Maid for the Goblin King by H.C. Summer [Review]

Maid for the Goblin King by H.C. Summer
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 26, 2026

Purchase Links: Kindle

H.C. Summer
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I ran to escape a husband I didn't choose, taking up work among goblins. But I certainly never expected to fall to my knees for a monster.

King Rhazin is massive and merciless, his voice commanding obedience while his eyes promise ruin. The second they find me, I know he doesn't just want my service, but my surrender too.
I should run.
I should beg for mercy.
But when his claws find me and lay claim to me with wicked promises, I don't know how much longer I can resist.

Thoughts on Maid for the Goblin King: I'm not going to lie, I picked this one up for the cover because I have a weakness for muscley monsters. It was pretty much exactly what I was expecting in that is had a muscled goblin king tangling the sheets (although possibly no sheets were actually tangled. The bathroom tile was shown a good time, though) with a sweet human lady.

Rhazin is commanding, doesn't mind PDAs, and enjoys making Judith speechless. Judith is trying to keep her head down and do a good job in the goblin stronghold so she doesn't get sent away where she might end up back with her parents who are trying to marry her off to someone she is NOT interested in. As it turns out, the type she is interested in is a growly king who is very much a giver.

Short, nicely naughty, and with a whole lot of muscles on display.

Last Summer by Lo Gold and Luna K. Wicked [Review]

Last Summer (The Last Girls #1) by Lo Gold and Luna K. Wicked
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 13, 2026

The Last Girls
1. Last Summer - Paperback | Kindle
2. Last Dance

Lo Gold
| Amazon |

Luna K. Wicked
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Some secrets are better left buried…

When a group of six strangers are invited into the woods for a content creator retreat where they’re guaranteed to make money, it seems like a perfect escape. However, as accidents turn into incidents and blood begins to spill, they start to suspect they were lured into the wilderness for a reason. Is someone messing with them? Is someone watching them? Who will survive?

Are you ready to play?

Thoughts on Last Summer: I must admit that I enjoy a good slasher film, so I went into this with expectations of campy fun and gore. And I got that. I mean, we had six individuals (of which only two of them knew one another) who are invited to this retreat to create some premium content for their OF channels. Which means there's A LOT of sex-ay times. Although sex-ay might not be the right word. Their encounters are very performative (since they're, you know, doing all this for an audience) and they all have kinks and quirks that they work into their on-screen personas.

To rewind for a moment, one of them is not on OF and doesn't quite seem to fit the mold. But the others are there for sex and money and that's about it. And they LEAN INTO that. They get physical in all ways, shapes, and forms.

Then they start dying. The first could possibly be an accident. The second, not so much. Do the remaining yahoos continue to indulge themselves for subs? OF COURSE THEY DO. Given the genre, I expect exactly that.

The book was fun in a very slasher-esque sort of way. A group of fairly awful people get together and find their ends in terrible ways. The killer wasn't a complete surprise, but with a small cast of characters I didn't expect them to be.

Cupid's Chokehold by Dee Garcia [Review]

Cupid's Chokehold (Festive ASF #2) by Dee Garcia
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 25, 2025

Festive ASF
1. Bad Santas
2. Cupid's Chokehold - Kindle
3. Dublin My Luck
4. Slash or Smash
5. Midnight Mischief

Dee Garcia
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Lala and Suki are celebrating their third Valentine’s Day together.
Not that they need to spice things up—they’re compatible in every way—but Lala wants to kick things up a notch for the day dedicated to love. A couple of enhancement chocolates, an app controlled device, and some drinks at this cozy little dive bar… Sounds like the perfect night, right?

Eros Lovett hates Valentine’s Day.
The only reason this grump opens his doors for the ridiculous Hallmark holiday is to offer a place of refuge for all his fellow anti-Valentiners. So when the girls waltz into his bar, giggling and brazenly affectionate, he whips up Cupid’s Chokehold on a dime, hoping the molotov cocktail will have them out the doors sooner rather than later. Just because the rest of the world falls captive to this scam of a holiday doesn’t mean he needs to be subject to it, too.

Turns out, the only thing going out the doors are the patrons because when the girls suddenly proposition Eros with a festive ménage à trois, he can’t find it in himself to decline.

This Cupid’s arrow might not be laced with love, but lust is in the air, and three isn’t always a crowd.

Thoughts on Cupid's Chokehold: It's Valentine's and Suki and Lala are enjoying themselves (immensely) while Eros is grumping his way through the end of the night as he just waits for it to end. Then Suki and Lala invite him into their celebration and suddenly Eros isn't hating the holiday quite as much.

No lie, Suki and Lala are both a little uninhibited, they don't mind public displays of ANYTHING, and they both think the grumpy bartender is smokin' hot. So they invite him to join them in their holiday celebration and WHOO-BOY does he apply himself to their pleasure.

A sex-ay, sex-ay evening with three individuals who are all about doing what feels right. And good. And pleasurable. Let's just say they all end up happy and leave it at that. *thumbs up*

Crow by Layla Fae [Review]

Crow (Monster Ever After #5) by Layla Fae
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 26, 2025

Monster Ever After
1. Jack
2. Grim
3. Satan
4. Orc
5. Crow - Paperback | Kindle
6. Full Sack
7. Mr. Jingle
8. Bunny
9. Thick Beef
10. Jack 2

Layla Fae
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

He will do anything to protect her from monsters – and most importantly, from himself. After all, he is the worst of them all.

Veronica has lived through enough nightmares. She doesn’t need another one. And Crow knows he’s a grotesque beast, a sight unfit for human eyes. He settles for protecting her from afar and keeping his distance.

But he can’t help coveting her luscious body and wishing for things he can never have: her touch, her kisses, her screams of pleasure and sweet words of surrender.
He can barely fight off the urge to lay his eggs inside her.

And the thing that can alleviate his curse? A true love’s kiss, or rather, something much more lustful than a kiss. But Crow would never ask it of Veronica, even though his feathers quiver with how much he wants her.

Thoughts on Crow: Oh man, Crow. The guy (monster) is so down on himself about what he is and how he doesn't want to complicate Veronica's life by showing himself that it hit me in the feels. Dang it.

Anywho. Crow is a shapeshifting birdman (sexy birdman to straight up crow) who watches over Veronica like it's going out of style. He keeps himself hidden, but he knows everything about her. When a witch (the illustrious Baba Jaga, thankyouverymuch) tells him there might be hope for a cure to his curse if he can do a whole true love's kiss sort of thing, Crow can't imagine Veronica consenting to that. After all, he's hideous and monstrous and all those other terrible things.

Then he saves Veronica's life from her not-so-nice ex and Veronica's not looking at him like he's hideous at all. In fact, she might be willing to contemplate a kiss FOR STARTERS. Where is goes from there is anyone's guess. (HINT: It goes pretty far. Pretty far indeed.)

On Veronica's end, Crow isn't horrible or monstrous to her eyes. In fact, he's kind of hot. The fact he saved her when he could have walked (or flown) away says a lot to her. And she's more than willing to get physical with the big guy if it could help him.

A little danger, a little ovipositor play, a monster who is honorable to the core, and a lady who doesn't mind all her new honey's extras. *thumbs up*

Orc by Layla Fae [Review]

Orc (Monster Ever After #4) by Layla Fae
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 25, 2025

Monster Ever After
1. Jack
2. Grim
3. Satan
4. Orc - Paperback | Kindle
5. Crow
6. Full Sack
7. Mr. Jingle
8. Bunny
9. Thick Beef
10. Jack 2

Layla Fae
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

“We’ll need a bucket,” Gurd said, taking off his pants.

Karla never dreamt she’d meet an actual orc. Orcs don’t exist. They aren’t dangerous and powerful, with fists that might squeeze the life out of a hippo, not to mention a frail human. Their essence certainly isn’t, well, abundant – and also green and smelling deliciously nutty…

OK, fine, they exist. One is standing right there. Smelling nutty.

But even though he fills her with longing, Karla’s certain no orc in his right mind will go around lusting after her, a curvy woman suffering from adult acne, right? It’s impossible.

Well, guess what?

Gurd the Orc is in Karla’s bedroom, more than ready to conquer her with his green sword. And he’s asking for a bucket because you know what happens when an orc comes.

Karla’s carpet might never be the same after this.

Thoughts on Orc: I'm deep in my monster season and ORCS. Bruh. These guys know how to have a good time. Just ask Karla. And her poorly abused furnishings.

BUT FIRST! When Satan pops in (HI, LUC!) and offers a group of Orcs the chance to spread some havoc in the human world, Gurd and his buddies jump on it. Because there are ladies in the human world, something that is sorely lacking in their world. While they were SUPPOSED to cause mayhem and chaos while Luc was off spending time with his honey, Gurd finds himself doing some research (on the glorious internet, answerer of all questions asked, and purveyor of vast quantities of knowledge) and ends up chatting up a lady who's into monsters and other supernatural/fantasy things. What can be said about this except, YAY INTERNET CHAT ROOMS, I guess.

Anywho. Karla thinks Gurd is just a really dedicated cosplayer. Until, you know, she realizes he's the real deal. While she was initially a little freaked out by this (because OMG! ORC!), it doesn't take long until she's down for whatever it is Gurd wants to do. Unfortunately, this leaves her apartment a little worse for wear. BUT...she gets a hunky Orc who likes to shower her with pleasure (among other things), so she's okay with the mess.

A little chase, an Orc who's willing to defend his chosen lady from any threats (by hunting down and killing her enemies, but so it goes!), and a lady who likes her oversized honey and everything he comes with. *BIG BIG THUMBS UP*

Frankie's Funhouse by Beatrix Hallow [Review]

Frankie's Funhouse (Umbra Valley #0.5) by Beatrix Hallow
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 8, 2025

Umbra Valley
0.5. Frankie's Funhouse - Paperback | Kindle
1. Meet at Midnight

Beatrix Hallow
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Desperation for cash has led me down a rainbow painted hallway to Frankie’s Funhouse—a children’s gambling casino. Or as my boss likes to call it, a pizza arcade.

The coworkers are strange, the patrons are disturbing, and the animatronics are possessed. Which I was willing to put up with until my boss died.

Well, he was murdered, actually.

Now I have to serve pizza and birthday cake while thinking about burning down the mall to hide a body for an animatronic that keeps hitting on me.

Drug dealings in the backrooms, puddles of blood seeping out from the storage closet, and parents threatening to talk to my (dead) boss if I don’t get their screaming kids' pizza was all manageable...

Until I realized I didn’t mind Frankie’s possessed tongue in my mouth.

Thoughts on Frankie's Funhouse: Going to be honest, a circa-1980's mall is already setting the stage for some serious carnage, so when a possessed animatronic gets thrown into the mix I just figure that ALL BETS ARE OFF. And I was right.

Ramona has taken a job that would probably steal the soul of anyone given enough time. Roller skates, rainbow booty shorts, and barely cooked pizza served to sugar-hyped kids (while their parents are busy getting busy in the back room). As if that's not enough, the animatronics are giving her the creeps. Well, one animatronic. And, umm, it might not actually be the creeps. I mean it is, but it maybe also isn't. Like, maybe she likes being chased by a possessed animatronic coyote who sing-songs her name while hunting her through the arcade.

But wait! That comes later. First, she has to get through her first shift (on her own, for the most part), deal with her now-deceased boss's body (yeah, things happen in those employee only rooms), and try to save the screaming kids from the bloodbath she's pretty sure is coming. You know, because of the possessed animatronic and the chainsaw it's wielding and all that.

A whole lot of creepy vibes (not all from the animatronics, thankyouverymuch), a little chase or two, way more blood than one would expect as a pizza arcade, an animatronic that wants to get its hands on Ramona, and a lady who just wanted an okay job, but ended up wearing rainbow booty shorts and finding out she might not mind the big metal creature stalking her through her work. Bloody, wacky, and pretty darn fun!

Jack by Layla Fae [Review]

Jack (Monster Ever After #1) by Layla Fae
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 23, 2025

Monster Ever After
1. Jack - Paperback | Kindle
2. Grim
3. Satan
4. Orc
5. Crow
6. Full Sack
7. Mr. Jingle
8. Bunny
9. Thick Beef
10. Jack 2

Layla Fae
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Jack is a monster full of tricks… with one very special treat in his pants.
Suzy is feeling lonely on Halloween. She performs a love spell, hoping to summon a nice, perfectly safe Mr. Hunky to keep her entertained… but she fails. The creature that answers her summons is neither nice nor safe, but oh boy, is he hunky!

Jack-o’-lantern is a devious ancient monster who once tricked the devil himself into granting him immortality. Now, Jack is here, a grinning pumpkin in the place of his head and a thing out of this world in his very bulging pants. The monster will have Suzy in every way he pleases, filling her close to bursting with his fertile seed… and nothing can hold him back.

Thoughts on Jack: No lie, this was EXACTLY the sort of monster-y unhinged sexiness I was looking for. It had a little holiday cheer (of the spooky kind) mixed in with a little magic. One pumpkin-headed hunk later and Suzy is is very much in her happy place. To be fair, Jack's in his happy place too. So it's a win from every angle.

BUT FIRST! Suzy is more than a little lonely and her spell to liven her love life up a bit brings her a hunk with a grinning pumpkin head and a whole lot of stamina. Which works for Suzy more than she imagined it would. Sure, Jack wasn't the man she'd envisioned, but he's muscle-y and sexy and the pumpkin head isn't nearly as off-putting as one might think.

On Jack's end, he's ready and willing to make Suzy his. It isn't long before the two are tangling up and making things happen. The only downside? Suzy's spell is only for one night. So if they want to take a stab at a future together, Suzy's going to have to be willing to throw caution to the wind and trust him to take care of her.

Some sexy spice (in more than one way), a witch who gets exactly what she desires, and a monster who thoroughly enjoys sowing his seeds. *thumbs up*

Taken by the Russian by Alexa Riley and Jessa Kane [Review]

Taken by the Russian by Alexa Riley and Jessa Kane
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 23, 2018

Purchase Links: Kindle

Alexa Riley
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Jessa Kane
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Anya is getting ready to go to college, but she’s sad to leave her bodyguard behind. Sasha has been everything to her over the year, even more than he knows. She’s fantasized about all the ways he could do more than just protect her, and leaving him is making her heart ache. What she doesn’t know is he’s got his own plans, and they include more than she could have possibly dreamed of.

Sasha is the big Russian bodyguard everyone stays clear of. He’s intimidating, rough, and knows how to kill. But there’s a soft spot inside him, and it’s name is Anya. He’s made a promise to her father and to himself that he won’t touch her until he’s fulfilled his duty. But that time is almost up, and her innocence is free to claim.

Warning: We know how our readers love it dirty with a side of sweet so we’ve stolen a book from Jessa Kane, and added our own little sparkle to it. It’s the filthiest ever, so bring a spoon. You guys are going to eat it up.

Thoughts on Taken by the Russian: The thing I love about Alexa Riley books? I get EXACTLY what I want when I pick one up. Especially if what I want is a protective, obsessive man who wants nothing more than to lavish his special lady friend with love. And sexy times.

Sasha doesn't get everything exactly right with Anya, but he realizes his mistakes before they do any lasting damage to his and Anya's relationship and he works to change himself and his attitude. *heart eyes*

As for Anya, she's...well, she's a bit spoiled. Sasha has been the only constant in her life and she's head over heels for the big guy. Only she doesn't think he thinks of her as a woman. Until he makes it very clear that the only thing holding him from claiming her is his honor and his word.

Then things get steamy.

Again, this book was EXACTLY what I was looking for when I picked it up and that makes me a very pleased reader.

Coach by Alexa Riley [Review]

Coach (Breeding #1) by Alexa Riley
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 14, 2018

Breeding
1. Coach - Paperback | Kindle
2. Mechanic
3. Thief

Alexa Riley
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Retiring from the NFL was the right decision, and at thirty years old, I've done things most people could only dream of. After all I've accomplished, coaching high school football should be easy...but when you've got a distraction in the form of a nerdy girl with curves, things can get complicated.

She's a student, she's barely legal, and she's my best friend’s daughter.

I didn't know what desire was until Megan. I had no idea obsession could drive someone insane, until I saw her. I wasn't prepared for the fact that once I laid eyes on Megan my life would really begin.

I have to have her, no matter what the cost. I have to breed her and bind her to me so tightly she can't ever get away. She'll be mine, even if I have to take her.

Warning: this book is ridiculous, over the top, completely unbelievable, and pretty much just about breeding the heroine. If you're okay with that, welcome to my dirty, dirty book! Just remember, I warned you.

Thoughts on Coach: Barely legal and completely taken with her father's friend. It really is as over-the-top as advertised and I completely appreciate that. I mean, Chris gets bit by the lust bug the first time he lays eyes on Megan. He tries to resist (really, he does), but she's just as smitten with him and THINGS HAPPEN. Sexy things. In his bed. In her bed. More than once.

Is it unbelievably fast? Sure it is. Chris and Megan don't pull their punches once they realize what they want. They might have a few speed bumps along the way (hello, he's her father's best friend AND he's a teacher at her high school, things are bound to get a little messy in there somewhere), but everyone ends up where they want to be. Eventually.

As always, I get a kick out of these over-the-top romances and how far Alexa Riley's characters are willing to go to keep their special someone.

Back River Quiver by Alexa Riley and Jessa Kane [Review]

Back River Quiver by Alexa Riley and Jessa Kane
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 3, 2018

Purchase Links: Kindle

Alexa Riley
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Jessa Kane
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Morgan is just looking to have a fun spring break until her workaholic mom brings along her new boyfriend. But when she ditches the two of them she ends up lost in a swamp, ankle deep in mud, and facing down a gator the size of Godzilla.

Rixen has been praying for God to send him his angel, his rightful mate who will live with him in the swamp and bear his children. When he finds the strawberry-blonde beauty before him in danger, he doesn’t hesitate to save her. Then claim his reward.

Warning: Okay, so, um, this is amazing terrible. This is so over the top, it’s on top of over the top. This book is on the level of ridiculous that surpasses all our stunts before this. You know what happens when we team up with Jessa Kane…but this is hands down the best/worst we’ve ever done. And we’re so proud we could wrestle a gator. Spoiler: There’s a lot of animal wrestling ahead. Grab your overalls and bug spray, we’re going in the bayou.

Thoughts on Back River Quiver: When I pick up an Alexa Riley book, I fully expect sexy, naughty, dirty times and LOTS of it. Back River Quiver doesn't disappoint. Morgan and Rixen are definitely sexy, naughty, dirty and I kinda love it.

(And by "kinda" I mean "A WHOLE LOT.")

A virgin lost in the bayou, a mountain of a man with questionably awful family members, and a whole lot of sexy times even though Morgan kind of thinks she shouldn't fall for someone like Rixen as quickly as she did, but sexy bayou men are a world unto themselves, I guess. In other words, there's some fast and hard inst-lust and some faster and harder insta-love (on Rizen's part because he's been waiting for his special someone to fall into his lap for a while now) and some gator wrestling. Just because sometimes gators need to be wrestled.

If you like it over the top and don't mind a little daddy kink thrown in, this is the book for you. Seriously. It's fun. SO FUN. And dirty. I like the dirty.

Protecting Their Mate Part 1 by Moira Rogers [Review]

Protecting Their Mate Part 1 (The Last Pack #1 Part 1) by Moira Rogers
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 15, 2017

The Last Pack
1.1. Protecting Their Mate Part 1 - Paperback | Kindle
1.2. Protecting Their Mate Part 2
1.3. Protecting Their Mate Part 3
Protecting Their Mate: The Complete Serial
2. Defending Their Mate

Moira Rogers
| Website | Twitter (Bree) | Twitter (Donna) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Blake is on a mission from his alpha--to track down a werewolf whose parents dragged her into the human world years ago, one who may be in danger. He expects the lead to go nowhere, given how few wolves live among humans, but he discovers something rare indeed, caged in a basement: a beautiful, curvy woman gripped by the fever, ready to mate.

Ashley Todd has never fit in. She's always been too much--too big, too demanding, too aware of the wolf hiding beneath her skin. She's been locked away for months—been alone for a lifetime—and in walks Blake to save her from her prison. Her rescuer is hard, intense—a dominant wolf whose bossy attitude makes her growl...and yearn to submit.

Soothing Ashley’s mating fever is Blake’s responsibility--and his pleasure. Their passion is explosive, undeniable. But what started out as a job for Blake quickly becomes something more, and the toughest part of his mission looms: taking Ashley back to his pack so she can choose her permanent mate from amongst his brethren.

Ashley is drawn to dominant Blake, but meeting the rest of the pack reignites her desire. She is overwhelmed by her new life and all it entails, but embracing her inner wolf means embracing the truth: if she doesn’t explore her attraction to the other members of the pack, she’ll never find her forever mate.

Thoughts on Protecting Their Mate Part 1: Whew! Is it hot in here? Because when werewolves get down and dirty, they don't mess around. They go straight to the good stuff. And it's GLORIOUS!

*fans self*

So. A lady-wolf who's been repressed to the point where she's been physically restrained and had no one show her the ropes (for the record, my eye's developing a twitch when I think about how her parents had the *means* to explain what was happening to her and they simply chose not to. Grr.) meets a male-wolf with both the strength and the know-how to get her through her mating fever. He not only saves her from the demands of her body, he also literally saves her since she was in a bad, bad place before he came.

Beyond that, Blake is also giving Ashley the means to be more confident in herself. He's carefully unraveling all the restrictive rules her parents drilled into her in their quest to make her less wolf and more human. I genuinely adore characters who actively work to lift someone up instead of tearing them down and Blake certainly does that. He might go about it in an unorthodox way by human standards, but he's showing Ashley that her desires aren't wrong and she needs to embrace them if she wants to be all the wolf she can be.

Sexy times that empower, sexy times with more than one wolf, and sexy times that look to be getting even hotter. I'm IN!

Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon [Review]

Haven (Beards & Bondage #1) by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: April 21, 2017

Beards & Bondage
1. Haven - Paperback | Kindle
2. Sanctuary
3. Harbor

Rebekah Weatherspoon
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A week-long getaway…

City girl Claudia Cade's carefree life is plunged into chaos when a camping trip with her brother in the national forests of Northern California turns into a deadly dash for her survival.

A solitary world turned upside down…

Nature photographer Shepard Olsen has resigned himself to a quiet existence, with only his dog by his side, until a woman in need of his protection shows up on his doorstep and throws his universe into disarray.

Two lives linked by tragedy…

Claudia is desperate to heal from her traumatic loss, but can’t stop thinking about her run-in with evil….or the grizzled mountain man whose quick thinking and good aim saved her life. When she shows up on Shep's doorstep again, she finds she isn't the only one who can't move on.

…saved by bliss.

The two begin an intense, passionate relationship of Dominance and submission, pleasure and pain, but with dark memories haunting them and decisions about the future rapidly approaching, Claudia can’t help but wonder...how long can they be each other's haven?

*** WARNING: This book contains a sexual relationship between a fashionista and a cranky mountain man who are dealing with physical and emotional trauma. And a very big, cuddly dog.***

Thoughts on Haven: Cranky mountain men are THE BEST. Seriously. I adore all their grumbling and groaning and how they end up doing the right thing even as they're fighting against it. Throw in a city girl in a bad situation (seriously, Claudia's introduction to Shep's mountain is nothing short of deeply traumatic) and it's fantastic.

Not that Claudia's trauma was good, mind you, but it put her in Shep's orbit and they took it from there. Eventually. They both had things they had to come to terms with before they found their happily ever after (death and mayhem will do that to a person's psyche, you know), but they worked through them.

Between the gorgeous cover and the sexy times with an experienced Dom (it's been a while since I read one of these books, btw, and I totally remember why I dig a well-written one!), I was hooked. I'm very curious who the next book is going to be about. Verra curious.

Erotic Experiments by Katie Allen [Review]

Erotic Experiments (Research & Desire #1) by Katie Allen
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 21, 2017

Research & Desire
1. Erotic Experiments - Kindle
2. Natural Selection
3. Carnal Chemistry
4. Double Dose

Katie Allen (aka Katie Ruggle)
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Science geek Claire spends most days in the confines of her laboratory, safely avoiding humans. So her world is sent into a sexy tailspin when a rare night out at the club starts with a game of Avoid Your Handsy Boss and ends with getting rescued by the most perfect male specimen she's ever seen.

Bouncer Ed can't get enough of Claire, or of watching his "little mouse" let loose when he touches her. Saving her once was easy, even fun. But his fiercely protective nature goes into overdrive when Claire's determination to reveal what's really going on in the lab endangers both their lives.

Being on the run isn't enough to keep Claire's hands off her beautiful protector, or to stop them from falling in love. But it isn't long before Claire discovers Ed is hiding a shocking secret of his own…

Previously published under a different title.

Thoughts on Erotic Experiments: Oh, how I adore when a big, strong guy has secrets of the not-normal variety. I also like when said big, strong guy is a little grumpy (sometimes) and when they get tongue-tied around their special someone. Or the someone who might be their special someone. *fluttery fingers that might be mistaken for jazz hands but clearly aren't, thankyouverymuch*

Ed is the big, strong guy in this scenario. He's drawn to Claire from the first time he sees her and steps in when she needs help. Then her world explodes (not literally, but pretty close) and it's a darn good thing he's there to keep her from ending up a statistic on the crime blotter.

Also for the kissing. It a good thing he's there for the kissing. *nods*

I liked that Claire found her footing with Ed. She's smart and kind and his differences might have taken her by surprise, but she recovers quickly. The sexy times could have helped sway her to his side. Well, that and his gentleness with her. It's hard to be afraid of a man who works so hard to keep you safe. Plus, once they steamed up the sheets, she was pretty much ruined for any other guy. Fortunately for everyone involved, that ruination went both ways.

I have to say, I'm looking forward to seeing the others who share Ed's differences fall just as hard as he did.

Beyond Surrender by Kit Rocha [Review]

Beyond Surrender (Beyond #9) by Kit Rocha
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 26, 2016

Beyond
1. Beyond Shame
2. Beyond Control
2.5. Beyond Denial
3. Beyond Pain
3.5. Beyond Temptation
4. Beyond Jealousy
4.5. Beyond Solitude
5. Beyond Addiction
5.5. Beyond Possession
6. Beyond Innocence
6.5. Closed Doors
6.6. Blank Canvas
7. Beyond Ruin
8. Beyond Ecstasy
9. Beyond Surrender - Kindle

Kit Rocha
Kit Rocha is the pen name for the fabulous writing duo Bree and Donna.
| Website | Twitter (Kit Rocha) | Twitter (Donna) | Twitter (Bree) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

She’s the heart of O’Kane liquor.

For years, Nessa has been focused on work. She keeps the whiskey—and the money—flowing, and life is sweet. Sure, she’s tired of being everyone’s baby sister, and she longs for a man who can stand up to her overprotective O’Kane brothers. But she never thought she’d meet him in the middle of a war.

He’s the brains of the revolution.

War is all Ryder knows. He was raised with one goal: to ensure the sectors’ successful rebellion against Eden. His father and his mentor both died for freedom, and nothing will stop him from securing their legacies with victory. He doesn’t have time for distractions—especially beautiful, impulsive ones like Nessa.

Opposites don’t just attract, they combust. Together, Nessa and Ryder have a chance for something more than the lives they’ve always known. But this is war—deadly, bloody war—and the only way to happily-ever-after is straight through Eden.

Thoughts on Beyond Surrender: Saying goodbye to a beloved series is HARD. Especially when there's a chance some of the characters you've come to know and love might not make it through the final battle. But, MAN, was it worth it. Because those O'Kanes are fighting for the survival of every last one of them in the sectors PLUS all the innocents inside Eden and they deserve to finally find some peace.

*gets all mushy on everyone*

On top of the heartache and bloodshed that comes with war, there's also the signature O'Kane sexy times. And a heaping dose of emotion. Because O'Kanes don't do things by halves and if you're going to love someone, you might as well go all-in with the threat of annihilation at your door.

Seriously, the O'Kanes fight hard and love harder. It's a thing.

So. Nessa and Ryder. Two very different people with two very different skill sets. Nessa is the heart of the O'Kane liquor empire and Ryder's been trained to bring Eden to its knees. Watching them work through the kinks in their relationship (once they admitted they're in a relationship and not just engaging in a torrid affair) while dealing with the very real possibility that they might not survive the coming battles...well, it was everything I was looking for in this final book.

Yes, there's heartache. There's loss. There's a whole lot of love and brotherhood going on in the O'Kane stronghold. This is what these men and women have been readying themselves for since the beginning and it is GLORIOUS to behold.

Beyond Ecstasy by Kit Rocha [Review]

Beyond Ecstasy (Beyond #8) by Kit Rocha
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 19, 2016

Beyond
1. Beyond Shame
2. Beyond Control
2.5. Beyond Denial
3. Beyond Pain
3.5. Beyond Temptation
4. Beyond Jealousy
4.5. Beyond Solitude
5. Beyond Addiction
5.5. Beyond Possession
6. Beyond Innocence
6.5. Closed Doors
6.6. Blank Canvas
7. Beyond Ruin
8. Beyond Ecstasy - Kindle
9. Beyond Surrender

Kit Rocha
Kit Rocha is the pen name for the fabulous writing duo Bree and Donna.
| Website | Twitter (Kit Rocha) | Twitter (Donna) | Twitter (Bree) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The O’Kanes have a reputation for working hard and playing harder—except for Hawk. He joined the gang with one goal: to ensure his family’s survival through the impending war with Eden. It’s been years since he had the luxury of wanting anything for himself. Now, he wants Jeni. From the first moment he saw her, he’s been obsessed with making her his. Not for a night—forever.

Jeni’s been lusting after the former smuggler for months, but he keeps shutting her down. She’s almost given up on getting him in her bed when he offers her the last thing she ever expected—a collar. Accepting it means belonging to him, body and soul. It’s a reckless gamble, but Jeni can’t resist the chance to slip under Hawk’s armor.

The only thing more shocking than the dark, dangerous pleasure they discover is how right it feels. But falling in love is even more reckless when forever is far from guaranteed. Because they aren’t just at war, they’re out of time—and every breath could be their last.

Thoughts on Beyond Ecstasy: THIS BOOK, MAN! It made me all tense and worried and OMG! SO GOOD! I'm equal parts thrilled and terrified knowing there's only one more book in this series. The O'Kanes are electrifying and heartbreaking and the way they love with everything inside them makes me swoony. That said, they do deserve a measure of peace after how hard they'd scrapped to make things work in their world. Plus, Eden can suck it.

So. War has come. Eden has dropped the hammer (or turned on the electrified wall. Whatever.) and it's do or die for Dallas and his crew AND all the other sectors. That doesn't mean there's not time for relationships to bloom and sexy times to happen, though. Maybe the threat of what's in the very near future makes Jeni and Hawk a little more reckless than they would have been otherwise. Maybe under other circumstances they would have taken things a little slower. But they work with what they're given and, while it's not always a smooth ride, they build something.

Seriously, they have their share of bumps. Hawk blames himself for things out of his control. Jeni rushes in when she should pause and evaluate. But they try. And they love. And it's as explosive as any other O'Kane relationship.

Danger is always present (more so now than ever before) and the layers of rot within the upper levels of Eden are becoming more apparent by the day. Bad things are coming. Heck, bad things are here. But the O'Kanes (and the other sectors) are ready. They have to be.

Mechanic by Alexa Riley [Review]

Mechanic (Breeding #2) by Alexa Riley
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 4, 2016

Breeding
1. Coach
2. Mechanic - Paperback | Kindle
3. Thief

Alexa Riley
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Everything was fine until that innocent little rich girl walked into my garage. Since the second I laid my eyes on her, all I've wanted to do is get my dirty hands on her pure body.

There's one minor obstacle standing in my way, but I've got a plan. All I've got to do is claim her, and she’ll be mine forever.

Warning: This book is over-the-top, insta-love. There's nothing but steamy scenes, babies trying to be made, and an obsessed bearded alpha hero claiming a virgin who will be his forever. If you want it hot and dirty, this is it!

Thoughts on Mechanic: Soooo. I get that this is supposed to be over the top and I get that Paine was supposed to be all alpha and growly because he'd found his woman. But...it tread a little too close to forced consent for me. While the argument could be made that Penelope could have walked away if she wasn't interested, the power dynamic in their first interaction left me cold.

So, yeah. Over the top is certainly accurate. I probably could have overlooked it (with only minor eye rolling on my part), but then I read the Law/Joey short at the end of the book and I couldn't handle the blatant abuse of power Law indulged in. There were so many things wrong with what he did that I just couldn't do it. Planting cameras on Joey's front door and a tracer in her car so he could track her? That's...yucky. And stalkerish. And no. Not for me.

This might have been a location situation where I just wasn't craving some growly, alpha lovin' (because most of the time I'm ALL for it!), but this book didn't work for me. From Penelope going along with the future her father was orchestrating to Paine just stepping in and taking the reins in their relationship, I think I need a break from insta-love for a bit. Slow burn, you're calling mighty loud right now.

Be My Fantasy by Alisha Rai [Review]

Be My Fantasy (Fantasy #1) by Alisha Rai
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 10, 2016

Fantasy
1. Be My Fantasy - Kindle
2. Stay My Fantasy

Alisha Rai
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When she was bad, she was better.

Elizabeth Harding, the perfect, polished daughter of politicians, plays by all the rules. Or so it seems. Tired of a lifetime of denying her passionate nature, she’s created an alter ego. As Tess, Elizabeth is able to safely and secretly indulge all of her wild fantasies—even if that fantasy is financing a private club of pleasure.

Driven and ambitious, Luca Santos has clawed his way from rags to riches. His boss’s daughter has tempted him for what seems like forever, but he’s known that the pampered princess probably wouldn’t be down with his dirty ways. Elizabeth is sweet, innocent, demure…so what’s she doing sneaking around a place that revels in sexual abandon?

One night. So many ways to ruin a person.

Thoughts on Be My Fantasy: Oh, my. Is it hot in here or IS IT THIS BOOK? *fans self* No lie, this book is smokin'. IT IS GLORIOUS. My only complaint is that now I have to wait for the next installment. Elizabeth and Luca deserve to get it on a few more times (and find some serious Happily Ever After, man). Also, I'm impatient and want to see how things play out.

If I put aside the steamy scenes (which were outstanding), I think the scene where Elizabeth confronts Luca to clear up the misconceptions that sprung up between them was my favorite. That she would so matter-of-factly tell him what had happened without any expectation he'd accept her explanation made me sit up and do a fist pump. She saw something that needed to be done and did it. I admire that in a heroine. There was no artifice. No wheedling to try to get something out of him. Just "this is what happened. Deal with it or don't."

Taking a cue from Elizabeth, I'm not going to pull my punches. I want book 2. This book only whetted my appetite for more of their story and I can't wait to see how their romance plays out.

Vados by Erin Tate [Review]

Vados (The Ujal #1) by Erin Tate
Format: ebook
Source: free with author newsletter signup
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 20, 2016

The Ujal
1. Vados - Kindle
2. Tave
3. Rhal
4. Erun
5. Dashing Through the Stars

Erin Tate (aka Celia Kyle)
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A human woman, a tail-sporting alien, and a deadly hurricane… of course they’re going to hook up! Or rather, they did hook up. But that was then. This is now.

As a marine biologist, Maris Xayer is used to observing all types of marine life, but she never imagined she’d come face to tail with an Ujal. In the middle of a hurricane, Maris and Vados came together—ahem—and then he disappeared. She figured it was a one-storm stand with an Ujal and moved on. Except Vados hadn’t really gone anywhere and now the sexy as sin, red-skinned Ujal is back. For her.

Thoughts on Vados: Short and sweet with some alien/human lovin'. Throw in a tail, scales, and a propensity for water and we have ourselves a winner. For all the short length (I think it clocks in under 50 pages), there was enough story to keep me satisfied. Also, THAT COVER. *slow thumbs up*

While the romance and culmination of said romance happens quickly, we're given some hints about how not everyone is thrilled to have water-loving aliens on the planet. Maris's life is thrown into disarray when pictures of her canoodling with Vados surface. Because of this she becomes the target of those who believe humans and Ujal shouldn't mix. Cue the thundering Ujal army... heh. Just kidding. Only Vados and one other royal guard get tapped to go guard her.

And that's when things get sexy.

Overall, I enjoyed it, although I wouldn't have minded it being a little longer. Just, you know, so I could appreciate the scales and tail for a little while longer.

Beyond Ruin by Kit Rocha [Review]

Beyond Ruin (Beyond #7) by Kit Rocha
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 15, 2016

Beyond
1. Beyond Shame
2. Beyond Control
2.5. Beyond Denial
3. Beyond Pain
3.5. Beyond Temptation
4. Beyond Jealousy
4.5. Beyond Solitude
5. Beyond Addiction
5.5. Beyond Possession
6. Beyond Innocence
6.5. Closed Doors
6.6. Blank Canvas
7. Beyond Ruin - Paperback | Kindle
8. Beyond Ecstasy

Kit Rocha
Kit Rocha is the pen name for the fabulous writing duo Bree and Donna.
| Website | Twitter (Kit Rocha) | Twitter (Donna) | Twitter (Bree) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Adrian Maddox fled his royal life—and tragic past—in Sector One, choosing instead to join up with the O’Kanes. For years, he’s lived by one rule: love fast, love hard, and always be willing to walk away. He’s managed to guard his heart, keep it whole and untouched—until now.

They couldn’t be more different—Dylan, the brilliant, burned-out doctor from Eden who drowns his pain with drugs and self-destruction. Scarlet, the sensuous, sexy rocker from Three, a woman unafraid to embrace the world. And Jade, the whore turned spy from Sector Two, who battled addiction and came out stronger than anyone he’s ever met.

Separately, they make Mad long to open his heart, to tumble head-first into a sea of possibilities and wild love. Together, they make him burn, inside and out, with lust and unbearable, unimaginable pleasure.

Then one fateful moment shakes their world to its foundations—and leaves the sectors on the verge of all-out war with Eden. It’s the biggest fight the O’Kanes have ever faced, and Mad and his lovers are at the dead center of it. They could end up with everything they never knew they wanted—or lose it all. Including their lives.

Thoughts on Beyond Ruin: THIS BOOK, GUYS! THIS BOOK! Not only is it incredibly sexy (the foursomes will rock your socks off, my friends. I'm not lying.), but it sets in motion a showdown that's been sitting on the horizon for AGES. And now I'm dying slowly inside because I WANT MOAR.

Everything Dallas has been working toward is coming to a head. The friendships. The brother- and sisterhood between the O'Kanes. Alliances. EVERYTHING. Sector Four has always been about choice and learning to live hard in the face of opposition and this book gives us a chance to see how far every O'Kane will go to support Dallas.

*draws glittery hearts around everything O'Kane*

For all the politics going on in the background (and foreground, come to think), this is still Mad and Doc and Scarlet and Jade's book. They're all messed up in their own ways. They're all a little broken, but somehow they make the broken pieces fit. Each of them has a reason for being where they are and each of them has their reasons for being afraid of falling into a relationship that could so easily break them.

(For the record, I ADORE these four together. They're messed up and messy, but they love with everything inside them, even when they make mistakes.)

We get to see more of the different sectors, plenty of familiar faces, and the culmination of so many little events that have been slowly leading us to where we end. IT IS GLORIOUS.

Beyond Happily Ever After: Blank Canvas by Kit Rocha [Review]

Beyond Happily Ever After: Blank Canvas (Beyond #6.6) by Kit Rocha
Format: ebook
Source: free download from author's website
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 14, 2016

Beyond
1. Beyond Shame
2. Beyond Control
2.5. Beyond Denial
3. Beyond Pain
3.5. Beyond Temptation
4. Beyond Jealousy
4.5. Beyond Solitude
5. Beyond Addiction
5.5. Beyond Possession
6. Beyond Innocence
6.5. Closed Doors
6.6. Blank Canvas - Kindle
7. Beyond Ruin
8. Beyond Ecstasy

Kit Rocha
Kit Rocha is the pen name for the fabulous writing duo Bree and Donna.
| Website | Twitter (Kit Rocha) | Twitter (Donna) | Twitter (Bree) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

There are a lot of different ways to take care of the people you claimed as your own. In this short story, Cruz has a surprise for Ace that results in a road trip, a hot night with Rachel, and a new hope for their future.

Thoughts on Blank Canvas: Wow. Ace, Cruz, and Rachel never fail to bring the sexy. The three of them are simply explosive when they come together. The care Cruz takes with both Ace and Rachel. The way Ace loves with everything inside him. The complete trust Rachel puts in both her men to give her everything she needs.

I love it hard.

These day in the life vignettes certainly don't lack in emotion. While I wouldn't recommend them for those who aren't already involved in the series, they add an extra layer to the characters that makes those of us who are invested in them swoony. Or maybe that's just me.

My mad love for this series and these characters continues. No doubt about that.