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
Review: Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Written in the Stars by Alexandria BellefleurContemporary LBBT RomanceNovember 10, 2020 by Avon Review by Melinda This was apparently a Pride and Prejudice retelling but those kinds of retellings completely miss me because I have no idea when they’re being done. However, I still enjoyed this bisexual contemporary love story. What worked for me was the opposite attracts personality types of Darcy, who is a reserved actuary, and Elle, who is a social media astrologist. I truly loved how Continue Reading
Review: I Promise You by Ilsa Madden-Mills
I Promise You by Ilsa Madden-MillsSports RomanceOctober 12, 2020, Self Published Bringing you part two of the books that got me through election chaos, presenting, I Promise You by Ilsa Madden-Mills. This is a standalone book, HOWEVER, there are other books set in this world. If you like it, which I did, you can go back for more deliciousness. Our story begins in college with young freshman hottie and future football star, Dillon McQueen. Every time I read that name, I did indeed think of Continue Reading
Review: If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon
If the Boot Fits by Rebekah WeatherspoonCowboys of California #2Contemporary RomanceOctober 27, 2020, by Dafina Review by Melinda: One of the things I loved is that this book opens with a one night stand on the night Sam wins an Oscar. They have a great time and Amanda sneaks away...with his Oscar on accident, but still! This cracked me up to no end that she wanted nothing to do with him OR his Oscar beyond the one night. I really enjoyed this book for a variety of reasons, and one of Continue Reading
Angela’s Minis- Reviews for Love is a Rogue by Lenora Bell and Crazy, Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Love is a Rogue by Lenora BellWallflowers vs. Rogues #1Historical RomanceOctober 27, 2020, by AvonARC I simply adored this author's last release and was very excited to get an early copy of this first book in her newest series. Wallflowers vs. Rogues has many of the same characters as her School for Dukes series but seems to be introducing a fresh, new group of Wallflowers/women who want something different for their lives other than balls and shopping and letting men control them. Love is a 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
Audio Review: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
A Princess for Christmas by Jenny HolidayContemporary Holiday RomanceOctober 13, 2020, by AvonARC Review by Melinda This book was the definition of aggressively fine for me and part of it has to do with my own issues I bring with me but part of it was definitely the book. My issue is around that once again breast cancer is in the background for these characters. Admittedly, it plays a small part but it looms large over the entire book as it’s what killed one of the protagonist’s mothers. 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