Comfort Reads

Maverick
Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Elite Ops #2
Reviewed by Kay

Micah Sloane has no family. He is an Elite Ops agent and a former Mossad agent. He was a former Mossad agent because he’s no longer alive. By that, I mean that he was reported dead but he is actually still living. He is part of the group that Noah Blake is from. He has a chance to catch the killer that murdered his parents, but to do so he has to use Risa Clay as a way to lure out the killer.

Risa Clay has had the most horrific things happen to her. She was a victim of a kidnapping, she was drugged, she almost died, she was brutally raped while her father watched and she was wrongfully institutionalized to keep her quiet. She was raised by monsters who told her she was so ugly no one would ever want her and and she should never procreate and pass that ugliness on to a child.

She decides it’s been long enough after her rape to embrace her sexuality. She’s given the rest of her life six years to settle and now it’s her sex life’s turn. She meets Micah and from there her life will never be the same. As the situation is explained to her, she is resentful towards Micah, as she should be. But the part that hurt me was that she was accepting of the fact that there was a contract on her head. She was willing to go along with being the bait, she just didn’t want Micah posing as her love interest.

I rank this book right up there with Lora Leigh’s Wild Card. I even cried harder in this book. Every emotion is felt while reading it. You cheer for Risa because no one else ever has. Even at the height of betrayal for Risa she conducts herself with as much dignity as possible.  You have to read the entire Tempting SEALs series to fully understand what’s going on but I encourage you to do it. This novel is worth that and so much more.

Comfort Reads

Wild Card
Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Elite Ops #1
Reviewed by Kay

Noah Blake is a trained killer. Nothing else exists for him now. He’s part of a team of elite operatives from different fields and different countries. Sabella Malone is a widow and she’s in big trouble by homeland terrorists. She doesn’t know that though, she’s just trying to move on with her life. She desperately still loves and misses her husband. He is the love of her life.

This story wraps up the Tempting SEALs series and spawns the Elite Ops series. Noah goes into protect Bella and gather information regarding the terrorist cell. Their attraction is blistering and so heartfelt. They both deal with their issues regarding the past.

Characters from the Tempting SEAL series return and help the Elite Op characters. The best of both worlds in my opinion. This is the absolute best novel by Lora Leigh. She hit her stride with this story. I felt every emotion while reading this book. This a tremendous story of second chances for a couple that deserves and needs it. It is also about forgiveness, acceptance, self-redemption and most importantly love. When I finished this novel, my heart was full.

Dirty Girls’ Top Christmas Reads

I love a good Christmas story.  I got a list of Kay’s favorites and put together this list of the Dirty Girls’ favorite Christmas romances.  Our list ended up heavy on the contemporary and historical. If you have other favorite holiday romances, please add them in the comments!
 

Contemporary
Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday Novella (Fool's Gold, #6.1)
Only Us by Susan Mallery – This is the sweet story of the veterinarian and and a pet groomer set at Christmastime in the town of Fool’s Gold. (Kay)

Home for the Holidays (Harlequin Superromance, #1599)
Home for the Holidays by Sarah Mayberry – I don’t konw if I’ve ever read a Sarah Mayberry book I didn’t like.  This is one of my favorites.  The instant dislike between these two is very believable, which makes their journey all the sweeter. (Anne)

Holiday Sparks
Holiday Sparks by Shannon Stacey (this novella is part of the Naughty and Nice anthology)  I loved this Carina Press Anthology.  My secret confession is that I very excitedly bought the Carina 2011 anthology, Holiday Kisses, and I have yet to read it! (Anne)

Lone Star
Lone Star by Josh Lanyon (part of the Men Under the Mistletoe anthology)  This is the novella that introduced me to Josh Lanyon, and started the Adrian English Glom of December 2011.  (Anne)

Historical
A Season of Seduction (James Family, #3)
A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore – This is a story of second chances and what a person truly deserves. (Kay)

Scandal of the Season (The Spinster Club, #4)
Scandal of the Season by Christie Kelley – A fun story of a woman posing as her enemy’s mistress and her shock at her delight in it all. (Kay)