Favorite Quote: “This is the last second,” he whispered, “that I will ever not have been inside you.”
It’s hard for Lydia Waverly to interview for jobsFavorite Quote: “This is the last second,” he whispered, “that I will ever not have been inside you.”
It’s hard for Lydia Waverly to interview for jobs, mostly because people stare at her bright pink hair, rather than take her seriously. But she is in need of money, so she marches forward. She finds herself at a university interviewing for a librarian position. Before she can even get into the interview, a very handsome, older man barges in.
Dr. Spencer Flynn, professor of Applied Mathematics, needs help translating short-hand notes for an upcoming lecture. And guess who is proficient in that skill? Lydia offers to help him, in hopes that this will give her an advantage to securing this job. As she translates his notes, she finds herself staring at this very attractive man and this confuses her. She assumes he is a stuffy older man (he is 42) while she herself is a young 23. But she also notices he can’t stop looking at her either.
Spencer likes to have everything in order and an answer for everything. A reason he pursued his math career. The spunky, teasing, potty-mouthed Lydia is chaos, and he doesn’t understand what draws her to him. But after a kiss that surpasses all expectations, they realize they can’t get enough of each other. But soon, their casual fling will have start to have serious bumps along the road.
Plus One is the first book I have read by Scarlett Parrish and I really love her voice. The first half of the book is SO GOOD. Take this more awkward, mature math professor and pair him with a very mouthy (but not annoying) young adult who is also very nervous at this blooming romance, and their sex scenes just make me shiver. They are so well done – they are very dirty, and very erotic, but the actual characters themselves are so shy and nervous, that it is a great combination. Plus, this is a quote for Smexy if I have ever read one:
If he had a five o’clock shadow, presumably after shaving that morning, and dark hairs on his forearms, then surely his chest, too, must…..
I bit my lip, shifted in my seat as I typed.
Set in England, when Lydia hangs with her group of friends to gossip about Spencer or life in general, it very much reminds me of Bridget Jones Diary, and her friends in a pub scene. They are all foul-mouthed (which I love) and had me cracking up in every scene. They love to tease her by calling Spencer Granddad and making as many jokes about old people as possible.
So this book sounds fab, yes? Smokin’ sex and funny friends! It is, until the second half. James starts acting just a bit too controlling for me. Now, there is a big twist towards the end, which does account for some of his behavior. But – his apology, or I should say his attempt at apology fell totally flat for me. And actually his actions were just not controlling (telling her not to drink so much, or that she should dye her hair) but just kind of creepy. And I don’t know if you can forgive creepy. Plus they have this whole I hate you but let’s have sex, and then as soon as the sex is done they part ways. I’m not a fan of that scenario. And like I said, when the book ended, I was not satisfied by James’ redemption. At all.
So – the first half of the book, is an easy B+. Second half of the book, made me frown. So for that reason, I’m dropping my rating down to a C+. I still recommend this book, because there are some great scenes. I definitely like Scarlett Parrish’s voice and will be seeking out more of her books.
Rating: C+
Merged review:
Favorite Quote: “This is the last second,” he whispered, “that I will ever not have been inside you.”
It’s hard for Lydia Waverly to interview for jobs, mostly because people stare at her bright pink hair, rather than take her seriously. But she is in need of money, so she marches forward. She finds herself at a university interviewing for a librarian position. Before she can even get into the interview, a very handsome, older man barges in.
Dr. Spencer Flynn, professor of Applied Mathematics, needs help translating short-hand notes for an upcoming lecture. And guess who is proficient in that skill? Lydia offers to help him, in hopes that this will give her an advantage to securing this job. As she translates his notes, she finds herself staring at this very attractive man and this confuses her. She assumes he is a stuffy older man (he is 42) while she herself is a young 23. But she also notices he can’t stop looking at her either.
Spencer likes to have everything in order and an answer for everything. A reason he pursued his math career. The spunky, teasing, potty-mouthed Lydia is chaos, and he doesn’t understand what draws her to him. But after a kiss that surpasses all expectations, they realize they can’t get enough of each other. But soon, their casual fling will have start to have serious bumps along the road.
Plus One is the first book I have read by Scarlett Parrish and I really love her voice. The first half of the book is SO GOOD. Take this more awkward, mature math professor and pair him with a very mouthy (but not annoying) young adult who is also very nervous at this blooming romance, and their sex scenes just make me shiver. They are so well done – they are very dirty, and very erotic, but the actual characters themselves are so shy and nervous, that it is a great combination. Plus, this is a quote for Smexy if I have ever read one:
If he had a five o’clock shadow, presumably after shaving that morning, and dark hairs on his forearms, then surely his chest, too, must…..
I bit my lip, shifted in my seat as I typed.
Set in England, when Lydia hangs with her group of friends to gossip about Spencer or life in general, it very much reminds me of Bridget Jones Diary, and her friends in a pub scene. They are all foul-mouthed (which I love) and had me cracking up in every scene. They love to tease her by calling Spencer Granddad and making as many jokes about old people as possible.
So this book sounds fab, yes? Smokin’ sex and funny friends! It is, until the second half. James starts acting just a bit too controlling for me. Now, there is a big twist towards the end, which does account for some of his behavior. But – his apology, or I should say his attempt at apology fell totally flat for me. And actually his actions were just not controlling (telling her not to drink so much, or that she should dye her hair) but just kind of creepy. And I don’t know if you can forgive creepy. Plus they have this whole I hate you but let’s have sex, and then as soon as the sex is done they part ways. I’m not a fan of that scenario. And like I said, when the book ended, I was not satisfied by James’ redemption. At all.
So – the first half of the book, is an easy B+. Second half of the book, made me frown. So for that reason, I’m dropping my rating down to a C+. I still recommend this book, because there are some great scenes. I definitely like Scarlett Parrish’s voice and will be seeking out more of her books.
I love the way this author writes heroines! Love. They are just - real. Flawed and just....feel like real people.
I didn't love the hero as much in thiI love the way this author writes heroines! Love. They are just - real. Flawed and just....feel like real people.
I didn't love the hero as much in this one. I'm not sure why. Maybe the gardening stuff got boring and I just didn't connect with him like I did the first two books.
But fun - and DIRTY series. I liked them all...more
I LOVE this author's voice. I am shocked! Shocked, I tell you that I loved this heroine. She was in book one and I couldn't stand her. I get in her heI LOVE this author's voice. I am shocked! Shocked, I tell you that I loved this heroine. She was in book one and I couldn't stand her. I get in her head for a few pages here, and I'm in love. I really enjoyed her the entire book.
What didn't work as well for me is the hero. I adored him for 75% of the book, but the other 25% of the time he was acting like a jealous baby and it got on my nerves. The hero in book one was jealous, but it fit him and worked. In this book, it came off - cringy. I didn't love his apology at the end either.
But I adore this author's work. Her banter, her flawed characters.
I'm diving into book three. I already dislike the heroine from this book - she is a horrible mother. Yes, I said it! I can't wait to be proven wrong.... :)...more
Guys - I loved this book. I found it to be such a well done erotic--super alpha asshole (but I rooted so hard for him)--great heroine--great back storGuys - I loved this book. I found it to be such a well done erotic--super alpha asshole (but I rooted so hard for him)--great heroine--great back stories. I love this author's voice. Love. I just read her tamer, more beta baseball book and love that one too. Enjoying going through her back list. ...more
I really liked this one. Hero and heroine charged with crimes and sent to a prison planet for the rest of their lives. Women used as sex slaves - heroI really liked this one. Hero and heroine charged with crimes and sent to a prison planet for the rest of their lives. Women used as sex slaves - heroine forced to pick a man - and hero turns out to be a decent good guy. They have to fight off bad guys and try to find their way out of the zone they are in. i really liked the heroine.
I've loved Tessa Bailey since her first book - and I just discovered Eve Dangerfield last year and I really like her voice. So when I saw these two weI've loved Tessa Bailey since her first book - and I just discovered Eve Dangerfield last year and I really like her voice. So when I saw these two were pairing up to write a book, I squeaked.
And when I read this line:
"Unzip my pants and greet your new keeper.”
I giggled!!! Oh dirty, dirty fun. I love the set-up in this one. Autumn is from Australia and moves to New York City so her boyfriend can fulfill his dream of improv comedy. She supports his dream by working as a vet and keeps her comedian dreams on the back burner. Then he crushes her dreams when he is caught cheating on her. After she throws him out of their apartment, Autumn turns to large t-shirts and ice cream to get her through her sorrow. Her work Visa is almost up, and she assumes she will go back to Australia. Then her landlord knocks on the door to collect her late rent payment.
Blake is a big, reclusive hero, that walks with a limp and hates people.
He was a big motherfucker with a distaste for people he didn't mind showing on his face. Par for the course in someone who didn't leave the confines of his building during the day. No, he'd been built for night and that suited him just fine.
I of course immediately swooned off my chair. Also - he repairs books! How sexy is that?! He is awkward and pretty much in love with Autumn since first glance, which makes him even grumpier. He reminded me of a Charlotte Stein hero, if you are familiar with her work. When he was first showing Autumn and her boyfriend the apartment, she casually moved stuff out-of-the-way so he could walk easier due to his limp. This made a huge impression on him, and he has lusted after her from a far ever since.
Well, now she is single. And he is still awkward. He notices a drawing she did of him, a very dirty drawing of him - her on her knees with her hands tied behind her back. Autumn has fantasies of being stalked, and bound and controlled. She is also very outgoing and expresses these fantasies to Blake, who is INTO it, even though he is more awkward and shy.
"I really hope you won't be offended, but you're rather large and spectacularly intimidating and I've always had a-a...wish." Her chest rose and plummeted, her words puffing out like little gusts. "A fantasy, really. To be jailed. Kept prisoner. Your likeness is sort of reminiscent of someone who could - not would, just could - do that to me."
But - he doesn't want her to be scared of him, outside of the fantasy. And since she doesn't know him that well, and his size and attitude does intimidate her, he makes her go on three "regular" dates before they start the role play.
From here they get to know each other and they start playing with Blake stalking her out in public, and then barging his way into her apartment and "forcing" her to do sexual acts. This is all 100% consensual - it's a fantasy game and they both get off on it. It's not quite as hard-core as some of the other non-consensual fantasy acts I've read, but there is a lot of verbal shaming (again she wants that).
I will say, I did get a little bit tired of the role-playing sex after a while. There is a lot and it's dirty and fun, but I lost interest for a bit. I think part of it is that Blake goes from grumpy, shy bastard to a sex fiend so quick. I wanted him to be more awkward for a little longer.
I adored Autumn. She is feisty and funny and full of life. I liked her friends and her sexual awakening she has with Blake. She is embarrassed at first by her desires and I love that Blake is there to give her confidence as he also gives her pleasure.
Overall these two are sweet together. If Eve Dangerfield is a new voice to you, please check her out. She is a fun author!
This one was okay. Heavy on the romance that develops super quick (insta-lust/love). The suspense didn't do a lot for me. Review to comeThis one was okay. Heavy on the romance that develops super quick (insta-lust/love). The suspense didn't do a lot for me. Review to come...more
Favorite Quote: "What a thing it must be," he'd murmured. "To be under your fierce protection."
"I look after the people I care about."
"I know. It's onFavorite Quote: "What a thing it must be," he'd murmured. "To be under your fierce protection."
"I look after the people I care about."
"I know. It's one of the things I admire most about you."
Favorite Quote #2: "I really don't like you."
"Same here."
Cassie grabbed him by the collar and closed her fist around his shirt.
"Good," she said, and kissed him, hard.
I don't read a ton of BDSM - over the years I've gotten a little tired of the BDSM club scene in romance books. However, I found Her Claim to be a really well done book (and it's club free!). It has a very strong, powerful heroine who I absolutely fell for, and a sinfully sexy hero who learned that he could love again.
Cassie is half-cuban and works as a lawyer in a very cut-throat law firm where she passionately wants to make partner. The old, white men that are the current partners have yet to give her this chance, so she decides to bring in a big client to show them she can bring money into the firm, and kick ass. Cassie's attitude at work has gotten her far, but her "take no prisoners" attitude in a relationship, has not resulted in many long-term boyfriends.
Her hard-shell exterior was great in the courtroom, but not so great in the bedroom. Which was why most of the relationships she’d had ended soon after they started.
“Well you’ve gotta get back out there,” Lilly said. “Men out there don’t have a tendency to like women like me.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Sam asked.
“It means I’m difficult. Abrasive. Too hard to deal with.” At least that was what her last few boyfriends had said during their breakup conversations. “Men say they want someone who is hardworking and intelligent, but that’s bullshit, because look at me, Ivy League and still single.”
Not that she was going to change who she was. If a guy was being a dick, she was going to say so. They couldn't take her heat, then they could get the fuck out of her kitchen.
I love her.
Cassie also has some dark, secret desires that she would love to try out in the bedroom, with the right person, if he ever comes along. Let me make a quick note to say that there is consensual non-consent in this book (rape fantasy) along with breath-play and other power-play moves when they have sex. (Cassie likes Patrick to slap her and belittle her etc...). Please note that for any trigger/content warnings.
Patrick has known Cassie for some time now - they have a group of mutual friends, so they often see each other while getting a drink after work. Patrick runs a publishing company, handed down from his father. A job Patrick did not want, but after having his heartbroken by a young woman years ago, he left his passion on the floor, and decided to walk in his father's foot steps. Patrick really doesn't like his job, but he is wealthy and that helps. Patrick is....a player. He takes home a new woman every night, always very clear that there will be no strings and never a second night. He is suave, and cool, and extremely good looking...and good in bed.
Patrick and Cassie have a hate-hate relationship to start. She hates that Patrick is so blasé about taking women home. She hates that he can get under her skin when he tries his pick-up lines on her. There is much eye-rolling and heavy sighs between them...until one night there isn't. One night the constant bickering turns into a sexual heat and to the surprise of both of them, they fall into bed.
“I’ve always loved your spitfire attitude.”
Patrick’s voice cut through the night. Cassie stopped and whirled around. He was standing at the doorway to the bar, his arms crossed like a bouncer or a Greek god.
“Have you now?” Cassie cocked her brow and placed a hand on her hip. “Well, you’d love me in bed then. I’m a spitfire there too.”
The words popped out before she could stop them, but she didn’t regret it. For once, she wanted that bastard to know the chance he’d passed up. Because she might never have been in love and had dated some serious losers, but damn it she knew how to make a man moan.
Patrick dropped his hands to his sides and quickly closed the distance between them.
“Prove it,” he said.
“Prove what?”
“That you’re a spitfire in bed. Unless all you can do with that mouth of yours is talk.”
As they have hot sex (hotttttt sex) Cassie starts to trust Patrick enough to tell her about her darker needs in the bedroom. And Patrick's heart, which he closed up long ago, starts to have long-term feelings for her.
Everything is developed so well in this book. We see Cassie at work, we see her with her friends, her family. We learn her fears and what makes her feel vulnerable. And the same with Patrick - we see him with his mother and their strained relationship. At a job he doesn't love. His evolution into becoming monogamous. And then when the two of them get together, their sex has depth. It changes them and allows them to grow together. This is definitely an erotic book, in terms of the number of sex scenes and their explicit nature. They add a lot to this book and didn't feel excessive.
The only thing I found a little off or just silly, is how much Patrick's heart was broken by his first real girlfriend all those years ago - and how it stops him in his tracks when he thinks of it. It's used as a conflict point late in the book to briefly break them up and that felt -- too predictable.
I really liked this one a lot. I'm definitely up for another book by Rebecca Grace Allen.
Tori: I have never been one for the daddy kink. Most erotic romances I’ve encountered portray it as 24/7 actinJoint review with my blog partner, Tori:
Tori: I have never been one for the daddy kink. Most erotic romances I’ve encountered portray it as 24/7 acting like a baby and that’s just not for me. However, I have been a fan of Eve Dangerfield’s racy contemps since reading her debut, Degrees of Control, and more than willing to give this one a shot. And I’m so glad I did. Act Your Age is a sexy, humorous, and bittersweet opposite attraction erotic romance that places its focus more on the characters and their issues rather than the kink the storyline is built around. Dangerfield has a fantastic voice that creates a sense of comraderie between the reader and her characters. She writes about everyday people, with regular lives and problems who like kinky sex. The angst levels are fairly low with some drama but nothing over the top
Heavily character driven, Dangerfield introduces us to our hero and heroine, Ty Henderson and Kate McGrath, setting up the storyline while allowing us ample time to get to know them. I found both of them to be delightfully messy contradictions. I laughed while cringing at the two of them more often than not at their awkward and HAWT scenes. Ty works at a large engineering firm where Kate was recently hired on as an engineer. Though he isn’t her immediate boss, he is higher up the chain of command than she is. Still recovering from a bad break up, Ty stomps around like a grumpy butthead with one leg in the grave. Drinking too much and avoiding the home he shared with his cheating ex fiancee, Ty’s attraction to Kate only makes him angry and he directs all that anger towards her.
Ty didn’t think Middleton was a great girl. He thought Middleton was a pain in the ass. Waltzing around with her shiny hair and long legs and her throaty voice, being cuter than a fistful of buttons. Where did she get off?
Kate is young, energetic, and flints around like Pollyanna on acid. She indulges in juvenile clothing and brings homemade baked good to the office on a daily basis. Suffering from ADHD that resulted in some bad childhood behavior and teasing, Kate now takes Ritalin and quietly pines for some positive attention from Ty.
That he didn’t like her always would have hurt. That he didn’t like her and she was so hopelessly attracted to him burned. In the kind of all-encompassing obsession she’d only ever read about in books, but unlike books, her obsession never went anywhere or did anything. She just got sweaty palms whenever she saw him and it made her work-life very awkward. Her obsession wasn’t even original. Everyone had a crush on Tyler Henderson. Women, gay men, straight men, more perceptive animals. It was like having a crush on a Hemsworth brother—it made you basic as hell
What did you think of Kate and Ty in the beginning, Mandi?
Mandi: Before I get into our joint review, I wanted to take a quick minute to highlight what this author and Kate, our heroine, means when she says she likes daddy kink. Maybe you have never read this kink, or you have a preconceived notion as to what it is. So in Kate’s words:
When I imagine daddy-daughter play, I imagine entering a state of mind in which I’m entirely innocent and the man I’m with corrupts and disciplines me. To me, this is power play, not a desire to experience incest or genuine trauma. I’m NOT into the extreme aspects of age-play or daddy-daughter kink (infantilization, pacifiers, baby-talk, or nappies). I consider myself more of a submissive with a twist.
Let me note, their main form of role-playing is Ty is the “step dad” and Kate is the “teenage daughter home alone while mom is at work.” There are times Kate pretends she doesn’t want her “step dad” to have sex with her and he forces himself. It’s all 100% consensual and they are both totally into it – but I wanted to make sure you know that, in case that is not your jam.
I ended up liking this book a lot. It’s over the top sometimes. The book got nicknamed, “The baseball bat” book on Twitter because I tweeted this quote:
Erect, his penis was approximately the width of a baseball bat, properly and ridiculously huge. “What the heck…?”
Yes, that is some girth but don’t let this over the top description deter you. This is a very erotic, and explicit book but it’s not all just sex – the relationship is built up very well. But first, the sex. They go heavy into role-playing and Kate calling Ty daddy. Remember they are in role play here….
“Say that again.” Kate’s heart leapt into her mouth. Was he angry? Was he going to yell at her? “I-I like sucking your cock.”
“Little girl.” His voice was icy with disdain. “Say what you just called me again.”
But she couldn’t. Instead she asked, “Are you mad at me?”
There was a silence more loaded than all the guns in a gun-nut’s gun locker. Then he spoke.
“No, but I want you to say it again.”
“But I—”
“Not what I want to hear, sweetheart.” He gently forced her head back, not hard, but firm. His manhandling and the sense of powerlessness it arose in her made Kate quiver. How did you know? she wanted to ask. I never told you, how did you know? But, she supposed in the scheme of things that didn’t matter as much as following orders. She swallowed.
“I like sucking your cock, Daddy.”
I could go on and on with sex quotes – there are a lot! But there is more to this story. The author takes her time letting us get to know Kate. From initial reaction, I thought disney princess. But as the author peels back her layers – we learn she was diagnosed with severe ADHD when she was seventeen and has been on Ritalin ever since. She didn’t have that great of a childhood. She struggles with friendships. She struggles with being assertive and doesn’t really know who she is.
On the other hand, Ty was dumped by his fiancée two years prior for not wanting to have kids. He has had a hard time getting over her. He likes to be assertive and in control and when he does finally go in the bedroom with Kate, he can’t believe he actually found someone who can fulfill his desires – same with her.
Kate eventually finds female friendships, and loses some too – for so many pages devoted to spanking, we dive into complicated, personal issues as well. I appreciated that.
Tori, aside from the erotic scenes, did you find their relationship solid and well done?
Tori: Yes. I loved their relationship. The imperfections, the miscommunications, and all the jagged little edges only made it more real and endearing to me. Dangerfield doesn’t pull any punches with this couple as she guides us through their relationship using dual narrative. We see them at the best and worst. I enjoy when an author tries to convince me two people who seem completely wrong for one another are actually perfect together. Dangerfield gently cuts through all the artifice and layers, letting us see what she’s always known-that our protagonists are indeed perfect for one another.
Ty and Kate grow so much during this story. Both of them have problems with communication and their sexuality. Kate is already working towards inner acceptance while Ty is just beginning. Their age difference and working relationship is a huge stumbling block for Ty. He’s already lost one woman he loved and he is scared to take another risk.
Middleton crawled into my hotel bed because she’s attracted to old men and I was in the right place at the right time. We start dating. The sex is good. Her family think she’s insane for fucking someone old enough to be her dad. All my friends think I’m having a mid-life crisis. People whisper behind our backs at parties. The age gap sounds bad and she’s so baby-faced it looks worse. The fact I used to be her boss is the cherry on top of the shit sundae. Doesn’t stop us from fucking one another, but the smell of it taints everything like when there’s a dead rat in your ventilation. A few years pass, I get even fucking older, my hair starts to fall out, and my dick doesn’t work. Middleton meets a guy her own age. She leaves me. I die alone.
The erotic sexual components are exquisitely written and blend perfectly with the building romance and main storyline. Dangerfield hits all the emotional tones in here. While their role playing starts out as just a way to scratch each others itches, they soon they begin to take on the personalities in those roles. Ty’s protective instincts roar to the front as he becomes more invested in Kate’s happiness while Kate flourishes by all the attention and comfort Ty lavishes on her.
“When she pressed her face against his chest he wanted to give her everything. He’d never, ever felt that before.”
What did you think of their relationship and the path Dangerfield choose to take them down, Mandi?
Mandi: I thought their relationship was so well-developed. I love the balance of erotic scenes with courtship and learning about Ty and Kate’s background and establishing a foundation for their relationship. I’ve read a few other Eve Dangerfield books and she is an author that has now made my “anticipation list.”
Grade: B+
Tori: A personable cast of secondary characters are used to push Kate and Ty forward as individuals and as a couple. The Derby team not only gives Kate a much-needed boost of self-confidence to grab for what she wants, but also the courage to walk away. I loved their banter , energy, and the hidden dynamics of Kate’s relationship with them that Eve teases out.
Eve Dangerfield is definitely on my list of authors to watch for
Tori’s Favorite Quotes: “If I fuck you, you’ll think all your prayers have been answered. I’ll make you see god, Middleton. I’ll make you think I am god.”
“You’re so behind on the oral sex ratio it’s not even funny.”
I quite enjoyed Haven, book one in this series earlier this year (both are stand alones) and Sanctuary was a hit for me as well. As in Haven, this booI quite enjoyed Haven, book one in this series earlier this year (both are stand alones) and Sanctuary was a hit for me as well. As in Haven, this book starts with quite a suspenseful scene. Our heroine, Liz, an attorney, who goes home one day after a long day of work, to find a man in her apartment, waiting to kill her. Liz is able to eventually take the heel of her stiletto, and slash the intruder's throat, resulting in some minor injuries to herself. Before her attacker dies, he mentions a former client of Liz's, who lost his court case, resulting in him having to pay fines. Liz can only assume this angered him to the point that he hired someone to kill her. Liz tells all of this to the police, who don't rush to confront the wealthy businessman in town.
Scared for her life, she turns to a close co-worker, Scott, who tells her he has a place out-of-town that she can crash at for a while until the police do their business and she feels safe to return home. Although she is extremely close with her sister and has a really good group of girlfriends. she doesn't want to burden them - or put them in harm's way. She agrees to Scott's offer, and off she goes.
She assumed she would be going to some deserted cabin, but instead, ends up on a farm owned by Scott's brother..and this man is none too happy to have a visitor. Silas or Si, is a huge, hunkin' farmer, and likes his peace and quiet. He is estranged from Scott and isn't pleased that Liz has arrived on his door step. But after some intense conversation between the brothers, Scott leaves, and Liz warily accepts Si's gruff invitation into his home. Awkward conversations happen (I love an awkward conversation) and eventually these two act on their physical lust, and a romance develops.
I really enjoyed this story, but let me just say the weakest point for me is the fact that Scott drops Liz off at his brother's, big, working farm without telling her that was the destination. And then she ends up sleeping in bed with Si the first night. It just felt - unrealistic.
But once the first night was over and done with, the story settled down and I felt better about Liz being there. I adored Liz. She likes to be in control. She is very responsible, and takes a lot on her shoulders. She is confident and sexy and although respectful to Si since she doesn't really know him, she is also honest with him when his gruff nature doesn't always bring out his best side. The attack and the fact that she killed someone definitely rattles her and the author takes her time at the beginning of the book making that traumatic day and the next for Liz very realistic. I think I mentioned something similar in my review of book one. The crime and the repercussions are not glossed over, which I appreciate.
Si is a hard worker, not the best with words, and fumbles his way around Liz for some of the book. He is also sweet and had good intentions, even if he reacts without thinking sometimes. And he has a significant farmer's tan! I love a farmer's tan.
He really likes being alone so it takes him a while to get used to Liz in his space:
People think people who live alone are lonely because they can’t wrap their minds around the idea that they could possibly enjoy being alone. I do. I like being alone. It’s fucking glorious.
He's a big man, with big forearms and a beard and other big, manly things. When their physical attraction cannot be denied any longer, Liz gives out her rules, and they are a little specific:
“You were saying something about ground rules?”
“Right.” I stand and face him, put on my courtroom exterior. “Over the years, I've come to learn that I enjoy sex a certain way. I like to be in control. In complete control. How does that—you know what? Sorry. I'm trying to ease you into this with sugar coating and that's not gonna work ’cause that’s not how you work. Here's the deal. I was a dominatrix for a really long time and now it's the only way I enjoy having sex. I'm open to negotiating because consent is amazing, but I just need to set your expectations.You're not going to throw me on the bed and pound me into next week.”
And Si has no problem with that at all:
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m just—can I just say what I'm thinking?”
“Sure.” I brace myself for the worst.
“I would love for you to dominate me,” he says. The genuine enthusiasm in his voice catches me a little off guard.
I love that Liz takes control in the bedroom - their chemistry is hot and done really well. Plus I giggled a few times:
“Don’t come. Don’t you dare come until I say so. Think about farm equipment and next quarter’s sales projections if you have to.”
This book, along with Haven are well done. They blend suspense in with an erotic story very well. And as I briefly mentioned above, Liz has a great relationship with her sister and girlfriends - they have an ongoing group text string going on in the book, and it's something I related to. I enjoyed it.
Note - there are some grey areas regarding consent in the beginning that was making me very squirmy - This is SUPER dirty over the top fun. I enjoyed.
Note - there are some grey areas regarding consent in the beginning that was making me very squirmy - but just keep reading....it works out/gets explained....more
Oh Reyes. Fans of The Compass series have greatly been anticipating Rey getting his HEA. The kink life coach who has helped so many others find their Oh Reyes. Fans of The Compass series have greatly been anticipating Rey getting his HEA. The kink life coach who has helped so many others find their way in life to their own HEA, now finally gets his chance, and it comes in a man named Allie Hart.
Rey is a hard person to describe. In control, intense when needed, open and warm at other times. He works in the kink scene – helping dominates find subs. Helping both D/s learn how to be good dominants and subs so everyone is fulfilled and safe. He sees people as puzzle pieces and loves to make everyone fit together. He has never found true love though. His current partner is named Matthew, who works as his assistant. They have been together romantically (Matthew is his sub) for quite a while. But Matthew has met someone and wants a shot with this person. He tells Rey they can’t have a physical relationship anymore, which Rey totally understands. Matthew stays on as his assistant and I pretty much adore him.
Rey finds himself alone, but not worried about it. At a bar one night, he can’t keep his eyes off the bartender, who is doing a horrible job making drinks. Rey hops behind the bar to help out, and learns that this man, Allie, is filling in for his sister. Allie works in construction but is currently out of a job and living in his truck. His sister lost her husband and his money has been going to her to help her out. When Rey realizes this, he offers Allie a bed in his house for the night. Allie does NOT want a free hand out, but a bed in a house rather than in his truck is appealing. Rey is very attracted to Allie and starts to see a spark that Allie could be a submissive. Rey starts to show him the joy of BDSM and Allie responds to it like a natural.
I liked this book but there is a “but” coming which I will get to in a minute. I adore Rey – we meet him in India and Cris’s books and his friendship with India is just the best. They truly are chosen family and I love their interactions. He is constantly on the move, going from one location to another to teach, and match-make and sometimes play himself. I don’t think he ever loses control. He is the kind of guy where the world can be falling down around him and he will very patiently do what he needs to do.
Allie is super cute and I liked him a lot. He is new to the kink scene and was willing to try a lot. His trust in Rey comes fast and their attraction is definitely there. It’s told only in Rey’s point of view, and while I love Rey’s POV, I also would have liked to get a glimpse inside Allie’s head. To hear what he was really thinking during some of these scenes. The sex in this one is e-r-o-t-i-c. Whew. And there is a lot of it.
Allie and Rey both lost their fathers, and they bond over that pain. They fall for each other, although Rey has a hard time truly believing his life style lends to a lifetime partner. It takes his friends to sit him down and put some sense into him for him to realize this.
My “but” from before is this: I adore Rey. Allie is a super good guy and sexy. BUT. Will Rey be bored in about five years? Allie is so….nice. And I get that Rey needs a sub as a lover. But at the same time I couldn’t help but wonder if Rey needed to be challenged a little more? Just a little? Do I see Rey an Allie completely content and happy in 15 years? I really don’t know. Not that I don’t believe in their relationship at the end of the book, but I’m not sure if I picture them together forever. And that’s actually okay for me.
If you have not read this series, I highly recommend it. Tamsen Parker writes very well done BDSM. She really puts a lot of detail into her scenes that I greatly appreciate.
The "minus" because I just wish it had a little more tension and lead up to them having a physical relThis is super fun - I will probably give it a B-
The "minus" because I just wish it had a little more tension and lead up to them having a physical relationship. I get it's 118 pages so I was expecting fast book, but I wanted a little more naughty tension. And maybe not a solid I love you at the end.
But otherwise I had fun reading this. The hero is so growly and omg I have to have her forever, immediately or my cock will explode.
And the next book is the dad of the heroine! LOL. :)...more
How can I pass up a series titled, Beards & Bondage?? What I liked most about this story is while it is erotic, and there is a beard, and there is somHow can I pass up a series titled, Beards & Bondage?? What I liked most about this story is while it is erotic, and there is a beard, and there is some bondage, their courtship is presented so well. And the trauma and recovery the heroine goes through in this book felt so realistic.
Claudia is from the city but goes on a camping trip with her brother but they run into big trouble. Two men attack them, killing her brother and severely wounding her. The only reason she is alive is because she ran to a cabin, and directly into Shepherd Olsen, or just Shep. He lives in this remote cabin and is a nature photographer. He takes one look at the bloody woman, sees her attacker and after a brief warning, shoots. He rushes her to the hospital and answers all of the police questions. He feels protective over Claudia, as her parents are dead and she just lost her beloved brother.
Shep is single, after his last girlfriend didn't understand his dominate needs. He now spends one week a year at a BDSM club in LA, where he can act out his dominate fantasies, before retreating into the woods for the rest of the year. As Claudia slowly recovers in the hospital, he spends time with her and gives her the comfort she is craving. And then she goes back to the city and to her life.
Claudia has a hard time adjusting back to her life. She is grieving her brother, she dumps her boyfriend and quits her job. She is lost - and after a few months, finds herself going back to that mountain in search of Shep.
Before she makes that journey, the reader has a glimpse into Claudia's life after she goes back home. I think about four to six months pass as the author allows you to see how Claudia is living.
My brother is gone. After weeks and weeks of being told to be patient. I can’t even do the weird things I’ve been dreaming of like squeezing his hand one more time or kissing his forehead and telling him I’m comforted by the fact that he’s with our parents again. I’m not looking at my brother. I’m looking at a slashed and gutted husk sutured back together again, a grotesque monster movie version of what my brother used to be. The pain rises in my chest again. The crashing is back in my ears. I can hear his screams, mixing with the sounds of the brush crunching under my feet. The sounds of that man chasing me. I’ve tried to cope without my brother these last few months, but when I see him, we are back in those woods again.
Her grief felt so real to me. I'm so glad the author took her time in showing us that Claudia is grieving and feeling lost.
Besides the realistic nature of Claudia's traumatic experience and how she has a hard time coping afterwards, I also loved how these two communicate and are honest with each other. If every romantic couple could do this, it would erase so many unnecessary fights. It's scary to be honest, but Claudia is at a point where it's either be honest or live in a black hole for the rest of her bleak life.
“Option two is I come here and I tell you that I’ve been wanting to see you in this very specific, weird way. I think it's some sort of survivor’s thing. I mean I know it is. But I don't know how you enter into any interpersonal relationship that way. Like this super fucked up thing happened and we were both there. Wanna be friends?"
When they are reunited, it's a little awkward but it's also hopeful. Shep tells her what he likes out of a physical relationship, and while Claudia is not that well versed in BDSM, she wants to try it. She wants to be there for his fantasies, all the while hoping it will help her find what she is looking for - and it does. They are both a little lost in life, Shep trying to recover from the messy situation of breaking up with his last girlfriend and the remote life he leads.
“Not a complete mountain man, are you? I thought you were gonna teach me how to whittle wood into the shape of a deer while we stared at the fire and you told me about the old days before indoor plumbing.” She freezes then looks up at me. “Shit. You do have indoor plumbing right?”
“Yes. And I don't know how to whittle.”
"Shame."
They give themselves one week to explore each other and what the other needs and they take on life together for that week. It's scary for them at first to open up and allow the other to see their vulnerabilities and wants and desires. But they trust each other and realize their feelings run deep.
There were brilliant parts in this book that completely drew me in (I do like the author's writing style) but also at times it rambled on and felt verThere were brilliant parts in this book that completely drew me in (I do like the author's writing style) but also at times it rambled on and felt very slow. I was also so confused the first half as to what was going on and who was who etc...
I like the taboo nature of priest romance books (I recommend you check out Amber Belldene’s series) and this one throws in a few extra kinks. Liza is I like the taboo nature of priest romance books (I recommend you check out Amber Belldene’s series) and this one throws in a few extra kinks. Liza is a sex therapist/surrogate. I had never heard of a sex surrogate before this book, and I learned that in some cases she actually has sex with her clients to help them through issues they may be having. She can also help couples who are having issues, for example she has a client where the husband has cerebral palsy and they needed help coming up with ways to be more intimate that fit within his limitations. Liza loves her job and feels good when she can help people.
When a fellow therapist calls her up and asks her to help a man looking to explore his sexual thoughts and needs in a safe space, Liza agrees to discuss this with him, and Dominic shows up in her office.
Dominic doesn’t tell her at first, but he is a priest. Celibate, having found his calling and giving himself to god, his church and his community to serve years ago. But recently his sexual desires and needs and wants have increased dramatically. He can’t stop thinking about sex and his more demanding desires, and seeks out professional help. Dominic’s goal in seeing Liza is to determine if his sexual needs override his desire to be a priest. With Liza, she offers a safe space for him to try out his sexual desires, giving him a chance to weigh the two before making a decision that could change the course of his life.
In her personal life, Liza is a submissive. She goes to the local BDSM club once in a while to fulfill those needs. When Dominic mentions he has fantasies involving spanking women, tying them up etc..Liza tries to keep the sessions of them having sex and Dominic trying out his sexual moves professional, but she starts having the best sex of her life, and the professional line starts to get real blurry.
I think they have sex in the professional setting, three, maybe four times in this book and it’s hot for sure. Dominic is starved for touch, and the sex is very intense because of that. Throw in the taboo nature of it, and you have yourself a dirty little book. Dominic loves to be in control in bed, but outside the bedroom, he is more lost and fumbles around unsure of himself. I liked both sides of him. I also liked Liza – she has a fun personality and it was believable that being a sex surrogate was her profession. I will say though that at times it was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that she has sex with Dominic for her job. I had to remind myself that she was doing it to give Dominic a safe space to work out his sexual desires. It’s not like she was laying there having sex and taking notes for work. She was IN to it, and it was easy to forget she was providing a service to him. It became personal for Liza very quickly.
That all being said, it terms of an actual HEA….we get that in the epilogue. But the actual book, is quite short and they only see each other the three or four times in the sex sessions. There isn’t really a courtship. We don’t get to know Dominic really all that well. If I can’t picture the two of them making it through a Walmart shopping trip on a Saturday morning, I don’t think you’ve achieved solid relationship status, and I can’t quite picture them doing that by the end of the book.
I would have loved the book to be longer so we could dive into the more complex issues that giving up being a priest really means andd to have a more solid HEA
I read a review of this at Smart Bitches and I knew I had to try it. I read it in one sitting last night. It's rare that "heroine falls for her kidnapI read a review of this at Smart Bitches and I knew I had to try it. I read it in one sitting last night. It's rare that "heroine falls for her kidnapper" book works for me - but by the end, I really liked the "explanation" of it all.
I loved the heroine, which is important in this kind of book where I initially hate the hero.
Kept my attention through every page - really well done. The ending is a bit rushed but otherwise this is a fun read. I'm definitely going to be reading more of this author. ...more
Favorite Quote: No, seriously. This is my life. Hyperventilating in my office because my boss almost caught me getting blown by her secretary in her bFavorite Quote: No, seriously. This is my life. Hyperventilating in my office because my boss almost caught me getting blown by her secretary in her bathroom. After running down a hallway naked except for clothes I'd been wearing over twenty-four hours clutched against my junk.
Office affairs, man. They aren't for the weak.
While the books in this series are stand alones, they have all held a common theme - BDSM. And some have had very intense BDSM with damaged characters looking to be healed. I've enjoyed them for the most part. When I started Due South, I was very surprised that this book holds a completely different tone. Lucy and Evans are both very shy, awkward and very into each other. They are co-workers who both work for a woman named India. Those that have read this series are very familiar with her. She is a demanding boss - fair, but not for the faint of heart. When she asks Lucy and Evans to work over Christmas, they are both a little disappointed to not have a Christmas break.
Chanoch Evans, (people just call him Evans because they can't pronounce his first name) has been crushing big time on Lucy for a long time, but he is so shy, he has never approached her. Plus, being co-workers makes it awkward to date. But when Evans and Lucy accidentally see India and her husband doing something quite naughty in her office, lust overcomes Evans and he makes a move on Lucy. They have hot office sex - and then realize they should do it again. Evans has a brother suffering from PTSD and financial guilt from his mother - so he feels like he is not in the best place in his life to offer anything stable to Lucy, but once he gets a taste of her, he can't let her go.
Tamsen Parker blends super awkward characters with super erotic scenes so well in this one. They aren't sure what to do with themselves once they discover they like having sex. They don't know how to proceed or how to interact. It's so very sweet.
"What if you...weren't you?"
He starts, but then it seems as though the sun comes up and shines on his face. "You mean like pretend?"
"Yeah. Pretend. Like we could still be Lucy and Evans, but braver."
"Bolder."
My breath speeds up, and I bite my lip. "Yeah. Sexier."
Evans discovers a bossy side when he gets Lucy naked - and it gives him confidence and made me smile.
So I shove aside all my awkwardness and insecurities to let a few words out, words I hope will help me drag that guy out to play. I clear my throat, hoping to take the awkwardness with it. "Yes Lucy. I'd like to have sex with you again. I'd like to have sexy with you right now, in fact. So save your files, neaten your desk, and I'll meet you in the copy room in ten minutes."
I turn back to head down the hall to my office. I never thought I'd get to open the box of condoms I keep in my desk. But I did get to. And not only did I get to use one condom, I'm going to use another one shortly. Evans, you're the man.
You are Evans!
Lucy has risen from plain secretary to India to being someone India relies on heavily - but Lucy still doesn't get much praise or support from her parents. Evans steps up and becomes someone who helps her feel confidence and more sure of herself. It's a really great relationship.
I'm going to end with a quote that Tori ended with in her review because I love it and it sums them up perfectly:
“I get the feeling Lucy and I are the same in some ways. Like we’re both nervous and shy and it’s hard to find a place in the world where that’s okay. But I feel as though it would be okay with each other.”
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