B Reviews

Ballroom Blitz by Lorelei James

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Ballroom Blitz
Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-No series, but there is a McKay appearance.
Reviewed by Anne

I really enjoyed this contemporary novella.  Jon White Feather is something of a rockstar drummer in a Native American rockband.  His teenaged niece, Raven, talks him into attending a ballroom dance class with her while he’s taking a break from touring and deciding what he wants to do next with his life.  Jon is a softy and easily agrees to take the class with Raven, though he warns her that he’s not a very good dancer.  This turns out to be quite an understatement!  Jon is a horrible dancer, and Jon and Raven end up getting quite a bit of extra help in class because of his lack of rhythm. 

Maggie is teaching the class with her Gay Best Friend [TM] (that has to be a trademarked cliche somewhere right?)  The attraction between Jon and Maggie is immediate and intense.  Jon invites Maggie to come see him play.  She’s heard of his band before, but has no idea what a huge following they have.  Jon asked her to stay after their set to see him, and she does.  When Jon comes out after the set, they are all over each other.  Unfortunately they get caught by a bevy of fans, AND Maggie’s older brother.  Older Brother is NOT pleased to see Jon and his little sister together.  Right on the heels of this confrontation, the fans show up and Jon has to finish cleaning up and Maggie feels ignored and ends up heading home alone.  (I thought she gave up too easily here.)

Never fear, because Jon tracks her down and good times follow. The conflict in this book comes from Maggie and Jon’s careers and whether they can make time for each other.  I thought this conflict was very believable!  At the same time, I didn’t like the pacing of the resolution and the very end of the story.

Overall, the book was a winner for me.  Lorelei James writes good banter and good sex.  I smiled and laughed a lot.  Here’s a favorite quote:

     “My life – sex and otherwise – has been very tame compared to yours.”
     He flashed her that pure bad-boy grin. “Lucky thing you have me here to further your raunchy education.”
     Maggie raised an eyebrow. “The student becoming the teacher? Bring it.”
     “Well, I have had this fantasy of smacking your ass with a ruler.”
     “Not a chance, little drummer boy. But if you do well on the oral exam I might let you bang my erasers.”


This would have been an A read for me without my frustration with the pacing of the ending.  I still really enjoyed the story and would recommend it!

Checkmate by R.L. Mathewson

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

 Checkmate (A Neighbor from Hell, #3)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Neighbor From Hell #3
Reviewed by Kay

This is book three from the Neighbor From Hell series. It features a non-Bradford male and a cousin of the Bradfords female. They are sworn enemies to the extreme. They’ve grown up since preschool with a never ending feud that rivals the Hatfields and Mccoys or the Montagues and Capulets. There was no murder involved although the authorities have been called in numerous times.

I enjoyed their relationship but it just wasn’t as enthralling as the other two books for me. Funny but not as funny either. I did get a little giddy when the Bradford cousins showed up. I can’t help it, they are too funny. There were some precious moments in this book and secondary story lines that tugged at your heart. You should definitely read it but I hope she goes back to a male Bradford next. Connor and Rory were entertaining but not near as big of eaters as I would’ve liked.

Playing For Keeps by R.L. Mathewson

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Playing for Keeps (A Neighbor from Hell #1)

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Neighbor From Hell #2
Reviewed by Kay

Haley is a high school history teacher who lives in what she considers her dream house. She has fixed the place up just the way she wants it inside and out. She takes pride in these accomplishments. So it really upsets her that her neighbor could care less about his home. That in itself is bothersome but then there’s his former conquests having drunken screaming fits on his front lawn in the middle of the night. She’s even handled that without a word of complaint to him but when he starting pulling up her flowers…it’s on.

Jason is also a high school history teacher at Holly’s school, in the room next door, in addition to being her neighbor from hell. He is a big guy with a even bigger appetite on all levels. His property is not kept up. He has wild parties and crazy exes. He has even used his front yard as a urinal. He’s also totally oblivious to his offensive ways until he pisses off the petite firecracker from next door.

This story was fantastic! I laughed out loud so much my stomach hurt. Haley is so loyal and kind. Jason is boorish but lovable. I have never seen another man love food this much! He loves it even more than J.R. Ward’s Rhage or Julia Quinn’s Colin and believe me that’s something. This would have had a A rating but there was a thought by the hero that offended me greatly and colored my view a little. That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone.