The Cowboy Gladiator by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

April 27, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Cowboy Gladiator by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

After a near fatal rodeo injury, Asher McCard is determined he’ll ride again and compete, especially now he’s decided that cowboys are modern day gladiators. His fiancée, Charlotte, doesn’t agree and she breaks their long engagement. As he gets back in the saddle, Asher is out to win back Charlotte as well as his manhood. When he learns she’s carrying his child, it’s not enough to change his mind but when the first rodeo of the season proves deadly for another rider, it’s a game changer for Asher. His priorities shift toward marriage and family if Charlotte will agree.

He wants her, but she’s afraid to give him a second chance.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ms Sontheimer Murphy and I’m glad I did. I got right into this story and the writing flowed well. I finished this in an afternoon and it was time well spent.

Asher loves being a rodeo rider and he’s determined to be great again. Charlotte, his ex-fiancée, isn’t sure she’s willing to be with a man who puts his life in danger. I had to know what would happen next for this couple. I liked their stubbornness because it was so realistic. I could identify with both characters.

If you’re looking for a sexy afternoon read, then this is the one you should try.

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

An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher

April 26, 2022 By Leave a Comment


An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

“I’m going to kill her. You’d better come if you want to save her.”

Lorraine—“Rainy”—lives at the top of Tiger Mountain. Remote, moody, cloistered in pine trees and fog, it’s a sanctuary, a new life. She can hide from the disturbing past she wants to forget.

If she’s allowed to.

When Rainy reluctantly agrees to a girls’ weekend in Vegas, she’s prepared for an exhausting parade of shots and slot machines. But after a wild night, her friend Braithe doesn’t come back to the hotel room.

And then Rainy gets the text message, sent from Braithe’s phone: someone has her. But Rainy is who they really want, and Rainy knows why.

What follows is a twisted, shocking journey on the knife-edge of life and death. If she wants to save Braithe—and herself—the only way is to step back into the past.

Rainy needed a do-over and meeting Grant gave her the chance to redefine herself and her past. In Washington state, living in her exclusive community and hanging out with the wives of Grant’s friends, she’s found a way to move past her history and make a new life. But has she really managed to leave it all behind her? What if her past found her again and refused to let her go?

Rainy is a confident, creative woman, living her dream. She supports herself through her art while living the good life with her partner, Grant. He adores her and she’s happy. I loved her personality and how she maneuvered herself with all the pettiness that often cropped up with the other women around her. I’m not sure I could have contained myself at certain times like she did.

Summer is the one who surprised me. At thirteen, she’s more confident and self-sufficient than I could have ever dreamed of being. This coming from someone who grew up in the era of latch-key kids. As things got crazier and crazier for her, she sucked it up and made choices that would change her life. Her effort to save herself and her mother was the driving force of the past’s narrative and one I could fully support.

I’m a sucker for books set in and around Las Vegas. I’m also an absolute fool for books dealing with cults and/or fundamentalist religion. This book gave me both. Told in alternating timelines, both past and present, the story comes together slowly, piece by piece. That’s not to say that the novel is slow paced, because it’s not. Not even close. From the get-go this book is on the crazy train to the end. Which, if you’ve ever read Tarryn Fisher before, you know is her usual method. I’ve been a fan of the author’s ever since I read The Wives, but this is honestly her best book to date in my opinion.

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

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: , , , , , ,

The Fabric Over the Moon by Ferran Plana

April 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Fabric Over the Moon by Ferran Plana
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Stories come alive at night.

They are whispered around dying campfires, by quiet bedsides, under deformed old trees.

They might get interrupted by the howling wind, inaudible gasps, or nervous comments, only to be continued fervently once the dust settles again.

Why did the girl visit the eerie village? What did the gypsy’s words mean? Can the discovery of a new flower change the world?

Stories are supposed to end but they never do.

They leave you wondering and longing for more. They live on in your mind, in corners with cobwebs and memories you’ve been suppressing, in recurring daydreams you have while waiting in long lines. They fester and thrive there. They spiral and soar. You wish they would die but they cannot anymore.

Once you blow breath into a story, it instantly becomes yours…

Why stick to one genre when there are so many other interesting ones to explore, too?

A string of mysterious deaths in a monastery made the main character in “Winter” wonder what was really going on. I was immediately drawn into the mystery of why they’d lost so many members over that winter, especially since this was so unusual for them. The twist ending made me grin. It wasn’t something I saw coming, but it added a delightful spin to the quiet life the characters typically lead.

Some portions of this collection were hard for me to understand, and I’m saying that as someone who loves short stories and flash fiction. There were multiple times when they abruptly ended and I wasn’t entirely sure I fully understood what they were trying to communicate. “Shane” was one such example of this. It followed the adventures of someone named Shane who helped two pigs travel through the woods at night to deliver an important message. As much as I liked the characters, I was confused by how quickly it ended and how many loose ends were left dangling in the final scene.

There was a dreamlike quality to “Locked” that worked beautifully with the tale it told about someone living in the distant future who wondered what Earth was like before the environment became dangerous for humans. I can’t disclose why it was dangerous for spoiler reasons, but I can say that I was surprised by each new revelation about how humanity survived this disaster and how they’d adapted to it over time. This was something that would have made an excellent novel, but it also worked just as well in the handful of pages the author decided to write about.

The Fabric Over the Moon was a thought-provoking read.

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

Turning On The Light by Chelle De Notte

April 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Turning On The Light by Chelle De Notte
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When he’s not putting out fires with New York’s bravest, Jake Cross performs as Bree Encroute, a drag queen in a Hell’s Kitchen revue. He keeps his two worlds separate by design, yet is having a hard time separating himself from Brad.

After walking away from the homophobia at his old firehouse, Brad Talbott is finally free to be himself … and in search of a house where he’ll fit in. But no matter how many floater shifts he works, he keeps coming back to Jake.

For months, Jake and Brad’s arrangement has been purely physical. But as spring gives way to summer, the two men start to bare themselves to each other in new ways.

Jake and Brad hit it off almost instantly but as fire fighters they each have very busy professional lives and at first neither are keen to give up much of their busy private time either. But as their hook ups become more meaningful and they each start to share more of more of their private selves things begin to get more complicated. Can they help each other create something amazing together?

I found this to be a really interesting and emotional read. I was a little surprised that the storyline jumped around a bit – particularly at the start. More than a few times I had to stop, go back and reread a few pages because I hadn’t understood something properly. This somewhat choppy style of writing made it hard to be to follow the story in a few places, but I really felt this evened out toward the middle and end of the story so I was quite glad to have grasped it all.

I adored both Jake and Brad’s characters though and really felt their connection and the romance blossoming between them. I empathized strongly with Jake – and recovering from his world turning upside down after having people he loved and trusted turn their backs when he came out. I also greatly enjoyed the patience and love Brad showed Jake as they each tried to build something together. This was a really emotional and strongly written story I liked and feel it would be a lovely, quick and satisfying read for many who enjoy a realistic sort of story.

With two interesting, vibrant and realistic characters really shining through the story Jake and Brad made this a lovely and enjoyable read. There was a dash of colour and fun with Jake’s side hustle as a drag queen and enough tender emotions as the two men grew closer and learned to trust themselves and each other to really make this a delightful story. I’d definitely be willing to try more by this author.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews 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: , , , , ,

Daddy, Daddy, And Me by Sean Michael

April 20, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Daddy, Daddy, And Me by Sean Michael
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When Jeff agreed to be the sperm donor to his best friend Beth, he never expected a tragedy to leave his newborn and three-year-old motherless. Beth’s loss has totally thrown his life into chaos: his lover has left him, his house isn’t anywhere near childproof, and his boss feels the restaurant has been patient enough with Jeff’s time off.

Donny has always known he wanted to work with kids, and he just finished his degree in early childhood education. He didn’t count on the prejudice he’d face as not only a male nanny, but a gay one at that. Job-hunting has been frustrating to say the least, so when he knocks on Jeff’s door and is greeted by the sounds of things breaking and a pair of screaming children, he thinks maybe he can begin this particular interview with a trial by fire.

Becoming the nanny to Jeff’s children might be a dream come true for Danny and exactly what Jeff needs, but are either of them ready to really be a family?

Jeff agreed to be the sperm donor to his best friend, but never expected for tragedy to strike and for him to be left with full time custody of a newborn and his three year old. Jeff’s lover has left and his boss has had enough of being patient with the time off Jeff frequently needs. When Donny knocks on Jeff’s front door he decides to throw himself into the interview process by simply showing exactly how much he can help Jeff. Can these two men find a balance to family life that works for all four of them?

I really enjoyed this full length story. In many ways I found it a lovely comfort read with all the usual tropes – a very sudden full time dad, two adorable but rambunctious children, the newbie nanny/manny who hadn’t been given a fair shot but fell right in easily with the newly formed family. Readers looking for a story that is really envelope pushing, different or edgy probably won’t find this suits their tastes. Instead I really loved this comforting, easy to read and enjoy story. I found both Jeff and Donny’s characters realistic and gentle, and the two children were adorable. Just a gentle, almost sweet pace to the story really allowed Jeff and Donny’s characters to shine through and for them to build a solid foundation of friendship, trust and family before they explored a more intimate relationship together.

The slow pace to the romance was lovely and I felt it well handled. While there is plenty of steam and sizzle in the bedroom when the men make it there I was pleased they didn’t jump immediately into bed. Much of the plot was easy to guess and see coming from a mile away – but with the strong characters and all the emotions and new family situation needing to be grown into and sorted out I feel there really didn’t need to be complicated plot twists or convoluted story building. The real shine and hero of this story was Jeff and Donny’s characters, and the life and family they were meshing together and growing.

Readers looking for a delightfully written, character centric and gently woven story should find this an exceptional read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be reading it again in the future.

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

Her Relentless Bratva by Winter Sloane

April 20, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Her Relentless Bratva by Winter Sloane
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Katya: Some people call me an ice princess. There’s a reason for that. I survived the massacre of my entire family. When the Kotov Bratva took me in, I swore I’d do anything for my daughter and my new family. Aleksander is off-limits. He’s also relentless, persuasive, and addictive. I lean into his touches and kisses even though I should be staying away. I’m a survivor. I don’t just open up my heart to anyone but with Aleksander it’s easy. If being with him is so wrong, then why does it feel so right?

Aleksander: I know Katya Kotov inside and out. Under all that ice, lies a passionate and fiery woman I can’t wait to own and possess. I waited, hoping she’d find a better man, a decent man to settle with. But I’m not that generous. I’m a selfish and possessive bastard. Katya’s mine to tame and I’d kill anyone that gets in the way.

A dark, gritty story of love and survival.

I’ve read a few books by Winter Sloane but this was by far the darkest. I knew it would be, being it’s a mafia romance and it didn’t disappoint in the darkness aspect, but it also succeeded in the romance aspect as well. The writing flowed well, with a few errors, but it’s nothing that took away from my enjoyment of the story.

Katya has been wounded by life and the family. I understood her need to be icy to Aleks. She’s trying to stay sane while she’s a survivor. She’s strong and gritty, which is what I liked the best about her. Then there’s Aleks. He’s pushy, alpha and relentless…hence the title. I liked how he instantly took care of her and refused to let her get away.

If you’re looking for a dark story with a lot of romance and intrigue, then this is the book for you. Check it out now!

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: , , , , , ,

Melissa by Alex Gino

April 19, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Melissa by Alex Gino
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: YA, Middle Grade, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

BE WHO YOU ARE.

When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.

Melissa thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. Melissa really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part… because she’s a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte — but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

You have to be who you are, no matter what.

I loved this story. I did. I loved reading about Melissa coming into her own and finding who she was always meant to be. The writing was authentic and empathetic, too. I read this in one day and recommend it strongly.

Melissa was born George but she’s never felt like a boy. She feels like a girl. This is her story of coming into her own and being the girl she was always meant to be. This book won’t be for everyone, but it would definitely help a young person understand that the feelings they have—wanting to wear a dress or be a tomboy—isn’t bad. This is a young person’s story. It’s told like a young person would tell it. There are moments where things are awkward, where there’s acceptance and where Melissa shines. I loved the portrayal of Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web. That was the best.

If you’re looking for a book that explains how a young person sees themselves and how one young person born one way can feel another, then this is the book for you. I recommend it highly.

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