Frosty the Snow Dom by Angela Knight

April 25, 2022 By 2 Comments


Frosty the Snow Dom by Angela Knight
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Steaming up the ice…

When ice artist Judith Dane is hired to create a kinky version of Michelangelo’s David, she thinks the ice sculpture is just another Christmas party centerpiece. But when she delivers the work she’s nicknamed “Frosty the Snow Dom” to the BDSM club Valhalla, the party turns out to be a lot stranger than she expects.

When Frosty comes to life just like a certain snowman, she discovers just how hot ice can be. But what happens when the spell breaks?

Hot guy in ice and a hot time for a spell…read this book!

I picked up this book because I wanted something steamy for an afternoon. This doesn’t disappoint. It’s hot, steamy and the writing leaps off the page. Ms. Knight has always been a favorite author of mine and this one was another great story.

Judith thinks she’s making an ice sculpture of Michelangelo’s David, but this isn’t just another ice guy. Oh, no. There’s a ritual, spell and things get heated quickly. I liked the interplay between Judith and the other characters, but especially Tor. He romances her in such a short time that I loved it. I wanted to see what would happen next and rooted for them to be successful.

If you’re looking for something that’s hot, sexy, Christmassy and a little quirky, then this is the story for you!

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

Ghost Writer by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

April 21, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Ghost Writer by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime
Romance on the Go
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Alice plans to spend the holidays in a tropical paradise. But her car breaks down en route and she seeks haven in a quaint local hotel.

Trapped forever in his writing room, the ghost formerly known as Clayton Grayson wants only to finish his last novel. His typewriter is still sitting on his desk, a stack of blank white paper beside it.

Alice is the first person who can see anything Clayton Grayson attempts to type. If he’s going to finish his book, he needs to convince her to stay long enough to help him.

The more Alice learns about the author the more she is drawn to him. And as he works with Alice, Clayton realizes he wants more than one last book.

Some stories demand to be told.

The world building was quite well done. In my experience, this can be something that’s overlooked in erotic fiction, so I was thrilled to have such clear descriptions not only of the inn that Alice was reluctantly staying in but of the habits of the people who worked there and how the rumours that the building was haunted affected how guests and employees interacted with certain rooms. Knowing all of this information was critical for understanding later scenes, so I was glad to see how much attention was paid to it.

I would have liked to see more character development in this tale, especially when it came to Clayton. For example, I wish he’d gone into deeper detail about what his life was like when he was alive and how he died. They both seemed to be such important parts of his identity that I was surprised they weren’t explored in depth. This was the only thing holding me back from giving a five-star rating.

The chemistry between Clayton and Alice was perfect. Not only did they have a great deal in common as far as their interests and values went, but their personalities also complemented each other nicely as well. He seemed to be a little more extroverted than she was, and she seemed a bit more diligent than he’d been when he was alive. Their strengths brought out the best in each other as they got to know one another better. I loved these characters as individuals and as a couple.

Ghost Writer was a satisfying read that made me yearn for a sequel.

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

Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers by Kate Wolford

April 19, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers by Kate Wolford
Publisher: World Weaver Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

We remember her best as the generous fairy who dresses Cinderella and handles transportation while she’s at it. But that’s just the most famous fairy godmother’s tale. With a little imagination, you’ll find that fairy godmothers and godfathers appear in many varied forms. The authors in this anthology have crafted new tales that re-imagine the fairy godmother and her role.

A young fairy grapples with imposter syndrome as she takes up her new appointment as godmother. Immortal sisters bestow blessings and curses on princesses as a way to battle the patriarchal fairy godfathers. A struggling artist receives a godmother’s help to impress at her high school reunion. Sparing the life of a moth leads to magical help from an unexpected protector.

Retellings of Pinocchio, Rumpelstiltskin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Frog Prince show the magic of these stories in a whole new light. Infused with modern sensibilities but honoring the tradition of fairy tales, these dozen stories will enchant and inspire you.

Magic is for everyone.

“Face in the Mirror” was one of my favorite stories in this anthology because of how cleverly it reinterpreted Beauty and the Beast. The Beast was just as belligerent and spoiled as he should have been when I first met him, but the real magic happened after the spell was cast upon him and he had to earn the love of someone else in order to break it. I can’t go into much detail about how the later portions of the storyline unfolded, but I was impressed with how much effort Ms. de Soto put into finding a fresh perspective to describe him and his adventures. This could have easily been the first chapter or two of a full-length novel, and yet I was quite satisfied by how everything was resolved at the same time.

I enjoyed every retelling in this book, but there were a small number of them that I did wish had been given more time to develop. “In the Name of Gold” was one of them. A retelling of Rumplestiltskin intrigued me, especially since the author chose such an uncommon narrator for it. I only wish that it had been longer and dove deeper into the themes and characters of this world. There simply wasn’t enough space to show how this retelling was different from the original, and that made it tricky for me to remain as interested as I would have otherwise been.

Fairy godmothers rarely show up in contemporary settings, so “Modern Magic” grabbed my attention as soon as I realized the main character was standing in a Starbucks waiting for her Frappuccino to be made in the first scene. It was such an unusual way to introduce this sort of character, and somehow the plot only became better from there! I loved seeing how a fairy godmother would behave in an urban setting among people who don’t always necessarily believe in magic or that anyone is looking out for them. The heartwarming moments were only surpassed by the surprises that were in store for everyone this protagonist met during an ordinary day of granting wishes and making dreams come true.

Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers was an imaginative anthology that I’d recommend to anyone who loves fairy tale retellings.

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

Burn by Tamsyn Roe

April 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Burn by Tamsyn Roe
Publisher: Razor’s Edge/Changeling Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The only survivors of a terrible crash, two women from Earth become the unwilling guests of a tribe of aliens who’ve lost all their women.

Will Bianca and Coreen escape the Sloth-King before he makes them the “goddesses” of his tribe, or will they embrace their slavery?

This story is something out of the ordinary and it is quite the read.

I’m still new to the monster genre of romance thought I wouldn’t call this romance, per se, but it’s certainly got monsters. I liked the sci-fi edge to this story and how it’s actually rather believeable that humans could encounter just about anything out there in the vastness of space. But these monsters aren’t exactly Tribbles. Nope. These sloth-kings are beasts.

There is an element of coercion to this story. Bianca isn’t exactly interested in being with the monsters at first, but a change happens and she does. I liked how Bianca isn’t exactly wanting to be with them, but she falls into it and I liked how she adapted. There’s lots of sex, some swapping, some getting out of comfort zones and plenty of heat.

This is erotica, straight up, so there’s little romance to it. That’s okay. I wasn’t looking for sweet and stick romance. I wanted heat. I wanted to melt my screen. This one did. I also wanted to know more about Coreen and Bianca and the sloth-kings.

If you’re interested in something hot that will satisfy for a lunchtime read, then this one might be the one for you.

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

Nobody Rides for Free by Sara Jay

April 12, 2022 By 2 Comments


Nobody Rides for Free by Sara Jay
Publisher: Razor’s Edge/Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In a world where Fae desires overrule those of mere humans, Sinn is consumed with passion for her soulmate, Daka. Though he refuses to break the Fae law that prevents them from having sex without the queen’s permission, Sinn finds a way to sate her sexual hunger — with the assistance of three bikers.

But nobody rides for free…

This gal knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go for it. What a woman!

I picked up this story because I wanted something hot and short. This story delivered. It’s hot and quick, great for a lunchtime read, and just about melted my screen.

Sinn wants nothing more than to be with her soulmate, Daka, but that’s not possible. Imagine a world where the law states you can’t be with your soulmate on the deepest level without permission? What’s a girl to do when she wants to be with him but can’t? She makes a way to get what she wants until she can.

The thing I liked the most about this short story is that Sinn is capable of standing up for herself. She’s not about to wilt at the thought of being denied something. She’s also able to defend herself. She truly is going to kick some tail and take names. Have I mentioned it’s hot? It is. Oh, and the chemistry between Sinn and Daka is fantastic.

This short is good for a lunchtime read because it’s hot, short and satisfying. If you’re looking for that kind of story, then check this one out.

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

Oblivion by Kira Stone

April 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Oblivion by Kira Stone
Publisher: Razor’s Edge/Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, LGBTQ, Erotic
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Who said going to Hell didn’t have its rewards?

Killed in a dirty back alley by a street whore. Such an ugly way to die. But my lessons in death have only just begun.

Hell is filthy. And cold. And as soon as I fell, I found a demon waiting for me. My new Master. From spanking to whipping to painful abuse, each new lesson gives me hope — the hope of oblivion. Surely I can’t survive this long.

But the longer I’m here, the more I learn about myself and the life I wasted. And the more I crave Master’s touch. Each lesson strips away another layer of my mortal flesh. I am everyman. I am no one. I am what my Master wishes me to be. A Demon’s whore for all eternity…

Boy howdy, this one is a hot story!

I have to start this out by mentioning this is a Razor’s Edge story, which means it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s meant to be off-the-charts hot and not necessarily romance. If you’re looking for something that’s going to melt your reader, then this is the one for you.

He is killed in a dubious way and has to pay for his many indiscretions. I wasn’t looking for anything too sweet, so this story delivered. He is punished and there are moments of dubious consent, but the true thrust of this story is the journey. He goes on the journey of a lifetime – or would it be deathtime since he’s with his master in hell? He learns about himself and what he can handle. What he likes and needs. It’s crazy hot and may be a bit uncomfortable for some readers. It’s erotica and meant to be cutting edge.

If you’re looking for something hot and guaranteed to melt your screen, then this is it. Give Oblivion a try.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Stormcaller by Christine King

April 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Stormcaller by Christine King
The Murmuration #1
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

Raised in fear of her elemental power, Seren has spent her life protecting her exiled people and trying to live up to their legends. When that responsibility is brutally taken from her, she and her shapeshifting friend Atomi must enter a divided world where their very existence is treason. Axys is a land of peace and prosperity for those in the Eternal Lady’s favour, but her benevolence comes at a cost that Seren and Atomi are unwilling to bear.

A storm wind stirs the long dormant ashes of rebellion.

Their legend is only just beginning.

It is an intriguing story of shapeshifters and elemental magic weirders. Stormcaller is somewhat more geared toward YA readers, but in an interesting take on magic and how the elements and nature around us affects us.

In the start we meet a pair of best friends, one a magic wielder, the other a shapeshifter, both types of magic commonly found among the Daggi people. It’s set in a unique tribal setting, and I loved the world building and setting in this one!

I do wish the story had been just a little more polished, as the POVs sometimes changed mid-chapter and some of the scenes were a little rushed, it made reading a tad choppier than I’d prefer, but overall wasn’t hard to follow and kept my attention. I’d also have liked it better if the character relationships had been a little deeper and more developed, but Stormcaller makes for an interesting debut, and I’d love to see more of this series and more from this author in the future!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Jimmy by Megan Slayer

April 1, 2022 By 1 Comment


Jimmy by Megan Slayer
Summon a Bad Boy 1
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

I call on the fates to bring my love to me. As I will it, so mote it be…

What if those simple words plus a name on a scroll could guarantee true love? Karey’s determined to find out if the spell, Summon a Bad Boy, works, and she knows just who she’s going to ask for. Jimmy McCreadie. The tattooed man makes her weak in the knees — he’s every naughty desire she’s had come to life. She’s nothing like the women he dates, and far too shy for her own good, but she’s not giving up.

Mix a bad boy with some magic and have faith. Anything’s possible. Karey’s desire just might come true.

You say “bad boy”, I say dream date. Karey would likely agree with me.

Although slightly skeptical, Karey agreed to her friend Sarah’s outlandish plan to follow a magic ritual to summon her true love to her. She doesn’t actually expect it to work, but once her drool-worthy crush Jimmy (that’s she’s been pining over for months) talks to her for the first time she’s left questioning everything. After all, he’s only ever dated leggy skinny blondes and she does not fit into that category. And if there was magic involved, does he really love her at all? I don’t want to spoil things, so you’ll have to read the book to find out!

Similar to Ms. Slayer’s other books, there is some established chemistry between Jimmy and Karey that’s been building for a while. Jimmy reminded me a lot of Bite Me for Christmas, in that the female main character is looking for her true love and uses magic to make things happen. Ms. Slayer did a great job with creating her characters, as I found myself quite invested in seeing how Karey and Jimmy’s relationship turned out. I want to give the author props for how well she executes all of the pairings and relationships in her books; large amounts of on-page relationship establishment are never required for such short stories, and I appreciate that she doesn’t need to bother with that.

Overall, another quick and steamy read from Megan Slayer that’s complete with a happily ever after! Readers who enjoy contemporary romances featuring a bad boy/tattooed love interest and a slight paranormal flair should definitely check out the book. If you’ve been looking for the grown-up, steamier version of How To Build a Better Boyfriend or The Perfect Date, then you’ve found it in this book. I’ve absolutely loved all of the Megan Slayer titles that I’ve read so far, and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books in the future.

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

Haint’s Alive by J. Hali Steele

March 31, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Haint’s Alive by J. Hali Steele
Haint’s Misbehaving 1
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

An angry, dead spirit is useless – until it becomes the living Haint in your bed!

JD Tolliver begins research for his thesis on paranormal phenomena as a nonbeliever. He believes now. A ghost or angry spirit, a true haint, follows JD from Appalachia. His finding a suitable body so he can leave poses a problem — $it has JD by the balls@!

Coll Collins spent over a hundred years locked in silence. Suddenly freed, he discovers that gay hate crimes are not a thing of the past. The stranger he attaches himself to is sassy and, to Coll, sexy as hell. Never had the pleasure of a soft young man, and Coll plans to take advantage every single night until he returns home.

He doesn’t believe, but he sure will when Coll is done!

This is a short story and packed full of heat. It should be. It’s a Razor’s Edge story, so it delivers the hot stuff. This is great for an afternoon or lunch time read when the reader wants something hot, short and satisfying.

I liked Coll and JD. Coll is blunt and goes after what he wants. I totally understood what a haint was and I’d never heard of them before, but I knew after this story. Coll is certainly an angry spirit, but he’s not totally bad, either. I liked him. Then there’s JD. He’s rather repressed and needs to be pushed. The chemistry between him and Coll is great. It leapt off the page.

If you’re looking for something that’s short, hot and good for a quick read, then this is one to try!

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

Alpha And Bear by Julia Talbot

March 23, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Alpha And Bear by Julia Talbot
Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Wolf shifter PI Mick Hartness is sick to death of being on the bad side of a criminal who wants him and his while team dead. Now, with the help of the cops and the feds, Apex Investigations Inc. is closer than ever to reeling the guy in and getting back to living life without hiding. But that means Mick needs all of his mixed pack on deck and ready to fight, including their youngest member, bear shifter Kit, who Mick has the softest spot for.

Kit is sure his skills can help not only catch their nemesis, but help take some of the stress of running the agency off Mick. Too bad Mick will never see him as anything as a kid who needs to be protected. Which is why Kit decides to strike out on his own and get a job that allows him to do more than take pictures of cheating husbands and keep the motor pool running.

The thought of losing Kit finally makes Mick ready to show Kit how he really feels; that kit his mate. Can he keep Kit with him and also catch a killer who’s becoming more and more dangerous everyday? Or will Mick lose everything he holds dear?

Mick is tired of his family and team being hunted by their nemesis. They’ve had a few close calls in recent months and Mick is determined to remove this threat so their family can finally relax and enjoy life again. Kit is certain his Bear skills can help capture the lunatic determined to destroy them, but his efforts keep being frustrated by their team – Mick in particular – still thinking of him as the slightly lost and very young man he was many years ago when Kit joined in with them. Kit is determined, and so he strikes out on his own, certain he can bring this mess to and end and have Mick finally see him for the strong, capable and fully grown man that he is.

I’ve really enjoyed the three previous stories in this series and while I believe this might be the last one it wraps everything up so beautifully I’d be happy to leave the Apex group here if needed. Equally, I’d be more than happy to read further adventures should they happen to come down the line. I really enjoyed how this book and series was equal parts fun and just a little silly, I found this to be is a great paranormal romance with a cast of vibrant and interesting characters, a good and solid plot and just a dash of fun and silliness. It’s a great, happy read and one I know I’ll enjoy again.

Mick and Kit have been circling each other throughout the series. I was fairly sure they’d end up together and happily though it was worth every moment waiting and reading through this to see the two men get themselves together and organized. Readers looking for a steamy and sexy story should find this really satisfies that aspect to what they’re looking for. In equal parts though there is a strong mystery and I found the plot interesting and not just half baked.

I thought this was a well rounded book with good pacing, great characters and a strong plot. I enjoyed it immensely and will be sad if this is the end of this series, but the four sharp and quick books will make for great re-reading down the track. Highly recommended – both this and the others in the series – and an excellent author I’ll be sure to check out again.

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