Buffy's Ramblings

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Can a determined librarian convince a mythological beast of the night that fairytales do come true? A good book, a puzzle to solve, a riddle to master--these all get Elena Xavier’s blood pumping. But is her drive for a solution enough to break a powerful wizard’s curse and free the beast of her dreams? Over two hundred years ago a man was cursed by a spell of humility and his mortal life ended. Now he soars across the heavens under cover of darkness, praying to the gods for an end to his tortured existence. Elena has one chance. Her problem-solving abilities are put to the ultimate test when she finds herself in a race against time. She has until the stroke of midnight on All Hallow’s Eve to solve a riddle. Then, only consummation with her one true love will undo the ancient incantation cast centuries before. One obstacle stands in her way--a very stubborn gargoyl...

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Steven Henderson and Leslie Carlyle have been friends since childhood. When they opened Baby Cakes, a cupcake store, they had no competition. When a new cupcake shop opens and starts eating away at their business, it's war. Loner Duke Waldon owns three cupcake stores and is opening a fourth. He didn't realize his newest store had to compete against the most delicious, tempting cupcakes ever baked! When he discovers his competitors are a tall blond bombshell and a tempting young gay man, he knows he's in trouble. He decides to ferret out their secrets no matter what he has to do. Thoughts: I hadn’t peeked at the blurb before reading this book, so looking at the cover and title, I was expecting a M/M romance. I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a ménage story! The good: Steven and Leslie’s characters were consistent in their behaviors ...

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Willow Yancy lost her career as a ballet dancer, and nearly her life, after being in the right place at the wrong time. Located by her shooter, she's transferred and placed into the protection of people who have secrets of their own. As bait to lure the enemy, she'll accept all the help she can get, especially if it comes from the one man who makes her body sizzle with desire. Ben Alexander is a charming ski instructor and go-to guy for the Colorado shifter wolf pack. His engaging attitude lands him baby-sitting duty- only this baby turns out to be a gorgeous redhead that captivates his senses. With the pending full moon, Ben must tell Willow the truth about himself and many of those she's come to call friends. A daunting task because if she runs, she'll destroy him. Yet how can she resist being seduced by a shifter? Thoughts: I loved this book! I...

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Amelia Barker and Keon Munro are about to meet face-to-face for the first time. With F-16 butterflies dive-bombing her belly, she nervously awaits her soldier and the promises he made over the internet. Fresh off deployment, Keon is ready for some one-on-one action with the woman who captured his heart through cyberspace. Too bad she’s not who he thinks she is. Either way, she’d better be ready for his special force. He’s been dreaming of this night for months, and her sweet behind is his. Thoughts: This is a quickie read, but oh so enjoyable. I’m a sucker for a man in uniform, so I loved the military angle, and the homecoming scenario that’s created. Though I’ve never been in that position, the way it’s portrayed feels authentic. The dynamic between the characters feels a little awkward at first, but once they get past big secret, the chemistry is sizzling. Th...

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Mark’s been working as a bartender at the monthly meeting of local female dominants for months. He’s played out scenes, he’s knelt, he’s served to the best of his ability, but he’s still yet to date any woman who inspires inside him a genuine desire to completely submit in the way he’s always desired. There’s one domme at the meetings who Mark longs to submit to—Olivia—but she’s never shown any interest in him, and he knows it’s not his place to approach her. When he suddenly feels someone watching him across the room, Mark doesn’t expect it to be Olivia. He really doesn’t expect the interest he feels in her to be returned either. However, Mark needs to learn to expect the unexpected, once he starts obeying Olivia. Thoughts: This story is a little quickie, bringing you heat and a happy ending. We start off just as Olivia get Mark in her sights, and we follow them...

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Melody Manning’s workaholic ambition, coupled with a slave-driving former boss, has made her the youngest market analyst in her firm. It’s also killed her personal life, including losing her fiancé. When she receives a message from him on New Year’s Eve announcing his engagement to another woman, Mel loses it. Her new, more compassionate boss has the perfect solution for her—get laid. Good and laid. At his suggestion, she signs up with the 1Night Stand service, listing her deepest sexual desires on the application. A speedy response from Madame Eve has Melody on her way to Sonoma Valley wine country and a one-night stand with a mysterious Dom. The sexy, masked Master promises to get to the bottom of her guilt and provide ultimate satisfaction under the safety of his stern hand. After an emotional night of submission and uninhibited passion, will her lover’s unmaskin...

***This book was originally reviewed for The Forbidden Bookshelf .*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summary: Rob adores his girlfriend, Daisy. She’s a Southern belle girly-girl, which is perfect, except for one thing. As much as Daisy likes sex, she draws the line at oral. She’s not good at it, and Rob has resigned himself to doing without. That is, until Daisy offers to get a tutor. Is this a great idea or the worst mistake Rob has ever made? Thoughts: I am not normally one who particularly enjoys dwelling on the oral part of foreplay, but this was pretty damn hot. Every good couple strives to better themselves to please each other, and when Daisy asks Rob if there’s anything he wants or that she could do better, he answers honestly, fearing it could ruin them. What a pleasant surprise when she decides to do something about it, rather than slap him and run. The tutor they hire is sexy, hot, and is surprisingly kind, especially for a Dom. This short story takes you on...