3 Reasons To Read Boss of My Panties by Tessa Wood

Title: Boss of My Panties
Author: Tessa Wood
Release Date: February 14, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Piper: He's the boss of my panties. Literally. As in he's the fiercely protective big brother and utterly supportive CEO of his sister's clothing company--the one I design lingerie for. Yep, he's as dreamy as he sounds. So dreamy, in fact, that I can't seem to string two coherent sentences together around the man. Until, that is, the day I open my mouth at one of our design staff meetings for the first time ever. And now here I am, working directly with Cole, the one man I can't stop thinking about while designing lacy bits for women whose sex lives are undoubtedly more interesting than my nonexistent one...

Cole: She designs some of the sexiest lingerie I've ever laid eyes on. The quietly classy kind. The kind I can imagine her wearing. Even though I shouldn't. She's my little sister's employee, for chrissakes; I can't touch her. So instead, I just show up at these design staff meetings every month. My sister thinks I'm just keeping an eye on the company's bottom line. I'm not. I've only got eyes for one bottom these days--Piper's. And now that I've discovered the shyest lingerie designer on the planet is capable of exchanging more than a few words with me each month, it'll be a miracle if I can stop thinking about her at all...

WARNING: This HOT, feel-good quickie has lots of fun times and an OTT sexy adorable HEA complete with two epilogues (because seriously, these two are just so freaking cute). So, if you like protective, possessive alpha heroes who move mountains for their heroines, and try to take things slow...at first, before getting super dirty and even more crazy romantic, then this sweet & steamy fast read is for you!

3 reasons you need to read

Boss of My Panties by Tessa Wood

1.) There's a good healthy Valentine's Day-themed designer competition in the lingerie company the characters work at. Of course, this brings office catiness and sabotage, followed by justice being served. Did we mention that they design lingerie? And the competition revolves around lingerie sets for Valentine's Day - the romantic day of the year? Yes. It gets super chaotic, sexy, dirty (in multiple senses of the word), flirty and super hot.

2.) Meddling sisters. In this case, the H's (Cole) sister (Courtney) helps nudge her CEO big brother toward her quiet, talented designer employee (Piper). And can we include Piper's quirky and close knit family too? Because they're a hoot and equally meddling (if not more) and embrarrassingly hilarious but luckily it works out in Piper and Cole's favor.

3.) We love a H who doesn't do "serious relationships" for a long time until he finally meets "the one." Say a quiet, talented woman. Like Piper, perhaps? That's exactly what happens to Cole when he keeps coming to the monthly meetings just to see and hear Piper talk about her designs. Every meeting he becomes more aware and intrigued with her.

Bonus reason: there's an HEA. So you know how it works out between the two.

Lust Factor

{Review} Conclave by Penelope Douglas

Title: Conclave (Devil's Night #3.5)
Author: Penelope Douglas
Release Date: November 23, 2019
Genre: New Adult, Romantic Suspense, Dark Romance, Novella

DAMON

Will is gone. He hasn’t been seen in months, and the texts coming from his phone are almost certainly forged. Something’s wrong. We need to act now.

Michael is ready to tear down The Cove, Rika’s hiding something, Evans Crist is a threat, and Winter’s father is still out there.

Everyone is off in a million directions, and we’re vulnerable.It’s time to do this.

It’s time to claim our place.

RIKA

A few years ago, I never thought I’d be here. On board Pithom. Miles out at sea. At a table with Michael Crist, Kai Mori, and Damon Torrance—men I now consider family.

We’ve locked ourselves on this yacht for however long it takes to address our agenda, and we won’t leave until everything is on the table.

Even things I don’t want to talk about. Things Michael doesn’t know.

We will find Will. We will solidify our plans, and we will remove any threats.

If we survive Conclave.

*Conclave is a 27,000 word novella that is available for FREE on the author's website and on her Wattpad. You do not have to pay for it. But for those of you who would love this as part of your ebook and/or paperback libraries, it has been made available in both formats. Please be aware it takes place between Kill Switch (Devil’s Night #3) and Nightfall (Devil’s Night #4) and is only suitable for readers 18+. Please read Corrupt, Hideaway, and Kill Switch prior to reading this novella.

CW/TW: reference to near-drowning incident/memory; discussions of murder; discussion of possible infertility

What We Liked

♥ The crew is back! Well, most of them anyway; still missing one Devil. But we did get two characters from Punk 57 who goes by the names of Misha and Ryen to fill the void Will left us.

♥ {~spoiler alert ahead~} The bonus scene of the birth of Ivarson.

♥ That hot AF scene deep in the underbelly of the boat. Yeah, you know which one. ;-)

♥ Touched a bit on possibility of not being able to get pregnant. The word "infertility" wasn't mentioned per se, but there were instances that inclined a character possibly not able to get pregnant, and that's not something that happens in very many books but does a lot in real life. Feels more real and, for some, relateable.

♥ This novella was a nice little tease to fill the void and lead up to Nightfall, which we are even more impatient for. We're anticipating to see what the events in this novella will lead to in Nightfall.

What We Didn't

• Let's start with the fact that we didn't know Penelope Douglas was writing and releasing this novella in the first place until it was released! (Though, apparently it was already on her website, which somehow we missed?)
• A key character was noticeably missing like an elephant in the room. Okay, we know, Nightfall is Will's story but I mean, it just felt kind of incomplete without him here.
• Waiting for Nightfall after this little tease of a novella made it even harder.
• We're going to get personal here. I haven't talked about this publicly but reading Conclave after coming out of a verbally and emotionally abusive relationship was difficult to get through. A lot of things from this (and the whole series, really) mimicked how the ex treated me so it was hard to read this novella the same way as reading the previous books in the series before I experienced that toxic relationship. But not everything in this novella mirrored it because Michael genuinely apologized to Rika after that and redeemed himself after solidifying his love and dedication to her.

The Ladies

Rika // This novella was very personal for her and her struggles, as well as showed more sides of her whiched also showed how much she has grown since we first met her in Corrupt. We see her power, authority, vulnerability, struggles, doubts, sexuality all in ~90 pages.

Winter // Girl is brave, for one, dealing being with Damon, and for two, having his spawns. We love that she holds her own with him yet somehow compliments him in a way no one can; they just fit together.

Alex // We got to know a little more about Alex and a part of her past, and we wonder what the purpose that little peak she let us see of her was for and what her role will be in Nightfall.

Ryen // If you've read Punk 57, you've met Ryen and Misha (who is Will's cousin). It was good to see her again even if it was very little, but we're excited to see what she'll bring to the table in Nightfall.

Christiane // Rika's mom. We still don't know what her purpose was being in this novella other than to piss off Damon (lol) and to be honest, we can't recall much about her from the previous books.

Banks // Damn, almost forgot she was in this one too, albeit barely, which is unfortunate. Hopefully she (and Kai too) will be in Nightfall more.

Chen // She might've been a crew member aboard the boat but she was a star of her own show, if you know what we mean. Girl can get it and then some, and she did. ;-)

The Guys

Damon // Damon never ceases to surprise us. Or make our panties melt right off. While he's due for a couple of congratulations, we can tell that he's worried and hurting over Will's mysterious absence. He and Will were tight, and Will not being there especially during one of his most important life event he wants to share with his ride or die buddy affected him.

Michael // Sheesh. This guy. He somehow has a large presence and authority of leader of this group even though he was away a lot throughout the series. Anyway, we're not sure if that hot AF scene with Rika and Lev makes up for what he did to Kai and said to Rika (before he apologized to them both). We'd like to think he's grown throughout the series and it shows when he owns up to his actions and doesn't mean any ill-intent, so we're confident he redeemed himself for that.

Misha // Misha is Will's cousin who we met in his book Punk 57. He joins our band of misfits for this very important yet vague meeting concerning Will. We gather that he and Ryen might be heavily present/involved in Nightfall, and if they are, we can't wait to see what their roles will be and if they'll be sticking around the group in the end.

Kai // Poor Kai. Not only was he not in this much or have his own POV, he was literally thrown through (yes, through) a table after consoling Rika. By Michael, no less. All in misunderstanding, of course.

Lev + David // I don't know where these guys came from aside from being crew members on the ship like Chen, but hot damn, They and Chen had fun. Who said work can't be play too? ;-)

Will // Where for art thou, Will? While he wasn't been present in this novella, he was the center of it, which we reckon that we'll soon find out more in Nightfall.

Lust Factor

4.5 flames

3 Reasons To Read Unexpected Surprise by Sarah J. Brooks

Title: Unexpected Surprise
Author: Sarah J. Brooks
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Good news: A mysterious stranger saved me at a Hollywood Halloween Party.

Bad news: Now I’m carrying his secret and I don’t know who he is!

My guardian angel wore a mask so I could only see his body.

But that was enough to make me melt.

A knockout sexy appearance with six-pack abs, irresistible strong arms,

and a tattoo on his wrist I will never forget.

It was the wildest night of my life.

And it gifted me the most precious person in the world:

My little daughter Arianna.

Now I need to start working again, so we can make a living.

That’s why I have a job interview with one of the most powerful billionaires in LA.

Good thing: He’s a drop-dead gorgeous alpha male and wants to give me the job.

Bad thing: The tattoo on his wrist…

Would now be the right time to tell my new boss about his unexpected gift?

"Unexpected Surprise" is a full-length standalone romance with no cheating and no cliffhangers, but with a gorgeous protective alpha male, plenty of steam and a guaranteed HEA. I've also included a preview of my romance novel "My Next Mistake" for you. Happy reading! - Sarah J. Brooks

3 reasons to read

Unexpected Surprises by Sarah J. Brooks

1.) An A-list Hollywood halloween costume party in the Hollywood Hills where both the H (Sinclair) and h (Reyna) went for the masquerade mask look, had a fun and awkward meetcute and then hooked up.

2.) The characters taking a stand for the #MeToo movement by confronting and taking down a sleezebag Hollywood exec.

3.) You can tell by the title of the book what the unexpected surprise may be by now... Who doesn't love a surprise baby after a one night stand then being surprised to cross paths again a year later trope? Anyone who doesn't, well, this book is not for you.

CW/TW: sexual harrassment; inappropriate workplace behavior

 

{Review} In Peace Lies Havoc by Amo Jones

Title: In Peace Lies Havoc
Author: Amo Jones
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Genre: New Adult Dark Romance

My name is Dove Hendry.

𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘹𝘵𝘰𝘯.

I was captured by darkness.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴…

They groomed me for Midnight Mayhem. Like a trained possession, weak against their control.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘵...

But Midnight Mayhem was the stained glass that concealed a very dark culture.

𝘈 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧.

The Brothers of Kiznitch come in fours, and they’re not happy about me being hustled into their acts.

𝘖𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦? 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥. 𝘈 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯…

Mind-tricks.

Stunts.

Deceit.

𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳.

But there’s something uglier that has been haunting me for years upon years. So ugly that I have never seen it’s face. I never had to. I’d hear his whispers through my internal screams, feel his shadow brush against my nightmares. He was my the monster that tormented me.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘥…

When I started Midnight Mayhem, his presence faded.

His whispers were silenced.

His shadow dissolving without a trace.

I wondered why that was.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨...

**CW: mild violence, assault, blood, sexual content, on-page forced sexual activity scene, knife, murder, blood play, kidnapping, forced captivity, chokehold**

What we liked

♥ Amo Jones. That's it; that's the post.

♥ The air of mystery of the "Midnight Mayhem."

♥ Dove's past and who she really is unfolding throughout the story.

♥ Brief cameo of the Elite Kings from Amo's The Elite Kings series. Well, only three of the kings + Tillie. Also the main characters from Amo's other book, Manik (which we have yet to read).

♥ Intricate, layered storylines that are intertwined.

♥ One character recommends an Amo Jones book (Manik) to the main character, Dove, but doesn't recommend the author, which so happens to be the very same author of this book. When she made that comment and saw the irony, we LOL'd. 

♥ Amo's signature plot twists (yes, plural).

♥ Amazing music taste as always. No complaints, honestly. Introduced to us some new music as well, so thanks, Amo.

What we didn't

• No content/trigger warning was stated in book summary or beginning of book. 
• The play by play scene of the forced sexual assault in the beginning.
• The use of the word "exotic" to describe a character of color. 
• Call it a bad habit of comparing favorite stories + characters from authors other books, but we just didn't feel much tension or chemistry between the h (Dove) and the H (King). We need to learn how to stop comparing to Bishop/Madison and Nate/Tillie.
• We hope that Dove didn't use the same hand that got someone else's blood on to touch herself intimately with. Infection in the vag is not sexy. (Can you tell our virgo popped out?)
• Manhandling from King to the point even Dove said it could almost pass as domestic abuse. If the h of the story is even pointing that out, no matter how much you try, the H behaving that way is not sexy nor should it be acceptable. Probably shouldn't write the H in such a way if you want readers to add him to their little black book of book boyfriends. (No I'm not sensitive; I'm speaking as a survivor of domestic abuse).
• The ending was a bit lackluster, except for the reminder of the dare Dove still owes King that leaves us wondering what that dare is. Also, the 'aftermath' chapter at the end. It seemed like it came from a different POV and we have theories of who it may be and how the next book will go.

The brothers of Kiznitch

King // The leader of the Brothers of Kiznitch. Blood play turns him on which indicates what kind of person he may be but what else do you expect from a king. A king with a prince albert (yes, the piercing). Dark, sinister motherfucker who could do a little lightening up especially in the manhandling department; it wasn't as endearing as intended. Idgaf, he can fuck off with his manhandling and threats to Dove. I know she can hold her own even against him, but it still doesn't make it okay or sexy to treat her like that. He's an alphahole to the extreme and unfortunately not in the way Bishop (from The Elite Kings series) is.

Killian // He's the playful, funny and persuasive of the boys. He was pretty cool and offered a comic relief but don't let that demeanor fool you; he can fuck you up. We like him...until he made that semi-incestuous comment about Maya. Yeah, no. Also, how dare he do Maya like that.

Kyrin // He might have as much presence or talk as much as the other boys but he is lethal. Quiet but violent and all that. We kinda wanted him to talk more or have him included more until he revealed that he enjoys committing murder. Don't get on his bad side.

Keaton // Like Kyrin, we didn't think much of him as he didn't have much presence like King or Killian did, but in the end he turned out to be pretty cool for a big, intimidating, tatted dude. Protective of Dove in the end (for spoilery reasons). We can't wait to see how his and Dove's relationship develops in the next book.

Kohen // I know, I know; he's technically part of the brothers of Kiznitch (anymore) but he does have a role and is King's brother, so we'll just talk about him for a bit, okay? So he's the actual albeit estranged brother of King. Seductive in guyliner; might be psycho. Will he re-join the brothers in Midnight Mayhem again in the next book? Or will he go astray that will catapult another storyline? Will he find love again - new flame or ghost from the past? If he were a hashtag, he'd be #deadinside

Justice // Also another character not a brother, but is the personal driver of the brothers during the Midnight Mayhem. We don't know how he stays sane dealing with and driving the brothers during Midnight Mayhem but kuddos to him. Needs a pay raise, prob.

The gals

Dove // Don't underestimate her just because she hardly talks (at first). May seem docile and quiet at first, but she flourishes and finds her voice and stands her ground throughout the book. We love to see a dove set free from her cage. She's more freaky and psycho than expected; never underestimate the quiet ones. Badass ballerina. Endured a lot but is still dancing, literally. Can't wait to find out more about her in the next books of the series.

Rose // Cool chick and friend to Dove, even if a bit chatty. Though she's outgoing and extroverted and is an integral part of Dove's life and the book, we don't know much about her or how her days go while training/rehearsing and during the act of the show. We hope to get to know a little more about her in the next book.

Val // She's the "mean girl"/antagonist of the Midnight Mayhem crew and thinks of herself way more highly than she's actually worth. But she comes to reality and her senses by the end. Her character growth isn't fleshed out but is there.

Maya // Maya is probably the only chillest and sanest character out of the whole group story, besides maybe Justice.

Delila // A bit intimidating at first being the showrunner but she seems pretty decent. Sure is a mystery and hopefully we get to know more about her in the next book.

Callan + Saskia // The new girls in Dove's act who were introduced near the end and we can't wait to see what they do in and out of the show.

Lust factor