyed Ford and Victoria. It’s a low-key romance – some might find it a little too low-key. Review coming next week.

I’m currently reading Desert Fate by Anna Lowe – I’m not too far in but the heroine has just been changed into a shifter and there is insta-mate/lust brewing. I hope it’s a fun read.

Then I have Brokedown Cowboy by Maisey Yates waiting for me.

News From Tori: True North by Liora Blake is a second chance romance contemporary between a bad boy rocker with a heart of gold and a small town novelist whose fear of being happy stems from a tragic place. Funny, sexy, hopeful, and bittersweet, True North is a gem I wasn’t expecting. Review to come.

Desolation by Bella Jewel. The last (maybe) in her Jokers MC series gives us the HEA we were wanting for former slave Pippa but I felt the story moved way too fast, not fully developing or resolving (on paper) the issues that were in piling up.

Break Me In by Shari Slade. the 2nd book in Slade’s 5 part MC romance series is an edgy dark erotic niblet that gives readers just enough to keep them hooked and coming back for more. Impacting sex scenes blend well with the violence as the cracks in our protagonist’s shells grow larger. I have a great Wicked Wednesday review up next week.

Opening Up by Lauren Dane. << This is why I continue to read Dane’s erotic romances. The first in her newest series-Ink & Chrome- introduces us to two well developed protagonists whose strong personalities and blazing hot chemistry threaten to set the world on fire. Add in an engaging storyline, humorous sexy banter, and some smoking hot love scenes and you have a book that will hold you hostage to the very last page.

The Shadow Revolution by Clay & Susan Griffith. A new historical steampunk fantasy trilogy offers readers a new adventure featuring magic, supernaturals, and an all star cast of characters. A fast read filled with humor, horror, and some bittersweet moments. Though I felt this installment spent more time building the world then the story itself, I look forward to book two. Review to come.

The Iron Princess by Sandra Lake. Book two in Lake’s Sons of the North series, this installment revolves around the daughter of Lida and Jerl Marcus (Book one). I adored The Warlord’s Wife but this one had issues-the main issue being the heroine. She’s intelligent and resourceful but also selfish and narrow sighted. I’m all for strong heroines and the need to experience defeat in order to grow into your destiny but the heroine in here continuously put herself in danger with no thought to her own safety or the safety of those with her. Review to come.

Off Base by Tessa Bailey and Sophie Jordan. A duology that gives an HEA to a brother and sister (but not to each other-LOL) Bailey’s story is perfection. A sexy virginal hero who comes home from war and is met by a young woman whose blatant sexuality hides her need to be loved for herself. Their romance is well developed and engaging. The second story by Jordan addresses a couple whose friendship masks a smoking sexual attraction. A well written super sexy story that hits all the main points but I felt fell a little short because we never get to see the romance actually develop.

Larissa Ione’s Hades is a sexy sweet 1001 Dark Nights novella that gives us a little peek back into the lives of the Demonica as we learn more about Hades, his role in Hell, and watch him finally get his HEA. We also get a lot of mentions concerning his arse in tight leather pants. *fist pump*

A Good Rake Is Hard To Find by Manda Collins. The first in her Lords of Anarchy series intrigued me because it’s based on a driving club (a sort of historical MC). I ended up DNFing because even though the storyline is riddled with intrigue and suspense, the romance is all based on a huge misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that is completely and utterly perpetrated by the heroine who LIES to people and blames the hero for her own actions. I just couldn’t continue to deal with her selfishness and self righteousness in the face of her blatant dishonesty.

This weekend I’m reading a book I picked up on a whim-Fade To Black by Jax Newman (Rockstars for THE WIN!) and Do Not Disturb by Stephanie Julian.