This week at Smexy…

A- review – The Devoted Series by Sadie Black (sheena)
B+ review – Hannah and the Highlander by Sabrina York (sheena)
B review – Begging For It by Lilah Pace (mandi)
B- review – Alluring by Sarah Curtis (tori)
C+ review – Fast, Fresh, and Hot by Eliza Madison (mandi)
C review – The Highlander’s Bride by Amanda Forester (sheena)
C- review – Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr (helyce)
D review – Delayed Penalty by Sophia Henry (mandi)

Smex Scene Sunday
Cover Reveal – Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh
Smexy’s Top Ten
Smexy Deals!

News from Mandi: I DNF’d Her Alaskan Hero by Rebecca Thomas. I didn’t like the heroine – she gets jilted at the altar, and spontaneously goes to Alaska to regroup, where she meets the rugged hero. I’m all for that hero! But she is kind of judgmental, and whiny and pushy. I know, I know – she got jilted! But she annoyed me.

A Rebel Without a Rogue by Bliss Bennett didn’t work for me either. Likable characters, and I think I would like this author’s voice in a different book – this one is just sooo slow. More needed to happen to keep me engaged. Review coming.

Falling for Danger by Chanel Cleeton wraps up her DC series. This one is more on the suspense side, with a CIA heroine and a “dead” Special Forces hero. But guess what, he isn’t dead! Good suspense in first half, kinda lost me a little in second half. Review coming.

I’m currently half through The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev. You guys. This book. The angst is killlllling me. In a good way, but omg hold me!!! Darker and much more intense than her first book (which I loved). This is best friends to lovers, then the heroine hurts the hero, they don’t speak or see each other for ten years, and now they are forced to spend time together at a wedding. And the hero is SO hurt. And lashes out SO much. And the heroine knows it, and can’t go back and undo what she did ten years ago – but she still loves him. And they have these intense, sorrow-filled, stolen glances and my little heart might not be able to take it!!!  Review to come at release.

News from Tori: Lauren Gallagher’s I’ll Show You Mine is a sweet sexy erotic romance contemporary that tells of second chances and learning to forgive yourself for your past mistakes in order to move forward. The hero and heroine’s chemistry is off the wall but physically and emotionally. They are well matched. The kink scenes are very hot and entertaining. Release Date is 12/9. My review will post in DEC issue of RT Book Magazine.

Veil of Secrets by Hailey Edwards is the 5th book in her Araneae Nations series. Overflowing with fantastic world building, well constructed characters, and action packed storylines, Edwards gives us a complex adventurous fantasy that is easy to read and follow due to Edwards’s clear and concise voice. The low key romance blends well the strong plotline. Though each installment revolves around one couple, the series is ongoing and they tend to bleed over into one another. Veil of Secrets picks up with a couple we met in A Breath of Winter. Secrets are discovered, deals are made, and new revelations revealed. I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to book 6. Release Date is 12/30. My review will post in DEC issue of RT Book Magazine.

The Lost Coast by Jane Kindred was an unexpected gem to read. A little detour from her usual erotic fantasy fare, this gothic mystery/ romance has everything but the kitchen sink in it.  Kindred’s compelling voice tells us a tale filled with love, loss, deception, betrayal, sex, incest, mysticism, paranoia, the supernatural, and humor. And trees. You can’t forget the trees. Fans of her work will enjoy the strong characters, smooth dialogue and well plotted story. Release date 12/15. My review will post in DEC issue of RT Book Magazine.

Walk Through Fire by Kristen Ashley is the fourth book in Ashley’s Chaos series. This whopping 600 page book gives us classic Ashley inspired feelz with a melodramatic second chance romance. Ashley switches from past to present to give us the full story while offering small advancements in the arc. I will say the dreaded secret was a disappointment considering the dramatic actions taken by High and Millie (especially Millie) I guessed it early on (20% mark) and I had been hoped there was more to it. Regardless, Ashley fans will enjoy this spitfire couple’s journey back to their HEA. On a side note, Benito is starting to grow on me. *sigh* Will be be the next Dream Man?? Knight 2.0? Hmmmm? Review to come.

Spiral of Need by Suzanne Wright is the first installment in her Mercury Pack which is a spin off of her popular Phoenix Pack series. Fast pacing, solid character development, an action packed storyline with plenty of smexy scenes kept me engaged as an antagonistic relationship turns to love when the Mercury Pack is forced to offer sanctuary to a seer. Review to come.

Hanover House by Brenda Novak–Brenda Novak starts us on a new thrilling adventure when a psychiatrist who specializes in serial killers opens a new facility/prison for study in Alaska. This installment is a prequel for the serials; setting the stage for what’s to come by introducing us to Dr. Evelyn Talbot and explaining to us what led her to where she is now.

Her Treasure Hunter Ex by Zara Keene is the first novella in her new spinoff series-Ballybeg Bad Boys. A short and sweet second chance romance between two archaeological drivers whose break up was a series of miscommunications and bad decisions. Romance, the high seas, and a million dollar necklace everybody ants makes for some interesting and sexy developments. Review to come.

This weekend I’m finishing up Owl and the City of Angels by Kristi Charish and Code Black by Tina Moss.