Shattered Heart by Dorothy F. Shaw

Shattered Heart:
The Donnellys, Book 3
By: Dorothy F. Shaw
Publisher: Samhain Publishers
Published: January 19, 2016
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Spanking, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Toys
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: January 21, 2016

 

A crush is just a fantasy. The real thing packs some serious heat.

The Donnellys, Book 3

When Cynthia Donnelly lays eyes on her high school crush at her brother’s wedding rehearsal, she regrets her self-imposed, one-year moratorium on dating. If possible, he’s even hotter now than when they were teens.

Back in school, Shane made a point to ignore his best friend’s cute, sassy little sister. Now that she’s grown into an incredibly sexy woman full of Irish spunk, resisting her is out of the question. Besides, in his book, all “hands-off” rules have expired.

One sizzling night together should have been enough. Instead, the heat rises, tempting Cyn to take a chance on a long-distance relationship and making Shane consider pulling up stakes and moving back to L.A.

Cyn’s recently dumped ex, however, has other ideas. His quest to get her back escalates into violence, shattering Cyn’s faith in herself, and in anyone else of the male persuasion, and leaving Shane with his work cut out for him to repair the damage or lose his shot at a once-in-a-lifetime love.

Warning: This book contains a physical assault. Buckle up for a bumpy emotional journey with the characters as they fall apart and then slowly find their way to healing, and to each other. You might get angry or tearful along the way, you may even get frustrated, but as is with any good love story, it’ll be worth it in the end.

When Book 2 in this series was released I was beyond excited. I had been eagerly awaiting Jimmy’s story and if you read my review of that book, you know it far exceeded my expectations. I never imagined another book in the series could top it. I was so wrong. Shane and Cyn’s journey to each other is at times incredibly frustrating, sweetly touching, laugh out loud funny and burn up the sheets sexy.

Cyn hooks up with her longtime crush/brother’s best friend when he is in town for the wedding of another of her brothers. Their chemistry is off the charts, which leads to Cyn completely disregarding her year long celibacy pact with her sister and inviting Shane into her bed. When her ex-boyfriend goes off the deep end and brutally attacks her, Cyn realizes she cannot trust her own instincts when it comes to choosing a good man. She repeatedly pushes Shane away until he is forced to protect his heart from the one person he wants to give it to.

Cyn and Shane’s romance is heart-wrenching, super sexy and best of all, realistic. I love the scene in the strip club where the brothers basically give Shane permission to pursue their sister when Shane has no real clue yet that he even has any intention to do so. It’s representative of the true dynamics of a big, nosy family. Everyone is in everyone else’s business. It’s believable and it’s heart warming. It’s so easy to connect with these characters and truly care about them when they feel as though they could be part of your own family.

I love how the Ms. Shaw presents all the Donnelly characters without making it confusing. They are a big family and it would be easy to lose track of who is who, but that is not the case here. They are all unique characters with their own stories to tell and hopefully we will be enjoying them for a long time to come.

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Defensive Heart by Dorothy F. Shaw

Defensive Heart: 
The Donnellys Book 2
By: Dorothy F. Shaw
Publisher: Samhain
Published: September 8, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: September 8, 2015

 

Uptown girl, tattooed bad boy. Think you know which one is wild? You’d be wrong.

Greenwich Village is home to successful artist Jimmy Donnelly, and the world is his playground. A broken heart in college left him with zero interest in being tied down. But when he meets a sexy, quick-witted Manhattan attorney, he reconsiders his bad boy ways.

Sonja Martin’s life is filled with work, an ex-husband who refuses to stay gone, and a teenage daughter who won’t follow the rules. Jimmy, with his myriad of tattoos and piercings, looks more like one of her clients than a potential lover. But when every argument between them feels more like foreplay, she can’t seem to stay out of his bed.

The heat burns through whatever defenses Sonja thought she had. And Jimmy finds his every fantasy fulfilled—and exceeded—by a woman whose fire burns as bright as her fiercely guarded vulnerability.

But his case for breaking her out of her self-imposed mold might just be dismissed. And he’ll lose the best thing he’s ever found.

Ok so after reading the first book in this series, I was seriously hooked on Jimmy and hoping the second book would be his story. Lucky for me, Miss Shaw did not disappoint. This book totally exceeded my expectations (and they were pretty high to begin with).

Jimmy is tattoed, pierced and an artist. He is pretty much the trifecta of a hot, bad boy. The thing is, he’s not really a bad boy. He’s sweet and just plain adorable, but only with Sonja. He enjoys getting her worked up in all the best physical ways, but isn’t afraid to push her emotional buttons as well. She’s cold to him, without really wanting to be. It just makes him work that much harder to crack her ice.

Sonja is a criminal lawyer who works too much. She wants to let Jimmy in but continues to find ways to convince herself it won’t work - he’s too young, he’s too demanding, she’s not looking for a relationship, etc. Her teenage daughter is a handful. Her rebellious nature creates problems between Sonja and her ex-husband, who incidentally is a real piece of work. All of these things, in Sonja’s mind, are reasons she cannot allow Jimmy to be anything more than a bed buddy.

There are so many amazing parts to this story. I love that Jimmy never really gives up on her. No matter how much she pushes him away, he keeps coming back with a new way to break through her wall. He is determined to be a part of her life. I love how he relates to her daughter and quickly becomes someone she feels comfortable and safe with. What woman doesn’t want a guy as sexy as Jimmy who treats her daughter like something precious to be cared for and protected? Major swoon-worthy! Every time Sonja pushed him away, I found myself wanting to yell in frustration.

This book grabbed me and sucked me right in. I stayed up most of the night reading and reluctantly put it down to go to work. Still, I found every chance I could to continue reading it while I was there. While this book stands on its own, if you haven’t read the first book in the series, you should. Ryan’s story was great and there are several glimpses of Jimmy that made me crave more of him. There is no hint in this book of which Donnelly we’ll meet next, but I have no doubt it will be amazing. Until then I will read Jimmy’s story again and try to be patient.

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Pet by Rosina Scott

Pet
By: Rosina Scott
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: October 21, 2014
Genre: Contemporary,  Erotic Romance
Content: M/M, BDSM, D/s, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Toys
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Gabrielle
Date: July 28, 2015

 

The Pound, is an exclusive BDSM club in downtown Los Angeles where submissives can go to seek out Dominants able to fulfill their every need, in the safety of the club’s strictly monitored playrooms, where anything goes.

It is here that sinfully submissive Damien hopes to find a Master who will dominate him and fulfill his desires. Damien longs for the day when he will find a Master he can willingly submit to in every way and cater to his Master’s every whim while exploring his own needs.

Could a chance meeting lead to more, when Damien meets the seductive and sexy dominant Gareth? In Gareth, Damien hopes he has found a Master who will respect his limits and his needs.

Could Gareth be the Dominant to fulfill the role of Master that Damien so desperately desires, and give him the collar he craves?

This short story is an engaging read about two men who are looking for more than just a hook up. Could Gareth be the man that Damien has been looking for? Has fate finally brought Damien what he has longed for? Play can be fun but will their times together bring more than just fun?

I enjoyed meeting Gareth and Damien. The two make a great couple; each man getting just what he needs from the other. Gareth is a good Dom and he understands what Damien needs and is more than willing to give it to him. Damien gives with all of his heart and only wants to please Gareth. Seeing their attraction quickly turn to more made for a nice read. As much as I liked these two men I would have liked them to be a little more fleshed out and maybe see a bit more of how they interact together. They are hot together and make you want to know and see more of the two men. More of their time in the club would have also been nice. What we see of the men only wets our appetite and had this reader longing for more.

These two men prove that you never know where or when you might find that one person who is right for you and when you do you had better not let them slip away. Gareth is not about to let Damien get away without letting him know how he feels first. It was nice to see Gareth take that step and show Damien how much he means to him. Both men endeared themselves to this reader and I hope that we get to visit their world again.

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Yuletide Enchantment by Cindy Spencer Pape

Yuletide Enchantment: 1 (Holiday Hearts)
By: Cindy Spencer Pape
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: December 9, 2009
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Erotic Romance, Fantasy, Holiday, Inspirational, Mystery
Content: M/F, Oral Sex, Toys
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Suki
Date: June 20, 2015

 

The company Christmas party goes awry in an erotic way when quiet accountant Shelby Carter is magically whisked into a miniature Victorian village with the boss's gorgeous son, Noel Holiday.

Noel has always honored the policy against fraternization, but when he's trapped for several days with sweet, sexy Shelby, he decides it's time to start breaking the rules. While exploring the enchanted surroundings, they delve into their deepest fantasies, even acting out scenes from a collection of erotic Victorian postcards. After all, what's Christmas without a little magic and a whole lot of sexy fun?

Though Shelby's crazy about Noel, she's sure he'll forget all about her once their interlude is over. But Noel has fallen head over snow boots in love with Shelby. Now he just has to convince her that holiday wishes can come true, and his devotion will last beyond their Yuletide Enchantment.

Yes I am reading a Christmas book in June.  Perhaps I am hoping for some of that snow we got this winter to cool things off a bit. This book is not going to cool anything off. In fact I think it rose the temperature a degree or two. 

Noel Holiday (HERO) works for the family greeting card company as a designer and is asked to check out the new Christmas display to see what is missing from it. When he gets there what he finds is Shelby Carter from accounting who is intent on the village. When they touch hands and the village at the same time they find themselves transported to the Victorian village or at least the house.  Complete with Victorian clothing and condoms. 

Once they discover there is no real way to escape they decide to make the best of it and let their attraction for each other takeover. But will it last when they are returned to reality?

I really enjoyed this book. And when you read any Ellora’s Cave book you know you are going to get sex scenes that are hot and detailed. I personally would have liked more about when they got back to reality, it seemed rushed. A couple more pages might have done the trick. But the book was very well written and edited and I fell in love with the Characters.

If you are looking for something to heat things up, this will do it.

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Hunting JC by Dominique Eastwick

Hunting JC
By:  Dominique Eastwick
Re-released:  March 31, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance 
Length:  Novel
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer:  Toni
Date:  March 31, 2013

 

Hunter Brooks spent the last decade staying as far away from the Sherman family and Jacinda Sherman as possible. No matter how much Hunter might want Jacinda, honor dictates a man doesn’t go near a best friend's baby sister. But now, she is safely married so all should be safe. Can Hunter pay J.C.'s price and still come out on top? 

Her whole life, Jacinda Sherman let everyone tell her what she can and cannot have. That includes Hunter. Now she's grown up, divorced, and what J.C. wants J.C. gets. This time, Hunter won't be leaving without J.C. getting what she desires. 

Can two lovers find a way to live happily ever after? Or will life throw a wrench in their carefully laid plans?

Sweet heaven that was good. I was up late into the night because I couldn’t put it down. Hunting JC is the first in the Sherman Family Series. They are a family of four brothers and one baby sister. I’m not sure where this series is going, but I’ll be along for the ride!

Jacinda is a new woman. Mostly her changes aren’t what she desired, but what’s done is done and now that she is divorced, she is going to go after the man she has always wanted – Hunter Brooks. With her new looks, new body and new attitude, Hunter doesn’t stand a chance.

It’s been awhile since he has visited his adopted family, the Sherman’s. He may not be an actual part of the family, but they have never made him feel left out or unloved. Now that his career is soaring and Jacinda is married, he feels it’s safe to return to the fold. Hunter is in for more than one shock.

Back and forth and up and down, that is the course of this relationship. These two have always had feelings for each other and now is the time to figure out if they can make it work. The problem is their pasts and the Sherman family members keep getting in the way. It is a long road, filled with many potholes, but it is a journey well worth it.

The matters of the heart are profoundly written and the whole direction of Hunting JC is fresh. No normal templates are followed here. Ms. Eastwick has mixed things up and I loved every bit of it. The characters seemed so very real. They have a down home feeling to them and they make you forget that they are obscenely rich but people with real feelings and real issues. The love they have for each other jumps off the page and it made me all gooey inside. Ms. Eastwick made them genuine and relatable.

While this may be considered an erotic romance, the timid need not be overly nervous. The love making scenes are in context and they are not filled with graphic rough language, that tends to turn some people off (not me BTW). They felt organic, heart pounding, amazing, and stole my breath away.

Hunting JC was amazingly constructed, with romance that could be savored and easily fantasized, characters that you wanted to know and a plot that had a touch of mystery and tons of emotion. I loved it and I can’t wait to read the next in the series Tony’s Haven!!

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Red Hot & Boom! by Various Authors

Red Hot & Boom! (A Sizzling Hot Collection of Stories)
By: Randi Alexander, Rene Folsom, Sable Hunter & Ryan O’Leary, Graylin Rane, Cassandra Carr, Michel Prince, Christin Lovell, Desiree Holt, Mari Carr and Alexandra O’Hurley
Published: June 6, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday
Content: M/F, M/F/M, Spanking, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Oral Sex
Length: Mulitple Short Stories
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: June 5, 2015

 

The Red Hot Authors present Red Hot & BOOM! A Sizzling Hot Collection of Stories.
Celebrate Independence Day with Ten Books from Authors who will Heat Your Summer Nights:

ALL HAT NO CATTLE by Randi Alexander

Deep in cowboy country for a rodeo, Harper Johansen is looking for a cowboy of her own, but roughneck Shaw Donahue needs to convince her to value a man for more than his cattle. 

FOR LIBERTY by Rene Folsom

While deployed, his mission classified, the heartfelt letters Maximus writes are the only bits of communication Liberty receives while he is away. His letters are a constant reminder of why he chooses to fight: For Liberty. 

COME WITH ME by Sable Hunter

Lacy has never experienced the big ‘O’. This July 4th will have more explosions than fireworks in the sky. Jake will prove to Lacy he can be all she needs – in bed and out.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHERRY by Graylin Rane

When a widowed news reporter receives notice she’ll receive a Candy Man, she’s nervous. Can she open her heart and her home to another man?

SCORIN’ ON THE FOURTH OF JULY by Cassandra Carr 

When professional hockey player Mikael meets USA Olympic goaltender Terri, both her beauty and skill attract him. But Terri might have to leave town to keep playing and their blossoming love put on ice.

ONE LAST RODEO by Michel Prince

Mistakes happen when we’re young, now this rodeo pickup man will have one chance to fix it with his ex. She ran to the city to make it big on the news, but he’ll bring this country girl home.

STARS AND SPARKS by Christin Lovell

One curvy journalist. One ex-marine. Two people attempting to find their new place in this world, but, sometimes, it’s not about finding a place; it’s about finding a person. And there’s nothing but stars and sparks between these two.
FIRECRACKER! by Desiree Holt – She's hot as a pistol in the rodeo ring, leaving the competition n ashes. But can this firecracker bring the same explosive emotion to a night with two hot, hot, hot men?

SPARKS FLY by Mari Carr 

I Do is the easy part. Happily ever after? Not so much. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Evan vows he'll reignite his wife, Annie's passion with his own brand of fireworks.

RETURN TO HER by Alexandra O’Hurley

Writhing passion quickly turns into more when friends become lovers. Their surrender comes days before an ill-timed deployment, where the two are quickly ripped apart. Will fate prevent this soldier from returning to her?

Let me start by saying I am not typically a fan of short stories. I am a fast reader and I prefer longer stories in novel form that I can savor for as long as possible. That being said, these are some of the most amazing short stories I have ever read. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and then went back and started it again. “Red Hot & Boom” indeed!

All of the stories have a Fourth of July/Independence Day theme (hence the title). That is pretty much where the similarities end. They are all unique stories, with their own plots and true to life characters. Out of the ten stories featured, it would be extremely difficult to choose a favorite. It really depends what kind of mood you are in. If you want a sexy threesome, Desiree Holt’s "Firecracker!" is definitely the way to go. If you want an inspiring story about a couple reigniting their fire, Mari Carr practically burns the place down in "Sparks Fly". That is one hot story! And if you want a sweet and sexy love story with a HEA, "Come With Me", by Sable Hunter & Ryan O’Leary is just what you are looking for. There is something for everyone here. This is a phenomenal collection by some very talented writers who have made me a fan of short stories again.

So why only 4.5 hearts out of 5? Well, the reason for that is, out of the 10 stories in the book, I felt that one or two were not quite complete for me. They felt rushed. The stories weren’t as well developed as the others and the endings were quite abrupt. They were good stories and kept me entertained. But they were only good where the others were excellent. Still, I’ve read the book twice already and I can definitely see myself picking it up to read again in the future.

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