Review: Enslaved

Review: EnslavedEnslaved: Prisoner of the Amazon Queen (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle, #6) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on April 15, 2015
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Goodreads
three-stars

FINAL DECISION: Not one of my favorites in the series, after a short happy interlude, Jane is taken captive by an Amazon queen. The best thing is that it sets off the new arch in the story.

THE STORY: At the end of the prior installment, Jane and Zaren were reunited and things seem to be going well for them. This book picks up with the two going on their Honeymoon but someone is determined that they will not have a happy ending. Jane ends up being the concubine to an Amazon queen.

OPINION: Jane begins a new set of adventures as she is again separated from her love Zaren. Every time I think these books can’t get any crazier, they do. As I have mentioned before, these books are pure entertainment and not to be taken seriously. Indeed, I believe each books tries to be more outrageous than the last. But I enjoy Jane’s erotic adventures. This one is not as exciting as others in the series, but it sets up the next part of the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book as with all the others in the series ends on a cliffhanger. The books are meant to be read together. Also there is nonconsensual sex that Jane find enjoyable even as she doesn’t want to engage in it.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENSLAVED is the sixth book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. This a serialized story and thus each book is connected to the prior books in the series and should be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

three-stars

Review: Enamored

Review: EnamoredEnamored: The Submissive Mistress (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle #5) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on May 16, 2014
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Pages: 160
Goodreads
five-stars

FINAL DECISION: My favorite of the series. This one is dark and double the length of the other books so we get development in the the whacked relationship between Jane and Kellan which began in the first book in the series. This book moves the story forward besides being filled with many and various sexual escapades.

THE STORY: Jane has returned to London with Kellan Darkdale who has the evidence to clear her father from murder. Kellan requires that Jane consent to be his submissive mistress in order to gain his cooperation.  Parted from her beloved Zaren, Jane hopes to find a way to free herself from Kellan’s clutches and return to Zaren.

OPINION: This is a crazy series. This is my favorite of the series because its expanded length allows the development of Jane’s crazy relationship with Kellan, Zaren’s development as a real character and some resolution to the threads of the series so far. This book, like the others, does end on a cliffhanger, but this book feels like the end of part one of the series.

This series is not for everyone. There is non-consensual sex and Jane enjoys those encounters.

This book is one of the darkest in the series and the most developed as Kellan and Jane have a relationship that has spanned several books in the series. Unlike the other encounters, this one feels more developed. I don’t expect great storylines and characters from this series but rather this is pure entertainment and erotic adventures.

WORTH MENTIONING: This series contains various sex acts, both consensual and non-consensual, with multiple people both men and women. Each book ends on a cliffhanger and therefore the series is meant to be read together.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENAMORED is the fifth book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. These are a series of serialized stories so they are meant to be read together and in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

five-stars

Review: Enticed

Review: EnticedEnticed: An Erotic Sacrifice (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle, #4) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on May 16, 2014
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Pages: 70
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: This one is a bit repetitive of the previous book in the series, but I liked how Jane and Zaren begin to acknowledge their feelings for one another. This is pure entertainment and escapism and shouldn’t be taken seriously as it is just crazy stuff.

THE STORY: After an attempted escape, Jane and her wild jungle man Zaren are captured by the native villagers. Jane agrees to submit to the desires of the villagers in exchange for them helping the injured Zaren.

OPINION: In this book, Jane is used as a sex toy by various couples in the village. This is my least favorite in the series, but I did like the development of Jane and Zaren’s relationship. Jane is willing to sacrifice herself for Zaren and he will do the same for her.

Once again, these stories are really crazy sauce and can’t be examined in a serious fashion. If you are not willing to suspend disbelief, then this story will not work for you. It’s all crazy erotic sex with a romance story between Jane and Zaren — but lots of sex with other people, in various combinations, along the way.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book contains both consensual and non-consensual sex with both men and women. The story, like all in this series, ends on a cliffhanger.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTICED is the fourth book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle. This is a serialized story so the books should be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Enthralled

Review: EnthralledEnthralled: The Sex Goddess (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle, #3) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on September 27, 2013
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Pages: 62
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: The sexcapades are increased here when Jane is taken hostage by a villages who sees her as a fertility goddess. Once again, this story contains consensual and non-consensual erotic encounters. I find Jane’s adventures entertaining and this one has more relationship building with Zaren.

THE STORY: Jane and her fiance are taken hostage by a native village who believe that Jane is a fertility goddess who can solve their reproduction problems. Her sexual prowess must be on public display. Zaren tries to find out what happened to Jane and to rescue her.

OPINION: Jane’s adventures continue in this book where she encounters an entire village of people who want to explore her sexuality. She has encounters here with men and women. This story is purely entertainment and is not really intended to be taken seriously. I mean she ends up having sex instead of escaping when given the opportunity! I find these stories entertaining and escapism. The entirety of the story is told tongue in cheek with crazier and more unrealistic episodes each time.

This one is notable because we get to see more of Zaren and get to see his commitment to Jane. Despite all Jane’s sexual exploits, there remains a connection between Zaren and Jane. Don’t read these books if you are going to examine them closely, you will be disappointed.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book contains non-consensual sexual encounters where Jane enjoys the experiences even as she does not consent to them. Each book in this series is short (60-70 pages) and ends on a cliffhanger as the story is told in serialized form.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTHRALLED is the third book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. This is a serialized story where every novella is connected and telling one story. Each book ends on a cliffhanger. The books are meant to be read together.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

four-half-stars

Review: Entangled

Review: EntangledEntangled: An Unexpected Menage (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle, #2) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on April 8, 2012
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Pages: 71
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: Definitely erotica with lots of sex and little character development. The best developed storyline is Jane’s developing relationship with the wild man. These books are entertaining but are not intended to be realistic.

THE STORY: Jane’s fiance has returned from the dead with some secrets. Jane also again meets the wild man living in the jungle.

OPINION: These stories are not for everyone. There is lots of sexual escapades — including non-consensual ones — but all are ones that Jane finds pleasure in. I know that this will be offensive to some people, but that is the way the story develops. If such things bother you, I really suggest passing on this story. Jane begins her journey of abandoning her Victorian morals in full here as she has sexual experiences with three different men including a menage.

There is an interesting contrast between Jane’s sexual adventures and her developing romantic relationship with the wild man. Once again, this story is pure sexual entertainment and fantasy.

WORTH MENTIONING: This series is serialized meaning that the stories are not complete in one book. Each book ends on a cliffhanger.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTANGLED is the second book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. These books should be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Entwined

Review: EntwinedEntwined (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle, #1) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on January 23, 2012
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Pages: 68
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: Definitely a guilty pleasure, but a fun, erotic read. Tarzan story told from Jane’s point of view with lots of sex.

THE STORY: Jane Clemons comes to the jungle with her father. This is the place where her fiance disappeared three years ago. Now Jane has come along with her fiance’s friend Kellan Darkdale but he seems to be pursuing her whether she wants him to or not. Jane also encounters a wild man who calls to her in ways she doesn’t expect.

OPINION: This story isn’t particularly deep and the relationships in it are not really romantic ones, but I do enjoy this book and the series as a whole. The story is definitely erotica with plenty of sex with various partners. In this book, Jane is a not-so-uptight Victorian woman who has a past with her fiance, but still clings to some of the strictures of the age. She is being pursued by a man who she doesn’t want and finds herself intrigued by the jungle man. This is the tamest of the books as it sets up some of the relationships and storylines in the series.

I enjoy the book which doesn’t really take itself seriously and instead it feels like a fun, entertaining read with no expectations and no serious messages.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a serialized story meaning that these are short novellas and each ends on a cliffhanger and continues with the same characters into a new book. The story is not complete here so you have to be committed to the entire series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTWINED is the first book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Not the Duke’s Darling

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Review: Not the Duke’s DarlingNot the Duke’s Darling (The Greycourt, #1) by Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Greycourt
Published by Forever on December 18, 2018
Genres: Historical
Pages: 496
Goodreads
four-half-stars

“Obviously he wasn’t used to being given orders by anyone — a woman least of all.

Too bad.”

FINAL DECISION: I absolutely loved the relationship between Freya and Christopher which I found passionate and combative and I loved how the two of them both have to consider their own expectations. This book begins a new series and has a lot of new characters and new situations to begin to explore so it feels that there are a lot of dangling ends…but the main story line between Freya and Christopher is complete.

THE STORY: “What had happened at Greycourt fifteen years ago would reverberate forever in their lives.” Freya de Moray is operating as a companion while working as a member of a secret group of women called the Wise Women who, among other things, protect and care for women who need help. When one of her missions places her in the path of Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe, Freya’s mind turns to revenge. Harlowe caused the ruin of her family and Freya is not going to forget it.

OPINION: This book is breathtaking in its fierce passion. These characters are drawn together through pain and fury. I loved their relationship which is between two strong personalities.

“He was a man, both good and bad and everything in between.”

Christopher was simply an amazing hero. He is damaged and difficult and incredibly caring and passionate. From his protection of his deceased wife, to his acknowledgement of what Freya needs in order to feel heard. I loved his passion for Freya — and not primarily the sexual passion (although the relationship between Freya and Christopher is hot). He is strong and determined but I especially loved him at the moment that he put aside his own desires and instead considered what he could do for her — even if he didn’t agree with her.

Freya is a woman who has made her own way after the tragic events that destroyed her family. She has a strength and a determination that is especially admirable for the historical period. That strength and independence is something that Freya fears will be lost in a relationship with Christopher. I was interested in how Freya has to confront the risks a woman takes in choosing to join her life to a man at a time where a woman has no recourse against the malfeasance of her husband.

Together, Freya and Christopher sparkle on the page. The moments where they are together are passionate and frustrating and I was never bored for one moment. For me, the relationship is the central and most important part of the book and there was no disappointment for me here.

It is important to note that this book is part of a series where there is an overarching story line that is not resolved in this book. If danging threads bother you, consider that this story resolves the main plot points raised in this book, but there are things still to be uncovered in the remainder of the series.

Indeed, the weakness of this book, like many first books, is that there is much setup here of characters and situations which are clearly meant to be unraveled in the series. This book is one which expect might improve over time as the other stories are told and the promises in this book are fulfilled.

WORTH MENTIONING: I had to read this one twice. I was mildly disappointed on first read. I believe because it was so different than the Maiden Lane series which I adore that I really didn’t give the story a chance. On second read, I loved it and am excited about all the possibilities in this new series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: NOT THE DUKE’S DARLING is the first book in the Greycourt series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received a copy of an ARC of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

four-half-stars

Review: Craving

Review: CravingCraving (Regency Lovers 3) by Carole Mortimer
Series: Regency Lovers #3
Published by Carole Mortimer on December 7, 2018
Genres: Historical
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: I really enjoyed this novella. Yes, it isn’t very deep and the events happen quickly, but I thought the story was well constructed and I really liked the relationship between Sophia and Magnus.

THE STORY: Miss Sophia Marchment is the head of a school for young women where she teaches her students her independent and somewhat scandalous ideas. When she is in London, she meets with a prospective student and her father. Magnus Spencer, Duke of Weston is shocked by his attraction to the young headmistress and while he knows that Sophia has secrets, the heat of the attraction between them brings them together. But someone is threatening Sophia and her past may be the reason.

OPINION: This is my favorite of the series so far. I think I grade these books on a curve. A book trying to be a different length and level of sophistication, or a different author, my rating might be different. But I read these Mortimer books with the intent to enjoy the story alone and not to look for an introspective or complex story.

As a novella this one works very well and I enjoyed the characters more than I expected. Although there is some deep material here, the characters do manage to develop a relationship (although there is some insta-love). I also thought that Magnus ended up being a nice character especially with how he treats Sophia (with one exception — he is a jerk with how he breaks the twist in the story to her).

I especially liked Sophia who is nobody’s doormat here. She is independent and determined to do what she thinks is right. I thought that the strong wills of Sophia and Magnus worked well here. Sometimes the Mortimer heroines are overwhelmed by her strong Alpha heroes, but not here. Sophia definitely holds her own.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is novella length.

CONNECTED BOOKS: CRAVING is the third book in the Regency Lovers series. Although there are some overlapping characters, this book can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

four-half-stars

Review: Before We Were Strangers

Review: Before We Were StrangersBefore We Were Strangers by Brenda Novak
Published by MIRA on December 4, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: A good romantic suspense. I enjoyed the combination of the relationship with the suspense/mystery. I really loved Micah (who is a sweetie) and eventually understood Sloan although I didn’t like her actions which seemed reckless and not well thought out at times.

THE STORY: Sloan McBride fled her hometown a decade ago to free herself from her oppressive father. Now she has returned to find out what happened to her mother who disappeared when she was five. Sloan, however, not only has to face the questions from her parents’ past, but also what she left behind when she left. She had abandoned her best friend and her boyfriend, Micah Evans who turned to one another, married, had a child and divorced. Sloan’s return brings complications in these relationships as well.

OPINION: This was an enjoyable romantic suspense. The scariness factor isn’t too high and there is plenty of romance. Indeed, while the mystery is central to the plot of the book, I enjoyed the second chance at romance the best.

Sloan is completely determined and that makes her reckless at times. She annoyed me at her willingness to do stupid things and keep telling people what is going on when there were people who could betray her. That being said, her character was interesting because of her flaws. I liked that her recklessness and impulsiveness is something that is consistent about her character.

Now Micah I adored. He is incredibly kind and responsible and if I have a complaint it is that he forgives Sloan very quickly for her abandoning him a decade ago. I just didn’t buy her reasons for not contacting him at all and it seemed pretty cruel.

I thought that the book described well the difficulties of the relationship between Sloan, Micah and Paige (Sloan’s best friend and Micah’s ex wife). I liked that the characters had complexity and good and bad traits.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the Evelyn Talbot books which I found to be a much more suspenseful story, but this one was a good read.

WORTH MENTIONING: I liked that there was an epilogue that wrapped up the story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

 

four-stars

Review: My Favorite Half-Night Stand

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Review: My Favorite Half-Night StandMy Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
Published by Gallery Books on December 4, 2018
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 400
Goodreads
three-stars

 

FINAL DECISION: This was okay. Not great but not terrible. I enjoyed a once through reading, but never really connected with the heroine, and the hero was way too accommodating of her.

THE STORY: Millie Morris is one of the guys, the only woman hanging out with a group of male friends. But one night, she and her “best friend” Reid Campbell end up having sex. Millie doesn’t want to ruin her friendship so she insists that the two date. Along with their friends Millie and Reid sign up for an online dating service. But when Millie doesn’t like her profile, she decides to sign up for a new one under a different name and is surprised when she and Reid are matched. So while Millie and Reid are dancing around one another in real life, Millie’s alter ego and Reid are hitting it off online.

OPINION: This book was okay, but all the interesting parts in the blurb really felt like insignificant to the actual story. First, there is little with Millie’s interest in serial killers. She might have been interested in polar bears and it would have made no difference to the story. It’s only a tiny part of this book even though it was part of what peaked my interest in this book. Second, I didn’t find the online connection as compelling as I expected. There didn’t seem much to it and the two only communicated for a short period. I have read other stories with online dating and this one didn’t work as well.

I really loved Reid and honestly, I spent most of the book thinking that he was much too good for Millie. She didn’t feel closed up, she felt like a jerk for most of the book. Unfortunately, while that gets resolved, her dogged determination to not share even basic facts — her middle name? — with her “friends” made her seemed like she needs a whole lot of therapy rather than a relationship.

On the plus side, I really enjoyed the relationship between all the friends. That felt fun and lighthearted. I thought that the complications that arise as Millie and Reid’s relationship developed were funny and I enjoyed seeing the difficulties that arose. I also really liked the good parts of Millie and Reid’s relationship as the two moved from friends to lovers. Their interactions in real life made me smile.

Overall the book was okay, but not as good as I wanted it to be. Readers who just want a fun romcom would probably enjoy this more.

WORTH MENTIONING: I wish that the other friends hadn’t had their stories resolved, it might have been an interesting series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MY FAVORITE HALF-NIGHT STAND is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in helping to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

 

three-stars