Book Review: Consent to Love

Book Title: Consent to Love
Author: Abby Wood

Publisher: Carina Press
Format: Ebook

Cost: $ 3.59

Pages: about 200

How I got it: NetGalley

My Rating:★★★☆☆
Erotica Rating: ★★★★☆  Steamy but okay plot
Synopsis:

Twenty-four-year-old small-town girl Ana Reynold serves beer at the local bar, tries to keep her beater car running, and dreams of a better life as a painter. If she can learn to make a decent steak, she might get promoted to cook--and earn enough for her real heart's desire. Right now, that doesn't include romance.But when she meets a tall, dark and sexy Native American man named Kane, Ana can't take her eyes off him--or stop thinking about him. But she'd better. Everyone knows the proud Lakota who raises horses wants nothing to do with a townie barmaid who'll bring shame to his people.Except Kane can't get Ana off his mind. He proposes a red-hot weekend in bed, a no-strings affair to end Monday morning. Yet once Kane brings the outsider onto Lakota land, everything changes...

My Review:
Ahhh don't you love when the premise sounds great?!?! How about that cover?? Consider that each book I have read by Carina Press has been pretty stellar, I clicked on the Netgalley link and was super excited once I got the go ahead.

I was all geared up for steamy sexy over the weekend loving that might turn into something or might not, but it promised to be hot and steamy. I'll be honest it was hot and steamy, and then the rest of the 'plot' kicked in. Now had this been labelled a romance I wouldn't have been so surprised at the heavy subject matter that was being dealt with; it was labelled and erotic romance and it's short so I expected some serious sex and very little else certainly not the concepts of interracial romance and what happens when a Anglo woman dates a Native American in a small town.

As a black woman I can tell you I know ALL about dating in interracial romances and the shiggity *thanks Michelle* that kicks up when others don't believe y'all belong together; considering how small this book is, the author managed to do the subject some justice and not just make it a trite part of the story, but I also think she made it a little too much about their racial differences instead of the similarities that drew them together.  I really loved how she pointed out stereotypes that many have internalized without realizing and how they react when their stereotypes are shattered.  I do however think she also played to those stereotypes especially in the Kane character; his manner of speech, his 'soulful touch' how he worked with the animals yeah it was all still there.

Ana was both a great character and an annoying character. She was great because she embraced the relationship despite the proposed hardships and still met them head on when she was confronted with them.  She gave Kane hell when he needed it and demanded both his love and respect without being manipulative.  I do wish she had tried a little harder to understand the culture by doing some research herself instead of waiting on others to provide her with the info.  She went from being shy and unassuming to doing something totally dirty and I mean dirty, **it was just weird reading it, but hey we all have our own kinks,** when she rode the saddle in the barn, yeah that scene was O_O.

Now I also want to ask, why is it authors now a days seem to think all female characters are supposed to be shy, unassuming, and with low to no self confidence or esteem??? I get that they want the characters to not be perfect but relateable but ummm not every woman is like that okay. STOP. IT. Pass the message along, I actually like Ana and Kane, they deserved each other, they needed each other to hold the other up, and okay to push each other. Although when not in a love scene Ana made me want to slap her, everyone is telling her how great her paintings are, someone just paid you over twenty thousand dollars for one of your throw away painting and you keep insisting it's a joke. Look I'm all for being humble, but cut the bullshiggity *again thanks Chele*, have some self esteem.  Why does she only gain acceptance of herself after others tell she's great?? Why is everything have to be about Kane??

As for Kane, I get it my man you been hurt before, but ummm two different women, two different circumstances. Live Learn Grow, or better yet, relax relate release.  I both liked and disliked how he treated her when it looked like her dream was about to come through but I get why he did it, but mister could have used a little bit of compassion when doing it.

All in all it's an okay story, not a quick dirty erotic romp, but an actual building of a romance.  I do have to note that they do some seriously kinky stuff *you know non vanilla* and Ana has a pretty dirty mouth which really made the scenes umm different. Just a note to the author "boink" is not sexy I don't care how you think it sounds it's just not sexy at all. Thanks.  Also just some basic sex ed stuff, going from front to back once "cool", going back and forth?? Guaranteed infection, that also pulled me out of the story. Why was her 'juices sticky" no no no, get that checked out; somethings wrong there my dear seriously wrong.  I take issue with his use of 'girl' every time they got intimate, it kinda rang false to the characters and to me at least made me think of a lecherous old man making a pass at a young woman, i don't think that's the idea she was going for.

I'm curious enough to go read Daphne's story since that one is BDSM themed. And I can't wait to read about Kohana, his story sounded interesting.  Overall I enjoyed my reading experience; even if it was sometimes laughing at the characters and their 'issues'. I didn't really connect to characters like I normally do, which made it hard to gauge the story truly.

 Buy on Amazon                            Add to Goodreads

****In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I am required to let you know I received this book for free via the publisher/author in exchange for a fair and honest review.***

Caribbean Pride

I have managed to refrain from running loose like a crazy person on this blog for the past fourteen days, especially the last four days. I have been glued to my tv, and Facebook, and let's face it twitter, talking smack and generally annoying the people who have the misfortune * at the moment* of being my firnds and family members, especially those who aren't Jamaican.

Out of Many One People.  

You see, Jamaica turns 50 this year.  50 years ago the Queen and Parliament graciously let us go and allowed us to become independent and we have been grateful for that ever since *there are a million things that have gone wrong, I could go into them but it's not that kind of a post*.  This is a celebration post, not just that fact that we have been free, but the fact of our dominance in track and field at this year's Olympics.  We are a small country with little over 2.6 million citizens, that's what some of these other countries call a city, and that's our whole island populace; you could drive from end to end in one day *you wouldn't stop and see much you would have to just drive but you can do it*.  It's from this small nation that the fastest man and woman in the world come from, reside in and train.

As a symbol of great pride, and as someone noted, a show of how far we as a country and as a people have come, Usain Bolt's image was featured on the House of Parliament (which is like the Senate building for those in the US).   This more than any other image showcased as a friend put it the reverse of colonialism.  It is something our ancestors would have never thought to see, would never hope to dream to see so many people loving one little black boy from the small country.

With even a member of the royal family emulating his moves and jokingly racing with him right before the Olympics would have taken place.

It's a joke ~~~ That's my friend that Gold!!!

 I don't know if y'all can grasp the significance of a member of the family that once owned us, ruled us, calmly playing and *pretend* racing one of our own.  I know I'm probably not articulating this well, but it's just amazing and awe inspiring to see how far we have come.

There are many things wrong with Jamaica right now, much like the rest of the world we are feeling the crunch; and yet clearly there are so many things right.  With Usain Bolt *who by the way is from my home parish *county/state for you Americans * Trelawny, yep now you know what my twitter name means*  bringing in so many golds for Jamaica, it's a big bolster to national pride.

It was even better on Friday when the men swept the race and Gold, Bronze and Silver belonged to us. to hear the national anthem playing while watching our flag be raised, was just amazing.

Tonight (or last night) again the men set a world record in the mens 4x100 meter race/ Tearing up their previous world record and setting personal bests for each of them.

Of course we can't forget the women, ohhh man the little pocket rocket (her nickname) Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce looked around and decided she liked having gold, it went nicely with the huge rock on her hand/ And she dominated again in her field setting another WR. We took Bronze in the women's relay because Carmelita Jeter (US) decided that she wasn't going home without and Gold tore up the field. Congrats to the American team.
The whole Team Jamaica did amazingly well, with runners in long distance and hurdles *something we normally don't do* and swimming, as well as equestrian. We didn't medal in all of them, but the very fact of being in the Olympics makes them winners and some of the best of the best athletes and they too deserve a resounding Huzzah!! or better yet a BIG UP!! *lick shots BOOY BOY BOY BOY* lololol.

I don't know of any other way to share our national pride with you, than to share some of the images of my country. I have always been a proud Jamaican, but during these last few weeks my pride has been eclipsed by a sense of joy like no other. And Congratulations to Grenada on it's first Gold, and Bahamas for spanking the US men's team for the first time in 60 years of their dominance.

Unless otherwise noted none of these images are mine, they have been taken from google.com and Shelly's fan page.

Thanks for letting me share with you my joy. Happy birthday Jamaica, I can't wait to see you at one hundred *wait crap i might not be here* ok I can't wait to see you at 75!! 65?? No ohh ok I'll just see you at Christmas then.

Book Review: Erotica: Seven Day Loan

Book Title: Seven Day Loan

Author: Tiffany Reiz

Publisher: Harlequin Spice Briefs

Cost: $ 2.50

Pages: 41 Ebook

How I got it: ARC from NetGalley

My Rating:★★★★★ & Five Steamy Stars
Synopsis:

A trained submissive, Eleanor will do whatever her master commands...even spend a week with a stranger. Daniel has been a recluse since his wife's death, and Eleanor's lover thinks spending time with her will be therapeutic--especially since Daniel is also a Dom. 

Despite her defiant streak, Eleanor can't resist giving in to Daniel's erotic demands. But while she'll let him have her body, she's determined to keep a guard around her heart. Even if Daniel wants to make Eleanor his permanently...

My Review:

Wait no!! That shouldn't be how it ends1!! Gods darn it. I wanted to root for both of them, but I  understand her loving her Dom. My goddess this book was sensual, fun, naughty, and ohh sooo good. It packed quite a punch for such a little book. I'm became so emotionally invested in them in such a short time. Oh now I need to know else what happens to both characters.  I just keep remembering her last line "..I know what love is and it's waiting for me at nine".  Just amazing.  Even though her Dom isn't mentioned much, he's an enigmatic character that clearly has inspired strong loyalties in both the characters.  

Eleanor is clearly upset at being handed off to someone else for a week, but she knows this will please her Dom and help another who needs it. Daniel's a sexy librarian who also happens to be a Dom, *drools*; he's also clearly still in love with his wife, but Eleanor helps he come back to life; and slowly let go of his grief.  

P.S. I figured out by say the 1/2 way point who or what her Dom was way before they told us. The hints were all there. You simply had to follow them. I liked no I loved this little novella. Just wish it had been longer. 

Happy reading

Book Review: Erotica: Improper Relations

Book Title: Improper Relations

Author: Juliana Ross

Publisher: Carina Press

Cost: $2.69

Pages: ebook about 50-75

How I got it: ARC from NetGalley

My Rating:★★★★★
Synopsis:

Dorset, 1858
When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified--but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?

My Review:

OMGosh, this book is hot!!! Wow, from the very beginning it's erotic and steamy, hitting several kinks within the first few minutes. I loved Mrs. Bell, she was so curious and refreshingly entranced by her discovers as much as her feelings for Lord Alfred (Leo). 

For his part Leo was the dashing but lovable rake who took his cousin's wife beneath his wings and showed her all about the pleasures of the flesh. As I read I couldn't help but want more, more about him; I loved that the end made up for all those curious little questions I had about him and what he did all day when not in his interludes with Mrs.Bell. Those scenes certainly steamed up the pages, and boy oh boy did it make for a fun and thrilling read.

A definite quick read for the vocatious readers, who wish for a little thrill on a good afternoon.
Happy kinky reading my loves

Book Review: Goddess in the Middle

Book Title: Goddess in the Middle Forgotten Goddess Bk 3
Author: Stephanie Julian

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: Paperback, Ebook, 

Cost: $14.99

Pages: 336

How I got it: ARC from Netgalley

My Rating:★★★★★
Synopsis:

TOGETHER. THEY CREATE THE MOST POWERFUL MAGIC OF ALL ...Romulus and Remus are sexy werewolf cousins with an unbreakable bond. When they meet beautiful goddess Amity and save her from an encroaching demon, they discover that the three of them together are way more powerful than any of them could ever have imagined. And they're going to need that power to overcome the forces that are determined to steal Amity's magic and destroy the two men. As different as night and day, and each an amazing man in his own right, Rom and Remy make all of Amity's deepest fantasies come true ...

My Review:
Amity was once worshiped as the Goddess of Health along with her sister, when the Etruscan ruled what is now modern day Italy.  Today se serves the people by being a medical aesthician healing those she can without their knowledge, doing her best to use the last of her powers to aide those who need her the most.  Much like her sisters she find herself being hunted and by chance meets two of the best warriors of the werewolves.  I have never read any of Ms Julian's writings before, and I will be remedying that as soon as possible, her writing is beautiful and flowed well, strong characters who aren't stereotypical.

I enjoyed the mythology of this world and even though i hadn't read the other books, I was entranced and pulled into it, each character that was introduced made me want to read the previous books and anymore that are coming out especially X and the king of the Underworld.  I kind of guessed what he wanted long before the author started sharing little bits about him, (I had read another book about the God of the underworld and I loved it) so this book only endeared him to me, although his methods leave much to be desired.

The love story that builds pulls you in, engages your emotions so much that by the end your rooting for them, hoping that the characters realized that they needed each other.  Rom was the most reluctant until he realized that Amity needed them as much as they needed her and then he was all ofr it; Remy knew right from the start that he wasn't leaving her and he needed his cousin to realize they both needed her as much as she needed both of them. Poor Amity couldn't see how much she needed them at first, until they set about showing her, and boy did they show her.

I enjoyed that the action didn't take a backseat to the love story and the love story wasn't pushed beneath the story's continuation of the series. This book could stand on it's own, you didn't need to read the others to appreciate it.  I loved this story, Amity, Remy and Rom made for a wonderful story, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series, especially X's and the Underworld King's stories *hint hint*


*****FTC guidelines states i must make you aware I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review******