Mini Review: Disarm by June Gray

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Disarm
Series: Disarm #1
Author: June Gray
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Even the deepest secrets always find a way to surface…

26-year-old Elsie Sherman has had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Henry Logan, since she was twelve years old. Unfortunately, Henry has only ever treated her like a younger sister, stepping into her brother’s shoes after he was killed in action.

That is, until one night, when one dance ignites a sensual fire between the two, leaving Elsie aroused and confused. Is she allowed to lust after her surrogate big brother who also happens to be her roommate?

But Henry, an Air Force officer, has been harboring two secrets–one will bring them together and the other will tear them apart–and it is up to Elsie to decide if their relationship is worth fighting for.

MY THOUGHTS

Disarm is the first novelette in the Disarm series by author June Gray.  I saw this on Amazon for free a few days ago and decided to hit the “Buy Now” button.  I thought that even if it wasn’t any good, at least it was free and helped pass the time.  What I didn’t expect was how sweet and great of a read it would be.

Elsie Sherman lost her brother while he was fighting for his country.  She has been harboring a crush on her brothers best friend Henry Logan.  Henry and Elsie are now living together as roommates and what starts out as a friendship ends up turning into something more after a night out.  Henry finally starts to show interest in Elsie and the sparks start to ignite into a steamy romance.  When they finally do the deed and both confess to having a crush on each other for a long time, Henry gets the word from his commander that his deployment date has been moved up.  Just when the two finally have a start to a lasting relationship, Henry has to leave to serve the country.  Elsie is scared to let him go — even though she knows it is his duty — but she is afraid she will lose him like she lost her brother.

This was a great read for the start of a series/serial.  The writing was great and the characters were believable.  Even though it is considered a novelette — coming in at around 14,000 words — it didn’t have the downside of being rushed like a short story usually is.  The ending is left with a bit of sadness, but it was something I expected since this is a 6 part series.  I quickly ended up buying the boxed e-book set so I could continue the story.  Again, another author to add to my favorite authors list.

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

Review: Addicted by Charlotte Stein

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Addicted
Author: Charlotte Stein
Genre: Adult Romance / Erotica

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Kit Connor has always led a safe, cautious life. But when her friend points out that her erotic writing lacks something, she decides to attend a Sexual Healing group to improve her knowledge.

Kit expects to find the gritty underbelly of sex, and instead finds louche, laidback, sex-loving Dillon Holt.

He makes a suggestion to her: that he will tell tales of his sexual excess, and help her book get the realism it needs. She agrees, but hasn’t the least idea of what she’s getting into.

Dillon doesn’t have simple advice in mind … he has lessons to teach her. Lessons on everything she’s never dared to experience, from kink to real passion.

Now Kit is never sure: is Dillon the addict, or is she just addicted to him?

MY THOUGHTS

After reading a previous book by Charlotte Stein, I have been watching out for new releases by her.  The last book I read was a short story, but this one is a full length that I was highly anticipating.  Ms. Stein can right descriptive scenes like a master story teller.  It actually feels like you are the character in the book with all of the emotions pouring from the pages into your body.

I absolutely loved Dillon in this book. He was so carefree and funny that it was refreshing in this genre.  After reading so many books about Alpha/Dominant men with having to have the upper hand, it was delightful to read about a main male character actually being kind and very generous to the woman in the bedroom.  This is not to say that he is not a strong and alpha man — the man is freaking huge in height and “length” — but he has a tender side as well.

Kit was just as funny, but she did get on my nerves at time with her inner dialogue and embarrassment at every little thing.  This is something that could be overlooked, but at times I just wanted her to get over it and quit making up such random things in her head.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.  It had the steamy factor, the hot male lead, the chemistry, the humor and the wonderful writing I knew Charlotte Stein could deliver.  Another hit by an author I am “Addicted” to now!

MY RATING
Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Mini Review: With Regret – Part One by Samantha Kay

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With Regret: Part One
Series: With Regret #1
Author: Samantha Kay
Genre: M/M Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Jacob’s trust in Phil is suddenly shattered, leaving him questioning everything they had become. He thought Phil would never hurt him, never betray him, and never lie. But as he discovers the true extent of Phil’s hidden pastime, he is forced to decide what to do next: leave, stay, or seek revenge…

MY THOUGHTS

First off let me say that I read the ‘dirty version’ of this short story.  The author gives you an option to read the clean version on her blog, but I am all for the dirtier the better.  I can’t say if the Amazon version is the dirty or clean version as I purchased my copy through the Smashwords website.

Second, if you are not a fan of cheating, keep in mind that the cheating is the catalyst for this story.  I am not a huge fan of cheating in a book or in real life, but I will say that even though there is a cheating part in the beginning of this book, the fallout of that act is what the story is actually about.  It centers around the pain, the heartbreak and the strength of whether or not a relationship can survive after the cheating is found out by the betrayed partner.

While there is a bunch of groveling on Phil’s part, I am still left wondering why he would cheat in the first place.  He describes his relationship with Jacob as perfect and not lacking in anything.  He tries to explain to Jacob that it was the excitement in doing the act but I am not buying it.  Jacob is hurt and wants to hate Phil for what he has done.  Can they work past this hurtful act or will they walk away from each other? By the end of the short story, we get some answers but we are left with it up in the air.  Personally, I want to know how they are going to continue to work through this or if Jacob is going to even forgive Phil for this.  I hope the author plans on continuing the story so I can get some closure as well.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Review: Anything He Wants by Sara Fawkes

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Anything He Wants
Series: Dominated By The Billionaire #1-5
Genre: Erotica / Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Lucy Delacourt’s temp position isn’t quite her dream job but it pays the bills. The highlight of her day is riding the elevator in the mornings with a handsome stranger. Tall, dark, and sexy as hell, Lucy knows he’s way out of her league, but a girl can look, right? 

Everything changes the day the stranger seduces her. Completely out of character, she yields without a fight, but she has no idea her wanton acts with a man whose name she doesn’t know will change her life forever. Because the sexy stranger is none other than Jeremiah Hamilton, billionaire CEO of Hamilton Industries, and one taste isn’t nearly enough to satisfy his need.  As the billionaire pulls Lucy deeper into his world of high stakes business deals and ruthless takeovers, he demands nothing less than her complete surrender.  But even as enemies seek deadly revenge against him, she’ll discover that her greatest threat is falling for her fiercely guarded boss…and yielding to her own darkest needs.

MY THOUGHTS

I had been dying to start this series ever since I saw it offered on Amazon as short novels in a series.  I kept telling myself that I would wait until they were all released before deciding if I wanted to purchase them.  Then I noticed in the store that they had packaged them all in one print book and decided to risk it.

Right after the first chapter I knew I was going to have problems with this book.  The writing was contradictory in so many things.  One minute she is an innocent heroine with little experience and the next she is tramping it up all over the building.  Jeremiah was so dominant at times that he bordered on rapist and walking a fine line for a sexual harassment suit.  For instance, when you are there for a job interview and the man interviewing you makes you bend over his desk so he can look at you while asking interview questions, well then honey you need to run.  Also, can someone please tell me how choking someone to the point of nearly passing out would be something you do to someone who has never participated in a BDSM relationship before?

By the time I was reaching the home stretch of this book, I was finally starting to get a little bit of interest in the plot and characters.  Then the author seriously ends the book the way she did?  I don’t think I could see myself reading this story further if the author is planning on continuing the story with another installment.

MY RATING

       
I did not like this book at all!

Review: As Twilight Falls by Amanda Ashley

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As Twilight Falls
Author: Amanda Ashley
Genre: Paranormal Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Photographing ghost towns across the American West, Kadie Andrews takes a wrong turn and ends up in Morgan Creek—a spot that isn’t on the map. It’s a quaint little place, but there’s something off about its complacent residents. And when twilight falls, it takes on a truly sinister air…

Unable to run or to find any way out, Kadie finds herself a prisoner, hunted for her blood. Still more disturbing, her spirit and beauty have captured the attention of the town’s leader—the mysterious Rylan Saintcrow. When he looks into her eyes, she can see his hunger. When he takes her in his arms, she can feel his power. When he presses his lips against hers, she can taste his need. Saintcrow may be the most powerful creature she’s ever imagined, but Kadie knows in her heart that he is also a man. A man who needs a woman. To want him, desire him, crave him. To be his willing prisoner—for all eternity…

MY THOUGHTS

I know this review is early, but it is hard for me to contain my excitement when it comes to books written by this author.  She is one of my favorites when it comes to vampire romance.

When Kadie Andrews gets lost and runs out of gas, she finds herself trapped in the town of Morgan Creek.  When she is taken in by one of the town vampires, she can’t believe vampires exist.  When the town people start revealing piece by piece why they are trapped in Morgan Creek, Kadie still refuses to accept being trapped like cattle.  Even though she starts to fall for the head vampire named Rylan Saintcrow, she still craves her freedom and hoping to return to her sick sister and parents.  While Kadie struggles with her feelings for Rylan and for captivity, Rylan is dealing with the few vampires in town planning a mutiny.  They are tired of following his rules and are wanting to embrace their predatory vampire nature.

The main reason I enjoyed this book — and every book written by this author in the past — is because of the way the vampire lore is portrayed.  There are no sparkles and not all of the characters are always perfect.  The vampires have killed — they still kill at times — but they do fall in love.  There is fluff and there is shake-your-head moments with the characters, but it gives you a feel good feeling of reading what true vampire/paranormal romance books used to be and what they can continue to be.

Another great book by and author who stays true to her writing roots and always has me swept away from page one.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!