Short Story Review: Misbehaving by Tiffany Reisz

Title: Misbehaving

Author: Tiffany Reisz
Publication Date: February 1, 2014
Publisher: Cosmo Hot Reads from Harlequin
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Wanted: Adventurous, open-minded man willing to try anything…

As a popular sex blogger, Beatriz gets paid to have orgasms. So being on deadline the week of her sister’s wedding isn’t as rough as it sounds. There’s just one hitch: Bea’s assignment is to write a review of a sex position manual, but she doesn’t have a plus one to play with.

The good news: Ben, the one who got away back in college, is also attending stag--and he's as temptingly gorgeous as ever.

The bad news: Ben turned down Bea’s offer of graduation night sex five years ago.

The best news: He’s not planning on making the same mistake twice.

If you don't already know, I am a huge Tiffany Reisz fangirl. Her Original Sinners series is fantastic and I'll pretty much read anything that she releases. When I heard that she was releasing a new short story about a blogger who writes about sex and her weekend wedding fling with the one that got away, I jumped at the chance to read it. Could Reisz pull off a satisfying romance without without the BDSM and without the familiar cast of her Original Sinners series? I'm happy to say that Reisz does not disappoint and Misbehaving is a fum, sexy and laugh out loud funny read that will leave you wanting more.

Of course, this being Tiffany Reisz, even her more conventional romances are anything but vanilla. Beatriz is a sex blogger. She's paid to orgasm and write about it. Bea is off to her sister's wedding where Ben, her college crush and the one who got away, is the best man. Five years have passed but the attraction is still there. An urgent deadline for a sex book provides the perfect excuse for Bea and Ben to pick up where they left off years ago.

I had a good time reading this. While I missed the angst and kink that usually comes with a Tiffany Reisz novel, Misbehaving is a fun read that you'll finish in no time. I liked how open both Ben and Bea were with their sexuality and how willing they were to try new things. Their review sessions were often hilarious while still being super sexy.

I didn't give this a higher rating because I had a couple of small issues with the story. First, I thought that Bea's sister and her husband totally overreacted when when the big conflict happens. To me, it just didn't seem like the most rational response to the situation. I also didn't like how Bea immediately turned on Ben when he wanted to find out more about the situation before taking sides. I thought his reaction was the most rational one but Bea was ready to throw him out the door. A little bit of calm thinking and discussion could have prevented a lot of strife, but then I guess there would't have been on obstacle to overcome.

This is an easy, fun read - just the thing for a day at the beach or a bit of light vacation reading. Fans of The Original Sinners series might find this a bit tame compared to that series but Reisz knows how to spice up any story. If you haven't read any Tiffany Reisz yet, this is an easy primer into her writing and I would definitely recommend it for fans of sexy romps and romance.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Review: The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole

Title: The Professional: Part 3

Author: Kresley Cole
Publication Date: January 20, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Purchased

Are you ready to play?

Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy's reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest - and most forbidden - fantasies can come true  cover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true.

The final installment of The Professional finds Natalie and Sevastyan at a crossroads in their relationship. Their courtship was brief and intense but now it's time to see if they physical connection can translate into something more lasting. Sevastyan is intent on hiding his part from Natalie, but Natalie knows that they cannot move forward without knowing all of each other.

This book started with a lot of promise for me. I really liked Sevastyan and Natalie, two very different people who found a way to connect. However, as the story went on, I felt like their characters actually regressed rather than moving forward. Sevastyan continues to close himself off from Natalie, pushing her away even while he asks her to stay. I really did not like his behavior at the airport. It was mean and manipulative and it would have served him right it Natalie had left him there. One of the big reasons that Sevastyan is so closed off is because he is hiding his deep, dark past Natalie. However, by the time his past is revealed I found myself wondering what the big deal was. Knowing who he is and what he does now, I don't think Natalie expected him to have some idyllic childhood and I was expecting a lot worse. The introduction of his mysterious brother was interesting but again, fell a little flat. After hiding his existence from Natalie for so long, I expected him to be a

I also hated how Natalie ended up blaming herself for Sevastyan's inability to open up. Suddenly it was her fault for not being patient enough and understanding. I am not sure how she came to that conclusion but I call BS. The independent woman that Natalie started out as was nowhere to be found by the end of the book.

I also found the resolution of Natalie’s family ties to mob a little unbelievable. Maybe I am just a realist but it seems like it would take longer than a few weeks to undo a lifetime of mob dealings. It did wrap things up nicely for Natalie and Sevastyan though and let them go about their lives spending mob money guilt free.

As a fan of Cole’s Poison Princess series, I had high hopes for this book. The world building and character development in that series shows what the author is capable of. However, those qualities are not as apparent in this book and was left feeling a bit let down. 

Overall this book gets a 2.5 rating from me. I really enjoyed Part 1 but the lack of character development made the book less enjoyable in the later installments. If you're interested, definitely give it a go. While this isn’t my favorite Kresley Cole book, The Professional is still a fun read, with plenty of hot sex and daring escapes to keep things interesting. 

Also, check out my reviews for Part 1 and Part 2 of The Professional.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at kresleycole.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @kresleycole

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

The Last Good Knight Blog Tour: Review and Q&A

Hi, everyone! I am really excited to be on the The Last Good Knight blog tour today, hosted by The Novel Tease. If you're a reader of this blog you know how much I adore Tiffany Reisz's writing and I am happy to be on the tour for her newest novella in the Original Sinners series. This novella is being released in 5 parts, and the first part is available now. Read on for my review of all 5 parts as well as a Q&A with Tiffany at the end of the post. 

Title: The Last Good Knight (Parts I - V)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publication May 6, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Adult Romance/Erotica
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

The Last Good Knight is an Original Sinners novella starring Mistress Nora, released in five parts.

The Last Good Knight by Tiffany Reisz is a prequel novella set 3 years before the events of The Siren. The Last Good Knight is a delicious and naughty tale that is just the thing for all of the Sinners fans eagerly awaiting the next novel in Reisz's Original Sinner series, The Saint, due out in June. The story has been serialized into five parts and includes some of your favorite Sinners characters, including Nora, Søren, Kinglsey and new love interest Lance. While the story could probably be read without reading the other books in the series, I would not recommend it. These characters all have a long history with each other and it's best to know that history to get the full effect of the story. Besides, the series is awesome and you won't regret reading it.

I am going to review and rate each part by itself and then give my thoughts on the story as a whole at the end.

Part I: Scars and Stripes - 4 stars

Reisz cuts right to the chase in the first part of The Last Good Knight. When Nora encounters a good looking male sub at the bar of the 8th Circle, she doesn't waste any time getting to submit to her whims. A steamy session follows and Nora finds Lance to be the perfect sub. Though they've just met, she begins to feel that there may be more than just a one night stand between them. They are about to head into another round of fun when their night is interrupted by Søren telling Nora that a female Domme has been attacked and that she needs to go to Kinsley's immediately.

This was a good intro into the story and drops us right back into the world of The Original Sinners. Nora is her usual irreverent self and it's interesting to see what her life was like after leaving Søren and working near him on a regular basis. The two definitely still have amazing chemistry even when they are not together.  Like Nora, I immediately liked Lance and wanted to know more about him.

Part II: Soft Spots - 3 stars

Nora and the employees of The 8th Circle all convene at Kingsley's house and learn the details of Natasha's assault. The news of how badly she was beaten and the fact that the culprit is still on the loose rattles the of The 8th Circle. Though somewhat shaken herself, Nora knows that she needs to put on a brave face for the others and she decides not to alter her schedule. Though he's not happy about it, Søren agrees as long as she has a bodyguard. Kingsley ends up sending Lance to be Nora's bodyguard with the rule that they cannot have sex while he is working for her. This complicates things as all Nora can think about is having sex with Lance.

Lance escorts Nora to her various appointments throughout the day, including one to a kindly old judge who has a foot fetish.  During their drives, Nora takes the opportunity to learn more about Lance. We find out the particulars of his divorce and the circumstances of his child custody case. It's clear that Lance is a honorable and good man and, the more Nora learns about him, the more she wants him. Frustrated, horny and unable to sleep with Lance, Nora turns to the one man she knows how can take care of her needs.


Part III: The Games Destiny Plays - 4 stars

Nora shows up at Søren's house, needing release and knowing that he can give it to her. He wastes no time and what they both need. This is one of my favorite parts just because I love Søren and Nora together. We definitely get to see they dynamic at work here and we can see why they are so good together. Nora is struggling because she still loves Søren but doesn't want to give up her freedom. Her growing feelings for Lance don't help the matter and she even asks Søren for advice.

Lance is, at first, angered by the bruises that he sees on Nora but later understands that her needs are similar to his own and that he cannot judge her for it. Part III ends on a cliffhanger when Kingsley informs Nora that the perpetrator has made another move, this one against Nora.



Part IV: Fit To Be Tied - 4 stars

Part III left us with the knowledge that the attacker had broken into Nora's dungeon. However, Griffin (love Griff!) was there and was able to apprehend him. Without the threat of an attacker on the loose, Lance and Nora no longer have to abide by Kingley's rule not to have sex. So their clothes come off and the cuffs come on. :)

While I really liked the love scene between Lance and Nora, I have to say that I was a little disappointed in this part. The fact that the attacker was detained so easily and with so little fanfare was quite a letdown. I expected more since the attack was the entire premise for the story and I wanted a little more from it. But the love scene is pretty awesome so I can forgive the lame ending to the mystery.




Part V: The Last Good Knight - 4 stars

The threat of the attacker is gone and Nora no longer needs a bodyguard. Her feelings for Lance have grown and she feels like she may want to keep him. Unfortunately her plan to help him get his daughter back might just be the thing that keeps them apart.

The last installment of The Last Good Knight is a bittersweet one Lance must make a difficult choice and choose between two people he loves. I thought that the ending was very fitting and really showed how much Nora and Lance cared about each other. But, as the song says, love isn't always enough and sometimes having one thing means giving up another. This segment was a really emotional one that tied up the story really well.

Overall:
This is a great little novella in The Original Sinners series. Lance and Nora are a great couple and it was really interesting to see a male sub/female Domme relationship. The story also gives us more insight into Nora and Søren's relationship prior to The Siren. While I thought that each part was well paced and started and ended at a good spot in the story, I am still on the fence about serialized stories, especially ones that are as short as this one. Since this is a short story, each part is really short, and I think the serialized format would work better for me with a full length novel. That said, this is still a great, sexy read. I don't recommend reading it without having read at least The Siren. You'll get much more out of it if you have some context of the people and relationships involved.

Overall rating:

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Q&A with Tiffany Reisz

Hi, Tiffany! Thank you so much for coming onto the blog today. We are so excited to have you and to hear more about your new release, The Last Good Knight.

Happy to be here! Spanks for having me!

Can you tell us a little bit about The Last Good Knight? Where in the timeline of the Original Sinners does it fall? 

The Last Good Knight takes place three years before The Siren. Nora has broken up with Søren and is working as a professional Dominatrix for Kingsley. She’s struggling with how much she misses Søren but isn’t ready to give up her freedom yet. She spies a handsome male sub at the club and seduces him. Why? Because she’s Nora.

Serialized stories and novels seem to be gaining popularity with publishers lately. Why do you think this is and why did you think that this story would be best told in that format?  

Originally serials were the main form of popular fiction distribution. Almost all of Charles Dickens’s books were told in serial format in newspapers. I love this old-fashioned format. It’s a fun throwback to the old days. My publisher simply asked me for a linked story about Nora’s life as a Dominatrix and this is what came out of my head.

Was the writing process for a serialized story like The Last Good Knight different than your normal writing process?

Not really. The only thing you have to do with a serial like this is have a strong ending at the finale of each part and make sure there’s some sexual content in all five sections. Fitting in that much sex is the trickiest part.

Tell us a little bit about Lance, the new love interest in The Last Good Knight.

Lance was inspired by a man I met at a book event. He’s the bodyguard and collared submissive of a professional Dominatrix. A lot of people don’t realize how tough and manly male submissives can be. They’re not all sweet little angels like Michael. Some of them can kill you. Lance’s crisis in the book is unfortunately based on true events. A Dominatrix I used to see for pain sessions had to quit her dungeon when she went through a divorce and a custody battle for her child.

Is there anything that Nora won't do? 

Cook. It’s just not her thing.

Thank you, Tiffany. This was so much fun and we wish you the best with The Last Good Knight! 

Thank you and spank you!

Thank you to Tiffany, The Novel Tease and Harlequin MIRA for including us on this tour!

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Visit the author online at tiffanyreisz.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz. 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: Lush by Lauren Dane

Title: Lush (Delicious #3)

Author: Lauren Dane
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Mary Whaley has her hands full running a successful catering company and overseeing her supper club. She has everything she ever wanted—or so she thought. When she meets ridiculously hot and very dirty rock star Damien Hurley at her friend’s engagement party, the attraction she feels is overpowering—and she isn’t about to deny herself.

Damien is used to a hard and fast life. He and two of his brothers started a band when they were fresh out of high school—then they hit the big time and stayed there. He’s also a legendary madman on the stage and in the bedroom. But when he meets Mary, something clicks, and the bad boy starts thinking he may have finally found something good.

What begins as a series of fleeting trysts soon gets much more complicated. Damien can’t figure out why Mary doesn’t want more from him. And before long, it’s Damien who wants more from Mary. But it turns out Mary is no stranger to celebrity news, and he’s got a very big job ahead of him: proving that he’s worth more than a one-night stand.

Lush is the third book in Lauren Dane's Delicious series. Somehow this series had gone under my radar but knew that I wanted to read it after I saw the cover and realized that it was about a woman who runs a supper club. I love food and if I can have romance and good food in one book, I'm taking it.

Lush starts off with a bang and Mary and Damien find themselves in a hot fling during her friend's wedding. Both of them know it's just for fun though and neither is expecting a commitment. But the two continue to see each other while Damien is on the road with his band and it becomes apparent that this it's more than a fling. Mary is wary of Damien's bad boy rocker rep but Damien is out to prove that he's serious about their relationship. I thought that the two had great chemistry and, despite his reputation, I found Damien to be very sweet and he treated Mary well.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the book was probably my favorite part and I started to lose interest in it about halfway through. While I normally don't have trouble jumping into a series halfway through (though I prefer not to) it was clear that Lush was part of a larger series. There were so many side characters in it and they actually took up a lot of page space. I felt like the author really wanted to catch us up on the lives of these characters and it really took me away from Mary and Damien's relationship, which is what I was most interested in.
I found myself losing interest in their relationship as the focus veered away from them.

I also hated how Damien was made out to be the bad guy in this. Sure, he has a reputation, but he never did anything to Mary to make her assume the worst of him. He did all he could to assure her that he had real feelings for her and wanted a relationship with her but, at the first sign of trouble, she runs and cuts him off - and then we're supposed to think it's all his fault for being such a bad boy. His behavior should have garnered more trust than he received. It also annoyed me how Mary's friends and family were all so quick to warn Mary away from him repeatedly and rudely, when it was really none of their business (as Mary even told a few of them).

I really wanted to like this book but there was just too much focus on all of the other characters and not enough on Damien and Mary. I was never able to fully invest in their relationship and was bored for much of it. I might have had a different opinion if I had read the other books in the series but I still think a series book should be able to stand on its own and, unfortunately, Lush did not work for me.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.laurendane.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @laurendane

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: The Professional: Part 1 by Kresley Cole

Title: The Professional: Part 1

Author: Kresley Cole
Publication Date: December 16, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Erotic Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

He makes the rules . . .
Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.
Rules are made to be broken . . .

PhD student Natalie Porter had barely recovered from her first sight of the breathtakingly gorgeous Sevastyan before the professional hit man whisks her away to Russia, thrusting her into a world of extreme wealth and wanton pleasures. With every day she spends under his protection, she falls deeper under his masterful spell.
Are you ready to play?

Yet all is not as it seems. To remove Natalie from an enemy’s reach, Sevastyan spirits her into hiding. From an opulent palace in Russia to the decadent playgrounds of the mega-wealthy in Paris, the two lovers will discover that even their darkest—and most forbidden—fantasies can come true.

The Professional: Part 1 is the first installment of an erotic romance by Kresley Cole, author of the Immortals After Dark and Arcana Chronicles series. The book is being published in 3 parts, with each part being a little over 100 pages. This is my first Kresley Cole book and I wasn't sure what to expect. While it has its faults, I found this story to be sexy, entertaining and extremely addictive.

Life is pretty normal for grad student Natalie Cole. To make ends meet, she works 3 jobs when not at school. This leaves little time for romance. But even if she did have the time, Natalie isn't interested in any of the men she meets. Then one evening, tall, dark and Russian wanders into her bar and the attraction is immediate. But Aleksandr Sevastyan isn't an ordinary customer but a hit man and bodyguard sent to protect Natalie. Stevastyan informs Natalie that the biological father she's been searching for is the head of a Russian mafiya clan. As his only heir, she is in danger and Stefavtyan whisks her away to Russia and introduces her to a life of wealth and forbidden pleasures.

Part 1 of The Professional throws you right into the thick of things. To say that the plot moves quickly is a bit of an understatement. One minute Natalie is cozy in her Midwestern house and the next, she is given a new life in a Russian palace, complete with jewel and a new wardrobe. I generally enjoy fast paced plots, but I wish we could have slowed down just a little. Natalie seems to accept her new life a bit too quickly and I would have liked to have seen a little more of her internal struggle. Though, to be fair, if a hot Russian came up to me and told me I was a millionaire Mafia princess, I might not argue either.

Natalie and Sevastyan are not the most original characters, but I liked them. Natalie is feisty and funny and loves pushing Sevastyan's buttons. Sevastyan is your typical alpha male. He's domineering and possessive, and also very sexy. I was a little annoyed at how hot and cold Sevastyan was. One minute it's "you're mine" and the next he's sworn off of her. Natalie is quite frustrated with these mixed signals and I can understand why.

While there isn't anything groundbreaking about this story, it's a fun guilty pleasure read. The love scenes are hot and I have a feeling that they're going to get even hotter in the next installment. I am not sure if I am sold on the serialized format. I do not see the point of it, though the cliffhanger ending does leave you wanting more. And I've already downloaded Part 2, so Cole must be doing something right. Now to read Part 2 and find out what happens in that sauna!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at kresleycole.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @kresleycole

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Short Story Review: His For Christmas by Jennifer Haymore

Title: His For Christmas (House of Trent #1.5)

Author: Jennifer Haymore
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Forever Yours
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Jennifer Haymore introduced sweet, but shy Lady Esme in The Duchess Hunt, the first novel in her House of Trent Series. But what readers may not know is that proper young Lady Esme has a secret: the youngest sister of the Duke of Trent privately pens erotic stories!

Society would never allow Lady Esme to share her own work, so her friend Jennifer Haymore is here to help—and just in time for Christmas!

His for Christmas is the steamy story of two travelers who find themselves stranded in an inn when an unexpected snowstorm blankets the English countryside. As the temperature drops, desire rises and the two strangers share a night of passion unlike anything either has ever experienced. When dawn breaks and the storm clears, will they continue on their separate journeys, or will they begin a new path together?

The year is quickly coming to a close which means it's time to break out the holiday reading. I don't usually go for themed books but there is something really appealing about holiday romances. I always end up reading a few during the holiday season. Though part of the House of Trent series, this novella can stand alone and you do not need to read the previous book in the series for enjoy this one.

His for Christmas is the story of Evan and Amelia, childhood friends who were once in love but have now grown apart. An unfortunate misunderstanding has Amelia believing the worst of Evan. Evan has never though himself good enough for Amelia and have given up hope of ever being with her. But when the two meet again one snowy Christmas, their old feelings resurface.

This is a short, sweet romance that isn't very deep but is still enjoyable. I really like stories about reunited lovers, especially when one is still mad at the other. Evan and Amelia are both very likable characters and I was rooting for them to find their HEA.

Because of the short format, there isn't much time for a lot of character or story development. It is a bit predictable and I had a hard time recalling much of the story only a few days after I read it. However, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it for historical romance fans looking for a light read.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online atwww.jenniferhaymore.com and follow her on Twitter @jenniferhaymore and Facebook.

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Short Story Review: Entwined by Kristen Callihan

Title: Entwined (Darkest London #3.5)

Author: Kristen Callihan
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Adult Paranormal Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Eamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother's shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame-and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it's Eamon's help-and quick wit and romantic heart--that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady...a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man.

Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series. Though I am normally a bit wary of novellas, I jumped at the chance to read something new set in this dark and magical world. Entwined in an engaging and unexpected story of two people falling in love through words. As a person who still writes letters and loves getting mail, the idea of two falling in love through words before ever having met was one that really appealed to me.

When Eamon’s much favored older brother Aiden becomes betrothed, he urges Eamon to write to his bride-to-be in his stead. Eamon’s goal was to make Lu believe that marriage to his brother would not be so terrible and he does well - too well. Luella and Eamon fall in love over the course of four years and countless letters. Things get a little crazy when Lu shows up on their doorstep and believes she is in love with Aiden. But the man she meets is nothing like the man in her letters and she finds herself drawn to his secretive younger brother.

I had a lot of fun reading this story. Lu and Eamon are well developed characters and the storyline is full of unexpected twists. I loved reading the letters between Lu and Eamon. They are funny and playful and really help us get to know these characters. The idea falling in love through letters is a really romantic one, especially in an age where men and women often knew nothing about each other before marriage. It’s also refreshing to read a story where both characters are virgins. Their first sexual encounter is understandably awkward but also sweet.

Lu is a really strong heroine and I admired her. She loses everything but manages to survive with her spirit intact. I totally fell in love with Eamon. He is a little rough around the edges but has a big heart and is extremely sexy.. He is also a redhead, which is awesome. There should be more red headed men in literature.

Callihan manages to pack a surprising amount of emotional depth into this short story. Fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy this brief sojourn into Darkest London. You don’t have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. It’s pretty far removed from the main storyline and I would have liked to have learned more about the connection between Eamon and Lu and the rest of the Darkest London world. Overall, I really enjoyed Entwined and think it’s a great addition to the Darkest London lineup. I cannot wait for Shadowdance coming out in December!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.kristencallihan.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @Kris10Callihan

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

Review: The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton

Title: The Heart of a Killer

Author: Jaci Burton
Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

No one said coming home would be easy. But for Dante Renaldi, it's murder.

Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.

The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault Anna only survived thanks to him.

More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?

Anna and Dante were once in love, until the night that changed both their lives forever. During a brutal attack on Anna, Dante and his three foster brothers accidentally kill her assailant. They decide to cover up the crime and go their separate ways, Dante leaving town for good. Twelve years later, he comes back to celebrate the wedding anniversary of his foster parents. But on the eve of his return, another brutal murder takes place, drawing them all back to that night twelve years go. Now a detective, Anna is called in to investigate the murders that implicate Dante and his brothers. And while Anna's attraction to Dante has only grown, she doesn't know if she can trust him or if he is the one she's trying to catch.

The Heart of a Killer is a romantic suspense novel by popular romance writer Jaci Burton. This was one of the first Jaci Burton books I ever read. While not my favorite of her books, it gave me a taste for her writing and eventually lead me to her Play by Play series, which I am a big fan of. 

The Heart of a Killer is one of those books that I read quickly and enjoyed but left no real lasting impression. Anna and Dante are both likable characters. I love stories about reunited lovers so it was fun watching them learn each other again. The chemistry was good and the buildup of twelve years of sexual longing created a lot of great tension between Dante and Anna.

While there were some interesting twists and turns, I didn't find the mystery to be very suspenseful. There were a few red herrings but I could see right through them. I figured out who the killer was before the end and didn't really buy the motive.

I don’t think The Heart of the Killer is one of Burton’s best and was an enjoyable but forgettable read. This would be a good book for an afternoon on the beach or a bit of light vacation reading.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at jaciburton.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @jaciburton

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Non-Fiction Review: Skirt a Day Sewing by Nicole Smith

Title: Skirt a Day Sewing 

Author: Nicole Smith
Publication Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Genre: Adult Non-Fiction Crafting/Sewing
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Design a skirt for every day of the week! With these 28 irresistible projects, you'll learn all the techniques you need to custom-design and sew fabulous skirts that fit you perfectly. Smith shows you how to draft a pattern for a custom fit and then alter that pattern into one of four basic silhouettes: wrap, straight, flared, and high-waisted. Each skirt can then be easily redesigned into seven distinct and delicious looks -- one for each day of the week. These projects are suitable for sewists at every level, including beginners.

The first three chapters of Skirt a Day Sewing give a pretty good primer on basic sewing tools and techniques. The sections on how to use interfacing, sewing different seams, and how to make a sloper for a custom fit are extremely helpful to me as a novice “sewist”. Most skirt patterns I’ve picked up in the past are the paper patterns where you just pick the one that might be the closest to your measurements, then cut around. With these instructions, you take your own paper (I’ve been using cheap drawing paper which is a bit stiffer than pattern paper--I just happen to have tons of it!) and create a pattern that’s perfect just for you.

The designs are built around 4 basic shapes: wrap, straight, flared, and high-waisted skirts. I rather like the vintage silhouettes on some of the pieces, like the flared Line by Line, and the high-waisted French Toast. Some otherwise cute shapes are dragged down by unnecessarily garish embellishment, such as the appliqué on the Spring-Loaded Wrap Skirt and the exposed zipper on Nip and Tuck. There are also a couple of unfortunate fabric choices, like the clashing colors on the Great Scot Skirt and the weird metallic on Heavy Metal. However, there are enough good designs to get you through at least a week of dressing up for work and play--I’d call that well worth the price of the book. It just takes a bit of imagination on the part of the reader to look beyond the photos.

Although the book advertises a custom fit, at first glance the designs don’t look like they’d be very friendly to bigger ladies. However, I think this is mostly an illusion caused by the skinny models. The sloper should make quite a few of the skirts with unfussy waists, especially the A-line ones, well-suited to apple shapes. There are also a couple of design variations that I can’t wait to try out for my own skirts, like the elasticized back waistband. No more unhooking the waist in the car after dinner!

Beginners will probably find the whole thing daunting without a hand to hold, but those with in-between sewing skills will probably do well with this book. Advanced sewists will probably skip the first three chapters, but I’ve already pored through them at least twice and will probably re-read each section I need when I start sewing. I have actually made a skirt in under 3 hours (though to be fair, I did have a professional sewing teacher on hand for the first two hours) so I do believe the skirt-a-day claim is plausible if the reader is organized and can focus on following the directions.

I’ve purchased quite a few instructional skirt books in the past, but this is the first I’ve ever pre-ordered. I can’t wait to get started on some projects! My favorites are the Block Party, Super Fly, Coney Island, Girlie Show, and Tough Luxe (despite the exposed zipper which I still find odd). I’ll post photos if/when I actually get them done--just in time for our SoCal summer.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at http://www.styleschematic.com/category/blog/

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Review: The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

Title: The Heiress Effect (Brothers Sinister #2)

Author: Courtney Milan
Publication Date: July 15, 2013
Publisher: Courtney Milan
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.

And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.

Courtney Milan is an auto-buy author for me. Her historical romance novels never fail to draw me into her world and into the lives of her characters. Her characters are never conventional or cliched. They feel like real people with quirks and flaws. I always have a really emotional response to her stories and each one leaves me wanting more.

The Heiress Effect is book 2 in the Brothers Sinister series. It focuses on Oliver Marshall, the son of Serena and Hugo from the The Governess Affair, a wonderful short prequel story to the series. You don't need to read The Governess Affair  to understand the series but it's fantastic and I highly recommend it. Having been born a "bastard," Oliver is very aware of society's rules and works hard to maintain his reputation in order to be taken seriously and to make a different in Parliament.

Jane Fairfield is anything but proper. She's loud and says things that a proper young lady should never say. She is an heiress so society must tolerate her but they all ridicule her behind her back. And this is fine with Jane who wishes to remain unmarried in order to stay with her under age sister and protect her from a pious, overbearing uncle.

This is a romance that doesn't start as a romance. Oliver finds Jane ridiculous and totally improper and Jane still holds a grudge against Oliver for a wrong committed years ago and for which he has since made up for. However, their dislike soon becomes friendship when they realize that each is not what they first appear to be. I really liked watching Oliver and Jane get to know each other. From barbs and insults to frank conversations and inside jokes, their relationship slowly evolves and I loved watching them slowly fall for each other.

I'll admit that I was not a huge fan of Jane's at first. She seemed a little bit frivolous and selfish. She soon started to grow on me though and I found her to be kind, an extremely protective older sister, smart and fearless. While some of it is an act, Jane will never be what society considers a proper lady. I admire her for being herself even when it means ridicule.  

Oliver is a great hero. He is honorable and intelligent though he has flaws. He struggles with who he and I think has always felt a little out of place in society. This is why Oliver and Jane make such a great pair though. Neither of them fits the box that society wants to put them in and they make a great team.

There is also a great cast of supporting characters. Robert and Minnie from The Duchess War make an appearance as does Sebastian, another Sinister Brother. I loved seeing Oliver's parents, Selena and Hugo again, older and still in love. Jane's sister Emily has a really sweet storyline a well and I enjoyed her parts in the book. Jane's uncle is the "villain" in the novel though he is not all bad. Like all of Milan's character, he is a complex character that is only too human.

The Heiress Effect is another wonderful novel by Courtney Milan. Full of great dialogue and nuanced characters, her books are a must for any romance reader. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.courtneymilan.com and follow her on Twitter @courtneymilan

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Review: Love Overdue by Pamela Morsi

Title: Love Overdue

Author: Pamela Morsi
Publication Date: Aug 27, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

MEET DOROTHY JARROW: DEVOTEDLY UNSEXY LIBRARIAN Buttoned-up book lover DJ is all sensible shoes, drab skirts and studious glasses. After an ill-advised spring-break-fueled fling left her mortified, she's committed to her prim and proper look. When she's hired by a rural library in middle-of-nowhere Kansas, she finally has the lifestyle to match-and she can't wait to get her admin on. But it's clear from day one that the small-town library is more interested in circulating rumors than books. 

DJ has to organize her unloved library, win over oddball employees and avoid her flamboyant landlady's attempts to set her up with the town pharmacist. Especially that last part-because it turns out handsome Scott Sanderson is her old vacation fling! She is not sure whether to be relieved or offended when he doesn't seem to recognize her. But with every meeting, DJ finds herself secretly wondering what it would be like to take off her glasses, unpin her bun and reveal the inner vixen she's been hiding from everyone-including herself.

Look, I'm a sucker for books about librarians and booksellers. Let's just be up front about that. Clean-cut, boy-next-door, Captain-America-esque love interest? Check. Throw in a meddling but sweet, Betty-White-type mom with a sense of humor? Dude, I'm already on page 30. Did I mention the cute dog? Melt.

It's been a while since I have read a romance that both tickled my funny bone and made some other parts of me pleasantly tingly too. (My heart, you guys; get your minds out of the gutter!) Love Overdue had just the right balance of silly and serious. Maybe I was a bit delirious from the sleep deprivation, but I was actually laughing out loud at some of the jokes. I am lucky the hubs is a heavy sleeper.

It's not without its problems, most prominently some very guessable cases of mistaken identity combined with a shaky premise (DJ overcompensating for a one-night-stand she had years ago). I would have rolled my eyes every time a certain item, a tacky belly chain (which you'll read about pretty early on, so don't worry) came up, but I was too busy trying to finish my book before I had to get up for work in the morning.

Meanwhile, Morsi manages to wend all kinds of issues through the plot holes and shore it all up with sensible yet emotional topics: small town dynamics, gender issues, elder psychology, and sexual politics. Tongue-in-cheek chapter headings aside (they are all labeled with a relevant Dewey Decimal number) this book was as informative as it was entertaining! I learned about wheat harvesting, lunar illusions, first aid, you name it. Mixed reactions to Asperger's, PTSD, homosexuality/gay marriage, infidelity, suicide, and simple orneriness ground this book firmly in reality.

I love that the author writes about just plain old everyday folks, but manages to make even the secondary and tertiary characters memorable and relevant. Her motifs might seem quaint and a little too perfect for some readers, but for me the town of Verdant felt charming, nostalgic, and could I please move there and live in the library forever? She also manages to write dreams that both make sense, reveal various characters' true feelings and worries, as well as occasionally steam up the windows. That's some serious range in her writerly repertoire.

Scott and DJ's chemistry hit just the right spot between fear, resistance, and devil-may-care. My one reason for not giving this a full five star rating is that the steam factor in this novel was set to a sedate medium-low! Still, I'd be more than happy to read any more book/smalltown-themed fiction this author has to offer. Her voice is pleasantly readable and her story well-crafted. And I can be pleasantly surprised if I come across a story where she's really turned up the heat. One can dream.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at pamelamorsi.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @PamelaMorsi

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Review: Seeing Red by Jill Shalvis

Title: Seeing Red (Firefighter #3)

Author: Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2013 (re-release, original published 2005)
Publisher: Forever Yours
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK

Summer Abrams left everything behind-the warehouse fire that took her father's life, the town where her world fell apart, and her best friend in the world, Joe Walker. All she carried with her was guilt. Now, twelve years later, another fire has devastated the same warehouse, and Summer returns to Ocean Beach to search for answers. But what she finds first is an old flame that never went out . . .

Joe Walker has become the town fire marshal-sexy, strong, and an expert at keeping people at bay. The only person he ever let into his heart broke it and left town without a word. Now that she's back, Joe swears he won't fall for Summer again . . . but the heat between them is irresistible. As he tries to help her heal the past, can he take a risk on building a future with Summer?

I am a fan of Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series and, when I saw that her publisher was re-releasing one of her older and unavailable books as an eBook, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Summer Abrams and Joe Walker have been best friends since childhood. Until one day a terrible warehouse fire changes everything for the both of them. After high school, Summer leaves town and doesn't look back. Years later a similar fire bring Summer back to town and she finds that Joe is no longer the chubby, awkward teen that he once was and is now a fire marshall. As Joe investigates the fire, it's clear that the connection between he and Summer hasn't died and they both want more this time.

I know a lot of people who have a thing for firemen. And after reading this, I can see why. Joe is kind, sensitive, has killer abs and is doing a job that saves lives. I don't know how much hotter he can get.

Summer, unfortunately, was not the best heroine. I understood why she left town all those years ago and kept her distance. I didn't agree with it but I could see where she was coming from. What I didn't like what how she treated Joe when she came back. She was extremely selfish in their relationship, using Joe as a way to relieve her stress when she knew her actions would hurt him in the end. Even when he tells her that he can't do casual with her, that he'll get hurt, she persists in pursuing a purely physical relationship because it makes her feel better. She doesn't think about how her actions will affect others, which has led to her current strained relationships. I just had a really hard time liking her and thought that Joe deserved better.

Seeing Red isn't Shalvis's best, though it definitely shows promise. If you are in the mood for a quick beach read or have a thing for firemen, this might be a good pick. Otherwise I would recommend picking up one of Shalvis's more current books.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at jillshalvis.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @JillShalvis

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