Playing with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins

I just finished Playing with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins -- and this is me right now



I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!! Have I got you hooked yet? GOOD! Because, you are going to love this book.  I absolutely fell in love with Amelia's Fae Chronicles (Playing with Monsters is a shoot off of the Fae Chronicles, so read them first!)... and, you know what, I'm gonna say it.  I think this book is better! YEAH I SAID IT!  I think this story has so much damn potential as a series that I am kicking myself for reading it now when the second book isn't out yet.  I my humble, yet awesome, opinion -- this book is DAMN NEAR PERFECT.  It's got everything I love.  A sexy demon, a spitfire heroine, saucy banter, sexy as hell love scene, mystery, slow-burn romance, suspense, action... just go buy it already!

Final Score: 10/10
Playing with Monsters
I loved the world of the witches! Lucian is a big old mystery and Lena is a spitfire and someone I really connected with.  The whole story sucked me in and I. Need. More.  Right. NOW!

Quick Rundown:
My coven has remained hidden in the shadows for centuries.
We’ve avoided the ‘real world’ altogether; hiding from monsters
and other creatures we share this planet with.
We found protection in the Colville National Forest, nestled in a town protected
by magical barriers.
Our powers are locked by an ancient curse, one meant to protect us from being found.
Until now.
The past has a way of repeating itself. A new game is beginning. No one is safe.
He’s coming for me.
He’s hunting.
The monster we’ve run from for centuries has found us.
How far will this deadly game go?
How far will I be able to take it, or will he destroy me and everything I care about?
Will the one thing I can’t live without, be the key to destroying and undoing the past?
Or will the past destroy me before I can save the people I love from what I’ve done.

This is not your run of the mill, cookie cutter romance.  Lena is a tad naive.  Lucian is a tad, um, a huge a-hole.  This is an erotic book... you've been warned.  There are VERY sensitive themes in this book -- there is a warning at the beginning for a reason.  I, personally, wasn't bothered by any of it.  Because I have a tiny little black heart somewhere in my chest.  I felt like everything that happened in the book was important to the story.  It all fit for me.  I can, however, see someone reading this and not feeling that way.  READ the warning at the beginning of the book, for me, for you, just do it. 

Heat Index:
5/5: This is a highly erotic book (yes, please).  Half of it takes place in a sex club, so do I really need to say more?  I love Amelia Hutchins way of writing.  It's not smutty at all, but it is erotic AF.

The Revelation Series by Randi Cooley Wilson

Today we'll be talking about the Revelation Series by Randi Cooley Wilson.  I completely fell in love with this series.  A five book series is LONG - but this one felt like it zoomed by.  Considering I read the entire series in a week - it literally zoomed by.  There is action, suspense, romance, betrayal, mystery - it's got a little bit of everything! You won't be disappointed.  Randi Cooley Wilson weaves this beautiful web of a story that kept me on my toes through all five books.  I loved it - I'll for sure read them all again.

Final Score: 9.5/10 - A new favorite that I will reread many times!
You shouldn't need any incentive to buy these bad boys, but if you need a push - you can purchase all five books for $9.99!! The Revelation Series

Quick Rundown

Eve Collins, a college freshman, finds herself smack dab in the middle of centuries old war where she is the key, and both sides want her for it.  She meets Asher St. Michael and Gage Gallagher, a protector and a rogue protector.  Eve goes through an incredible journey of self-discovery, love, loss, and a war.  With her new family, the St. Michaels, and Gage - Eve transforms into the key to ending the war and saving everything she loves.

Rundown Over.

Heat Index

4.5/5 - These books are meant for 18+ for good reason!! I didn't know this when I started reading the series. The first book had some innuendo, but nothing crazy.  Then, in the second book, BAM - it got romantic REAL quick.  I loved it.  Randi Cooley Wilson is a classy lady, my friends.  The sex scenes weren't so graphic (no dirty dirty talk) that I was uncomfortable.  It was even better, in my humble opinion, because Eve is a virgin for most of the series.  It felt very real how Eve and Asher took steps up to sex - no rushing into everything.  Don't know about you, but that's how my life actually played out!  And the scenes are SMOKING HOT.  Seriously - so good.

Brawler by Scott Hildreth

Up for review today is a standalone 18+ romance novel by Scott Hildreth called Brawler!  First, let me tell you that I have a hard time getting into urban, everyday, non-paranormal books.  Why? Who knows... I find them cheesy and so unrealistic.  At least in a fantasy book, you know it's unrealistic.  With that being said, I adored this book.  Having never been a boxer myself, I couldn't tell you if it's an accurate portrayal of the professional boxing world.  But, I can tell you it's a damn good book.  I promise you - if you like erotica, you'll love this story.  I would highly recommend it - I'll be rereading for sure.  It felt so genuine.  So believable.  Heart wrenching and hilarious AND romantic - I dare you to find a book with all of that PLUS action, boxing, steamy sex and a list of characters that you'll completely fall in love with.

Final Score: 10/10 - I can't really find anything I don't like about this book!
BRAWLER  - Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Quick Rundown

Jaz, a poor waitress who ran away from home and never looked back, impresses a world class boxing coach when she beats the shit out of a thief trying to steal her backpack.  Her new trainer, Ripp, ushers her back into the world of competitive boxing.  She meets Ethan and they start a very kinky sexual relationship (including boxing each other during).   The story follows Jaz and Ethan in their boxing careers and love story.

Rundown Over

Heat Index:

5/5 - All of Scott Hildreth's romance novels are erotic with just a touch of kink.  This novel (I've read a few of his others), had just enough heat to make it really flow with the storyline.  It didn't feel like there were sex scenes just to have a sex scene, you know what I'm saying?

Awakened by Brenda K. Davies

On the chopping block today is an 18+ Vampire romance book by Brenda K. Davies and first in the Vampire Awakening series!  But, all the novel in this series can be read as standalone novels.  I'll just jump right in and tell you I liked it until about half way through.  I thought it was going to be a GREAT story until the similarities to Twilight started popping up - and, let me tell you, the similarities were glaringly obvious and frequent.  HARD PASS.  There is only one Twilight... sorry bud.  Anyways - let me step off my snark box.  The book was well written and edited well (typos make me want to curl up and die).  The first half, like I said, was fantastic.  Interesting and complex and addicting.  Then, BAM, she finds out homeboy is a vampire (also annoying since 'Vampire' is in the freaking title of the book, ZERO element of surprise) and it's a steamy twilight.

Final Score: 5/10 - It was okay.
Awakened

Quick Rundown

Sera is in college and slowly recovering from a horrible experience in her past that involved a level ten douche of a boyfriend.  She is reserved and off standish until she meets the new heartthrob transfer, Liam.  They have a strange connection and he eventually tears her walls down.  After a murder, a scandal and Sera losing her virginity, the couple is hunted by Liam's creator - who is hellbent on having Liam for her own.

Rundown Over

Heat Index

5/5 - This is a graphic, erotically charged novel with strongly worded depictions of sex.  I felt the good bits were very well written and not such strong language that I felt like I needed a shower afterwards.