Warlock by Marteeka Karland

January 10, 2023 By 1 Comment


Warlock by Marteeka Karland
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Warlock: Love didn’t stop me from killing my ex when I had to — wasn’t a choice I made lightly, but more lives than hers were on the line. Black Reign gave me the second chance I didn’t deserve, and never again would I put a woman above my club.

Then along comes this little vagabond who claims my mother left me to her in her will. Is that even possible? And to top it off, it looks like my mother pulled some strings and got us married. Without my consent. Still, I think I’d rather be married to the crazy woman my mother foisted off on me than play Santa at the club’s annual Christmas party. Yeah. Not a role I’m made for.

Hope: Christmas magic being what it is, maybe I can get my fondest wish this year. To say Warlock isn’t happy to find out he’s married to me is the biggest understatement in the history of understatements. Still doesn’t make me want my fantasy lover any less.

Warlock represents everything I’ve ever wanted in life. But the fact that I achieved my dreams through more manipulation — even if it wasn’t of my doing — means I have to give him up. But first, Warlock has to see beyond his past and embrace a future he never wanted.

Mother knows best.

Or at least she thinks she does, in Marteeka Karland’s Warlock, the ninth book in the Black Reign motorcycle club romance series. Maximilian ‘Warlock’ Wagner’s life has been shitty as of late, and Black Reign has offered him the second chance he so desperately needs. When Hope comes along stating that Warlock’s mother gave him to her in marriage through her will, both of their lives become infinitely more complicated, and they must decide what they want their future to look like (and whether they want the other person in it).

I’ve been a fan of motorcycle club romances for a while now, but what drew me to this book was the premise. The idea of someone’s mother willing their adult child to another person in their will sounded too outrageous not to check out. In theory, one of the lawyers or officials involved in the process should have noticed that Warlock was not there to consent to the union. However, I was very shocked to learn that no one did and that their union is legal (still not sure how that would hold up in real life though).

Hope and Warlock are both very damaged souls. Warlock spent a good chunk of his life loving someone who didn’t love him back, and after making an unthinkable choice to exact justice he’s spent the time since filled with regret and anger. Hope, on the other hand, has never had a family and was naively optimistic that everything with Warlock would end up in an immediate happily ever after. Thankfully for both of them, motorcycle clubs are a very welcoming and tight-knit environment full of people willing to help them work their issues out.

Motorcycle club romance fans looking for a short holiday romance will enjoy this book. As a note, this book is part of a series, but I didn’t have any issues understanding what was going on without having read any of the previous installments (this is the first book I’ve read in the series).

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The Surprise by Treva Harte

December 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Surprise by Treva Harte
Soliciting a Lady, Book 4
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Holiday, Historical, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The present Earl of Northernly and his wife are waiting for Christmas and their new baby. But then the previous Earl’s wife returns with a child who may be the real heir. Can Cousin Sarah and William be in time to unravel this mystery?

Christmas time should be joyous for Kit Aldean, the new Earl of Northernly, and his wife, Emily. They will have a new child arriving for the new year. But to their surprise, they first get a Yuletide visitor — the previous Earl’s wife, who had vanished years ago. She presents them with a child who may be the real heir. Fortunately, their next visitors are Cousin Sarah and her husband, William. They’ve solved mysteries before, but can they manage this one in time?

Christmas time is the time for coming together and surprises?

This is a quick read, but if you’re a fan of Treva Harte – who isn’t? – then you need to read it. If you haven’t read it, then what are you waiting for? This short story packs a wallop. There’s mystery, romance and holiday festivities. I loved it.

Kit and Emily are ready to be the heads of the household and can’t wait to welcome their first child. I love this kind of Christmas story because it’s full of hope. Then there’s the mystery of the wife of the former head. She’s thought to have disappeared.

I loved how this story had twists and turns which kept me on my feet. The writing plugged along well, and I couldn’t put this down. This isn’t a complicated story, but it’s one where you must pay attention. Those are my favorites. There’s heat, heart and holiday magic.

How can you go wrong? Give this story a try and check out the others in the series. I know I will be.

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Just an Ordinary Love Story by Jane Colt

December 20, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Just an Ordinary Love Story by Jane Colt
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

How likely is it that studious coed Melissa will fall for Richard — former campus jerk and serial womanizer — who’s trying to mend his ways and win her heart? Not very, since, having made it to the “friend zone,” he’s afraid to tell her how he feels. It’s even less likely because Richard doesn’t know Melissa’s already married to her childhood sweetheart, Sam — who’s really Samantha.

However… it’s not impossible. Melissa is bisexual, she’s developing feelings for Richard, and her wife is supportive of her quest to discover what her bisexuality means. What does HEA look like for a loving, blended trio?

Redemption and heat.

I’ve not read a Jane Colt book in a while, but I’m glad I got back to this author. The story is both simple and complex. The writing is done well, and I was captivated throughout.

Melissa thought life went one way, then she found out it’s more complicated than she realizes. That’s okay. That’s life. That’s what makes her relatable. She’s married to Sam, aka Samantha. I liked that they’re devoted to each other and support each other. Richard is a bit of a quirk because he’s had to readjust his life. He thought he wanted one thing and now he’s realizing he wants something else. It’s a relatable story because these people are finding out that life is more complicated than originally considered. Plus, there is a lot of heat. I loved it.

If you’re looking for a short story that’s complicated and fun, then this might be the one you’re looking for. Give it a shot.

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Fire & Ice Christmas by Megan Slayer

December 7, 2022 By 1 Comment


Fire & Ice Christmas by Megan Slayer
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Holiday, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Holly, mistletoe, big fir trees… plus fire and ice?

When it comes to Christmas, Isla is vital. She’s the water elemental in control of creating Christmas snow and ice. She frosts the windows and adds the perfect bit of snow to the trees. But being a water elemental in control of ice makes romance difficult. She can’t get close to anyone without putting on the big freeze. She needs the perfect man to balance her ice with a little heat.

Enter Fieren. The fire elemental knows she’s his counterpart, but they haven’t always gotten along. This Christmas he’s determined to forge a connection with Isla and make this chance last far beyond the holidays.

Magic happens at Christmas, and Fieren wants to make this one a holiday for the ages.

Fire and Ice make for the perfect Christmas.

This is a short but sweet story that basically takes place over a couple of days. Isla is the water elemental who is usually in charge of the decorations for the elves’ Christmas party. Fieren is a fire elemental who dreams of Christmas on a beach.

I loved how these two balanced each other out, in more ways than one. It does move quickly–the characters going from nothing to declaring forever love, but it was a sweet Christmas story that made me smile.

If you’re looking for a holiday-themed coffee break book, then I can definitely recommend this one.

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Gawain Unbound by Rebecca York

December 1, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Gawain Unbound by Rebecca York
Unbound 2
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

When Killian returned alive after an enchanted captivity, his younger brother Prince Gawain was more than happy to step aside as heir to the throne of Abercarn. Now, though, Gawain is at loose ends — until Lady Catrin seduces him and secures his agreement to stalk Madrin, the evil magician who enchanted Killian and killed her father.

Posing as troubadours, the two battle adversity together and find that they are connected by more than their hatred of Madrin. Yet despite their growing longing for a life together, neither of them is willing to abandon their dangerous quest. Their confrontation with their powerful and wily enemy will be the ultimate test of their resolve and their love.

Heroes unite in the name of facing down a dark magician. Their disguise – traveling troubadours making their way through the region. What could go wrong?

On first glance at this book, without reading the synopsis or knowing anything besides the title and what the cover looked like, my first thought was ‘medieval’. Given the name of the main character (Gawain), I went into the book expecting something inspired by the King Arthur myth but that wasn’t the case. The book has a similar vibe and setting, but any inspirations drawn from that legend are loose at best. Gawain, our hero, is searching for his purpose in life after handing the heir to the throne position back to his brother following his return from magical captivity. When he encounters Lady Catrin, the physical tension is electric, and they make an agreement to take out the evil magician Madrin together. A task easier said than done, however, because there are a lot of obstacles in the way of securing their happily ever after ending (especially if they want one together).

I really enjoyed the way the story was structured. The author shows readers the world through Gawain and Catrin’s travels, and it was cool to get to see the region that way. It’s always fun to see heroes go undercover, especially when they pick a disguise of someone that is traditionally overlooked by those in positions of power. I also appreciated that the author chose to make them troubadours (an underutilized role in books) instead of something stereotypical like a servant or a handmaiden.

The sex scenes, unfortunately, were where the author lost me as a reader. As Gawain puts it, they went from conversation to fucking in a blink of an eye (translate that to less than 20 pages into the book). I can get behind characters jumping into bed together fairly quickly, but there was no set up or development to explain what was happening before it did happen. After that first encounter, I wasn’t really invested in their relationship and that negatively impacted my reading experience.

For those who might be curious, this is the second book in the Unbound series. There are some pieces of context and character backgrounds that you’ll get by reading the first book, Killian Unbound, but if you want to read this one first you shouldn’t have too many issues.

Overall, Gawain Unbound was a fairly enjoyable read. There were some minor issues, but the plot was enough to keep me engaged. If you’re looking for a quick (less than 150 page) romantic fantasy tale filled with action and adventure, this would be a good choice.

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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.

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Surge by Harley Wylde

September 19, 2022 By 1 Comment


Surge by Harley Wylde
Hades Abyss #8
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Colette’s a sweet angel in need of saving, and like it or not, I have a hero complex. Marrying her seems like the right thing to do. Then my sometimes lover, Aidan, finds us together. The hurt in his eyes nearly guts me.

My club knows I’m bisexual. I’ve not hidden it from them. Doesn’t mean I’ve flaunted it in their faces either. So when I decided to claim Aidan and Colette, I’m not sure how it’s going to end. All I know is they both need me, and I need them too.

With human traffickers after Colette, a possible traitor in the club, and more chaos than I can handle, I do the only thing I can… I run with my new wife and husband. Once I figure out who wants Colette, I’ll do whatever it takes to destroy them. Until then, I’ll keep her safe, and Aidan too. Because they both mean more to me than I realized.

Those who love motorcycle club romances will be excited to read Surge’s story in the latest releases in Harley Wylde’s Hades Abyss series, Surge.

Surge never saw himself settling down the like the other club members. He’s been distant from his lover, Aidan because he can’t give him the things he wants. But when he crosses paths with Colette, his hero complex kicks in and he can’t stop himself from taking her under his protection. Will the three of them be able to work their relationship out, or will it end in heartbreak?

Insta-love is a must with a story of this length, and Harley Wylde makes it work for Colette and Surge’s relationship. While that portion of the story worked, there was a teensy bit of a disconnect for me with Aidan and Surge’s relationship, as I felt there was more on-page backstory needed. As a result, I wasn’t sure what to expect with the full polyamorous relationship, but I was pleased to see things work out for Surge, Aidan, and Colette in the end. Like all of the author’s other books, it’s quite steamy and that was fun for me as a reader.

My main complaint about this book was the difficulty in keeping track of all the different players and clubs in the world. The author has multiple motorcycle club romance series (Dixie Reapers, Devil’s Fury, Devil’s Boneyard, and Reckless Kings just to name a few), and there is a shared world between the different books. The different clubs do interact, and it was hard to keep track of who was doing what and who belongs to which club. I felt compelled to take notes to keep everything straight, which is no fun when you just want to sink into a story. It did impact my reading experience a little bit, but not enough for me to stop reading.

Overall, this was another entertaining motorcycle club romance from Harley Wylde. With regard to trigger warnings and content to be aware of, there are darker themes, explicit sex, lots of swearing, and some references to human trafficking. Please be aware that the book does feature a polyamorous relationship at its heart, but if that’s not your thing there are minimal MMF scenes so they can be easily skipped. It can get very dark at times but don’t get too discouraged because the book ends in a happily ever after (and there is no cheating whatsoever).

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

O Christmas Tree by Emily Carrington

August 16, 2022 By Leave a Comment


O Christmas Tree by Emily Carrington
Marisburg Chronicles, Book 2
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

For Jake, losing his eyesight isn’t nearly as frightening as having to rely on someone else. Especially if he wants that other person to be his lover. He was taught from an early age that being gay is synonymous with being a sissy and he can’t see past that lesson to the one Tyler is trying to teach him.

Tyler has been attracted to Jake since they first met. When Jake comes to Tyler’s bed, it seems all of Tyler’s dreams are coming true. Except Jake doesn’t want more than friends with benefits. Can Tyler stand being Jake’s second choice?

Why do characters have to make things harder than they have to be? Tension and drama, of course!

I love a good Emily Carrington story and this one was no different than her others–it was great. The characters are tender, sweet and have quirks. The writing moved along well and I did have the feels through this story. I’m glad I read it, even if it’s nowhere near Christmas.

Jake and Tyler have been friends a long time and Jake’s crushed on Tyler almost the entire time. He’s also having to deal with the loss of his site and the issue of being told being gay is not good. It’s like being a sissy. Talk about a lot to heap on a person. He feels unlovable and unworthy of Tyler, but he wants him. But Tyler wants him, too. He can’t understand why Jake might not want him. It’s a lot of questions and concerns that will take a bit to sort out…but it’s also Christmas.

I loved these characters. They’re relatable. I’ve never lost my site, but the author did a great job of explaining and letting the reader feel how Jake did. I also liked, though it made me want to bonk his adoptive parents on the head, how he had to deal with the issues from his past. It made him stronger. I also loved Tyler. He’s strong and just what Jake needs–if he’s willing to ask for it.

If you’re looking for something hot and sweet, but perfect for a chilly night, then this is the one for you. Check it out, but be prepared for the feels. It’s great.

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Hero by Jamie Targaet

August 4, 2022 By 1 Comment


Hero by Jamie Targaet
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Jade — I came back to town because my grandmother passed away and she was the only family I had left. Grams never wanted me involved with the MCs, but I always knew my father was a member. That was all I knew about him. Now he’s the president of Hounds of Hell MC. Or, as it turns out, he could also be the president of their rival MC, the Cottonmouths. Hounds of Hell MC sent one of their men, Hero, to keep me safe until my parentage gets figured out. No one is telling me why that’s necessary. I should go back to Providence. But I’m done with grad school, and there’s really nothing for me back there. And Hero is one beefy, gorgeous temptation of a biker. Part of me wants to stay here, in the home where I grew up. Part of me just wants him.

Hero — When my prez gave me the babysitting assignment to keep an eye on the daughter he’s never known, I resented it. Until I got a look at her. Choosing me to protect her was the right call. The Cottonmouths took her from me once. No one is taking her away from me again — no matter who has to die. I don’t care who her father is. Jade is mine.

Fans of Christine Feehan’s Torpedo Ink series or Harley Wylde’s Reckless Kings will find themselves falling in love with Jamie Targaet’s Hero just as much as I did.

Jade only came back to town to attend her grandmother’s funeral. Despite her wishes for a simple trip, she ends up finding herself smack dab in the middle of a feud between two motorcycle clubs (which her grandmother had warned her away from for years). Will she be able to escape with her life, or will she lose her head (and her heart) in the midst of all the alliances, betrayals, and questions about the truth of her parentage?

A quick read at roughly 90 pages, Hero and Jade’s relationship goes from zero to sixty very quickly. I loved it. The story doesn’t employ a lot of worldbuilding with its short length, so this is a very character-driven tale. Hero certainly lives up to his name and embodies that role when he saves Jade from the rival club. The moments between them always felt very authentic – the author makes it quite clear how bad of a situation Jade finds herself in, and why she needs help (she’s not just some ditzy damsel in distress). All of the motorcycle club romances that I’ve read deal with darker themes (TRIGGER WARNING: references to human trafficking and prostitution), and Ms. Targaet doesn’t shy away from that in this book. But there are also the brighter moments in the story that help to balance things out, and I really appreciated that.

Overall, an entertaining and quick read. If you like stories that feature heartwarming romance and alpha bad boys with a heart of gold, then you will love Jamie Targaet’s Hero. This is supposed to be the first book in the Hounds of Hell motorcycle club series, so I’m excited to see what other members and prospects the author will feature in the future.

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The Night Bartender by Alexa Piper

July 26, 2022 By 1 Comment


The Night Bartender by Alexa Piper
Fairview Chronicles, book 9
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Paranormal, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Aaron has come to Fairview to find his ex’s teenage sister, who went missing in the city. As a witch both rich and powerful, Aaron follows a trail that leads him to a bar frequented by supernaturals and to a bartender who attracts Aaron’s attention — and not just because the bartender is keeping something from Aaron. When Aaron runs out of leads, he follows the mysterious and pretty bartender, and the next thing Aaron knows, he’s foiling an attempted abduction.

Ilya has built a quiet life in Fairview mixing drinks and flying under the radar. He is a banshee, and the psychic ability and mild telepathy that comes with that makes Ilya a sought-after commodity. That carefully constructed life Ilya built for himself breaks into a thousand pieces when a handsome witch starts asking questions and becomes Ilya’s rescuer mere hours after they meet.

The witch, Aaron, vows to protect Ilya and to keep his secret. Now Ilya has to decide whether he will give Aaron his trust and risk a lonely but safe life as a night bartender in a wintry city in which people disappear only to then turn up murdered.

Two men who probably shouldn’t mix are just what the doctor ordered.

I love a good Alexa Piper story and this one delivered. The characters are quirky, the story hot and the chemistry off the charts. I devoured this story in one sitting and couldn’t wait to get to the rest in this series. The pacing was great and though this is book 9, I didn’t feel lost by not reading the others.

I liked the way the tension and action carried the story. Yes, there is heat between Aaron and Ilya, but they have a job to do, too. It was fun to read about them getting together and their exploits.

If you want a good story for a lazy afternoon or one guaranteed to heat up the night, then this is the one you’re looking for. Recommended.

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