BOOK REVIEW- My Savior by Alanea Alder

My Savior (Bewitched and Bewildered #4)My Savior by Alanea Alder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 4 of the “Bewitched and Bewildered” series. This installment features the tall drink of water Darian and witch Amelia.

This is the point in the series where I noticed that our characters are (figuratively) drowning in brothers. Between Aiden, Rheia, Darian and Amelia I’m losing track of these brothers and wondering why there’s no female siblings. It’s a small gripe but I feel better having mentioned it. Moving along now…

Darian is drowning in the darkness and is at risk of losing his soul. This is the first mated couple thus far where the male counterpart has resisted his mate. The first 3 stories featured the males being “all in” and I thought it was a refreshing twist. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and with each book I become more and more besotted with these characters. Perhaps personal preference is to blame but I felt the “steamy” scenes were lacking.

Last complaint- Amelia is an empath and reveals that prior to being a cosmetologist she was a child psychologist. Apparently the emotions she was experiencing while working with these damaged children motivated her career change. I have no issue with this but I am annoyed that one of the male characters expresses that his value of Amelia increases when he realizes she previously held a job of higher value (in his opinion). Instead of backhanding the man who would make such a remark Darian considers this a compliment. Can we all agree that is unacceptable? Why are his “brothers” figuratively looking down their noses at Amelia’s career choice? What a pack of snobs!

Now I’m onto the next book! Happy reading!

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BOOK REVIEW- My Healer by Alanea Alder

My Healer (Bewitched and Bewildered, #3)My Healer by Alanea Alder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 3 of the “Bewitched and Bewildered” series. This installment features the amiable Colton (wolf-shifter) and Rheia (human doctor).

This has been my least favorite couple of the series. In the 2 previous books Colton really stood out as an interesting & likeable character. I was excited to follow his story but sadly the romance fell flat for me. Alanea introduced Penny- a 4 year old shifter whom Rheia adopted a year prior. Perhaps it’s because I have my own toddlers at home that her presence in the story acted more like a ice cold shower than an endearing character.

As a mother it was also hard for me to understand Rheia’s parenting. Her daughter has endured tramatic experience after tramatic experience. Stability and consistency would have been the best course of action yet Rheia frequently leaves her daughter with strangers or newly acquaintances. I guess my biggest complaint is that there were too many “real life” problems instead of the romantic fantasy I had hoped to escape into. Juggling kids, a romantic relationship and a career? Um…not exactly the equation I’d come up with for a paranormal romance.

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BOOK REVIEW- Prime Minister by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller

Prime Minister (Frisky Beavers, #1)Prime Minister by Ainsley Booth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First things first- Let’s address the elephant in the room before we proceed to an in-depth review. The title of this book series is “Frisky Beavers”. *Que eye roll and exaggerated gagging for dramatic effect.* Needless to say I’m not a fan of the cheesy series title but I am a huge fan of the book!

What a pleasant little nugget of erotica that I’ve stumbled upon! Truly a fantastic read and a salacious guilty pleasure. Gavin is the newly elected Prime Minister of Canada. He’s handsome, smart, compassionate, kinky and powerful. I’ll pause to give you a moment to wrap your head around the awesomeness that is Gavin.

Now let’s focus on Ellie Montague. This girl has got balls of steel. While interning in the Prime Minister’s offices she not only identifies Gavin’s kink but then goes about seducing him. Ellie is the complete package. She’s educated, well-spoken, gorgeous and refreshingly honest about her expectations in a relationship-both emotional and physical.

A word of caution-There is a (semi) threesome scene in the book. I wanted to mention that since I know some readers may find that off-putting… or appealing depending on your bend. 😉

Now stop reading my review and start reading this book!

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BOOK REVIEW- My Protector by Alanea Alder

My Protector (Bewitched and Bewildered, #2)My Protector by Alanea Alder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 of the “Bewitched and Bewildered” series. This installment features our elegant, hunky vampire Gavriel and the klutzy Elizabeth.

Overall I’m pleased with the pace and content of the book and characters. Elizabeth “Beth” Monroe is blonde and elegant…when not in motion. When she IS walking she takes tumbles and is quite awkward (for lack of better description). Picture a newborn foal trying to move about a pasture…that’s Elizabeth. Cute but certainly no sex appeal. Gavriel Ambrosios is poetry in motion. He’s muscular, intelligent and poised. Let me sum it up for you folks- He’s got class and an amazing ass! What more could you ask for? Oh, I should probably mention that when we are first introduced to our hunky hero he’s undergoing a vampiric transition and therefore vulnerable.

Minor pet peeve that will follow me throughout the series is Meryn’s “Fan Club”. While Elizabeth and Gavriel should be focusing on each other and their newly minted relationship the focus of the household seems to revolve around tiny, kooky Meryn and her antics. I enjoyed Meryn’s character in the first book but felt it was time to focus on the new couple and not keep fawning over Meryn.

Second thought I’ll share is Elizabeth’s accident prone adventures. As the story progresses and Gavriel discovers from her relatives- Beth’s injuries stem from a larger issue than just clumsy behavior. BUT WE NEVER DISCOVER WHAT IT IS…. Has she been cursed? Is there an entity or witch trying to cause her harm? Are their protective spells to ward against injury? This series is predicated on a mating system where the male is overprotective and obsessed with the welfare of their lover. Taking that into consideration PLEASE explain to me how Gavriel (nearly ageless, super vampire) just accepts the tormenting accidents and injuries his mate suffers without being proactive in protecting her!!!

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BOOK REVIEW- Until Lilly by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Until Lilly (Until, #3)Until Lilly by Aurora Rose Reynolds
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are 2 things (after reading the first 3 books of this series) that I know for certain. First, the Mayson boys are all extremely virile and their love interests are fertile myrtles! Second, all of the women residing in this fictitious town are bat-$hit foxing crazy. Obviously the author has taken liberties in stretching what’s plausible and feeding stereotypes of sexually voracious single women. Nevertheless, I digress and will focus solely on the book review at hand…

“Until Lilly” was the book in this series I was most eager to read. However, thus far it’s the one I enjoyed the least. Both Cash and Lilly’s personalities came across as weak and insecure. I’m sure the author intended for Cash’s antics to come across as a sexy alpha male but they translated as more of a chauvinistic a$$hole. Even their “epilogue” scene which is intended to wrap up their story with a pretty little bow made me further dislike these characters. Lilly’s character is downright appalling. She faces several, very serious adversities but not once does she grow a backbone. Throughout the story she continues to allow the other characters to talk down to her. Their behavior was shockingly condescending and disrespectful. Blargh! Was she a grown woman or a seven-year-old naïve girl known for her fits of fancy??? To make matters worse I’ve sworn off alcohol for the next week so I had to in endure this book sober.

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BOOK REVIEW- Until Trevor by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Until Trevor (Until, #2)Until Trevor by Aurora Rose Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All hail Trevor! Almighty king of oral sex!

Before we get into an overview of the book I need to make a public service announcement. If there is a handsome, muscular man on this earth willing to provide mind-blowing, orgasmic oral sex multiple times a day I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND MAKE YOU MINE. I don’t care if I have to strap an oozy on my back and fight a legion or horny women…it would be worth it.
So ladies- be warned if someone like this exists do not trifle with me. It will be a fight to the death that I plan on winning.
Men- I’m coming for you. (Pun intended

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BOOK REVIEW- Leo by Mia Sheridan

LeoLeo by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

O Leo, Leo! Wherfore art though Leo?

Ah! Mia Sheridan has created an enjoyable star-crossed lovers tale about two teens with tragic backstories stuck in the foster care system. Evie and Leo find love, support and acceptance with each other but their relationship is cut short when Leo is adopted and moves across the country. Originally they commit to staying in contact and reuniting after Evie turns 18. Tragically after his adoption Evie never hears from Leo again and she’s forced to strike out into the world with no one to rely on but her own strength and determination.

Admittedly the ending is an “elephant in the room”-type of obvious but I still enjoyed the journey that Mia Sheridan weaved for her readers with these engaging characters. I do take offense to Evie’s reticence and all-too-forgiving nature towards Jake when all signs point to the opposite. Halfway through the book I grabbed my cell phone and called a fellow book nerd to vent. Dear God please let this be a grand exaggeration of the average woman’s naivety. If it’s truly so easy to lure sexy young women down the wrong path I’m going to purchase a white windowless van, a few pounds of candy and cruise my neighborhood for ladies willing to help me find my lost puppy. *fist to forehead, shakes head slowly and takes several gulps of peach margarita*

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BOOK REVIEW- The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan

The Game Plan (Game On, #3)The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Confession- I’m the gal that usually rolls her eyes at the romance novels that parade virginal female characters around as somehow more desireable than their more “seasoned” counterparts. So imagine my apprehension when this book had a male in the inexperienced role. Truth be told I almost passed on this gem due to my bias.

Overview- Tiny pixie, vivacious Fiona MacKenzie who has a knack for interior decorating and having fun meets handsome, brooding virgin (who also happens to be an NFL center) Ethan Dexter. Apparently Ethan Dexter has been holding onto his V-card amid the ardent fans and chaos that surrounds pro athletes. After suffering the consequences of her father’s high profile career and philandering Fiona (AKA Fi) has sworn off athletes and the lifestyle.

Color me surprised because I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I do feel that some of the scenes (especially those steamy in nature) were a tad unrealistic it was a FUN read. I’ll leave you with Diana Gabaldon’s wise words from “The Outlander” (Chapter 15) “As yet too hungry and too clumsy for tenderness, still he made love with a sort of unflagging joy that made me think that male virginity might be a highly underrated commodity.”

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BOOK REVIEW- The Rocker that Holds Me by Terri Anne Browning

The Rocker That Holds Me (The Rocker, #1)The Rocker That Holds Me by Terri Anne Browning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Are you having a rough week? I’ve got the solution to all your problems! Grab a bottle of wine, change into comfy clothes and pick up this book. It’s a very quick read so you should be able to finish it in an evening. (barring any disruptions of course!) I’ve read a few other reviews of this book and they grumble about the length of the book. I have no complaints with the length (sexual innuendo intended) but I do wish there was a tad more angst.

First, let me warn you right now that there is a certain amount of trust you have to instill in the story. At times it was preposterous but I was in need of a break from reality so I went with it. Sure, sure these super sexy guys want to take care of a young girl with nothing but honorable intentions. SUUUUUURRREEE *winks*

Back to my earlier complaint I would have preferred a little more friction/struggle between Ember and Nik. My all time favorite rocker romance is “The Story of Us” (aka Carnage) by Lesley Jones. If you’ve read the book you’ll understand the level of angst between the two love interests that I was hoping for. Ok, maybe not THAT much angst but a little more would have spiced up the book.

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BOOK REVIEW- Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski

Killing Sarai (In the Company of Killers, #1)Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With over 2,000 reviews for this book the words I share with you today will probably be like adding a drop in the ocean. Why even bother offering a review you ask? Based on the magnificence that was this story I feel a sense of obligation to the author to contribute a rave review regardless of how insignificant an impact it may have on future readers.

I stumbled upon “Killing Sarai” during one of my mobster-romance binge sessions. It was one of those scenarios “If you liked you’ll enjoy this book” that popped up on my browser. I had no idea what a roller coaster waited for me between the pages of this book.

Prior to reading this book I was suckered into a cheesy novel that promised a captivating plot and instead fell flat. “Killing Sarai” starts off with a tense scene between hitman extraordinaire Victor and a drug lord while the drug lord’s #1 sex toy Sarai watches from behind a door. Over the next few chapters a rich, complex story developed and I found myself trapped amongst the pages, unable to surface until it was completed.

I’m trying to think of what this book does NOT have and am coming up short. Intrigue, fascinating locations, sex, revenge, romance, drugs, murder, money…you name it and it’s included!

Enjoy this story my fellow book lovers!

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