Mini-Merger: Guys on Top by Riley Simpson

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mini merger

 

Mini-Merger: Guys on Top
Author: Riley Simpson

Gabe smiled mischievously, “Are you proposing some kind of mini-merger between us?”

Gabe’s not interested in players – he’s interested in serious business. As the VP of Summers Enterprises, he has to oversee an intense company merger with Chaucer Enterprises, but his counterpart at Chaucer, Jag, seems to be all about seduction and fun and games.

But as Gabe gets to know Jag, and why the man is known by that name, he discovers a sexy charmer who’s hard to resist. Perhaps there’s more to Jag than meets the eye, and one unexpected late night encounter will tell Gabe everything he needs to know.

This book was not a hit for me. I expected a M/M romance but got something else. This is a short read that comes listed at 21 pages.  I understand that 21 pages are hard to flesh out character personalities and actual romance.  Being that short of a book makes not only the romance almost nil, but leaves the reader with feelings of no connection with each character.  I felt like I was reading a submitted short story to a men’s magazine.  It was short, to the point and almost clinical in character feeling. If you are looking for a short read with no depth or swoon worthy moments of love, then skip this 21 page story. Go for a full length novel. Yet, if you want something quick, straight to the point and mainly just a sex fueled chapter, then this is your go to read.

[sc:rate1 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

#Review : Ablaze by Morgana Black

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17236443Ablaze
Series: Fireside #1
Author: Morgana Blaze
Release Date: 1/17/2014

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

Cheyenne is planning the perfect weekend with her partner to be Collin. But when the weather turns ugly she finds herself trapped in a cabin with dangerously attractive Luke, one of her father’s ranch hands. When the power goes out Luke and Cheyenne make the decision to keep each other warm, in more ways than one.

MY THOUGHTS

First, this is a very short story. It is a novella that is Part One in a series by author Morgana Black.  When I mention short story, I mean “chapter-like” short story.  I can understand it being short for a series or parts, but this could have been one chapter of a novella.  With that being said, you can understand the frustration at the speed and abrupt ending the reader is left with.

Short stories need to tell quite a bit in a short amount of time. I understand that. Really, I do.  Yet as a reader, I still want parts of my story to be full and give me an experience of connection with each character. I know that is a lot to ask for, but with Ablaze, I couldn’t find myself finding the footing needed to ground myself to the two characters of Luke and Cheyenne — At lease not with this small sample of a story.  When the two start to warm each other up during the snow storm, it was rushed and I still didn’t find myself really excited about it.  It was rushed and then we get the big regrets from one of the involved people.  With little background on the characters, it made the connection hard for me.  I am not going to be waiting on pins and needles for the next in the series, but I am still a little curious as to see if the author will bring some background to the characters and see if a spark finally ignites for me.

MY RATING
[sc:rate2 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Review: Hold Me Together by Felice Fox

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Hold Me Together
Author: Felice Fox
Release Date: 10/31/13

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

After boot-stomping all night with every last Cameron man on the ranch, Holly can’t wait to get her honeymoon started with her new husband, Gavin. He’s her dream come true–smart, rugged and kinky as hell, but the very best part is marrying into his big family; a close-knit, loving clan who take care of each other. She’d never had that. Ever. “Do you take this man…?” was the easiest question Holly ever had to answer.

But when Gavin poses a new, unthinkable question on their wedding night, Holly must choose between the idealized happily-ever-after she’d always dreamed of and something much more than she ever knew she wanted– or needed. Yet her happiness isn’t the only thing put at risk by the unconventional arrangement she finds herself in, and when everything Gavin treasures is threatened, Holly must decide if she can give up the family she’d always wanted for the family that wants her… in every possible way.

Warning: This story may make you squirm like a little roped calf. It is a grit-your-teeth hot romance intended for an adult audience which includes questionable consent and issues of polyamory/open relationships.

MY THOUGHTS

Hold Me Together starts out with Gavin and Holly starting their honeymoon on the ranch.  They are celebrating their first night as man and wife in the beautifully decorated barn and the couple seem very happy.  She always suspected that Gavin had a dark and kinky side, but he never shared what they might be.  What she gets on her wedding night is not what she expected though.

Gavin has her list ten things she loves to have done to her sexually or things she would like to do.  He writes them above their marriage bed in chalk.  Gavin leaves the barn for a moment claiming he forgot something and leaving the door wide open.  This is after he ties her to the bed completely naked.  Gavin arrives back with his five brothers following close behind him.  After keeping it a secret until now, Gavin reveals that he plans to share Holly with his brothers sexually.  It seems Gavin and his brothers love in an unconventional way than others.  Understandably, Holly is freaked out and scared. She has been duped by her husband. Gavin tries to calm Holly down by telling her that they won’t do anything she hates and only what she allows.

At this point I has having a hard time with this book.  It felt wrong to read — like I was reading a rape scene.  They all stare and fondle her while she is saying no and stop.  This isn’t a sex scene playing out, but clearly a woman who is not wanting to participate.  If you don’t like that type of scene, then be forewarned.

The next day Holly is still trying to come to terms with everything.  Gavin insists on passing her around to his brothers.  While she is terrified of the sharing — felling unfaithful to her husband — the brothers take their turns enjoying her.  First we have the fun and assertive Luke.  Then shy McKenna gets his chance a few days later.  Brody “The butt man” enjoys his chance in the kitchen as Gavin watches.  The out in the rain drenched muddy walk, violent role player Abel who is dark and menacing gets his chance.  After her encounter with Abel, their father Hank figures out what has been going on.  He gets upset and blames Holly for everything.  He tells Gavin to take her and to leave the ranch. This is when McKenna announces that he loves Holly. A storm keeps them from leaving the ranch and they are forced to stay another night.  This is when Gavin and Holly finally get their chance to seal their marriage vows.  After Hank has a an accident the next morning, he is rushed to the hospital.  When he gets the all clear from the doctors to return home, he has a talk with Holly after she has helped keep the ranch running while he was sick.  He tells her that he will accept the situation if it is kept private and they all get their Happily Ever After.

I was not a fan of the rape like scenes or the fact that Gavin kept this a secret until the wedding night.  Plus, Holly falls in love way too quickly with each man and is just expected to accept it.  I had a hard time believing in this romance and wasn’t impressed by any of the characters.  I had to force myself to even finish this book.  I found the cover and the summary to be vague and misleading for most of the story told.

MY RATING
[sc:rate1 ]

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON

Review: Elevator Heat by B.D. Rowe

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19542130

 

Elevator Heat
Author: B.D. Rowe
Release Date:  12/14/2013

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

Twenty-year-old Maddie has had a crush on Colin, her studly internship supervisor, for three long months. She struggles focusing on her work, and always finds herself gazing at his wavy brown hair, his chiseled cheekbones, his kissable lips. Little does she know, however, that he has feelings for her, too.

The problem is no matter how much time they spend together in the office, neither one can ever make the first move.

That is, until they both step into the old, rickety elevator late one Friday night.

And things start to get a little steamy…

MY THOUGHTS

Another case of cover love hit me when I saw this book.  I loved the steamy cover.  I liked the summary of the story.  I loathed the story itself.

This book could have been good.  For short stories, elevator sex can be a great chance to write some sexy scenes while telling quick story.  What we get with Elevator Heat though is a big mess.  We get the quick read in first person, third person and everything in between.  I started to get a headache just trying to remember whose head we were in when we actually weren’t in someones head. Confused? Well so was I.  It lacked editing and had serious repetitiveness with words.

After about 2/3 of the book I gave up.  I just couldn’t bring myself to finish a story that lacked connection from the characters.

MY RATING
[sc:rate1 ]
DNF

AMAZON / GOODREADS

Review: Window by Michele Renae

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19046015

 

Window
Series: Paris Secrets #1
Author: Michele Renae
Release Date: 11/25/2013

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

An erotic romance behind glass

The first time she sees her new neighbor, his sexy smile arouses her curiosity — and her desires. His hard, chiseled muscles and playful invitations are irresistible.

Bared before their windows, framed and displayed above the streets of Paris, they embark upon a provocative affair.

Their daring game of exhibitionism lures her back for more and more, and she quickly realizes he is the man she has dreamed about.

Yet she’s never heard his voice. Never felt his touch. Never thought she’d experience something this exquisite.

Or this bold…

Paris Secrets
Do you dare?

MY THOUGHTS

Window is the first book in the Paris Secrets series by author Michele Renae.  It is an erotic tale of two strangers exposing themselves through their windows performing an art of exhibitionism for the public if caught.

I truly wanted to enjoy this book.  I tried and tried to read it.  I would pick it up, read some, then have to put it down.  I ended up taking a full week to finish a book that should have only taken me a day — two at most.  I think the main problem I had with this book was how long winded the writing was.  The author would start with one thing and go off on several other subjects in detail.   In other words, most of the story is “filling” and not necessarily needed to enhance the tale.

While some readers might enjoy this sort of story and erotic telling, I for one got bored too many times to count.  This book barely made it out of the DNF category for me.

MY RATING
[sc:rate1 ]

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON