lacrimsonfemme

[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Safeword: Mayday – Adding Their Fourth

#BuyItNow #MustRead #5Stars

Safeword: Mayday – Adding Their Fourth by Candace Blevins My rating: 5 of 5 stars All my kinks and then some wrapped up in a romance. Charge your batteries if you do not have a plug in.  I absolutely loved this book.  This book is better experienced by reading the first one in this duet.  Heather and Kyle take a back seat in this story as Marcus comes to the forefront.  Marcus is looking for his perfect woman to transform this threesome into a kinky quartet.  A couple of test runs in the previous book left me feeling a bit let down. When I started to read this book, I remained wary because I didn't think Marcus's perfect partner would show up.  Boy was I wrong.

The introduction of the 4th person in this book pushed me into erotic ecstasy.  First off, Marcus's dominant side is up front and center.  He has been holding back with both Heather and Kyle.  In the previous book, he is more a mentor participant. He did receive some benefits but I always felt like he was missing something.  Well, he found his something.  Seeing Marcus through his perfect slave makes him even more attractive to me. He also finds a better balance with Heather and Kyle.

Second, whilst Heather and Kyle are not the focus, they certainly are not relegated to the corner and forgotten. Their interactions and relationship with their 4th adds an additional layer that makes this story so good for me. I didn't feel like Heather and Kyle were missing a piece to their relationship until Marcus found his love.  Suddenly, Heather and Kyle's relationship takes on a new level of growth this is fascinating for me to watch.

Third, I was completely floored by how the 4th came about. I am rarely blindsided in a story and yet I completely missed the clues. The backstory and how the 4th comes into this threesome makes so much sense.  In addition, I'm a bit heartbroken with what happened to her in the past.  I feel like her past leaves a gaping hole that is unresolved.  I am not sure if Ms. Blevins will ever touch upon a resolution or at least a closure for her, but if she does, I will be there, ready to read it.

Fourth, I absolutely loved every piece of the kink in this story.  Holy cow.  Each scene builds heat and arousal until near the end, I'm in kink heaven.  I think I vicariously experienced subspace reading what Marcus does to his lover.  Be forewarned - the kink in here goes quite extreme for some people. In one of the previous books in this series, Safewords Davenport and Chiffon - I believe one of the more extreme kinks was touched upon as part of a ceremony.  In here, Ms. Blevins blasts through that kink and takes a quantum leap and I'm ALL IN!  It totally plays into my kink fantasies and I cannot stop thinking about it and reading about it.  

The character building as well as the relationship development wins me in this book.  I liked every character and I grew to like Heather and Kyle better. I completely fell in love with Marcus.  I adore his slave.  Ms. Blevins created a winning foursome in this book.

When I read a book like this, I feel like Ms. Blevins is reaching into my mind and writing just for me.  I loved pretty much everything about this book except the push ups. That I didn't like at all.  I don't care why push ups were required.  I hate them. That would have been negotiated out for me.  No, it is not some code word for kink.  I really mean the exercise push ups.  I loathe them.

This erotic novel is highly recommended to BDSM readers who enjoy the darker fantasies and having their limits tested.  

* I received an arc for an honest review

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Ignition Sequence

Ignition Sequence by Joey W. Hill My rating: 5 of 5 stars I seem to be out of town every time I am reading an ARC for Ms. Hill.  This one, I read in several different pieces before I read the entire story.  I can definitely say that after reading from beginning to end, I'm moved.  What I enjoy about Ms. Hill's books are the emotions she pulls from a reader.  This is more than a romance.  This is more than delicious Kinky scenes.  We learn about the ups and downs of real life professions and how they impact a person.

For context, my day job is in IT.  When team members are losing their minds and beyond stressed out, I remind them that what we do, does not save or take lives.  We are neither medical nor military.  Whilst what we do is important to people's livelihoods, waiting a day is generally not going to cause a person to die.  This is to remind people to breathe, think about the issue, and then move forward.  In Ignition, Brick is a fire arson investigator and he's been a fireman most of his career.  This is definitely a job where every moment can count and lives can be either saved or lost. Les is a doctor. Doing residency in the ER is not easy.  Watching Les deal with a loss at work is gut wrenching.  If she was less compassionate, she would get through this loss easier.  But we want doctors to be compassionate.

I love how Brick and Les connect on a deeper level because they have shared experiences being in the deep trenches where decisions can cost people their life.  This pairing works well because whilst they have different jobs, there is a mutual bond that helps them understand each other through shared experiences.  This connection is beautiful as it helps build trust between the two quicker as Les enters the world of kink.  Trust is required, especially for edgeplay.  Full disclosure, I love fireplay both giving and receiving.  I tend not to think of it as edgeplay or as dangerous as some kinksters feel.  Everyone's threshold is different and that's okay.

The fireplay in here for the most part are easy and mild ones for me.  As in, they wouldn't take much prep for me to get it set up for either receiving or giving.  Ms. Hill does a great job of showcasing how to be as safe as possible.  There is always risk with fire.  The one scene with the fire flogging is the exception. This is not an easy skill to begin with and to add fire makes it dangerous.  If people are wondering if this can be done in real life, I can confirm that it can be done.  However, fire flogging scenes are few and far between.  Many clubs do not allow fireplay, let alone fire flogging.  I only know one person in real life who has witnessed this and it is only because they are in an area where there is a large community. 

This erotic romance is a sensory rich delight recommended for romance readers who look for a bit of spice.

* I receive an ARC for an honest review

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Tempted

Tempted by Lexi Blake My rating: 4 of 5 stars Diving back into the smexy and snarky world of the McKay-Taggart world, this time we feature one of the sexy Rycroft brothers.  West is a cowboy in the big city working as a security guard.  He is living life and enjoying it with his twin brother finally safe and in a place where he's accepted.  Being a bodyguard to the rich and famous can be tedious at times.  West is tired of the princesses of the world and when he meets Ally Pearson, his initial assumptions start him off on the wrong foot.  For those who may not remember Ally, her sister featured in the Bayou series.  Ally came across as a bit of an annoying snot but it hides something else that we finally get to see.

I like Ally.  She's been fit into a mold that isn't reality and trying to get out from under it is difficult.  This look into the movie actor world is dark and filled with drama.  I'm not sure where Ms. Blake gets her information but based on what I'm reading, it is pretty close to what tell it all actors have shared.  How dirty some of the directors are and how terrible some of the actors and actresses are in real life.

I felt bad for Ally throughout the entire story.  First, she's pigeonholed into a role. Second, her bodyguard treats her like a distasteful drama queen.  Third, she's being targeted by a stalker.  What I like about Ally is how logic she is and how she uses her experiences to help others.  She also uses her experiences in the movie world to apply to her life.  I like how level-headed she is, even if others don't get it.  

I was a little surprised by one of the bodyguards at McKay-Taggart and I'm glad that was handled.  The shaky romance between Ally and West made the relationship feel more realistic.  I liked how they brought out the best in each other.  This happily ever after romance is recommended to sugarkink lovers who enjoy sexy bodyguard themes.

*I received an ARC from Social Butterfly

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Safeword Mayday: A CONTEMPORARY BDSM MÉNAGE ROMANCE

 #BDSM 

Safeword Mayday: A CONTEMPORARY BDSM MÉNAGE ROMANCE by Candace Blevins My rating: 4 of 5 stars I eagerly anticipated this book because one of the book blurbs caught my attention and had me stunned in an epiphany.  Heather is our main character who is an adrenaline junkie.  What is dangerous for her is that she feels very little pain.  The explanations why make me sad.   I also have a bit of background regarding the author so this story is even more sad for me in some ways.  Getting back to the lightbulb going off in my head, Heather struggles with sex being "meh".  When she encounters Marcus, her boyfriend's best friend -  "Marcus explains she only enjoys extreme sports, so she needs to try extreme sex".  I felt stunned when I read this line.  I had to read it several times.

This makes so much sense to me and with this explanation, I am fully into this story.  As we learn more about Heather, it is clear that she has some unique ways of processing physical sensations.  Learning about what Heather's mother goes through to help support her, moves me.  This is a parent who cares and will do everything in her power to support the daughter of her heart.  How cool is this?  What I like about Heather is how self-actualized she is about herself.  She is still open to learning more which is what Marcus is trying to help her and Kyle, her boyfriend.  Marcus and Kyle's relationship is complex with years of history together.  Yet with Heather in the mix, it turns into something more.  It is as if she is the missing piece to bring their friendship even deeper.

I love how Ms. Blevins builds her characters.  They are riveting and multidimensional.  Even if they do not pull me in sometimes, as Heather did not for me in this book, I still admire her and am impressed with all she can do.  Heather's job is incredibly niche and I love it.  She is her own boss and she's smart about it too.  She makes money doing what she loves.  I also get to learn a bit about flying which always interests me.  Her rock climbing is a bit much for me.  I fear I'm more like Kyle in this one.  I cannot handle heights whatsoever.  I'm with Kyle on this one.  Whilst I understand his desire to overcome his fears and he has both Heather and Marucus helping him, I'm still thinking there is nothing in this world, including how they are trying to help him that will help me get over my fear of heights.  Of course, mine is a bit of a variation to Kyle's so maybe that's why all the things they are doing to help him mean nothing to me.  I digress.

The BDSM in this story is delicious as I expected.  Since Heather is new to this world, the kink isn't as heavy as Ms. Blevins usually brings into her stories.  Still, Heather is diving in fast and deep as expected based on her personality. I appreciate this consistency and I like Heather coming into her own from a sexual perspective.  What makes me a little bit sad is that as much as Marcus is enjoying this exploration, it still doesn't meet his needs for a slave.  I'm looking forward to seeing how Ms. Blevins handles this need.  

This is an enjoyable happy for now romance with a hook for part two of Heather's story.  Highly recommended to menage readers who would like a Gateway to BDSM story.

* An ARC was provided for my review

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Blog Spotlight: Ignition by Joey W. Hill

  BDSM romance author Joey W. Hill has a new book releasing June 30! And a FREE Ebook available from the same series. Here are all the details:

HERO: Arson investigator, fireplay Dom

HEROINE: 3rd year medical student, craving submission

TROPE: Best friend’s little sister/childhood crush BDSM romance.

A new standalone in her award-winning Nature of Desire series

What do you think? If you like the sound of it, download it from your favorite vendor here: 

https://ift.tt/rl8hqC7

FREE EBOOK: if you’re new to Joey’s Nature of Desire series, she has a FREE gateway-to-series book that is also one of her personal favorites: Ice Queen. Get it on your preferred device from either link below:

https://ift.tt/wlGScUO

https://ift.tt/GMq1O9X

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: The Dom Who Came in from the Cold

@authorlexiblake #BookReview #mustread

The Dom Who Came in from the Cold by Lexi Blake My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There seems to be a recurring pattern for LEO/Military male dominants.  Kyle is one who creates a train wreck with his nonexistent relationship with MaeBe.  I mean, I don't even need to read the story to know how this is going to go.  Kyle is heavy handed and a complete idiot in so many ways that I empathize with poor MaeBe.  Kyle is stuck in the "me man, me roar - you woman, me protect" mindset.  He cannot seem to grasp that MaeBe will not be placed in a box.  MaeBe on the other hand is more like . . ."oh, so sorry.  I don't need a knight to save me from the dragon.  I can save myself."

One would think I would hate Kyle in this story and dislike it.  That would be false.  I enjoyed this story thoroughly and was eating popcorn whilst waiting for the fireworks.  I love how Ms. Blake turned the situation around on Kyle.  I love how she made Kyle human.  I love how his death is the worst kept secret and she empowered MaeBe to take control of her life.  Whilst I get the gist of the story just by the blurb and title, the actual unfolding of the story is what makes it so good.  Kyle's cognitive dissonance with his version of MaeBe versus what she has become is hilarious.  MaeBe's ability to be so patient with an obviously deranged male who is suffering major PTSD relationship meltdown is incredible.  

On top of all of this, Kyle thinks he can make MaeBe submit to him because he has a magical penis and a great spanking hand.  Kyle's delusional beliefs are so out there for me that I cannot help but laugh.  MaeBe's response and her disbelief in how out of touch he is, it is the cherry on top.  Of course, the supporting cast of Ian and others trying to get Kyle to understand he is going down the wrong path is just a complete circus.  I love Ian.  He is the bomb.  His witty insight makes me laugh.  The other guys who are in a relationship try so hard to help Kyle out but he just keeps digging that hole.  The fact that he thinks an erotic power exchange can occur without trust is beyond me.  Well, I guess he does know this, he just doesn't realize his actions have caused him not to be trustworthy.  When he FINALLY gets that he's an idiot, his groveling is meh.  I guess just like me, MaeBe can be bribed with good sex. 

This erotic suspense is recommended to kinky readers who enjoy over the top protective males that have to learn things the hard way.

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: The Effing List

@CheriseSinclair #effinglist #mustread

The Effing List by Cherise Sinclair My rating: 5 of 5 stars I am finally getting caught back up with Ms. Sinclair's Masters of Shadowland's series.  I remember when this came out and thinking, what an interesting name.  As with most of Ms. Sinclair's books, I ignored the blurb and just added it to my TBR after I purchased it.  When I cracked open this book, I didn't know what it was about other than some kinky sex to be had for all.  Little did I know it was so much more.  Wow, I LOVED this book.

I feel for Valerie.  She's willing to give it a go with her husband only to find him to be a complete jerk.  The way he goes about making her to be the bad guy and having her kids be terrible.  This is so typical and her kids are behaving in the manner expected of the immature and self-righteous.  Now that I'm older, I cringe at what I did as a kid to my parents.  I digress.  I loved this story because I feel for Valerie and her plight.  Her sexual awakening the better way is beautiful.  To see her blossom and also for karma to kick her husband's proverbial ass is sublime.

All the wrongs in this story were righted and that feels so good.  Rarely does it happen in real life so I enjoyed the escape from reality and into a fantasy where those who do bad finish last.  And the good guys win. *cheering*  Seeing how a BDSM club can go wrong even with the best of intentions is painful to witness in real life and in a book.  It is little things here and there that suddenly cause a safe haven to go sideways.  Both Shadowlands and Valerie parallel in their story of hitting rock bottom.  And with love and care, they both rise out of the ashes into something wonderful again.  I loved this comparison.  I also enjoyed how Ms. Sinclair shows the amount of work it takes to keep a club running.  It is a labour of love, not something easy.  Just like a relationship is a labour of love.  It all takes works to keep it going.  

The BDSM in this story rings true as always and deliciously erotic.  I highly recommend this kinky romance to readers who want a bit of spice in their romantic redemption tale.

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Silk Malice

Silk Malice by Eve Dangerfield My rating: 3 of 5 stars What did I just read?  January Whitehall is a highly addictive drug for four criminals who have zero fucks to give. Book two of this series was a bit difficult for me to read through.  January is still a bit of a ditz.  What do we expect from an 18 year old?  Her naivety will not only get her killed, but her newly found knights trying to rescue her.  From a plot perspective this story is okay for me.  From a sex perspective, it was uncomfortably hawt.  This gives an average score of 3 stars. 

I am a fan of Ms. Dangerfield's writing style as well as her character development.  This series is a departure from her usual style and I believe it is because it is a collaboration across multiple writers in a universe populated with rich people.  The majority of the rich are corrupt and irredeemable.  Others, such as the main male characters are anti-heroes or at least criminals that change their tune due to an exceptionally amazing pussy.  You read that right.  This entire world of crazy guys bent on revenge is brought down by the sweet taste of pussy.  I had no idea there were that many magical pussies in the world.  Perhaps we would have less warfare if we strategically deployed magically pussies of mass destruction.  

I am a bit incredulous at this point but hey, I ended up rating this book a 3 star because even if I felt the story was okay and the characters lackluster, when they got into the sexy times, I liked it.  I too can be bribed with magical pussy it seems.  The four kidnappers are finally able to secure what they want from January.  It seems all is well after some heart to heart discussions.  Then the kicker hits.  The last few chapters show a different side of January's family that she didn't expected.  This is not surprising yet a bit disappointing.  I also want to know, how the hell does someone blow through 30 million dollars?  Seriously.  What the hell?  The amount of money thrown around in this story is ridiculous.  I am obviously in the wrong business.

The sex in this story is rough, primal and dirty.  All the ways that wet my wick.  Well, if I had a wick.  Involving a little naughty girl with a "daddy" play was so wrong but also made me perk up and enjoy the story.  This erotica is very loosely based on a Snow White theme.  The title of the book is definitely appropriate.  Recommended to readers who like filthy sex, mafia guys, and virgins.

* I received an ARC for an honest review

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Matched to the Minotaur

Matched to the Minotaur by Luna Joya My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Monster romance? I'm there!  This one does not have tentacles but it does have a minotaur who does not shape shift into a human... Oh yes.  For this alone I'm interested in reading about it.  To my surprise this is a quartet with each of the four friends paired off with a special non-human mate.  Colour me intrigued.  I read this all in one sitting and it is a deliciously smexy fun one.

The premise of this story is straightforward with a fated mate theme.  From there, Ms Joya throws in demon matchmakers, other dimensions, whiny ex-boyfriends, and a big reveal.  I enjoyed all the twists and turns.  I liked the characters Meg and Leander.  They are both likeable and well suited to each other.  Their stilted interactions are adorable and as they get to know each other, their chemistry continues to grow.  

I did find the conflict to be a bit heavy handed and the way it was fixed danced right on the line of deus ex machina, but it worked for me.  I liked it and I am ready to read the very next book to see how Meg's best friends are paired up and what kind of shenanigans they run into with their fated mate.  This paranormal romance is recommended to monster lovers who enjoy the quirky.

 *provided by https://www.netgalley.com

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Envy

@SNHunt1_Author #SexySaturday #Antihero

Envy by S.N. Hunt My rating: 4 of 5 stars The common theme of brothers ripped away from their soul mate binds this series together. What I like is how each brother is different and how they respond to their mate is different.  Aedin is the 5th brother and he embodies the beast Envy.  Unlike his other brothers, his beast refuses to come out. Becca, his mate in this life time is a musician with a horrible ability to see people's futures.  I love the set up for this one and I really like the kind of mythical creature Becca turned out to be.  This entire story is filled with sorrow and betrayal.  I do not Envy Aedin or Becca at all.  I find this irony delicious.

Becca and Aedin are a perfect match and seeing them dance around each other before they come together is fun.  What isn't fun, is seeing their back history which reads like the Red Wedding in the Game of Thrones.  I am completely heartbroken for Becca.  What makes this more moving for me is the reason why Aedin's beast refuses to come out and interact in the real world.  Whilst the rest of the brothers have to fight to keep their best from taking over, Aedin's beast is suspiciously sullen and antisocial. When the truth is revealed, I feel as though my knees our cut out from under me.  I can feel the grief leaping from the pages and overwhelming me with loss and yearning.  I love it!  Moved to tears is always a win for me.

There are some good sexy times in this book because . . . I mean, Becca is a rock star.  I find that each book in this series gets better and better. I cannot wait to read the next brother's book.  This erotic romance is recommended to readers who appreciate the grief due to loss. 

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Greed

@SNHunt1_Author #Erotica

Greed by S.N. Hunt My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The plot thickens as Greed's soul mate is found.  Isabel's plight in life is horrible.  It is one hit after another and I am furious for her.  Her husband was a cheating, deadbeat, misogynistic bully and I am thrilled he died painfully from a disease.  The set up of this story has me livid and I just hate the so called angels who have caused these terrible things to happen.

I want to know the backstory of why these soulmates have been ripped from each other.  I mean, I know what happened but I want to know why this all started.  It doesn't make sense and I cannot wait until the conclusion comes.  In Greed, Corvus is the 4th brother and he finds his mate completely destitute.  The way he assists people with their lives is not what I expected.  Greed can come in many different forms but the way Corvus runs his business is in the grey area for me.  The bad part is losing the soul.  The part about helping them out based on what they can do for him is not bad and kind of productive.  It's crazy innovative for me.

Seeing one of the brothers being paired to a single mother with two kids of wildly different personalities adds an extra element for me. I like that these are not easy situation.  The conflict is also realistic in that there are more and more relationships where the starting point isn't at the beginning. Corvus is amazing with the kids, especially the angry teenage son. There are twists and turns I did not expect in this story which kept me entertained the entire time.  I read this book in one sitting and couldn't wait to read the next one.  This paranormal romance is recommended to readers who enjoy the tarnished knight saving the damsel in distress themes.

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Inked Beauty: Wicked Inked duet: Book 2

@CandaceBlevins #Mustread #Autobuy #ThisYearTuesday

Inked Beauty: Wicked Inked duet: Book 2 by Candace Blevins My rating: 5 of 5 stars Incredible ending with new Chinese mythos that blows my mind. In book one of this duet, we learn the name of Gavin's love interest.  Many of us questioned Ms. Blevin's sanity when we saw who Gavin picked.  Not because the pick was bad.  The uphill battle Gavin must take on with his "in-laws" is what really threw me for a loop.  How on earth would he be able to overcome the hard feelings he caused with his love interest's relatives?  I have to hand it to Ms. Blevins.  She does superb job of it and I am very happy with how this story turned out.  Well, with 1 little item.  I'll get to that in a moment.

First, I loved how this relationship Gavin develops with Lauren is complicated with steps forward and back.  I also love how Lauren stays in character with her responses because she is a psychiatrist's daughter. This means she knows better and realizes she has to work through her issues instead of avoiding it.  Lauren even mentions this and it makes me laugh.  Second, I loved the interactions between Gavin, Lauren, and Nick.  Nick is an asshole cat.  I have issues with lions in particular.  The one lion shifter I tend to have zero issues with is from another author who writes the Kate Daniel series.  I have no issues with how Curran thinks and I'm usually on his side.  For some reason the rest of the lion shifters across multiple authors, I just cannot deal with them.  They piss me off.  Nick's treatment of Lauren at one point makes me want to set his tail on fire.  Lauren is the bigger person and does what is needed to appease Nick's cat's arrogant ego.  I'm still not happy about it but it is what it is.  I don't have to agree with what the characters do, even if I understand it.  

Third, Ms. Blevins creates a new kind of paranormal that has me over the moon.  Lauren is special in many ways.  As she comes into her own power, I am thrilled with it.  For me, Ms. Blevins does this new power justice and I'm a bit confused at first because whilst I don't know all the different Chinese mythos, I know a good portion of them because I was raised on them in a Chinese household.  I'm scratching my head on this new supernatural one and I'm questioning how I missed this as a child.  Whelp, it turns out that this is a complete fabrication on Ms. Blevin's part.  This type of supernatural does not exist yet she makes it seem so plausible with her understanding of Chinese cultural that I buy into this being a real supernatural creature in Chinese mythology.  Well done!  Now I kind of wish this kind of supernatural does exist and I want to be one.  Hah.

Fourth, I am completely blind sided by the cross over plot from another series in this world. I forgot about the humans being kidnapped for nefarious reasons. The way that plot ties into this story is nicely done and I cannot wait to see how that is resolved and in which series it will show up in.  This entwining of the different series works for me because I read every book Ms. Blevins writes.  I like how the characters and stories build a multilayered world.

 I mentioned previously I enjoyed everything about this book except for one thing.  I must first state that I am not an adopted child so my perceptions and thoughts are not going to be the same.  Lauren finds out that she can learn about her ancestry and yet she wants nothing to do with it.  I understand her viewpoint.  I'm just a curious cat and I want to know more about it.  I want to know the whys and the what-ifs.  Perhaps in a future book this may come into fruition.  I can say that if it does, it is going to be EXPLOSIVE.  Because I cannot see how meeting her relatives will go well because well... the Chinese are not fond of those they cannot control.  *rubs hands in glee*  

 Lastly, I loved how Gavin, Lauren, and Nick make their relationship their own and everyone else can keep their nose out of it.  Theses three make a strong united front and it is lovely.  This urban fantasy with a sexy dose of erotica is highly recommended.

* I received this book as an ARC.  No review was required.  I wrote one anyway.

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Wicked Beauty: Wicked Inked duet, Book 1

@CandaceBlevins #MustRead #MustBuy

Wicked Beauty: Wicked Inked duet, Book 1 by Candace Blevins My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I avoided all discussions, posts, and blurbs of this book because it is about Gavin.  Gavin is my favourite character in this series and world Ms. Blevins created.  I have been waiting for Gavin to find his "one".  Many may loathe Gavin for what he did to a main character, Kirsten.  I understood why he did it and maybe I'm just as messed up as he was because it didn't bother me.  In this book, my anti-hero starts on a path to finding the one.  This can technically be read as a standalone.  I recommend reading the original series first - Only Human.

I must say that I did find out right before I read this book who the one is for Gavin.  To say I fell off a chair would be putting it mildly.  I am not sure what it is with authors right now I'm reading.  They keep shocking me with their romantic pairings.  Is this the latest trend?  Have your readers gobsmacked and wondering what just happened?  Because that is how I feel.  Even after being warned, I am still in disbelief.

For those waiting on a Gavin redemption story, this is probably not going to satisfy you.  First because I do not believe Gavin needed redemption.  Second, this is not about Gavin earning the right to be loved.  This story is a spark for Gavin to finally feel something since his early childhood.  We already received a high level summary of Gavin's childhood and it was brutal.  This goes into a bit more detail.  Since I am already a huge Gavin fan, I'm loving him even more.

The dynamics between Gavin and the different characters in this book are interesting to see.  Both from his perspective and the others.  What I really liked about this book is how much I learn about vocations I would have never thought about.  We learn more about the theater and what it takes to bring a production live and how to keep a show running smoothly.  I'm impressed and my project management side glorifies in it and rolls around in glee.  I love learning about a world I have never thought of before and didn't know I would enjoy.  I love learning more about different secondary characters and seeing how they fit into the larger puzzle.

What I also enjoyed immensely is dipping a foot into another culture.  Ms. Blevins brings up philosophies and religion in ways that make me want to research and think about it.  Books that stimulate my mind and have me pondering about the religion of mathematics thrills me.  Yes, some of us math geeks enjoy this kind of stuff.  There are some books of Ms. Blevins that just speaks to me.  There are others that infuriate  me.  Some break my heart and I cannot be consoled.  This one, this is like a wonderfully sensual weekend with all my favourite foods, people, and location - enjoying each other's company.  This two part romance transports me away into a mind vacation that I didn't know I needed.  I am completely engaged in this story and whole vested in the outcome.  I cannot wait to read the second part of Gavin's story.  The twists and turns in this book along with the hard conflicts exemplifies Gavin's life.  

There is sex in this book and it's hard to describe.  I think it's a bit vanilla.  There are some hardcore SM scenes but not for Gavin's love interest.  So... I guess Ms. Blevins finally wrote a vanilla romance book where there is a lot of BDSM material going on.  Yes, I'm just as stumped as you are with my explanation.  This erotic romance is highly recommended to readers who love anti-heroes.

* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Smolder

#Smolder #NetGalley 

Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton My rating: 3 of 5 stars A lot to unpack here for me.  With the last book in the series, I eagerly looked forward to seeing Anita getting married.  If that is what you believe will happen in the book, wait for the next one.  This one is the pre-wedding set up and there is a new big bad that is here to destroy Anita and her harem of lovers.  This book left me a bit shell shocked would be the best word.  There were characters who completely changed and I feel like I missed a book in between the last one and this one. I had to double check the books and sure enough, I did read the last two.

This book returns to the explicit descriptions of Anita's clothing and shoes.  Make up is also covered in great details, layers upon layers (pun intended).  The insecurities of Anita rear's its ugly head.  Some of the backstory of Anita's childhood finally come to light.  Yes, the little gems I was looking for after reading Obsidian Butterfly and then going to the beginning to read every book to figure out Anita's childhood... it is now displayed in brutal fashion that makes me cringe.  Anita needs therapy and thank goodness she has a good therapist. I am brokenhearted for Anita's childhood after her mother died.  It is horrific.

What I never thought would happen as far as relationships in this series, happened.  To say that I'm stunned and not sure what happened, would be an understatement.  I am going to be extremely vague because I do not want to give spoilers and I would like everyone who loves this series to feel the same jaw dropping, falling out of the seat experience.  The expression on my face when I read through some of the passages here was beyond incredulous.  I felt run over by a train and then said train backed up right over me.  One tidbit I can reveal is that I'm not thrilled with Asher's behaviour in this book again.  

There is so much percolating in my head as to why LKH has changed the relationship dynamics again in this series.  And in such drastic ways after I thought it was beyond repair.  Then some I thought were getting better just crashed and burned.  This book was a very lengthy poly couples therapy session and at the end of it, I was completely drained.  Then the ending gives us a glimpse of Anita's loving family reunion and I just about popped a blood vessel.  Now I'm desperate to read the next book because the family drama is INCREDIBLE and I want to pop some popcorn to watch it.  And I'll be yelling, "oh no she didn't! Lordy, lordy, lordy, nuh uh... mm, mm, mm.  Shameful!"  

That aside, yes there is some sex in this book.  It is the LONGEST drawn out sex scene.  At one point even a character in the book jokes how Anita is a boner killer.  This is a book long edging scene with Anita's brain going overdrive in analysis paralysis and left me dry... so dry.  I am so mixed with this book.  I looked forward to it and I couldn't wait to read it.  After reading this book, all I can say is that it is a recommended book for fans of this series.  It is a bit of a bridge or filler for perhaps the next book.  Your mileage may vary.

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: Perfect Ruin

 #NetGalley #SexySaturdays

Perfect Ruin by Claudia Tan My rating: 3 of 5 stars

New to me author brings forth a story of toxic relationships that start out well and spiral downwards over a few years.  The way this book is written, it reminds me of Pulp Fiction in that the sequence of events is not exactly linear.  We know upfront that Jax and Sienna are not going to end up together.  This is about how they first found each other and proceed to do things that make each other crazy.

Let's just get this out of the way.  I didn't realize it was a YA or I should say NA book.  Had I known, I probably wouldn't have picked it up.  Oh the drama...Sienna's home life is imploding as she had major daddy issues.  This leads her to find a man who is totally different than her dad but let's keep in mind, Sienna is only 18.  At 18, she is but a mere baby and not quite an adult.  To expect her to be able to have a healthy relationship when she has no role model to imprint from, it is asking a lot.

Most of Sienna's relationships in this book are a complete train wreck. This is from her family to best friend and ultimately with Jax.  One could say that Jax is a horrible person.  Many may hate him.  I'd like to point out this child is only 21 and barely a functioning adult himself.  

Ms. Tan exposes the flaws of each character to make them more relatable and human. All I can think of is, I am so glad I am no longer young, dumb, and full of c...There will be haters for each of the characters in this book.  I find myself feeling empathy for each of them.  Because none of them are particularly bad.  What is sad is that they make the wrong choices and instead of course correcting, they double down and continue to go on a self destructive path.  Sadly, this story reflects the life of way too many people I have seen in real life.

The erotic scenes in this story are filled with young love and hormones.  I love the edging and teasing Jax puts Sienna through.  Their sexy times are exuberant and a bit exhausting for an old lady like me to read.  They are little energizer bunnies and it is too cute. Recommended to the YA readers who love their drama.

  *provided by https://www.netgalley.com

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: This Day

This Day by Blanka Lipińska My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars Following the fad for once, I watched the movie 365 Days on Netflix.  Specifically I was told to watch the boat scene.  Meh.  The story ended in a cliff hanger so I researched the books that the movie was based on.  To my surprise this is a trilogy. To my even greater surprise, I was contacted to read the next two books - translated into English.  Why not?

Well, what I can say is that Laura and Massimo are pretty accurately depicted in the movie.  I am quite frankly puzzled at how an accomplished business woman as the movie portrays Laura would be such a ditz in her personal life.  It does not make sense to me at all.  Massimo seems to be true to his character.

The plot of this book is messy and the relationship between Laura and Massimo, even more so. It was difficult for me to read this book and I had to stop/start it several times.  I finally made it through it by reading it in increments when I was on my treadmill every morning.  Suffice to say, it was a brutal and long couple of weeks as I am only on my treadmill for about 25 minutes a day.

The sex in this book is okay.  Is it a bit rough and kinky?  Yes.  Is it a healthy BDSM relationship, let alone a non-BDSM relationship, hell no.  I think that's the point?  This is all passion - the stereotype of mafia men all machismo and irrational about the pussy. If this was supposed to be a caricature of what American females want to read, then it succeeded.  If this was supposed to be a well written erotica, it missed the mark for me.  The lack of character development, plot, and world building make this story difficult for me.  Usually I can be bribed with good sex.  This... left me dry.  It will be interesting to see if a NetFlix movie will be able to inject better sex into the 2nd book in this trilogy.  I have to admit, good sex music helped the 1st movie. 

 *provided by https://www.netgalley.com

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[lacrimsonfemme]

Review: At Her Call: A Mistresses of the Board Room Novel

 @JoeyWHill #MustRead #Autobuy

At Her Call: A Mistresses of the Board Room Novel by Joey W. Hill My rating: 5 of 5 stars A silent siren, Skye is one of the more enigmatic mistress in this group of strong women.  Learning about Skye and how she lost her voice is beyond heart breaking.  It shocked me and I'm impressed with how Skye came to be the person she is today. What I love about this series is how the women are helpful and uplifting towards each other.  This is how people should be for each other, especially in business.  Think of all the good and amazing work we could accomplish if we were like these women.

This book is more than about sisterhood and being a great friend. It explores the non-traditional intimacies between a man a woman.  Tiger is a man whose past has also defined him.  What he experienced as a child is also beyond shocking.  My heart is broken for both of these two characters.  I am moved beyond tears thinking of how they felt and thought as children.  It makes me wonder at how humans can continue in when such heinous acts are perpetrated against those who are defenseless.  It also makes me wonder the reason why someone is so independent and strong, refusing help from others.  Most likely they have suffered and learned that they can depend upon no one but themselves.  Ms. Hill does a superb job of layering her characters with depth.  

These defining moments for both Tiger and Skye shaped them to who they are today.  It is refreshing to see how they communicate and "say" what the mean. Their interactions from Top to bottom and then into Mistress into submissive is beautiful.  When it comes to a healthy portrayal of femdom D/s, Ms. Hill is one of my go to authors.  She adds the heart and intimacy into kink which makes me soar in appreciation.  

I love the dynamic between Tiger and Skye.  I love how they are not perfect and they can admit when they are wrong.  I like how even though they are such tough "guys" they can still show their vulnerability.  Their erotic power exchange is divine. Their kinks match up so well as they grow closer. I liked how Tiger enjoyed his different sessions at first because he needed the impact and to come out of his own head.  As he started to heal and understand himself better, he connected on a deeper level with Skye.  This type of erotic exchange takes emotional and intimacy which is hard to describe.  Ms. Hill captures it beautifully.

This book is more than erotic.  It is a lovely story which shows all the good, bad, and ugly.  Love it.  This erotic romance is highly recommended to readers who love strong couples who find their other half.

* I was given an ARC for an honest review

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