Review: Up In Flames by Tory Richards

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Up In Flames
Author: Tory Richards
Genre: Erotica 

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Rachel Masters has had a crush on her sexy boss for three years. As far as she knows the millionaire architect is oblivious to her, walking past her desk every morning with barely a nod in her direction. But when the power goes out and they’re trapped in an elevator, the truth comes out in one steamy episode designed to take Rachel’s mind off being claustrophobic.

James White doesn’t have a crush on his receptionist. He wants her, its as simple as that. He senses there’s a real beauty hidden beneath the granny glasses and professional suites. And he plans to find out how hot she is as soon as the chance presents itself.

MY THOUGHTS

Up in Flames is a short story/novella coming in at 33 pages according to Amazon.  While I don’t usually read stories this short because I feel short-changed sometimes, I decided to give it a try since I have liked this authors writing in the past.

Not much can be said about this book in a review.  It was short. To the point. Filled with lots of sex as well since it is an erotica read.  The writing was good with lots of sexy time, I just wish it could have been longer with more of a buildup for the characters.  I know novellas are rushed and needing to fit within a short amount of pages, but it was too rushed if that makes sense.

If you are a fan of short reads, then this book will feed your hunger for this sort of craving.  If you are like me and have a hard time with short stories, then be forewarned that it is quite short and rushed.

MY RATING

If the library doesn’t have it, don’t worry about reading it!

Review: The Proposal by Katie Ashley

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The Proposal
Series: The Proposition #2
Author: Katie Ashley
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

In the weeks following Aidan’s betrayal, Emma has tried her best to move on. Ignoring his countless texts, voice mails, and flowers, she isn’t sure she wants to be won back by him. But Aidan isn’t going down without a fight—especially not until Emma lets him reveal the secret of his past that caused him to be so commitment phobic.

But fate intervenes when premature labor forces Emma on strict bed rest for two weeks. Aidan steps forward with a shocking proposal. To prove his love and commitment for her and their unborn son, he will take a leave of absence from work to care for her around the clock. Vowing to guard her heart, Emma reluctantly agrees.

While she is touched by Aidan’s attentiveness and tender loving care, Emma is thrown for a loop by the amorous attentions of ER doctor, Alpesh “Pesh” Nadeen. Pesh is everything Emma could ever want—successful, stable, and ready to settle down and be a husband and father. Pesh wants nothing more than to win Emma’s heart, but she is not sure she’s able to give it.

Her heart may still belong to the very man who broke it—the one who is so desperately trying to win her back.

MY THOUGHTS

After the way the previous book in this series ended, I honestly didn’t know how Aidan was going to fix his big mistake.  Even though he screwed the relationship up,  I still was cheering him on and hoped the author could fix it.

Aidan is desperate to win Emma back.  He knows he messed things up when he got scared with his feelings, but in this book it is Emma’s turn to throw it back in his face.  When Emma must take Aidan’s father to the hospital after a health scare, she meets the young and sexy Dr. Alpesh Nadeen.  Aidan recognizes him as competition for Emma and knows he is going to have to fight twice as hard.  Can I just say that Aidan has some serious groveling to do in this book and he goes all out.  Then throw in the McHottie doctor and we have some hard decisions for Emma.

Now for the parts I didn’t like too much.  I didn’t like the pace of the book this time around.  We start at one time, then it jumps two weeks, then two months, then just a few days, months again, then and epilogue 8 months later.  It would have been so much better sticking to just a monthly jump to have flowed better.  Also, after Emma makes her decision on which man she will be with, it is drawn out in sappy moments for few chapters.  When the climax is reached in the story you expect it to end, but with this one you get a series of small climaxes that took away from the best parts of the book.

While I did enjoy the book,  I found this one lacking compared to The Proposition. Overall a good book, but it does fall in the dreaded sequel trap of not being as good as the first.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

Dark Days Q&A with author Veronica Rossi

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Through the Ever Night
Release date: Jan. 8, 2013
Author: Veronica Rossi

SUMMARY

It’s been months since Aria learned of her mother’s death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It’s a moment they’ve been longing for with countless expectations. And it’s a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at fi rst. Then it slips away. The Tides don’t take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry’s control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure—and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR 
VERONICA ROSSI

1.  Under the Never Sky was one of my top picks for the year. What can the readers expect for Through the Ever Night? 

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed UTNS!

In THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT the stakes are definitely higher. The scope of the story is broader – it’s not just about Aria and Perry anymore. It’s an intense book, and I think readers are in for a few surprises!

2.  I understand that this is going to be a trilogy of books.  Did you see the entire story at once, or does it come to you with each book?

The entire trilogy had some shape from the outset. I knew it was ultimately going to be a story about a massive migration. A search for the safe haven called the Still Blue. I also had some clear ideas about what I wanted to do within each book, but they changed as I wrote them. Not very much, but they did change!

3.  As for character growth, in the first book we got to see Aria grow in strength learning how to survive out of the Reverie. In the second book, will we get to see her grow even stronger? Will she be Perry’s savior in the second book?

Yes, Aria is much stronger in the second book. Her journey has been so satisfying to write. As for whether she’s Perry’s savior? Hmmm. I’d rather not spoil that one. I do think he’d probably answer that question with a resounding yes.

4.  Will we get to read from Perry’s point of view at all in Through the Ever Night?

Yes! The trilogy will continue with the dual points of view, alternating between Aria and Perry, all the way through the third and final book, INTO THE STILL BLUE.

 FLASH ROUND!

–Channing Tatum or Chris Hemsworth?

Yes 😉

–Movies at home or movies at the theater?

Either! I love movies!

–Vampires or Werewolves?

Hmmm. Vampires?

–Fiction or Nonfiction?

Both. Love any kind of book!

–Christmas or Thanksgiving?

Christmas!

–Thank you so much Veronica!

Thank you!

Review: The Proposition by Katie Ashley

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The Proposition
Series: The Proposition #1
Author: Katie Ashley
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he’s determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma’s predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma’s child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can’t seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

MY THOUGHTS

Why hasn’t this author or book received more attention?  This book was addictive, frustrating, sexy and one I couldn’t put down.  Author Katie Ashley had a great voice in her writing.

I admit, there were times I wanted to quit reading it out of frustration and moments of eye-rolling.  Even with those moments though, I am so glad I read this book.  It was a perfect read for my reading slump.  It features Aidan who is not only sexy as hell, but he can be…..well an ass. Some of the things he did were enough to make me want to punch him if he were real.  Then he would have tender moments with his family that would just make me swoon like an infatuated little girl.  Emma was okay for a character.  At times she was weak, but overall a strong character.

Be prepared though, the ending is left in a cliffhanger and wanting the sequel.  Some people don’t like the cliffhanger endings, but I think the author did it at the right time in the story.  I can’t wait to start the next book in the series so I can get my Aidan fix!

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Review: Escorted by Claire Kent

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Escorted
Author: Claire Kent
Genre: Erotica/Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

She hired him to take her virginity…but now she wants even more.

Lori might be a popular romance writer, but she’s never been anything but a flop with sex and love in her personal life. Still a virgin at twenty-six and increasingly frustrated by her inexperience, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires a talented, sexy male escort to take care of her inconvenient virginity.

She assumes one time with Ander will be enough, but she never dreams how much pleasure he can make her feel. Once isn’t nearly enough. Twice isn’t enough either. Soon, she becomes one of his regular clients.

Lori knows that nothing would be as foolish as falling in love with her paid escort, but she’s never been wise with her heart. And, despite his professionalism, he doesn’t seem entirely immune either.

MY THOUGHTS

When I first started reading this book, I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it to the last page.  There were plenty of moments that had me giggling, rolling my eyes and wanting to shake my head from some of the to-stupid-to-live moments of the characters.

Lori is in her late twenties, writes romance novels, and it still a virgin.  After her cousin refer’s her to Ander – a male escort/gigolo – she decides to hire him to take her virginity.  I am a sucker for this type of story.  Ander was patient, sexy, and very skilled in his profession.

While I enjoyed the book, there were many things that I didn’t like.  First of all, the sex in the beginning was way too clinical in my opinion.  Ander is always explaining things to Lori and describing every little detail for Lori.  If this woman is suppose to be a best selling author of romance — which her pen name is the actual author of the books name — she should be able to at least have some understanding of the act.  I mean Google can be your friend even in this area of description.  Another thing I didn’t like was some of the over the top dialogue with a repetitive theme.  Each time these characters had sex, it was the same phrases and mannerisms.

Now, with all that being said, this book still was pretty good.  If you can make it to at least the 25 percent mark of the story, then you will enjoy getting to the 100 percent mark.  Yes the ending is slightly corny and cliched, but it does give you a fun ride in between those two points.  A guilty pleasure book that will become addictive without you even realizing it.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!