Every Which Way

I try to balance out my reading.  I read a serious, chaste book then I'll follow it up with something smutty.  Similar idea if I finish a long read or a multi-series binge.  I'll follow it up with something quick.  That's what led me to read Every Which Way.  After reading Kulti, which was fairly long and limited to two short sex scenes (after a long build up to them), I needed something quick and dirty.  Every Which Way contains five short stories, all featuring various kinky relationships.

Blurb

UNABASHED by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sasha White

She's finally found a man who sees her for the woman she is, and she's not holding back. 

Ian Johnson thrived on training new submissives at Overwatch. He loved helping them explore their kinks, learn their limits, and recognize the power they hold. Then Ronnie Mack strode into the club, and right back into his heart. Now she's his one and only, and he's discovered that training a submissive loves is a whole new adventure.

LOANED by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Annabel Joseph

It's all kinky fun and games, until someone loses their heart.
Bettina's Master gets off on loaning her to strangers. Afterward, she's supposed to report back to him with all the raunchy details. It's all kinky fun and games, until one of those strangers decides he doesn't want to give her back...

BOOTS & WINGS by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Myla Jackson

When a woman comes between brothers, passions take wings
Pilots, partners and brothers, Jake and Tucker Maddox, are both in love with Molly O'Brien and she's in love with them. Because of their crazy sibling rivalry she refuses to choose between them, and instead walks away. On the verge of losing the best gal that ever happened to them, the two brothers hatch a desperate scheme to kidnap Molly, carrying her away to their mountain cabin where they convince her she can have them both, if she dares

Pin Me Up Proper by USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Cathryn Fox

Shackles, blindfolds and ropes, oh my...she's not in Kansas anymore.
Bored with the men in her life, actress Janie Monroe is looking for something different. On a whim, she decides to seduce her cameraman, a guy who comes off as a nerdy video gamer. After enticing him at a pin-up photo shoot, she learns that he does indeed like to play, but instead of a game console and controller, his toys are shackles, blindfolds and ropes. Janie soon finds herself immersed in a world of dark passions where her boundaries are challenged and pleasure beyond her wildest imagination is the prize.

ACCEPTABLE RISK by Candace Blevins

Bethany has joked for years that if she ever settles down, it'll be with a harem of men, only it isn't a joke anymore.

Mac is a new werewolf, and still must be watched at every moment to be sure he stays in control. His kink has always been ménage, so when he overhears the beautiful redhead at the bar wanting to take on not only him, but also the werewolf and wereleopard chaperoning his night out... he has to convince them to let him take her home. He might not be trustworthy with a human woman alone, yet, but with two powerful shapeshifters in bed with them, what could go wrong?

Review: 3 Stars

Well, that was kind of different.  The books all feature BDSM or a menage relationship (or both).  They all go beyond hook ups into something more long term.  The stories are more hard core than most other erotica I've read.   They feature themes like humiliation, sadism, menage/harems, masters as well as one story that features a paranormal storyline.  The last two stories were my favourites.

If you're looking for some quick, smutty stories with some edge, this book might interest you. 

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Opening Up: Lauren Dane

Blurb

The men of the Twisted Steel custom motorcycle shop are great with their hands... and they're not afraid to get dirty.

PJ is exactly the kind of woman Twisted Steel owner Asa Barrons doesn't need. The last thing he wants to do is mix business with pleasure, and PJ has some of the best custom detailing he's ever seen. But the chemistry between them won't be denied, and soon he's introducing her to a whole new world in the bedroom, pushing her far beyond anything she's ever experienced. PJ finds she can't get enough, but how far is too far before he consumes her completely?

Review: 4 Stars

I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable Opening Up was.  Every time I read a few duds, I start to get down in the dumps and convince myself that I'll never read a good book again.  (I know, completely unrealistic and overly dramatic).  Thankfully, Opening Up brought me out of a slump. 

One thing I quite liked about Opening Up is that the main characters talk to each other quite a bit.  So often, I have a hard time believing the connection between two lovers because there is minimal dialogue.  Asa and PJ actually had thoughtful conversations, which helped to make their connection feel genuine and believable.

I also really appreciated Asa, who exudes alpha hotness without being a jerk about it.  So often, alpha males act like they're always right and the women in  their lives just yield to whatever beliefs the alpha enforces.  Asa is a strong, dominant man who can also show vulnerability, admit when he's wrong and grovel with the best of 'em.  His flexibility also leaves room for a interesting dynamic between him and PJ, who is a no nonsense, intelligent and self-possessed woman.

The whole "daddy issues" got a bit boring after a while, but that's just a minor quibble.  I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Professor's Pet: Tara Crescent

Blurb:

Have you ever been dangerously attracted to your professor?

Jake Ballard. He is smug and mocking, but his body is the stuff of epic fantasy. Now, through an unfortunate twist of fate, he holds my smut-filled Kindle in his hands.

I have a decision to make. Can Professor Ballard be my instructor in this world of bondage, dominance, and submission? And, eight weeks later, when my class is at an end, can I walk away from Jake? 

Review: (2.5 Stars)

Okay, I'll admit.  I can be a bit impatient.  I don't like when I'm more than half way through the book and the MCs are still dancing around each other.  This book is kind of the opposite extreme.  It starts so quickly that I felt like it might be a dream sequence (the kind where the character imagines something improbable happening).  I'd prefer somewhere is the middle of the two extremes; let me get to know the characters, care about them a bit and build up some tension.  But, not to the point of wanting to pull my hair out.

After a while, my book grinch side came out -- I just wanted them to break up and find better matches.  I didn't really like the dynamic between these two.

Already, after one weekend, I could tell this situation had trouble written all over it. She was having difficulty building her walls. If I had any sense at all, I would walk away. But then, she’d probably go do something crazy and unsafe, and god-knows-why, I didn’t want that to happen. I needed to stay and teach her enough to ensure she played safely.

There were, however, some aspects that I liked.  I think the author clearly and succinctly  demonstrated an important issue that many BDSM books kind of gloss over:

But it’s always a bit of a dilemma. Do you find someone who is sexually compatible with you, and then figure out everything else? Or do you search for someone who you connect to, and then figure out the kink? 

I also really liked the "net" analogy and how that was picked up on again at the end.  

If I could wave a magic wand, I would like more character development at the beginning and throughout the book.  I was kind of hoping for more of a professor-student dynamic.  The book starts off with Emily defending her Ph.D., so there wasn't really a power dynamic in that sense.  I'd also add an epilogue to see what happens with these two over the year and after the one year.   I also didn't really understand the exchange between Sanjay and Emily at the end.  Emily was not in the wrong for her behaviour, despite how Sanjay reacted to her.  I also didn't get Jake's plan to show Emily the seedier side of things to make sure she didn't fall into any abuse relationships -- how did taking her to a BDSM club do that?