A Cupid's Wager (A Valentine Rainbow)

by Deanna Wadsworth

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Whaaaat? No, no, NO! *shakes ereader for stuck words*
More. Gimmee more. 

I admittedly can be a bit of a hard ass when people start rewriting mythologies to fit their needs, but I had zero qualms here. It was a fun reinterpretation of Graeco-Roman and Mesoamerican myths. First off, I like the cahones of blending those two with fearlessness. Second, it sets up a really adorable and funny story. 

Lio, a cupid, doing some off the records--unsanctioned-- work gets busted by Ethan. Scrambling to recover the situation as much as possible Lio negotiates with Ethan, which is all good and sorta working until his impetuous nature causes him to do something rash. He stabs Ethan with a lust arrow to prove a point. 

Anyway, let's just say that the steamy action that Lio was precipitating with his pro-bono work is soon eclipsed. Hot, romantic and delicious. It ends smoothly, but sets up an opening for more…a lot more. Let's just say a gauntlet was tossed down and has yet to be resolved. 

P.S. Like piercings? Yeah? Dig in. 

Favorite quote:

In his arms, the loneliness that plagued me every day did not exist.

He is Worthy

by Lisa Henry

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Brutal, hard, brilliant. 

Excellent piece of historical fiction. The attention to detail and facts was a beautiful blend. Richly laid out like a banquet this story tells of political intrigue in the last days of Nero's reign. The weaving of history and story--seamless. 

The ancient world was not a soft place even in the most decadent of pleasure palaces. And this was highly entertaining and while I kept guessing where it would end, I was wrong. 

BTW. This totally revved my inner Roman geek

Mark of Gladiator

by Heidi Belleau

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Cunning, Blood and Transmutability

Love me some gladiators, but this one comes with a twist--gladiatrices. Hell Yeah! 

Smart and sexy this story combines an alluring cocktail of gamesmanship and sexual power in the ruthless ladder climbing of ancient Rome. Reading this is truly like watching the Wheel of Fortune spin, who the goddess favors is always changing. And who's in charge? That changes, too. 

This is a meticulously scribed vision of a slice of one family's life and the games they play. The power shifts within the household, the roles people act out and the truth hidden beneath it all--awesome. I figured out the way to the center of this maze rather quickly, but was not once disappointed in the story. If anything, watching the threads being laid down and woven to reach that end were a pleasure and not without a few unexpectedly delightful twists. 

Gods! The best part? Besides watching Rhakshna--yeah, I'm more than a bit bloodthirsty--every single character was both flawed and admirable. Plus the understatement employed to depict the grimmer realities were all the stronger with the gentle delivery. 

::So Happy::

The Slave Catcher

by Lilia Ford

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One gruff bounty hunter and a job he doesn't want.

Surprisingly amusing ride along with Sam as he narrates, showing you the highs and lows as a denizen of one of galaxy's pleasure spots. For a short story this packed a nice range of emotions into a tight package and gives a good smack as you exit.

Favorite quote:

And one of the things you learn is that you don’t go smashing stuff you can’t put back together if you’ve no clue what the results will be— and that includes opening fire on beliefs you disagree with.

Fish and Ghosts

by Rhys Ford

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Not a ghost fan, but had a good time. A very good time. 

Tristan's different and he knows. His family knows it. And they've sent in the big guns to leverage themselves into a position to take matters into their own hands. 

Wolf is the penultimate skeptic and his backstory adds a level of interest to this tale. Along with his crew, they set out for Hoxne Grange to get the skinny on "the hauntings". What they find is something they've never experience before. 

Alright, so the set up for Wolf and Tristan's romance is entertaining and provides good opportunities. The secondary characters of Mara and Meegan are fabulous with Mara edging ahead easily with some spectacular lines:

"Yours is not the first dick I’ve seen, Dr. Kincaid. And it certainly isn’t the best.”

On the other hand, Gidget and Matt were far less endearing with their lack of professionalism and common sense. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum need to be smacked upside the head a couple times and I would have staked them out for their behavior. 

Best yet, there's a fun little twist at the end;

The blow to the man’s ego was going to be huge, and Tristan allowed himself a small bit of glee over Wolf’s continuing downfall.

Good ghost story with a sweet and feisty romance.

Catalyst

by S.L. Armstong and K. Piet

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Blood, pain and perfection--I dangerous mix.

Admit what is needed and accept that.

Fine advice unless it's used for rationalization.

Damn. Intensely mindfucking with the convergence of two individuals whose needs are truly a dangerous mix that needs to be handled properly. A catalyst for an uncontrolled explosion that could destroy them both. Neither Kasper nor Logan are psychotic, but their respective compulsions drive them in ways that make their combination hazardous.

Edge play is dicey at the best of times, but with a sub who won't safeword--suicidal.

"Not having limits isn't a limit."

What I loved most about this book? 

The Dom's needs and thoughts are expressed. The majority of the story is told from Logan's viewpoint. His desires, his worries, his concerns and sense of responsibility. What happens when his trust is broken?

"I hurt you more than I wanted to. Did you even think about what I might have wanted?"

So much is concentrated on the submissive's side in many stories except when it goes wrong. BDSM is a symbiotic relationship. Abuse is a parasitic one. Here the dynamics of power are explored and what happens when there isn't balance. 

This is not an entry level book and I would not recommend it to most. It deals with extremes. Elements of blood play, humiliation, intense SM, mild CBT, and sounding.

Favorite quote:

"That space is yours, Kas, and I don't need to flay your back for you to reach it."

Pinned

by Maris Black

CCC

3.5 stars

Collegiate love story that hits a couple gravel patches. 

Overall, very enjoyable though one or two OTT moments and a colossally bad decision detracted a bit from my reading pleasure. Jeremy is a guy who is finally escaping the prison of childhood, good riddance:

What I really meant was, Fuck you, you drunk bastard. I’m outta here, and you can rot in hell for all I care.

He's got a plan and he's charging full steam ahead with a passion when a bright, shiny thing distracts him--Beck. Beck is a walking fantasy to Jeremy. Reality check. Jeremy's got to decide what he really wants because he's not getting exactly what he wants.

There’s a little voice in my head telling me I’m pouting like a spoiled child and making an ass of myself, but I don’t listen to that voice very often. It’s way too soft compared to the other voices I’ve got in there.

Drama. Two steps forward, one back. Another back. Step to the side. Anyway, there's the expected friends inserting opinions and "advice" aka meddling. Though I really have a soft spot for Truck and Dan. And surprise! There are females in this book that aren't heinous.

O.O

Truly. 

Favorite passage:

“So you’re saying he might not respect me if I sleep with you?”

Dan laughs. “No, I’m saying I think he’d fucking kill me.”