Iron Rods by Brenna Zinn

Iron Rods
By: Brenna Zinn
Publisher:  Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.
Published: June 4, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance 
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 11, 2014

 

The women of Austin, Texas, could mix fantasy with flesh at Iron Rods but the strip club is now in disrepair. Bennett Truitt, estranged son of the club’s aging and half-crazy owner, wants to replace the landmark with condos. He hires feisty Tatum to manage the club, sure she will fail, but not before he has a chance to sample her skills in bed.

After another rejection letter, Tatum realizes she’ll never be a professional dancer on or off Broadway. Down on her luck, she’s determined to make the run-down club successful no matter what, or who, it takes. She never expected her new boss to be so enticing they’re breaking doors down to get to each other, get their clothes off, taste each delectable inch.

Iron Rods is one book I have been anticipating greatly. The question is did it live up to my dreams and expectations?

Bennett is one confused man. He’s a son of a stripper and heir to his mother’s family fortune. He’s a man stuck between two worlds. Ridiculed as a child, he has turned into everything he hates – a snob. He is a rich man who is truly delusional to the reality of his life. It takes a strong tall Texas woman to make him see what he has become, but is it too late for him to change.

Tatum has finally received her final blow. She will never be a professional dancer. Well then, I guess a night out to get totally plowed is in order. Two watered down drinks later her window of opportunity has reopened. She is now the proud manager of a strip club. Tatum has a new dream to throw all her ambition and determination into; too bad the owner’s son is a jerk with a chip on his shoulder. Well she is just the woman to knock it off.

They both want something different out of the project and don’t see eye to eye. Things are going to get very interesting at Iron Rods. Two strong willed people with their own agendas and fiery passions that won’t be ignored. Things are going to get very hot in Austin and this local can’t wait.

I will admit that I didn’t read the blurb or excerpts or anything. I wanted to be totally surprised with Iron Rods because it’s been a little part of my life for so long. I wanted to dive in and immerge myself in it. Well I’m sad to report, I’m bummed. *insert sad face*. I really, really, really wanted strippers.

What I loved though was that Ms. Zinn has set up a series that is going to be kick ass fun. She will be building this series from the ground up. She is going to take a run down, crappy dive of a place and turn into a thriving establishment, filled with class, sass and gorgeous as-ahem-men. Wait. I’m bummed again…there in no such place in Austin, even to visit to get my stripper fix. *insert mad face*.

Dang it Ms. Zinn. This story is really too close to home and rings so darn true. I actually think I could drive downtown and go to Iron Rods. I think I’m having a love/hate moment here. I am left loving the idea of such a wonderful establishment existing and while I know it’s a fictional place, I’m left wanting to get all dressed up and go there with my cash in hand, wanting to have a rip roaring time. See my hate. She has written something so well that I can smell the restaurants, hear the music playing and almost taste the rain in the air. That alone is brilliant, yet utterly frustrating.

Iron Rods is a very fulfilling read (even if it didn’t have strippers). An exciting series starter with toe curling sex, brilliant real life connections, and characters that I can see becoming some great friends with. Ms. Zinn has a hit on her hands. I can foresee this series taking way off and I’m talking more than sexy men’s clothing. Great job Brenna! Now gimme more and let there be strippers next time. *smile*. Pretty please.

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Pink Pucks & Power Plays by V.L. Locey

Pink Pucks & Power Plays
By: V.L. Locey
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: January 22, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Anal Play, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 9, 2014

 

Viviana Land just can`t seem to say no to her younger sister. Somehow, the curvaceous society page reporter gets lassoed into serving as her niece`s Busy Bee scout leader. One overheated engine later, Viviana and her girls find themselves in the Green Hills Ice Rink. Enter Alain Lessard, the charmingly handsome defenseman for the Philadelphia Wildcats, who is donating his summer to coaching the youth league.

When our intrepid reporter is given the opportunity to write the break-out story of her career, Viviana leaps at the chance. Thinking it would be easy to flirt and tease some juicy tidbits out of Alain, Viviana soon finds herself falling for the sensual, younger, kind-hearted man. Will she put aside her virtual pen for a chance to stay at her new paramour`s side? Or will Viviana finally get away from those mundane bakery opening articles by using the man she may possibly be in love with?

First off I’m going to say I’m a bit odd. I love reading about sports, but this girl doesn’t watch them. Well that is not totally true. When a town I’m living in has a winning team and there are playoffs, I’ll watch to support them and surprisingly I enjoy myself. Now give me a book about sexy football players, burly MMA fighters, and wonderfully aggressive hockey players; I’m all over that with bells on.

So of course I had to pick up V.L. Locey’s novel, Pink Pucks & Power Plays. I did find the name a bit peculiar, but after reading it, it absolutely fits 100%. I do have to say though I’m a bit disappointed no pink pucks were hurt in the making of this book. Come on!!! I really wanted a pink puck to drop.

Viviana gets herself in a major pickle. You see it coming from miles, but all you could do is stare and watch the train wreck. First, she is a reporter and her hot new assignment, Alain, hates reporters with a burning passion and rightfully so. Then when sparks fly, but she doesn’t put any breaks on when she knows it will only end in disaster. I will give her kudos though for her recovery. Short of being a hot mess, she handled it with class, with her head held high – well mostly high.

Pink Pucks & Power Plays was a wonderful read. I like my books with a bit of spice, humor, drama and romance. Ms. Locey delivered hands down. While, yes you knew what was going to happen, it was so much fun seeing how deep Viviana would get herself before everything tumbling down around her. This is a great escape, but be warned only cute adorable hockey is involved. I do have to say it didn’t stop me from rooting for those little bumble bees.

Thank you for the laughs, nervous anticipation, and lovely romance. It’s always nice to enter a world where the women aren’t always perfect, the friends are brutally honest, and the kids are cheek pinching adorable. The hero was a bit too amazing but hey who wouldn’t want an amazing man who is beyond words gorgeous, can cook and is great in bed. Oh and he can forgive when he has been wronged. You can’t help but love them. Smooches Alain. Wish there were more men out there like you.

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Enslaved by the Others by Jess Haines

Enslaved by the Others
By: Jess Haines
Publisher: Zebra
Published: July 1, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 7, 2014

 

Vampires, werewolves, magi and worse-the Others have joined the mortal world, and there's no turning back now...

As a New York P.I. and Other specialist, Shiarra Waynest has been in plenty of trouble before. But waking up in a windowless room the prisoner of a vampire slave trader is a shock for anyone. Shia has her wits, her bravado, and a couple of used staples, so maybe she can take on a mansion full of serious evil.

But although she's desperate to escape, Shia needs some answers too. Her friends are in danger. There are betrayers and spies among them. And even if she can figure out what's going on and somehow get a message out, she's still a captive of the worst kind...

Holy comeback!! Jess has brought the magic back to the series and I’m totally thrilled that there wasn’t cliff hanger! That right there made me give it an extra heart/star. So six hearts/stars!!

I started the series with a binge read, two books ago. I didn’t realize that the book I picked was part of a series and with my OCD tendencies; I couldn’t very well start the review book without catching up. Good thing I did too. You cannot pick up any of the H&W Investigation books in the series and expect to know what is going on. Please. I implore you, read it from start to finish. Trust me it’s worth it. As an extra bonus, you will not end your read on a cliffhanger, unlike some of the prior books. Ms. Haines sucks you in and then leaves you hanging in a couple of books. It was so agonizing. I missed the first one, but not the next. I will also say that her universe is very worth it and even though it was painful to experience the cliffhangers, I wouldn’t trade in her books for anything.

Enslaved By the Others starts off right where Forsaken ends. I love that about Ms. Haines. She doesn’t mess around. She jumps right in.

Shia is in trouble (again) and truthfully, it looked very bleak. A past enemy is back for a bit of payback and she is right in the middle of it. He is a very sadistic vampire that will do anything to get what he wants. Her time with Max is sometimes very painful to read. Ms. Haines draws you in in such a way that you can envision Shia’s surroundings and feel her pain. Very well done. It amazes me that Shia is has held onto so much of her humanity. This woman has been to hell and back again and with this story, I think she may have actually been scorched a bit. She is constantly battling, but never gives up. She is a very persistent heroine. Love her!

We revisited past enemies, experience new horrors, find and lose friends, and I fell further in love with the series. Divine! My only real complaint is that I still don’t know what/who one of the characters is. Since the issue is far from resolved I can only guess that we will find out.

That opens up another point. She actually ended the story in such a way, I questioned that Enslaved By the Others was the final book. Yes, there were still unanswered questions, but if it had to end, it wasn’t a bad ending. I’m very happy to report, after some hardcore looking, that the series is scheduled for a few more installments. Can I get a Heck Yeah!!

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The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day

The Stranger I Married
By: Sylvia Day
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published:  June 24, 2014 (first published 2007)
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel 
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 2, 2014

 

Together For All The Wrong Reasons. . .

The Marquees of Grayson never felt a twinge of guilt when he stole the beautiful Lady Pelham right out from under his best friend's nose. After all, they were well matched in all things--their sensual appetites, wicked wits, provocative reputations, and their absolute refusal to ruin their marriage of convenience by falling in love.

But then a shocking turn of events sent her roguish husband from her side. Four years later, he has returned a powerful, irresistible man who is determined to seduce his way into her affections. No, this is not at all the man she married. But he is the man who might finally steal her heart. . .

Two people who marry for the same reason. In historical England that is a rare gift. Four years later it seems that everything has changed. Now it appears each want something different. Is it time to end a marriage that maybe never really had a chance to begin with?

Usually at this point I tell a bit about the characters, to explain a bit more about them. Most of the time, a short blurb doesn’t capture their true qualities. I really don’t need to here. The blurb does a fabulous job – their sensual appetites, wicked wits, provocative reputations, and their absolute refusal to ruin their marriage of convenience by falling in love. That sums them both up to a tee. Gerard wants his mother off his back about him getting married and Isabel wants the protection that marriage grants her with her lovers. Both will get their wish with their unconventional marriage.

Four years later and everything is the same, yet different. Gerard receives a huge shock early in their marriage and suddenly leaves. With no word from her husband during his absence, Isabel carries on with her life, the life they both agreed upon. Once he returns, he is the one that has changed and now wants to reevaluate their marriage agreement. Isabel will not go willingly. She enjoys her life the way it is. Gerard will have his hands full convincing her to agree to this new arrangement.

Sylvia Day really knows how to tell a tale. I was invested in this love story from the very beginning. The Stranger I Married was beautifully written with amazing heart and passion. You could feel his pain and her determination. Even with such strong willed people they didn’t stand a chance. They were both too well suited to be nothing short of a wonderful couple. This novel had it all, grandeur, blazing hot sex, richly detailed characters and a storyline that was unique. I also loved, loved, loved the extra bonus of Trenton. Isabel couldn’t ask for a better brother.

Fabulous historical read with just the right amount of scorching sex and a plot that was simply amazing. I couldn’t put it down and if you like/love this genre, I highly doubt you will be disappointed and I would recommend it over and over again.

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