Musings on Romance

Tag: mmf (Page 1 of 2)

September Round Up

Monthly Mini Review

man with angel wing on one side and devil wing on the other, in silhouette against a black backgroundThe Punishment Doctrine by Rebecca Grace Allen – B- This novella is book 3.5 of the Portland Rebels series and is available free to subscribers to the author’s newsletter. I figure those who want to read it won’t mind signing up for the newsletter. (I would have but I was already a subscriber.) Besides, if readers change their minds they can always unsubscribe. Although the author’s note at the front says this novella can be read as a stand alone (though she doesn’t recommend it) I’m not sure I agree with her. The complicated backstories of Krissy, Mikey and Rafe are more fully fleshed out in The Theory of Deviance.  I said in my review of that book that I thought Rafe was a little shortchanged. Not much of the story was about him. Pretty much all of The Punishment Doctrine is about Rafe though so I feel the balance has been redressed. There are perhaps some simple answers to complicated questions here and a swift resolution to a major cause of angst for Rafe. However, sometimes a simple conversation can actually have that effect and sometimes the best answers are simple. I’d have liked a little more exposition but regardless, I ended up thinking Rafe would be okay. Continue reading

April Round Up

Monthly Mini Review

Dirty SecretsDirty Secrets by Jane O’Reilly – B+ The second in her recent erotic novella duology, Dirty Secrets is about Jules, Amy’s  (from Dirty Talk) kind-of-former-best friend.  Jules has split up with Dave the Dick for the last time.  She has escaped to London for a month to try and recover herself.  Somehow over the course of their relationship, Jules lost all sense of her self worth, her value and her self esteem.   Dave the Dick slowly eroded her confidence in everything.  She is finally out and she realises that he’s done a number on her but it is only as she begins to recover that she realises exactly how big of a number he did.

Theo is a friend from school.  They haven’t seen each other in 10 years, but when she calls him he offers her a haven and she takes him up on it.  Good decision Jules!  Theo is a co-owner of an exclusive sex club in London, the complete details of which are (I think, deliberately) vague.  They cater to fantasies, with a particular emphasis on women’s pleasure.  Theo offers Jules a  30 day membership to explore her fantasies and get in touch with her sexual self.  Theo’s gentle friendship and calm support, together with the encouragement and charm of Theo’s business partner, John, are balms to Jules’ soul and there are sexual adventures with a “stranger”.  Continue reading

Rocky Mountain Freedom by Vivian Arend

RockyMountainFreedomWhy I read it:  I bought it because I couldn’t wait for the audiobook (which I think will be available soon, just not soon enough for me!).

What it’s about: (from Goodreads)  Three hurting hearts. Too many secrets. One chance to conquer their fears.

Over the past year, Travis Coleman lost the two people he allowed closest to his heart. Both gave him ultimatums—then left. Hell if he needs that kind of pain again. Time to move forward without the friends he thought might save him from his dangerous cravings.

When Ashley Sims returns to Rocky Mountain House, her rambling lifestyle isn’t all she’s hoping to change. Travis snagged a piece of her, and while getting tangled in his issues again might be crazy, she hasn’t given up on him.

Nine months ago, Cassidy Jones walked away to stop his best friend from making a huge mistake. Temptation lingers, though, and when Travis shows up on his turf accompanied by a sensually uninhibited woman, the combination tosses fuel on the banked fire.

Passion flares among the three of them, as hot as the summer days. But are they willing to push the limits, and fight for love?

What worked for me (and what didn’t):  I was in the mood for hot and sexy and reliably good so I checked where I was up to in the Six Pack Ranch series and downloaded Rocky Mountain Freedom.  My favourite kind of menage book is where all three are romantically and sexually involved.  Here, I thought there was perhaps a bit of a fairytale acceptance of the polyamorous relationship but the problems weren’t entirely glossed over either and I was able to buy into the fantasy of the romance without any trouble.
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The Submission Gift by Solace Ames

TheSubmissionGiftWhy I read it:  I was provided with a review copy by the author.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads)  Newlyweds Jay and Adriana had a happy marriage and a spectacular sex life—until tragedy struck. Wounded in a car accident, Jay spent a year recuperating while Adriana worked overtime as a chef to pay their bills. Though he’s made nearly a full recovery, some aspects of their intimate play will never be the same. It’s a small price to pay, all things considered.

But when a long struggle with the insurance company results in an overdue payout, Jay has a plan. He’ll take some of it and hire a high-end rent boy who specializes in sexual dominance. Not for him, but as a gift for Adriana, for taking care of him for the past twelve months.

Paul is the handsome stranger they choose…and the one who changes everything. What starts out as a onetime session to fulfill a fantasy turns into something bigger than all of them. But when the money runs out and Paul’s dangerous past resurfaces, the sacrifices required to stay together may end up tearing them apart…

What worked for me (and what didn’t):  This book had a very strong start for me. I enjoyed the love and acceptance between Adriana and Jay.  I liked how they each wanted the other to have everything they wanted sexually but could not necessarily personally fulfil.  I liked it even though in real life that would threaten me so much I’d just hide in the corner forever.  But these characters are not me and that was very clear in the book.  Because, for them, it worked.  For them, it was right and good and healthy.

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