Book Review + Giveaway: Slave to Sensation (Phy- Changeling #1)by Nalini Singh

I am a Slave to this series now!

Title: Slave to Sensation
Series: Psy- Changeling
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Orion Books
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 1st September, 2006
While I’m a huge fan of the Urban Fantasy genre, but Paranormal Romance has always been a hit or miss for me. I’ll confess while I have read Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, I have never read her more popular Psy-Changeling series which put her on the PNR map.

When given a chance to read this series, I grabbed this chance. I went in a little wearily as I’ve been burned by highly hyped books before. However, I’m pleased to report that no such thing happened with Slave to Sensation. I adored this book.

I really enjoyed the world building which was complex and intriguing. I was expecting a half-baked world which will help to bring the two main characters together. But what I found was beautifully done. The changelings and Psys came with their own society and social systems.

The chemistry between Lucas and Sacha was off the charts. Even from the first scene sparks were flying left right centre. Their chemistry and their push and pull relationship kept me glued. Plus their smexy scenes were hot. I mean fanning myself hot.

So if you call yourself a PNR fan and never read this series then I urge you not to be an idiot like me and pick this series. If you are not a PNR fan, but like smexy alpha males, then do yourselves a favour and pick this book. Better yet, read it, come back and tell me how much you liked it.

To make things even easier, (thanks to Orion Books) I’m giving away a copy of Slave to Sensation to get you started on your Psy-Changeling journey. Unfortunately, this is UK only. So start entering.


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Review: Painted Faces by L. H. Cosway

Unique, sexy, unconventional with shiver inducing romance

Title: Painted Faces
Author: L. H. Cosway
Publisher: Self Published
My ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Releases: 16th December, 2012
P ainted Faces has been on my TBR for a long time when it took over Goodreads by storm. Finally I gave in and immersed my self in the engrossing and encompassing story the L. H. Cosway built.

Freda lives in Dublin, works at a charity shop and bakes cupcakes for am living. She is completely happy in her life until one day Nicholas moves into the apartment next door. Handsome, charming, and debonair, she is intrigued by him. But Nicholas has another side. He cross dresses as a girl and performs on a stage. Before Freda knows it, she is swept in Nicholas life full of high heels, glittery dresses and wigs.

Painted Faces was a beautiful love story in which love grows out of a friendship and acceptance. I think that is the most important message that can be taken from this book. The moment Nicholas literally bumps with Freda in the stairway, we know that nothing is going to be the same again. The attraction between them is instant but it simmers and intensifies before both do anything about it. The sexual tension is thick and I loved how both of them were struggling to keep away from each other but failed.

The most unique thing about this book is that Nicholas is a cross dressing guy. Hunky, muscular alpha males are a staple as romance novel heroes but not Nicholas. He likes his dresses and his trousers alike. Cosway wrote him beautifully that even if the side characters and even Freda at that start have difficulty assessing his sexuality, there is not doubt in the readers and (later Freda) that he is all male. Even in his get up as Viv, he still felt male and his sexual appeal never diminishes. Now that is what I call good writing!

This book tells the readers to accept different kinds of people in the world. Be it slightly chubby (not skinny) Freda or the cross dressing hero that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I adored the banter between Freda and Nicholas which was intense, fun and sexy. However the last bit dragged a little and felt unnecessary. Also there was a scene where a disliked character has a threesome which is criticised by the whole party of people. It felt out of character to look down on someone who had a threesome when they themselves were dating someone unusual.

My little tripe aside, I loved this book. It was fast paced, intense and sexy. The banter was a thing of beauty and the tension in the air was gave me shivers. Highly recommended for contemporary romance readers.

Review: Bold Tricks (The Artist's Trilogy #3) by Karina Halle

Disappointed and relived that it is over

Title: Bold Tricks
Series: The Artist’s Trilogy
Author: Karina Halle
Publisher: Headline Eternal, UK
My ratings: 2 out of 5 stars
Released: 16th December, 2014
I have been a Karina Halle fan since 2010. I’m one of those rabid fan of EIT that absolutely adored this series. When she began to get the popularity she deserved I could not have been happier. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for the amazing EIT series that got readers attention; it was Sins and Needles ,her contemporary erotica. I personally tried really hard to like it but failed. I am unable to understand the appeal for this series.

I read the first book which was enjoyable but as the trilogy went on it become worse and worse for me. I tried really hard to get on board but I was unable to do so. Bold Tricks is the final book in the Artist’s Trilogy and brings the toxic love triangle between Ellie, Camden and Javior.

Bold Tricks takes off exactly where Shooting Scars ends with Gus and Ellie’s mother taken hostage by Travis and the gang running for their lives. I thought this premise would give me the long awaited battle between Camden and Javior, the push and pull in Ellie’s mind but surprisingly she made up her mind pretty early in the book.

What my major problem with the book was, why was Javior demonised for Ellie to choose one or the other. Once she made up her mind, Javior was depicted in an increasingly bad light and Camden was almost given a Sainthood. I never liked Camden but I fancied the scheming, murderous Javior. My feelings aside, I just felt that Ellie was looking at Camden with tinted glasses and Javior was being turned into a monster. In fact towards the end, I started to hate Ellie.

I felt the dialogues were really cheesy while the action kept me on the edge of my seat, the premise with the romance left a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall Bold Tricks bored and at some points annoyed me. I still love Karina Halle but I like her horror more than the romance tittles she writes. She is doing what her readership demands I guess but a few more horror titles will not go amiss. I adored the Experiment in Terror series (Read my raving reviews here) and it is one of my favourite series and I still say it is a must read. The Artist Trilogy may appeal to you but it was not for me.

Review copy provided by Headline Eternal, UK

 

Release Day Blitz: The Deal by Z. Elizabeth

Title: The Deal (The Deal#1)

Author: Z. Elizabeth

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: December 1, 2014

Synopsis

One feud. Two families. One secret.

What happens when you fall for the enemy?

Thanks to their fathers' feud, Nicole and Craig have been enemies since the moment they were born. But six years ago they fell in love... They just never told each other.

Motivated by their grandparents' money, they agree to a simple deal: Stay married for a year and unravel the secrets and lies surrounding their fathers. Bound together, they must figure out why the two former best friends have spent the last thirty years ignoring one another and prohibited any contact between Nicole and Craig.

Craig is more than happy to uncover their fathers' past if it means he gets Nicole for real.
Nicole wants to keep the past exactly where it is and she will fight Craig every step of the way.
With only limited time together, delving into their family history could be the mistake that will break both their hearts.

What happens when secrets and lies are revealed? Can Nicole and Craig live their Happily Ever After after waiting six long years to be together? Or will one secret be enough to break them apart, just like their fathers?

'I'm doing this for us, Nic'

*THE DEAL is suitable for 17+ due to graphic sex scenes and language*

*This is a STANDALONE novel. Book two is a companion novel.  

Buy The Book

Excerpt

“I still hate you, you know?”  

“Sure you do, sweetheart. That's why you pushed me away after the first orgasm.” His smirk grows, “Oh, sorry my mistake, I forgot that you wrapped your legs around my head and begged me to fuck you,” he crudely says back.

 And I can't snap back because that is the utmost truth. I was actually begging him for more; Yes, Craig, right there, Craig, harder, faster, deeper. You name it, I scream it. He knows exactly how to play my body and he knows I fucking love it. This is why I can't deny what he says to me, no matter how much I want to.

 I scoff at him, letting my eyes scan over his body. His dark brown curls are a hot mess sticking to his head, his blue eyes twinkle with mischief and sweat glistens on his rock hard abs. Abs that I kissed and licked not only an hour ago.Confidence oozes off him and I know he's watching me pry over him and he knows why this keeps happening. Why we just can't stay away from each other and keep falling into bed every chance we get. Why the little touches and the glances end up with us grabbing each other and ripping clothes off.

  But this can't keep happening. We can't keep fucking, because it's fucking me up.

 It's messing with my head and I don't want to feel things.

The feelings I have for Craig are so strong that I've tried to push them to the back of my mind, but if we keep having sex every time we are in the same room, it's going to get tricky. And I don't think my heart can take much more of it. But it's one year. Surely I can manage one year and get the money? We can part ways and say goodbye. Even if it kills me to say goodbye, it has to be done.  

I need to fall out of love with my husband.

About The Author

Z. Elizabeth is a debut author who grew up in Wales, UK and wishes she knew how to speak fluent Welsh. Bore da (Good morning), Wedi Bleno (tired) and Ydw (yes) just don't cut it.

Reading has always been a part of her life since she was a young kid and writing came quickly after she discovered her love for studying English Language and writing fiction. Since graduating with a degree in BA Journalism, writing is embedded into her everyday working and personal life. At 15, she finished a full length novel and thought nothing of it until now. The Deal is loosely based upon that story and it's one that she is hugely proud of writing and re-writing and re-writing...

When she isn't slaving away at her day job, you can find her daydreaming about her book boyfriends, reading the next hot book out or binge eating with her friends, continually shocking them with the filth that flies out of her mouth.

Z. Elizabeth hopes that her characters end up on your book boyfriend/girlfriend lists and her book ends up on your favourite list, maybe even your bookshelf.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

   Amazon US    Amazon CA

Review: Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauran

Sexy, funny and light. The right mix.

Title: Beautiful Bastard
Series: Beautiful Bastard
Author: Christina Lauren
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 13th February, 2013
Beautiful Bastard has been on my TBR for ages. I got it for review, which I wanted to read but the mixed reviews put me off and slowly I forgot about it. Then my friend on Twitter reminded me that it was a love hate romance and that I will enjoy it. Hence, I had no choice but to.

Surprisingly, I did enjoy it. With an intriguing title and a stamp of approval, I was pleased to have all my expectations fulfilled. Bennett is Chloe's new boss. Annoying and taxing, he is a boss from hell. He is the bane of Chloe's life at work and does everything in his power to make her miserable. From being rude to not acknowledging her hard work, he gets on Chloe's last nerves. Then one day everything changes when he touches her. Surprised at their own reactions, they have a rather passionate encounter. Which does not improve their relationship the least. In fact it throws their apparent dislike for each other out in the open. But they are uncontrollable in each other's company. As soon as they are alone, they are at each other like rabbits. On the stairs, public bathroom, car park, and even in a lingerie dressing room.

I give it to Christina Lauren with devising so many places where you can have sex out of the bedroom. I enjoyed the back and forth between Chloe and Bennett and watch them struggle to leash their passions for each other. There really wasn't much of a plot but it kept the story together and it all felt cohesive. The romance between them felt interesting, believable and towards the end even bone-meltingly sweet.

It was equal parts sexy and funny. It's been a while since an erotica has been funny and it had many laugh aloud moments. Beautiful Bastard was written in alternative point of views or else Benet would have seemed like a evil, sexual tyrant. I loved his panty stealing antiques. If someone did this in real life it would be not only weird and perverted but also gross and smelly but Christina Lauren make it work.

Beautiful Bastard was light, fun and enjoyable. Amongst the hot sex an making out, there was a sweet love story melded with characters which invoke your emotions and make you invested in their happily ever after.

I'd recommended it to romance readers looking for some fun, light reading which will make you smile and laugh.

ARC received via Simon and Schuter

Review: Tears of Tess (Monsters in the Dark #1) by Pepper Winters

Dark erotica with an another enigmatic and dominating alpha

Title: Tears of Tess
Series: Monsters in the Dark
Author: Pepper Winters
Publisher: Self Published
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 28th August, 2013
Dark Erotica are my guilty pleasure, just like bodice ripper romances are for some. This doesn't mean I enjoy BDSM novels as I still stand by the truth that I don't quite enjoy them how ever I have a taste in Taboo romances. Namely prisoner and captive romances. It is not for the light hearted or people who get offended easily. I'm both but still I am somehow utterly fascinated by them. I am not saying that all of them are great but there a few selected stories which mind screw you for the umpteenth time and you'll still be coming back for more.

Tess is holidaying in Mexico with her boyfriend when she is brutally kidnapped and sold off. After suffering atrocities at the hand of her abductors, she is sold to a rich, enigmatic business man who is new master.

Tess is a fighting spirit. She refuses to be broken and become a sex slave as she was intended to be. Q, her owner, seems perplexed and entranced by her and keeps trying to 'own' her. Captive in a Fresh Mansion with servants and maids to do your bidding it is easy to lose the desire for freedom and simply give in but Tess fight it with everything she has.

I really enjoyed the start of the story as the plotting was tight and the events unfolding were not only horrifying but the realism that this type of incidents are occurring all time is chilling. Watching the story from Tess's POV gives the reader the perspective required to really understand what's going on around her and how she is both repulses and fascinated by Q, her master.

Tears of Tess is a good prisoner captive story but admittedly It is no contender to Captive in Dark or Chicken Soup as those book came with a sting of reality to the very end. I found the start riveting as my eyes were glued to the pages as I tried to decipher the various moods and motivations of Q. However towards the half way mark after some truly horrific events, I found the Q was being romanticised. I just wished he would have remained the cruel, controlling master that Tess imagined him to be rather than a torn, tortured soul who just happened to be it.

Overall Tess of Tears is a great dark erotica story with vivid characters which go through hell and back which changes them forever. IT deals with redemption and love and how people and desires change with circumstances. I have given it a slight lower rating than I expected to as I somehow was hoping it would be another chicken Soup or Captive in the Dark but I have realised there will be none. If you want to start with dark erotica and not sure where to look, start with this book and have a taster as to how you find them. If you are ok with the dark and the filth and find more and yes please send me recommendation if you find any.

Review: The Professional (Game Maker #1) by Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole’s take on contemporary erotica

Title: The Professional
Series: Game Maker
Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 6th of May, 2014
I have always enjoyed Kresley Cole's writing. In fact her is the only Paranormal Romance, Immortals After Dark, I read. Her writing melding romance with a great paranormal aspects makes for compelling read with no cheesiness in sight. Saying that, I picked up The Professional with high expectations.

It starts with Natalie being informed one night that she is the daughter of a Mafia boss and that she has to leave the US to go to Russia to meet her father before his enemies find her. To collect her, Sevastyan is sent. Unlike a lot of erotica I have read, there is decent plot line with chemistry between the protogonist and a good bit of action thrown in. I did not expect any less of Krelsey Cole.

This review will be brief as I really don't have much to say about it. The biggest thing that irked me was that the main character, Natalie was stupid. I have come to expect more of Kresley Cole's female characters and was waiting throughout the story to find something which suggested she had a kernel of brain inside that head of hers. She made stupid, irrational decisions and was ready to go hot and heavy with a man she had just met, literally few hours ago. And she was meant to be a virgin too.

However, I really enjoyed the book. Even with all the mixed reviews floating about, it was the right book at the right time for me. The first few scenes were sizzling and let’s not even go to the closet scene which they probably could have set on fire with their passion.

The aspect I enjoyed the least was how BDSM was inserted into it. I have tried, really tried but I simply cannot relate to a a BDSM scene where the participant's claim are enjoying the physical pain in a sexual situation. Don't get me wrong, I read a spot of erotica every now and them even get the' feels' leading upto this emotionally/sexually charged situation. But as soon as the infliction of pain begins, my connection to the scene cuts off. I suddenly feel that I'm floating and watching this scene from far above somewhere.

Regardless of that, Kreley Cole is damn fine writer and her male leads, are always hunky bad boys with a sad past.Just the kind us, ladies like.

I'd recommend this book for fans of Krelsey Cole, erotica, BDSM who like to have a quality narration to their stories.

ARC received from Simon and Schuster, UK

 

Review: Consequences (Consequences #1) by Aleatha Roming

Manipulation and mind screwing taken to another level

Title: Consequences
Series: Consequences
Author: Aleatha Roming
Publisher: Self Published
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: August,2011
Consequences is a clever book. It made me think twice, no, make that thrice at events taking place over the course of the story. What starts as a harmless date turns sinister, as Claire is kidnapped and kept captive by Anthony Rawlings, self-made millionaire. Through all the atrocities Claire has to endure she slowly learns to survive. She learns to live. She follows the rules and pleases Anthony.

Consequences is not a book for everyone. It introduces the reader to a scenario which can happen to anyone anywhere. The way Claire is trapped and kept captive broke my heart for her. It was a gilded cage where she was tortured every single day. Through sheer will force she learns to survive and through the strength of her mind learns to endure. The evilness in Anthony made me want to hurl the book at someone. The way he manipulated circumstances where Claire had to beg for little privileges was heart wrenching. The complete power he held over Claire made me want to torture Anthony to no end. Regardless over time, even he is unable to resist Claire and the power she has within her and slowly even he starts to fall for Claire. Or does he?

This book was a total mind –f**k. It starts of well but moves at a snail’s pace in the middle 75 percent of the book. It was essential to demonstrate Claire’s growth and her psychological state of mind but I can only take so much shopping and spa visiting. I believe this little issue can be addressed by some editing and fine tuning.

I really don’t know what to say to convey my feelings about the story. It gave me the creeps. I was sad and angry though out the book. The book wasn’t that long but it surely felt like it.

I was so completely enamoured by Claire’s ordeal and strength of character that I kept reading with a morbid fascination. We get glimpses at the justification of Anthony’s behaviour but even though it is likely in the future books, I believe he is beyond redemption.

This story is something that should be experienced by the reader themselves and make the decision to keep reading as it may not be to everybody’s taste. The middle bit requires editing but my curiosity to find out more kept me going. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoy dark literature to give it a go, as it is something which may intrigue or repulse you. As for me, I was so exhausted with the mind games by the end of Consequences that I’m not sure I have the energy or the right state of mind for more mind –f**k. Maybe in the future, as I’m assured that the series gets better.

ARC Review: Decepetive Innocence (Pure Sin #1) by Kyra Davis

Gripping plot and a dark heroine

Title: Deceptive Innocence
Author: Kyra Davis
Series: Pure Sin
Publisher: Gallery Books
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Releases: 24th June, 2014
With an intriguing synopsis closer to a thriller than an erotica I was hooked. IT starts with Bell trying to befriend Lander, a rich successful son of a business man. She intends to get into his bed and destroy him and his family so extract revenge for what they did to her mother.

The story had me turning the pages like an addict. There was sexual tension and some more between Lander and Ball. I loved their interaction and Bell’s monologue. It was clear that she had started to fall for him but her own darkness was pulling her back. Bell as a character was dark and depressive. Her personal vendetta was what made her tick and I loved that about her. She was this abyss of darkness and bitterness which every-thing she did and every thought in her mind was her revenge. She was driven and stubborn.

Lander on the other hand was a mystery which I’m yet to solve. He was your quintessential erotica male lead rich, successful, attractive and dominating. However she somehow too had this edgy darkness to him which was hinted but never fully revealed. I read this on Netgalley and the book came in three parts. I read the book in chunks and was eagerly waiting for the last part of the book. Each part ended in some manner of a cliff-hanger and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

The writing was cohesive and the plot seems to be tight. I am still not sure how Kyra Davis will take her characters but nothing is as it seems. The was fast paced and filled with thrilling moments which had me biting my nails as to see what will happen in the next scene.

The ending seemed a little anticlimactic to me. It sort of ended on a note as to there was more to come. I mean there better be more in the forthcoming books are there were tons of threads unresolved.

Overall, Deceptive Innocence is a cleverly writing, gripping erotica which gives you hope that erotica can be intelligent too. Bell was such a hard character, especially since she had gone through so much that I felt sorry so how she was slowly getting more and more entangled in her web.

I’d recommend it to erotica virgins (*wink) and anyone one who likes a sensual, thrilling and mysterious read which makes you do a double take on this genre.

The Siren (The Original Sinners #1) by Tiffany Reisz

Compelling, revolting and thought provoking

Title: The Siren
Author: Tiffany Reisz
Series: The Original Sinners
Publisher: Mills and Boon, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars.
Released: 1st September, 2012

The Siren perhaps is the most conflicting book I’ve read all year. I’m really torn as to what I shall mention in my review. Tiffany Reisz’s writing had me gobsmacked. I expected it to be good but what I did not expect was to get carried away in the whirlwind of emotions she managed to wrench out of me.

It was not a romance nor was it a story; it was a piece of Nora’s life. The book was full of conflicts between pain, hurt and harm. Love and it’s various interpretations and forms, loyalty and worship. It brought out subjects whish were were uncomfortable and had me shifting on my sofa.

Tiffany is obviously quite well read and I loved how she mentioned O’Henry’s The Gift of Magi into the narration which I’ll admit had made me very sad when I’d read it. I also loved that the mantra ‘Show don’t tell’ was stuck to and I could see events in a different light each time.
The Siren’s story was the characters and them only, probed by other and how they interact. I cannot help but admire Nora for what she is and I feel sympathy for her as what she could have been. In fact she is one of the best female characters I’ve read all year. Trying to figure her out was delightful and yet I have not come any closer to deciphering her.

The one person I should mention is Soren. No matter how I see it, he is an arsehole. It is clear that he loves Nora in his demented, twisted manner but I find it hard to accept few of the things he does. The Siren was everything a book ought to be. With its slightly old fashioned way of narration (No first person POV, yippee!) it brought out emotions that I rarely expect a book to do. Compelling, conflicting, gut wrenching, jaw dropping, revolting, tear jerking and at times puzzling I was yo-yoing in various thoughts brought forward which I may have left out in my tirade of adjectives above.

As much as I’d love to read the next book in the series, The Angel, I’m in no shape to do so as I’m emotionally exhausted and need a well-earned break from the world of Nora Sutherlin. Highly recommended to anyone who perhaps has read some manner of BDSM or erotica and think he/she can handle anything, well read The Siren and see if you can see erotica/BDSM in a new light.

“There are only two reasons why you leave someone you're still in love with - either it's the right thing to do, or it's the only thing to do.”

ARC provided by the publisher.

ARC Review: On Dublin Street ( On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young

Contemporary romance which will reduce you to tears

Title: On Dublin Street 
Series: On Dublin Street 
Author: Samantha Young
Publisher: Penguin UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 17th January, 2013
When you see the cover (UK and US) for On Dublin Street you may groan thinking, “oh another book which is inspired by the Fifty Shades band wagon with an enigmatic male lead and a timid female lead” but On Dublin Street is more than that.

Jocelyn Butler has moved to Edinburgh after her parent’s death 7 years ago. Trying to run away from her memories and her past she decided to move into a new flat and meets Ellie Carmichael and her brother Braden Carmichael with whom she feels inexplicably attracted to. And hence, begins a whirlwind romance between them.

I don’t want to give too much away as the whole point of this book was you slowly uncover Jocelyn’s past and her journey of recovering her old self again. Jocelyn was a strange character. She had so many layers and dare I say this book is less a romance but more her story than anything else. She has issues and she deals with them her own way. She is a strong person and yet she is fragile in so many more ways. She doesn’t let people ‘in’ her life. The best part is that she knows that she is distant and realises that this makes her strange. The consciousness on her part makes it all the more interesting.

 “You make me laugh, you challenge me, and you turn me on like no else can. I feel like I’m missing something really important when you’re gone. So important I don’t feel like myself. I’ve never felt like someone was mine before. But you’re mine, Jocelyn.” .

 In comes Braden with this Scottish brogue and cave-man ways that is perfect in every way possible. How can Jocelyn refuse him when all he wants is her? Their romance was difficult. Like many contemporary romances these days it starts on a physical level and slowly escalates into a flurry of broken hearts, heated arguments and teary good byes.

Needless to say I enjoyed everything. These two would take one step forward and then two steps back ward. I loved the way Braden simply got Jocelyn. She understood her and was still willing to put up with her. At one point I wanted to scream at Jocelyn for being so utterly selfish but Braden even forgave her for that. Well, at least he had the ability to jerk her out of her self-induced isolation. 

“He is my best friend. Three months ago I was determined to just have sex and end this thing. But he’s a part of me now. He is deeper than anyone else, and I have no idea what to expect from that or from the future.” 

 This book is not simply a romance but a coming of age of a woman who has locked herself away in her own tower. I love the way Ms Young took the story forward and slowly with the help of other characters brought Jocelyn out of it. If this is not enough for you, then let me let you the romance is excellently written and believable. In my opinion Braden was the perfect match for Jocelyn who was strong willed, independent and stubborn. Bonus points for great sexual chemistry they had which almost set my Kindle on fire. 

 

So, if you are fed up of all Fifty rip-offs or paranormal romances which simply make you …well, yawn with their sheer retentiveness, On Dublin Street makes you sit up. It effortlessly manages to balance the sexiness of an erotica novel and rounds it off with a strong characters and a well thought background story. The broken characters add a dash of uniqueness to it. On Dublin Street is a must read for every romance reader be it an erotica fan or a historical romance fan. 

ARC provided by Penguin UK

Fifty Shades Series by E.L.James

My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars for both.

This is a combined review of both the books :Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker.
I really enjoyed reading this series. It all started as everybody started reading this at the same time making me wonder what the fuss is all about until I read it myself. Without going into the premise I can say that I was delighted to have read this. Considering the fact that this series had it roosts as a Twilight Fan Fiction it certainly has left it far behind. There are vague similarities namely the colour of the main lead’s hair and that is where it ends. E.L. James takes you on a journey of discovery, lust, wonder and love. Ana’s innocence was fresh and fun to read. She was a good narrator and asked the right questions. Regardless of popular belief, she had brains even if she followed her heart. Saying this I did find her annoying when she goes ‘Oh he is so hot!’

Moving on I will talk about the main character on which this story is based. Christian Grey. Right now I don’t even know where to start. All I can say that you have to read this book to find out more about him. Personally I was simply intrigued by this weird, odd character that was liquid and would change without a moment’s notice. However as I read on I fell in love with him as did Ana. I mean how can you not? The writing is so good that you feel every emotion of the characters and you can’t stop. You want more Christian Grey again and again. It is addictive. Fifty shades Darker was so sweet and a few scenes were heart breaking.

For those who do not know let me warn you this is erotica. It has BDSM scenes which may make you uncomfortable hence my reluctance to pick this series. I am glad that it was light on this theme and the smut was scorching hot. Some reader compared Christian to a vibrator which I suppose is a compliment. The first book itself has 15 sex scenes, not that I was counting. Some lines in the story reminded me of YA but c’mon guys you have to give it some slack.

So for those who haven’t read this, please do give this a try. You can only hate it or love it like I did. The first book was very interesting but the second one was achingly sweet sometimes. I loved this series but that does not mean that I will start reading erotica from now on. At this point I only want the third and last book, Fifty Shades Freed. As I said it was delightful.

The Mane Event (Pride, #1) by Shelly Laurenston

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars
The Mane Event basically has two stories with interrelated stories and characters. It is a fun paranormal read with interesting characters. I will not write a summary as many before me have done a adequate job.



The best part of the stories was the humour which lead to make laugh out aloud moments. The couples are cute keeping the book interesting.The story moved fine and the romance was good too.The paranormal aspect of this book was well developed and appropriately used to create the settings. However I would warn you this book goes into the erotica category. There is sex and a lot of it. Luckily it is tastefully written and doesn't feel unnecessary.



This book was interesting enough for me to complete it but I am not completely bowled over by it.The reason could be because I am not a huge fan of erotica. I have not read a lot this category as I do not enjoy it as much as Urban Fantasy. The tension, action and excitement is what draws me which this book seemed to be lacking.



Any paranormal romance reader looking for a sexy read would not be disappointed with The Mane Event.Sadly, I am not sure if I will continue with the series but the wicked humour may bring me back to it.





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