Review: Sweet Seduction (ARC) by Maya Banks

Description:

He was the stuff erotic dreams are made of...
Salon owner Julie Stanford wanted Nathan Tucker ever since she gave him his first massage. Getting paid to feel every inch of his body, stripped, oiled, and spread out in front of her? Stuff dreams are made of. But the sexy lug was oblivious to the signals she was sending—until she finished off his final rub-down with something extra. In fact, the best extra he ever had. Unfortunately, he came around too late. Now Julie’s moving on…
She was everything he’d dreamed of...
The woman was driving him crazy. She lit fire to his insides then ran like a scalded cat. And now she’s going to someone else to have all her fantasies fulfilled? Over his dead body… He’s more than willing to give her what she wants, and as soon as he pins the little minx down, he’d show her his own brand of sweet seduction. (by goodreads.com)




Review:


Julie is a very strong woman who knows exactly what, or better said who she wants. She’s stubborn as hell and doesn’t want to back down. Her ideas are sometimes a bit over the top but she makes them come true nonetheless. Julie runs from one extreme into the next but she won my heart with her sassy attitude and her witty comments. She’s a very reliable person and full of love for her friends. She has character, a very strong one and men seem to be afraid of it. But who is Julie to change herself for men. She doesn’t want to cower in front of one. She knows her goals, doesn’t quarrel with herself, just starts going for them.

Nathan is a real sweetheart. I know men hate to hear that but he really is. He’s caring and never short of a helping hand. There's just one tiny problem: He wants Julie but he’s to shy to do something about it. He feels like a little teenage boy every time she’s near him. He has to find a way to get past this or he will lose her completely. And this would be unacceptable for him. He can be stubborn too.

But when Julie tries to get him out of her head all bets are off. She goes straight for her biggest fantasy and Nathan will do anything to prevent that or better to participate.
Sounds naughty and it definitely is- in a very good way. LOL
Nathan crosses his own limits just to make Julies dreams come true and how sweet is that. I love that man.
Yeah I know it’s not necessary to say but the scenes between the sheets are great as ever but no real surprise because Maya wrote this book and she knows how to make the pages sizzle.



The relationship between the two is slightly different in comparison to the first two books but in my opinion it suits them. I loved the way Maya developed the connection between Nathan and Julie while still getting all the subplot smoothed inside the story. I never lost focus on the main action but was also really intrigued about what happens to everyone else- and there's a lot happening in this book. The groundwork for Micah’s story is so good that I already started counting the days till his book is released(188 days *sigh*). Great book about love and friendship with a good amount of witty and funny comments.




To learn more about Maya and her books please visit her website here.




The Sweet Series:

1. Sweet Surrender: my review, reviews @goodreads
buy @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard
2. Sweet Persuasion:
my review, reviews @goodreads
buy @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard
3. Sweet Seduction(release October, 6th 2009):

other reviews @goodreads
buy
@amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard

4. Sweet Temptation (release April, 6th 2010)

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Review: Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks

Description:


For five years, Serena has run Fantasy Incorporated and has devoted her time to fulfilling her clients’ fantasies. Never her own. Until now…
Her most secret desire is to give ownership of her body to a man. Someone who will command her, pleasure her, and have complete authority over her. So she seeks out Damon Roche, owner of an exclusive sex club and a man strong enough to make her do anything he wants. Anything.
Together they’ll journey into a world she’s only dreamed of. She’s given the opportunity to immerse herself in a different life while her normal one waits for her to return whenever she wishes. Damon has no desire to let her go, however. Serena is the woman he’s long searched for, and it’s up to him to convince her to stay when the game is all over with. He wants their fantasy to become their reality and for Serena to remain his pampered, cherished submissive.(by goodreads.com)

Review:

This review is kind of hard for me to write.I enjoyed reading the book but there are few things I’m not sure about. But let’s start at the beginning.

Serena(I love this name) is a successful woman. She has her own firm, a nice car and everything you can want from life except one thing: she wants to be a slave to a powerful master. Not like in the middle ages but like a very strict D/s relationship. I’m not sure if I, or my inner feminist likes this idea. But OK everyone what he likes. She’s not sure how to get that and after talking to Faith about it she contacts Damon and starts to fulfill her own dream. She’s a strong character despite being so submissive. She knows what she wants and I admire her strength to admit it.
Damon is really hot and from the first second I read about him in book 1 I wanted to know more about him. He has very high expectations concerning a functioning relationship. He wants to take charge of everything not only between the sheets. He knows that is much to ask and that not many woman would give so much freedom away. But he wants nothing less and waits for his super submissive to show up in his life. When he learns what Serena really wants he can’t give her to another man because she is exactly what he wants.

The connection between both of them builds relatively fast. Beneath all this master slave thing seems to be real deep feelings. It surprise me to be so emotional and I have to admit at one point their could have been a tear in my eyes. At moments everything is real cute and smooth between them but there are parts in this story I just can’t accept as easily. The slave status is taken real far, perhaps too far for me and is absolutely nothing for the faint of heart. We witness many dirty things in this book from bondage to spankings. I enjoyed reading it nonetheless. It’s really hot but a few things put a damper on it for me.I don’t want to be more specific because it would spoil the book. When you read it you will know what I mean.


The side characters were great as ever. The girls together are great and the boys are just adorable. We meet everyone again and it made me really curious about the next book but I have to admit Julie annoyed me from time to time.

This book is real great read and it’s one of the hottest books I read so far. If you got no problem with BDSM and a master/slave relationship you should get this book ASAP.




This is book 2 in the Sweet Series. If you want to learn more about Sweet Surrender, the first book in this series read my review here. To learn more about Maya and her books please visit her website here.


Read other reviews @goodreads .

Buy this book @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard


Come back tomorrow to read my review of Sweet Seduction, book #3 in the Sweet Series.

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Review: Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks

Description:


Sometimes the first step in taking control is surrendering.
Under Faith Malone’s deceptively soft exterior lies a woman who knows exactly what she wants. A strong man who’ll take without asking—because she’s willing to give him everything…
Dallas cop Gray Montgomery is on a mission: find the guy who killed his partner—and bring him to justice. So far, he’s found a link between the killer and Faith—and if Gray has to get close to her to catch the killer, so be it.
Faith is sweet and feminine, everything Gray wants and desires in a woman, but he suspects she’s playing games. No way she would allow a man to call the shots in their relationship. Or would she?
Faith sees in Gray the strong, dominant man she needs, but he seems determined to keep her at a distance. So she takes matters into her own hands to prove to him it’s no game she’s playing. She’s willing to surrender to the right man. Gray would like to be that man. But catching his partner’s killer has to be his first priority. Until Faith is threatened and Gray realizes he will do anything to protect her.

Review:

Faith is a natural submissive- she wants a man to take the lead and the control. She wants to be cared about and needs to feel treasured. Short said: She wants a REAL man and doesn’t know how to get one of those. She’s intrigued by Gray but is afraid to just get another “wannabe” man. So she makes her own plans about getting what she wants. And where did she go to: the local sex club and his sexy owner Damon.


Gray is on an important mission- he wants to get the murder of his partner but what he finds is sweet Faith. He can’t seem to avoid her. He likes her more every time he sees her and he knows getting involved with her isn’t the smart thing to do. He lies to her because his mission is incognito and he hates every minute of it. But what should he do? Stopping to try to find the murder or just forget her? He goes for the second solution but when he discovers what she plans to do in the sex club all bets are off.


The relationship between both of them is a steady back and forth in the beginning. Faith wants all and as fast as possible and Gray is a little reluctant to believe she really wants what she says. Gray annoyed me a bit with, I can’t even say what exactly. I think he annoyed me because he is himself. I think I just don’t like him. I hated the lying and that he didn’t tell her the truth when he had the chance too. I talked to a few people on twitter about that and it seems I’m the only one who’s thinking so. The sex is hawt- it has nearly everything you can think of: BDSM, D/s play and ménage without being too much. Ok perhaps I should rephrase that: Everything I can think of. Don’t know how dirty your minds are. LOL


The suspense plot is good and the pace of the story is great. I really like Maya’ style of writing. The side characters are perfect. I think I love all the other boys- specially Damon and Micah. OMG, these two are yummy.


On thing I noticed is that Maya uses the word “glad” very often(14 times- yep I counted). I only noticed because I so hate this word so much. I know I’m crazy but it sounds so awful and I have the need to puke every time I read it. I don’t know why perhaps it’s because English is not my mother tongue. So just ignore this if you’ve got no problem with this word.LOL


Ignoring my own craziness this book was really good and I enjoyed reading it.


This is the first book in the Sweet Series.
To learn more about Maya and her books please visit her website here.

Read other review @goodreads
Buy the book @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard.


Come back tomorrow to read my review of Sweet Persuasion, book #2 in the Sweet Series.

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Review: Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl

Description:

Lori Love is yearning for something more.

Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she'd stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex…and lots of it.
Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brain—not love and romance. A serious architect, he's delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori's bedside table, he's busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn's protective instincts kick in.
Suddenly he cares. More than either of them ever expected…. (by goodreads.com)

Review:

Start Me Up is the second book in the Tumble Creek series and I adored the first book Talk Me Down. Before starting this one I was a little afraid of getting disappointed- because it couldn’t really be as good as the first one. But I have to admit it is.

Lori is chained to Tumble Creek first by her ill dad and now by his garage. She never wanted to be a mechanic- she had this dreams about finishing college and than seeing the world in all her beauty. But that seems to be out of reach now. She hates that everyone sees her as one of the boys or even worse the town lesbian. That’s no good start to attract male attention(only the really strange ones). Now she tries to pimp herself a bit to get the attraction she deserves as a woman.

Quinn is the ultimate beta-hero, a nerdy super genius spending his time as an architect, he’s often totally absorbed in his work and doesn’t even notice the world around him. Sounds like an autist but it’s more a declaration of love for his work. He always forgets dates and we all know a man like this didn’t stand a chance with an ordinary girl. He tries to be something special for Lori and *hear hear* he also reads her romance novels to learn what she likes. I think my bf would prefer to jump from a cliff before reading one of those books.

Both of them together are really great. They have a lot of hot chemistry and fit together just perfect(OMG that sounds juicy). The dialogs are witty and made me cry out with laughter. The sex is hot and full of dirty Spanish words. The whole book is a nice mix of romance and suspense with the main focus on the romance. In my opinion the end was a little abrupt but the only critic I can find. I enjoyed this book so much it directly moved on my re-read pile right next to Talk me Down.

To learn more about Victoria Dahl and her books take a look at her website here.

Tumble Creek Series:

1. Talk Me Down: my really short mini review,
reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

2. Start Me Up: reviews

@goodreads, buy @amazon
3. Lead Me On: (Release January 2010) excerpt here

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Review: Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

Description:
Unexpected Desire…
It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…
Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Review:
This book was just Wow! Yeah, I know I should have known after reading so many great reviews but seriously I never imagined it to be so good.
Erin is a real hot rocker chick with Dreadlocks and a really open and direct personality.
Todd is really hawt but he’s a little shy concerning his preference in the rack. He’s afraid of other people judging him and thinks what he wants is wrong. Tsk, men!!! They can have issues.

They share a few nights but part ways for nearly ten years. When they meet again nothing is the same.
Todd is more confident with his sexuality. He realized that he will never be happy unless he stands up for his wishes and stops hiding his real self from the world.
Erin is still strong but has a few issues to live with. Her life was more than hard but she tries to stay herself and doesn't want to cower under her past. I totally admired her- strong but not untouchable by her past.
And then we have Ben- he’s a real sweety. He kind of stands at the sideways: In their relationship they are all kind of equal but for the outside he is the FRIEND living with the married couple. It's a hard situation and in the beginning he isn’t sure if his position is really the same one as Todd’s.

The story was great and we don’t have to talk about the sex part because we all know Lauren Dane totally knows how to write these scenes- shockingly good and in great detail. It’s one of the best m/f/m ménage books I ever read. Unlike most other books in this department this book has a real story- a heartbreaking, emotional story(me the crybaby). It’s full of raw emotion and sexual attraction all in a great mix. Just perfect!
Warning for all who don’t know Lauren Dane: This book is full explicit sex and definitely not for the faint of heart.


To learn more about Lauren Dane and here books please visit her website here.

other reviews: - Leontine’s Book Realm
- Pearl’s World of Books

- @Goodreads
buy this book @amazon, or digital @BooksOnBoards

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Review: Demon Inside by Stacia Kane

Description:

Hanging out with demons can be hell…

It’s been three months since psychologist Megan Chase made the stunning discovery that the world is filled with demons, and once more the situation is too hot to handle. Ironically, Megan—the only person in the world without a little personal demon sitting on her shoulder—has become the leader of a demon “family,” but now some unknown arcane power is offing her demons in a particularly unpleasant fashion. And while her demon lover Greyson Dante is still driving her wild with desire, he’s also acting in a strangely evasive fashion. Then there’s the truth about Megan’s past—the truth she’s never known.

Caught between personal problems and personal demons, Megan is having one hell of a hard time. Will the help of her cockney guard demons and her witch friend Tera be enough so that Megan can finally resolve the past, survive the present, and face the future? (from author’s website)

Review:
This is the second book in the Megan Chase series and I really enjoyed reading it. Megan is a strong character who always struggles to be as she wants to be. She doesn’t take everything thrown her way with just a smile. She fights for being human and for staying this way. She wants to be good and hates the idea of becoming a bad person or worse a demon.
Strange enough that her boyfriend is one. But I can’t blame her because Greyson Dante is just hot. Which girl wouldn’t love a man who can ignite the fire between the two of you? No objections from me in this department. But perhaps you have noticed before I’m a real sucker for demons. Back to the book: Greyson is as distanced as ever but not only of his own- Megan herself isn’t very forthcoming with information about her life either. They both have to find a way to turn to each other instead of getting consumed by doubt.
The story is very emotionally intense and at some point it bordering on back breaking. The book is full of action- the trouble comes from all sides and never seems to stop. The dialogues are full of wit and great adjusted to the characters. I love that there’s always a funny reference to find in Ms. Kane’s books and her three demon bodyguards alone are a reason to read this series. The end was a bit short. I prefer a little soothing of my mind in the end. ;-)
I loved reading this book but I think it’s not for the faint of heart: It’s full of blood, fights and to my delight zombies and other gruesome creatures- there are one or two '*ick* moments. I like that about this book but I think it’s not typical book in the paranormal romance genre. I would sort it as an urban fantasy with a romance in it but not as the leading theme. The focus of this book is more on Megan as a person and her struggle with what she is and what she wants to be. I cant wait to read what happens next…


For more information about Stacia Kane and her books please take alook at her website here.

Megan Chase Series:

1. Personal Demons: Reviews @Goodreads, buy @amazon
2. Demon Inside:

Reviews @Goodreads, buy @amazon
3. Demon Possesed (Release March 2010)

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Review: Eve of Chaos by S.J. Day

Today’s the last day of my Marked Marathon and it’s also the hardest. It’s very hard to review this book without spoiling the last. I thought about it for a while and I think I have to give a few facts away otherwise the whole review would say nothing. So if you haven’t read the first two be warned!!! I’ll try to make as few as possible.








Description:
How do you tell Satan that you ran over his hellhound? Evangeline Hollis has no idea and she doesn't want to find out. Living with the Mark of Cain -- and the two sexy brothers who come with it -- is trouble enough. She doesn't need to borrow more. Too bad Satan is too pissed to oblige her. Incensed at the loss of his pet, Satan has put a bounty on Eve's head, and Hell's denizens are converging en masse. The proliferation of Infernals is complicating Eve's hunts and creating chaos in her once orderly life. They've also brought her to the attention of an overzealous reverend who is certain she's Jezebel reincarnate.
How can a Mark drafted by God strike a bargain with the Devil? Eve's about to find out... (by goodreads.com)



Review:

This book is definitely my favorite one so far. I read it in only 12 hours- in one session. Yep, it’s so good.

Eve is a real magnet for trouble these days. After accomplishing full Mark status she now has so much to do that she really doesn’t need the Devil to go after her as well.

Since Alec got promoted to Archangel he has to fight his inner demons. He can’t shut the voices and his anger up. He knows something is wrong but he has no idea to whom he should go for help. He needs someone who won’t betray him? He needs help badly before ruins the relationship to Eve completely or perhaps it’s already to late for this.
Reed sees his opportunity in this development between our lovebirds. He tries everything to get in Eve’s pants but he didn’t foresee that he’s also getting in her heart.
Eve is as torn between the brother as never before. What if she make’s the wrong decision? Which one is the better choice?

The story and characters are so deep and wonderful described, there’s no way to don’t like them. The story is thrilling and passionate and full of surprises. The end of this book is so mean but in positive way! If you call it a cliffhanger it would be a understatement. Can’t wait to get my fingers on the next one.

It’s now officially one of my favorite series.





To learn more about S.J. Day visit her website here.


The Marked Series:

1. Eve of Darkness: Reviews @goodreads; buy @amazon

2. Eve of Destruction: Reviews @goodreads; buy @amazon

3. Eve of Chaos: Reviews @goodreads; buy @amazon

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Review: Eve of Destruction by S.J. Day

Description:
Class is in, but Evangeline Hollis is struggling to get through the requisite training to be a full-fledged Mark. When her class goes on a field trip to an abandoned military base, passing the course isn’t just a matter of pride…it’s a matter of life and death. There’s a demon hidden among them, killing off Eve’s classmates one by one.
As the body count mounts, a ragtag team of cable TV ghost hunters unwittingly stumbles into the carnage. Now keeping the Mark system secret competes with the need to keep the “paranormal researchers” alive. With Cain on assignment and Abel on an investigation, Eve must fly solo on her hunt to stop a killer before he strikes again.(by amazon.com)


Review:

This book starts exactly where the first ended. Eve faces new problems- not only the bad boys are on her trail also her fellow Marks aren’t as friendly as they should be. She's confronted with a bunch of new wannabe Marks, each of them struggling with his/her new obligation. Eve becomes the underdog and she doesn’t know who to break free of this position. There seem to be too many prejudices regarding her connection to the brothers. When the killing starts she is obsessed with finding the killer and making him pay.
Alec is on a different mission. He has to find the Alpha who threatens his and Eve’s life. His mission separates him from Eve and he’s not very happy about this. He sees the possibility Reed could gain out of this. Many unexpected things happen and he has to adjust his priorities. Things only get more complicated for him.
Reed is on a mission to investigate the strange murder of Marks all over the world and has to find a way to solve this problem while watching over Eve and her ability to attract chaos and other complications. His attraction for her only grows but he’s stubborn enough to not push her into something she would regret.


In this book our heroes have to stand for themselves without forgetting the others. The relationship between the three is slightly altering and brings new aspects and possibilities into the story. Things we took for granted change drastically.
The story is a good mix of thrill and action but in my opinion a little passion is missing. I enjoyed reading the book and had to start the next one after reading the last sentence.




To learn more about S.J. Day visit her website here.

Other reviews @goodreads; buy this book @amazon



Watch out for tomorrow: Review of the third book in this series.

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Review: Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day

I eyed this series for a long time. I thought about buying it when the first book was released but I was strong and waited till all 3 of them were released. No need to torture yourself! My attention was caught because of the great cover art and of course all the great reviews the books got. So last week I couldn’t wait any longer and the bank account said it was ok, so I bought them all and surprise: I read them all in only 3 days.







Description:

Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel...
All in a day's work.


For Evangeline Hollis, a long ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.
Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted into service to kill demons, Eve's learning curve is short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She's also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history...
But she'll worry about all that later. Right now she's more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she'd never believed she had.(by goodreads.com)

Review:

As I started the book the first thing I thought: Oh I grabbed the wrong book. *Susi goes to bookshelf and looks for the #1 book in the series* Yeah, OK reminder for me: Finish the first chapter before judging! Very cool thing to start a book with the end. I was a little confused but after that I wanted to know how Eve got herself in this situation and my addiction started.
The story is very straight forward and pulled me right in this world full of biblical creatures and “stars”. I thought that would be a little problem because I’m not so well informed in this field. But luckily it’s also the first thing Eve and I have in common, being agnostic that is, so I had no problem to follow the story.
The characters are great developed. Eve is exactly my kind of girl: she stands with both feed on the ground, works for herself and has quite an attitude. She’s thrown in the middle of two fighting brothers and a whole bunch of Infernals which would love to harm the brothers through her. She has no real time to adjust to the circumstance but she handles everything quite good. I love her witty comments and that she allows no-one to shut her up.
Cain and Abel are some guys. Both have their pro and cons but two things they have in common: they are unnaturally yummy and they want Eve.
Alec Cain is love with Eve. This is a given from the start. He left her because he knew they can’t stay together forever, they are too different in their expectations for the future. But as soon as he heard of her Marking he tried to make it as good as possible for her. He wants to free her only because he knows that’s the thing she wants. Adorable isn’t he? But he also has his own ambitions…
Reed Abel was ordered to mark Eve and wasn’t prepared to be drawn to her like that. Reed’s attraction for Eve seems to be more physical than Alec’s. And sometimes it feels like this “I take what my brother loves” thing they have. But he cares about Eve nonetheless.

The story jumps from one incident into the next and never takes the edge away. The interactions between the three are great described, you can see how they influence each other- intended or not. I loved the way her dialogues work, you can see the jealousy between the brothers. The whole concept for this book is great!

So summed up a great book with nothing to criticize!




To learn more about S.J. Day visit her website here.
Other Reviews @goodreads; buy this book @amazon

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