Review: Breakaway by Bianca Sommerland

Breakaway

by Bianca Sommerland

(Dartmouth Cobras # 3)

If there is one thing that I can tell you about this series is that there's a lot of kinky f*ckery and it's hot as hell!!!  I was actually very excited about the two male characters in this book, both sexy and kinky hockey players.  I can't say the same about the heroine.

We first met Jami as Richter's daughter in the previous book.  Very troubled, not accepting of his father's life and choices, and to put it simply...a rebel.  Although for most of this book I thought she was doing a lot better, incredibly so, I find that her HEA would've benefited from being written later in the series.  Why?  Because I still found her a bit immature and whiny at times and I think that's because of her age and that she just came out of what happened to her in the previous book.

That being said, I would've gladly taken her place!  She has great chemistry with both Luke and Sebastian individually.  I always love when authors take their time to develop the individual relationships in a permanent menage relationship.  And Ms. Sommerland always delivers on that!  And just how they each have a relationship with Jami, which is the reason they all come together, there is also a beautiful and deep relationship between Luke and Sebastian.  I was left wondering if Sebastian's connection to Luke wasn't too strong and overpowering of his love for Jami.  But I guess the balance was there most of the time.

Sebastian is all tall, dark and Dom.  This is THE man that will leave you biting your lip and panting for more.  His presence is commanding but he's also very caring of those he loves and others that have gone through what he has.

Luke was the lost soul in this story, which made me sad because I never thought that's where his character would fall to.  I've always seen him as the happy and good humored one of the bunch.  I have to admit when he first did his scene with Chicklet I almost wanted to see them explore that relationship because it was pretty hot.  Luke is a Dom but he also needs to give up control.  Sebastian fit into that perfectly and it was very real to see them, especially Luke, struggle with what his mind and body where saying.

Then there's the rest of the crew!  Silver is pregnant and even gives birth in this book and that was just great to see.  Sloan is also going through stuff in his personal life and even his relationship, so some of their issues come back to be dealt with.  I love to see the new and old always woven in the story because we want to know what's going on in their lives.

Overall, this BDSM book is not for the faint of heart.  It'll make you tingle in ways you didn't think were possible!  I can't wait for the next installment about the kinkiest hockey team EVER!

*ARC provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Nauti Temptress by Lora Leigh

Nauti Temptress

by Lora Leigh

(Nauti Girls # 1)

First in a new series by Lora Leigh involving in some ways my favorite Nauti boys?  I'm in!  The Nauti series was one of the first romantic suspense stories I ever read so it really holds a special place in my heart.  They are all alpha males with lots of attitude, dominance, confidence and guns on occasion.  I was very excited about this series because I thought we would be reading about their daughters.  Which is not the case.  Don't ask me why I thought that, maybe I read it somewhere.

The good thing about not reading about the daughter of my favorite Nauti boys is that they are still young, still around and still kicking ass.  My favorite part of this book was the fact that they are all present in this story, especially Dawg.  See, it turns out that Dawg's father had a whole other family going and now Dawg is responsible for his half sisters and their mother.

Eve being the oldest works as a bartender and also helps their mother run the B&B that Dawg got for her.  And in both places all she sees is Brogan Campbell.  He's a bad boy, has been around for some time but rumor has it he's a thief and a traitor.  Dawg doesn't want his sister anywhere near him but Brogan has other plans.  He needs Eve so that he can get the help of the Mackay boys to solve the case he's been working on.

Overall not bad as far as a storyline goes, there was some action and some mystery.  But there were a lot of loopholes for me.  For example, at the beginning Eve seems like she doesn't know anything about Brogan they've barely talked before etc.  Towards the end of the book and without that much time passing, she knows everything about him from their prior interactions.  So either I'm missing something or this connection they had happened while I wasn't looking. 

But one thing is for sure... Lora Leigh knows how to turn up the heat.  Even if the story and characters are not 100% what I wanted, I have no complaints in that department.  Brogan is almost primal, a great dirty talker and knows exactly what to do for Eve.  I just wish for once the heroine wouldn't have been a virgin.  Maybe it'll happen one day.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Reversal by Cara McKenna

Reversal

(Curio #3)

by Cara McKenna

Cara McKenna takes readers back into the sensual world of Caroly and Didier. REVERSAL is written from Didier’s POV and it’s always my favorite place to be. Readers learn firsthand of his struggle with agoraphobia and experience the lingering effects that one terrible trip has caused him. But in the safe harbor of his home, Didier is slowly able to rein in his anxiety and panic to the point where he feels human again.

Caroly returns with more than just a smile and good faith in him. Whenever Didier sees Caroly, it’s as if a blanket of comfort is draped over him. He immediately feels more at peace. But Didier wants more and wishes to completely lose himself, to submerge into the fantasy that Caroly’s presence brings forth. This time Caroly resists, telling him that she doesn’t wish to become the means in which he hides from his problems. So together, they face his fears united and stronger than before.

REVERSAL is another agonizingly sweet love story for Caroly and Didier that delves deeper than before. McKenna first weaves an intricate web that Didier must find the strength within himself to escape from, then slowly unravels that to reveal a vulnerability that is striking and real. A story about unparalleled trust, inner strength and courage, McKenna simply shines with this series of vignettes.

*Review Copy provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Rough Surrender by Cari Silverwood

Rough Surrender

by Cari Silverwood

Ms. Silverwood did an extraordinary job with this erotic/historical book. The mash up of time, place and plot was pretty amazing. This story is based in Cairo in the 1900s with characters who have both very strong personalities and are coming to terms with their sexuality. I have to admit that the cover was intimidating. I really didn’t know what to think of the pyramid and roped up lady. However, after reading this book, that cover is a very good fit to the story.

Faith Evard is a very independent, strong-minded, free spirited and definitely ahead of her time woman. She is one of the first female pilots and on a mission to do more in life. She meets Leonhardt Meisner at an Aviation Conference. He is a well-known, rich, entrepreneur/engineer who has a lot of experience in his sexuality. And he has plans to teach Faith everything he knows.

It was great to see this couple come to terms with who they are in and out of the bedroom. I love seeing Leonhardt show Faith his expertise in the bedroom but yet giving Faith leeway to do as she pleases with her life. Faith on the other hand, was a walking contradiction. She was a very strong female but yet found herself wanting to submit to a very alpha domineering man. I love that Ms. Silverwood was able to give her both roles. It was uplifting to see her fight for what she wants and yet give Leonhardt what he needed. Their sexual explorations are steamy, includes lots of toys and different positions. You will never think of pens the same way after reading this book.

Ms. Silverwood also touches a little on a fine line of BDSM and sex slavery or abuse in this book. Seeing that even in this time, there are a few that struggle to differentiate the two. Though it was just in the background, the awareness was brought out.

I think in reading dark BDSM books that includes submission to a Dom outside the playroom is a big trigger for me. It is a fine, fine line and that line was not crossed in this book *whew*. I consider myself new to the world of BDSM and I know I have a lot to learn. With that, I plan to explore more of this genre and most definitely more of Cari Silverwood’s books.

I hope Ms. Silverwood continues to write more about Faith and Leonhardt. I would also like to know more of Jeremy and Hassim both friends of the H/h, very intriguing characters. I was told that there are plans to continue with this series but not solid at this time. If it continues…it will be an automatic buy for me.

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Craving by Cara McKenna

Craving

(Curio #3)

by Cara McKenna

Before I unleash my fangirl side, I’d just like to remind readers once again that this series needs to be read in order, starting from the very beginning with CURIO. Otherwise, the scenes you read here probably won’t resonate with you as greatly. Okay, on to review....

It is springtime and Caroly and Didier’s Paris romance continues to bloom at a steadfast pace. In CRAVING, we find Caroly waiting for Didier at a restaurant. This meeting is monumental, not because it’s the first time Caroly is seen with someone known to be a prostitute in tight circles, but because Didier suffers from an extreme case of agoraphobia. The fact that he is even willing to confront his fears to see Caroly in a place so beyond his comfort zone shows just how much he cares about her.

Cara McKenna delivers yet another tightly-written slow-burning romance that boils to a fevering point! CRAVING is written in Caroly’s POV this time and I enjoyed it very much. I loved that readers were able to get inside her head and see the vulnerability that lies there. Even though she has bedded - and been bedded - by Didier many times already, there is still wonder in her eyes whenever she sees him. There’s this constant thought in the back of her mind wondering if one day Didier will finally tire of his job and simply wish to be with her in a long-term sense. Until then, Caroly cherishes each moment she has with him now. McKenna writes so that each word is necessary and infused with such warmth and electricity, bringing these characters to life again and again.

In this vignette, Didier and Caroly explore each other’s more darker desires. A little bit of bondage and anal play is involved, but there is passion is spades! As they explore Didier’s toy chest, they discover far more than just the carnal pleasures that it can bring, but also the trust in which they give to each other.

If you haven’t read Cara McKenna before, then you are surely missing out! She is a definite auto-buy for me and I will be waiting to see what she has in store for one of my favorite couple.

*Review Copy provided by publisher

Purchase Link: Amazon

ARC Review: Bound by an Angel by Mackenzie McKade

4.5 Feathers

Bound by an Angel

by Mackenzie McKade

(Ties That Bind # 3)

Everytime I read a Mackenzie McKade book I reaffirm the fact that I think she can write an amazingly hot story, she can bring to life the characters and she can also deliver a story I am interested in reading and connect with.  Even though the scenarios that she comes up with would be the farthest for me to relate to.

So picture this...hot, rich cowboy who runs his own operation.  Most eligible bachelor in town and all that.  With a kinky reputation for liking some threesome action, being really good in bed and maybe even being into some tying up and spanking.  On top of that, he's gorgeous.  That could be intimidating for anyone, but especially for city girl Tess, who moved from California after her parents death to follow her brothers dream of owning a farm.  She is now left responsible for three siblings and not much time or space to be wild and young and free. Except for when wild and young and free comes knocking.

How can you really go wrong with a cowboy that is totally alpha, can give you some kink but is possessive and jealous (mine!!!!!) and who actually falls hard for a woman that is not all glitz and glamour but that has some substance?  Well, you can't!  Clancy Wiseman is my type of guy from beginning to end and everything in between.  Bad boy but sweet, domineering but understanding.

Tess is, aside from a very lucky girl, playful.  She's had a lot dumped on her lap and she's given up a lot to be where she is today.  Her family, her siblings, come above all else, including herself.  She's strong in her everyday life so it was nice to see her loosen up and see how Clancy got through those walls.

Then there's their third.  Mmmmmmm..... Sexy and fun, knowing his limits from the get go, and then helping them along.  Just perfect.  Can't wait to read his book, because I'm sure we will get it, right?

This just makes me mad because, although I did read the first book in this series, which was a great Holiday menage story, I didn't read book two.  And that was where Clancy got introduced by being the third in that relationship.  I definitely want to go back and read that because I feel there was a great connection between the chracters from that book and Clancy and we got to see a bit of that in this book as well.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon