REVIEW–Toy Box by Delphine Dryden
Book Title - Toy Box
Author - Delphine Dryden
Stars - 5
Buy Link – AMAZON
Lauren and Rafe have been coasting along since they had kids, letting things in the bedroom match their vanilla suburban lifestyle. But they have a blistering-hot Dominant/submissive history, and this weekend, Rafe will remind Lauren of all the deviant delights awaiting her when they open up…the Toy Box.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I sure would! I loved it because it gave me a look into a married relationship that lives the Dominant/Submissive lifestyle. I can not say enough good about this author's writing.
Lauren and Rafe had a fantastic sex life which included living the Dominant/Submissive lifestyle and it was something both needed and wanted. Now what happens when a child, a dog ( who helps pay the Vet's daughters semester in college) bills and normal everyday life changes? How do you handle trying to make time for each other and still making sure the other one knows that the feelings have gotten stronger over the years and nothing will ever change that. Rafe and Lauren had gotten married and lived the lifestyle but when Lauren got pregnant and couldn't do some of the things that are required of a sub, they put it on hold till after the baby was born and Lauren had recouped from giving birth. But the lifestyle never came back into play for a few reasons. Having a child doesn't give you a lot of time to enjoy certain things in life. You can't quite be kneeling in front of your spouse and call him Master in front of a young child. That lifestyle shouldn't include children and this is exactly what happen between Rafe and Lauren. After Rafe seen Lauren give birth to their son, he looked at her differently. She was no longer his submissive but the mother of his child and he just couldn't bring himself to go back in the Master mode. But Rafe wanted to change that and he had a surprise for Lauren and he put it into motion. He loved his wife and it's about time he reminds her that she means so much to him and his love for her is unconditional. He is making a Toy Box in the garage and Lauren is under the impression that it is for their son, who by the way does not need another toy box. Boy is she in for a surprise.
I love this story for a few reasons and plenty more that I'm not going to list. My big one is when you get married and have children, your time as a couple goes to almost nil. Even trying to plan one night of having sex doesn't always work. Something is always more important and after awhile you both start taking each other for granted. Both Lauren and Rafe want the excitement back but neither one brings it up. Lauren has an image problem with herself. She doesn't see herself as sexy anymore and she figures Rafe might feel the same. Rafe loves everything about his wife but doesn't know exactly how to tell her how much they both need something different. To me, Rafe and Lauren are like any other couple in the lifestyle. Everything changes when you have kids. The kids take priority and then everything else life throws at you is next. At the very bottom is the sexual relationship between wife and husband isn't as important anymore. Rafe realizes this and he plans to show Lauren exactly what they are missing.
I have not read a book that takes a look at the lifestyle after marriage and kids. I imagine this is exactly how it is in most Dominant and Submissive relationships. Couples need to find time for each other but one may need to take the first step. Please read this book. You have great sex scenes as Dominant/Submissive but more than that, you have a great story of a couple that realizes life has to include fun for them once in awhile also. Great Hot Read on a cold night! Keep your spouse or significant other close by after you read this book, you will need to put your flames out some how.
Barb gives Toy Box
REVIEW – February (Calendar Girl #2) by Audrey Carlan
Book Title - February (Calendar Girl #2)
Author - Audrey Carlan
Stars - 5
Buy Link – AMAZON
A muse. Me. The motorcycle riding, ass-kicking, concert t-shirt wearing chick from Las Vegas, is a world-renowned French artist’s muse. For a month.
I had no idea when I took the escort job with Exquisite Escorts I would be standing naked in front of a blank canvas in a Seattle warehouse.
“Love on Canvas” he calls his exhibit, a combination of photographic stills and paint entwined to create the most awe-inspiring pieces the world will ever see. Except every last one of them features me and a moment in time where I was vulnerable.
Alec Dubois played on those vulnerabilities, teaching me lessons about love and life that would stay with me through the rest of my days.
***
Mia Saunders continues her mission to bail out her comatose father whose life is on the line to a dangerous loan-shark who happens to be Mia’s ex-boyfriend. For this journey, she serves as a high-priced escort to French artist named Alec Dubois in Seattle, Washington.
Each installment in the Calendar Girl Serial will release every month throughout 2015. The stories will feature Mia, told from her perspective as she continues her journey as an escort to twelve clients in twelve different locations.
Warning: This book is designed for audiences 18+ due to language and graphic sexual content.
This is the 2nd book in Audrey's monthly series following Now. In this book Mia head to Seattle to spend the month with Alex Dubois, as his muse. Alex teaches her about the art of making love, not just f*cking and how she is deserving of love from others and how to LOVE herself. She teaches him how he needs to live and love more than his art. Each month is a learning lesson for Mia's emotional growth. It feels like each month , is a month long romance that end in a break-up with Mia and the man of the month remaining more than friends,!! Looking forward to March and Now's new man and a new city. I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. PROUD to be one of AUDREY'S ANGELS!! These story's are HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!!
Amy gives February (Calendar Girl #2)
REVIEW – Brie’s Russian Treat by Red Phoenix
Book Title - Brie's Russian Treat
Author - Red Phoenix
Stars - 5
Buy Link – AMAZON
Rytsar Durov - fine vodka with a side of sadism...
Rytsar has always held a piece of Brie’s heart ever since he made her fantasy come true at The Submissive Training Center. Now her Master is taking her back to Russia to meet with his old friend. Time spent in Moscow will lead to fist fights, hot scenes, challenging requests, and an afternoon of fiery passion.
In this fifth novella of the Submissive in Love series be prepared to quiver, purr and laugh out loud as you join Brie in Moscow - a land of mystery, pain, and deliciously wicked sex.
Adult Material (18+)
Oh my gosh! This book is so utterly perfect, I was enthralled. Red Phoenix is so good at taking a story you think you know and turning things on its head. I was so blindsided by the direction this book took, I was overwhelmed by the discoveries one makes during this story. We have met and experienced Rytsar before. He was the first Dom outside of the trainers that Brie experienced at the first auction during her training. And we met him again when Brie went to Russia the first time with Sir. What transpires in this book will blow you away! This series just keeps getting better with every book.
Brie and Thane travel to Russia because Thane has business to deal with and Brie is going to do some filming for her second documentary. Last time they were here, Rytsar pulled a massive prank on Thane. They were a bit concerned about what he was going to do this time. They weren't disappointed. But something is very wrong when they arrive at his mansion. They move forward, but Thane is not going with them. He will meet up with them later. He gives restrictions to the Russian Dom, but Brie is still going to be under his skilled hands for a bit of teaching. Her trip will include a spin at a club, and lots of chills. What happens at the club had me gasping in shock! This book will grab you right from the start. There is no way you can anticipate what is coming. Red has out done herself with this incredibly sexy read. I am so addicted to this series, and you will be too. It is a fabulous book and you learn so much more about the sexy Dom. The shocker at the end will blow your mind. Buckle up, cupcake! This book will have you panting in no time!
Heidi gives Brie's Russian Treat
REVIEW – The Bold and the Dominant (The Doms of Her Life #3) by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacobs & Isabella LaPearl
Book Title - The Bold and the Dominant (The Doms of Her Life #3)
Author - Shayla Black Jenna Jacobs Isabella LaPearl
Stars - 5
Buy Link – AMAZON
After spending weeks trying to reach Raine Kendall, Dominants Liam O’Neill and Macen Hammerman have finally broken past the walls to their submissive’s wounded heart. Before they can enjoy their newfound closeness, Liam’s past comes back to haunt him when his ex-wife drops in—with a secret that could tear his world apart. Forced to leave Raine in Hammer’s care, Liam is stuck on the outside, stewing in frustration and insecurity…and wondering if Raine no longer needs him or if Hammer alone completes her.
Always the pillar of strength, Hammer tries to help Liam while sheltering their woman. But Raine soon discovers the truth that threatens the trio’s chance of a happily-ever-after. Determined to hold them together, the two men cook up a scheme to uncover the ex’s secret. When an old nemesis returns and targets Raine, can Liam and Hammer come together to slay the danger and save the woman they both love?
I love this continuation of Liam,Hammer and Raines's story. These characters are well developed and evolve and grow as the story unfolds. Not so happy with cliffhanger ending but will be buying and reading the next book!! Not a standalone read the series from the beginning! Highly recommend!!!
Amy gives The Bold and the Dominant (The Doms of Her Life #3)
REVIEW – Love Garage by Liz Crowe
Book Title - Love Garage (Love Brothers #1)
Author - Liz Crowe
Stars - 3
Buy Link – AMAZON
A Family Saga with humor, heat and heart--not to mention beer, bourbon and basketball!
Antony Love is the quintessential responsible oldest brother of a boisterous, Italian/Irish family, placed in charge at a young age by his parents who are busy running the family business. He manages his siblings with a fair but iron hand, until his life is shattered by personal tragedy leaving him the shell of the man he once was.
When outspoken matriarch Lindsay Halloran Love becomes ill, the youngest brother Aiden shows up at Antony's garage, having dropped out of school (again), needing work and a place to crash. Antony provides both, with three caveats: "Don't smoke in my truck, don't be late for work, and don't mess with my girlfriend."
But Aiden Love, budding novelist, gets one glimpse of Rosalee Norris, young widow of Antony's lifelong best friend and all bets are off.
I was not sure about half way through This book I was not sure if Aiden and Anthony should not have each had their own stories. However I think it was done how it should have been. Anthony owns Love Garage and his younger brother Aiden moves back in town needing a job so Anthony helps him out. I really liked the interaction between the brothers and the Mother and her swear jar. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
Connie gives Love Garage (Love Brothers #1)
REVIEW – Educating Rena by Maggie McCullough
Book Title - Educating Rena
Author - Maggie McCullough
Stars - 3
Buy Link
Learning is not always found in books.
What does a girl do when the guy she loves is also the guy every girl in school chases? Serena Ramirez retreated to her beloved books for romance and adventure. Heading to Chicago for college seemed a good idea at the time. Now, a decade later, she isn't so sure. The few sexual relationships she's had haven't measured up.
Why? Her heart is still in Wyoming.
Serena is a woman on a mission. She is flying back to Cheyenne for her ten year high school reunion. For one reason only...to find Scott Matthews. Serena is convinced Scott is the man who can give her the sexual satisfaction no other man has.
She's not a shy teenager now. It's game on. No more hiding behind her books.
Scott won't know what hit him. Serena has a bold proposition. Will he rise to the challenge?
Rena is going back to Cheyenne to attend her high school class reunion and hoping to see Scott, the guy she had big crush on but he just never notice her. Tonight he would notice her and she had plenty of plans for him.
Scott to me just seemed like a player just by the way he was talking and acting. Rena was acting like a slut in my opinion. Who in their right mind asks a guy on the dance floor to give her an orgasm. I understand wanting to have fun with the guy you had a huge crush on in high school, maybe asking him to take advantage of you, or to show you what he was showing all those girls back in school while you watched from the sidelines. I just had a hard time getting into the conversation between these two.
The authors description of the room and what she was wearing and how she was in high school, I could see exactly as she was describing everything. Later in the story I could start to feel that Rena's feelings for Scott were very much love and she was just trying to get him more interested by being so forth coming.
This is just my opinion and I would love to read more from this author just because I wasn't really happy with this one doesn't mean I won't like the next one. See if you like it, give it a chance and decide for yourself.
Barb gives Educating Rena
REVIEW – Loving a Caveman by Philomena MacKinnon
Book Title - Loving a Caveman
Author - Philomena MacKinnon
Stars - 5
Buy Link – AMAZON
Mira is a young, innocent cave girl virgin who can't imagine that marriage would ever be for her. And when her father chooses Regus, a weakling to her eyes, she is close to running away from home. Before she can marry, she must learn what being a woman in the stone age is all about. And when the wedding night arrives, she discovers that it's not all about killing saber-tooth cats and that what waits beneath Regus' furs can give her a lot more pleasure. This is an erotic story with explicit content about a young woman's first time set in the Stone Ages.
For being this authors first erotic storyline, I was pleasantly surprised. I loved this story. I am part Indian and this makes me think back to the old times where this was something the older women did with the younger ones who were getting married.
Mira had grown up in her parents cave and had never been away. Mira was to marry Regus and she did not think he was the kind she would marry if it was up to her. He was a weakling and she doubted he would be as thoughtful and loving as her father is toward her mother. She wanted someone like her father but that was not to be. Her mother took her to the circle where the older and wiser women who had been married would help Mira get ready for her night with her new husband. They cleaned her with fire, meaning they took the fire and held it up near her hair on different parts of her body and let the heat from the torch burn off the hair. I'm sorry I am not sure if I could just lay there while some other women are burning off my body hair. But I guess if that's the way it's done, then so be it. After they were done with her, then she was ready to be married.
The author describe everything in as much as detail that was needed. I could vision everything that was happening with Mira and then with her and her new husband Regus. With Mira being a virgin it was so sweet that Regus took special time to make sure that she didn't hurt and made her feel so wanted, loved and beautiful, all through the actions he was doing. No words needed because his touch and his face showed her just how much he was going to love her and protect her throughout their marriage. Everything a girl could want in a husband. Regus made her feel that her virginity was something special and he was proud to be the one to take it. At least that's how I felt while reading this story.
I definitely will read more from this author if she brings out anymore books. Her attention to detail and the way she makes what the characters are feeling come right off the page and I could feel and see everything without a problem. During the sex scene I felt like I was intruding because it was written so very beautiful. Get this book if you can because it is so worth reading and read it more than once because it is that good.
Barb gives Loving a Caveman
