Learned Behaviors by Jayce EllisHigher Education #1LBGT Contemporary RomanceNovember 9, 2020 by Carina Press I’m generally not a reader who gravitates to single father stories but this cover drew me in because it’s gorgeous. This story has so much going on, but all of it works together. Two single men, with families, both with heavy work loads, working together and fighting their growing attraction. I really enjoyed the subplot there is with their two daughters also being in love Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: This is Not the End by Sidney Bell & How to be Good by Chace Verity
Thi is Not the End by Sidney BellContemporary Romance/Menage/PolyamoryJanuary 11, 2021, by Carina Press I am always looking for more polyam books, especially ones with heat and emotion. This one delivers on both sides. Anya and Zac are married and have a son, and what works for them in their marriage is for them to have sex - together - with other men. Other people may not understand this but it works for them. Zac’s bandmate, Cal, definitely cannot understand this but both the emotion and Continue Reading
Jen’s Mini-Reviews- Reviews for books by Ilsa Madden-Mills, Saffron A. Kent, and Garrett Leigh
The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-MillsContemporary RomanceDecember 3, 2020 Self Published What to read when you’re trying to distract yourself from an insurrection? My book club chose The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills weeks ago and it was the perfect happy distraction. I discovered Madden-Mills this year and was thrilled to immerse myself in this latest book. It is part of a series, with each book being written by a different author. The series centers around three college football Continue Reading
Review: Cry Wolf by Charlie Adhara
Cry Wolf by Charlie AdharaBig Bad Wolf #5PNRJanuary 18, 2021 by Carina Press Review by Melinda This is probably one of the most underrated paranormal romances I can think of that I want more people to read. At first glance, it may be any wolf shifter paranormal, but there are so many Adhara layers in this world. I know not everyone loves following the same couple throughout a series and I'm not always a fan of it either. But I just love Cooper Dayton and Oliver Park so much. This Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: Starcrossed by Allie Therin and The Duke Effect by Sophie Jordan
Starcrossed by Allie TherinMagic in Manhattan Book 2Paranormal Historical RomanceMay 18, 2020 by Carina Press Starcrossed by Allie Therin is book 2 in a 1920s set PNR with a bunch of different magical abilities. I absolutely love PNR set in different time periods so this completely worked for me. I only with there was a bit more explanation in this one to tie it to book one as there were parts where I was confused as to what was going on. I definitely did not feel that it stood on its Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis – The Love Study by Kris Ripper and The Tenant by Katrina Jackson
The Love Study by Kris RipperContemporarySeptember 9, 2020 by CarinaHoopla Audio Kris Ripper has such a unique voice so I was looking forward to this book and wasn't disappointed at all. The Love Study is filled with awkwardness and I'm such a sucker for that in romance. This book explores so much about what does a romantic relationship *need* to look like to actually still be a romance? I loved so much how Declan and Sidney begin the story trying to find someone for Dec to date and have Continue Reading
Mini-Reviews: Scandalous Secrets by Synithia Williams and Sweet on You by Carla de Guzman
Reviews by Melinda Scandalous Secrets by Synithia WilliamsJackson Falls #2Contemporary RomanceAugust 25, 2020 by HQN Books I have just really enjoyed this Jackson Falls series from Synithia Williams so far. It hits all of my soapy vibes that I need every once in a while. This one has a fun twist on the secret baby trope plus has a second chance romance, which I always love. Byron is running for Senate, and in this book, the political maneuvering takes more of the center stage than it did Continue Reading
Guest Post: Writing Single Parent Romance by KD Fisher
I love reading romance epilogues. I adore the cozy feeling of everything settling into its place, the sureness of the couple having overcome the challenges standing in their way. In the epilogue the characters have figured out their life together. Oftentimes epilogues are where you can find the true happily ever after. There’s always some kind of lasting commitment: a new house together, marriage, or, perhaps, even a baby. When I started writing The Secret Ingredient, I wanted to write a Continue Reading
Guest Post: Writing Demisexual Heroes by Annabeth Albert
Greetings! I’m so happy to visit one of my favorite blogs as I celebrate the upcoming release of FEEL THE FIRE. This is book 3 in my hotshot series which centers around smoke jumpers and wildfire fighters, but the series can be read out of order! When people hear firefighters, they often immediately think big rugged alpha type heroes. And I do love writing those characters too, but what I wanted to do here was to explore a wide range of first responders beyond the alpha male stereotype—different Continue Reading
Guest Post: Smexy welcomes author Carla de Guzman
I Hate Lumpia Lemons, in any way, shape and form, make me laugh. They bring me right back to #romanceclass, that time when theater actor Jef Flores sucked the life out of a poor, hapless lemon in the guise of kilig, reading a scene from Camilla Sisco’s “Sumbission Moves”, back when we could still be outside and suck lemons in public. Lemons are expensive, ha! And now they just make me laugh! Lumpia initiates an instant ‘ick’ reflex for me. It reminds me of Continue Reading