Ass of the Year

Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno, #1)
Grade-D
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Gabriel’s Inferno #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
545 pages

Gabriel Emerson is a college professor whose specialty is Dante, from Dante’s Inferno fame. He teaches a class based on Dante. He was adopted by a wonderful family that loved him and treated him very well. He has temper issues, former drug abuse issues and man-whoring issues. Not to mention he’s kind of a douche.

Enter Julia Mitchell, college student trying to specialize in all things Dante. She has a past with Gabriel, which he doesn’t remember. She has loved him for years upon years. Her past is troubled also. Her mother was negligent with her raising of Julia, her father was emotionally unavailable for her and she had an ex-boyfriend who was emotionally and physically abusive to her. So her self image definitely needed work.

This book started out so good. Julia was a meek, sweet character you rooted for. Gabriel was an ass in the beginning to her and everyone else. About three fourths of the way through the book I wanted to stop but figured I’d went this far, so I had to finish. This book was WAY too wordy! The relationship built nicely but fizzled epically at the one, yes one sex scene. It wasn’t even descriptive, I mean at all. My biggest complaint though was that the two main characters were both so very weak and whiny that I wanted to slap them both. I won’t go on to the next book.

Forged In Steele by Maya Banks

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Forged in Steele (KGI, #7)
Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-KGI #7
Genre-Military Romantic Suspense
384 pages

Jackson Steele is part of KGI, which is a military group, kind of. The only things he cares about are his team, his friends and his missions. He’s stoic, reserved and kind of an ass. After an almost screwed up mission, he ends up at a doctor’s office. He sees Maren, who his team helped rescue a while back. He is extremely attracted to her and has been for quite some time. He decides to indulge his fantasies about her while they are stuck there for the night. He figures he can get her out of his system and move on.

Maren Scofield is a doctor in a third world country. This has always been her dream and she thoroughly enjoys living it. Her only complaint is that the area’s drug lord sends his minions to persuade her to go out with him. Then her fantasy man shows up and needs medical attention, which she is only too happy to provide. They have a hot, no strings attached night and he leaves. A few days later, he’s back for more time together, only to be called for a mission where he has to leave immediately. Maren disappears and that’s the back drop for the story.

I love the KGI series and Maya Banks. I love Steele and have been waiting for this book to come out.
I liked this book a lot but it was kind of sappy. Their love just kind of happened without much build up. He went from over the top alpha male to just a man in love. It just didn’t ring all the way true for me. I still enjoyed it and look forward to Donovan’s book.

‘Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

'Twas the Night After Christmas

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-Non Kink
Series-Hellions of Halstead Hall #6
Genre-Historical
Reviewed  by Kay

Lord Devonmont, Pierce Waverly is summoned home to his estranged mother because of a message he received from her companion. He thinks she is deathly ill and that is the only reason he comes to check on the mother that basically disowned him. He was raised by his cousins and their family. When he gets there, he finds her in good health and is furious. Her companion, Camilla Stewart will now face his wrath.

Camilla Stewart is a widow with a small son, Jasper. She enjoys her job and spending time with Lady Devonmont. She hates to see her ladyship so lonely for her son. She knows they’re estranged and assumes its all Pierce’s fault. She’s also dreading the confrontation she knows is coming for sending a false missive.

This book just never clicked for me. It wasn’t bad, just not great. The hero was an ass! Truly! Almost everything he said was gruff and hateful. I know he had abandonment issues but come on, he was in his thirties. He came off as spoiled. I did like the heroine and supporting characters. The heat level was sub-par and coupled with my dislike of the hero, the book never really got off the ground for me.