This week at Smexy…

A review – Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase (holiday contemporary/sheena)
B+ review –Sugar Pine Trail by Raeanne Thayne (holiday contemporary/may)
B review – Pine Lake by Amanda Stevens (suspense/tori)
C+ review – Haunted Blade by J.C. Daniels (urban fantasy/tori)
C review –The Corner of Forever and Always by Lia Riley (contemporary/kini)

Guest Post: Griffin’s POV from Amanda Bouchet!
Mandi’s and Tori’s October To-Be-Read List
Guest Post: When Romance and Adventure Collide by Anna Del Mar
Feature: First Chapter of Hooking Up by Helena Hunting
Passionflix Movie Review: Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre

News From Tori: 

Forever By Monica Murphy is the 3rd book in her YA rom-com Friends series. Not bad but I felt it missed the mark with it’s manufactured drama. melodramatic dialogue, and weak storyline.

Once A Charmer by Sharla Lovelace is a fun sexy small-town series with a hint of paranormal that revolves around 3 friends. I  enjoyed the layered storyline and the characters with their dry wit and blunt speech. I would have enjoyed a  stronger, more developed romance. Review to come.

I picked up All The King’s Men by Elizabeth Kingsmen because every blogger I have spoken with sings it’s praises. Set int he 13th-century, this historical romance that not only excels plot-wise but also in characterization and romance. I SWOONED, y’all. S.W.O.O.N.E.D.

Ivar’s Prize by Amy Pennza is a lightweight sci-fi romance with dynamic characters, a well-developed storyline, and a reluctant romance flavored with some kink. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Would make a great series. Review to come.

Act Your Age by Eve Dangerfield is a  delightfully sexy and tropey romance contemporary with some BDSM/daddy kink/power imbalance. Dangerfield’s voice shines through as she helps a grumpy alpha and his delicious subordinate discover true love one kink at a time. Review to come.

Rule Changer by Sierra Snow.The 3rd book in Snow’s Rules of Engagement series felt like a combination of books one and two.  I enjoyed the antagonism, the sex, and the second chance romance.  I wasn’t a fan of the repetition, the technical aspects, or the conclusion to the arc. Review to come.

Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt.A sensual and humorous novella set in Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series. Various familiar faces grace us with their presence when a servant of the Clare’s is thought to be a long-lost daughter of an aristocratic family. A sweet romance and a touch of mystery made this an enjoyable read. Review to come.

Forbidden by Night by Larissa Ione–I was under the impression this was a new release in the series but alas it is a reissue from an anthology. No matter, I still enjoyed.

This weekend I’m FINALLY going to see IT with the kid and reading Sarina Bowen’s Bountiful.

News from Kini:

Another slow reading week for me.

Act Your Age by Eve Dangerfield– I was wary about this book because of the daddy kink trope/element. But the book really worked for me. I thought it was handled well and wasn’t squicky. The hero is super grumpy and I loved it. The end wasn’t what I wanted it to be, but overall fun and super sexy read.

I am reading a new to me author and the book has a saccharine and cheesy vibe to it that I am not sure I will be able to continue. Not ready to give up on it yet, but don’t want to name it in case it doesn’t end up working for me.

On audio I am listening to Lady Bridget’s Diary by Maya Rodale. It’s cute and fun and I am enjoying it.

I am spending the next few days on a cross-country road trip, so not many books will be read. But my Kindle is charged up and ready and I hope to get some reading time.