Review: Uncle Dominic's Touch by Jenika Snow

Uncle Dominic's Touch by Jenika Snow

Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 4
 

Blurb

Wickedly Taboo Series

Where do we draw the line between love and desire?

Chloe has always loved to spend time at Aunt Clara and her husband's cottage during the summer. The problem is she loves Uncle Dominic more than a niece should.

With Aunt Clara now out of the picture, Chloe needs to show her uncle just how hot she burns for him, and prove that what they feel for each other is not wrong, no matter what he or anyone else thinks.
Maybe not a conventional relationship, but no one can help who they fall in love with. Even if it is...wickedly taboo.

Be Warned: anal sex, incest (not blood related)


Dodie's Review

Chloe has always felt drawn to Dominic. He seems to be the one person who really loves her for who she is. When he and her Aunt Clara get divorced, Chloe finds herself alone with Dominic. A strong, romantic love develops between the two of them. There is a lot that happens emotionally between the characters for a shorter book. They both have to adjust to the new physical aspect of their relationship, but the sex scenes between Chloe and Dominic sizzle on the page. The taboo aspect of their relationship causes some strife between them that I, for one, find completely appropriate and not contrived at all. If the characters and their families didn't have difficulty adjusting to their relationship, it wouldn't have been taboo.

If the fact that Chloe and Dominic's relationship is considered incestuous by many is going to bother you, don't read this book. You are definitely forewarned between the series and the description. If you want to read a sweet romance between two people with a lot of hot sex scenes, and, of course, a happily ever after, then read this book.

4 Tea Cups!

 

   

Review: The Professor's Assistant by Bren Christopher

The Professor's Assistant by Bren Christopher

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Alternative Romance

Heat Rating: 3
 

Blurb

Lured by rumors of a momentous invention, Agent Julian Blake steps into the New York Gate and emerges outside London. It is the same year, 1885, but an Earth parallel to his own. The two timelines are almost identical, but the slight variation is enough to threaten his mission as it includes an attitude toward same-sex attraction that is less than accepting.

He never expected that difference to pose a problem. Julian has an important mission to complete; a mission with far-reaching consequences not only across the alternate Earths, but into their pasts. For the momentous invention is a working time machine. And the inventor’s assistant is a beautiful, auburn-haired young man named Daniel who causes Julian to disregard the Department rules he has lived by for so long.

But there are others interested in the professor’s new invention, and when tragedy strikes, the professor’s lovely assistant might just be the only person left alive with the knowledge to recreate the device.

Now Daniel is a target, and Julian is in a race to protect him and retrieve the knowledge of the time machine from those who would misuse it.

Contains: Explicit m/m sex


Dodie's Review

The story of Julian and Daniel is a beautiful story. They meet – there is an instant attraction – and realize quickly that they are in love with each other. As happens far too often in romance novels, neither one does anything stupid to drive the other one away. As difficulties arise in their burgeoning relationship, they analyze the situation, and correctly realize when they are overreacting to something.

Due to Daniel's job as the professor's assistant, he becomes a target of the “bad guys”. This was my main problem with the book. There is not enough tension and build in the “bad guys” confrontation with Daniel, so consequentially the payoff is not as powerful as it could be. Everything is resolved neatly, there are not any inappropriate leaps or inconsistencies in the story, but the tension is not there in the suspenseful moments, so the denouement falls flat.

The plot with its historical sci fi elements was refreshing and intriguing. The romantic scenes between Julian and Daniel were absorbing, and illustrated the developing love between them. While the denouement was not as powerful as it could have been,The Professor's Assistant is nevertheless a great story and highly entertaining read.

4 Tea Cups!

 

   

Review: The Music of Chaos by P. Kirby

The Music of Chaos by P. Kirby

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to a small population of demons, fey, and vampires, who are mostly well-behaved and disinclined to start trouble.

That's why the grey brethren, a vampire syndicate, assign Regan O'connell there. Regan is a wolfe, a secret operative for the brethren. Out-of-the-way Albuquerque is the perfect place for an operative whose diplomacy starts wars and who struggles with rudimentary magic.

But Regan attracts trouble like a black sweater invites white cat hair. First, a friend sets her up with tall, dark and sexy Jason lake. Jason is a holder, a member of an ancient order devoted to protecting mankind from things that go bump in the night; things like half-vampire Regan. And then there's the sudden population explosion of deranged lesser vampires. Next, there's the murder of a prominent businessman and the murder weapon is outlawed, chaotic magic.

The brethren issue an ultimatum: find the murderer or find a new job. And the deeper Regan digs into the mystery, the more Jason looks like her prime suspect. Except Regan is certain that Jason is neither a killer nor stupid enough to use a power that can rearrange the fabric of the universe. To prove his innocence and stay out of the unemployment line, Regan will have to tap into the ability she's long denied and find the order in chaos.


Dodie's Review

I really enjoy reading flawed but strong heroines, and Regan O’Connell fits that bill to a T. She's a powerful innate magic user, but throughout her long life, she's never quite figured out how to tap all her power. She's a half-vampire, but her mostly human body can't quite live up to the demands that preternatural abilities costs her. She tries valiantly to live up to all that her family and the grey brethren ask of her as wolfe in Albuquerque. Regan is tasked with untwisting several mysteries. She has the help of three close friends, the vampire Breas, the fairy Lex, and the elf Talis, and one should be enemy the holder Jason.

P. Kirby manages to craft this story into a modern, suspenseful, murder mystery; instead of reading like the paranormal joins a fantasy quest. I was captivated from the first page to the last.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: No Such Thing by Sandra Sookoo

No Such Thing by Sandra Sookoo

Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

When magic fails, sometimes trust and a second chance are all you need.

Magical things are happening once again in the tiny town of Crystal Falls, Indiana. But this time, the source of that magic is in trouble. May (Malaya) Wiggins, the owner of a boarding house, has been called to task by a member of the magical enforcement league. It seems May has been practicing magic and nurturing the special spark in others without a license.

Enter Tavian Brightmore the good-looking, play-by-the-rules magical enforcement officer sent to drain May’s energy. He’s also her former lover and the man who betrayed her ten years ago.

As Mrs. Wiggin’s May Day celebration nears, she and Tavian must learn to interact with each other, regardless of the attraction and anger that sizzle between them, magical and otherwise, before the power-hungry dean of the institute of magical instruction kills them both.


Dodie's Review

We need a new aphorism. You know like absolute power corrupts, absolutely; which is also appropriate for this story. Something like – lack of trust kills a relationship – but that's not quite pithy and catchy enough for an aphorism.

May and Tavian were on track to their own H.E.A. ten years ago, but then something happened, and May believes that Tavian betrayed her. May ran to Crystal Falls. Tavian pursued her. Their lack of faith in each other – their lack of trust in each other – ruined their relationship before and is well on its way to ruining their relationship this time around. May and Tavian are great characters. Their previous relationship makes the heat between them more believable and palpable – right from the beginning of the story.

While this is the fourth story in the series, I never felt like I didn't understand what was going on. Previous stories were alluded to, and some of the characters made a brief reappearance, but I had a firm grasp of the characters and the framework of the series right from the beginning.

I enjoyed my time in Crystal Falls – brief as it was. I hope that Tavian and May's H.E.A. and trust in each other, bring them lots of happiness in the future, and I hope that we get to see glimpses of their lives, and perhaps a bit more resolution to their story in future installments of the series.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Moonlight Temptation by Stephanie Julian

Moonlight Temptation by Stephanie Julian

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

BOOK FOUR IN THE LUCANI LOVERS SERIES.

Evie Simmons has major issues. She’s got magical powers she can’t control, she’s living in a house that isn’t hers, and her best friend is a seventeen-year-old werewolf. It’d be hilarious if it weren’t just so damn depressing. Add in the sexy shifter she can’t keep out of her mind and his hot-as-hell friend and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Dr. Dane Dimitriou knows Evie has had a hard time adjusting to her new life as part of the Etruscan magical community—almost as difficult as his denial of his feelings for her have been. And he’s got the perfect cure—his best friend, Ryan Maguire. Easygoing Ryan is the complete opposite of stick-up-his-ass Dane. He can act as a buffer. Dane can get close, but not too close. Yeah, good luck with that.

Together, these sexy men may be just what the doctor ordered for Evie. And the doctor himself may discover the cure for what ails him has been right in front of him all along.


Dodie's Review

This book gets the nicest complaint and biggest complements I know. My only complaint is that the book was too short. I really wanted to stay and eavesdrop on Ryan, Dane, and Evie longer. I'm not complaining that the story was underdeveloped. To the contrary, I thought it was great. Stephanie Julian provides just enough glimpses into the characters' pasts that you understand this is part of a series of books, but without revealing too much or too little. I loved the tension between Dane and Evie at the beginning of the book, and the fact that they had known each other for a while. The three of them were so lost without each other, and their different personalities help hone the rough edges and blend the three of them into one happy romantic group.

The biggest compliment? I finished the book and immediately purchased the first one in the series so that I could see where it all began. If you aren't lucky enough to have read the first three books in the series, I would go get them too. I've finished the first one and I liked it just as much as this one.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Whatnots and Doodads by Stacey Kennedy

Whatnots and Doodads by Stacey Kennedy

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

For Bryanna, a witch from the Asheville Coven, magic is on the fritz. Shunned by her coven and her boyfriend Layton for her unruly magic, she seeks a new life for herself. It just so happens, fate steps in and brings her to Strange Hollow--a place where being different is not only acceptable, but encouraged.

When Bryanna arrives in Strange Hollow, Zeke, a demon gone good, is burning with Hell’s fire over her. Not only has she set his world ablaze, but he’s found one soul he can save. He’s determined to free her from the insecurities that have damaged her soul.

Together they experience lava-hot passion as they weave their way through a tornado of emotions. But when Layton returns for her, will Zeke’s attempts to break the unworthy cage woven around her be enough to keep her in Strange Hollow forever?



Dodie's Review
I love all the Strange Hollow stories. Not only is it a place for outcasts to be accepted, but also its a place where elitists can be killed on sight. Sounds like a great place; I know.

Brynna and Zeke really burned up the pages in this story. Their attraction was instantaneous, and hot. In romance terms, they both really seemed to bring out the best in each other, and consistently acted with the best of motivations towards each other. Sometimes, even though real life is messy and complicated, you want to escape into a world where romance is easy and instant and real. Stacey Kennedy accomplished that here. This was a great story. If you haven't read a Strange Hollow story before, this is a great one. Read this one, you won't be disappointed.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Foreseen Hunger Marisa Chenery

Foreseen Hunger Marisa Chenery

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Book six in the Ra’s Chosen series.

Takan has hidden who he is for three thousand years, but the time for secrecy is coming to an end. He knows it, and more importantly, Ra knows it. To complicate matters, Takan has found his mate. And she means more than happily-ever-after and smokin’ hot sex. She’s the key to ending the demon god Apep’s threat to the mortal realm. Too bad Takan, and who he is, scares the bejesus out of her.

Falon lost her love years ago to the bite of an undead and has spent her nights hunting the creatures ever since. When she happens upon a man fighting the same fight as she, relief overcomes her. She’s not alone. But when she kisses him and discovers his fangs, she does what any warrior girl would do—she stabs him.

Just as the couple is coming to terms with their relationship, Ra drops a bomb that changes Takan forever, and Falon discovers her true destiny. The couple must deal with a new beginning while bringing an end to an age-old battle.


Dodie's Review

As much as I wanted to love this book, it fell a little short for me. I read and really enjoyed an earlier book in the series, and while I haven't read all the other ones in the series, I was really looking forward to reading this one. Falon is a wonderful heroine. Her reasoning for hunting the undead is well developed and her personality is consistent (and more importantly – not annoying) throughout the whole book. I found Takan to be very underdeveloped. Beyond his obvious personality traits as a Chosen Warrior, not much is revealed about him in the beginning. He seemed almost resigned to mating Falon – as if as he knew it was going to happen and therefore he didn't have much enthusiasm for it.

If you've read the other stories in this series, I would certainly read this one too. It was a good read, but I definitely wouldn't start reading the series here.

3 ½ Tea Cups!

   

Review: The Lady Dares by Tish Domenick

The Lady Dares by Tish Domenick

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Lady Tess Ashworth grew up with, and at fifteen, fell in love with Lord Gareth Caldwell. She has had seven years since they last met to mature into an elegant woman. And seven years to nurture resentment for the man who declared undying love, then married someone else.

Now widowed, Gareth has returned to capture Tess’ heart. But she has acquired a reputation as an
adventuress and will not be easily won. To intrigue her into his bed, he dares her—she never could resist a dare—to join him in a ménage a quatre. Tutored by his deceased wife, he and his two mates have perfected the art of pleasuring a woman while sating their own appetites.

Tess accepts, but not for the reason he imagines. While Gareth is devising a means to thwart her uncle’s plot to murder her, Tess is devising her revenge for Gareth’s betrayal.


Dodie's Review

A Lady Dares is a classic example of be careful what you wish for. Both Gareth and Tess wish to be reunited with each other, and for the other to realize the difficult time they have had throughout the years without each other. In their reunion, neither Gareth nor Tess get quite what they are expecting. Without giving too much away, I love it when books deliver something wonderful, especially when it isn't the occurrence that you are expecting. You know the type - you hear oink, oink, oink and expect to see pigs, but it turns out to be the neighbor's doorbell instead.

This was a great read. The plot twists and turns without loosing the reader. The sex scenes are erotic, as you would expect in a book that promises (and delivers) a menage a quatre. No matter the type of sex you enjoy reading about, there is something here for you. It kept me on my toes, and enthralled the whole way through.

4 Tea Cups!