When I reviewed Bringing Home the Bad Boy, I said that Evan was likely to have some competition as a book boyfriend with Donovan and I wasn't wrong. With Rescuing the Bad Boy Lemmon delivers an addictive hero who carries just as many scars on the inside as the outside. It's an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning and I loved every minute of it.

Donovan is a charming rascal but his past has caused him to shut himself off from people, feeling like he has nothing to offer others. He's got a couple of close friends but they definitely have to do most of the work in the relationship. Then there is Sofia. A few weeks dancing around an attraction to each other leads to a night that changes things for both of them. Years later, Donovan is back but he isn't happy about it ... and the attraction between the two is as hot as ever.

I love Sofia. She's got an amazingly level-head about Donovan and I think she handled every step of the way with a lot of style. The ending has to be one of my favorites of all time. As these two navigate the minefield of their past (both individually and shared), the present and how they are going to handle the future, I found myself drawn more and more to them. Lemmon delivers it so smoothly and naturally - I can't wait to read more from these guys.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Another small Texas town romance, A Month of Sundays is sweet, fun and charming. It’s got that close community feeling – everyone in your business but it is done with caring and love – which is one of my favorites. It’s a fast read and my only complaint is that I wish it had more pages so I could have enjoyed their romance longer.

Joe and Krista complement each other so well. He needs someone to show him a real relationship and she needs someone to remind her what it is like to have fun. But it isn’t all a good time – as they go on their “dates” they get to see the people underneath and unearth some long-festering issues that need to be brought to the light of day. They soon discover though that if they can confront their troubles, a lifetime of happiness could be theirs for the taking.

(Even though once again I started a series in the middle, I don’t think it made much of a difference. There were a few relationships between the characters that I think I was supposed to understand better, but it didn’t impact Joe & Krista’s story.)

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Chessie is one of those hippie-dippie Earth-lovin’ girls – she’s got her own, very unique, style and is big on being green. Usually I find that authors try a little too hard to get these free spirits on the page and they end up not appealing to me at all, but French does a fantastic job and I absolutely adored Chessie. She’s got a wonderfully positive attitude and a big heart … and a love-hate relationship with Theo.

To her, he is just too shallow, too rich, too good-looking … just too too. But when they are forced to live together for a few weeks while Theo recovers from his accident, Chessie starts to see the good guy underneath. She finds that his heart is just as big as hers and he works very hard to help those who need it … he just hides it behind that pretty boy façade. Which makes him very hard to resist.

Buuuut, Chessie has some baggage when it comes to rich men and it makes it very hard to trust Theo. Plus, even though he has a big heart, he does have a different attitude toward money than she does, which adds to their conflict. I totally understand where both of them are coming from (well done Rochelle French) and I was right there with them as they struggled to find a way to make things work.

Some might have a little trouble with how they got to the point of being “friends with benefits” but these two definitely had a unique relationship before Theo’s accident so it does work. And while there are a few steamy scenes between them, the majority of the book is about them getting a chance to see beneath the surface of the other, falling in love, and deciding whether they can risk their hearts.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

**For those that haven't read other stories in this series, this one can stand alone.**

This is a Christian Romance so God & faith play a huge part in the story. Sometimes these books only have a special innocence and a hint of religion but here it is a center point of the story - Lyndie’s belief in a good God and Jake’s turning away from his.

I love the idea of these two having a connection even though they haven’t seen each other in decades. There are people who are that special and make such an impact on you that they live in your heart forever and that’s Jake & Lyndie. But a lot has happened to him since then and it has left scars both inside and out.

Jake is dealing with a lot of survivor’s guilt and PTSD from his time as a Marine. It’s led him to a dark and troubled place. He’s still a good man – one who cares for his family and takes his obligations seriously – but he feels unworthy and that’s led him to distance himself from others. Then Lyndie comes back into his life.

Her life with a disabled sister has taught her a lot about love, grace and faith. Her patience and understanding, plus her belief in a good God, gives her the ability to see into Jake and hope to be able to help him. She knows that God is what he needs but he needs to find his faith again. He just has to find it within himself to want to make that connection again.

It’s a lovely journey for both of them – one that has extreme lows to go with the highs but beautiful nonetheless.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I’ve never read any of Spenser’s Bliss Harbor books, but I really liked these three little novellas. I don’t think that it would be that big a deal if you started here too, because I didn’t really have any problems keeping up. I do think there were a few references that I missed out on but nothing too big.

The characters in all three shorts were very detailed for such a short number of pages. You quickly get a feel for each of them and what motivates them. In each, Spenser pretty much focused on just those characters, which makes sense given the small time to make a story with a punch, but that gives her plenty of opportunity to fully embrace those people.

There is a theme running between them – one of feelings unspoken and avoided – and it’s interesting to see how each of these stories has a different take on it. Spenser makes sure that each couple makes it their own and she does it quite well. We are given the story exclusively from the heroine’s point of view, and even though I usually like to get both perspectives, it makes sense given the idea that the guy’s feelings are unknown to her. We get the reveal as she does, which is very satisfying.

If you are looking for a fast read, perfect for when you just have a little time to yourself, Blissful Kisses is an absolutely perfect choice. With engaging characters and appealing plots, these three shorts are sure to please. And now I’m totally going to have to check out everything else I can find about the lovely people in Bliss Harbor.

Once again I’ve joined a series in the middle – although technically this time I actually joined two series in the middle because there are characters from Aicher’s Power Play series and her Wicked Play series  Not having any familiarity with either series I can’t be sure but I don’t think that it impacted anything at all. There were some references to things that happened with earlier stories but enough details were given that I figured things out (but not too much to bore returning readers). I love an author who understands how to make that work for everyone.

You might think that this is just another sports romance but you would be so very wrong. Back in Play is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions. We get the high of that initial attraction and lust, but Scott is hiding some pretty big secrets. My heart aches for everything he’s trying to juggle and keep hidden. It is easy to see how it spiraled so far beyond his control. Aicher details very well the complexity and depth of his addiction, how it has infiltrated so much of his life, the impact it has had on him and how so very close he is to losing it all.

Rachel does an amazing job of keeping things together when Scott starts to let it all out. She’s very strong but she does have a few hang-ups of her own that start to impact things. Throw in all of Scott’s and it’s a rough ride to a HEA. But it is a ride that is worth taking.

I realized what an amazing author Aicher is by how quickly I flew through the book, understanding where both of the main characters were coming from when things go sideways on them, and having the ending be so very satisfying. If the rest of her books are anything like this, I’m going to have a lot more reading to do soon.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.()

Y’all Rye is a complete dog at the beginning of this story. He’s got some baggage that he’s carrying around with him and it affects his relationships with others - he’s in a vicious cycle of shallow interactions and bad attitude. Fortunately for him, interacting with Cora shakes him up and has him re-evaluating things. Once he starts acting like a human being, he proves to be intelligent, fun-loving, resourceful and caring. We know early on that he is very dedicated to his brother, but he shows that that part of him extends to all those that he calls his.

Cora is an interesting duck – she’s repressed, afraid of sexual interactions and not confident in herself as a woman. She’s spent years thinking she was unattractive and unable to get a guy’s attention, but after a couple of meetings with Rye she starts to look at things differently. Some might find that her timidity gets old but it works for the person she is and the more time spent with Rye the better she gets.

I love the way that these two interact once Rye finally starts trying to be a better man. His attempt to help her experience all of the things that she missed out on is so endearing and fun. He shows that he cares with his actions and the thought he puts into making her happy. He may be coarse and nothing like she’s used to, but he proves to be just what Cora needs 

There’s a secondary story around a relationship between Rye’s brother Cash and Cora’s friend Adam. Cash’s lifestyle is one of the things that has given Rye his attitude about small towns but the love and dedication between the two brothers is strong. Unfortunately Adam isn’t able to get over the things that Rye has done since he hit town and how it has created waves with those around him, while Cash’s history makes it very difficult for him to share his feelings and thoughts. As they start to develop a relationship (there is some M/M scenes so be prepared if that isn’t your thing – but keep in mind that it is the heart that is the most important part of this story), their issues may make things impossible for everyone.

The Closer You Get is full of emotional ups and downs. With friends, family and significant others learning how to maneuver around each other, things get messy fast. All they can do is try to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for. I think so and I’m sure you will too.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

I usually don’t like books that intentionally are vague and confusing to build tension, but I only found it moderately annoying here :) Murphy’s characters and the complexity of the story kept me going past that and by the end I was glad I didn’t give up. The mystery portion may be a little convoluted for some, but since this is the first in a new series, there are some plot points that didn’t get resolved. However the main story line wraps up nicely and I can see how the next book or two could get quite interesting.

I’m not sure I totally understand the D/s lifestyle and I really am not sure I got Charlie going from an ultra-feminist to a sub in just a couple of days, but there is definitely sparks between her and Neil that work. The snarky dialogue and steamy interactions between the two made for fun reading. And while I don’t necessarily get the D/s relationship (mostly from ignorance), Murphy delivers it in an addictive way and I’ll definitely be on the look out for the next book in this series. I have a feeling Charlie’s sister is in for quite a few surprises.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

I’m branching out a little in my reading – to me erotica, when done well, is just REALLY steamy romances. The material is a little more graphic but it is still about relationships. I’ve read a few, here and there, with BDSM elements, but it isn’t a sub-genre (or lifestyle) that I’m all that familiar with. I’m slowly getting the feel for the give and take in the D/s relationship, which is very intriguing. And The Duke and the Domina is even more so because up to this point everything I’d read had had a male Dom. This time, though, the roles are reversed … which makes it all the more interesting.

Throw in the fact that it is a historical romance and it becomes even more complicated. There are certain appearances that are expected in society and roles that are to be strictly adhered to. Grayson has certain tendencies, which are out of this norm, making him ashamed and solitary. He has very few people close to him and keeps many, many secrets. But when a mysterious woman falls into his lap, his world is turned upside down.

I’ve always loved the fish out of water idea of a woman traveling back in time. As an avid reader of love stories populated by lords and ladies, I can’t imagine what it would be like to throw a modern woman into that world. What she has to give up and what expectations she would have to meet. Having her be a Domina definitely makes it even more complicated – for those same reasons that Grayson’s preference are so very dangerous.

But when the two are thrown together it could be the answer … if only they can learn to open up their hearts and trust the other with the truth. To that end, I totally get Grayson’s reluctance – especially because of the damage it could do to him, those he calls his and even to his very life. But I’m not totally sure I understand her issues. She isn’t comfortable revealing herself to Grayson but I never got all that good an understanding why. Maybe I missed something but it wasn’t clear to me.

That didn’t stop me from enjoying the book though. I eagerly flipped pages as the two danced around each other … and finally gave love a chance.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

I’ve got to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I mean, I was expecting (and got) an enjoyable historical romance but I also expected some kind of gothic flair with the dead wife. You know the kind – with the unrequited love, a jealous rival, a crazy aunt … someone somewhere who does an evil deed and the hero ends up taking the blame. Not this time, although there are many other things at play here – love, attraction, trust, independence, expectations, and past hurts.

Alethea has lead a certain life up to this point – she’s been allowed a lot of liberty and independence by her father. However, whe’s never met a man who intrigues her quite the same way that James does. But when she’s forced to give up her previous life to live one as the Dark Duke’s duchess though, the transition is going to be hard for her to take. James, too, comes to the relationship needing to make some adjustments. He’s still carrying around scars from his first marriage and as much as he may care for Alethea he has fears that are going to take a lot to get past.

There a good number of misunderstandings between these two. They don’t do that good a job of communicating all the time, but when they do – when they finally start using their brains and hearts, instead of the hurts and insecurities – things definitely get better. It’s a rollercoaster ride, full of humor and hurt, but I gladly held on with both hands, anxiously waiting for them to get to their HEA moment. Oh, and make sure you check out the epilogue on the author’s website – perfect end cap to their love story!

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)