Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

Witty and entertaining debut

4 stars

Lucy Waltham has been in love with her brother’s friend Toby for most of her life. When she realises that he’s about to propose to another, she decides that it’s time to put her husband hunting skills to the test in order to win her man. But first she needs to make sure her kisses are up to scratch.

Jeremy Trescott, Earl of Kendall is appalled that Lucy seems determined to practice her seductive wiles on him. But when the innocent game sparks a smouldering passion neither can imagine what scandals the pair can create or what they will risk in order to win the others heart.

This was Tessa Dare’s debut novel and I was totally enchanted by it from beginning to end. Lucy was a headstrong, hoyden of a girl but she was charming and likeable and it was nice to watch her grow throughout the novel. Jeremy was, for me, the perfect hero: deep, mysterious and brooding while also being passionate and in need of the love of a good woman. I felt the pair were perfect for each other and I loved their interactions.

The conflict was real and interesting but it was the emotions and sensuality that made the novel for me. The sexual tension was built splendidly and the overall love story gave me wonderful butterflies in my stomach from beginning to end. The writing was very well done and there were plenty of witty moments that made me laugh out loud on some occasions. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Surrender of a Siren, but do hope that the covers get a little better because they’re not to my taste at all! I would definitely recommend this book if you like Regency historical romances.

Fallen Angel by Mary Jo Putney

Sensual and intelligent Regency romance

5 Stars

It has been years since Nicholas Davies the half gypsy Earl of Aberdare last stepped foot at his country estate, driven out by a scandal that rocked his life and the lives of many others.

When he reluctantly returns, he finds many changes at the estate and in the village but the biggest change is in Clare Morgan, the little preacher’s daughter who insists he fulfil his obligations. In order to get her to leave, Nicholas offers Clare a scandalous bargain, totally shocked when she actually agrees.

From then on, neither can anticipate the problems the pair will face as they battle killers, mysteries, dark secrets and their growing feelings for each other.

I have never read Mary Jo Putney before but this book has really opened my eyes to this wonderful writer. I will definitely be on the look out for other books by her, especially the other books in the rest of the Fallen Angel series of which this is the first.

The depth of the characters of both Clare and Nicholas was wonderful to read and I loved that neither were stereotypical but had very real flaws. This made watching their relationship a delight and watching them fall in love was all the better for it.

I got totally absorbed in the book and couldn’t bear to put it down. The storyline was engrossing, interesting and brimming with intelligence while also being incredibly sensual and romantic.

If you like a sensual, well-written and intelligent historical romance similar to Lisa Kleypas or Sabrina Jeffries then I would definitely recommend this to you. It’s a real page turner and will take your mind off things for a while. 5 stars.

* This book was originally published in the 90s as Thunder and Roses. *

Caught in the Act by Samantha Hunter

No redeeming features

1 star

Gina Thomas can’t believe the lengths she’s going to to help her sister. That’s how she finds herself dressed in the sexiest, skimpiest Hallowe’en costume and breaking into sexy lawyer, Mason Scott’s house to steal incriminating photos.

Mason can’t take his eyes off the sexy siren that walked through his door so when she offers him a fantasy, he can’t say no. But when Gina’s sister leads them both into serious trouble, Mason begins to realise that fantasy isn’t nearly as good as reality.

Goodness me this was a bad book. I liked the premise and the idea that by dressing in a costume you can turn yourself into someone you’ve always wanted to be but that was honestly about it.

There was zero sexual tension or chemistry between any of the characters and I’m not sure how we were supposed to care about them as they were so lifeless and flat. Gina was a dull character, Mason was stereotypical and the secondary characters were just pointlessly bland.

I am also happy to suspend reality in a story but when the gangsters showed up and people started putting themselves in totally ridiculous situations simply to create some drama in the story, I knew that this book definitely wasn’t a keeper for me. I honestly don’t feel that I can recommend this book to anyone, unfortunately. If you’re reading the Dressed to Thrill mini-series then you might want to give it a read to see how it fits with the other stories but other than that I would give it a miss. 1 star.

Better Naughty Than Nice

Slightly sizzling Christmas romance

4 stars

Blaze brings together it’s annual collection of short stories to keep you heated during the cold nights through the Christmas season. In this selection, Damon Claus, Santa’s naughty brother, decides to help some people have the ultimate naughty Christmas treats.

NO MISTLETOE REQUIRED – Vicki Lewis Thompson

Ten years ago Riley Kincaid broke Hayden Manchester’s heart but a little Christmas competition could be just the thing needed to get this pair back on track and enjoying every second under the mistletoe.

This was a fun, hot romance with a likeable couple that were likeable and relatable.

HER SECRET SANTA – Jill Shalvis

Ally Dauer is in charge of this year’s toy drive but to her mortification, someone keeps sending her adult toys. Firefighter Eddie Weston is out to convince Ally that maybe the best gifts can be shared this Christmas.

I really enjoyed this story and especially Ally. It was sweet, hot and enjoyable all round.

SNUG IN HIS BED – Rhonda Nelson

Viv Foster hates Christmas. Hank Bailey owns a Christmas tree farm. When they’re forced into each other’s company they realise it’s more than sizzling chemistry they have in common.

This story was a little slow with little excitement. It was fine but nothing special.

Overall this was a nice anthology and one that is worth a read over the Christmas holidays. The stories were all linked by Damon Claus, a storyline that lacked any real direction or purpose but it’s still a fun collection if you love Christmas and like your romance with a bit of heat. 4 stars.

The Soldier by Rhonda Nelson

Entertaining and sexy romance

4 Stars

Being a soldier is in Adam McPherson’s blood until a horrific roadside bomb takes away part of his leg and his career. At home and injured, Adam knows he wants to get back into the army but doubts and fears haunt him.

Winnie Templeman has been in love with Adam for years and she’s determined to make sure he heals and she knows just how to go about it. Her sexual healing method is guaranteed to get Adam back on track but will it be enough to keep them together?

This book follows on from Letters From Home which dealt with Adam’s brother and Winnie’s best friend. It’s probably okay not to have read the first book but I do think that it might give you more background into the story if you have.

This story is very focussed on the developing relationship and love between Adam and Winnie. The pair are perfect for each other and I loved the relationship between them. There is plenty of heat in the story and it’s interesting, exciting and sexy.

Although the book deals with some real and serious issues, it never feels heavy or bogged down in melodrama. Rather it is a page turning, romantic story that will leave you with a smile on your face. 4 stars.

Power Play by Nancy Warren

Good, basic romance

3 Stars

For Emily Saunders being single is one thing. Being single at a family wedding is quite another – especially since her family are trying to set her up with the disgusting Buddy. As if that wasn’t enough, a hotel mishap means she has to share a room for the duration of the wedding.

Luckily for Emily, her roommate is hunky cop, Jonah Bett who’s in town for a hockey tournament. Despite all the other dramas (including an on the loose murderer), Emily can only think of one thing she’d like to do and it doesn’t involve leaving the hotel room.

This book is part of the Forbidden Fantasies series although if I’m honest there was little that was overly exciting or sexy about the story as a whole. It tries hard but doesn’t quite get there.

The characters were fine enough although I didn’t feel we ever really got to know them. Plus, I’m not really turned on by hairy men and Jonah is described as “hairier than necessary” which for me was a little off-putting. I gave him a mental shave and luckily it wasn’t mentioned overly much so I managed to live with it!

About half way through the book a second love story between Sadhu and Kirsten was introduced. These characters had little to do with the main plot and were, to my mind, completely pointless and unnecessary. It felt like complete filler and I just didn’t care about the pair.

Overall, I read this book with ease and it did hold my attention from beginning to end. Despite some faults, and the inclusion of the secondary love story, this was still a fun read that manages to take your mind off things for a while.

More Blazing Bedtime Stories

Magical and sexy short stories
5 Stars

Following on from the success of the first collection of Blazing Bedtime Stories, this second book features two longer length short stories both featuring fairy tales for grown ups.


INTO THE WOODS by Julie Leto
Tatiana Starlingham is a frustrated fairy godmother, granting pampered princesses their deepest desires. Unfortunately, Tatiana’s own desires have never been fulfilled. That all changes when she meets delicious Jack St Cloud and finally has mind-blowing sex. But if Tatiana wants to keep her new, sexy life, she has to grant an impossible wish but may end up losing Jack in the process.

I really enjoyed this story and found it exciting, interesting and very sexy. It had the magic of a fairy tale with plenty of heat, romance and sex to make it good enough for the grown ups. I loved both Tatiana and Jack and they felt real despite the fantasy of the story. Overall a perfectly romantic bedtime read.


ONCE UPON A MATTRESS by Leslie Kelly
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Not long lost princess Penelope Mayfair especially since the wolf in question is Lucas Wolf – the darkest, sexiest man Penny has ever laid eyes on. Not only that but he’s giving her better sex than she could ever even have dreamed of! What Lucas hasn’t told her is that he’s there to bring her back to the fairytale land of her birth where she’s betrothed to another man. But Lucas is determined to keep her all for himself…

For those who read the first Blazing Bedtime Stories collection, this story features Lucas from Kelly’s ‘My, What A Big... You Have!’ but easily stands alone. It’s not a werewolf story but wild and dangerous enough to make it exciting with plenty of delightful sex. A fun plot and great characters make this another great read.


If you like some magical, sexy stories with plenty of romance then this book is definitely one I would recommend. The stories are long enough to get really into the stories which are both perfect to snuggle up with in the cold, dark, winter nights. 5 stars.