Only Yours by Nancy Fraser

The time of poodle skirts and letterman jackets is over. Let the sexual revolution begin!

What’s it About? 

Everyone expects Rebecca Winston to marry her high school/college sweetheart, Garrett Langley. The problem is, the flame’s gone out on their romance. They’re still best of friends, but only friends. When Garrett’s father has a heart attack, his older brother Wyatt (an L.A. attorney) returns home for the first time in years. The attraction between Rebecca and Wyatt is immediate. Can Rebecca expect her family and, especially, Garrett to understand that her desires have changed and turned toward Wyatt? Can Wyatt get past the feeling that he’s poaching his younger brother’s girl?

First Impressions

Ok, so it might not be as outrageous as a sexual revolution, but the plot of the story is pretty scandalous for the time period. Although it reads like a contemporary romance, this novella is set in the early 60s. As the attraction for her boyfriend Garrett wanes, Rebecca finds that she starts to have feelings for his brother, Wyatt. Gotta say, definitely a ballsy plot for a romance! We as the readers will either sympathize with the lovebirds, or view them as cheating hypocrites. When it comes to this particular novella, I found that you do end up rooting for Rebecca and Wyatt to get together. They just have all the chemistry which her relationship with Garrett is obviously lacking.

Attraction: Old and New

So why is it that we hope Rebecca will leave her current boyfriend for the man’s brother? Simple, she and Garrett have clearly grown apart these last few years, and it seems they’re just sticking together because it’s familiar. Even though their respective family members are all hoping they’ll finally get engaged, it’s blatantly obvious to the readers that there’s really nothing between them anymore except friendship.

Then Wyatt comes to town, and it’s like, “Well hello spark of attraction!” Now, is it possible that Rebecca is drawn to Wyatt because she identifies in him all of the excitement and passion that she used to have in her relationship with Garrett? How the hell should I know? I’m not a therapist! It’s possible though. I will say I still did like Rebecca and Wyatt together. They share a love scene that is described in such amazingly slow detail that you can’t help but be entranced. That being said, I imagine family dinners in the future could get kind of awkward. Not to mention the bedroom. I mean, is it really a good idea to start a relationship with someone when you can actually say, “Oh, that’s not how your brother does it.”

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance. I kind of wish the candy hearts and Valentine’s Day aspect of this series would have played in a bit more, but still a good read!

Should you read it? Now, spoiler alert that Rebecca and Wyatt do share a passionate kiss while she is still dating his brother, but that’s as far as they go. I get that this might bother some people but overall it’s still a sweet romance with a happy ending for all parties involved. Even Garrett.

Smut Level: Nothing too graphic. There are some kisses, touches, and clothing removal though.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here– this novella just came out today! $1.99 Kindle Price. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 59 Pages.

Be My Love by J.C. McKenzie

When this book ended I think I actually sighed. Not because I was happy it was over! No, it was just so darn sweet I couldn’t help it.

What’s it About? 

Broken-hearted and bitter, Brenna Jones plans to spend Valentine’s weekend at her parents’ cabin, reading romance novels and devouring heart-shaped candy. When her truck hits a snowdrift and plows into a bank—during a storm, no less—her plans take a drastic detour. Eric Buchanan, the playboy jerk from her past, comes to her aid. He’s her only option for reaching safety.

Eric can’t wait to escape his parents’ latest attempt to set him up. He’s given up on happiness, knowing he blew his chance at love a decade ago. When his snowmobile ride turns into a harrying escape from a blizzard, he discovers Brenna stranded in the storm. After he ensures her safety, he plans to explain the misunderstanding that tore them apart. Can a secluded cabin help Eric convince Brenna to be his love?

First Impressions

I think most of us can agree that Brenna’s initial Valentine’s Day plans sounded pretty freakin’ awesome. I mean, she gets to find some peace and quiet at her parent’s cabin while reading romance novels, eating candy hearts, and spending some quality alone time with her vibrator. Gotta love it. But then she crashes her car, and is rescued by her former crush. Neither has completely gotten over the other, and they are now stuck in a cabin with no electricity, a fire blazing, hot cocoa and a winter storm blowing outside. Can I switch places with Brenna? Pleeeeease!!!

Sweeter than Candy

This book is sexy as hell while Brenna and Eric fulfill a large number of their repressed sexual fantasies. You also just know these two are meant to be together. Their minds are completely in sync! Example: when Brenna spills hot cocoa on him, Eric’s first reaction is to ask her to lick it off, and her first thought is to lick it off without asking. See what I mean? In sync! Brenna definitely listens to the devil on her shoulder throughout the novella, and I really can’t blame her considering Eric has one of those sexy V-shaped pathways, if you know what I mean. In addition to all the sensual sex scenes going on between these two, there are also a bunch of funny moments between them as well, and the end is sweeter than candy!

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance. I have read quite a few of the novellas in this series, and I am seriously craving those heart-shaped candies now! Must go and purchase some.

Should you read it? Absolutely! This is a great Valentine’s Day read, and one that you can finish in one sitting. It’s sweet, sexy, funny, and will give you and your significant other some unique ideas when it comes to using those candy hearts in the bedroom.

Smut Level: My favorite line of the novel is one said by Brenna: “I want to ride you until you scream my name.” You go girl!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $1.99 Kindle Price. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 66 Pages.

Charm Me by Tena Stetler

Alright ladies and gentlemen, we are about a month away from Valentine’s Day, so let’s start getting in the romantic mood with a short novella from the Candy Hearts Romance series!

What’s it About? 

Summer Dawn Riley’s an extraordinary elemental witch whose troubled past haunts her. She’s created a calm life for herself teaching yoga and keeping people at a distance. Her life takes a one eighty degree turn when she enrolls in a woman’s weapon’s class and meets ruggedly handsome Devlin Sawyer. Devlin, a former Navy Seal, has sworn off women after two long-term failed relationships, but there is no denying his attraction to Summer. She intrigues him like no other woman ever has. Despite her attempts to ignore him, Summer is drawn to Devlin. His magic signature is strong, but he’s no warlock. Will Valentine’s Day magic find them a future together?

First Impressions

You guys! After reading this novella I might actually have to stop saying that paranormal romances aren’t my cup of tea. For some reason I’m always surprised when I come across a paranormal romance that I like, so the fact that I loved this romance was kind of a shock to my system. But you simply can’t help but be drawn in by the simmering electricity between Devlin and Summer. And I’m talking literal electricity here. Romance characters always talk about feeling a spark of passion with their love interest, but in this instance our lovebirds can actually see the sparks between them.

Magical Chemistry

Although Devlin is only technically a half-werewolf who can’t shift into his animal form, he is the prime example of a strong alpha male with strong alpha male desires. These two definitely have chemistry, and the couch seems to be their preferred location to explore/explode their passions for each other around Valentine’s Day weekend.

In addition to the simmering romance between Devlin and Summer, there is another dramatic story-line taking place on the sidelines. Summer is wary to use her magical powers after a rather unpleasant incident involving her brother’s vampire girlfriend. As a result of this unfortunate incident, Summer has a strained relationship with her family. I absolutely loved reading about the sexual couch explorations of Devlin and Summer, but I wish we could have explored this side story just a bit more to fully understand what happened with this treacherous vampire, and how it influenced Summer’s relationship with her fellow witches.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance. I’ll be featuring a few more novellas from this series between now and Valentine’s Day. Each one revolves around the holiday of love, and features a protagonist who loves candy hearts.

Should you read it? It’s a cute, short, romantic novella to read before February 14th. Just be sure to have a box of candy hearts on hand when you read it! We also have an adorable dog in here too!

Smut Level: Devlin becomes so enthralled with their love-making that his eyes glow golden. He also cooks! Tiramisu!! So he just might be the perfect book boyfriend.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $1.99 Kindle version. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 65 pages.

Finding Destiny by Christa Simpson

Happy day before Valentine’s Day everyone!! Are you all ready to spend the day with your significant other in a blissful bubble of love? Well, I’m single, so I’ll probably be spending tomorrow watching Oscar nominated movies by myself, and curling up in bed with my Kindle. Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m totally looking forward to it. Seriously! Sort of my idea of the perfect weekend. Anyway, to get you in the Valentine’s Day mood, here’s a great little romantic Valentine’s novella to light your fancy. Enjoy!

Honestly, when I first started reading this book I was slightly concerned that I had gotten myself involved in a horror story instead of a romance. It starts off with three young, single women who decide to go away over Valentine’s weekend for a spa trip. On their drive to the spa they get lost in a terrible snow storm which causes their truck to break down. They all decide to get out and walk for help, but one of the ladies sprains her ankle during the journey. Along come three burly men on snowmobiles who take them away to a secluded cabin in the middle of the woods. And cue creepy horror music!

Don’t worry though! This book has nothing to do with pretty women getting hacked to bits by masked villains. Instead, it’s a tale of love between Destiny, one of the women from the broken down truck, and Skylar, one of the snowmobile men who rescued them. Skylar and Destiny are immediately smitten with each other, but they are hesitant at first to act on their desires. Probably because they just met about 35 minutes ago. On the other hand Skylar’s brother Matty, and Destiny’s friend Felicia aren’t afraid to make use of their stranded situation to jump all over each other. Literally. Those two definitely know how to rattle a headboard, and it makes it more and more difficult for Destiny and Skylar to keep their hands off of each other. Although I really enjoyed the lustful exploits blossoming within this tiny cabin, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Natalie, the girl who sprained her ankle. She wears glasses, has a bad injury, and yet no hunky man is interested in sweeping her off her feet. Poor gal.

This book does take place over Valentine’s Day, but thankfully it isn’t filled too cheesily with flowers, boxes of chocolates, hearts and kisses. It’s mainly a weekend sex fest for all involved, except for Natalie of course. That being said, considering the female lead’s name was Destiny, it’s pretty obvious that there was going to be a play on words with her name and their “destiny” to fall in love. I think it happened at least twice, and although each time was extremely cheesy the rest of the book wasn’t too bad. The sex between our characters was oh so wonderfully hot and descriptive. Again, a few headboards were banging, they steamed up some car windows, and there was quite a lot of nylon ripping involved. Personally, I’d be pissed! Do you know how hard it can be to find a good pair of nylons? And then to just have some tattooed man come along with his bulging muscles and start tearing them in the heat of passion and…ok so maybe I wouldn’t mind so much.

I did have one main issue with this book, and that is it was too short! Not just because I liked it so much and wanted more, which I did, but also because Destiny and Skylar basically fall in love over the span of a weekend. I get it, that’s maybe possible, but the two pretty much went from sex bunnies to soul mates in the blink of a snow storm. It was a minor issue I had, but definitely not a deal breaker. There is a pretty big event which happens near the end of the book though that brings them closer together. For such a short novella it’s surprising how much actually takes place plot-wise. Skylar was a delightfully possessive man, and was quick to stake his claim for Destiny over his brother Matty. Although the sex scenes were passionate and fun to read, I think my favorite parts of the book were the interactions between the two brothers. Matty knows how smitten Skylar is with Destiny, so he constantly flirts with her in an attempt to get a rise out of his brother. At one point, Skylar has to go to Matty to ask for condoms, and it is one of the most hilarious scenes in the entire book! Overall, this short novella has a bit of everything: comedy, sex, love, family. A great Valentine’s read!

*A copy of this book was provided by Black Widow Publishing for review*

Series: The Destiny series, book 1. I can’t wait to read the next book, Beautifully Broken, which continues the love story between Matty and Felicia. And it’s a full-length book which has me super duper excited!

Should you read it? Why not? It’s a quick and steamy read which you can probably finish before going out for Valentine’s Day dinner. Or while you wait for a table in a crowded restaurant.

Smut Level: We’ve got nylon ripping going on here for crying out loud!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here