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The Protector
The Protector
Jodi Ellen Malpas | 2016 | Romance
9
5.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
steamy, angst, suspense (0 more)
Jake Sharp just became another book boyfriend
Yeah, I loved this book. I mean, Jodi Ellen Malpas doesn’t really disappoint, so I knew this was going to be a no-brainer. This is the woman who gave a voice to Jesse Ward (long live the Lord) for Pete’s sake. (If you haven’t read the This Man series, drop everything, and go do so.)

This book has all the things I love about romance novels:

sexy alpha male
feisty heroine
angst
steamy sex
There’s also some mystery/suspense as an added bonus.

Jake Sharp is a former soldier who suffers from PTSD after both a personal tragedy and an op gone wrong. Jake now works for a security agency, which is how he meets our heroine, Camille, who is in need of a bodyguard.

Camille Logan is known in the tabloids as a model and party girl, but Cami is not what the press paints her as. She’s an intelligent, level-headed girl who is partnering up with her BFF, Heather, to launch a clothing line. Cami is struggling to get from under her extremely wealthy and overbearing father’s thumb.

Both characters are struggling with the aftermath of personal tragedy. Cami’s backstory is pretty readily explained, but Jake’s backstory is only hinted at initially, and we don’t see the full scope of events until closer to the end of the book, so we’re left guessing as to what has made him who he is. It’s a fun ride, though, and we get to watch Jake transform from this cold, terse man into a big ol’ teddy bear thanks to Cami. I mean, that whole scene in the English bluebells? That shit is fucking romantic!

If you’re not already a JEM fan, I propose you go make yourself one. Other books by JEM:

This Man series
One Night series
The Forbidden (I have not read this one yet, but you can bet your sweet ass that I will.)

FYI: Word on the interwebs is that PassionFlix has optioned The Protector for a film and the This Man series for a tv series.
  
Tofu Cowboy (Big Sky Cowboys #1)
Tofu Cowboy (Big Sky Cowboys #1)
Lola West | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
wonderful read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Luke is hiding a secret from his brothers. He takes art classes, and this particular class has a live model today, Maddie. Maddie has a secret too, and it may just break her heart to tell Luke.

My first and lasting feeling about this book is CUTE! Not quite enough to tag it "too stinking cute" but it lands itself well and truly on the "warm and fuzzies" shelf.

It's mostly not too stinking cute simply because of the secret Maddie carries in her soul. It doesn't say it on the blurb, so I'm not saying it here, but it really does break your heart when she tells Luke about it. More so the reasons WHY its like this.

It's steamy, so steamy, but what I really liked about this one was, the time it takes for Luke and Maddie to get down and dirty. They WAIT. They both know it's inevitable they will be jumping into bed together, but they want to get to know each other, properly, before that happens, and I really rather loved that.

As well as the steam, there is emotions, so many emotional moments for such a short book. It's also funny. Maddie is witty and her and Luke banter off each other right from the start. It has some real, actual laugh out loud moments, and I rarely, I mean RARELY react verbally when I'm reading. So well played!

Loved the interaction between Luke and his brothers, but equally, loved that when they found Luke hurting, they shut that sh*t straight down and rallied around him, helping him get the girl of his dreams.

It says its 152 pages, I read it in just over an hour. A great, easy read, perfect for the bath tub or lunch break.

It also appears to be this author's debut novel. So Very VERY well done, one to watch. This is billed as the first in the Big Sky Romances series, I hope it covers Luke's brothers. Billy especially, cos even the little we saw of him here, I can tell he is hurting.

4 really REALLY good stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Game Changer (Vancouver Orcas #2)
Game Changer (Vancouver Orcas #2)
Amy Aislin | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
delightful rad that hits a spot I didn't know needed hitting!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This Is book 2 in the Vancouver Orcas series, I have not read book one, Game Plan. I didn't think I was missing anything, but I WANT to read that book now, i don't need to, you know? So this can be read as a stand alone book, but be prepared to feel the same as I did after reading this one.

Blair has a self inflicted deadline, and he needs help to sort himself out so he can meet it. Charlie needs the extra cash, so steps up as general assistant and food prep person. Falling in love was not on the agenda for either of them.

I've read a couple by Amy Aislin, and they seem to carry a common theme, for me: warm and fuzzies and a whole lotta cute, and this book is no exception to that!

It really is a wonderful read, one that made me chuckle in places, it's emotional in places, it's steamy at some points, and hella smexy in others (and yes, steamy and smexy ARE different, but don't ask my book brain to explain it!) and it really is an all round great read.

There is no break up, no nutty ex, no real drama save for Charlie's cash flow problem, but that got fixed anyway. There are some family issues, but they get sorted once people see what they are doing.

I loved that once Charlie and Blair decide to be together, they go all in and Blair's team mates take Charlie in as one of their own.

It took me a wee while to place all of Charlie's cousins, and even longer to get that Matt Shore, Blair's coach, is one of those cousins! There is a clue to Matt's story here: his is the first book. And cousin Dorian, who plays a large part here, has the third book in the trilogy. I need that book too!

A delightful read, that really hit the spot I didn't know needed hitting.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
His Mate by Allegiance (Lunetti Pack #3)
His Mate by Allegiance (Lunetti Pack #3)
Mel Aitchess | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
steamy and deadly!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Lunetti Pack series, and I would recommend that you books one, His Mate by Venegeance and book two, His Mate by Resistance before this one. A personal rec, is all.

I enjoyed book one, I loved book 2, but I LOVED this one!

Emilio knew that Rocco was his mate the minute they met. That kinda put his plans out, since his new husband was going to meet an unfortunate end and now his wolf would not let that happen. Rocca creeps under Emmy skin and fur and while they down and dirty quite quickly, I loved that Emmy was NOT going to bite Rocco and Rocco used his magic to bind his puppy. I loved that Rocco called Emmy puppy from the very beginning and not once did Emmy tell him to stop it!

I loved that Rocco really SAW Emmy, you know? As a witch, he didn't get the mating urge quite as bad as the shifters did, but he knew that Emmy was special, and his feelings developing super speedy was another reason that he knew.

Super smexy, and steamy! Loved that they went all in, but no biting! Rcco's power was amazing, with the wind and things and I loved that Emmy's wolf responded to that power.

Violent, too. Emilio is, after all, an assassin. But given what happens here, I think it's needed on page. Loved how Rocco responded to Emilio's trade.

Emotional, as well. Emmy is dealing with some deep emotions, after his father did what he did. And he fights Rocco all the way because of that. But once Rocco knows WHY Emmy is fighting, he understands and goes all out to make sure his puppy knows Rocco will always stand by him, and never against him.

Epilogue gives us who is next and I look forward to that one, given as Rafe and Adri have a long history!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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Merissa (13878 KP) rated By The Book in Books

Jun 26, 2017  
By The Book
By The Book
Maria Vickers | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
By the Book by Maria Vickers
By the Book is a story that will give you the warm fuzzies as you pray for Josh and Sam to get together, and to STAY together. This may sound easy, but these two have both families against them. Josh does act immature at times, but he is actually mature enough to realise it! Sam is trying so hard to do the right thing, that he may end up losing the best thing for him.

This is a wonderful story, excellently told, and giving great insight into how family can cause issues even if they are not on the doorstep! With plenty of situations to keep the characters on their toes, their characters grow throughout. This is definitely a feel-good book, that has no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed.

Hot, steamy, tender, poignant, it's all here. Definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
TD
The Duke & the Pirate Queen
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had such high hopes for this novel. It had a beautiful cover and what I thought would be a fascinating storyline.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. The storyline was boring and the characters were annoying. What I thought would be an engaging storyline actually almost bored me to tears. I was so disinterested that I found myself skipping large passages without even realizing it. The characters also left me wanting. They were so set in their ways that their personalities became obnoxious.

Not to mention the lack of heat. After reading the beginning, which was very steamy, I thought the rest would be just as erotic. I was wrong. When they leads finally did have sex, it was so bland, I had to reread it to make sure I didn’t miss anything. After that, any erotic scenes also fell flat with.

Don’t be fooled by the pretty covering and interesting sounding plot. Oh, and she isn’t really a pirate queen, by the way.
  
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2)
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2)
Nicky Charles | 2010 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) by Nicky Charles
In The Mating we meet Kane and Elise. Kane we have heard mentioned in Bonded, but Elise is a new character. They get together for political reasons, although Elise had a boyfriend. However, once she spends time with Kane, she finds she is thinking less of Bryan than she thought she would. Mix into the story a woman who wants what Elisa has, an oil company who wants to drill, a half-brother with murder on his mind, and you get a great story.

I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Gail (4 KP) rated Hot Georgia Rein in Books

Jun 4, 2018  
HG
Hot Georgia Rein
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Hot Georgia Rein by Martha Sweeney

Five Stars

I loved this book it was funny and steamy. The characters were well written and I enjoyed Ivy's and Henry's connection. I felt so bad for them because they lost so many years together. Neither was ready for what the other offered. I felt that Ivy only needed to leave because she wanted out of the small town life. Henry never left because Georgia is his home and that is where he knew he belonged. They both were stubborn and could've gave in but it made the story that much more fun to watch them jump around each other. I didn’t like that Ivy kept her secret for so long. Even if she didn’t want to cause trouble the man had a right to know. Henry was such a coward for not fighting for her and Ivy was really selfish. It all came together very nicely and I wish it was longer. Big props to the author who had me wishing I could be reading this book instead of working.
  
Open Earth
Open Earth
Sarah Mirk, Eva Cabrera, Claudia Aguirre | 2018 | Comics & Graphic Novels
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
R-Rated and Pretty Good
When I was browsing Netgalley, I came across this graphic novel and the description caught my eye. I loved the idea of the graphic novel tand I'm glad that I was able to read it.

Obviously, this book isn't going to be for pruder individuals. The reason I say this is because at times the graphics were definitely R-rated. This isn't something that you could handsell to a teen or recommend for someone that is younger. With that said, the graphics were very well done and I loved the cutesy artistic style that they portrayed.

Something else that I liked was the integration of spanish in the book. It was done sporadically and it added to the story. I enjoyed the book though I wish it was longer and would have delved into deeper depths of the characters. I felt like I was thrown into a story and didn't feel like I knew anything about any of the characters.

All in all it was a quick good steamy read.