Book Review: Book Boyfriend by Claire Kingsley

Book Boyfriend

Author: Claire Kingsley
Series: Book Boyfriends, book 1
Publisher: ?? (April 4, 2017)
eBook, 226 pages
Goodreads     Amazon (available on KindleUnlimited)

Summary
He's too hot for words. 

Mia
Alex Lawson might as well be the hottest book boyfriend imaginable. A fun, romantic, possessive, panty-melting man. And the best part? 

He’s real. 

For a girl like me—a slightly awkward book addict—Alex is a dream come true, straight off the pages of my favorite romance novels. But our story is turning into a whirlwind romance—the kind that only exists in books. 

And I wonder if we’re heading toward our own happily ever after, or if he’s too good to be true.

Alex 
Here’s the thing. I’m not a bad guy. Lying to Mia wasn’t part of the plan. Finding success as a romance author using a female pen name wasn’t part of the plan either. But sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Like realizing the woman you’re falling for is your alter-ego’s online best friend. 
Online, she thinks I’m a woman named Lexi. In person, she knows I’m all man. I want to worship her body and claim every inch of her. 

But if she finds out the truth, I could lose everything.

Book Review: Crazy Cupid Love by Amanda Heger

Crazy Cupid Love

Author: Amanda Heger
Series: Let's Get Mythical, book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (January 29, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Goodreads     |     Amazon

Summary
Have you fallen deeply in love, 
But get nervous approaching your dove? 
Don't be stupid; 
Hire a cupid! 
'Cause sometimes love needs a shove. 

Eliza Herman (a.k.a. The World's Worst Cupid) has spent her entire life carefully avoiding her calling as a Descendant of Eros. After all, happily-ever-afters are nothing but a myth. But when a family crisis requires her to fill in at the local Cupid-for-hire shop, Eliza finds herself enchanting couples under the watchful eye of her assigned mentor, Jake Sanders...the one man she could never get out of her head. 

Before long, Eliza is rethinking her stance on romance—until things start going terribly wrong with her enchantments. Now Eliza and Jake must fight to unravel a conspiracy that could destroy thousands of relationships, including their own...and spell the end of Love itself. 

No pressure, right?

Blog Tour: Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean (Excerpt, Review, Giveaway)

When a man known only as Devil finds his way into her bedchamber and offers her his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees. She might be a spinster, but she’s seen love in action and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that her future husband will love her beyond reason—even if it means she must make a deal with a man more dangerous than she could imagine.

Bastard son of a duke, and king of London’s darkest corners, Devil has made a lifetime of wielding power and seizing opportunity, and Felicity Faircloth is everything he needs to exact a perfect revenge. All he has to do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy. If the girl is ruined in the process, so be it.  

Except there’s nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, and soon it’s Devil who is trapped…along with his heart.

About the Book

Wicked and the Wallflowerby Sarah MacLean
SeriesThe Bareknuckle Bastards Series
GenreAdult
Historical Romance
PublisherAvon Books
Publication DateJune 19, 2018
Purchase Your Copy Today!
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Book Review: After the Wedding (The Worth Saga #2) by Courtney Milan

After the Wedding

Author: Courtney Milan
Series: The Worth Saga, Book 2
Publisher: Courtney Milan
Publishing Date: April 24, 2018
eBook, 364 pages
Amazon  Goodreads


Summary: Adrian Hunter has concealed his identity and posed as a servant to assist his powerful uncle. He’s on the verge of obtaining the information he needs when circumstances spiral out of his control. He’s caught alone with a woman he scarcely knows. When they’re discovered in this compromising circumstance, he’s forced to marry her at gunpoint. Luckily, his uncle should be able to obtain an annulment. All Adrian has to do is complete his mission…and not consummate the marriage, no matter how enticing the bride may be.

Lady Camilla Worth has never expected much out of life—not since her father was convicted of treason and she was passed from family to family. A marriage, no matter how unfortunate the circumstances under which it was contracted, should mean stability. It’s unfortunate that her groom doesn’t agree. But Camilla has made the best of worse circumstances. She is determined to make her marriage work. All she has to do is seduce her reluctant husband.

Rating: 5 stars

Review: Could there possibly be two more Hufflepuff main characters? (Answer: no.) I submit into evidence Exhibit A: this quote from Camilla:

"We're all self-serving." Camilla shrugged. "It's just a matter of what we do to others in service of ourselves."
-Camilla, After the Wedding by Courtney Milan

It takes a whole lot of heart and a fierceness of spirit to maintain the kind of trust Adrian has and the kind of hope that Camilla keeps when the world repeatedly grinds you down, when people show you again and again their ugliest selves. I just… I can't… Words escape me. I want to gather Camilla and Adrian close and wrap them up in a big Hufflepuff hug huddle. As I've said in previous reviews, wanting to be friends with the main characters is a major key to a five star rating for me. I love Camilla and Adrian so much, and several of the side characters really won be over too (especially Theresa and Mrs. Beasley!) that I'd give this, oh, six or seven stars, if that were an option. ALL THE STARS!

The way the relationship between Camilla and Adrian plays out is so wonderful to watch grow. For all of the hardship these two go through, this is a relatively low angst story that is beautifully told. For those who love a good slow burn friends to lovers story, this book is for you! Cam and Adrian are two kindred spirits who get thrown together in circumstances that would break many people, and they continue to trust and hope and love with this quiet, golden strength that I truly admire and can only hope to emulate in my own life. Plus, the level of flirt and sass in Camilla cannot be squashed by any number of jerk-faces.

"That would no doubt be engraved on her tombstone: Camilla tried to be good, but not for very long." 

- Camilla, After the Wedding by Courtney Milan

I really appreciated a Regency romance with representation outside of the Heyer-esque white cis characters you often see depicted: notably Adrian and his black family and how his family (with a black American father and a white English mother) is treated by English society; the diverse cast of characters who work on the design team at Adrian's manufactory; and the sexual preferences of Mrs. Martin and others.

This is the second book in the Worth Saga, but it can be read as a stand-alone. However, there are some spoilers for the first book, Once Upon a Marquess (though not much more than you'd get from reading the back cover blurb). There is also a certain amount of lead up to what had dang well better be a future book in the series about Theresa!

Book Review: Mad & Marvelous (Sassy Boyz #4) by Elizabeth Varlet

Mad & Marvelous

Author: Elizabeth Varlet
Series: Sassy Boyz, Book 4
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2018
Amazon  Goodreads

Summary: Hop Lovette isn’t afraid to take risks. Being the bastard son of New York royalty has never given him anything but heartache. So when the Sassy Boyz land a contract at club Switch, he knows it’s only a matter of time before his marvelous world is turned on its head: the owner is his childhood rival.

Rafe Marson owes Hop’s father everything, and he’s on a mission to repay his debts. Nothing will stand in his way—not even a wild, beautiful, maddening blast from his past. Not even when Hop stirs up feelings better left dormant. Not even when Hop begs to be taken.

When opportunity knocks, Hop is the one who needs to step up and help Rafe. But working together without being together is harder than they thought—and when everything they’ve been working toward is threatened, Rafe will need to prove that true love is one in a million.

Rating: 5 stars

Review: HOLY HANNAH. I've been thinking about adding some sort of heat level rating to my romance reviews, like sweet, simmering, steamy, holy Hannah. I think I'd need to add an extra level to it for this one - surface of the sun. DANG this book is hot, in all its BDSM kinky glory.

The best part is it's not "just" smut. I don't really go in for pure erotica; I like my romances to have a plot, fully fleshed character who go through some sort of character development, and a Happily Ever After (or at least a Happy For Now). Mad & Marvelous totally delivers in all areas.

Hop is glorious; a graceful tornado with cotton candy hair. I love how vulnerable and damaged he is, but at the same time so strong, determined, and vibrant. I love all of the Sassy Boyz (but what a stupid name for their dance group...) and their friendship with each other was so wonderful to read. Plus the descriptions of their looks and outfits and dances are HOT. I love the androgyny and freedom of the group, and how they play up their sexuality however the hell they want to.

Rafe is also amazing, with a complex history that makes him the man he is and makes him struggle so hard. I do wish we'd gotten a little more of his sister in this book, because she seemed like she would probably be pretty dang awesome.

There is a high level of kink in this book, and I love that it depicts a BDSM relationship in such a positive and healthy way, where the Dom cares for and is attentive to the needs and desires of his Sub. There are too many relationships or sexual encounters that are downright just abusive that are presented under the label "BDSM" that give the whole (genre? category? class?) a bad name, so I'm always glad to see healthy BDSM relationships depicted in media. I also really appreciate that Hop is so confused about the way he feels, about his needs and desires, and learns more about himself and coming to terms with who he is throughout this book. Lots and lots of pretty graphic, highly kinky sex scenes - don't say I didn't warn you. ;)

This is the fourth book in the Sassy Boyz series, but can be read as a stand alone with very minor spoilers for the earlier books. Now I need to go read the others in the series right now, starting with Sassy Boyz #1, Fierce & Fabulous .

Blog Tour: Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian (Review, Teaser, Tour Wide Giveaway)

The one you love…

Robert Selby is determined to see his sister make an advantageous match. But he has two problems: the Selbys have no connections or money and Robert is really a housemaid named Charity Church. She’s enjoyed every minute of her masquerade over the past six years, but she knows her pretense is nearing an end. Charity needs to see her beloved friend married well and then Robert Selby will disappear…forever.

May not be who you think…

Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke, has spent years repairing the estate ruined by his wastrel father, and nothing is more important than protecting his fortune and name. He shouldn’t be so beguiled by the charming young man who shows up on his doorstep asking for favors. And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking of all the disreputable things he’d like to do to the impertinent scamp.

But is who you need…

When Charity’s true nature is revealed, Alistair knows he can’t marry a scandalous woman in breeches, and Charity isn’t about to lace herself into a corset and play a respectable miss. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they’ve always wanted for a love that is more than they could have imagined?

About the Book

Unmasked By The Marquess
by Cat Sebastian

Series
The Regency Impostors #1

Genre
Adult
Historical Romance

Publisher
Avon Impulse

Publication Date
April 17, 2018

Amazon  |  Avon Romance  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Google Play  |  iBooks

My Review

Rating: 5 Stars ★★★★★

I've loved everything I've read thus far by Cat Sebastian, and this Regency romance is no exception to that rule. Women disguised as men is my catnip, but I was a tad hesitant to tag this in that category. I tagged it GLBTQIA+ because as far as I have words to describe people Pembroke strikes me as being bi and Charity/Robin as, at best guess, nonbinary (rather than a woman disguised as a man). I love seeing romances with diverse main characters, whether that diversity has to do with race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability... So hooray for diversity in romance!

Unmasked by the Marquess had a lot of the plot points I love about mistaken identity and women disguised as men romances: the necessity of misrepresenting oneself to a certain degree to someone else, building a relationship with that person, the turmoil over how and when to reveal the truth, and the fallout that necessarily ensues; awkward/funny bits when someone assumes something about the person because of their apparent gender; and especially in this novel the struggle to discover who you really are once concepts of gender norms are tipped on their heads (or dumped out the window all together). I love the personal growth and awakening Pembroke goes through throughout the course of the book. At one point he says Robin is like the coming of spring when he didn't even realize it was winter, and he truly does blossom like a flower in spring. If she's a robin, he's a tulip - one of the purple ones so dark they look almost black until the sun hits them just right, and then they look like deep-hued jewels.

Robin is also a great character, filled with strength and conviction and determined to do what is right as she determines it by her own unique moral compass as best she can. She struggles so hard to find out who she really is, down to not even truly having her own name, and then tries so hard to be true to herself while still being strong for those she loves. The chemistry between Robin and Pembroke is amazing, and I love the way their relationship develops and blooms along with the apt spring metaphors. I also love love LOVE Pembroke's description of her laugh as being like a pop of champagne. I can almost hear it, and I want to hang out with them, as well as with Amelia (whom I very much hope to see more of in future books in this series) at one of Mrs. Allenby's salons. And isn't that the hallmark of a great book? One that makes you wish you were a part of the story so you can be friends with all the characters you love.

Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of UNMASKED BY THE MARQUESS, we’re giving away one paperback copy of THE RUIN OF A RAKE by Cat Sebastian!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback copy of The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 4/22/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address.  Duplicates will be deleted.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

About Cat Sebastian

Cat Sebastian lives in a swampy part of the South with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. Before her kids were born, she practiced law and taught high school and college writing. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s doing crossword puzzles, bird watching, and wondering where she put her coffee cup.

 

 

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This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon (The Embraced #3) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Rating: 4 Stars

 

Expected publication: March 27th 2018 by St Martins Press
Summary: Gwennore has a talent. An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people. But when the kidnapping of a young girl thrusts Gwennore into the very heart of the realm of the dragons, she discovers not only a place of power and magic, but also a haunted land, plagued by an ancient curse that all but ensures extinction to the royal family. But when she meets the smoldering General Silas Dravenko, they strike a bargain—save the country from its cursed illness, and he will return the kidnapped girl. She’s been raised never to trust a dragon, but never did making a deal with the devil feel so good…

Silas has no way of curing the family he’s loyally served for years. But when a beautiful elf, long considered the enemy of the dragons, comes bursting into his world, Silas is awakened to passion and desire in a way he’s never felt before. But can he trust a sworn enemy to save the very existence he holds dear? And can their love survive those that threaten to tear them apart?
(from Goodreads)

Review: This is outside my normal romance genres I typically read, and I had a hard time figuring out which tags to use. Paranormal romance? Supernatural powers? Usually when I use these tags they're in more of a contemporary fiction kind of setting, not a medieval-ish fantasy, but at the same time they sort of fit? The tags I am sure of are romance, fantasy, and dragons!

The world building is really interesting, with people born on one of the two lunar eclipses each year being granted special powers. It makes for a very eclectic cast of characters, as everyone has a different sort of power. It's also got shifters and dragons and a war with the elves. What's not to love?

Gwennore, our leading lady, has the ability to touch a person on one of their pulse points and get a reading for their state of health, and is able to know what, if anything, is wrong with them. It bugs me that the blurb for this book describes her as "An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people." Her power is sensing the illness, and she's learned about herbs and things to heal but she doesn't have healing powers.

I really enjoyed Silas, aka General Gorgeous. Some of the things he said had me laughing out loud, especially in his banter with Gwen. ("Rejected again.") I love me a tall, dark and handsome man who is strong with a sense of humor.

This is the third book in The Embraced series and it can be read as a stand alone... sort of. Let me clarify: There are five adopted/foster sisters, and each book focuses on one of the sisters and her love interest. The romantic plot as well as the plot involving the sister in question's love interest is resolved within the book, but there is also a larger overarching plot that reaching across the books. I read this book without reading the first two in the series and enjoyed it, but I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd read books one and two first. There is enough backstory given that you can put it together and the story works, but it would be better with all the pieces. There are also DEFINITELY spoilers for the first two books. I'm going to suggest you read this series in order if you can (and if the plots for the first two books look interesting to you!) If for some reason you only read romances about dragons, you can sure read this as a stand alone and skip the first two books.