Anne

Beyond Possession by Kit Rocha

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

22910314
Grade: B
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Dystopian
Series: Beyond #5.5
Published: 11/10/14
Reviewed by Anne
103  pages

Tatiana is a business woman in the market of Sector 4.  She’s also the older daughter of the former (now deceased) sector leader.  Zan, a member of the O’Kane gang that runs Sector 4 has had his eye on Tatiana for a long time.  She’s got a thing for him, too, but she really values her independence.  She’s sure that allying with Zan will make her not only his possession, but Dallas O’Kane’s too.  That’s how things worked with her father, and that’s how she initially survived when he was killed, so it’s hard for her to picture any other way.

This was a good short story.  Zan and Tatiana were very likable characters.  Tatiana is very capable of standing on her own and defending herself, and that doesn’t threaten Zan at all.  Tatiana’s weakness for her younger sister was understandable, though it was also annoying.  As always, Kit Rocha’s sex scenes are scorchingly well written.  There’s no menage sex in this story, and that fit the characters.

This story could probably stand on its own, but it would be much more enjoyable if you’ve read the rest of the series.  We get a scene where some of the O’Kanes are enjoying a picnic, and that was delightful!  It probably wouldn’t have meant much if I didn’t know all the characters already.

If you’ve read this series, you’ll really enjoy this story.  It’s another solid entry in the Beyond world.  It doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, but it does leave me wanting more!  I can’t wait for the next book!

Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

22446793
Grade: A
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary , small town
Published: 11/3/14
Reviewed by Anne
98 ebook pages

Will is moving back home to help his mom out after his dad dies.  He’s been wandering for a few years.  He left town after his wife and unborn baby were killed in a car accident.  He’s a not excited about all the pity he left behind, but he’s glad to have a purpose helping his mom out.  He’s surprised and a little suspicious to find that a young single mom has moved in across the street and his mom has taken the new neighbor, Christina, and her seven year old son, Nathaniel, under her wing.  Then Christina turns out to be someone Will admires and is attracted to.  Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but some sex would be awfully convenient…

This book was everything I look for in a holiday read.  It was short (about 100 pages) and focused on Will and Christina and their relationship.  Christina was a woman who had her silver platter life yanked away from her, but landed on her feet ready to work hard and figure things out.  She doesn’t want to rely on anyone but herself again, but she’s smart enough to accept help when she needs it.  Will goes from being suspicious of Christina’s motives to admiring her determination quickly.  He’s a natural helper and caregiver, and they’re drawn to each other pretty quickly.

A series of small misunderstandings provides the conflict in this story.  Usually that annoys me, but in this case it really worked.  The author didn’t force the characters to jump through hoops to perpetuate the misunderstandings.  In fact, they’re resolved fairly quickly when the characters talk to each other.  That was refreshing!

I really liked Nathaniel.  He was probably a bit perfect for a seven year old, but it didn’t bother me.  In fact, nothing about this story bothered me.  I read it in pretty much one sitting and took very few notes.  It just sucked me in and made me smile.

It’s not connected to any of Shannon Stacey’s other books, though it has the same small town feel she writes in her Kowalski books.  I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a feel good holiday read!  How about you?  Do you have a favorite holiday romance?

Because I Can by Tamara Morgan

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

22446824
Grade: A-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Montgomery Manor #3
Published: 10/13/14
Reviewed by Anne
287 ebook pages

“Monty” runs the family hotel business and the family’s charitable giving.  He likes the second more than the first, but he knows he’s expected to do both, and he works hard to live up to his father’s expectations.  That means he’s a little boring and he’s not very good at all at socializing.  He’s a very serious man, and he doesn’t think that’s a bad thing.

Georgia is the handywoman on the Montgomery estate.  She stronger and more capable than Monty and most other men in the world.  She succeeds in a world very few women are part of.  Working for the Montgomerys and others around town leaves her with the money and time to manage the local home building charity.  She’s stubborn and surrounded by three overprotective brothers, but she’s got a crush on Monty.

When Monty wants to break out of his shell a bit, he agrees to help out on Georgia’s latest homebuilding project.  The more they see of each other the more they like each other.  Maybe they have more in common than it first appears?

I can’t sing Georgia’s praises enough.  I think she’s the more unique heroine I’ve read all year and I loved her!  She’s tough and she’s capable and she’s intelligent.  And none of this is ever an issue with Monty.  He’s not put off by her ways or her non-polished looks.  This was so refreshing to read!

There is a lot of humor in this book, too.  It had me grinning throughout the story.  Monty is turned on by Georgia’s boots, Georgia’s brothers are interfering, and Monty practicing dirty talk by recording himself so he can self-critique – you know that doesn’t end well!

The only thing I didn’t enjoy about the book was Monty’s family, especially his sister who swept in and steamrolled Georgia into a makeover – even if it was something Georgia was eventually ok with.  However, that was a small piece of the whole story, and it was totally made up by the strength of every other piece.

I highly recommend this story.  It’s going on my Best of 2014 list!  Do you have any stories with unusual heroines to recommend?