“Sword and Star” by Sunny Moraine is an exciting tale set in a wonderfully imaginative universe. There are impressive powers and plenty of secondary conflicts with multiple relationships that are in flux or jeopardy. Unfortunately, this is...
3½ Stars“This Is All Your Fault, Cassie Parker” by Terra Elan McVoy reminds me of the angst and drama that accompanies one’s journey through childhood. The giggly security of doing things with one’s best friend and the tragedy of trying to fit in i...
4½ Stars“The Billionaire Next Door” by Jessica Lemmon is a fun and sexy story that follows Rachel Foster’s search for a decent job where she is truly appreciated and a romantic partner who is worthy of her love. One can’t help but sigh over the con...
4 Stars“Children of Earth and Sky” by Guy Gavriel Kay is one of those books I am really reluctant to pick up because I know it’s going to take some effort to work my way through it. The sheer cast of characters is always daunting to me, because I...
5 Stars“At Any Cost” by Mandy Baxter is a nice twist on the secret identity premise. The sexy U.S. Marshal, Nick Brady, is a combination of obsession and determination, and his careful maneuvering to catch a criminal is impressive. The ethical dil...
4 Stars“Closer to the Chest” by Mercedes Lackey provides a glimpse of Mags and Amily’s relationship and the way they have become integrated in their roles as Heralds with special duties. It is an interesting glimpse of the insidious effects of bul...
4 Stars“F*ck Club: Riley” by Shiloh Walker is filled with the author’s trademark tortured souls, and is an entertaining exploration of the twists and turns life can take when evil intersects with it. I love the way both the heat and the danger gra...
3¾ StarsThis m/m erotic romance was a fun read and a great demonstration of the importance of not falling prey to assumptions about stereotype. The genuine affection between Rod and his friends as well as the challenges faced by those who follow th...
4½ Stars“Sweetest Taboo” by J. Kenner is a dark and sensual story. Due to the fact that it is the culmination of a series, there is a lot of history that has led up to this point, but most of it is implied or spelled out enough that one is not comp...
3¾ Stars“As I Am” by A.M. Arthur is a beautiful exploration of the challenge of overcoming one’s past while finding a way to live a satisfactory life. I ached for each of the main characters even as I cheered for their small triumphs and was dismay...
4½ Stars“Call to Honor” by Tawny Weber is an exciting introduction to an elite group of Navy SEALs, as tension and heat ramp up with every page. The gradually unfolding mystery is contrasted with the attraction that builds despite all of the reason...
4¼ Stars"Max & Charlie" is a children’s book written by Zack Lieberman and illustrated by Louis Neubert. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Charlie, whose dog Max leads him into several amazing situations. Getting profound advice from t...
3¾ Stars“Text Me Maybe” by Jolyse Barnett is a cute, lighthearted take on the Cyrano de Bergerac premise of one person providing the words to impress someone else, while attracted to the person being deceived. I enjoyed the slightly jaded look at t...
3¾ Stars“The Duke of Pleasure” by Elizabeth Hoyt is a delightful addition to a fascinating series, although the Lords of Chaos organization seems to be like a Hydra…every time it seems they are being destroyed, they come back stronger than ever. I...
4¼ Stars“Block and Strike” by Kelly Jensen features a couple of very different guys who prove that opposites do indeed attract. The traumatic beginning of their relationship underscores their differences but it is wonderful to see the efforts that...
4¼ Stars“The Applicant” by Aidee Ladnier is an all-too-short story that seems designed to pique one’s interest in a new series. I enjoyed the glimpse of science that has implications both benign and malign but Forbes seems way too naïve about the d...
3¾ Stars“Raising Passionate Readers: 5 Easy Steps to Success in School and Life” by Nancy Newman is an excellent analysis of techniques that should be utilized to encourage children to read. I like that there is a combination of scientific analyses...
5 Stars“Branded by Flames” by Sean Michael showcases Jake, a sexy dragon shifter, as he strives to convince Shae, a human male, to become a permanent part of his world. The heat, both literally and figuratively, plus that delicious cover, made thi...
3¾ Stars“Moonshadow” by Thea Harrison embodies the elements I find so fascinating about this genre, fantastical events with people who have extraordinary powers, engaged in a life that…almost…seems like it could be true, while finding that amazing...
5 Stars“Dragon Wizard” by S. Andrew Swann is a fun and wacky story with plenty of odd occurrences and tongue-in-cheek humor. The role reversal and gender swapping that results in Frank Blackthorne occupying his princess wife’s body and her residin...
4 Stars“Vicky Peterwald: Rebel” by Mike Shepherd continues the saga of a woman who is learning so much about herself and those around her. I think it is my favorite of the series because I can finally see Vicky thinking for herself and doing thing...
4½ Stars“Deadly Silence” by Rebecca Zanetti is chock full of testosterone and adventure, and provides an action-packed roller-coaster ride with plenty of sizzling interludes. I love the way it starts off with the formation of the bonds that unite R...
4 Stars“Absolute Trust” by Piper J. Drake is another story about the fascinating military service dogs and those who work with them. I loved reading about Haydn, who is adapting to a prosthetic leg, and learning about the way his hard-won skills c...
4 StarsThe very spicy scenes in this contemporary m/m romance are balanced by the poignant descriptions of the difficulties faced by those whose sexual orientations are different from those around them. The importance of tolerance and the reminder...
4½ Stars“Love & Hope” by Rozenn (RJ) Scott is a touching tale of a man determined to do what’s best for his baby daughter, no matter the cost to him. My heartstrings were constantly tugged by Danny’s exquisite care and sacrifice for little Hope, an...
4¼ Stars“Snow & Secrets” by Rozenn (RJ) Scott is my favorite of the series thus far. It was great to finally get a closer look at the mysterious Garrett and to discover exactly what he did. I daresay the band Hudson Hart is being decimated by all o...
4¼ Stars“Notes & Roses” by Rozenn (RJ) Scott is an entertaining introduction to a delightful small town family and the members of a music group that they form a relationship with. I was a little disconcerted to discover that this was the first in t...
4 Stars“Lord of the Privateers” by Stephanie Laurens is the exciting conclusion to a series that gave a glimpse of an exotic land and some of the dangers that can arise when greed overrides common decency. The Frobisher siblings and their partners...
4½ Stars“The Trouble with Dukes” by Grace Burrowes is another great story that ties in with other series by this author yet expands upon the society she is so adept at describing. I love the way the mystery unfolds about the terrible history that p...
4½ Stars“A Second Chance at Murder” by Diana Orgain is a fun twist on the challenges of a reality show and provides a combination of exotic travelogue and mystery. I had not read the first story in this series but had no problem becoming familiar w...
4 Stars“Lovegame” by Tracy Wolff provides a vivid and intriguing look at the façade presented by a woman who is the epitome of the sexy Hollywood star and the discerning man who is determined to uncover the person beneath. It was gutwrenching to f...
4 Stars“Flameout” by Keri Arthur continues a unique saga about a world that contains phoenixes, vampires, and mad scientists. I am always fascinated to get immersed into this author’s version of phoenixes although I am frustrated about the relatio...
4 Stars“The Hero” by Donna Grant is chock full of action, suspense, and alpha males. The females are skilled, but somehow tend to be oblivious to clues that the males pick up on. There is a high level of violence and some sensuality but multiple t...
3 Stars“Sound Effects” by L.J. Greene is part of the ‘Ripple Effects’ series and is a semi-contemporary adult romance. This story is a mesmerizing look at a group of people on the cusp of changes. Mel (Melody) Grayson is about to become a full-fle...
5 Stars“Twelve Days of Christmas” by Debbie Macomber is a heartwarming and fun story that will put one in the holiday mood. I love the contrasts between the bright and chirpy Julia and the stiff and somber Cain, not to mention the personable Berni...
4½ Stars“Cowboys Don’t Come Out” by Tara Lain is a contemporary m/m romance story featuring Rand McIntyre, whose forced vacation to Maui with his parents has unexpectedly pleasant consequences. Unwillingly driven to pursue his attraction to Kai Kea...
4 Stars“Island of Glass” by Nora Roberts is a lovely mystical and romantic tale that draws one into a world where a mermaid walks on the land and loves a traveler and a werewolf ensnares an immortal while a sorcerer combines love and power with a...
5 Stars“Damien’s Christmas” by M.L. Buchman blends romance and suspense in a compelling seasonal tale that provides plenty of ‘aw’ moments along with exciting action scenes even as it gives a unique glimpse of some of the complicated maneuvering a...
4¾ Stars“Kept” by Maya Banks has many of the elements that have made her a favorite of those who prefer dark erotic romances: a sinfully delicious alpha male with a penchant for BDSM, a naïve yet adventuresome young woman who is willing to be spoil...
3¾ Stars“The Bloodsworn” by Erin Lindsey has plenty of twists and turns and breathtaking action to keep one enthralled. There are multiple threads that have been spun over the course of the trilogy and most of them are tied off nicely, although a f...
4½ Stars“Leaping Lemmings” by John Briggs and illustrated by Nicla Slater is a cute children’s book that promotes individualism and independent thinking. Playing off of the myth of mass lemming suicide through jumping off a cliff, this tale of the...
4 Stars“A Clue in the Stew” by Connie Archer is a story that reminds one of the joys and challenges of living in a town small enough that everyone knows everyone else. I enjoyed the interaction between those who are faithful friends, and sympathiz...
3¾ Stars“Step-by-Step Zen Doodle Origami” by Carolyn Scrace is a book filled with activities that one can get lost in for hours at a time…if one doesn’t get frustrated! I think that it was probably not the best week for me to try this, although I d...
4½ Stars“Backpack Fly Fishing: A Back-to-Basics Approach” by Daniel E. Steere is both a reminder that a simple uncomplicated method of fishing can be just as much fun as a trip using multiple complex pieces of expensive equipment and a celebration...
4½ Stars“Loving You Easy” by Roni Loren is another of her sizzling and sexy stories peopled by fascinating characters. I love the gradual shift in the relationship between the three people who each is dealing with issues from the past while navigat...
4¾ Stars“Taken” by Amy McKinley follows the adventures of Layla, one of five sisters who are at the center of a conflict between the gods, cursed by meddling of the Fates. The Oneiroi are determined to destroy the sisters, spurred the manipulations...
3¾ Stars“The Great American Eat-Right Cookbook: 140 Great-Tasting, Good-for-You Recipes” by Jeanne Besser and Colleen Doyle provides a wonderful array of simple recipes. There are divisions into the major categories of dishes (including the all-imp...
5 Stars“From a High Tower” by Mercedes Lackey is an inventive mélange of fantasy and reality, in keeping with the other stories in this series. I love this homage to the Wild West touring shows, with a nod to a writer popular in Germany and his co...
4 Stars“Otherworld Chllls” by Kelley Armstrong is an anthology of seven stories that tie together the various threads of the Otherworld universe, starting with “Brazen” that focuses on the search for the evil Malcolm Danvers. Hope the half demon s...
4½ Stars“Cinnamon Toasted” by Gail Oust evokes the delightful aromas that can be created with spices and demonstrates the combination of science and magic that goes into making a palatable dish. The requisite murder that sets wheels in motion and t...
3¾ Stars
