We are halfway through 2015 and we thought we would pause and talk about the books that have stood out so far this year. Tori’s Top Picks (so far) for 2015 The Ones We Trust by Kimberly Belle-A through provoking and bittersweet story that speaks of grief, loyalty, and trust when a young woman tries to help a family find answers about a sibling’s death members death only to discover her family may have had a hand in covering it up. Everything I Left Unsaid by Molly O’Keefe-Part one of a Continue Reading
Review: The Secret Sister by Brenda Novak
The Secret Sister by Brenda Novak Series: Fairham Island, #1 Mystery/Suspense July 28, 2015 Mira Reviewed by Tori A family, their secrets, and the consequences of those secrets sets the stage for Novak's newest mystery suspense by introducing the main players and explaining the complicated facets that make up their relationships. A somber tone punctuated with bits of quiet humor and a lightweight romance permeates the story as Novak takes great pains to make us understand the volatile Continue Reading
Review: Frisk Me Lauren Layne
Frisk Me by Lauren Layne (New York's Finest #1) Releases: July 28, 2015 Contemporary Romance Forever Reviewed by May Ava Sims isn’t impressed with or in love with the NYPD’s latest star Luc Moretti. The son of the former police chief was caught jumping into a river to save a girl – and the video went viral making him an instant hero and heartthrob. Ava is convinced he’s hiding something, and that he can’t possibly be the wonderful man who shies away from the spotlight and just wants to Continue Reading
Review: Bound in Black by Juliette Cross
Review: Bound in Black (The Vessel Trilogy) by Juliette Cross Paranormal Romance Released: July 21, 2015 Samhain Publishing Reviewed by Sheena Genevieve Drake is on a dangerous mission to find the soul collector, Lethe, and enter the deepest, darkest level of the underworld. No one has ever returned alive from the belly of a soul collector, but she will let nothing stop her from going after the precious treasure Lethe stole from her. As she is tested against demon spawn and foul Continue Reading
Smex Scene Sunday
Hero: Gabe. Good guy. Librarian. Bearded. Rock climber. Skilled with his tongue. Heroine: Veronica. Advice columnist. Decides to try new things. Enjoys a martini or two. Learns how to climb rocks and Gabe. “This is one of my favorite things to do in the world,” he said. “You’re not gonna let me have my fun?” “What is?” she asked, watching him warily, her hands poised as if she didn’t know whether to pull him closer or push him away. He pressed a kiss to her thigh, then her Continue Reading
Weekly Wrap-Up
This week at Smexy... A- review - Focus on Me by Megan Erickson (mandi) B+ review - Luminous by AE Ash (mandi) B review - Playing with Trouble by Chanel Cleeton (mandi) B review - King of Hearts by LH Cosway (tori) B review - Truth or Beard by Penny Reid (may) C+ review - The Ground Rules by Roya Carmen (helyce) C review - Bridged by Love by Nancy Corrigan (sheena) D review - The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries (may) D review - Never Loved by Charlotte Stein (tori) July Mini Continue Reading
Smexy’s Top Ten – July 24
10. Just in case you find yourself barraged with pointless questions this weekend. You know how to respond. 9. VERY pretty new cover from Jennifer Estep, Bright Blaze of Magic. And another gorgeous cover! Full Exposure by Amy Jo Cousins. 8. First let me say I don't have this app so I have no idea how private it is or any facts about it. But. These emojis. It's the Plume App and it gives you romantic emojis. More sexy emojis. Maybe a little added emphasis when you feel like Continue Reading
July Mini Reviews
Tori's July Mini Reviews Burning Submission by J. Richards Erotic Romance Suspense RATING: DNF This erotic romance starts off interesting enough when a young woman defends herself against an unwanted admirer while working out and catches the eye of the sexy gym owner. A suspenseful subplot develops, adding to the intrigue but then the story goes downhill when hero refers to the heroine’s vagina as “snatch.” Add in a scene where heroine goes down on hero while he’s sleeping and I was Continue Reading
Review: Playing With Trouble by Chanel Cleeton
Playing With Trouble by Chanel Cleeton (Capitol Confessions #2) Released: July 21, 2015 Contemporary Romance Intermix Reviewed by Mandi Favorite Quote: He was an asshole, but he was definitely a hot asshole. I recently read the first book in this series (books are stand alone) and I enjoyed the author's voice a lot. I picked this book up without even reading the blurb, so when a student/professor romance hit me in the face, I was surprised. I normally don't seek out this trope, as I Continue Reading
Review: Truth or Beard by Penny Reid
Truth or Beard by Penny Reid (Winston Brothers #1) Released: July 21, 2015 Contemporary Romance Caped Publishing Reviewed by May Duane Winston has always aggravated Jessica James, always made her irritated and they always quarreled as kids. His twin brother Beau, on the other hand, always made her blush and unable to speak. He was way up on a hero’s pedestal in her mind and so she didn’t know quite what to do when he started chatting her up at a Halloween party. That is, until she Continue Reading