Learning to Fly by Melissa Snark

Learning to Fly
By: Melissa Snark
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: September 7, 2012
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: July 18, 2014

 

Cassandra Claeys is a bohemian artist with a passion for shoes and architecture. Her past wasn't pretty and she's got the scars to prove it, but she's determined to live and love again and she's hoping her newest client is just the man for the job. But the crazed serial killer that once held her captive escapes from prison, willing to kill again to make his maniacal fantasies come true.

Architect Kyle McCloud hires the fiery redhead to illustrate his latest project, never dreaming that she would bring passion and danger to his door. Cassie is easily spooked and as flighty as one of his injured birds, but he's willing to work overtime to make her soar for him alone.

Cassie is on the run from a serial killer who escaped from prison after kidnapping and torturing her several years ago. She runs straight to Kyle McCloud, who is supposed to be her new employer. He knows immediately that something dark haunts her and he's determined to help her. Lucky for them both, Kyle's twin brother Kieran is a former Army ranger and now owns a security firm. With the McCloud brothers working to keep her safe, she may get out of this alive.

I really enjoyed the motherly housekeeper, Shelly Arthur. She and her husband Henry, the groundskeeper, took care of Kyle and Kieran after their parents died tragically when the boys were only sixteen. Now, as grown men, their interaction with Shelly is teasing and loving while still respectful. She is outspoken and demanding as only a mother would be. I laughed out loud at her manipulation when presenting Kyle with forms to sign, putting him on a waiting list with an exclusive nanny agency, even though he has no current prospects for a wife and no plans for children in the near future. Yet, he still signs the papers.

The hawk rescue was an interesting part of the story. Early in the story, Kyle is called out to save an injured hawk. He nurses it back to health until it is ready to be set free to fly again. His actions with the hawk is symbolic of his relationship with Cassie. He is also helping to save her, while drawing her out of her shell and helping her to trust again so she is free from the past and ready to give love as well as accept it. As successful as he is with the hawks, it gives the reader hope that he is the right man for the job with Cassie as well.

"Learning to Fly" is very well written with a solid story line and like-able characters. There are a couple of times, it alludes to a woman in Kieran's life, hopefully setting up the next installment.

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Engineering Her Racy Pleasure by Tara Rose

Engineering Her Racy Pleasure
By: Tara Rose
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Published: April 28, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F/M, Ménage, BDSM, Spanking, Bondage, D/s, Exhibitionism, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Toys
Length: Novella
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: July 17, 2014

 

When Harper Montgomery moves to Racy and joins the marketing team at Notus, she’s pursued by sexy mechanical engineers and Doms, Lee Parker and Mason Sinclair. But when her ex-boyfriend’s cyber stalking becomes serious after he turns up in Racy, her new life is filled with danger.

Lee Parker loved once and had his heart broken. He’s drawn to Harper because of her humor and sexy curves, but can he give away his heart again? And can he share her with his co-worker and best friend? Mason Sinclair is devoted to his work and has always shied away from falling in love. But all that changes when he meets Harper. He has no problem sharing her with Lee, or with the way his heart flutters whenever she’s around.

But when Harper’s ex-boyfriend breaks into Mason’s house one night during a storm, Harper is alone, and her ex is out for revenge. Can Mason and Lee reach her in time?

Wow! I rarely give a book five stars, but I read this book all the way through and when I was done, went right back to the beginning and started again. With the right mixture of humor and heat, it takes off fast and never loses momentum. If that doesn't deserve a five star rating, I don't know what does.

Harper is starting over. She moved to Racy, Indiana, firmly set on moving forward - new town, new job, new life. Her first day at her new job she meets Mason and Lee, who immediately turn her world upside down. Not long after, a threat from her past makes its way into her present and she becomes conflicted. She doesn't want the new men in her life to be involved. However, they have a different idea and will not be deterred. Having lived in Racy all their lives, Mason and Lee know everyone and start pulling people together to help. And when trouble comes in to their private little community, they need all the help they can get.

The relationship between Harper, Lee and Mason is easy and comfortable. They quickly develop a serious relationship of mutual respect and affection. The sex between the three of them is blistering hot! The bad guy is just the right amount of disturbed. The story grips you and holds your attention all the way through. It flows nicely from start to finish.

I had two extremely minor issues with the story. First, how can there possibly be ten triad couples already existing in a town as small as this? That just doesn't seem very realistic or even remotely possible. Second, when Lee and Mason are telling Harper about the other triads over dinner, it is impossible to keep track of that many people. That's 30 names dropped with a few extras added in to clarify how they all fit together, what families they belong to, etc. I'm sure they are each explained in their own books since this is #11 in the series, but it's very difficult to read through that conversation. Then when Harper meets some of the other women, I found I couldn't easily distinguish which woman was linked to which pair of men without going back and re-reading that conversation. Like I stated earlier, these are minor issues, especially considering the book stands alone but I think it's important for the reader to know so there's no pressure to remember all the names. You can always go back and read the rest of the series, as I intend to do.

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A Most Unlikely Countess by V.L. Locey

A Most Unlikely Countess
By: V.L. Locey
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: April 4, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 9, 2014

 

Painfully shy Liz Argon probably shouldn`t be dreaming of Veikko Aho, star goalie for the Philadelphia Wildcats. As she works side by side with 'The Count of the Crease' on his memoirs, she finds herself falling for the handsome goaltender. His tender ways with her and her mentally fragile mother are slowly claiming her heart. If only Veikko wasn`t already engaged to a woman far better suited to move in to 'The Count`s' world. In book two of the To Love a Wildcat series, we`ll see if a glass slipper can survive in the rough and tumble world of professional ice hockey.

I think A Most Unlikely Countess can be summarized as a sweet sigh.

We met Liz briefly in book one, Pink Pucks and Power Plays. She is the quiet obituary writer for the same newspaper that Viviana worked for. You could tell from her small part that she was smitten with Veikko. But who wouldn’t be. He’s a talk blond drink of water but he totally scares her to death. Desperate times change all that. Now she has been hired to write his memoirs. Will she be able to make it a full month in the same house with her favorite erotic dream?

Veikko is well…oh my goodness the sweetest thing since honey. Though he is big and strong, he has a heart of gold. He loves his family and he has desires to start his own. How he got hooked up with his fiancée I’ll never know. Since you never get into Veikko’s head you never understand the how, why or what is going on with him. He obviously adores his fiancée, but what is causing his anger and disappointment?

A Most Unlikely Countess takes place for just over a month. We get to see how Liz and Veikko interact and how their friendship grows. I can’t say much more or I’ll give the plot away. Let’s just say, Liz opens up and blossoms and you also get to see what makes Veikko into the man he is, through her eyes.

I love the slow sensual feel of the book. While Pink Pucks and Power Plays had me up in arms at times, A Most Unlikely Countess was smooth like fine whiskey. There was very little drama and that is a surprise considering the love triangle implications. This was such a great read and I’m not even sure if I’m missing the hockey in these hockey based books. Even though I say this book is sigh-worthy, the sex content is not. It is just perfect without being explicit. It is just the right mixture of heat, descriptions and passion to get you all excited.

I really enjoyed this story. I was hopeful that their story will be told and I couldn’t’ be happier. It is such sweet story. I’m not sure if you could actually label them as opposites, but I will say that they are most definitely two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. Ms. Locey did a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read the next in the series, O Captain! My Captain!

Check out my review of the first in the series!

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Perfect Alignment by KB Alan

Perfect Alignment
By: KB Alan
Publisher: Second Shift Publishing
Published: June 24, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, M/M/F, BDSM, Spanking, Bondage, D/s, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Toys
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: July 16, 2014

 

When Emma gets pulled over for speeding, the last thing she expects is for the cop to decide that his handcuffs would look a lot better on her than they do on his belt. Maybe her plan to own her sexuality by wearing a BDSM necklace wasn't her best idea. Then again, seeing the heat in the man's eyes as he orders her out of her car, maybe it was the best idea she's ever had.

Drew can't believe the risk he takes when he makes a move on the speeder in the convertible, but she's damn near irresistible. When their encounter turns into an amazing afternoon of play, he knows he has to keep seeing her, even if it goes against all the rules he's set for himself.

Neither Emma nor Drew is in the right place to start a relationship, so they agree to keep playing as long as they're having fun together. And they are having a lot of fun together, especially when Drew's best friend comes to town. Two men, one woman, and a sailboat. A recipe for pleasure, but how do Emma and Drew keep their hearts from wanting more than their practical lives are willing to deliver?

This is the first story I’ve ever read by this author and I was definitely not disappointed. I really enjoy stories like this where it’s obvious to the reader that the main characters are in love, it just takes them a bit longer to realize it. Part of the fun is seeing how long it takes them to realize it and what events bring them to that realization. KB Alan does a thorough job of chronicling the process of Drew and Emma falling in love without being obvious. There are subtle clues that help the reader come to the conclusion on their own.

Drew is a cop who pulls Emma over for speeding when she is on her way to visit a sex club. She’s wearing a necklace that identifies her as a submissive and he immediately asserts his dominance over her, against his better judgement. They start a dom/sub affair but Drew is hesitant to define it as a relationship. Still, they have an undeniable sexual connection and the more time they spend together, they become friends as well. Their dynamic is loving and friendly. I enjoyed the teasing banter between them. It seems as though they enjoy being together, even if neither of them want a relationship.

When Emma is introduced to Drew’s best friend Toby, the hotness factor kicks up a few notches. The trio engages in activities that range from sweet and loving to steamy and erotic. (The author gives quite a bit of background on Toby so we get to know him pretty well and I hope there will be a book about him coming soon.)

Once Emma and Drew are left to their own devices again, it’s interesting to watch the push and pull that goes on with Drew. His indecision is obvious. One minute he’s refusing to take her in public and the next he’s taking her to meet his parents. Toby seems to be the only one who has a decent grasp of what is really going on between Drew and Emma but Drew, in his bull-headed alpha-male way, isn’t listening to him.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read more works by this author. It certainly has some pretty steamy sex scenes and just the right amount of angst to keep you wondering if they’ll make it in the end.

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