Category Archives: Kensington

December 24, 2012 · 3:57 am

Review: Simply Scandalous by Kate Pearce

Title: Simply Scandalous by Kate Pearce
House of Pleasure Book 9
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Aphrodisia
Genre: Historical, Erotic, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Known only to a select clientele, Madame Helene’s Pleasure House is an exclusive brothel in Regency England where every illicit fantasy that you could imagine is indulged. . .

Sinful Desire

After years of fighting on the continent, Richard Ross has finally returned to London to make peace with his father. And the erotic delights of his stepmother’s Pleasure House provide a welcome distraction for his war-weary heart. But he is shocked to encounter someone there whose resemblance to his lost love leaves him both tempted and tormented. . .

Dangerous Seduction

As a former spy, Violet LeNy has mastered the art of deception. But there is no disguising the heated passion that still burns between her and Richard, the man she once betrayed but who now is her only hope of survival. Soon she plans a scandalous game of seduction where sensual surrender is the ultimate pleasure…

The Review:

Simply Scandalous is the deliciously sexy final installment of Kate Pearce’s House of Pleasure series. An intriguing mystery and a secondary romance make this novel a little different from the other books in the series. The sex scenes are still smoking hot and longtime fans of the series will be delighted with the wrap up of all the various storylines.

Unbeknownst to his family and friends, Richard Ross spent his years in France working as a spy for England. Now retired and back in England, he is still mourning the death of his lover, Violet. When a former colleague of his draws Richard back into the spy game, he comes face to face with a ghost from his past.

Violet LeNy is a former spy who broke Richard’s heart when she was forced to fake her own death. Fleeing from France, she and her twin brother Jack are working to reclaim their estates and begin a new life in England. Desperate to save herself and her brother, Violet will go to any lengths to regain Richard’s trust and unmask the double agent who is threatening their lives.

Richard reluctantly teams up with Violet to investigate who is behind the plot to kill her and Jack. There is very little trust between them in the beginning and it takes a while for Violet to reveal all the pertinent details to Richard. Complicating matters between them is the intense sexual attraction they still have for one another.

I have to admit that while I liked Richard and Violet’s romance, the relationship that I found must fascinating is between Richard’s sister Emily and half-brother Christian’s close friend Ambrose. Not only is there a class difference between them, there is also the fact that Ambrose is a freed slave. Emily is sheltered by her wealthy and over-protective family, but she knows what she wants and she is not afraid to go after it. Both she and Ambrose must overcome some obstacles in their pasts before they can make plans for their future.

Equally compelling is the story arc that wraps up some of the loose ends surrounding Emily and Richard’s parents’ marriage. Hints about the unhappy marriage have appeared in previous novels in the series, and while readers knew their marriage was quite miserable, there were few details about why. In Simply Scandalous, all of the unsavory specifics are finally revealed.

Simply Scandalous is a well-written novel that has a fast moving plot and engaging protagonists. The characters are multi-faceted and well-developed. The mystery aspect of the storyline is quite interesting and I was genuinely surprised at the revelation of the villain’s identity. The sex scenes are very risqué, exquisitely detailed and quite plentiful.

While I am sorry to see the House of Pleasures series come to an end, I am looking forward to Kate Pearce’s upcoming series, The Sinners Club, which debuts next year. I am crossing my fingers we get Jack’s story first!

6 Comments

Filed under Aphrodisia, Erotic, Historical, House of Pleasure Series, Kensington, Rated B, Review, Romance, Simply Scandalous

· 3:56 am

Review: Taking the Reins by Kat Murray

Title: Taking the Reins by Kat Murray
Roped & Wrangled Series, Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Brava
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Peyton Muldoon needs a man bad.

No, not that way. What she needs is a trainer for her struggling stud ranch. And only a true life horse whisperer will do, a man with the right touch and real know how.

Redford Callahan’s on a hot streak.

Not in the sack. But with the ranch owners who hire him to gentle their animals without breaking their spirit. He can pick and choose his next gig, so he’ll be damned if he’s going to waste his time on a mismanaged operation like the M-Star. Not until Peyton sashays into his motel room one night to make him a deal he can’t refuse. Now Red’s days as a loner are numbered and he’s starting to wonder if there’s one spitfire he won’t be able to tame…

The Review:

Taking the Reins, the first novel in Kat Murray’s Roped & Wrangled series, is a sweet yet sensual romance between a feisty cowgirl and a sexy cowboy.

Peyton Muldoon is the only one of her siblings living on the family ranch. Following her mother’s death, she is determined to restore the ranch’s reputation and expand the business. Much to her dismay, she discovers her absent siblings, brother Trace and sister Bea, are co-owners and she cannot make any major decisions without their consent. Trace’s return to the ranch brings an unexpected surprise while Bea’s homecoming is complicated by unresolved past issues between her and Peyton. But the biggest threat to Peyton’s peace of mind (and libido) is her new horse trainer, Redford “Red” Callanhan. Sparks are soon flying and it is just a matter of time before someone gets burned…

Peyton loves the family ranch and has no desire to live anywhere but the M-Star. As the middle child, she has struggled with finding her place in the family. A tomboy, she never quite lived up to her mother’s expectations for a girly-girl daughter. And although Peyton was close to her father, he expected Trace to run the ranch. Peyton is proud, stubborn and just a wee bit defensive but she is willing to listen to advice and admit when she is wrong.

At loose ends after completing his current job, Red is carefully weighing his options when Peyton offers him a permanent position as head trainer on the M-Star. He is reliable, well-liked and well-respected. And fortunately for Peyton, he has an endless supply of patience. In short, he is exactly what Peyton needs in both her professional and personal lives.

The romance between Red and Peyton is strictly business in the beginning of Taking the Reins . There is a strong attraction simmering between them, but Peyton has valid reasons for wanting to keep their relationship professional. Although she is clearly conflicted about her feelings for Red, their passion is too strong to ignore and they give in to their feelings. Peyton tries to pull back, but Red easily convinces her to give their romance a chance.

The secondary story arc that deals with Trace and Bea’s return to the M-Star is quite intriguing. The dynamics between the three siblings are complex and very little detail about Trace and Bea’s lives are divulged. There are definitely some past issues that need to be resolved between them but the love they have for one another is always apparent.

Taking the Reins by Kat Martin is a heartwarming novel that fans of contemporary romances are sure to enjoy. The characters are quite appealing, and the storyline is delightfully realistic. The sex scenes between Red and Peyton are playful and deliciously steamy.

This fabulous novel starring the Muldoon family will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Roped & Wrangled series.

8 Comments

Filed under Brava, Contemporary, Kat Murray, Kensington, Rated B, Review, Romance, Roped and Wrangled Series, Taking the Reins

December 20, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: Where You Are by J.H. Trumble

Title: Where You Are by J.H. Trumble
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, M/M
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Robert Westfall’s life is falling apart–everywhere but in math class. That’s the one place where problems always have a solution. But in the world beyond high school, his father is terminally ill, his mother is squabbling with his interfering aunts, his boyfriend is unsupportive, and the career path that’s been planned for him feels less appealing by the day.

Robert’s math teacher, Andrew McNelis, watches his best student floundering, concerned but wary of crossing the line between professional and personal. Gradually, Andrew becomes Robert’s friend, then his confidante. As the year progresses, their relationship–in school and out of it–deepens and changes. And as hard as he tries to resist, Andrew knows that he and Robert are edging into territory that holds incalculable risks for both of them.

J.H. Trumble, author of the acclaimed Don’t Let Me Go, explores a controversial subject with extraordinary sensitivity and grace, creating a deeply human and honest story of love, longing, and unexpected connection.

The Review:

J.H. Trumble’s Where You Are tackles the delicate and controversial topic of a romance between a teacher and his student in a sensitive and thought-provoking manner. The student is of legal age in the state where the story takes place, and the teacher is seven years his senior. Both of these points make Where You Are easier to read, but it does not lessen the ethical questions raised by their relationship.

Robert Westfall’s home life is anything but normal. His father’s ten year battle with cancer has become terminal and his death is now imminent. Robert’s and his father’s relationship is distant and Robert is struggling to reconcile his lack of emotion at his father’s impending death. Robert is close to his mother, but there is a great deal of tension and conflict between the extended members of his father’s family which further complicates an already difficult situation. With his boyfriend (and I use that term very loosely) offering Robert absolutely no support, Robert has no one to turn to and his casual relationship with his Calculus teacher Andrew McNelis becomes his lifeline.

Andrew McNelis is a relatively new teacher who is young and fairly well liked. Although he has always been gay, a drunken night with his best friend Maya resulted in a unplanned pregnancy and marriage. Now divorced, they share custody of their two year old daughter and have managed to stay on relatively friendly terms. Andrew’s relationship with his college boyfriend ended badly and he still carries the emotional scars. Andrew knows the risks involved with crossing the student/teacher line, but it is his genuine empathy for Robert’s situation that allows him to take that first step over it.

The relationship between Andrew and Robert begins casually and innocently enough. Andrew offers Robert a much needed shoulder to lean on and someone to talk to during a very trying time in his life. They gradually slide into a friendship and Andrew wrestles with the progression of their relationship. Their feelings eventually escalate into romantic ones and neither Andrew nor Robert can ignore the intense attraction between them. Their relationship soon takes on an almost obsessive quality as they begin taking risks to be together and it is a just a matter of time before their romance is exposed.

Where You Are is an intense novel that is sometimes difficult to read. It seems like Robert is the more mature of the two but Andrew clearly knows he is crossing into forbidden territory. Andrew cannot keep his resolve to stay away from Robert and their relationship does eventually become physical as well as emotional. Their sex scenes are only hinted at and take place behind closed doors.

Where You Are is quite compelling and impossible to put down. J.H. Trumble’s writing is superb and so is her character development. The emotions are authentic and the way the relationship evolves is realistic. The story is told from both Robert and Andrew’s perspectives and while I could clearly see both sides, I am still left with the uncomfortable feeling that Robert’s vulnerability took the relationship in a direction it should never have gone.

Although Where You Are took me a little out of my comfort zone, I am glad that I read it. I like a novel that makes me think and consider things from a different angle.

J.H. Trumble is an incredibly talented writer that I look forward to reading in the future.

4 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, JH Trumble, Kensington, M/M, Rated B, Review, Where You Are

November 13, 2012 · 3:56 am

Review: Texas Wide Open by KC Klein

Title: Texas Wide Open by KC Klein
Texas Fever Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 81,000 words
Book Rating: C+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Katie Harris loved growing up on a ranch. She had her horse, the beautiful Texas prairie, and Cole Logan, the cowboy next door. But there are a lot of secrets hidden under a Texas sky…

Katie always knew she’d marry Cole one day—until he broke her dreams and her heart. But now that Katie’s father is sick, she’s back home, older, wiser and nowhere near the love-sick fool she once was.

Cole knows Katie doesn’t want anything to do with him. But after so many years, he can’t pretend she’s no more than a neighbor. Not when thinking about her cherry lip gloss and hell-for-leather passion is keeping him up all night. Holding his ground was hard enough when she was seventeen. Now that she’s her own woman, Cole’s heart doesn’t stand a chance…

“Passionate, gritty and fast paced…with a hot blooded, honorable hero to make every woman’s knees go weak.”—Diane Whiteside

The Review:

KC Klein’s Texas Wide Open is a passionate second chance at love story. Katie Harris has been love with neighbor Cole Logan for the majority of her young life. With an eight year age difference between them, Katie has been impatiently waiting for Cole to see her as the sexy young woman she has become. With time running out before she heads off to college, Katie takes matters into her own hands and attempts to seduce Cole. Brokenhearted by his rejection, Katie leaves her beloved horses, ranch and love for Cole behind to attend college.

Katie Harris is a strong-willed young woman who knows her own mind. She is also impatient, immature and impulsive. Her feelings for Cole have remained steadfast over the years, and she is tireless in her efforts to attract his attention. With her dad pushing her to attend college out of state, Katie is determined to take their friendship to the next level and when subtlety and jealousy do not capture Cole’s attention, she wages an all out seduction in an effort to win Cole’s heart.

The deaths of both his parents forced Cole to grow up way too fast. Raising his sister Nikki and trying to keep the family ranch has left him exhausted both emotionally and financially. Cole is close to Katie’s father and their lives are closely intertwined.

Texas Wide Open is told through multiple points of view which helps give readers valuable insight into the different characters’ thoughts, emotions and motivations. While I appreciate getting inside all of the characters’ heads, several of the shifts in perspective are quite abrupt and pulled me out of the story.

Texas Wide Open frequently flashes back to the pivotal events surrounding Katie’s senior year of high school and the events leading up to her leaving for college. Some of the transitions from past to present were not always clear which made the story a little confusing at times.

Much of the plot concentrates on Cole and Katie’s past relationship which does not leave much time to develop their current one. In the present, their relationship is on again/off again so frequently that I had a hard time keeping up with whether they were together or not. Lack of communication between them is frustrating and contributes to a lot of their problems.

An additional story arc between Cole’s sister Nikki and his best friend Jett provides added interest to the storyline. With more than her fair share of emotional baggage, Nikki’s life is currently a mess. When her latest round of trouble lands her in jail, it is Jett to the rescue. Their storyline is unresolved and I hope that Ms. Klein plans to revisit them in the future.

Texas Wide Open is a fast-paced story that is full of drama, lust and unrequited love. With past events interspersed with current ones, KC Klein guides her readers through the various ups and downs of Katie and Cole’s volatile relationship. Their road to happily ever after is long and sometimes emotionally exhausting but it is well worth the wait.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, KC Klein, Kensington, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Texas Fever Series, Texas Wide Open

September 25, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: Third You Die by Scott Sherman

Title: Third You Die by Scott Sherman
Kevin Connor Mystery #3
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, GLBT
Length: 344 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Finally settling down with his hunky cop boyfriend, former callboy Kevin Connor is giving up the “oldest profession” for a new career: producing his mom’s TV talk show, “Sophie’s Voice.” But when their latest guest—gay porn sensation Brent Havens—ends up floating in the East River after vowing to blow the lid off the adult film industry, Kevin returns to the world of high-stakes sex to find out: Who killed the twink who had everything?

Was it the X-rated director who exploited his star—for his own desires? The bartender boyfriend who hustled more than just cocktails? Or the eye-candy co-star who left the sweet actor for a sugar daddy?

Either way, Kevin is zooming in on one twisted plot with no shortage of drama queens. But is he ready for his close-up…with a killer?

The Review:

Third You Die by Scott Sherman is the entertaining and somewhat insightful installment of the absolutely fabulous Kevin Connor Mystery series. This clever and fiendishly witty whodunnit finds protagonist Kevin Connor settling into his new life with his cop boyfriend, Tony Rinaldi and his new job as a producer on his mom’s daytime television show, Sophie’s Voice. He once again stumbles into a mystery when gay porn star Brent Havens disappear.

I absolutely adore Kevin Connor. He is kind, caring and incredibly compassionate. Kevin is quite perceptive and non-judgmental which leads to his ability to accept other people’s kinks and sexual deviations. He has matured over the course of the series and this maturity is best demonstrated by his more cautious approach to his investigation into Brent’s disappearance.

In the midst of his search for Brent, Kevin is also dealing with his relationship with Tony. Tony is still deep in the closet and his inability to publicly admit to their relationship continues to be a source of frustration to Kevin. He still questions Tony’s commitment to their relationship and Kevin is unsure of his role in Tony’s son’s life.

Third You Die is a well-plotted and fast paced novel with an appealing cast of characters. The story is well-written and Kevin’s sharp sense of humor and caustic wit are laugh out loud funny. A lengthy suspect list keeps the reader guessing as to the killer’s identity.

But the most intriguing mystery of Third You Die is not what happened to Brent Haven. No, the biggest mystery is what is going to whether or not Tony and Kevin are going to live happily ever after. And Scott Sherman skillfully keeps that answer a secret right up until the very surprising conclusion of this wonderful installment of the Kevin Connor Mystery series.

Although Third You Die can be read as a standalone story, you won’t want to miss the other novels in this unique and refreshing series. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this delightful series.

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, GLBT, Kensington, Kevin Connor Mystery, Mystery, Rated A, Review, Romance, Scott Sherman, Third You Die

September 6, 2012 · 3:58 am

Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day

Title: Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Erotic, Historical, Romance
Length: 352
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The longer the resistance…

Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she’d held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield’s image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams…

…the sweeter the reward

Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes–all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years’ worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk–and the certainty that surrender will consume them both…

The Review:

Sylvia Day’s Seven Years to Sin is a sizzling hot historical romance. Catching Alistair Caulfield In flagrante delicto stirs Lady Jessica Sheffield’s desire. Unfortunately, she is the verge of marrying someone else. Seven years later, Jessica is now widowed and journeys to the West Indies to learn more about the inner workings of the plantation she now owns. Alistair seizes the opportunity to join her on the voyage and explore the attraction between them.

Lady Jessica Sheffield may have conformed to society’s expectations, but a backbone of steel lies under her very proper facade. Abused by her father and forced into an arranged marriage, Jessica always does what is expected of her. She was lucky enough to find love and passion in her marriage and she genuinely grieves her husband’s death. Jessica shares a close relationship with her sister Hester and she is greatly respected by society. With Alistair, she sheds her inhibitions and discovers who she really is.

Alistair Caulfield is the fourth son of a duke and he is a self-made man. He has an infamous reputation as a rake who will accept any wager. He carries the scars of emotional abuse from both his parents but most especially his father. There is a great deal of depth and substance that Alistair keeps hidden.

The gentle and tender lovemaking Jessica experienced with her husband in no way prepares her for the wild and all consuming sexual heat that she finds with Alistair. Their lovemaking is raw, uninhibited and so hot that I am pretty sure I saw wisps of smoke emanating from my eReader during their sex scenes ;).

But what makes Seven Years to Sin such a magnificent romance is the emotional connection between Jessica and Alistair. These are not characters who give their trust easily or lightly. But the bond that forms between them demands complete and utter honesty. Jessica and Alistair bare their souls to one another and they share their deepest, darkest secrets with each other. They discuss their problems and work together to find solutions.

Interwoven with Jessica and Alistair’s story is a secondary story arc involving Jessica’s sister Hester. Hester’s marriage is deeply troubled and she has few options open to her. It is a heartbreaking illustration of how few rights women in the time period had.

Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day is a highly erotic and absolutely delightful romance. The characters are marvelously depicted, fully developed and three dimensional. Very little conflict, no angst and a genuine, meaningful relationship make Seven Years to Sin one of the most enjoyable novels I have read. Definitely a recommended read for fans of historical romances.

6 Comments

Filed under Erotic, Historical, Kensington, Romance, Seven Years to Sin, Sylvia Day