Mandi recs 'Caught Up in You,' 'Risk and Reward,' 'Sanctuary Island'
Today I have two contemporaries on the naughty side and a sweet one full of sugar.
Caught Up in You by Roni Loren (BDSM contemporary). Kelsey loves working at her diner during the day and as a dominatrix at an exclusive BDSM club at night. The highlight of every day is when sexy businessman Wyatt strolls in, always perfunctory and always serious. She adds a little sway to her step when he sits at the same table day after day. Kelsey doesn't know that Wyatt drives out of his way just to come catch a glimpse of her. When bad guys from Kelsey's past show up and drag her outside to an alley, Wyatt is there to save the day. Scared that secrets from her past have caught up with her, Kelsey plans to flee, but Wyatt has an alternative. He invites Kelsey to be his plus-one at a weeklong business retreat. Kelsey doesn't know that Wyatt is a former dom himself, and Kelsey is yearning to learn how to submit.
Kelsey and Wyatt have great chemistry in this one. Wyatt is slightly on the geeky side with his glasses and his rigid, stern life. Kelsey, who has had more of a wild past, plus Wyatt have some explosive chemistry. As always, Roni Loren delivers a very erotic book. Make sure you have your AC turned up high for this one.
Risk & Reward by Alisha Rai (erotic contemporary). The second book in the Bedroom Games series continues the story of casino owner Wyatt and his former lover Tatiana. Except now they have been reunited and are cautiously moving forward into a serious and, hopefully, long-lasting relationship. They dives into the issues that tore them apart in hopes that they don't make the same mistakes again. While Wyatt is a colder alpha than I enjoy, I think who really shines in this series is Tatiana. She loves to submit to Wyatt, but she also teases him and ha a ton of confidence. I also like that this is a series, yet the books don't end in cliffhangers. By the end of book one, these two are pretty solid. Now we just get to watch them build their romance. Oh, and have really dirty sex. *wink*
Sanctuary Island by Lily Everett (contemporary romance). When Ella and Merry decide to reunite with their mother after years of estrangement, they end up on the tiny island of Sanctuary. Here, wild horses roam free and the locals are fiercely protective of their island. Ella's mother left the family as an alcoholic but has since cleaned up her life while living in this small town. Ella's sister can't wait to reunite, but Ella isn't so sure she wants to give her mother a second chance. When she gets to the island, she meets handyman Grady Wilkes. Grady has scars that run deep, both on the inside and the outside. While Ella tries so hard to keep her distance, she soon finds herself not so sure if she can leave.
I read this book in one sitting and really enjoyed it. It has a great small-town feel and a heroine who tries so hard to resist that lifestyle. She fears getting too close to her mom and fears the feelings she develops toward Grady. This engaging story is full of warmth and humor. I can't wait for book two.
Mandi Schreiner started romance review blog Smexy Books in 2009. She is obsessed with reading romance novels and collecting fictional boyfriends.