Kate

The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

The Sevenfold Spell
Grade – B-
Hotness Level – Blaze
Kink Level – No kink
Genre – Fairytale
Series – Accidental Enchantments #1
Reviewed by Kate

When it is decreed that all spinning wheels in the country need to be destroyed (you recognize Sleeping Beauty here, right?), Talia and her mother lose their only source of income. But Talia loses a bit more. They are forced to use her dowry to fund the purchase of a loom as well as food for the pair of them. With her dowry depleted, her chance for marriage disappears.

Willard, a local farm boy, had agreed to marry Talia. But being a younger son and no longer having her dowry, the pair would not be able to survive. Willard’s father sends him to join the Church. Talia decides he shouldn’t leave without knowing a woman’s touch and the two engage in a three week affair that gives the town gossips something to talk about.

Failing to make a go of their weaving business, Talia and her mother craft an illegal spinning wheel. Then it is simply a matter of time before the curse comes to call. Can Talia change the course of the curse?

I don’t know that I would label this as a romance. While love does develop between Talia and Willard, it becomes more of a back story as Talia has many other affairs. Most of the story is about Talia’s place in the course of Princess Aurora’s curse and how Talia’s actions affect the outcome of the fairy tale.

The French Kiss Chronicles (Deux, Trois, Quarte) by Em Petrova

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Grade – B
Hotness Level – Inferno
Kink Level – Mild Kink (menage, no BDSM)
Genre – Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
Deux (The French Kiss Chronicles)
Jane is happy in her relationship with her husband Ethan. But although she loves him deeply, she feels there is something missing fom her life. Or someone…Margot. Margot is in the same kickboxing class with Jane. Jane approaches her in the locker room after class one day and the encounter soon turns into an affair.
Trois
When Ethan finds out about Jane’s affair with Margot, he asks to join in. Margot is initially hesitant, but quickly comes around and welcomes him. The three enjoy not only hot sex but deep heart felt connections as well.
Quatre
A few months later Margot meets Danny. While she enjoys her bond with Jane and Ethan, she is still going home to an empty house. An instant connection with Danny gives her hope for more. But will he be interested in joining Jane and Ethan in bed?

I went into this trilogy with high hopes and was not disappointed. The scenes were plentiful and steamy…and in almost any combination imaginable. Going into the first book, I knew that Jane started her affair with Margot despite being married. Jane knows that Ethan will be fine with it, but I was a bit disappointed that Jane didn’t discuss her desires with Ethan until after the fact. The other negative mark for me came when Margot begins her relationship with Danny. She knows that she is not willing to give up Jane and Ethan, but she waits until after Danny has declared his love and they’ve slept together to tell him about her other lovers. I enjoyed this series a lot and would recommend the stories to any menage romance readers.

**contains f/f, m/f/f, m/f/f/m, and m/m situations**

At His Majesty’s Convenience by Jennifer Lewis

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

At His Majesty's Convenience
Grade – C
Hotness Level – Blaze
Kink Level – No Kink
Genre – Contemporary (but in a fictional land)
Reviewed by Kate

Once upon a time (3 years ago), in the land of Ruthenia far, far away (okay, it’s on Austria’s border)…

After the communist regime fell, Jake, young and handsome, returned to his family’s throne ending decades of exile in America. King Jake brought his loyal and uber professional assistant Andi with him. Upon regaining the throne, Jake promised his countrymen he would choose a bride by Ruthenia’s third Independence Day celebration (mere weeks away). Being pursued by the daughters of the country’s elite, Jake is trying to decide which of the conniving dears he finds least repugnant. Andi, who has loved Jake since she became his assistant six years ago, cannot bear the thought of watching him court and marry someone else. She hands in her resignation to Jake (who is stunned) and plans to leave right away.

Late that night, Jake finds Andi, who after a conk on the head cannot remember anything. Seeing a solution to his problems (losing his faithful assistant and having to pick a bride), Jake tells Andi that they had gotten engaged earlier that evening. Andi feels something isn’t quite right, but believes Jake since he seems familiar and comfortable.

When Andi regains her memory, she confronts Jake. He convinces her to play along until after the Independence Day celebration and then make her decision. Andi chooses to leave, thinking Jake doesn’t return her love. Meanwhile, Jake realizes that what started out as a desire to keep his assistant has turned into true love. He predictably chases after her…And they live happily ever after.

I almost quit reading this one at page 80. I was flabbergasted that Jake would even consider taking advantage of Andi by lying to her and yes, seducing her. I guess I have come to expect more from my heroes. However, I soldiered on. By the end, the author managed to turn Jake around. I finally found some sympathy for the jerk and managed to cheer when he and Andi finally reunited…but it was a close call.