The Difference Between by Stephanie Burke

December 1, 2021 By 1 Comment


The Difference Between by Stephanie Burke
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Rotic, a human boy, was a slave when High Orc Chieftain Vizri first rescued him. Now, as Vizri’s adopted son, Rotic has become a renowned warrior and leader of the Orc Army. Rotic is confused when he’s gifted with a male consort, but he knows he has earned his place in life, and he has full confidence nothing will ever take his power and position away from him.

Ogun is used and broken when he’s brought to the castle of the High Orc Chieftain as tribute — actually a sly insult — by the underhanded Dark Elves. When Ogun is named Consort and meets Rotic, his new partner, he finds himself lost in a whole new way of life before the sun has set. He has a new position and a growing relationship with Rotic. Nothing could ever ruin this for Ogun.

But with treacherous humans threatening the Orc Nation, magical and cultural landmines to traverse, and a new wife added to the mix, Ogun and Rotic’s lives are changing faster than they can blink. Ogun and Rotic have to learn to adjust and overcome before the differences between them become an insurmountable mountain that will destroy them both.

Don’t fight the mothers, because you won’t win!

Oh, man. I loved this book. For once, the Orcs are an honourable race, honest and to the point, full of integrity. I can’t say how long I’ve wanted a story like this, and Ms. Burke delivered fully.

It is hot and saucy, with the scenes between Ogun full of love and laughter, plus plenty of misunderstandings about how the world goes around. I loved that it was the humans and the Elves – okay, Dark Elves, but you get where I’m coming from – that were the ones causing trouble.

As for the mothers, well. That was love, pure and simple. They loved Rotic and only wanted the best for him. Luckily, that included Ogun. I am hoping to return to this so I can see how they treated his ‘wife’, plus how Meti got on with his consort and wife too.

A brilliant story that was over too soon for my liking. Absolutely recommended by me.

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Rook’s Palace by Alexa Piper

November 30, 2021 By 1 Comment


Rook’s Palace by Alexa Piper
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Emilia is excited to start a house-sitting job, even if the house is creepy and more than a little on the odd side — as odd as the owner’s requests. When she finds an unusual gaming console, she is drawn into a lusty video game in which she crosses paths with five inhuman creatures. She is drawn to them all, but when the five men keep telling her that the game is very much not what it seems, Emilia realizes she can no longer play along.

As the path she follows offers not just desire and intense experiences but also sadness, cruelty, and hurt around every bend, Emilia’s resolve firms: she will free the five men, who tell her they are already a family, already lovers. Whatever she has grown to feel for them, she cannot let them suffer if saving them is within her power.

With the rules of a game she doesn’t understand forcing her to play along, Emilia must find a way to get to the end of the game and get everyone out — whatever the cost. The freedom of her five monsters depends on her.

A steamy Jumanji-type computer game!

That’s what Emilia finds when she house-sits. She is told that if she enters she will find lots of sex, so surprisingly doesn’t answer no when asked if she is sure. What she finds is more than she bargained for though.

This was a quick read with, yes, plenty of sex. I actually felt sorry for Arden. He was the first ‘encounter’ and, as such, I didn’t feel the emotional connection to him as I did to the others that came later. Each of the male characters is very individual and brilliantly described. The objects that Emilia collects is perfect for each one and shows thought by the author, instead of just randomly picking an item out of thin air.

This is the first in a series and I honestly can’t wait to continue the series. I want to know more about Emilia, plus the men, but most especially Radovan!

Enjoyed and recommended by me.

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Come For You by Willa Okati

November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Come For You by Willa Okati
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Gabriel, a dreamer and a librarian, is so shy and introverted that he’s still a virgin Omega at twenty-five — but he can’t help wishing fairy-tale Prince Charmings were real and that one would find him. One does, a rough-hewn but outgoing, captivating quarryman Alpha called Wynn. For them, it’s love at first sight. Gabriel doesn’t care if they’re an odd couple, no matter what others and his Beta co-librarian Cameron thinks about it.

But the happy ending is harder to come by. When Gabriel’s almost full term with their first child, there’s an accidental explosion at the quarry that leaves Wynn trapped behind a wall of rubble. Waiting for news – any news – and hoping against hope, all Gabriel has to comfort himself with is the memory of his fairytale of a love story. He’s so lost in dreaming he doesn’t realize he’s in labor and needs to get to a doctor.

Who will rescue who?

Gabriel is a dreamer and determined to wait for his Prince Charming. After a long wait he finally finds it in solid quarryman Wynn. Can these two find their happily ever after?

This story jumps a fair bit from a past series of events and the present time. While I understood the author was trying to tell two sections of Wynn and Gabriel’s story at the same time, I really felt this frequent jumping back and forth was pretty confusing and I tended to muddle the stories up when I was trying to recall the sequence later on. Everything sort of meshed together in my mind and I found this quite difficult to sort out so I’m not sure this style of story-telling really works for me and I’m not sure I’d want to read another story set out like this again.

That said, I did really enjoy both Wynn and Gabriel’s characters. I felt their connection and clear love and attraction was a lovely romance for the story and I absolutely wanted to see their happy ever after. I also enjoyed the plotline of the explosion at the quarry, but felt a lot of the drama and enjoyment of this plot was hampered by the fact the constant back and forth between present and past really lowered my enjoyment of the story as a whole.

Readers looking for a lovely romance story between a shy librarian and a dedicated hard worker should find plenty in this story that appeals to them. While I’m not sold on the back and forth in the timeline of telling the two main aspects of the story I think this is a different enough style that readers looking for something a little outside the box might find this refreshingly different.

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The Devil’s Necromancer by Alexa Piper

November 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Devil’s Necromancer by Alexa Piper
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Lionel, a necromancer and consultant for the Brunswick Police Department, wants nothing to do with immortals. Specifically, he wants nothing to do with Lucifer, who shows up on his doorstep one day with a ridiculous proposal. Lucifer, also known as the Devil, wants Lionel to be his pretend boyfriend. Except the pretend part is something the Devil doesn’t really seem to care for.

Lucifer has read enough romance novels to know that a good dose of forced proximity might be just the thing to get the stubborn necromancer he desires into his bed. The Devil’s plans are soon complicated when Lionel proves more uncooperative and oblivious to love than Lucifer could ever anticipate.

While the Devil wants to claim Lionel, all Lionel wants is to get away from Lucifer. Meanwhile, magic users are being murdered in the city. Lionel cannot escape the implications of those murders for long, and the case soon takes a different turn. Will Lionel be able to escape the Devil’s thrall, or will the necromancer fall for the immortal seducer?

Enter a world where magic users, including necromancers, help out the Police Department; where you can find cursed Hellpoodles, and Lucifer prefers to be called Lucy.

The blurb offered me so much, and I was looking forward to reading this. This was good but could have been so much better! Unfortunately for me – and I’ll probably be in the minority here – but it just never felt like it delivered. Lionel is full of snark, but you never get a reason why… unless it’s the old “I really like him, but I don’t” which seems to be the theme of this book. There is a warning about DubCon and I would take note! The mystery side is an afterthought, taking up very little page space.

Neither of the main characters was memorable for me. I much preferred Trony and Tiamet and would like to see more of them in the future. They, plus others, helped move this story along. Christine was fun to read about as she was not prepared to take any sh*t from Lionel.

I’ve read others by this author and enjoyed them more. I feel like this will be a book to split opinions. I think you will either fall in love with it or just find it meh. All in all, a quick, okay read.

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Daddy’s Little Hellion by Lila Fox

November 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Daddy’s Little Hellion by Lila Fox
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

All her life, Jenna has fought just to be seen. She never thought she would find someone to love her the way she is. She knows she can be difficult, but underneath, she’s a scared little girl in need of a daddy.

Trey has been looking for a little. With his dominance and height of six and a half feet, it seems impossible to find a woman strong enough to put up with him. When he sets his eyes on Jenna for the first time, he’s instantly attracted, but she’s so timid, hiding behind other people. He doesn’t think she’ll be able to deal with a man like him.

As he realizes she’s not timid but bruised and in need of help, he steps in to protect her. It takes losing someone close to them to bring them together, but will another act of violence tear them apart again?

Trey had finally finished with his government work overseas and was ready to settle back home in the States with his friends and enter the next chapter in his life. Trey is surprised but pleased so many of his friends have found their perfect woman. The group of women have been harboring a secret and when a number of the Daddies band together to wrangle it out of them Trey is surprised when they learn the secret about Jenna, and he’s even more shocked at the strength of the protective feelings it rouses in him.

I found this to be a very explicit and steamy story. While a lot of the secondary characters clearly have their own stories in the series I felt this book could be read on its own with both Trey and Jenna’s characters well introduced and their relationship established throughout the course of this story. While Trey has been a Dom most of his life he is new to the Daddy/little dynamic and so a lot of information about this kink is explained so readers new to this aspect shouldn’t feel too out of their depth.

I felt like it took me a while to warm up to Jenna’s character. Part of me felt like her aggression and stubbornness pushed the boundary a little past pride and independence and into stupidity. While I totally understood she’d been hurt in the past and she lashed out to protect and defend herself, it seemed pretty silly for her to purposely antagonize one of the few people actually trying to help her. I could see that the author worked hard to explain Jenna’s outrageous rudeness and behavior but it really was a struggle for me to like her for quite a bit of the story.

With an explicit group-sex style of scene and plenty of BDSM (Daddy/little) elements to the numerous relationships readers who are looking for an intense and explicit story should find this story delivers on all that. I was pleased with the plot revolving around Jenna – finding it refreshing and different as she attempts to deal with an ex harassing her with some independence.

While this story has extremely strong willed characters and a solid plotline, it also has a fair bit of Daddy/little kink and I feel this book won’t suit all readers’ tastes. But for those who enjoy this element of BDSM, or those looking for an edgier, stronger style of erotic romance story this should be a refreshing change of pace.

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Hansel & Gretel: To Have and to Hold by Rose Wulf

November 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Hansel & Gretel: To Have and to Hold by Rose Wulf
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

For nearly two hundred years, the Hansel and Gretel Academy has trained young adults to fight and protect the rest of humanity from the magical threats of the land.

After a decade of partnership, the Hansel and Gretel team of Katz and Chessa are going strong. They’ve never met a monster they couldn’t kill. When Chessa’s twin brother, Declan, finally writes her back after numerous months of one-sided correspondence, it’s with barely a note of acknowledgment. So Katz makes a surprise decision, bucking the tradition which insists upon keeping distance between different teams. He vows to Chessa they’ll track her brother down, just so she can have a face-to-face conversation with him.

As their journey begins, unbeknownst to them, they set off the first part of an ancient prophecy threatening the destruction of the very establishment that supports them….

Before they can learn about that, they have to survive some dangerous situations unlike anything they’ve encountered before. And when one momentary lapse forces Katz to reveal a dark, intimate secret he’s kept from Chessa for years … Chessa offers him an ultimatum. He can have her body, or he can pursue random strangers from whatever village they land in when he’s in the mood. But he can’t do both.

It’s a no-brainer for Katz, but will Chessa understand what their changing relationship really means? Or will her insecurities get the better of her, and ruin their blossoming romance?

Rose Wulf’s Hansel and Gretel: To Have and To Hold is not some tale of two naïve children wandering through the forest. Instead, the author takes readers into a world where hunting pairs train at the prestigious Hansel and Gretel Academy. Graduates are then sent out into the world to deal with all sorts of foul creatures, constantly moving from job to job. For one Hansel and Gretel pair, will their feelings for each other get in the way of stopping an ancient prophecy?

Katz and Chessa, who go by Hansel and Gretel when on a job–as tradition demands, have been a hunting pair for over 10 years. Chessa is great at being diplomatic and dealing with the townspeople who request their aid. On the other hand, Katz is a total hothead which makes him seem prickly. This trait serves him well – the monsters, not so much.

I love a book where the love interests are friends first before they end up in bed together. The tension and romance between Katz and Chessa have been developing for years by the time we meet them in the book. When they finally stopped resisting and allowed their relationship to develop into more, it was palpable and hot. Ms. Wulf left me hooked and wanting more – I couldn’t stop reading until she delivered all the spiciness she had been teasing readers with. I am happy to report those scenes were worth the wait once they arrived.

Fairytale retellings can be hit or miss. An author should use enough of the original story so it’s recognizable but put their own spin on it such that it doesn’t feel stale or repetitive. I was quite happy with the direction that Ms. Wulf took the Hansel and Gretel story in. I prefer stories where Hansel and Gretel are not siblings. However, despite my love of the idea, the plot execution fell flat for me at times. One issue I had while reading was the lack of knowledge on how the Academy operates. I was eighty percent of the way into the book before the author started revealing details like how the academy is structured, how pairs are matched, and who directs the hunters in the field. The magic system was also a big question mark for me. As a die-hard fantasy fan, there wasn’t quite enough detail for me to be satisfied with how everything worked. As a result, I didn’t appreciate some of the plot twists until well after the event had taken place –which took the fun out of it. This aspect may be off-putting for some fans who are looking for books that involve more fantasy and fairy tale references.

Mature erotic romance fans who enjoy books filled with action-packed adventure and paranormal elements will find themselves fans of this book. Despite some minor issues, I’ll definitely be checking out other books by Rose Wulf in the future when I have a free moment.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Killian Unbound by Rebecca York

November 24, 2021 By 2 Comments


Killian Unbound by Rebecca York
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Princess Sabina has always obeyed her father, King Norwen. But when he plans to marry her to a ruthless prince, she runs away. Soon captured, she’s thrown into a tower cell to await her punishment.

The prison is already occupied — by a terrifying ghost. Hiding her fears, she befriends him, hoping they might help each other. As they grow close, she realizes he’s not a phantom but an enchanted mortal who remembers nothing of his past. Physical contact with Sabina is the key to bringing back the memory of the man she learns is named Killian. The more intimate they become, the more he remembers.

Their shared adversity forges a bond between them, but will they be free to acknowledge their love for each other, or will her ruthless father capture her and drag her away from the man she’s coming to love?

What would you do if a ghost is not a ghost and can only remember just who he is by touching you?

This is the dilemma Princess Sabina finds herself in. She has run away from home, determined not to marry the cruel man her father has chosen. Unfortunately, money speaks louder than morals, and she is betrayed and thrown into a haunted cell.

This was a great little coffee-break book. There is a story here, even if it isn’t too deep, and characters you can get behind. It is steamy – once Sabina decides she wants to lose her virginity, and once Killian finds his body and memories! There is also an emotional connection between the two and it could easily be expanded into a full-length novel if so desired, giving more background to the father, cruel prince, and our main characters and Killian’s kingdom. Everything was sorted out just a little too easily but that’s me being picky.

All in all, this is a book that gives you exactly what it offers. Thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending it.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Hero’s Quilt by Cooper McKenzie

November 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Hero’s Quilt by Cooper McKenzie
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Injured in Afghanistan, Michael Alan Carlyle III ends up at Fort Hood, Texas where he receives a quilt with a letter tucked into a hidden pocket. Once discharged, he goes in search of Jordan Potter, the quiltmaker.

Jordan Potter’s shyness has grown so severe he lives with his grandmother and makes quilt art in his attic studio. When Mac arrives, Jordan finds himself intrigued and wanting to push beyond his self-imposed boundaries in order to become a man Mac might be able to love.

Will Mac return to Texas? Will Jordan be able to overcome his shyness to grow into a man Mac can be proud of? Will Mac be able to admit he feels more than friendly feelings toward Jordan?

Wounded vet Mac’s life had been turned upside down with the loss of his lower leg, but even with his newly broken body Mac knew he wouldn’t be returning to Chicago to work in his father’s company. While recovering in hospital Mac is gifted a hand-sewn quilt, one with a note from the creator, Jordan, offering Mac a meal and their personal thanks should Mac ever be nearby. Not knowing the new direction he wanted for his life, Mac decides to take Jordan up on his offer, an exchange which will change both men’s lives forever.

I really enjoyed this slower paced, steamy romance story. I found Mac and Jordan’s characters to be interesting and not overly cookie-cutter, which each loosely fit a stereotype (the wounded vet and the small-town country guy) I loved how the author made their characters deeper and more complex than simply what they first appeared to be. I also liked how Mac and Jordan initially began their friendship by writing to each other. I definitely thought this helped solidify a solid foundation for Mac and Jordan together and considering both their personal circumstances at the time this felt like an interesting and well suited way for them to both get closer and learn more about each other while they were each in their own difficult circumstance. It also lent the story an air of old-fashioned-ness which I personally really enjoyed.

Different but still absolutely modern, I thought the slower pace of the romance along with the exchange of letters through the first part of the story gave this book a refreshing outlook. Readers who enjoy modern but slightly different stories should really find this suits their tastes. While the romance blossomed slowly between Mac and Jordan I thought it was extremely emotional as both Mac and Jordan each overcame their own obstacles. Readers looking for a strongly sexual and explicit story probably won’t find this suits what they’re wanting – though there are a small number of intimate scenes towards the end.

This strongly emotional and slower paced story is a delightful read that I enjoyed. With very strong characters and a lot of emotional and vulnerability I feel this is a good story a wide range of readers should find satisfying.

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Not His Mate by Jade Marshall

November 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Not His Mate by Jade Marshall
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

When a wolf shifter finds their fated mate their entire world changes. There is nothing on earth they wouldn’t do to keep their mate by their side. But what happens when your fated mate is already mated to someone else?

Calum Beckett, Beta to the Katu wolf pack, has finally found his fated mate in Talon Quinn. The only problem is that she already has a mate. Trying to stay away from Talon is pulling him apart and driving his wolf to the brink of insanity. But what choice does he have?

Talon has moved to the Katu Pack with her mate Parker, but Parker isn’t her true mate, but someone she was forced to mate by her previous Alpha. When she finds her fated mate her life is thrown even further into chaos. Difficult choices lie ahead, and no matter which path she chooses, pain is inevitable.

How much pain are you willing to cause? How will either mate react to choices that Talon makes? Can anyone have their happily ever after?

You’ve got a mate, but it’s the wrong one!

That’s what happens to Talon when she is mated to a shifter called Parker in her previous pack. He is not her mate but was ‘given’ her as a reward for being loyal. So when that pack is taken over and some of them integrate into a new pack, you can be sure of trouble when her real mate shows up.

This was a quick read with all the parts I love in a shifter story. There are fated mates where the path is anything but smooth, humour, steam, and most importantly for me, a HEA! I just wish there had been more of it!

This is the second book in the Katu Wolves series and although I read this as a standalone, I’m not sure if reading book one would have been more beneficial to me. At least then I would have had some idea about Slade’s pack and how the takeover worked. Still, maybe that’s me wanting more… again!

On the whole, this was a great read for a coffee break. If you like shifter romances, I see no reason why you won’t like this!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Devour Me by Amma Cerise

November 19, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Devour Me by Amma Cerise
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Eighteen-year-old Mandy dreams of graduating from high school and getting as far away from home as possible. Then a chance encounter leaves her deeply drawn to her gorgeous and mysterious neighbor. But Antek is no boy next door. He’s a man with too many scars and self-destructive tendencies.

Their age difference alone makes them an unlikely pair, yet Mandy quickly finds herself pulled in to his world of hot nights and gourmet food. Can a high school senior really find love with a jaded restauranteur? And when Antek’s past catches up with him and takes aim at Mandy, will either of them decide that falling in love is worth the risk?

Sometimes, what you want is the hardest thing to get.

Mandy finds this out when she becomes friends with Lena and her brother, Antek. She starts off being envious of Lena and her clothing/life/you name it, but her attention quickly moves onto Antek. He is twice her age and has baggage, more so than some people. Mandy is happy with the way he is and wants him in her life.

Told from the first perspective, this allows you an insight into what Mandy was thinking and feeling. However, I would have liked to have heard from Antek and his past, as it has direct relevance to who he is today. They went through so much together and yet he was voiceless. I was left with questions about this once I had finished, although I did enjoy the story. There was also the relationship with the mother that I needed more about as that was odd from the beginning.

There is on-page rape in this story, so please take notice of the trigger warning.

If you are after a not-to-deep, dark romance with an age gap then this may be the one for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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