Rough Ride by Keri Ford (The Roughnecks #1)

Available: Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press

My Copy: Sent

You do for family, no matter what. Lane Iverson knows that better than anyone. Harboring a secret about his mother’s death, Lane is counting the days until he finishes helping his brothers with some work and can head back to his hiding hole hours away. As long as he doesn’t have to face his three brothers every day, the guilt is easier to carry.

There is only one thing that can risk his plan. All of five foot tall, with these deep eyes and a voice that shudders through him. The completely addicting, Gretchen Jones. She’s been watching him the entire time he’s been in town. With courage from her friends behind her, she confronts what she wants. To her surprise, that’s the easy part. Keeping her heart protected when she knows he’ll be leaving? Not so easy, but her only choice.

.

Lane knows Apple Trail isn’t home. It can’t be. The secret that he carries weighs to heavily on him to be around his family for long. Get in, do the job and leave. That’s all Lane wants to do. Except he can’t seem to shake the girl who owns the park where he is staying while he’s helping his brother drill for oil. Gretchen is always around, always there and Lane can’t help but notice the small beauty and her larger than life personality.

Trying to move on from the death of her husband, Gretchen sets her sights on a fling with Lane. Sex only is the way to go although convincing herself to go through with it is hard. It doesn’t take long for Gretchen to feel something else for Lane that she isn’t sure she wants to name. Can she convince Lane that being a flight risk isn’t nearly as much fun as being in love?

.

When Keri Ford told me that she was ending her Apple Trail series I felt depressed. It was like losing a friend I had grown to count on to cheer me up. It was awful. I counted on Keri Ford’s writing to pull me out of reading slumps I tend to get into. But no fear. She may have ended one series but technically it’s still going. Keri is releasing her Roughnecks series this spring/summer starting with Rough Ride and guess where they are set? APPLE TRAIL!! YAY!!

Back in Apple Trail #5 (Satisfying Her Tastes) we met Grant who came to town to take over his families property on the outskirts of town. He wanted to drill for oil there with the underlying result of getting his triplet brothers to come to town to do it. That is the starting point in Rough Ride. The Iverson triplets have descended upon Apple Trail with their smoking hot looks and rock hard bodies. Triple the fun ladies…. *fans self*

Lane Iverson has been living in the local trailer park in the temporary housing owned by Gretchen Jones. She’s a tiny spitfire of a woman who definitely packs a punch to his libido! She seems to have no idea of the reaction Lane has to constantly seeing her prance around in barely there clothing and he tries his best to ignore it not wanting to stay in the little town any longer then he has to. He has a secret he has been trying to keep from his brothers and being around them makes it that much harder to keep it. Lane’s mother, who has previously died of cancer, had confided him in that she was losing the war with the disease but made Lane promise to keep it from the rest of the brothers. He knows how hurt they will be upon finding out of his deception and he thinks keeping his distance will make it easier to keep the secret. He’s closed off and separate from the rest of the family and though they seem to sense his distance they don’t corner him.

I adored Gretchen and her quirky sense of self. Once she set her sights on Lane the boy was a goner. It was only a matter of time really. She is this tiny wisp of a girl who packs a wallop that even the giant-ness of Lane couldn’t handle. You know that old saying “the way to a man’s heart  is through his stomach?” Well Gretchen uses this to a tee. Baking Lane all kinds of yummy goodness that slowly starts to crack the wall of guilt he had erected around himself. Though he makes it clear to Gretchen that a sexual relationship is all he can give her, he begins to feel more for her quite fast and it scares them both. Gretchen had been holding onto her husbands memory for years after his death and the idea of moving on was a bit foreign to her. Both Gretchen and Lane did a whole lot of growing in this short novella.

As typical with a Keri Ford novella, the heat level jumps off the page right into your face. You can cut the tension with a knife….or the comical conversations Keri weaves into the story. I absolutely adore Keri’s writing. Fresh, funny and endearing is what I look for in each and every thing she writes. She knows what I expect of her and she delivers with everything she releases! I can’t wait to see how the next Iverson triplet deals with the lure of love!

I give Rough Ride by Keri Ford 5 stars! 

True Colors by Thea Harrison (Elder Races #3.5)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance Novella

Publisher: Samhain

My Copy: Bought

Meeting your soulmate? Great. Preventing your possible murder? Even better. 

Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime—and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate. 

But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim. 

.

Three friends dead in as many days. A Wyr chameleon killer is on the loose and after stumbling upon the body of her best friend, schoolteacher Alice knows she may be next. The mysterious man who stalks into her friend’s apartment could be the murderer and Alice is surprised to find her body reacting to the hulking, scary man. Not knowing who to trust she runs. She can run now, but Gideon, Wyr Violent Crimes detective will find the girl he can’t seem to shake. He’s good at his job on a normal case, but he finds this one is different. The unassuming female is his intended mate and the wolf in him wholeheartedly agrees. Nothing will be taking her away from him. Ever.

.

You don’t know how excited I was to learn there would be Elder Races novellas in between the full length books! I may have squealed a little bit….ok  I did…..a lot. Being one of my all time favorite series EVA I was out of my mind with happiness! Then my review pile bogged me down and it took me awhile to get to it.

What I found when I dove into this novella left me a bit…waahhhhh? It was a bit shorter than most novellas authors write in between full books first off. The length hurt my connections a bit. I liked Wyr detective, Gideon (LOVE the name) and school teacher Alice but as a couple I just didn’t “get it”. Which is where the length came under scrutiny for me. As a reader you can’t just tell me “they are mates, they can’t fight it” and expect me to be all, oooooh ok, let’s just skip the relationship part then. I didn’t have time to form any other opinions other than, yeah I like them, yeah Gideon is hot.

I unraveled the mystery of the killer way before it was actually revealed. I did think the viciousness of the attacks on these Wyr was well wrote. I liked the bit about Tarot readings and Alice’s understanding of it. I liked how Harrison worked that into the killers ritual. Though the ending felt so fast and so forced I think I may have gotten whiplash.

I also enjoyed the surprising type of Wyr that Alice was. The inclusion of a chameleon Wyr was something I had never even thought of before. I must say, I love when authors come up with new shifters! Chameleons, though not really tough, would have an amazing asset in being able to blend into their surroundings.

While I didn’t exactly get the relationship Harrison was trying to convey I still enjoyed this novella for what it was….an extension of my favorite series! And yes, I started singing “I see your true colors singing through……” as soon as I read the title. Heh.

I give True Colors by Thea Harrison 3 stars!

Valentine Submission by Sue Lyndon

 

Available: Now Amazon

Type: Erotic Novella

Publisher: Self Pub

My Copy: Sent

He’s the man of her dreams . . . and he’s a Dom. 

Desperate for some peace and quiet after an ugly divorce, Anne escapes to the beach for an impromptu vacation. But instead of r&r, she finds unexpected passion in the arms of a longtime friend, Jack, who happens to be a widowed Dom. Anne is open to his lifestyle and asks him to teach her submission. But when she realizes she’s lost her heart to him, things get complicated. Not only is she due back at her job in two weeks, but she fears competing with the memory of Jack’s wife. Maybe it’s not meant to be. 

Anne’s sweet submissive nature brings the Dom in Jack to life, and he finds the first happiness he’s known in a long time. He plans a special surprise for her in his playroom on Valentine’s Day – only to discover she’s left without saying goodbye. The chase is on. If Anne thought she could leave him that easily, she’d better think twice…

.

With her divorce final, Anne makes a run to the only place she thinks she can relax. An old friend’s bed and breakfast can be her refuge while she tries to ignore what would have been her 10 year anniversary.  Filled with conflicting emotions when she sees the bed and breakfast owner, Jack for the first time in a while, Anne isn’t sure she made the right decision to come. She knows Jack is a Dom but since losing his wife a few years ago, he has been stoically closed off.

Jack has been grieving his dead wife a long time and he knows it’s time to move on. The arrival of the beautiful Anne gives him the nudge he’s been waiting for. He is shocked when she offers herself as a Sub for the two weeks she plans on staying.  What she doesn’t understand yet is that Jack has no intention of ever letting this special woman go.

.

This super short erotic novella will definitely heat up your day! Don’t go into this one expecting to connect fully though because of its length. However, I found that I connected much more than I usually do which is a nod to the author regarding her writing talent. I instantly thought Jack was incredibly sexy. He has that strong silent thing going on which I find incredibly appealing in a Dom. Jack has wanted Anne for so long, but being a friend of her ex-husband he knew she was off limits completely. When she shows up at his bed and breakfast he can’t seem to control himself, though he does try. I loved his almost desperate attempt to have her. It really ramped up the emotions in the novella for me.

I liked Anne because of her willingness to learn to be a proper Sub. She never balked at Jack’s requests even though she might have been slightly apprehensive. I think everything hinges on trust in these delicate relationships and I love discovering the road in which the couples take to achieve that trust.

The only part I had issues with was Anne running. Being caught off guard with the depth of her emerging emotions involving Jack she takes off. She then runs out of gas on her way back home and Jack just happens to call at that exact moment. I found that to be slightly unbelievable. I would have liked her to get home and realize that there was nothing there for her on her own. Plus watching her deal with that would have added more meat to the novella.

Valentine Submission is a wonderfully erotic and beautifully written novella. Those that enjoy the Dom/Sub stories should enjoy this one. For such a short novella I was pleasantly surprised at the back story that was written in.

I give Valentine Submission by Sue Lydon 4 stars! 

Rawhide Angel by Sayde Grace (Built Cowgirl Tough #3)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Erotic Romance Novella

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

My Copy: Sent

With her father’s gambling debts about to ruin the family ranch, Saige Thomely is determined to do whatever or whomever it takes to cover the debts. Unfortunately for her, one man is a sure bet, the one cowboy she’s tried to ignore for six months. The same cowboy who makes her body and heart flame to life with each look. Saige is prepared to offer herself in exchange for the money to cover the debts, but what she’s not prepared for is losing her damaged heart to another cowboy.

Night after night, for half a year, Chet Haskins has dreamed of having the blonde and sexy as sin Saige Thomely in his bed, writhing under him. At long last his dreams might become reality, only Chet’s heart wants more than just a few nights of steamy sex. But will the ghost of past relationships come between them? Or can Chet show the passionate Saige he’s truly the one to save her ranch and her heart?

.

It’s been years since Saige has felt her heart pound with lust. Still recovering years after the death of her fiance, Saige doesn’t want to open herself up again. In the face of huge financial struggles Saige has no choice but to offer her services to Chet for two weeks. Just two weeks and nothing more.

Chet has wanted Saige in his life and in his bed for a long time. When she approaches him about her financial problems he knows he can’t turn her down. She doesn’t need to know he’d do it without the perks either. He has two weeks to make the girl of his dreams fall for him hard.

.

Rawhide Angel has been on my “to read” list for a long time. Even before Sayde wrote it! I read the first two books in this series about a year ago..maybe longer (time runs together these days) and I was eagerly anticipating Saige’s story. Poor Saige was living in the past with her fiance who had died in a rodeo accident a few years before. She was completely closed off. Having been through something similar I could relate. The fear of opening yourself back up because what it if happened again? What if the next person was taken from you too? The constricting fear has made Saige unable to move past his death.

Chet is a character that has popped up in the last two books as a supporting person. He actively participated in a three-way in the first book with Billie and Bo. Hot, let me tell you! I was waiting to find out what made him tick. He is cocky to a fault but underneath he is this incredibly caring man who would do anything for those he loves. Which is remarkable since both his parents are horrible people  who care more about money and power than humanity. He really proves himself worthy of her with his generosity in helping Saige out even when she doesn’t ask. A bit high handed at times sure, but I do like my men to be authoritative.  :)

Rawhide Angel is on the kinky side and also involves a three-way with Chet’s friend Avery. Ah, if only a three-way would solve a broken heart in the real world huh? Because a girl could get down with that. In a romance book world though, they can…and that’s just another reason why I love romance books. Sayde Grace can write some kinky kinky smut and I absolutely LOVE IT!

The best part though? The emotional connection I feel between the characters. In little time, Grace manages to make me invest in her characters. I never feel slighted in the length department (snicker snicker) when it comes to one of her novellas and that speaks for her abilities.

Saige and Chet together just…works. It’s hot…it’s raw and the best is it’s tender. Rawhide Angel is a wonderful erotic novella and fans of the genre need to read this series!

I give Rawhide Angel by Sayde Grace 4 stars!

Traditional Terms by Alta Hensley (Traditional Love #2)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Erotic Novella

Publisher: LazyDay Publishing

My Copy: Sent

She can submit to the man. But can she submit to the love?

Being an erotica author, Coley could turn words into a lusty scene in seconds. She could write about sex, but was finding it difficult to write about love. She just couldn’t find the hero for her book…or in real life, for that matter. She needed to find the passion to write again. She needed to find passion…period.
With one kiss, Coley soon discovers that a long time friend may be the man she had always been looking for. Vance was strong, sexy, loving and extremely alpha. Coley also knew he lived a lifestyle of Domestic Discipline. He loved, he led and he spanked his women.
Had she found her real life hero? Could Coley surrender to his love? Could she truly submit to his Traditional Terms?

.

Coley knows what Domestic Discipline is because it’s the lifestyle her brother and fiance live daily but she doesn’t think she could ever submit to a spanking and do it seriously. She is just way to headstrong, way too in control of herself to ever hand over the reigns to a man. Coley is lonely though and yearns for the love and stability of a man. When her brothers best friend, Vance shows some interest in her, Coley decides to give this spanking thing a try. She may not be able to be what Vance needs, but she’s willing to give it a shot. Little does she know that along with allowing herself to be spanked, she’s also allowing her heart to love.

.

Alta Hensley is an author I have just discovered recently and I must say, I am glad that I did! Traditional Terms is a novella length jewel in the erotic romance genre that kept me interested in this lifestyle of Domestic Discipline that I had never heard of before. Sure I’ve heard of spanking used in the bedroom, I’m no prude and you can find that scenario throughout many erotic romances…even some contemporary romances. However, I had never heard of Domestic Discipline. The act of spanking or the use of threatening punishment in the bedroom while you are in public. Of course these “punishments” may be uncomfortable at first but will end in you begging for more. To be spanked harder. To use other props in the submission process.

I found that myself and Coley were a lot alike. She is completely headstrong and the thought of being spanked or controlled by any man in public turned her off. Yet in a strange way, turned her on too. Sure, she understood it but she didn’t necessarily want to live it either.  Vance is a dominant man and even though she is willing to give his lifestyle a try she isn’t sure she can ever fully submit to him. Coley doesn’t want to be humiliated in public and told what she can or can’t say. I totally understood her balking at the control idea. I would feel the same way. Yet it’s the thrilling aspect that giving up the control gives me that I think Coley felt too. The sensual aspect that if Coley acts out Vance is sure to punish her behavior later. Which is, of course, what Coley does. It’s the excitement factor. She pushes his boundaries and tests her limits. Subconsciously knowing that if he let’s her off the hook that she will lose all respect for his lifestyle but at the same time dreading the punishment sure to follow her behavior.

I found the entire thing HOT! The push and pull of Coley and Vance was spot on and made me feel invested in their budding relationship as well as excited by it. I have not read the first book in the series, Traditional Love, but the characters of Caine and Neely play central characters again in this one. Along with the incredible BITCH, Sara, who apparently lives to start trouble and cause chaos. I wanted to jump into the book and pimp slap her with the back of my hand and then smash her face into the nearest wall. Yea, she affected me that much, lol. I kept muttering under my breath nasty things I wanted to say to the conniving trouble maker.

I am now totally in the, I *heart* Alta Hensley fan club! If you like erotic romance heavy on the dominance and don’t mind a bit of public displays and the threat for spankings, then you will love Traditional Terms! Full of sexy situations that are sure to set your pulse pounding then calm you down with the slow precision in which Vance works Coley and teaches her about love.

I give Traditional Terms by Alta Hensley 4.50 stars!

Bodyguard by Jennifer Ashley (Shifters Unbound #2.5)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Self Pub

My Copy: Bought

Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully bare human. But when it’s revealed that the robber is the brother of a dangerous criminal, Elizabeth finds herself the target of a vendetta.

Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown, where she finds that mateless Ronan takes care of Shifters who have no families or clans of their own. Having grown up in foster care herself, Elizabeth can only admire how protective Ronan is, even while she chafes at the confinement.

But Ronan will only let her leave the safety of Shiftertown if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. Elizabeth finally agrees. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan’s long-buried need to find himself a mate.

.

Elizabeth doesn’t need anyone but her sister. She is the girls (well, woman now) protector and she insists on keeping it that way. Elizabeth learned a long time ago not to have faith in anyone but herself. Everyone else will turn on you given the chance. When her store is robbed and bear shifter, Ronan steps in to save her life, she assumes he must have an ulterior motive. Why else would he help? Watching him interact with other shifters and those he has taken under his..err wing…is changing her perspective about people and shifters a little at a time. Ronan doesn’t seem to want anything other then to keep her safe.

Being the foster father for bear cubs left on their own, Ronan already has his hands full. The feisty Elizabeth though needs his help and with the mate claim upon him, he vows to keep her safe at any cost. Getting her to understand is another problem entirely. Ronan isn’t interested in a few nights, he wants forever. Elizabeth needs to trust him if he is ever to win her heart.

.

I was so excited when I saw the Pride Mates series had a novella out! Though to be honest, for a novella, this is quite long. However, since I am in love with this series, that didn’t matter to me at all! Ronan has made a few short appearances in the last two books, and I was intrigued them, so I am glad he got his own book. There is just something about bear shifters that I love. Dare I say they might be my favorite? Everyone loves a teddy bear right? These men are generally loners (hello, bears don’t travel in packs because they are bad ass and don’t need to), they want their space. They are big and can roar and tower over the biggest of the big cats. When you get them alone though, they are soft spoken and totally gentle and a girl just wants to say “awwww”. Ronan was no exception to any of these standards….and he was more. Oh so much more. I loved his instant devotion to Elizabeth and how he felt he needed to protect her when he knew virtually nothing about her. His affection and devotion carried over to his role of foster father to the misplaced bear cubs he had taken in and was caring for. He was lonely despite his surroundings and recognizing a mate in Elizabeth, his protection instincts quickly took over. Eerily calm at all times, he was scary and large and just a guy I fell in love with a bit myself.

 

I found Elizabeth to be a flawed character even though I did like her. She had run away from a bad relationship in her past and had essentially erased her identity. I found it hard to believe that a man with as many connections as her ex had, couldn’t figure out where she was all this time. Especially since the thug Julian found her out within days. I did like her protective notion as far as her sister went and thought her and Ronan were very much alike in that aspect. But, at times Elizabeth came off more as a controlling parent and less like a loving sister. She was very hard to warm up to people because of her foster home upbringing and I got that, but I wanted her to put her trust in Ronan and the shifters earlier then she did. Up until she made the decision to love Ronan, she was just completely mistrusting. Her pit pocketing ability was a quirky habit I enjoyed in her character and read well with her upbringing. Even though she was standoffish the majority of the book, I did enjoy her internal dialogue and her thought processing of the shifters. Her snarky comments were well timed and I enjoyed her personality.

Bodyguard is a great addition to the Pride Mates series and I am so glad I took the time to read it!

 

I give Bodyguard by Jennifer Ashley 4 stars!

Hot Text by Cari Quinn

Available: Amazon/ B&N

Type: Erotic Novella

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

My Copy: Sent

Sometimes what you think you want and what you need are two very different things.As a technical editor, Jeffrey Maddox deals with plenty of words, leaving him few to spare on people, except his baby sister. To keep Daisy from wrecking her newly rehabbed life by shacking up with her older, married lover Lonny, he impulsively texts Lonny’s wife, Karyn. And then meets her at a coffee shop on a snowy night, ostensibly to convince her to stay with her philandering husband.But soon texting turns to sexting. After spending the night getting to know Karyn, Jeff wants something much more personal—Lonny’s wife. For himself.Despite her misgivings about Jeff’s intentions, Karyn can’t fight their attraction. She’s still not divorced, though she knows there’s no way she’ll return to her husband. But maybe an amazing night of conversation—and even more amazing lovemaking—can lead to more than just one night of hot text.

.

Known for being a surly, unapproachable guy, Jeff needs to lighten up. Unfortunately finding out his baby sister is sleeping with a married man doesn’t help his attitude. The guy claims to be separated but still…that equals marriage in Jeff’s mind. When he finds the guys cell phone he decides to take action. Whether or not the guys wife knowns about his affiars, he’s about to inform her of what kind of man she is married to.

Karyn knows all about her husbands illicit affairs, she is just past the point of caring. He asked for a divorce and she agreed. Their marriage is over as soon as she can get herself to actually sign the papers. When a man calls her about finding her estranged husbands cell phone she grudgingly accepts his invitation to meet to get it back. Meeting a stranger in a coffee house probably isnt the smartest move but karyn is tired of being the prim and proper one. She is yearning to let loose and be someone different.

With Jeff, Karyn gets what she wanted in the form of a hot and steamy one night stand. One night where she can let go of her inhibitions and be the woman she has caged inside. And it all started with a little hot text….

.

I have never been a lover of the one night stands. Sure, back in my younger days I may (or may NOT if my mother or my husband is reading this) have had my share of flings.   Erotic nights of passion? Probably more like nights of drunken bliss. But yeah, you get me. The one night stand has never appealed to me in the long run. I find it highly doubtful that the person you wake up next to the next morning with a raging hangover, is meant to be “the one”. More like “OMG what the hell is that THING over there and did I sleep with it”.

In Hot Text we meet Karyn and Jeff, two dysfunctional people that crave some attention. Karyn has a horrible self esteem problem brought on by years of a loveless marriage and a cheating husband. Jeff, a moody guy that is way to involved in his sister’s love life and not paying attention to why he’s been racking up his own broken marriages. When Jeff finds Lonny’s (Karyns hubby) cell phone he thinks he will get back at the guy balling his baby sister by informing the wife of her husbands charades. When they meet though, the sparks fly and later that night he is sending her naughty texts and asking for a booty call. Which she agrees to because she is so blown away that Jeff finds her attractive. What follows is some seriously smoking hot sex scenes involving paint and wine amongst other things. The problem for me lies in the connection. I just didn’t feel any. The sex was hot. The prop usage was WOWIE. The writing was good. I just didn’t get why they were so into each other. The mystery maybe…the spontaneity perhaps. I felt superficial heat between them but nothing that would cement their involvement with each other.  Then the next morning Jeff starts wanting more. While I found it a bit funny that the guy was wanting more it did give him brownie point in my eyes. What blew me away is that he said he’d give her time and he actually did. Not just a few days, a week, until her divorce was finalized. Nope, he gives her a YEAR. What? Say again? I’m saying to myself, I don’t care how great that sex was, I’m not waiting a year for anyone to get their act together. Kinda made him seem sad that he’d be able to give her a year. That he has nothing else to do but wait for her to get her life together.

While I did love the heat associated with this novella, I think, in this case, the length hurt it. It wasn’t long enough for me to get invested or to care about the characters emotions.

For the heat infused storyline I am giving Hot Text by Cari Quinn 3 stars!  

Chasing Her Trail by Keri Ford (Uninhibited In Apple Trail #6)

 

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance (slightly erotic)

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press/Sapphire Nights Books

My Copy: Sent

Jessie McBride barely survived the unexpected death of her loving parents. Forced to fend for herself with few people to depend on while raising her younger cousin, Jessie learned to be self-sufficient. She kept a few friends close and pushed the rest of the world away, along with that helpless, dependent girl she was once. Been there, done that, never again.

It works until Henry Green enters her life, with sentimental tales of his grandpa and family. Jessie is drawn in as Henry strives to take care of the man who raised him. But while Henry is putting things in place for his grandpa to retire, his well-intended controlling ways are smothering Jessie.

Can Henry’s invitation back to life and love tempt Jessie to drop the emotional wall, or will Henry give up on chasing the girl she once was?

.

The cousin of the worst mistake in Jessie’s life needs a favor? Oh no, she thinks not. No way in hell is she going to sell off some of her daddys hard earned land and what she has fought for years to achieve to no cousin of Quinn, aka, the jerk. Henry has his work cut out for him if he plans on getting land to build his aging grandfather a home. The fiery landowner, Jessie, doesn’t seem to like him much or his ideas on how his plan can help them both out.

Jessie has a house falling in around her, a yard that desperately needs cut and acres upon acres of land to keep an eye on. She doesn’t have time to help out someone else as long as she is trying to help herself out. No matter what amount of money Henry throws in front of her. When he tells her of his plans for his grandfather though, that hits a nerve. Who is she to deny something she was never given a chance to have…family. Slowly Henry and his high handed ways are wearing her resolve down. Maybe her problem wasn’t depending on other people…but who she had depended on in the past.

.

I will admit, I’m sad. I am totally sad that Chasing Her Trail is the last in the Apple Trail series that introduced me to Keri Ford. It’s one of those series you just don’t want to end. You know it has too, because at some point you’re going to run out of residents to write about…but when the time comes it just brings you down. I love this series. It’s honest, real and makes my heart go pitter patter. Having said all that, Keri Ford has given us an ending fitting to her series. I think I say this with each book of hers I read, but this is her best work yet!

I absolutely adored Henry and Jessie together. I mean, I wanted to knock their heads together a few times, but I did love them! Poor Jessie was just to headstrong for her own good. I mean geez woman, when your house is literally falling in around you, admit defeat and let someone help you! If that someone happens to be an incredibly hunky guy that has money to throw around, can give you amazing orgasms and is a family man too…well isn’t that just icing on the cake? Stop being so stubborn woman and let him in!

And Henry, goodness gracious man, if you are falling for a woman with a past like Jessies and you know she hates people doing things for her, don’t go doing things without asking first! Let her think everything is her decision..even if you really know it’s not.

These two both needed their heads examined. Each getting on the other nerves by simply being who they are. Funny thing about that though, once they came together, the sparks flew and there was no turning back for either of them. I loved how Keri had them slowly see that what they thought as their attributes really might have been hindering their success all along.

Another thing I love about this series is the crossover characters. We are treated to a good size epilogue at the end of the series that ties everything up neatly and I enjoyed that. I do love a happily ever after and Keri Ford gave me what I wanted. Not to fear though, we will get to go back to Apple Trail in some degree with her new Roughnecks trilogy coming out next year!

Keri Ford is an incredible author and an amazing woman. Her characters are real and the emotion jumps off the page. She combines awesome story lines with a down home southern charm that will reel you right in and keep you hooked through six amazing novellas! I have really enjoyed watching her grow with her first series and I now know that the sky is the limit with her. There are amazing things to come from her…she is an auto buy author for me and I think, given the chance, she’ll be one for you too!

 

I give Chasing Her Trail by Keri Ford 5 stars!

Unwrapped Anthology

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Christmas Romance Anthology

Publisher: Brava

My Copy: Sent

From the streets of Chicago to the back roads of Kentucky to the wild dunes of a Scottish isle, mistletoe and mischief are this season’s hottest gifts…

Blue Christmas

New York Times bestselling author Erin Mccarthy

While a blizzard blankets the world outside, Blue Farrow burrows into the arms of her highway hunk at the No Tell Motel. The road might be closed for dangerous conditions, but the couple navigates their own Kentucky Christmas curves. Nice and oh-so-naughty, Blue and her man open up to each other as they keep the Yule log burning.

Santa in a Kilt

USA Today bestselling author Donna Kauffman

The wind-whipped December sands of the isle of Kinloch invigorate Kira McLeod as she sets out to tame rugged Shay Callaghan, a Scottish bachelor as wary of a wedding ring as a snowman is of the hot sun. It’ll take all the wiles of the canny islanders to weave a perfect Celtic Christmas for all….

Snow Angel

National bestselling author Kate Angell

Snowed under in Chicago, free spirit Allie is trapped in Dutton’s department store on Christmas Eve when the lights go off and the holiday romance heats up. Our snow angel finds herself face to face with the dashing Aiden, the heir to the retail riches and her host for a night of winter wonder…

.

Blue Christmas by Erin McCarthy- Loved this one!  Erin McCarthy is one of those authors who can take a novella and make me feel like I am experiencing a full length novel. I loved Blues funky personality and her ability to make Christian care for her so quickly. She was spunky and real and I felt like she was wrote with a completeness not often found in short works. Her mothers selfish Christmas traditions had left Blue feeling disconnected with the holiday spirit. Christian took it upon himself to give his stranded motel companion something to make her memories of Christmas a bit better…something to warm her up.

One night together (which was filled with oh my lord hotness) and Blue was hooked on Christians fun loving personality….as was I. Together they were just, more. Christian was just an overall awesome guy. Big kid, daddy material, smokin hot AND funny? This is a awesome holiday novella you need to read!

.

Santa In A Kilt by Donna Kaufmann – While I enjoyed the scenery and descriptive writing style of Donna Kaufmann I couldn’t get into this story and ultimately didn’t finish it. I think the accents of the characters (Scottish) got in the way as I was often thinking it sounded very historical. Now, never having been to Scotland or even being around someone from Scotland I couldn’t say either way whether this was true or not…but for me, it was a distraction that I could not get past.

Shay is a typical, not ready for commitment, man. He uses his job as a divorce attorney as the reason behind his feelings but deep down he knows it’s just him. His internal struggle got to be to much for me and I didn’t find him to be gravitational enough for my interest to be piqued. I wanted Kira to stop being so understanding. She was a incredibly sweet girl and I thought she shouldn’t have put up with so much from him. It felt at times like he was toying with her feelings just to appease his own carnal wants. This novella was a DNF.

.

Snow Angel by Kate Angell- This was my very first Kate Angell book and I enjoyed this one a lot! Allie and Aiden together worked really well and loved the idea of a accidental re-meeting of lovers years later. After the first initial encountered at a ski lodge Allie and run from Aiden without even giving him her last name. Having nothing to go on he created a fragrance in her image, a sun kissed, fresh, snow bunny. Years later Allie happens to get stuck in his store during a monumental snowstorm and they reconnect. Allie has no idea that the upscale fragrance was made in her honor, or that Aiden is actually heir to the store she has been stranded in.

Snow Angel was well thought out, wonderfully written and a great addition to this compilation of authors! I loved Aidens easy going nature and found his way at soothing Allies fears commendable. Allie was skittish from watching her mothers parade of men while growing up and Aiden knew laying everything on the line early would only send her running again. I felt for Allie and her views on men and was so glad she took a chance with Aiden to learn to love.

I give the Unwrapped anthology 3.50 stars!

Bad Kitty by Cari Quinn

Available: Now Amazon/B&N/Wild Rose Press

Type: Erotic Novella

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

My Copy: Sent

Reformed bad girl Nikki Carson has spent the past year trying to forget her boss’s Halloween party and the unbelievable sex she had with her boss’s hot twin, Patrick Nolan. Patrick hasn’t mentioned that night since, much to Nikki’s endless disappointment.

Years of following in the wake of his womanizing brother cause Patrick to wonder if Nikki even knows which twin she slept with. He can’t believe she could possibly prefer him over her slick, polished boss. That doesn’t mean he’s been able to stop fantasizing about taking her again. Against the wall. On the floor. Everywhere.

It’s Halloween again, and trick or treat takes on a whole new meaning when Nikki and Patrick go for round two. Especially since Nikki’s come prepared with a Domme kitty costume meant to drive Patrick wild. And this kitty’s ready to show her claws if she doesn’t get what she wants…

.

Wow, this one was hot hot hot! I loved Bad Kitty from the very first sultry page to the last! I instantly liked Nikki (and hey, I like the name too hehe). I loved how the entire novella centered around a yearly Halloween party because I always thought if any place was a good place for a one night hook up, a party where people wear masks would be a great place to start.

That’s exactly what Bad Kitty gives the readers. A sexy encounter under the stairs dressed as a monk and a genie. What follows is a year long withdrawal with neither Nikki nor Patrick being able to forget those few hot minutes they shared. Except poor Patrick isn’t sure Nikki realized it was him and not his twin brother, her boss. When Halloween comes around Nikki is determined to get Patrick to notice her again…this time in a slinky dominatrix kitty costume straight out of the Halloween addition of Playboy Magazine.

I loved Patrick..he was a wet dream come to life. All hard muscles, smooth talking…magic lips…man candy. Oh my I thought he was hot. Maybe a bit dim witted for going a whole year seeing Nikki and never approaching her about their hookup, fearing she hadn’t been aware it was him. Though she never said anything either so I can’t fault him solely. When they come (yes Im aware don’t email me about innuendo) together for a second time, it’s so hot I thought I should have a cigarette after reading it! WOW.

Cari Quinn knows exactly how to hook a reader with a novella and make them care about the characters. That’s an extremely hard feat to accmplish in such a short time and many authors fall short…Cari does not. Bad Kitty is an excellent erotic novella that is expertly written, thoroughly executed and the heat level could warm up an ice palace!  I LOVED and wholeheartedly recommend!

I give Bad Kitty by Cari Quinn 4.50 stars!