Desiring Red by Kristin Miller

From Entangled Scorched:

I’m indecisive when it comes to my shoes. Choosing a werewolf mate who’ll be with me until I croak? Pardon me while I take some time to think on it. But a steamy encounter before the final ceremony changes everything.

Reaper, the Omega’s eldest grandson, is fiercely loyal, scorching hot, and built for pleasure. He brings down my defenses, and before I know what’s happening, I succumb to the heat in his touch and the skill of his mouth. I’ve only just met him, but I need him like no other.

As part of my pack duties, I must parade in front of the Alpha, who has first choice of the pre-shifters. Rumors of his dark desires run deep, and I’ve always been intrigued. But the forbidden passion blazing between Reaper and me is too primal to deny. By pack law, Reaper can’t have me until the Alpha makes his choice…but Reaper’s never been one to follow the rules.

So, it's taken me a while to write this review because I didn't love Desiring Red, but I like Kristin Miller and I couldn't really articulate what I didn't like about it, so it's just sat in my to-be-reviewed list.  The thing is, I still can't give you a solid reason why this wasn't my cup of tea, but I just didn't love it.  The writing is solid.  The story should be just up my alley - hot werewolves having sexy times.  It's paced well, the characters are fine (no super annoying heroes or heroines here).   Maybe it was the whole if the Alpha wants me he gets me attitude?  

I really don't know and I hate reviewing something when I can't give specific reasons why something wasn't for me, but I couldn't keep avoiding it.  Desiring Red is a solid paranormal romance/erotica from Entangled Publishing's new line, Scorched.  I look forward to seeing what comes next from this line.  

~Shel

Worked Up by Tessa Bailey

***

From Publisher:

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Source:  Advance Copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

Hmm, what to say about this one?  As always, Tessa writes sex so steamy your hair frizzes.  Holy smokes.  Author and model BT Urruela recently did a live reading of a chapter of this book on Facebook and he was blushing his way through - it was fantastic!  

My problem is Bailey's trend to write the whole I can't breathe without you thing.  The insta-love so strong that you feel like you'll wither and die without the other person.  It's disturbing to me.  I know some of you love it and it doesn't keep me from reading the books, so I will shut up about it now.  :-)

All that said, I think it's hilarious that Tessa wrote a book about one of her PMBs (Pouty Man Bear for those unfamiliar with Tessa).  And it's great that there's some variation o the standard muscley gorgeous hero we usually find in romance and erotica.  Duke is not your standard hero.  He's a big, brush, evil gladiator.  

If you love the big, bad, bearded guys, Worked Up is definitely for you.  If you like sex so hot you need a walk-in freezer, check out any Tessa Bailey book.  She generally writes 'em as bossy, demanding, dirty talkers, so if those are your fantasies, check her out.  If those are your triggers, stay away.  

Bottom Line?  Tessa Bailey.  Read her.  

~ Shel

Naughty Nicks by Christine D'Abo - 18+

***

Kim has been the coordinator at Naughty Nicks, home of the sexiest Santa strippers, every Christmas for three years - and for just as long, she's lusted after her boss.  She enjoys their flirty banter and heated looks, but she's getting tired of Blake being nice when she's feeling naughty.  This year, there's only one kind of Christmas bonus she wants.  

With each passing holiday season, Blake's attraction to Kim has grown.  But after a bitter divorce, he's not sure he's ready to jump into a new relationship, especially with an employee.  One passionate kiss under the mistletoe and he realizes he's had enough of looking and not touching.  Fortunately, he knows the perfect way to seduce Kim - a private striptease to prove she's the only elf for his Naughty Nick.

Ok, I know Christmas is but a memory, but this was such a sweet, sexy read, I had to share it with you all.  AND I wanted to give everyone an idea for my Christmas gift next year - my very own Naughty Nick!  Who wouldn't want a sexy Santa-gram for the holidays?  Seriously, I'm thinking of starting a business like this - I could make a mint.  

~Shel

The Professional No. 1 by Kresley Cole (18+ Only)

****

From Simon & Schuster:

He makes the rules . . .

Mafiya enforcer Aleksandr "The Siberian" Sevastyan’s loyalty to his boss is unwavering, until he meets the boss’s long-lost daughter, a curvy, tantalizing redhead who haunts his mind and heats his blood like no other. Ordered to protect her, Sevastyan will do anything to possess her as well—on his own wicked terms.

Rules are made to be broken...

This one is definitely for our 18 and over crowd only.  I'm a big fan of Cole's Immortal After Dark Series, so I requested The Professional, thinking that it would be along the same lines.  I didn't realize it was erotica and so hot, steam would come from my e-reader...

This is the first part of a new erotica series about a girl, a guy and the Russian Mafia.  Natalie has been searching for her birth parents and when The Siberian comes for her, she finds out she may not want to know.  The heat between these two leaps from the page.  It's only 160 pages, but you will be dying for more.  Luckily, the second part comes out on January 6, 2014 and the third installment on January 20th.  I have a feeling the relationship between our two main characters will be filled with passion and pain.  

If you are a Kresley Cole fan, an erotica fan, or just a fan of seriously hot and alpha men, check out the Professional.  

For more info, check out Kresley Cole's website at:  http://kresleycole.com/paranormal-romance/

~Shel