Rihanna’s Rancher by Bella Settarra

December 1, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Rihanna’s Rancher by Bella Settarra
The Cowboys of Cavern County
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

There’s no time for love when you’re only passing through town…is there?

When Rihanna Richards takes a job as the new bank manager in Pelican’s Heath, she is relieved to leave her life in the city behind, especially with all the pitiful expressions of those who are only too aware of how Phil Cartwright dumped her shortly before their wedding.

Ace Blenheim, the new foreman at the Shearer Ranch, also came to the town to put his past break-up behind him.

When the two meet, sparks fly. It seems they both have a tendency to wind each other up, and neither is willing to back down. Rihanna’s stubbornness and Ace’s knack for making assumptions lead to a very fiery relationship.

Ace gradually learns a little about his beautiful nemesis, though, and softens his approach toward her. After all, he can’t deny how he has begun to feel about her.

Rihanna secretly has feelings for the gorgeous cowboy but can’t afford to let her heart get broken again—and, besides, she’s not planning to stay long in Pelican’s Heath.

Rihanna discovers that something is very amiss at the bank, and when her life is at stake, will anyone care enough to come to her rescue? And has Ace overstepped the mark completely when he delves into her past?

She’s not staying and he’s not playing around.

I love stories with characters who initially are mean to each other or get under each other’s skin are thrown together. This story ticks a lot of those boxes. I love the work of Bella Settarra and I couldn’t get this book fast enough. Now add the cowboy aspect and there’s a great thing going. This story has a lot more than that going on.

Ace and Rihanna are great together. I like couples that initially give each other hell and that push makes them grow closer together. It’s good. Guys like pushy women and women like alpha males. In this story, it really works. Plus, he’s a cowboy and I could see him. That’s the best part. The writing was so descriptive, I could see him and felt like I was right there with them. Rihanna thinks she knows what she wants and what she’s going to do. She’s a purpose driven person and relatable. She has her failings, but it was easy to relate to her.

If you’re looking for a story that’s got relatable characters, steamy scenes and a great plot, then this is the one for you.

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

Bee and Harp by Siondalin O’Craig

November 30, 2022 By 1 Comment


Bee and Harp by Siondalin O’Craig
Celtic Magic, Book 1: Midsummer
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Dublin Museum Curator Bee McBride’s research tour is interrupted by a shady stranger with a broken harp — and a broken heart.

When Bee, the stranger, and the harp are kidnapped by art thieves, Bee discovers the dusty instrument is the legendary magic harp of the ancient Celtic god Dagda.

Can her buzzing fervor find a way to unlock the harp’s music and the stranger’s ardor before Midsummer Night?

Talk about a slow burn! This one scorches.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this story, but I’m glad I read it. The tale is sweeping and the circumstances are truly the work of legend and magic. Once I started the book, I was engrossed.

Bee and Kevin are great together. I liked the chemistry and the way things happened at just the right pace. They made a great pair, too. Oh, and were they hot. Wow. I wasn’t expecting that plot twist.

The writing did take a bit of getting used to–there seemed initially to be more telling than showing and I had a hard time getting into the point of view of the characters. Once the plot took off, then things fell more into place.

If you’re looking for a hot story with twists, turns and magic, then this might be the one for you.

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

Bewitched by the Barista by Jason Wrench

November 29, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Bewitched by the Barista by Jason Wrench
Up on the Farm, Book 2
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Finding love and coffee in the unlikeliest of places.

After finding him in bed with another man, Roger Havemeyer needs to escape his life and his ex. Dale Devereux, an old friend of his now lives up near Woodstock with his boyfriend Talgat. After visiting Dale and Talgat one weekend, Roger decides a change of scenery may be just what he needs. Roger’s job as a marketing executive allows him to work remotely now, so he puts in an offer on a house. One evening, while deleting a slew of emails, he accidentally clicks on a link to a website called CammBate. Not familiar with the website, he finds himself really drawn to one of the young models, which surprises him, since he rarely likes younger guys.

Wesley Phelps is a twenty-year-old college student paying his way through college. He has a small apartment that he shares with his best friend. A friend of his told him that with his good looks, he could make a lot of money on CammBate, so he started performing. Even as the money starts rolling in from his online sex work, he keeps his job as a part-time barista at the local coffee shop, Java Junkie Café & Roastery.

After closing the deal on his house, Roger walks into Java Junkie Café & Roastery and almost has a heart attack when he recognizes Wes. Of course, Roger is used to their ‘relationship’ being completely one-sided. Wes finds himself drawn to the attractive forty-year-old but isn’t even sure if the older man knows he’s alive.

Roger and Wes have to work to get past their twenty-year age gap, and Roger also must learn how to cope with Wes’ jobs…both of them.

Two men who probably shouldn’t work really do.

This story is an example of two people who shouldn’t work on paper being exactly what each other needs. I’ve read other books by Jason Wrench and enjoyed them. This one was no different. I enjoyed the story and loved the characters. I like the idea of opposites attracting, too. In this case, there’s an age-gap, too.

Wes wants to get through college and live his life. He’s relatable. He’s also having a hard time accepting there are more than one side of him. It’s a lot to handle. Then he meets Roger and he’s smitten. I loved how he had to work through their issues to make things happen. Roger is very buttoned up and work-oriented. I felt for him when he found his fiance being bad. Again, it was very relatable. I loved the way these two found their way to each other and I rooted for them.

This is a bit of a fluffy story, but it’s exactly what I needed. If you want a feel-good story that will leave you with a smile, then give this one a shot. It’s worth it.

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

*Flirting with the Beast by Jane Porter

November 29, 2022 By 1 Comment


*Flirting with the Beast by Jane Porter
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

It’s been five years since Andi McDermott lost her husband, and she’s finally starting to feel like herself again, ready to live fully—she’s even started dating again. But when her holiday plans with her stepson and his fiancée fall through, she refuses to spend another Christmas alone while everyone is celebrating with their families. Impulsively, she decides to go up to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, a place she used to love to visit but hadn’t gone to in years, not since the feud started between her husband and their nearest neighbor.

Andi starts to rethink her decision when being alone at the cabin proves to be more challenging than she expected—a heavy snowstorm hits the area, and Andi finds herself trapped there with no one to help except for her neighbor, Wolf Enders. A military vet who lives full-time on Lake Arrowhead, Wolf is as grumpy and intimidating as Andi remembers. But he’s also unexpectedly kind and uncomfortably sexy—his presence reminds Andi that she may be older, but her body still works perfectly fine, thank you very much. But can this good girl tame this sexy beast of a man, and will this snowy fling turn into a love of a lifetime?

I loved reading Wolf and Andi’s story. I thought it was emotional and touching and I never wanted it to end. What I found intriguing and different about this story is that it is about two mature adults. They have both had their ups and downs in life and don’t expect to find love again.

Andi is a widow feeling adrift since her husband died. She is lonely and feels stuck; she is ready for some changes in her life.

Wolf is a strong alpha male, he is former military, down to earth and enjoys the solitude his cabin provides. He is big, muscled and imposing and the exact opposite of Andi’s former husband.

Wolf and Andi are great together and they have loads of chemistry. They are two broken people and together they fill each other’s holes. Wolf is afraid to take a chance on love again but he finds it impossible to resist Andi. I liked all their scorching looks and all of their encounters.

Wolf and Andi’s story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. They are opposites in many ways but yet they fit together so well. Andi’s sweetness and trust help break down Wolf’s walls. Her kindness and openness helps open Wolf’s heart and keep his grumpiness at bay.

They are two mature adults trying to navigate a relationship while dealing with kids, grandkids and family drama. I loved reading their story and I was rooting for them to get their HEA. I enjoyed the plot and all of the interesting secondary characters. I highly recommend reading Flirting with the Beast.

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

Wild Cowboy by Gemma Snow

November 28, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Wild Cowboy by Gemma Snow
The Sinclair Seven
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Submitting to this wild cowboy is one hell of an adventure…

Environmental journalist Reece Prescott never expected to see the mysterious woman from the Turkish marketplace again, so to meet Morgan Tempest in the middle of a summer storm at the top of the Blackleaf Mountains knocks him sideways.

Their instant connection blows him away… and makes him want to return to The Ranch, the secret club he owns with six of his friends. It’ s the closest thing he has to home and the place he always finds himself avoiding when the anniversary of the worst day of his life rolls around. For Morgan Tempest, though, he might just be able to handle it.

Morgan has spent the last year reclaiming her independence and rebuilding her business. She’s in control and saying yes to life now. That includes the wild cowboy she meets in the mountains… and The Ranch, a place where everything she thought she knew about her boundaries—and desires—is challenged.

But before Reece and Morgan can explore everything the other has to offer, the real world comes crashing in, bringing with it climate disasters, armed mercenaries, corrupt politicians and their own troublesome pasts.

If they can survive all that, then maybe, just maybe, they’ll be ready for that next great adventure— falling in love.

Hot and satisfying.

I love a good Gemma Snow book and this one delivered. The writing flowed well and had me on the edge of my seat for the duration. I couldn’t get enough and will certainly look for more in this series. I felt like I was right there at the ranch with these characters. Holy smokes and the chemistry was off the charts.

Morgan and Reece are great together. I loved the instant chemistry and the willingness between them to explore what they needed. I love that this story is set in somewhere not a city club and wholly there for exploration. The real world aspects of the story are plausible and I needed to know what would happen next. I’m glad I did. This story scorched the page and I loved it.

If you’re looking for a solid story, hot characters and plenty of sizzle, then this is the one for you.

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

Escorting Daddy’s Billionaire Best Friend by Lacy Rider

November 25, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Escorting Daddy’s Billionaire Best Friend by Lacy Rider
Submitting to Daddy’s Billionaire Best Friend, Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Just one night, that’s all…

I can’t believe what I’d just agreed to. I’ve always been supportive of Stella being an escort; after all, she can do whatever wants to make money. I just never thought I’d go as far as filling in for her.

But, she’s assured me that I just need to be his arm candy for one night. Nothing more is expected. Then, I’ll get a big payday that I desperately need.

When my cab pulls up outside a hotel owned by my father’s filthy rich best friend, everything changes. What would I do if he caught me here, dressed like this?

Tonight, I’ll be submitting to a forbidden billionaire…

Hot, jarring and dangerous.

I picked this book up on a lark. It looked hot and might be fun for a short read. It was interesting, to say the least.

This is told in first person, and it was nice to get both points of view, but this is entirely too short. I have no idea much of the background of the characters. I barely knew what they looked like. I will say the chemistry between them is good, but it’s so quick. I didn’t form much of an emotional bond with them. I wish I’d have known what made them tick. I get that it’s a short story, so I went along for the ride. I also have to add that I was a bit shocked by how fast things progressed. It’s the high heat kind of story, so there’s that and it delivered. It was scorching. It’s also a cliff-hanger, which could be a turn-off to some readers. It worked for me as I wanted a morsel story, not a full novel.

If you’re looking for something hot and about a half-hour read, then this might be the one for you. I see there are more books in the series, and it would be nice to get to know these characters more, so I’d encourage reading those next. I will be.

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

Touch the Wind by Janet Dailey

November 23, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Touch the Wind by Janet Dailey
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Recent Historical, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 2 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

All her life, beautiful Sheila got what she wanted. Now she yearned for the raw passion of a man beyond her reach, a violent, mysterious outlaw whose followers adored him. A lion of a man who held her for ransom—a man who would trade her for a fortune in gold. But Sheila wanted only him—with all the reckless longing of her body and soul.

Janet Dailey is a word weaver and master storyteller.

This isn’t the first book I’ve read by Janet Dailey and won’t be the last. I’ve loved many of her books. This one is a fantastic story, with sweeping narratives and moves along at a great pace. The writing is good, and I didn’t want to put it down.

That’s not to say it was my favorite book. There are certainly triggers in this book. I must say I liked Sheila and seeing her humanized. At the beginning of the book, she’s a bit of an ice princess, but also yearning so much for something she’ll take anything to get it. She was a bit one-dimensional, and I liked seeing her grow. That also said, I didn’t care for the hero or the way she was treated. There are scenes of abuse, scenes of violence and I never quite got the connection between the hero and heroine. She was better off with him in some ways than her husband, but in other ways…I wasn’t so sure. I wasn’t a fan of the hero, that’s all.

I have to also add this is a book from 1979. It reads like a book of that era–it’s a bodice ripper and there is certainly an air of almost toxic masculinity. Keep that in mind while reading. It’s meant to be over the top, hyper masculine and raw. To some, this might be a bad thing, but others this might be the fantasy type of hero they want to read about.

If you’re looking for something of that era, something hot and with a touch of romance, then this might be the one for you.

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

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

November 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh
Psy-Changelings, Book 3
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins – cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted – and had her mind violated – by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives…

Complicated, hot and fantastic.

I’ve never read Nalini Singh before and I’m glad I remedied that. I can’t wait to go back and pick up more of her titles. This one was hot, so hot it scorched the pages, complicated – I’ve never read a world this intricate – and fantastic. The pacing was good, and the reveal was even better. I got emotionally involved in the story and didn’t want to put it down.

Brenna is a changeling with issues. Oh boy, does she have issues. She’s been traumatized and her past may be a trigger to some – there is violence and assault toward her – but this makes her who she is. She’s stronger than she thinks. I liked how Judd plays off her, too. He’s cold as ice and trained to be that way, but he’s got a reason. He’s an Arrow. An elite. He’s supposed to be tough, unyielding and strong. I like how he melts for her and the way their pairing progresses. It’s hot and sometimes painful, but worth the ride.

If you’re looking for something intense, then this might be the romance for you. I’m hooked.

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

A Pirate’s Love by Johanna Lindsey

November 17, 2022 By Leave a Comment


A Pirate’s Love by Johanna Lindsey
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Action/Adventure, Romance, Historical
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Sailing westward toward the Caribbean sun, young Bettina Verlaine obediently sets out to fulfill the promise made by her father–but not by her heart — a prearranged marriage destined not to be…once the notorious Captain Tristan’s pirate ship appears on the horizon.

Abducted by the bold and handsome brigand, the pale-haired beauty surrenders her innocence in the warm caress of the tropical winds — detesting her virile captor for enslaving her. . .yet loving him for the passionate spell he casts over fragile, yearning heart.

He’s hot and he’s demanding…he’s also in charge.

I was given this book as part of a recommended reading list and I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. The writing flowed well and it’s certainly a throwback romance. I’ve never read a Johanna Lindsey before now, but I’m glad I did. I’m headed to check out more of her work after this one.

Tristan is everything a romance hero should be–he’s in charge, he’s dangerous and he’s demanding. He’s also a hot pirate, so that doesn’t hurt. Bettina is inexperienced, as I expected in a book like this, and he’s about to give her that experience. I liked the pairing because as much as he’s pushing her, she’s giving it right back to him. They play off each other well.

This is a bodice-ripper, though. He pushes to the point where it’s almost not attractive. I wasn’t a fan of him for most of the book, to be honest. He was just too…much for me. Bettina was a bit much, too. She’s a firebrand and she detests him, but she likes being with him. The push-pull got tiresome at times. I also wasn’t fond of the way the word rape was thrown around. I get it was dubious consent. Oh, boy, I got that. For me, it took me out of the story to have that word used so much.

Still, this was hot and there were times of tenderness. It’s a good read and one I’m glad I ticked off my reading list. You should, too.

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

Son of the Morning by Linda Howard

November 16, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A scholar specializing in ancient manuscripts, Grace St. John never imagined that a cache of old documents she discovered was the missing link to a lost Celtic treasure. But as soon as she deciphers the legend of the Knights of the Templar — long fabled to hold the key to unlimited power — Grace becomes the target of a ruthless killer bent on abusing the coveted force. Determined to stop him, Grace needs the help of a warrior bound by duty to uphold the Templar’s secret for all eternity. But to find him — and to save herself — she must go back in time . . . to fourteenth-century Scotland . . . and to Black Niall, a fierce man of dark fury and raw, unbridled desire. . . .

Unbridled desire is the truth!

This is the first Linda Howard book I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. This one captivated me right off and I had to know what would happen next. The writing is engaging and the characters fascinating.

Grace has everything she wants–the life, the job, the guy, but then it’s all taken away. I liked how she had to build herself back up to get what she wanted the second time around. There’s a lot of forgiveness in this story and it made it relatable. The suspense is thick, too. Ooh boy! I liked Niall, too. He’s dark, broody and romantic. He’s the perfect hero.

I have to admit the first half of this story moved a bit slowly for me. I wanted it to pick up and for Grace to get a few breaks, but it paid off at the end. Plus, there is some definite steam. I liked how the author teased the relationship for Grace and kept getting right to the edge, then bringing the reader back. That’s great.

If you’re looking for a suspense story that’s certainly a slower build, then this might be the one for you. I’m on the lookout for more by this author.

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