Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Marriage #1
Genre-historical
Reviewed by Kate
B Reviews
Just Ask by Mia Downing
Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low, some very mild D/s
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low, some very mild D/s
Genre: m/m, contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
Reviewed by Kate
When tycoon Jordan Hill inherits half of an island resort, he wants nothing more than to sell it quickly. But first, he has to spread his uncle’s ashes and meet the other owner, Ryan McCale (you see where this is heading, don’t you?). His uncle wanted him to take a vacation and relax, but Jordan doesn’t do vacations or relaxing.
Jordan takes a horseback tour of the island looking for a places to spread the ashes, but finds himself looking at the male tour guide instead. Which is weird since he’s straight, right? When the guide turns out to be Ryan, Jordan knows they will be spending more time together.
Jordan gets the impression that Ryan might be interested in him and decides to throw caution to the wind. A weekend of sex sounds good to both Jordan and Ryan. Not wanting him to sell the resort, Ryan decides to use the lure of sex to force Jordan explore and really see the island as more than just a business. Both are surprised by their feelings in what was supposed to be a what-happens-on-the-island-stays-on-the-island weekend.
I liked the connection between Ryan, who is very secure in his sexuality, and Jordan, who is exploring this new side of himself. What pulled me out of the story a bit was the suddeness of their affair. One minute Jordan is wondering why he’s turned on by Ryan and the next minute they are romping naked in the ocean. There was no hesitation or second guessing on Jordan’s part. He jumped in with both feet, which seemed a bit unbelievable. Once I got past the suddeness I enjoyed the story.
The Recruit by Monica McCarty
Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-The Highland Guard #6
Reviewed by Kay
Mary of Mar is a widowed countess. Her son was taken from her when her husband was found guilty and executed for treason against Edward. She has made do with what she has had to her whole life. She was a bride and mother at fourteen, basically abandoned by her soldier husband. She literally had to grow up very fast and she lost very much at an early age. She always wanted to be important to a man and have him love her, something she didn’t have from her husband. He viewed her as an obligation and a child, whereas she was in love with him. She had a twin sister Janet, who disappeared after a bridge explosion during the battle for the crown. She is allowed a small amount of time to see her son and she has to try to support herself with embroidery due to the seizing of her late husband’s estates.
Kenneth Sutherland is the heir to the earldom of Sutherland. He’s a scrapper of sorts. He is a second son but was named his older brother’s heir due to the current earl’s barren wife. He lost a close friend of his in the last year and has had a hard time dealing with that. His sister is married to his arch enemy and main tormentor. He wants so badly to be one of ” Bruce’s Phantoms” or part of the Highland Guard. He has one chance to impress Robert Bruce and be admitted into the Guard. He sees Mary and instantly knows he must have her, at least once. This happens and Mary sneaks away. Her act of sneaking causes him to lose focus and the contest, therefore losing his chance. They are then separated for some time, she to try to hide her pregnancy and him to undergo training for the Guard.
This story wasn’t bad but I really didn’t connect to the characters. Kenneth was introduced in the last book after the death of his friend, Gordon, who was a member of the Guard. I was irritated with Gordon’s death in the last book and think Monica McCarty’s killing off of a main character was not a great idea. In McCarty’s defense, she does mix true events and fiction in her writing, so maybe Gordon’s death was a part of history. I just wanted to read about the rest of the original members of the Guard, not a newcomer. I would’ve liked to know more about him before he got his own story.
Monica McCarty is an auto-buy and auto-read for me. She always delivers and this book is no exception. My issue with the character was a personal preference and should not discourage anyone who has a desire to read this book.
Dirty Girls' Good Books 
Tess Hamlin has been the belle of the ball for a few seasons now. But an heiress can afford to be choosy, can’t she? When she finds out her inheritance is gone, she must marry quickly before society finds out about her financial state.
Married within a week, neither Brenn nor Tess knows the other’s secret.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I connected with both characters and couldn’t help but root for them. But the typical “I love him but will be mad at him until he says those three magic words” part went on a bit long for me.