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: , , , , , , ,

The Assumption of Death by Anthony David Vernon

April 8, 2022 By 1 Comment


The Assumption of Death by Anthony David Vernon
Publisher: Alien Buddha Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Poetry
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“By turns charming and deeply disturbing, this collection of poems and meditations enthralls and mystifies. This is an engaging and mesmerizing kaleidoscope of ideas about mortality, infinity, and the very essence of being, and it is one of the most captivating hybrid collections I have ever read. I expect that Anthony David Vernon, this exciting new voice in literature, will be thrilling his readers for many years to come.”
– José Sotolongo

Don’t look away from death. Ask it questions instead.

My favorite passages were the ones that used metaphors from nature to explain concepts that could be a little slippery on their own. For example, one poem reminded the audience that “a spider must work with the web that they weave,” and another one made me smile when it said “time to time I come to paths that result in dead ends. But I found that dead ends can lead to clearings.” It was easy for me to imagine those scenes and then play around with them to understand why it’s important to work with the tools you’ve been given or what the advantages are to following a thought to some of its natural conclusions even if it wanders off of the beaten path at first.

The speakers in this collection kept circling around to the idea that death might not happen to everyone. They gave examples from stories about people who either never died or ended their lives in mystical ways. I kept wishing the speakers would go into greater detail about what they meant and how those statements should be woven into some of the other sections that only seemed tangentially related to immortality at first glance.

Some of the most intriguing sections were the ones that teased out the difference between dying and death. There are numerous records of people’s experiences with dying, but death itself cannot be charted in quite the same way. Most books that explore this concept do so from a particular religious perspective, but Mr. Vernon did not do that. His thoughts on the topic could be applied to people from any religion just as easily as they could be applied to people who aren’t interested in that subject at all. Death is a mystery, and the author embraced every aspect of it.

The Assumption of Death had a unique perspective on the topics of death and immortality.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Poetry, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Christmas Quilt by Cooper McKenzie

April 8, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Christmas Quilt by Cooper McKenzie
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Christmas is coming and Jordan Potter has no idea what to get the man who has more money than many small countries, and claims he wants nothing for Christmas. With his quilt business growing and still too shy to hire help, Jordan knows he is neglecting his man. When Mac starts disappearing for hours at a time, Jordan wonders if his man is cheating on him.

For Mac Carlyle, Christmas is just another day on the calendar. When he sees Christmas is important to Jordan, he wants to make their first holiday as a couple special. He just doesn’t have a clue how, so he goes to the woman who knows his man best, Nana Georgia who makes an outrageous suggestion.

Is Mac cheating? Can Jordan come up with the perfect Christmas gift for his man? Will Mac finish Jordan’s gift in time?

Comfort food in the form of a short story!

I haven’t been feeling great and unfortunately my down time meant I needed things to do. Why not read? I did and this is one of the first things I picked up to read. I’m so glad I did. Not only was this a cute story, but it made me feel better. Truly.

Mac and Jordan are just plain cute together. They’ve been together a while and are now engaged. They want to get married but aren’t in a hurry. That’s okay. They’re still crazy about each other and it shows on every page. It’s also Christmas and they want to make it special.

I loved how each character dealt with the concept of a Christmas gift with conditions, among them only spending $50 per person. Jordan is a quilter and he makes them for a living. Mac isn’t a quilter at all. I loved the determination in each man to make their gift perfect – and yes, there is a Christmas quilt in this story. I won’t give away any spoilers. There is heat and heart in this little story, too. The angst is high, but that’s what works for the story.

If you’re looking for comfort food in the form of a short story, then this is the one for you. Recommended.

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

Hitman Next Door by Sam Crescent

April 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Hitman Next Door by Sam Crescent
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Nate Evans is a friendly neighbor, but he’s not a good guy.

Lemon Bosworth is the bastard daughter of a mafia boss, and Nate’s job is to keep her safe. Her father’s enemies are closing in, and it’s up to him to protect her.

Lemon hates her father. She knows what he is, what he’s capable of, but she wants to live her life free from all the drama.

When her neighbor ruins her first and only date, she doesn’t expect him to stake his claim. Nate is a sexy man and she’s attracted to him. Why would an older man like him want her?

He was supposed to keep his hands off the boss’s daughter, but Lemon calls to him. Not only does he want to protect her, but he also wants to keep her all to himself. Her innocence belongs to him and him alone.

Nate worries if the truth of his identity will finally come out. If it does, he’ll simply make sure she never knows the truth.

Have the cursed houses struck again?

They shouldn’t be together, but what’s to say that’s a bad thing? Maybe it’s exactly the best thing ever.

I liked this book because it was a great afternoon read. It had lots of steam and chemistry between the characters and pulled me right in.

Lemon has many issues, including men issues. She knows she’s not the stereotypical beautiful woman, but she’s happy making clothes and doing her thing. I liked her confidence and how she interacted with Nate. She gave him a run for his money and he did the same for her. He helped her see she wasn’t just one thing, but many. I liked their scenes together because the heat was off the charts.

This is a solid hot read and good for passing an afternoon. If you’re looking for something hot, with angst and some mystery, then this might be the one you’re looking for. Try it!

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

Christmas with the Billionaire by Sam Crescent and Stacey Espino

April 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Christmas with the Billionaire by Sam Crescent and Stacey Espino
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … or is it?

Alora Harris is working her way up at Nelson Industries. Everything is going her way—her client list is growing and Christmas is just around the corner. Her best-laid plans end at the holiday office party. Too much alcohol mixed with a lot of pent up attraction leads to a night she’ll live to regret.

Adam Nelson doesn’t do relationships. Family is a word that makes him cringe. But he’s had his eye on Alora for some time. After one night of lust, he wants more. He wants to claim the curvy blonde for himself, but can he be everything she deserves?

With Christmas just around the corner, Alora and Adam will have to decide what’s most important. Will they take a chance on love or spend the holidays alone again?

A chance on love and forever? Sign me up!

I love a hot short story and this one certainly delivered. There was heat and passion right from the start and the characters are fun, too. I liked the pacing of the story. Yes, this all happens fast, but it’s like going on a wild ride where you don’t want to miss a moment.

Alora has some issues, but it makes her more relatable. She’s attracted to her boss and doesn’t want to seem like she’s using him. This humanized her. Then there’s Adam. He’s got issues, too. I liked that he was a guy with cash, but he didn’t throw it around or act like a jerk. He was humanized, too. The chemistry between them leapt off the page and I had to read more. I wanted to know what would happen for them.

This is a hot Christmas story that should satisfy at any time of the year. If you’re looking for a quick read that packs a holiday wallop, then this might be the one you’re looking for. Give it a try.

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

The Proud & the Dumb by Bob Freville

April 1, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Proud & the Dumb by Bob Freville
Publisher: Godless
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some godless horrors are more unforgivable than others, baseless prejudice and willful ignorance chief among them.

In The Proud & the Dumb, a group of white separatists suspect their friend of being a traitor. After a few seemingly innocent remarks call his blind loyalty into question, the group decides to confirm its suspicions in the only way it knows how – by employing insults and threats.

These nasty threats are met with answers the group is unwilling to confront, answers that lead to a series of increasingly absurd and violent acts.

Hatred poisons everything.

Some of the most interesting scenes in my opinion were the ones that showed the characters experiencing brief moments of clarity that pierced through even their most deeply held prejudices. People are complex and often have nuanced reasons for the things they say or do even if their first explanation for those actions might seem pretty stereotypical. I appreciated the fact that the author acknowledged this without ever turning it into an excuse for a character’s prejudices.

It would have been helpful to see more time spent on the character development. I struggled to keep track of who was who because of how similar all of the characters were. Their personalities often blended together in my mind, and sometimes I misremembered which descriptions belonged to which individual. While I know that one of the points the author was trying to make had to do with how people can be forced to tow the party line in these sorts of organizations, I did find myself wishing I knew more about who the characters were outside of their membership in their hate group.

The conclusion was perfect. Not only did it dig deeply into the characters’ motivations for hating so many different groups of people, the explanation it provided fit what I knew about their personalities and backstories as well. I also enjoyed the way the author took this revelation and used it for one final plot twist just when I thought he’d run out of ways to surprise his audience.

The Proud & the Dumb was a thought-provoking read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, 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: , , , , , , ,

The Chronologist by Ian R. MacLeod

March 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Chronologist by Ian R. MacLeod
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A boy, desperate to escape the drudgery of life in his small town, gets caught up in the machinations of a traveling time keeper, and slowly watches his town and his life unravel by the seams.

When time is slippery, every moment counts.

It was fascinating to imagine a world where time itself is unreliable. Imagine opening a soft-boiled egg to find a living chick inside or seeing a wheel of cheese turn back into milk because of fluctuations in how time flows in your community! These were just two of the unusual side effects the characters experienced, and they filled my mind with theories about how people learned to survive in such an unstable environment.

I would have liked to see more time spent on world building, especially when it was related to exactly what magical powers a chronologist does and doesn’t have. There were moments in this tale when I was confused by how the townspeople reacted to the arrival of a chronologist and why they seemed to be able to do things in certain towns that didn’t happen in other ones. Having clarity on these issues would have encouraged me to go for a much higher rating.

As soon as I met the unnamed main character, I liked him. He was a curious, mischievous, and intelligent boy who was determined to solve the mystery of where the chronologist went when he left town and what it would be like to visit other communities like the one he was growing up in. There were so many practical and magical obstacles in his path that I couldn’t imagine how he’d reach his goal, but I sure wanted to see him succeed!

The Chronologist was a wild ride.

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