Review: Take

Take by Ella Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yes, please. Oh, my god. How my heart hurt for these two during this book. I mean, don't get me wrong, they're hot as hell, but they are also troubled. They have issues to work through and they have to do that alone as much as they have to do it together.

As much as this could have been a one book couple, I'm glad it's not. I'm so glad it's a series because I have the time to get to know both of these amazing men. I can watch them love and lust and learn together. I get to know what makes them tick and what makes them crazy.

I can't wait to continue with this series.

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Review: Watching Mine

Watching Mine by Alex Grayson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, uh, yeah.

Nathan. Damn. I don't really have words to describe the hotness of that man. Hell, any of the people in this book. Tegan, Colt, Nathan? Wyatt? Those men are all sorts of fuckhot and I want one in my bed.

Or plastered against the window, in the alley, on the couch with my best friends getting it on next to me. Whatever.

But to focus on Nathan and Emberleigh, let's just say they are so much fun. The chemistry is off the charts, the voyeurism, the exhibitionism, the sexuality that drips from the pages. Yeah, these two have it in spades.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out and read Watching Mine by Alex Grayson. It's hot AF.

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Review: Try

Try by Ella Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finally caved and decided to give this series a Try.
I wasn't disappointed.

Tate and Logan are, well, hot. There really isn't a better way to describe them.

Tate. The sexy bartender. He's going through a divorce. He's straight.

Logan. The sexy customer/lawyer. He's determined to get what he wants. He wants Tate.

I am pretty sure that I would cave to Logan Mitchell. I'd cave, drop to me knees, and then ask him what I could do to please him. He's that kind of alpha. He's cocky and determined and he goes after what he wants. He wants Tate, but Tate isn't into guys.

Or is he?

Tate is going through a divorce. He isn't looking for a relationship, he isn't looking for a hook-up, and he sure as Hell isn't looking for a man.

Or is he?

There's just something magnetic about Logan. His arrogance is sexy. His body is cut and defined and sexy. His eyes, his glasses, his styled hair? All sexy.

Could Logan tempt Tate? Could he be the answer to the questions Tate never knew to ask? Should he take Logan at his word and give it a Try?

Just try it. Do what feels good. Do what feels right.

I'm moving on to book two. How could I not? These guys are hot af in and out of bed.

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Review: Villains Pride

Villains Pride by M.K. Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pretty sure I'm a glutton for punishment because Jackson Blackwell makes fun of me--and all the other nerds out there--throughout this entire book. I mean, yeah, okay, he did that with the first book as well, but this is definitely becoming a trend.

A trend I can totally support.

Why would I support it? Uhh...it's funny as shit. Seriously, I laughed and laughed and laughed. The humor in this book? It's my kind of humor.

Pop culture references? Yes, please.
Comic book realm? Sure, why not?!
Someone trying to kill you? Sounds like the perfect plot.
Making fun of every single trope ever used in the genre? What better way to catch someone's attention?

Here's where I can't get into anything else because I'm not going to spoil this for anyone. Just know I think you should read it. Better yet? Listen to it. jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job as The Shadow Master.

MK Gibson has given me comedic gold with he Shadow Master books. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. What genre will we visit next? Sci-fi? Romance? Oh, regency romance<--because that would be hilarious. I can just imagine ol' Jackson now. What about horror? The options are not endless, but they are plentiful. The sub-genres alone could keep Mr. Gibson occupied for quite some time. I'm looking forward to what comes next.

*I listened to the audio. The only time I wished I had read the book was towards the end when Jackson is telling Randy a nice little piece of information that he dropped in an earlier chapter. But really, the audio is fantastic. Listen to this book.


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Review: Barbarian's Heart

Barbarian's Heart by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I don't have a lot to say about this one. It was "meh" on a scale of meh-to-bring it on.

Stacy is boring.
Pashov, man, I felt bad for the guy. He tried. And tried. And tried.
And Stacy just kept pushing him away.

I was bored. For the first time in all the blue alien smut I've read, I was bored.

I don't often say this, but if you're reading the series, you can skip it. Go on to the next because this one drags.

If you want the highlights, I'll include them in this handy spoiler tag: (view spoiler)[ Nothing happens. They walk and walk. It's cold. Pashov asks Vektal if he can take Stacy to a nearby hunter's cave. Vektal says "sure, but don't make me come find you" (or something similar).
Pashov and Stacy hang out in a hunter's cave for a few turns of hand--alien hands, not humans. They grow closer, but there is still distance between them because Stacy is a dumbass.
A metlak shows up. Starving, with a kit. Stacy feels bad so she feeds it. Pashov shows up and decides they will leave the cave and head to the new village.
Once in the new village, they find eggs. Yes! Stacy's favorite. I know they're her favorite because she drones on about them for several pages. So many pages, in fact, that I knew they'd find eggs before this book was finished.
Yay. Eggs.

And Pashov and Stacy resonate again. Woo-freaking-hoo. (hide spoiler)]

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Review: The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Unabridged edition

The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Unabridged edition by Robert Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't know what it is about a fantasy novel that keeps me hooked. There are crazy words that I have to decipher, there are backgrounds and information overload, there are so many characters I'm lucky I know my own name by the end, and there is always the good versus evil battle. I mean, come on! When will that trope ever get old?
The answer? Not today. And not 20-30 years ago when these books were written.

And Robert Jordan? Well, there's a reason he's a master of the craft. There's also a reason this series is fourteen books long (fifteen if you count the prequel).

Storytelling. World building. Magic realms, magic abilities, magic bonds. Rebirth. Growth. Life and love. Foreshadowing. Foretelling. Lust. Hate. It's all here. It's been here since book ONE and it's still here in book FIVE.

But, why oh why did I have to travel with a menagerie for the majority of the book? Why did I have to endure the "women are better than men" speech throughout this book? I mean, I get it, women are Aes Sedai, women are powerful in this world, women strip men of their power. However, there is nothing more contradicting to the "I am better than men" statement than going all googly eyed and tongue tied in the presence of an attractive man. I'm looking at you Nynaeve. I get it, Galaad is gorgeous, but use your head woman!

Really, Nynaeve was the most annoying aspect of this book, which is insane because she's always been strong before. That strength and stubbornness only hurt her in this installment (Birgitte, anyone?).

However, the women are strong. They are powerful. They are more. Even when they've been stripped of that power (Suwann, I'm looking at you) they are still powerful, just in a different way.
The addition of Birgitte is fantastic. The rising power of Elayne. The love Avienda finally gives in to. All of it is powerful. All of it is solidifying their place in the Wheel.

My other complaint? Where in the world is Perrin? I mean, are things all good in The Two Rivers? Why no Perrin? His connection to the wolves is one of my favorite things about this series.

And Mat. Oh, Thank goodness he finally decides to make a move.
Only to have it thrown right back at him. But good for you, Mat. Your knowledge and your power have served The Dragon Reborn well. And will continue to do so.

Overall, Robert Jordan has me wondering where this series goes. I'm sure a google search would answer that, but I'd much prefer to find out on my own. My goal next year: to finish this series.

The end has me asking what in the hell?! because who ends a book like that?! Give me more! Lan? Where is Lan going? Morraine? That can't be real, can it?! And I want to see what happens when Min, Elayne, and Avienda are all in the same place. That'll be fun.

Give me more!

Oh, wait. He did. Ten books worth.

*I listened to this and Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are phenomenal, as usual. It also accounts for my piss poor spelling of all things Wheel of Time.

The Wheel weaves as The Wheel wills.

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Review: Hot Head

Hot Head by Damon Suede
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend. She promised me hot scenes and hot scenes.

Well, she wasn't wrong. Probably some of the hottest M/M scenes I've read and the love story is sweet and beautiful.

I mean, how would you feel if you knew you were in love with your best friend all while knowing your best friend was straight? It'd be heartbreaking and it would hurt. And not because your Bestie was intentionally hurting you, but because he didn't share in the M/M love like you do. Hell, you don't really dig the M/M love so much as you just dig your best friend and he's all you could ever dream of. He's perfect. He's the one person who you would give your life for and vice versa. He's always there when you need him and lately he's been pushing you to hang out more.

Wait....what?!

Yes, that BFF you're in love with hasn't been hooking up with the ladies recently. In fact, he's recently enlisted your help with his financial situation and in doing so, he's about to explore his sexuality.
And yours.

So, yes, Dante (the bestie) is in trouble and turns to the one person who has always helped him. Griff knows he loves Dante, but what Dante has in mind may push their friendship to the limit.

I enjoyed this. I'm not the biggest fan of third person story-telling. I just always feel like first person gives me a better glimpse at the mind of our protagonist(s), but this third person POV works here. If you loathe first person POV, then grab this one.

You should also grab a fan.

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Review: Barbarian's Taming

Barbarian's Taming by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't believe I made a shelf titled "alien smut" so I could put these books in their own little home. But whatever.
Here I am, eight books in, with no end in sight.

Maddie isn't the most pleasant person on the ice planet, but can you blame her? She woke up to a bunch of giant blue alien men and one human female with glowing blue eyes. Yeah, to say her world was flipped is probably an understatement.

And then her sister is kidnapped.

I'd probably lose my shit too.

Hassen has been exiled (temporarily and only kinda) for taking Lila, but that doesn't stop the longing looks he shares with Maddie when he drops by the tribe home to leave food for the others. It doesn't stop Maddie from staring at him when he enters the cave. It doesn't stop her from trudging out into the snow to see if she can rile him up.

They're both lonely, they despise each other, and there is the feeling of being lost that each seem to cling to.

So, why wouldn't they hook up?

No reason, obviously. This is a match made in what should have been hate-fuck heaven, but I should have known Hassen didn't have it in him. That big, blue alien just wants some love.

I would like to stop and say that this book DOES have the hottest sex scene in the series, though. The cave scene. With Taushen outside. Hassen takes what he wants, just like Maddie had done in the storage room.
But his method is HAWT, despite the planet being made of ice.

Anyway, tragedy happens, but our couple is fantastic and having the sex and there is a resonance. So, yeah, the tragedy sends us to book 9, where we see Stacy and Pashov.

Let the rebuilding begin.

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Review: Barbarian's Touch

Barbarian's Touch by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Li-lah. Oh, Li-lah.

So, yeah, she's deaf. Which is cool because who am I too judge someone for something they have no control over.
But she's been able to hear for 10 years, I believe, before the evil green aliens stole her from her warm bed and performed a surgery that left her without hearing. Again.

Lila is thrust back into a world she thought she left behind. No, not the ice planet. She thought she was finally in a place where she wasn't the weird deaf girl, a world where she could hear and communicate without the help of others (beyond her cochlear implant, of course). But when she finds herself on Not-Hoth, she finds herself without her hearing and falling back to that helpless girl who is content to live in her sister's shadow.

Oh, yeah, she was scooped up right along with her sister, Maddie.

So, this is Lila's story. The story of how she became strong and capable and loved.
All without the ability to hear.

This is where we really get to see Rokan. I know he's been mentioned, but this is just total proof that I want a big, blue alien to resonate....with. To. Eh, grammar. Whatever. I want a resonance. Mostly because I want someone to go above and beyond to make sure I'm happy and safe and taken care of.
Plus the sex. But that's not the important thing here.
I want my blue alien to protect me from metlaks and sky claws and an avalanche.

Yep. Rokan. Heeellllllooooo, Rokan.

Seven couples down, nine to go? I honestly don't know. Amazon says this is only a nine book series, yet at the same time I can search Ice Planet Barbarians and it'll show me books numbered through sixteen.

So, I'm going with that.

And Maddie's book is about to be all sorts of hate-fucking. Right?!

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Review: A Second Chance to Sparkle

A Second Chance to Sparkle by Pippa Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is not what I expected. The cover makes it seem far different from what it is. However, the story inside is that of a woman who is searching for herself, while spending time with her bestie.

She never thought she'd find love. Especially while vacationing in London.

The story is sweet. What it lacks in romance (there is some, but I would have liked to have seen more of our couple!) it makes up for in best-friendship.

If you want a story of BFFs, this is your bag. There's even a hottie British guy (or two) for you to feast your eyes on. One of them may even be your Prince Charming.

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Review: Ice Planet Holiday

Ice Planet Holiday by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was fun!

I loved this short interlude where we can see the tribe have fun, all while having a resonance thrown in.

Because what's a blue alien-smut book without the resonance?

Get your khui ready! You're in for a fun treat!

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Review: Barbarian's Prize

Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiffany and Salukh.

Yeah, Tiffany is one of two remaining unmated females. And since Josie drives everyone insane with her constant chatter, Tiffany is the girl they guys have their eyes on.

Only, she'd give just about anything to not resonate. Ever. She doesn't want to be touched, she doesn't want to be around others, and she does not want a mate.
Because then she would have to give in to the resonance and that is something she can't handle.

Salukh is wrapped up in Tiffany. He knows she's hurting, he knows she's been hurt, and he just wants to take her pain away. But how does he do that? What will it take to make Tiffany trust him?

She may have all the answers to these problems when she propositions her best male friend on Not Hoth.

But will he take what she is offering or will he wait for resonance?

Another excellent installment in this alien-smut series.

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Review: Barbarian’s Mate

Barbarian’s Mate by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been waiting to read about Haeden since book one. He's all broody and mean and kind of an asshole.

Which makes him perfect.

Josie and Haeden do not like each other, which is how I knew this would be absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most fun books in the series.

But why must you hurt me, Ruby? WHYYYYYYYY?!

This is supposed to be fun alien smut. Why all the feels?

Oh, yeah, I totally dig the back and forth hate and banter these two have. I totally want to watch this happen in real life. And that resonance thing is a real bitch, but what can ya do?

Nothing.

Give in to the resonance.

On to book seven!

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Review: Barbarian Mine

Barbarian Mine by Ruby Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'd like to take a little trip. You know, a vacation to a place with few people where I can relax by the natural springs of the planet and bask in the rays of two suns.

Oh, that's not possible? Are you sure?

Just put me on a space ship and send me to Not-Hoth so I can take a khui, resonate, and then have a bunch of human-alien babies.

Wait. No. That doesn't sound right.

But really, where's Not-Hoth? Is there a giant blue alien for me?

I don't know what magical spell I'm under, but give me the next book in the series.

And a vacation because I'd really like to be able to read these without stopping. I bet I could get some reading done on Not-Hoth. Think my kindle will work there?

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Review: UnStable

UnStable by M. Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 You're Bacon Me Crazy Stars

Well, that book was a "can't put it down, gonna read it all in one sitting" kind of book. So, thanks for that.

Ford West. We met him in UnPlanned, the book featuring Lincoln West.

Ford is the middle child, the party-er, the fun guy, the no relationship guy.

Or is he?

He's had his fair share of heartache. More than most. And it happened at an earlier age than you could ever expect. Because no one could prepare him for the trials he'd have to endure.

Mackenzie Mueller (I'm pretending Piper used my name here) just got out of her serious relationship. A relationship that was doomed before it began, but she had no way of knowing that.
She's heard the rumors surrounding Ford West and she's kept her distance--easy to do when you're engaged to another man.

But what happens when that engagement is over and you're on the hunt for something to make you forget?

Ford happens. Good time, fun, no relationships Ford happens.

But what happens when Ford wants more?

UnStable happens. This book happens. All the details are here. You want the details.

You're gonna laugh, you're probably gonna tear up a bit, and you're gonna love Ford and Mack.

Bring on Reagan, Piper. I'm not ready.

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Review: You're Still the One

You're Still the One by Rachel Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, what a sweet, sweet story!

Sexy Charlie. Arabella has had a crush on Sexy Charlie for longer than she cares to admit. She admired him the first time he stepped foot into her home and she continued to admire him throughout his musical career.

Little Bit. The ridiculous nickname bestowed upon Arabella by Charlie when she was still a young girl. His boss's daughter, the princess of Nashville. It never occurred to him that she would grow up.

But boy does she grow up?!

And he didn't even recognize her.

A summer like no other before it. A friendship neither saw coming. A working partnership that proved both were more than their monikers.

What they could have never expected from each other was love. Love wasn't really on either's agenda. But they gravitate toward one another. They find themselves spending more and more time together. They find themselves fighting their attraction. They find themselves succumbing to that same attraction.

And scandal. Because what's a good book without some sort of drama. You know, more than the boss's daughter drama. More than the bad-boy country star drama. Scandal. A scandal is always a sure fire way to halt the progress between two people.

A scandal is just what we need.

Don't say I didn't warn you.
I think you're going to love Sexy Lexy and Ella just as much as I do.

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Review: Summer Fling

Summer Fling by Jerica MacMillan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, yeah, I liked this more than I thought I would. Not sure why I hesitated, but I did. However, I'm really glad I gave this a listen.

I enjoyed the story of Lance and Abby. In many ways it's your typical "player finds the one and loses his player ways" kind of book. In other ways, it isn't that at all. You never see Lance as a player. You hear about it, but you never witness it. The only girl you see him with is Abby. I love that about this. And really, she has more issues than he does.

Quick listen and as usual Tor Thom and Charley Ongel are fabulous. They're one of the few narrating duos I absolutely love listening to. I seek out there work and am never disappointed.

Grab Summer Fling if you're looking for a quick, light read. I think you'll enjoy it.

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