Kate

Adventure in Parenthood by Dawn Atkins

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Adventures In Parenthood
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
384 pages

Aubrey has a popular blog where she chronicles all the outdoorsy challenges that she attempts. She is all about taking a risk. Dixon works for a charity organization and is all about being safe and stable. He avoids risks at all costs. When Dixon’s brother and sister-in-law (who happens to be Aubrey’s sister) die in a car crash, Dixon suddenly finds himself responsible for his 4 year old twin nieces. Aubrey wants to help too. As attraction builds between Dixon and Aubrey, so does the tension surrounding Aubrey’s lifestyle. Can she help Dixon give the girls the stable life they need?

This book seemed rather formulaic. Take a risk-avoiding character and throw them together with a risk-taking character. Throw in two cute little kids. Add a dash of risk-related conflict. Mix well. Top with a sprinkle of predictable ending.

In general, I don’t mind a predictable read. There’s something comfortable in reading something new, but yet somehow familiar. However, I didn’t like the ending. I just can’t see the characters being happy in the long term. It seemed like too much of a huge change for one of the characters, rather than a compromise of sorts.

Awakening by Elene Sallinger

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne


Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Moderate Kink
Genre: Contemporary, BDSM
Published: 11/5/13Reviewed by Kate

224 pages

Evan, local bookshop owner, lost his wife/submissive to cancer 10 years ago. He was so in love with his wife that he can’t imagine loving anyone else. Claire is slowly entering the land of the living again after 1 year of self-imposed isolation following the breakup of her marriage. Her first adventure is to attend a book club meeting at Evan’s bookshop. Evan’s physical reaction to Claire is strong, but definitely unwanted. Then he overhears a conversation between Claire and a friend. He realizes Claire knows nothing about BDSM, but it may be exactly what she needs. What’s a Dom to do?

Here’s the thing, Evan’s an ass. He really is. The way he deals with his attraction to Claire is avoidance. In fact for the first 1/3 of the book, Evan and Claire barely talk. But he’s written in such a way that I completely got the ass-ishness and was okay with it.

Elene Sallinger has written strong characters with compelling stories. There is a unique tone to this story. A gradual build-up to a relationship here, rather than a ‘first meeting equals first scene’ pace that is usually seen in BDSM novels. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

A special note: References to Yoda and Harry Potter had my inner geek doing a happy dance!

Baiting the Boss by Coleen Kwan

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Baiting the Boss
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
184 pages

Company owner and CEO Lachlan sends his assistant Grace to find his grandson, and heir-apparent, Jack and bring him back to Sydney and the family business.  Grace finally tracks him down on a tropical island and all sorts of romance ensues.

I really liked the story. A lot.  It was a fun and easy and comfortable read, lacking any sort of external conflict (which I appreciate).  Like I said, I liked it a lot.  Until we get to the 96% mark.    So what would have been an outstanding story (a B+ rating) quickly became only okay.

I do want to also note that while the sex scenes were steamy and hot, earning an inferno rating, there were only a few. I would have like to had more in the story.

I wouldn’t hesitate to read more from Coleen Kwan, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this one anyone who loves low-conflict romances with a touch of the tropics.  I just wish it had a different ending.