Second First Impressions by Sally ThorneContemporary RomanceApril 13, 2021, by William MorrowReview by Angela It must be a very, very difficult thing for a debut novel to be a huge hit and beloved by many a romance reader. Expectations are set and readers want that same level of awesomeness over and over. Sally Thorne literally hit it out of the park with The Hating Game. Her sophomore effort, 99 Percent Mine, was just an okay read for me, mainly because the first chapter was so disjointed Continue Reading
Angela’s Minis- What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris and A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber
What the Devil Knows by C.S. HarrisSebastian St. Cyr Mystery #16Historical MysteryApril 6, 2021, by BerkleyARC I glommed this series last year and don't regret a minute of my time spent reading. As with any series, I recommend reading in order because there are ongoing family and relationship dynamics, but I do think you can read this as a stand-alone and not be super lost. What the Devil Knows begins with the murder of a local magistrate which is eerily similar to the gruesome murders Continue Reading
Review: The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahonGhost Story/Mystery/HorrorApril 6, 2021 by Gallery/Scout Press Review by Angela This book is creepy as hell, in a good way. The Drowning Kind is a suspenseful, haunting tale full of family secrets and past regrets. Told in alternating POVs and timelines, it first introduces Jax, a child psychologist who is estranged from her sister and just trying to keep it all together day-to-day. After one stressful evening of ignoring her sister's frenzied Continue Reading
Guest Review: Always Only You by Chloe Liese
Today Smexy welcomes Alyssa (Hi Alyssa!) who is talking about disability rep in her latest read. You can find her on Twitter at @measuredandslow Always Only Yoy by Chloe LieseBergman Brothers #2Contemporary RomanceAugust 4, 2020 I was really excited to read this one; you don’t see Rheumatoid Arthritis or Autism, let alone both, in romance that often. When it does show up it tends to be in older characters or a reason for the femme character to be benevolent and caring (there’s a Continue Reading
Review: Careless Whispers by Synithia Williams
Careless Whispers by Synithia WilliamsContemporary RomanceMarch 30, 2021 Review by Melinda First of all, this series has the most beautiful covers, I can't stop staring at the forehead touch on this one! And the colors are so gorgeous and exactly how I imagine Elaina and Alex. I've been really looking forward to getting Elaina's story because we've seen glimmers of her in the first two books of the series and it was clear that there was so much going on there. She's been so career-driven Continue Reading
Angela Minis: Reviews for books by KJ Charles, Kerrigan Byrne, and Sara Desai
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ CharlesLGBT Historical RomanceFebruary 24, 2021, by KJC Books Yeah, so I'm a KJ Charles fangirl. I admit it. Every new release I just want to grab up and read as soon as it hits my kindle, but on I also want to keep it in my pocket to look forward to when I need a pick me up after a bad day. The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting features the grumpy/sunshine trope to perfection. Robin Loxleigh, Mr. Charm, is in London with his sister in order to secure Continue Reading
Book + Wine Pairing: The Elite Kings Series by Amo Jones
I love to drink wine when I’m reading and thought it would be fun to try a new concept, book + wine pairing recommendations. Grab a glass and let’s begin. The Silver Swan by Amo Jones has been on my wish list for awhile and recently showed up as a freebie on Amazon. I’m a fan of dark romance and this book pushed all the right buttons. It was also absurd, completely improbable, introduced multiple characters and storylines, so many mysterious circumstances, relationships and numerous Continue Reading
Review: Wild Sign (Alpha & Omega #6) by Patricia Briggs
Wild Sign by Patricia BriggsAlpha & Omega #6Urban FantasyMarch 16, 2021 by Ace Review by Angela Favorite Quote: He pulled her tight against him. "I will defend your heart and your soul with everything in me." Content Warnings: Violence, mentions of rape, child trafficking, pet deaths, and miscarriage. It feels like it's been forever since readers were able to spend time with Anna and Charles. I sure did miss them. As much as I enjoy Mercy and Adam, I'm absolutely smitten Continue Reading
Review: Last Strand (Elemental Assassin #19) by Jennifer Estep
Last Strand by Jennifer EstepElemental Assassin #19Urban FantasyMarch 16, 2021 Self Published Review by Angela Favorite Quote: But this was the life I had built, the one I had chosen for myself, and I wouldn't have it any other way. So I returned to my book with a smile on my face, my knives tucked up my sleeves, and more peace in my heart than I'd felt in a long, long time. My name is Gin, and I kill people. Always and forever. This is it y'all, the last Gin Blanco adventure... at Continue Reading
TikTok Made Me Read It: A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
My newest obsession is BookTok. If you’re not on TikTok, this is a category you can search on the app and you will find tons of videos from creators talking about all things books. They recommend series, act out scenes, swoon over book boyfriends, show off amazing bookshelves + "shelfies" and even warn you about which books don’t live up to the hype. I LOVE IT. I get lost in the dance videos. Then, I found BookTok and it took my love up a notch. I never post, only lurk, and I Continue Reading