I can’t believe 2014 is nearing it’s end. Seems like just yesterday I was trying to put together my list for 2013! Once again, I struggled to pull together a listing to publish here. Life, work, my family--made reading time extremely rare this year. While you will see two books that are likely to top many reader lists this year, the rest of my choices were books that spoke to me or touched my heart in some way and gave me all the feeeelz! Here we go in no particular order: Heart by Continue Reading
Mandi’s Favorite Books of 2014
What makes me happy about my favorite book list this year is that it encompasses so many sub-genres of romance. I think I hit almost every category, and that makes me happy. In no particular order: Rogue Spy by Joanna Bourne - I highly recommend The Forbidden Rose, The Black Hawk and Rogue Spy for fans of historical spy romance. I'll be a Hawker groupie for life. A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev - Debut book and I couldn't be more excited to see what this author puts out Continue Reading
Tori’s Best Reads for 2014
Per usual, I had a hard time picking out just a few books that blew me away this year. I LOVED THEM ALL!!! Well, most of them. My qualifications for bestest book EVAH isn’t flawless writing, intense subject matter, or where they fall on best selling lists, but rather the emotions they invoke in me while reading and what I’m left feeling when I’m finished. Push by Claire Wallis-A psychological romantic thriller that addresses the long term emotional and mental damage caused by childhood abuse Continue Reading
Weekly Wrap-Up
This week at Smexy... A review - Revenant by Larissa Ione (paranormal/tori) B+ review - The Lover's Knot by Erin Satie (historical/mandi) B+ review - Shadowed Heart by Laura Florand (contemporary/mandi) B review - Gunpowder Alchemy by Jeannie Lin (steampunk/tori) B review - A Secret to Die For by Sierra Dean (paranormal/tori) B review - Foundation of Trust by AM Arthur (m/m / tori) B- review - I've Got My Duke to Keep me Warm by Kelly Bowen (historical/may) C+ review - One Kiss With a Continue Reading
Smexy’s Top Ten – Ho Ho Ho
10. This is our last Top Ten list until 2015! I think. I currently have nothing planned to post on Friday 12/26. Maybe if I can find my way out of the discarded wrapping paper and my drunken eggnog haze I'll post. (I won't). 9. Book news: I found out this week that Hachette is releasing a F/F romance book early next year. I'm really happy to see this. I see that mainstream publishers are starting to pick-up M/M books, and now we get F/F too. Hooray! Here is the blurb: Tate Grafton has a Continue Reading
Review: The Lover’s Knot by Erin Satie
The Lover's Knot by Erin Satie (No Better Angels #2) Released: December 2014 Historical Romance Self Published Reviewed by Mandi It's sad to say, but I find it hard to find historical author voices I like these days. I have a small, select few I turn to. This blurb caught my attention though, and I thought what the heck. I knew from about page two this author's voice would appeal to me. It's smart, somber, totally engaged me through every page with great suspense and a lovely Continue Reading
Review: I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen
I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen (The Lords of Worth #1) Released: December 16, 2014 Historical Romance Forever Reviewed by May Jamie Montcrief isn’t a duke, but he is the eldest (bastard) son of one who was raised and loved by his father. So when Gisele Whitby stumbles across him in a seedy inn drunk and clearly hitting rock bottom she knows that she has the perfect man for the job. Both may be reluctant to work together, but neither can turn their backs on the innocent Continue Reading
Review and Giveaway: Revenant by Larissa Ione
Revenant (Lords of Deliverance, #6) by Larissa Iona Paranormal Romance Paperback, 400 Pages December 16, 2014 Grand Central Publishing Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: “That big fallen angel asshole is here to see you again...is he single?” HELL HATH NO FURY . . . For five thousand years, Revenant believed he was alone in the world, a fallen angel beyond any redemption. Now he finds he has a twin brother who had all the light and love Revenant was denied. Caught in a tug of Continue Reading
Review: Getting Lucky by Beth Bolden
Getting Lucky by Beth Bolden Contemporary Romance Released: December 1, 2014 Self Published Reviewed by Mandi Last year I read the very charming The Lucky Charm so I was happy to try anther book from this author. While our hero Noah plays for the professional baseball team, The Pioneers (same team as in book one), I'd call this book a small town contemporary romance and not a sports romance. (baseball was a big focus in book one). Noah plays baseball, but last season a wild pitch to the Continue Reading
Review: Foundation of Trust by A.M. Arthur
Foundation of Trust (Cost of Repairs, #5) by A.M. Arthur M/M Contemporary Romance E book, 239 pages October 21, 2014 Samhain Publishing Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: Words only go so far in a relationship. David Weller had it all four years ago. A loving partner, a great job, and a wonderful life, until he received a phone call that destroyed him and left him with nothing but a series of memories and a heart shattered into pieces. Now he engages in random hook ups that help him Continue Reading