Knight of My Dreams by Lynsay Sands

Blurb:

Originally appeared in the print anthology A Mother's Way, under the title "Mother May I?"

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynsay Sands comes a classic short story of a knight in need of a bride …

Lady Alice knows she is not the type to entice a man. She's too voluptuous, too intelligent, too strong minded. Why, she even reads! But then Jonathan, Earl of Fairley, arrives at court. Tall, dark and handsome, the knight is any woman's dream. And he has just been ordered by the king to find a bride … and Alice is to help him!

Jonathan has been evading his mother's matchmaking schemes for years, so why does she insist that Lady Alice isn't for him? Alice is only to aid in his search for a bride, yet Jonathan can't help but be distracted by her glorious hair—the color of a sunset—and a figure that is like a lush berry about to burst to full ripeness … Has Jonathan fallen prey to love?

My review:

What’s a mother to do?  The only remaining heir Jonathan, Earl of Fairley needs to get married and produce offspring.  He has rejected every eligible female his mother has introduced him to.  So being a smart mom she tries a little reverse psychology and introduces him to a female she feels won’t do. 

Lynsay Sands is one of my very favorite authors.  She writes fun and sexy vampires and hysterical historicals.  Knight of My Dreams falls into the latter category and while not as outragesly funny as some of her other work still a fun read.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Wolf in Gucci Loafers (Tales of the Harker Pack #2) by Tara Lain

Blurb:

Socialite Lindsey Vanessen wants someone to love who will love him back — an impossibility for a gay, half-human, half-werewolf. Too aggressive for humans, too gay for wolves, and needing to protect the pack from human discovery, Lindsey tries to content himself with life as a successful businessman. But when someone starts kidnapping members of wealthy families, Lindsey meets tough cop Seth Zakowsy—the hunky embodiment of everything Lindsey wants but can't have.

Seth has never been attracted to flamboyant men. What would the guys in the department think of Lindsey? But intrigue turns to lust when he discovers Lindsey’s biting, snarling passion more than matches his dominant side. It might mean a chance at love for a cop in black leather and a wolf in Gucci loafers.

My review:

m/m shifter

We met Lindsey as the best friend and “the other gay wolf” in The Pack or the Panther.  As a half human half werewolf gay man Lindsey straddles a lot of lines.  He is happy that Cole has found his mate but has no expectations of being able to do the same.  When someone starts kidnapping members of wealthy families, Lindsey meets tough cop Seth Zakowsy and is smitten from first sniff but Seth is human and they can’t take the type of loving Lindsey needs.  Seth needs Lindsey to get him into the rarified world of the wealthy to find the kidnappers.  He doesn’t expect to be attracted to the flamboyant and gorgeous man.  But there are hidden depths to Lindsey he just has to hope they don’t get them all killed.

I LOVE Lindsey!  He takes lemons and makes lemondrops.  He is FABULOUS!  Proof positive you can’t judge a book by its cover. 

Buy links:

Amazon

ARe

Dreamspinner Press

The Pack or the Panther (Tales of the Harker Pack #1) by Tara Lain

Blurb:

Cole Harker, son of an alpha werewolf, is bigger and more powerful than most wolves, tongue-tied in groups, and gay. For twenty-four years, he’s lived to please his family and pack—even letting them promise him in marriage to female werewolf Analiese to secure a pack alliance and help save them from a powerful gangster who wants their land. Then Cole meets Analiese’s half-brother, panther shifter Paris Marketo, and for the first time, Cole wants something for himself.

When Analiese runs off to marry a human, Cole finally has a chance with Paris, but the solitary cat rejects him, the pack, and everything it represents. Then Cole discovers the gangster wants Paris too and won’t rest until he has him. What started as a land dispute turns into World War Wolf! But the bigger fight is the battle between cats and dogs.

My review:

m/m shifter

There is no such thing as a gay werewolf right?  Could have fooled Cole as he is gay and a werewolf, oh and the Alpha’s son.  He doesn’t feel like he will ever find his mate so when his father bullies him into an arranged marriage to a female Cole agrees for the good of the pack.  The female however is in love with a human and runs off before the wedding.  Cole meets Paris the runaway brides half-brother at his bachelor party.  Paris is half panther and half wolf with the cat side dominant.  He is contrary, gorgeous, extremely flexible, gay and Cole is smitten.  Paris will play but wants no ties.  Can these two be more opposite? 

The Pack or the Panther is a fun take on cats and dogs.  True there are serious undertones but they add to the story and don’t preach.  This first tale of the Harker Pack will leave you panting for more.

Buy links:

Amazon

ARe

Dreamspinner Press

Contractually Yours by Connie Cox

Blurb:

Broken vows...
Wedding planner Caroline Duplessis sinks all her hopes, dreams and finances for the future success of her budding company Weddings Divine into the event of the year. 

But when Brandon D’Estrahan’s intended leaves him at the altar, she also leaves Caroline holding enough debt that her fledgling company is on the edge of bankruptcy. And the second mortgage her parents took out on their home will leave them homeless.

So when the groom, who needs an arm ornament and hostess to further his business connections, proposes a way out, Caroline sees no other option but to take it.

Marriage to him for one year and she will walk away with financial security. But will their marriage last the year? 

Or, like his former fiancee’, will she find the need to leave him, too?

My review:

Okay so yes this has been done before.  Rich guy blackmails sweet innocent into marriage of convenience and they end up falling for each other.  Nothing new here and yet… still a fun escape.   Brandon is troubled yet hot, Caroline is sweet and adorable and the secondary characters are fun.  What’s not to love?

I received this book as a gift in exchange for my honest review.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Handled (Going to the Dogs #7) by Zoe Dawson

Blurb:

A companion novella to Groomed for Murder Going to the Dogs, #2. Your reading enjoyment would be enhanced if you've already read Groomed for Murder.

Brooke and Drew are getting married and Brooke is happy juggling all her responsibilities with her wonderful fiancé, Drew and her playful Bulldog, Boxer. She’s in her element running both Pawlish, her doggie grooming spa and Bone Appétit, her dog treat franchise.

But, even though Drew hasn’t been demanding, he’s unhappy. Whenever he brings up slowing down, she reassures him she can handle everything. But the reality is that she isn’t and their relationship is suffering. It isn’t until the honeymoon that things come to a head. Brooke is spending more time putting out fires with her businesses than she is quenching her new husband’s fire.

Will her need to handle everything cause her to lose…the only thing that matters?

My review:

I love this sweet sexy sassy series.  This is NOT a stand-alone.  You have to have read Groomed for Murder Going to the Dogs, #2 to get where this story comes from.  Everybody knows someone like Brooke.  She has a heart the size of Alaska and doesn’t know the meaning of the word no.  Brooke and Drew are finally getting married but there is trouble in paradise.  Brooke is working too hard and Drew (the former workaholic) is having a hard time now that th tables have turned.  Can he show her how much his life has improved since she got him to slow down?  Will he get her alone long enough to show her?  With help from the dog park gals he might just be able to convince her.  Another sweet and sexy tale in this fun series.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The Principle of Desire (The Science of Temptation #3) by Delphine Dryden

Blurb:

1 Sexy Switch + 1 Nerdy Newbie = A Master Class in Seduction

After several years as a submissive, psychology lecturer Beth is eager to experience being on the other end of the whip for a change. When she meets sweet but socially awkward Ed at a party, it’s obvious the aerospace engineer is interested—and obvious he’s way too vanilla.

When tracking down a friend lands him in a BDSM club, Ed’s eyes are opened to a whole other world—and a whole other side of Beth. Then Beth’s former Master shows up, and Ed agrees to play along as her sub in exchange for a real date. The biggest surprise of the evening? How much he enjoys letting her take control…

Beth’s ex makes it clear he wants her back, but she needs more from a relationship than he can offer—and not just the freedom to explore her switch side. At first Ed is just an enthusiastic student. But the more she gets to know him, in and out of the bedroom, the more Beth wonders if he’s everything she desires…

My review:

How did I not know this had come out?  I LOVE this series.  Laugh out loud sexy geekyness to the n^th degree.  Quirky, fun and fabulous.   I cannot come up with enough adjectives to describe the kinky goodness of these books.  The Principle of Desire  is a little darker than the previous books but just as enjoyable.  Delphine Dryden is now an auto-buy for me.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

ARe

Tempt Me (Semper Fi Marines #2) by Melissa Schroeder

Blurb:

The man who could be general.

Jesse Johnson is a man everyone assumes will be a general. Everyone, that is, but Jesse himself. He isn’t sure if he wants to give that much to the military. His father has spent most of his life surviving a lonely existence with only his work for comfort. Jesse doesn’t want that—he wants it all.

The woman who tempts him to misbehave.

The last year has been bad for Zoe Jones. Her boyfriend was killed by some nasty guys who then put her in the hospital. She’s come to Virginia to heal not to fall for some by the book, drop dead gorgeous Marine with a chip on his shoulder. But one little encounter leads to a kiss and that kiss leads to all kinds of interesting entanglements. She knows it won’t last because he has big plans, but she can’t help but falling a little in love with him.

A Marine on a mission.

Jesse knows Zoe thinks they’re just having a bit of fun, but he has other plans. Forever kind of plans. He’s one man who knows how to organize a full on assault to get the woman he loves—and nothing will stop him.

My review:

Another terrific military romance by Melissa Schroeder .  Her experience and respect shows in every word.  Tempt Me is Marine officer Jesse Johnson’s story.  When his sister in law, Zoe, is hurt in a car wreck she heads to DC with Joey and Papa Santini to recuperate.  Joey loves playing matchmaker and cons Jesse into playing tour guide for the southern gal.  The problem is Jesse is ready to settle down and Zoe doesn’t want commitment. But as we all know plans don’t last past the first engagement.  Zoe may be a free spirited artist but she may just be what the by the book Marine needs.  Fun, sweet, sexy hot.  Everything you expect from Melissa Schroeder .

Buy links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

ARe