Book #Review: Jewel (Grayson Family 2) by Beverly Jenkins .@authorMs.Bev

Book Title: Jewel (Grayson Family 2)
Author:  Beverly Jenkins|Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: AVON

Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, African American Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $5.99

Pages: 394

How I got it: Traded Paperbackswap

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
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Synopsis:

A proposal she had no choice but to accept . . .

Though Eli Grayson is one of the most handsome, charming, and intelligent men in Grayson Grove, no one will take a chance on a confirmed bachelor. Unwilling to give up his dreams, Eli convinces his friend Jewel to pose as his wife. Their masquerade is to last just one night . . . but when word gets out, Eli and Jewel must tie the knot to save his career—and her reputation.

Became a love she never expected . . .

Angry at being forced to turn her life upside down, Jewel never imagined that a white-hot passion would consume her once she and Eli became husband and wife. Sharing a bed has turned their prim friendship into a sensuous love affair . . . but when a woman from Eli's past returns to stir up trouble, he and Jewel will learn just how far they'll go to protect the precious gem of their newfound passion. (less)

This is has been on my bookshelves for a while and I put it on my Top 19 for 2019 TBR list, and I'm so glad I pulled it to read.  I dived into this one right after reading Vivid (which I reviewed yesterday). I have been on a Beverly Jenkins binge and I can't even begin to explain how much fun I have been having. There is nothing like reading a romance with characters that look like you, talk like you and behave the way you behave, seeing yourself in the romances you read matters so much and I am loving it!!! Now Jewel's story is one of my favorite kinds of tropes, a friends to lovers story with a bit of twist due to their attempt at running a con on a business investor. Ohhh this is good.

Eli Grayson is the cousin/ best friend of Nate from the first book (Vivid) and he's been running a successful newspaper for the his town that had at it's height reached as far as Chicago with it's readers, however with the increased violence and the new Jim Crow laws being put into effect his efforts to educate the masses are being thwarted.  When he gets the opportunity to meet with a well known successful Black newspaper owner he's ecstatic until the owner lets him know he only works with married men. Eli is a well known bachelor, but he can't let such a good opportunity pass him by so he asks one of his best friends to pose as his wife for a private meeting and from there we get one hell of a story.

I loved Eli and Jewel together. They were so much fun especially because Jewel didn't know how to be anything but herself which she thought was nothing Eli would really be interested in. Like most of the women in town she's educated, smart, handy with a gun and determined to aide the race in anyway she can. She's part of the townswomen who are attending meeting to get the vote for women and as the men in town like to joke "working on taking over the world".  I absolutely loved her, confident and brash at times and shy and uncertain in some areas, Jewel was a complex woman who wanted more but was happy with the life she had. She's the only girl in a caravan full of men who are loving and overprotective so she thought she wasn't ever going to be married.

Eli on the surface seems like your typical playboy bachelor, and as we get to know him we discover he has deep regrets about his youth and the people he hurt then. He's living his life in a way to never hurt anyone again and when his scheme blows up and he realizes he could seriously hurt Jewel's reputation he stepped up to the plate and took responsibility.  Getting to know Eli and see his fears, and to see how much his past was affecting him, made him so real and relateable. Don't we all have things we regret and wish we could take back??

Together they try to make the situation ok and as they go along and Eli realizes Jewel could be the woman for him?? Lord listen, when Beverly writes these men determined to court the women?? She pulls out all the stops. Eli determined to court Jewel, is a man on a mission. I loved that when Jewel felt she would be unable to handle Eli because he knew so much more than she did, she went to the women she could trust and asked for help. Their romance was at times sweet and at the same time very erotic.

While I could sit here and gush about their romance, this story of course wasn't just about them. We had the past coming back in a bitter way intent on making mischief where there was no need for any. And like all things that should remain in the past, this one stirs up a whole heap of mess, which leads to a murder, and then a hunt for a killer hidden among the townspeople. We have other townspeople falling in love as well (someone who well deserves it), we get to see how Nate and Viv are doing. We of course get a bit of history lesson as well and just have a grand ole' time.

I read this in a day because I was so invested in the story. I needed to know what kind of high-jinks Eli and Jewel were going to get into. How this small lie to make his business successful again was going to shake out and what would happen as they try to make this marriage of convenience real.  I can't recommend this enough my loves. I loved this story. I talked back to this story; I was cussing out the villains, I freaked out in the last few chapters as everything came to a climax; I giggled with Jewel when she read the book ( you'll know what I mean when you get there). These are characters you fall in love with, root for and miss when you put the book down.

I'm hoping Beverly goes back to the town of Grayson Grove and lets us know about the brothers and their love stories.

 ★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Breathless by Beverly Jenkins
• Tempest by Beverly Jenkins
• Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
• Ravished by Amanda Quick

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Vivid by Beverly Jenkins .@authorMsBev

Book Title: Vivid
Author:  Beverly Jenkins |Website| Twitter| Facebook| 

Publisher: AVON

Genre: Historical Romance, African American Romance
Series/Standalone:  Book 1
Format: ebook, mass market

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 400

How I got it: Borrowed from Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Jan 1995
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Synopsis:

It's 1786 and Dr.Viveca Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed upon female physicians of color. When she is offered the chance to set up a practice in the small all Black community of Grayson Grove, Michigan she leaves her California home and heads east. The very determined Viveca is one of the few nineteenth century Black women to graduate from the prestigious Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania but she needs more than determination to face down handsome Nate Grayson, the Grove's bull-headed mayor.Nate Grayson goes to the train station expecting Dr. V. Lancaster to be a man. When the lovely dark-skinned Viveca introduces herself he is speechless, then wants her back on the train and out of his town. It's 1876 and women aren't supposed to be doctors, men are. However he isn't prepared for her stubbornness and fire, nor for the vivid way she heals, then steals his heart.

I am on a Ms Bev roll this month. What can I say the woman can write slump-busting books, ever since I read Vivid I have been on a reading blitz and I can't tell how much I have been enjoying it.  Let's get back to why we are here, the review of Vivid.  I have a list of books I want to read by the end of 2019 (It's my Top 19 Books I'm anticipating for 2019) and Jewel by Beverly is on it. When I went to read it I realized this read like a second book and sure enough Vivid came first.

I dived into this one knowing absolutely nothing but who the author was and of course she didn't disappoint.  Vivid was a quick fun read that also taught me so much about the history of black towns, black women physicians  & the importance of the black press during reconstruction while getting an awesome romance in.  Being a history fanatic I love reading Ms Bev's work just for the ways she interweaves the history of black people into the romance.

Like all her books, we got great conversations, witty banter, off the charts chemistry and well-developed characters that evolve as the story develops.  I loved that this story started with misunderstanding which led to them being in an adversary role which later developed into a friendship.  I loved that the need to prove herself made her a strong character, Vivid was hilarious and meant business and one of my favorites scenes will always be the hat scene in the very beginning. Nate's bullheadedness cost him a hat and a little bit of his pride but allowed the townspeople to see what Viv was made of.

I loved that as the story developed there was knowledge sprinkled throughout. I loved learning the history of post-civil War era and how it impacted the newly freed blacks.  People often forget this time in between; and go from the civil war to the civil rights movement as if the horrors of the times in between didn't' happen.

I enjoyed Viv's family ties and that they discuss Fred Douglass, but I wish she had mentioned Marcus Garvey (Updated 04/12/19 and this folks is why you should double check the dates in history before you embarrass yourself. As Ms Bev pointed out, she can't mention someone who isn't born yet 😧😳😳) and how the sister got to Liberia. I loved how close the family was and how the parents pushed their children to be more than society said they could be.  I loved the chemistry between Nate and Viv, and the different relationships she forms in town, especially with Nate's daughter.  Their bond was sweet to read especially because you know that Magic was probably starved for someone who understood her wildness the way Viv did.

The romance is a slow build from adversaries into friends and then BAM, hot mama the chemistry was off the charts.  I loved how they built up to their full relationship. another of my favorite scenes came when Viv was going to the big city and was bringing Magic and Nate tells their escort to make his excuses. I laughed reading that scene because I knew he was a goner then!!  I liked the glimpses of the town and the different people there. I can't wait to see more for the township and its people.  I can't wait to see if she goes back with stories about the younger children especially Magic. It would be interesting to read who she becomes.

Of course, this couldn't be a historical romance without some drama. The past comes back to haunt Nate bringing with it untold danger. Ignorance about women and their roles lead to a tragedy that haunts Viv and leads to danger in her life as well. The story of how they come together despite the craziness and how they create something beautiful is a reason to dive into this and not come up until you've finished.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Alyssa Cole The Loyal League Series

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Deadly Sexy by Beverly Jenkins .@authorMsBev

Book Title: Deadly Sexy
Author:  Beverly Jenkins |Website| Twitter| Facebook| 

Publisher: AVON

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 384

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: October 30, 2017
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Synopsis:

Though her Lexus may be broken down on the California freeway, Jessi Teresa Blake is no damsel in distress. Rich, smart, and beautiful, JT, or "Lady Blake," as she is called, is one of the toughest sports agents around. She's negotiated megabucks contracts for every superstar in the business, and only the most confident of men can match wits with her. Men like Reese Anthony, the impossibly sexy trucker who gives her a lift back to Oakland.

But Reese isn't just a truck driver--he's a partner in his family's multi-million-dollar company, a lawyer, and a former cop. He's been asked to quietly investigate a murder in the world of L.A. football, a job he's thrilled to discover brings him closer to the beautiful woman he found stranded on the highway. And when he detects a bitter enemy threatening JT's life, he's willing to protect her--and pleasure her--all night long.

I loved reading this. This is Jessi's story which comes after Sexy/Dangerous  (which I reviewed yesterday) This story shared a little bit more about Max's story as well, expanding on a shared scene they had.  This story shares what happens when women succeed in a place people don't believe they should and how those who can't level up react to your success.

Jessi known as JT in the business world is a successful lawyer who becomes a sports agent in a world dominated by men. She's brash, confident, successful and beautiful. This is another story where tall women get some love. She's a sports fan who turned her love into a profitable career and because she's good she's well loved and also hated by those who wish they could be her.  On the way back from talking to a client her brand new baby breaks down and she's rescued by a fine a** trucker named Reese.  Their chemistry is off the charts and even though he's a stranger, she makes some calls puts her emergency plan in place and gets help from Reese. I absolutely loved their meet cute, because she established right away that even though she's beautiful and looks cool, there are brains behind it.

I loved that they had a bonding time due to their road trip to drop her home and Reese knew immediately he didn't want this moment to end. Listen, the way he went after courting her??? Sweet Gawds, no walls are standing up after that.  Much like her sister's book this a grown and sexy romance, with two successful people who are self-aware, well adjusted and have their lives together except in this one spot.

As the story advances we get more going on that just these two fine people working on dating and becoming more, we have a murder to solve, we are left with the mystery the motivation and then the who did it of some events.   Even though we know why they are doing some of the things, reading it I kept saying but my guy *because I'm from NYC* if you put that much energy into going after her, you could do the same with your goals. Duh!!

Even though Reese and JT have great chemistry, they started on a bit of a falsehood and that plays into how she handles them going further in their relationship. As the story got deeper and the mystery kept getting deeper and the situations kept getting worse I wanted to just scream at the villain like GET A LIFE and leave Jessi out of it!!! Then we get the ultimate betrayal??!!! Girl, how the heck didn't you realize you were in over your head?? Like I get what she meant when she said she could overlook the first two requests but when he asked for that final thing??? Bitch I would have singed like a canary in a coal mine. Is you crazy?? I'm not doing that. Call me a snitch if you want but nope nope NOPE!!!

I absolutely loved this story and because so invested, I would really love more from the brothers and know how they end up.  I'm interested in the father's story, does he go courting?? Do Pinky & the Brain find love, do they ever invent something else??

Another thing I wanted to note, was the casual wealth discussed and embraced within the novel. It's not brought up a lot but it's displayed in their actions and how they go about their world. Considering who they are descendants of (she links back to a few of her historicals)  it's nice to think that their ancestors would love knowing their dreams came through somewhat. I loved that they were moving through a world that wouldn't normally include successful black men and women in the backgrounds ( making the deals, determining the worth of the athletes, making the serious money) even though the athletes might be predominately black and brown.  I loved the discussion of hanging on too much to the past and how that can be destructive and how success without reaching back to bring another along isn't really success.

It's a great read and I'm going to add it to the favorites shelf and of course highly recommend it to you to read.  *Psst* she includes a great soundtrack with it as well!! Oh, and it's now a movie adaptation on Amazon. I will be reviewing that as well!!!

 ★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Sexy/Dangerous by Beverly Jenkins
2. Julie Garwood Buchannon-Reynard series
3. Nora Roberts
4. Lora Leigh

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Sexy/Dangerous by Beverly Jenkins .@authorMsBev

Book Title: Sexy/Dangerous
Author:  Beverly Jenkins |Website| Twitter| Facebook| 

Publisher: HarperTorch
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 352

How I got it: Traded on Paperbackswap

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: October 31, 2006
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Synopsis:

Wearing her shades, a black Stetson, and snakeskin cowboy boots, security agent Maxine "Max" Blake is the baddest thing walking. Ex-marine, ex-cop, and a whole lotta 'tude, Max doesn't have time for anything but her job. Her latest assignment: to protect Dr. Adam Gary. Her problem: he doesn't want her there.

Adam wants to focus on his work, not to be distracted by this tall, sexy woman. A foiled kidnapping attempt may have forced him to take an undercover agent into his household, but no one said anything about the agent being a woman, or that she'd be beautiful, or that she came with two monster rottweilers. How is he supposed to concentrate on his top-secret project that could revolutionize the world when all he can think about is her smooth, coffee-colored skin and those long, lean legs?

But as danger nips at their heels, love may be a distraction neither of them will live to enjoy . . .

I went into this one blind like I always do. I was looking for something fun to read and because I know I can count on Mrs. Bev, I grabbed this one and boy was I in for a treat.  Told through a few perspectives this is the story of Max & Dr. Adam Gary.  Dr. Gary has invented a new way to create energy and being the optimist that he is, he was thinking of how this can benefit the world, someone, however, is trying to use this invention for their own means and from there were get one hell of an adventure.  I was hooked within the first ten pages of this story. I couldn't wait to see how everything would shake out and just what Max was capable of. The story flowed extremely well, taking us from a beautiful lab to the wild adventures of a getaway scene to the hot romance. I loved every second of it.

Dr. Gary's invention was going to revolutionize the way in which energy was cultivated within homes and would help to cut costs and our dependence on oil. We know that the oil companies weren't happy to hear that. After attending a conference for other scientists and sharing his finds on his invention Adam is attacked and because they under anticipated what black men from Detroit can do he was able to get away. Knowing he's in danger Adam agrees to have security as long as they don't interrupt his bid to finish the prototype before his enemies catch up with him.  Enter in Maxine, Max to everyone but her Mama. She's a Marine (because once a Marine always a Marine) a former cop and now an agent for the hidden group NIA. This job should be a piece of cake for her, protect the brother with the big brain and his prototype until he's done, then turn him over to homeland security and she's onto another job.

I loved Max, she was confident, funny, a badass and she loves my favorite kinds of dogs. As an agent for this group, she works best with her canine duo who are trained to protect her and the client. Unfortunately for her, Adam hates dogs, but she's not here because he wants her here, she's here to do a job.  The story is very engaging from the beginning, as readers we are away of the motivations of the people going after Dr. Gary, and we realize just how far-reaching this effort is, way before they even begin to get a glimpse of the deep trouble they are in.  As the reader with this knowledge as I read I kept freaking out because I was saying "oh no, y'all don't know what's coming at you right now', like when you watch a horror movie and you want to yell at the screen "don't go in there girl, run".  As the adventures unfolded I wanted Max to come out on top so badly. I loved that she was such a badass even when it scared him.

It was great to see the characters tackle the role flip and how it made Adam feel to rely on a woman for his safety. I loved that they discussed how often she's had to deal with attitudes like his from the get-go. men always underestimate how competent she is because she's a woman and for the clients it's frustrating but the people she's protecting them against its an advantage she exploits.

As we read we were introduced to a few characters that I wanted to get five minutes alone with. Especially Dr. Kent, that man needed his butt kicked so badly. Like just how dare you?? You got some nerve, sir. How do you call yourself a father then be such a jerk to your own child?? You suck sir, badly!! Adam's parents were a great highlight of the story as well. They were a great way for Adam to realize that love endures and that it shouldn't be taken for granted. His Mama was such a treat and didn't hold back from cussing him out when he needed to hear it.

This is a grown and sexy novel y'all, filled with mystery and intrigue and adventures, sexy hot times which lead to even sexier adventures.  Max a very fun, and confident character, who came from a slightly troubled background because she just loved adventures.  I loved that she was confident, knew her worth and wasn't willing to compromise who she was for a relationship.  I loved that she made choices that were for her personal growth and well being instead of what the person she loved was asking for.  I loved that Adam grew as the novel advanced and he was willing to embrace the changes that Max represented in his life. Not at first of course because then there wouldn't be any conflict, but growth comes through loss and change and they both needed their own time to come to what was right for them.  Considering how smart Adam was supposed to be it took him a while to get out of his own way but he needed that time and it wouldn't have been as realistic as it was if he didn't work at it.

Ohhh there is so much I could gush about, from the call signs everyone had for Max, and getting to meet Hanibal!! It certainly makes me wonder what the real call signs were for the Obamas.  I can't wait to read her sister's story. This definitely going on my faves shelf. The story was extremely well done. I just wish we had a series name and a reading order so I could get to know all the other characters we were introduced to. I'm hoping we get more from these men and women as she expands the world of NIA.

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Nora Roberts 
• Julie Garwood 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Snippet Book #Review: The Chalet (Submissive 3.5) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Chalet ( The Submissive 3.5)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: Intermix

Genre: Erotica Romance, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 3.5
Format: ebook

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 127

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Oct 21, 2014
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Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me’s Submissive series is an international sensation. Now, Abby and Nathaniel’s story continues with their romantic wedding and a honeymoon too hot to believe…
Submitting her body was only the beginning.

Abby King didn’t know true passion until she gave herself to Nathaniel West, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors and desired Dominants. Now, on the eve of her marriage, she realizes all her dreams are coming true. And with a romantic honeymoon getaway planned at a secluded Swiss chalet, she’s sure Nathaniel will find even more fantasies to fulfill…

Nathaniel never thought he’d settle down until Abby broke down his barriers and changed his plans. With their wedding only weeks away, he can barely wait to possess her completely—heart, body, and soul—and show her the true meaning of being both a wife and a submissive.

Only Abby has one more challenge in store before she becomes his: no sex and no collar for one month before the wedding. Nathaniel is willing to give it a shot but he has one scandalous stipulation—once that month is up, anything goes…

This is the book that brings us back into the lives of Abby and Nathienal after The Training (click for my review).  This is the story of the months leading up to their wedding and the adventures they go on leading there as well as what happens once they become man and wife.

This was a great little look at their lives after they cemented their relationship both as conventional husband and wife and their private lives as Dominant & submissive. I enjoyed Nathienal's surprises for their honeymoon and the way he pushes Abby's boundaries.  They work at discovering more about themselves and their relationship while reveling in the senses.

Their scenes are of course amazing to read and the descriptions make you feel like you are right there with them. I loved every second of this one.  While we did get to see some of their friends this one really focuses in on their dynamic and how they explore their roles while maintaining a "normal " relationship as well.

I highly recommend.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day
• The Wicked Lover Series by Shayla Black

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy 1) by Deborah Harkness

Book Title: A Discovery of Witches ( All Souls Trilogy 1)
Author:  Deborah Harkness |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Viking Penguin
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal Sci-Fi
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: Hardcover

Cost: $10.99

Pages: 572

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million
Publication Date: February 2011
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Synopsis:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

I read this after watching the show on tv. I absolutely loved the show adaptation (and will be doing a review later) I thought this was a very good story with unique mythology which made me love the story even more.  In the book we are introduced to Diana who is a witch who doesn't practice magic due to a tragedy in her past she refuses to associate with anything having to do with magic and as such choose to study history and Alchemy.  Her belief is that science took away the chance for magic to interrupt her life. And she was right until a magical book lands in her lap and puts her on a collision course with all the things that go bump in the night.

I have to say that after watching the show and liking the Diana we meet there at times the Diana in the book is a bit weaker in constitution. ( I know I know it's not fair to conflate the two but the comparison lingers. In the book, Diana isn't willing to embrace her magic, her legacy or herself even after being shown that her previous beliefs were erroneous. She takes a "bury her head in the sand" kind of approach to life and when you're talking about trying to stay alive that's not the best way.  There are a great many more details within the book that showcase that Diana is way more unique than she believes. From her family's magical genetic make-up to the things she herself has found out by trial and error.

While the overall story is really engaging, and the writing is clearly written with love and attention to detail, history and every sentence has a purpose, it felt rather like ten words were used when five could have sufficed.  The beginning of the book was a bit slow to build up the characters and I think if I hadn't watched the show already I'm not sure I would have finished this book as quickly as I did. I read this in three days in an attempt to get to the cliffhanger from the show and get all the good stuff in before the end. The story does eventually pick up the pace of action, storylines converging and incidents happening all at once.  Considering the size of the book I do wish we had gotten more background on some of the characters who came to mean something to Diana in the end.  They seemed to appear out of nowhere and who they are on the outside of Diana's immediate universe isn't known.

As the story progressed we learned as Diana learned more about herself and the man she's entrusting to help her navigate this new world. Diana blinded herself and was resistant when her aunts tried to teach her anything from childhood and this willful blindness is what puts her in the greatest amount of danger.  Matthew Clairmont has his reasons for protecting Diana and at first, they start with the book she retrieved that he's been hunting for the last 150 years.  It's however, no longer the main reason and as enemies make themselves known Matthew has to battle against his basic nature to hunt everything that threatens Diana down and kill it. Not just because he knows Diana wouldn't like it but because it would start a war that would expose them to humans.

Matthew was certainly one of the most intriguing characters, he tried to keep as much of himself back from Diana as possible and learning about him was like pulling teeth. However, for a vampire his age he's a walking treasure trove of knowledge that Diana is at first intrigued by then drawn to.  Reading about his life and his adventures is one of the reasons I was so drawn to the story. As the story progressed and more about him and his connections to the book come to light I became even more immersed in the book and couldn't put it down until we knew what happened and why.

Once we established that they were going to flaunt the rules and take on the Council I'm not sure why Matthew kept resisting the consummation of their relationship. I know he kept saying as a vampire he has plenty of time, but humans/witches die easily, was he hoping that by holding back this part of himself he would be able to survive her?? Who knows, I'm going to read the other two books to find out though.  While I did like Matthew, I didn't like that he played his cards so close to the chest. Even in cases where it was absolutely necessary for him to divulge information he kept as much as he could to himself until the last second.  Which didn't always end well for him and yet he persisted in doing it.  o_0

Some of the major questions I had were what was in the ampule?? Who altered Ashmole 752?? What other powers does Diana have?? What exactly did her parents know?/ I want to learn more about the characters who are now apart of Diana's world.

 

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Maggie Shayne's The Portal Series 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: The Collar (The Submissive Series 6) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Collar ( The Submissive 6, Partners in Play 2)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: NAL/ Penguin

Genre: Erotica, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 6
Format: Trade Paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 336

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 07,2015
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Synopsis:

In her seductive new Submissive novel, Tara Sue Me introduces a sizzling hot new couple into Abby and Nathaniel's world and explores the red-hot passion between Jeff and Dena that won't be denied ... Fans of E. L. James, Sylvia Day, Maya Banks and Beth Kery will be seduced by New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me's enthralling Submissive series.

Nathaniel and Abby West are struggling to navigate the challenging waters of their own relationship, when they get a surprising phone call from their partners in play, Dena and Jeff, who are in need of a helping hand...

Seven years ago, desperate for something exhilarating to help her escape the pressures of her carefully controlled life, lawyer Dena Jenkins joined a local BDSM club as a submissive. There she met brooding Dominant, Jeff, and, despite Dena's doubts, they couldn't stay away from each other. But as the years have passed, their blazing connection has proven difficult to maintain and resulted in a history they'd rather forget. To save their passion, Dena and Jeff will have to rediscover what it means to trust - and give themselves to each other completely...

Before there was the fan fiction that became Fifty Shades of Grey, there was The Submissive... Indulge in the series that started it all: The Submissive, The Dominant, The Training, The Chalet, The Enticement, The Collar, The Exhibitionist and The Master.

Hi my loves, and we are back into the world of the partners at play series. this is the spin-off of the Submissive series and while we do get to see Abby and Nathaniel, this isn't their story.  We again meet up with the Delaware BDSM group which includes Jeff Parks a Dominant who was there when Abby needed a bit of help and who has become friends with Nathienal. He's also a good friend to Daniel from the bridge book of Seduced by Fire.

I really loved this story as well. Tara's writing and exploration of BDSM and how it appears for different couples just hits it out the park for me.  In this one, we explore how a relationship can fall apart and how the participants can circle around each other for years without really healing or letting go.  Jeff Parks a dominant we met briefly in Seduced by Fire, and the submissive Dena who helped to clarify things for Julie are back and this is their story.  Jeff has a few hang-ups and these inhibit his life without him realizing how they impact his decisions.  Dena is a woman who came to the BDSM world as an act of defiance and found a place she was meant to be in.

In this exploration of who they are they hit it off really well and fall into a great relationship one that comes with a few surprises.  As they grow in their relationship they are hit with a challenge that they decide to embrace, right as they catch their stride as Dominant and submissive their world is rocked and their relationship implodes.  There was so much pain and grief that there was no space for them in the relationship. They split but couldn't seem to grow past each other. They remained within the group even though they never played together again. Not until Julie needed help.  Then all the unspoken things start to bubble to the surface and they have no choice but to face them, especially when it appears Dena is in danger.

My heart hurt reading this. I so understood what lead to their breakup and totally understood how much it hurt them to even see each other much less try to find each other and deal together with their grief.  It showcased that even within the community that uses pain for therapy and even though they know how much their emotions impact everything, they weren't able to see their way back to each other for years.

When they did play together?? My gawds their scenes and moments were hot. The banter, the moments when Dena bratted out to gain his attention and even the moments Jeff needs to get in the headspace as her Dom are amazing to read.  I loved that the story was told in two parts, going between the past and the present-day consequences of the past moments and then finally moving forward.  It's not an easy story, it's not pretty but it is amazingly sexy, raw and real.

It wasn't until later in this book that I realized that the descriptions of Jeff being "dark" was her way of saying he's black without saying he's black. It's one of the only times I realized why most people wouldn't realize it was when he described what happened to him when he moved to NYC.  Other than those moments and a few more when Dena blatantly mentioned the difference between them, him being black is never mentioned again. While I loved that she didn't make him 'other' by mentioning it all the time, or fetishizing it by describing him weirdly; it was odd that him being black is never mentioned in other ways.  While as a black woman my race isn't the only part of me, it is apart of my experience in daily life, maybe this was her way of saying that within 'fringe' groups like the BDSM community these things don't matter as much?? I loved when Dena brought it up within the group and it was touched on without making it weird. I don't know if I'm explaining it well but him being black wasn't made weird, but it also could have been something you read without realizing she was saying he was black because she described him as 'dark'.  It's being diverse without being too controversial or without alienating those who normally wouldn't read a romance with a black male character.

I absolutely loved how the story unfolded. The history and how it impacted their actions today made this story bittersweet and made me excited to see more from the group. I can't wait to read more each of the characters we already know and get to know the rest of the group as well.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Sherri Hayes Finding Anna Series 
• Lynda Aicher Wicked Play Series
• The Submissive Series 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: The Enticement (The Submissive Series 5) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: The Enticement (The Submissive Series 5)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: NAL/Penguin

Genre: Erotica Romance, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 5
Format: Trade paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 271

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 07, 2015
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Limits were made to be pushed.

Abby West has everything she wanted: a family, a skyrocketing new career, and a sexy, Dominant husband who fulfills her every need. Only, as her life outside the bedroom becomes hectic, her Master’s sexual requirements inside become more extreme. Abby doesn’t understand Nathaniel’s increased need for control, but she can’t deny the delicious way her body reacts to his tantalizing demands…

Between Abby’s reluctance and Nathaniel’s unyielding commands, the delicate balance of power between the Dominant and his submissive threatens to shift. And as the underlying tension and desire between them heats up, so does the struggle to keep everything they value from falling apart …

With this title, we go back to the couple that started this series, Abby & Nathaniel.  They are now several years into their relationship, they are married and have children as well as still being active in the BDSM lifestyle.  This becomes an exploration of what does a committed D/s couple do as they begin to experience stagnation and growing pains from the new changes their lives demand?? Well, it becomes very erotic and a deeper exploration of what commitment to the lifestyle looks like for each couple involved.

Having lived the lifestyle for a while the couple is beginning to find themselves looking at their limits and their relationship to see if they need to make changes.  I absolutely loved this one,  my loves. It was a great story. Going back and seeing Abby and Nathienal as they navigate being parents while finding time and ways in which to serve each other without appearing anything but "normal" to their kids and the world was great.

Abby had developed her journaling (much like a submissive that I used to read in real life) into a blog that she shared and as the years have grown so has the blog. Going from just a way to work through the tasks Nathienal has given her much like a journal, it has developed into a popular site. And with that came a new opportunity that she wanted to explore. Nathienal being the great Dom that he was, is excited and encouraging. But as the demands on Abby's time start to come in so does Nathienal's new and increased need to dominate her.

Abby is loving her life, the children, her new career opportunity and of course the fact that they are starting to play even more than before. As they grow in their relationship and the demands on her time grows, she's noticing changes in her Master she's not quite prepared for. Nathienal is asking for more, demanding changes from their routine and she's not sure how she feels about it.  As this is happening new 'rivals' are putting themselves into play and while Abby doesn't doubt she's strong enough to maintain the course she's trying to decide does she want the new path Sir is taking them on.

It was so good to revisit their romance. As an established couple, their needs as Dom/ sub were very different from a few of the other stories in the series, of new couples coming together.  They have played together for years, they're in a committed relationship and they are starting to get a little routine.  With the new changes in their outside lives, it's pushing them to explore more within their D/s relationship and that like all changes makes some uncomfortable.

I loved reading the different scenarios that Nathienal would come up with. I liked seeing how he pushed Abby's stated limits and even explored around in what they have done several times.  I loved that he also acknowledged her need to explore more while never crushing her desire to be more than his wife and partner.  He was very supportive and even at times believed in her way more than she did herself. (like any good partner should).

Their scenes were off the chain erotic and so steamy. I absolutely loved how even in their most 'mundane' moments he could find ways to remind her who she was to him. Both of them grew as the story developed and Nathienal found himself needing to get into spaces within himself that allowed him not just to push his sub but also himself and what he needed to be a better Dominant for her.

I loved the friendships we got to see, not just the 'mundane' ones which they have maintained for years but also their D/s friends. I loved that they attended groups that allowed them to mentor and be mentored. It gave Abby a place and a group of women and men she could call to discuss being a submissive with.

Of course, we can't have a story about the exploration of their relationship without some strife and incidents. A few which allowed us the opportunity to see the differences in how some people play and allowed us to see Abby in many different scenarios and how she reacts when she knows she's supposed to serve Nathaniel even when he isn't there.  We are also introduced to a character from the Partners in Play series (the new spin-off to this series) which interconnects the stories and of course, saves Abby's butt.

I enjoyed the story so much and for such a small book it packed quite a sexy steamy punch while exploring what a years-long committed Dominant and Submissive relationship can look like.  It explored what happens when the mundane and the sexual have to exist within the same relationship and asks the question of how to manage both. I've said it before as well, but I'll state it again, their scenes?? Either in their bedroom or the playroom were so erotic, they were a couple in tune with each other and with their needs and sexiness and intimacy were extremely good.

I highly recommend my loves and while you can just dive in from here, I recommend following their story from the beginning.

 ★★★★1/2

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Submissive Trilogy by Tara Sue Me
• Shayla Black's Wicked Lovers Series
• Lora Leigh's Bound Hearts Series (truly my first BDSM reads ever and so good!!)
• Lynda Aicher's Wicked Play series
• Sherri Hayes Finding Anna Series

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Seduced by Fire (The Submissive Series 4) by Tara Sue Me

Book Title: Seduced by Fire ( The Submissive Series 4, Partners in Play 1)
Author:  Tara Sue Me |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: New American Library/ Penguin

Genre: Erotica Romance, BDSM Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 4
Format: Trade Paperback, ebook

Cost: $15.00

Pages: 274

How I got it: Traded on Paperbackswap

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Tara Sue Me became a worldwide phenomenon with the Submissive Trilogy. Now she presents a scorching tale about a risky passion too hot to ignore.

Julie Masterson craves a taste of danger.

Despite being familiar with the different games people play in the bedroom, she’s never given in to her curiosity about putting her body in someone else’s power—until a chance meeting with Daniel Covington, the seductive Senior VP of Weston Bank, draws her into a titillating new world of sexual experience, one that she never knew she desperately needed.

Daniel is highly respected within his community, but he hasn’t had an exclusive relationship for over two years. Yet Julie’s eager innocence is driving him to the brink of ecstasy, making him rethink his feelings about commitment.

As their sizzling connection heats up, Daniel is ready to take Julie fully under his command. But when the dangerous side of their play rears its ugly head, Julie will have to decide if she trusts him enough to surrender completely—or if she should escape before she gets burned...

I read and loved the Submissive trilogy (back when it was just three books), and when I found out there were more I kept picking up the books but somehow managed to skip this one.  Really I skipped picking it up because I could never find it in store when I had coupons and it never seemed to be on sale anywhere so I patiently waited and then it popped up on paperbackswap so I had to trade for it.

I picked this one up randomly the other day and devoured it in one sitting.  We are introduced to Julie and her business partner Sasha. Sasha is a submissive and she's shared somewhat with Julie who is curious but doesn't know if she wants to explore or how to go about determining what she wants.  When she meets Daniel he's with his Grandmother and everything about him screams high powered and business-like but they have chemistry and they both decide to explore it.

I loved how the story developed, from their meet-cute to Sasha's interference to the development of their relationship. It all felt real, like something that could happen to a friend while not being too outlandish.  I enjoyed that as a friend Sasha tried to keep everyone's secret but at the same time protect her friend.  I enjoyed Daniel's wit and banter with Julie. While liking Julie's no-nonsense life yet she craved something more.

The story develops and blooms just as their relationship does and as they explore what BDSM could mean for them. I liked that Julie didn't just jump right in and feel at home, she struggled with being a person who was so in charge of everything else in her life and yet here she needed to submit. I loved that she wondered, doubted and worked through it to determine where she really wanted to be. Daniel was a well written, well rounded Dominant. One who knew what he wanted but was willing to step back as the woman he wanted learned to explore this part of herself for the first time.

I loved how the discussion of whether it was right to deny pieces of yourself because it was easier to fit into society because it was brought up by the characters. Even though each character determined how much they disclosed to the world I was glad to see them addressing real-life concerns.

I was saddened when the adversarial part of the story came about because my gosh did that hurt my heart and scare me and Julie.  I wanted to know so much more about the men and women who made up the play group.  I loved the description of their dynamics and how the group tried to keep them all safe. From having demonstrations and even mentorship programs.

This wouldn't be an erotica book without touching on how sensual and steamy the scenes were. Whether the main characters were watching a demonstration or participating in their own scenes, the raunchiness and sensuality certainly raised the temps well above steamy.

I highly recommend for those looking for a well written BDSM novel with characters that are well rounded, extremely erotic scenes and hot Doms with paddles.

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Sylvia Day's Crossfire Series
• The Surrender Trilogy by Maya Banks
• The Submissive Trilogy by Tara Sue Me
• Danger Zone by Sierra Cartwright ( BDSM and Menage)
• Just about anything by Lily Harlem

Let me know if you have read this or if you have other recommendations for hot steamy BDSM.Happy Reading my loves, 

April 2019 To Be Read:

And Spring has officially sprung and we are into a new month. It's a fresh new start and we have a chance to kick this quarter's goals in the butt. So let's go!!!

We are going to put in the reading work and achieve 150 books read.  Watching my pattern from the past few years, during the fall I don't get much if anything read, so I'm changing up the plan of attack. 

My goal this year is 150  books, if I break that down it comes out to 18 books per month, with 3 to 4  books a week. Totally doable in my books, so as the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here are my first few bites:

Read So Far This Year: 30

TBR Pile 150

TBR Balance: 120
Monthly Goal: 20

Lemonade Syllabus:

1. Jan Read: Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillian
2. April Read: 

Perpetual Author Challenge:

• Brenda Jackson A Brother's Honor

Finish Series Challenge:

• Sylvia Day Crossfire Series

Top 19  List

• Jan Read: Shifting ( haven't finished yet)
• March Read: Pushout (haven't finished yet)
• April Read:

Black Out Challenge:

• Beverly Jenkin's Sexy/Dangerous
• Beverly Jenkin's Capture
• Beverly Jenkins Wind Sweet Love

Book Club Book: (This month I'm skipping this one since it's not a title I own, however, I'm listing it so I know what the book was for this month at the end of the year).

• The Fifth Season by N. K. Jeminson

These are a few of the known books I'm going to read and then everything else will be mood reading. What are you going to be reading my loves?? Share in the comments down below if you have read any of these and as always

Happy Reading