A School of Daughters by Kate René MacKenzie
Publisher: Red Lace Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Rose
It’s funny how things sneak up on you…
Kate Willoughby is a champion for throwaways—discarded dogs and cats, abandoned horses bound for slaughter, and all creatures great and small. But now it’s Kate who’s alone in a hostile world like a dog dumped by the side of a road. Is there a champion for Kate?
After 22 years of marriage, Kate loves her husband, Brian, with an even greater passion than when she spoke her vows. “My world spins on his axis,” she often says. But when Kate finds a love letter to Brian from Micky, she’s torn between proving Brian’s innocence and nailing him to the wall with his guilt.
Throughout her marriage, Kate has been trusting and trustworthy —to a fault, friends have said. Now, she steals into Brian’s emails and accesses his credit card accounts, phone records, bank statements, friends and activities, discovering the metaphoric iceberg beneath Brian’s affair.
Turning to the one constant in her life, Kate is guided by her family of animals: shelter dog Molly; Premarin horse Quinn; packrat Winston; owls Albert & Victoria; Stubby, the chipmunk; rattlesnake Cassandra; and Phineas, the determined grosbeak. These wise and wonderful teachers, along with a wild menagerie on her Arizona ranch, deliver lessons on life, love, and letting go. But it’s Molly, in a heartbreaking act of courage, who leads Kate back to her true self, before she became lost in love with Brian.
Shining a light on the childhood events and adult choices that, like steppingstones, brought her to this moment, Kate illuminates a familiar and well-worn path. Narrating her story with equal doses of heartache and humor, Kate comes to understand that nothing sneaks up on you that isn’t already here. Learning from Phineas, the determined grosbeak, Kate realizes that even after a devastating injury, you can soar again.
November Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ A School of Daughters by Kate René MacKenzie
Bee and Harp by Siondalin O’Craig
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 NymphaeaDublin 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.
Bewitched by the Barista by Jason Wrench
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 NymphaeaFinding 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.
Wild Cowboy by Gemma Snow
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 NymphaeaSubmitting 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.
Escorting Daddy’s Billionaire Best Friend by Lacy Rider
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 NymphaeaJust 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.
Touch the Wind by Janet Dailey
Touch the Wind by Janet Dailey
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Recent Historical, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 2 stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaAll 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.
Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh
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 NymphaeaAs 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.
A Pirate’s Love by Johanna Lindsey
A Pirate’s Love by Johanna Lindsey
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Action/Adventure, Romance, Historical
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaSailing 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.
Finding a Farmer by Jason Wrench
Finding a Farmer by Jason Wrench
Up on the Farm, Book 1
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaSometimes you need a new job to put the important things in life into perspective. And sometimes love finds you when you least expect it…maybe even while picking apples.
Dale Devereux is an unemployed, spoiled rich kid on the cusp of turning thirty. His grandfather, Jameson, decides it’s time for Dale to learn the family business, so he sends him to work on one of the corporate farms in Woodstock, New York.
Talgat Kudaibergen is the twenty-seven-year-old who is currently running things at Deveraux Farms Upstate. He took over operations after his mother’s and father’s deaths. Along with his younger sister and brother, Ayala and Rasul, the three siblings have kept the farm running.
Dale finds out quickly that he has a lot to learn about living life outside the big city. Talgat and his siblings grow to appreciate Dale and what he’s able to bring to the farm.
Slowly, Dale and Talgat realize that they may have more in common than either imagined. The two start to have feelings for one another, but their romance is threatened when money goes missing from the farm’s coffers.
Opposites attract and it’s so good.
I love a good “opposites attract” story and this one doesn’t disappoint. Jason Wrench is a new to me author and I’ll be reading more from this author. The characters are interesting, and the story flew along. I got right into it and couldn’t put it down.
Dale is a jerk, I won’t lie. He’s entitled and needs a bit of a knock down. He gets it when he’s got to work on the farm. He’s got no idea how to be a farmer, so it was amusing and interesting to see how he figures it all out. Tal is great at farming and doesn’t really have time to coddle Dale, but he spends time with him, and they find out they’re not totally dissimilar. The relatability of them is what really got me. The ending was a little fast, but that happens. It only made me want to read more about these characters.
If you want a book that’s cute and hot, then give this one a try. I know I’ll be looking for more from this author. Give it a try.
The Poison Bottle by LM Somerton
The Poison Bottle by LM Somerton
Treasure Trove Antiques, Book 3
Publisher: Totally Entwined, Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by NymphaeaThere’s no antidote to the malignant craving for power and wealth.
Landry Carran should know better than to get involved in yet another murder mystery, but it was hardly his fault that someone dumped a dead body on the doorstep of Treasure Trove Antiques. He can’t resist recruiting his friends to help him play detective.
Meanwhile, Landry’s partner and Dom, Gage Roskam, is doing real detective work that proves hazardous to his health and brings with it the assistance of an annoying Englishman who Gage believes should be behind bars.
The case twists and turns across Seattle’s antique trade, and the bodies multiply. As clues are solved, it becomes apparent that those closest to Gage are in grave danger. He’ll need to control his errant sub, deal with the most irritating Brit ever born and solve the case if he wants to prevent more death.
Bodies are piling up, but Landy can’t keep himself out of trouble.
I love the works of LM Somerton and when I saw this one, I had to read it. I’m glad I did. You don’t have to read the others in the series to know what’s going on, but I recommend it anyway because this is a great series. The book read smoothly, and I was right there with the characters wanting to know whodunit. I couldn’t put this one down. Good for the story, but not great for bedtime. I read way past mine, but it was worth it.
Gage is a great Dom and detective. He knows what he’s doing and his interplay with Landry was hot. I liked him a lot. I also liked the human quality of his frustration with Landry. It’s normal and it read like people I know. Landry means well, but he can’t seem to keep out of mischief and that was relatable, too. That’s what I liked about this. It’s relatable.
If you’re looking for a hot, kinky, mysterious book, then this might be the one for you. Check it out! I recommend it and the other books in this series.
