Educating Emma by Kat Austen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ll make this review short & sweet…just like the book!
Educating Emma is a salacious little story that was (in my humble opinion) completely implausible until the plot twist towards the end and the epilogue that brought everything together. With that being said it was still a cute, fun read that I enjoyed. Be warned- Lots of dirty talk and explicit scenes.
For more reviews visit me at sufferingsexlexia.com
For You by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 stars for Kristen Ashley‘s “For You” – the first installment of “The ‘Burg” series. For those faint of heart OR easily spooked this is NOT the book for you. I’m not ashamed to admit that two nights in a row I found myself huddled in a ball afraid of a hatchet-weilding maniac to come bursting from my closet.
Meet our female protagonist:
February Ownes is a blonde, curvaceous woman with a penchant for Harley Davidson tanks who’s saddled with a broken heart and plenty of emotional baggage. She’s caring, feisty when necessary and staunchly loyal to her family and friends. Plus- let’s all give Kristen Ashley 3 cheers for writing a sexy, confident love interest who just-so-happens to be 42 years old. Yep, not what society would necessarily coin as “young” but she’s still rocking with confidence and I LOVE that!
Now ladies- I’ll understand if you drool while I describe our next male protagonist. Lieutenant Alexander Colton AKA “Colt” is the stuff dreams are made of. He’s tall and fit, quick and athletic, handsome and strong. Oh, and he’s also chalk full of integrity and has dedicated his life to giving back to the community as a police detective. What did I say??? SUPER FOXING HOT. Oh, and he’s also 44 and still turning heads. Yum.
To avoid spoilers I’ll mention but won’t go into details about the vengeful menace that haunted my dreams. Let’s just say the serial killer uses a hatchet to hack into his victims in the most heinous way possible. Then to further abuse them post mortem he poses them in humiliating ways. This individual is one sick SOB.
My only complaints were:
-The sheer number of murders. Truly, how many people can one individual of normal stature and strength hack to death? Certainly at least one of his victims would have been able to escape or overpower them? Not to mention the lack of witnesses???
-Romance angst – Seeing as how this is a romance novel I’m not giving away any spoilers with this next complaint. In the beginning February and Colt do their best to fight their attraction to each other. Needless to say when they eventually succumb to their desires they have to confirm it approximately one-fu%&*ing million times. AND- get this! Each time they act surprised at their commitment and love from each other. What the fu#$ chuck?!? Haven’t we already established that you are soul mates who were made for each other? For two intelligent individuals in sync with each other these declarations annoyed me. Plus her dad gets super pushy and insists they tell him how “solid” their relationship is. REALLY?!? What normal 40 year olds need to explain themselves to their parents? *ends rant*
The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The final installment of The Winner’s Trilogy! I imagine myself with the same level of satisfaction one might find in a fat cat lying beside a recently consumed bowl of warmed milk.
The Winner’s Kiss was the perfect ending to a fantastic series. The plot was heavy with bloody battle scenes, gambling analogies and tactical war strategies. Once again I’m delighted to share that Kestrel’s intelligence and loyalty proved to be her strongest attributes. So refreshing to see positive attributes for leading female characters.
This more than satisfied my craving for a solid YA novel.
The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book 2 of the Winner’s Trilogy.
CONFESSION- I couldn’t read this book fast enough. Book 1 ends with Kestrel engaged to the emperor’s son and Arin (heartbroken) as governor of the newly-freed Herrani land and it’s people. With so many obstacles mounted against the two how would they ever overcome?
Book 2 was set primarily in what I’ve lovingly termed the “cobra pit”. Kestrel is thrust into the heart of Valorian politics. She’s forced to dance a fine line between opposing political parties, schemes against the corrupt emperor and encounters deception, deceit and greed at every turn. The romantic element definitely took a back seat to the other issues which I had expected. This is a YA novel after all and I figured they’d have to delay the romance so it wasn’t too “steamy” for their younger readers.
A delightful read for YA fans- both young and old.
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Marie Rutkoski has stuffed The Winner’s Curse with all the necessary elements for the perfect YA book! Intriguing characters, enthralling settings, *almost* insurmountable odds with a hint of romance and a power shift/twist to keep things interesting.
We’re first introduced to the key players in a busy marketplace. Kestrel (daughter of Valorian army general Trajan) finishes gambling with sailors and is perusing market stalls with her flighty friend Jess. (Doesn’t every YA novel have the token airhead? This book is no exception.) Jess – staying true to character – accidentally leads her friend to a slave auction. Unable to leave without causing a scene Kestrel bids on a slave that catches her eye for exhibiting defiance which is a rare attribute amongst the Herrani slaves.
And thus begins a captivating tale of cunning tactics, societal unrest, land acquisition and political manipulation and scheming. Plus did I mention this book has a healthy dose of girl power? 3 hip, hip hoorays for Kestrel’s strength, intelligence and bravery in the midst of turmoil and chaos.
Thank goodness this is only the 1st of a 3 book series because I’ve fallen in love with the characters and can’t see what they do next!
Fans of the Waterfall series will be equally enchanted with this story!
Devotion by Fiona Davenport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The last book of the Mafia Ties series. I’ve overlooked the rushed nature of the first 2 books- assuming that the author was intentionally omitting scenes in an effort to keep the books brief. However this latest installment felt uncomfortably rushed. Both Nic DeLuca and Anna Martin are in their early 20’s and their reasons (mostly Nic’s insistence) for such a harried romance was beyond reasonable understanding.
Anna Martin is the poster child for a weak and passive woman. She’s sacrificed any say in her own life, body and future in exchange for a pretty face. Several times throughout the story I shook my head at her character. Just once I wanted her grow a backbone and stand up for herself. What a cliche that the girl that just wants to be married and have babies is such a puppet. Enrich the story by developing a symbiotic relationship whereas Nic can be dominate for his mobster by feeding off Anna’s strength at home!!!
Danger by Fiona Davenport
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The second installment of Fiona Davenport‘s Mafia Ties series. I’ll make my review short and sweet (just like the book).
This story is a tad light on the gritty mafia life but it’s still enjoyable. If for no other reason- you should read this book for the amazing oral sex scene! Nic DeLuca has clearly discovered the best wake-up call… EVER. I’m not a morning person but I assure you that I’d wake up happy if I was Nic’s lady!
Deception by Fiona Davenport
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Deception is the first of a 3 book series. In this story our lovely lady is Anna Martin a soft spoken, docile nanny. Our alpha male role is played by Nic DeLuca, mob boss.
This story is short, sweet and to the point. Nic interviews Anna for a nanny position and instead decides to make her his wife. Anna is young, innocent and still living with her parents. I’ve got to pass judgement on her parents at their (lack of) reaction to the swift turn of events in their daughter’s situation. Within 2 days she’s swept from their home to live with an unknown man. WTF- Nic performed a background check on Anna but no research is done into this enigmatic character who changes the job posting after seeing their daughter’s cleavage? PARENTING FAIL
Alas, I’ve decided to forgive the holes in the plot and assume the author omitted things in an effort to keep the story brief.
To Save a Mate by Krystal Shannan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a salacious combination! Sexy werewolfs and studly cowboys? Yes, please!
To Save a Mate features werewolf shifter Luke VonBrandt has always lusted from afar for Kara McClure. Kara has been in a relationship for the past 5 years with a cheating sleaze-bag. When Kara gets bad news and runs to her boyfriend for comfort the wool is finally lifted from her eyes. She realizes that her boyfriend is a creep. Praise the heavens for small mercies! In rolls Luke VonBrandt (literally) and sets the book into motion.
What I enjoyed about the book:
Loved the VonBrandt family dynamic- especially Luke’s supportive twin brother and organized mother.
Kara’s character has been dealt with tragedy and the author doesn’t skim over her feelings. Really enjoyed the realistic portayal of someone grieving from a huge loss.
What I didn’t enjoy about the book:
The paranormal aspects of the characters are never fully developed. The VonBrandt family are werewolves dating back to an ancient curse from a disgruntled witch. Yet we don’t understand the full nature of the curse or aspects of their culture. At one point Kara mentions the VonBrandt family’s wealth and their mysterious ranch yet doesn’t explore the town’s suspicions or where the money actually comes from. (Certainly there’s no werewolf royalties they are earning so where is their wealth come from?)
Kara’s cheating boyfriend was a tad unbelievable. How was he sticking his penis in every female he passes and his girlfriend NEVER finds out. What?! She lives in a freaking sorority for goodness sake! Certainly she would have heard whispers of her boyfriend’s infidelity???
Since this book scratched my itch for a werewolf romance I’m not sure if I’ll continue in the series to the second installment. Perhaps I’ll proceed to a down & dirty mobster story next!