contemporary

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

The Rosie Project

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Ember
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, Nerdmance
Published: 10/1/13
Reviewed by Anne
292 pages
 
So, I saw this book had some good buzz last fall as a funny romance told from a Sheldon-like character’s POV.  I put it on my To Read List and finally got around to it over Christmas Break.  I devoured this book!  It gave me a serious case of Book Cranky as I had to fit it in around my kids and family obligations!
 
It’s told from the first person point of view of Don.  Don is someone I’d guess is on the autism spectrum.  He is certainly very literal minded and has a hard time understanding people.  He is very self aware, though, and his narration is unintentionally funny.  Actually, it’s unintentionally hysterical!  He knows he would like to have a wife, because he has observed in others a happiness level he associates with a long term partner.  After deciding that being set up with people and online dating are very unefficient ways to meet a potential mate, he begins The Wife Project.
 
He runs The Wife Project with the help of his married friends, Gene and Claudia.  Their relationship is a secondary story line.  In the course of The Wife Project, Don meets Rosie, who he immediately recognizes as unsuitable for wife material.  However, he’s intrigued at her current quest to find her biological father.  He finds this situation interesting enough to start The Rosie Project, his effort at helping Rosie in her quest.  
 
This story was touching and sad at points, but it’s so funny throughout that it didn’t bring me down.  Along with Don and Rosie’s quest, we hear about Don’s relationship with his elderly neighbor, Daphne, who helped inspire Don to undertake The Wife Project.  This story reminded, in emotional tone, to the beginning of the movie, Up.  Don and Daphne’s story is very simply told, but so much lays between the lines.  It’s an excellent way to get insight into Don’s character and it left me rooting for him!
 
I don’t really know if it’s an accurate portrayal of someone with Asperbergers or autism.  If it is not, a reader with familiarity to this issue might not enjoy the story.  That issue aside, I really enjoyed the book and I highly recommend it!
 
Note: I’m listing this one under Best of 2013 and Best of 2014, because I read it late in December, after I made my Best of 2013 list.

Throwback Thursday-Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Vengeance in Death (In Death, #6)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #6
Genre-Romantic Suspense, Futuristic
Reviewed by Kay

Eve and Roark were at it again. They were tracking a sadistic killer that had ties to Roark in his youth. The bad guy was a total whack job complete with a God complex. Or maybe he thought he was a messenger of God. Either way, he was a major creeper. Eve had her hands full skirting the lines of legality in this one. She had to trust McNabb who was covering for Feeney when he was on vacation. Trying herself to cover Somerset to protect Roark. Uncovering more of Roark’s checkered past and attempts on her life.

I really enjoyed this story because it was fast paced and they even went to Ireland. I enjoyed all the accents when they were in Roark’s homeland. I like that maybe in the future there will be some sort of a truce between Eve and Somerset.

 As usual, I enjoyed the on going love story of Eve and Roark, Peabody and the rest of the gang. Still a good series and I will continue on after a short break.

The Bartered Bride by Reece Butler

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne
The Bartered Bride (Climax, Montana #3)
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-Climax, Montana #3
Genre-Contemporary/Menage
Reviewed by Kate
 
Jane is trying to escape an abusive father and an arranged marriaged to an even more vile man. She’s stuck at a bar with no way of leaving when Travis and Riley show up. Travis and Riley seem like the only ones at the bar who might not take advantage of her, so she stows away in their truck. While the men are helping Jane get away, can they also help her discover herself?
 
I’m a sucker for cavemen heroes. The kind that can say “You’re going to do what I say because I know what’s best for you.” The kind that are protective and dominant without being abusive. The kind that, quite honestly, can come across as being a huge ass. And Reece Butler does a very good job writing those cavemen heroes I adore.
 
As a heroine, Jane struggles to be independent when she never has had a chance to stand on her own. She’s had a lot of terrible things happen in her past and we get to watch as Travis and Riley support her on her journey. We get to see a lot of character growth for Jane.
 
The only complaint that I had with this book was that there was a section in the middle that started to go down a hero-taking-the-place-of-daddy path and a trying-to-fix-the-heroine path. Those are themes that I don’t typically enjoy reading, but seemed to be rather short lived in this book. I was quickly able to loose myself in the story after getting past that section.
 
This book met all the preferences I have in erotic menage books. Strong heroes and heroines, character growth, a plot that is fast paced, and scenes steamy enough to fog your glasses. If you enjoy erotic menage with a bit of cowboy, I suggest you give this one a try.
 
An additional note: While this one is considered to be the third book in her Climax, Montana series, it can definitely be read by itself. The first 2 books in this series take place back in the 80s and are worth checking out. If you like historical menage, I’d recommend Reece Butler’s earlier Bride Train series.
 
I’m caught up on all of Reece Butler’s books now. Do you have recommendations for any other erotic menage series to try?