Review: Snowed in - Lexi Blake

Previously released in the Alphas Confess All anthology with the name In From the Cold.

Winter might be cold, but this threesome is heating up …

Jessica Phillips never imagined that Gideon Michaels would be at the seminar she was attending in the snowy Aspen wilderness. Gideon broke her heart six months before but introduced her to a lifestyle that calls to her. She’s curious, so she’s attending a conference to teach her more. Unfortunately, Gideon is teaching the classes, and he doesn’t want her anywhere near them.

Reid Watkins is Jessica’s best friend and, unknown to her, Gideon’s longtime lover. He’s always thought Jessica was the woman to complete the threesome they’ve wanted forever, but Gideon’s been hurt before. Can three friends become lovers in a winter wonderland?

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Reid has spent three years trying to figure out a way to get his best friend Jessica, and his long term lover Gideon, to join him in a permanent menage relationship. He knows they're all attracted to each other but Gideon is being stubborn and they're both nervous about introducing Jessica to the BDSM lifestyle in case she walks away from them forever. Then Gideon manages to mess things up completely and ends up breaking Jessica's heart. Luckily for Reid he has plans to bring them back together and this time he's not backing down until he gets exactly what his heart desires.

I always love Lexi Blake's romances, especially her menage stories. She writes such great characters and makes it very easy to fall in love with them. Snowed In is a novella so it's a little shorter than most of her books but because the characters have so much history their romance never felt rushed. I enjoyed seeing all three of them figuring out what they want and need from their relationship and finding a way to make things work.

While this isn't part of the Nights in Bliss or Texas Sirens series if you enjoy those books you'll be sure to enjoy this one too. I half wonder whether we'll see these characters pop up again as side characters in the Masters and Mercenaries books, I love the way all of Lexi's books seem to link together even if it's only loosely.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Venus Rising Boxset - Golden Angel

All four books of the Venus Rising Quartet and the final chapter in the saga - Venus Wedding!

Venus School - Eager to learn more about herself, Jessica enrolls at the Venus School... but when she discovers just how attracted she is to two of her instructors, she's becomes less interested in the pleasure-centered program and more interested in fulfilling her fantasies with the two men.

Venus Aspiring - After graduating from the Venus School, Jessica returns home only to find that her instructors are closer than she thought. Even though both men are willing to fight for Jessica, she's not ready to choose one over the other... but she can't have both of them, can she?

Venus Desiring - Jessica, Justin, and Chris are ready to take their relationship to the next level, but the painful rejection of Jessica's family is keeping her from fully investing in the relationship. Meanwhile, Jessica's best friend Hilary has become entangled with Justin and Chris' friend Liam, but the path to love is never easy even as a couple.

Venus Transcendent - Jessica is determined to face her family and choose her own happiness, but as the trio approaches their future more united than ever, it's Liam and Hilary who begin to falter. Can a Happily-Ever-After be in the cards for all of them?

Venus Wedding - It's the wedding of the season! But one of the guests arrives with ulterior motives - will Jessica, Chris, and Justin's triad be undermined just before they finally get everything they ever wanted?

Editor’s note: The Venus Rising series is a high-heatromantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and other extremelymature themes. Proceed with caution (or excitement, whichever)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
I've already reviewed each of the Venus Rising books separately but rather than just copying and pasting those reviews here I wanted to give you an overview of the series since this box set contains all 5 stories.

This series starts with Jessica attending the Venus School of sex where she gets to experiment with her sexuality and fulfil all of her wildest fantasies. She went there hoping to learn her preferences but she didn't expect to develop feelings for two of her instructors. She's thrown for an even bigger loop when she returns home only to discover that Justin and Chris both work for the same company as her and that they're both interested in dating her outside of the school. Their developing relationship is the focus of the whole series and while they have fantastic chemistry from the get go what I really appreciated was that this series also shows how difficult it can be to maintain an unconventional relationship when the rest of the world start passing judgement.

There's no denying that this series is hot as hell but these characters also go on an emotional journey that was really satisfying to read about. Not only do they have all of the normal relationship issues but they also have to deal with disapproval from family and friends who can't understand how a triad relationship could ever work. Luckily they do have supportive friends though. Jessica's best friend Hilary has her back from the beginning (and the relationship that develops between her and Liam, one of Justin and Chris's fellow Dom friends, is another highlight of the series!) and they also get a lot of support from members of the Stronghold sex club where they all like to hang out on a regular basis.

I'm not going to lie there are definitely some editing issues with this book with missing or incorrect words etc and I wasn't always comfortable with some of Golden Angel's word choices but there was something compelling about the characters that kept me hooked throughout. The Venus Rising series also introduces a lot of characters who get their own books in the Stronghold series and I honestly can't wait to start reading those too.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Venus Wedding - Golden Angel

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the season...

Having found each other and their happily-ever-after, Jessica, Justin, and Chris are preparing to make their commitment as official as a threesome can. In the presence of their supportive family and friends, they plan to exchange their vows and celebrate the love and uniqueness of their relationship.

But what awaits them on their special day is no fairy tale. Not everyone in their lives has accepted their uncommon bond. And one of the guests isn't attending the wedding... he's trying to stop it.

Venus Wedding is a follow-up to the Venus Rising Quartet and the Stronghold Series. While it may be read as a standalone, it will be more enjoyable for those who have completed the Venus Rising Quartet. Like the Venus Rising books, this is a high-heat MFM romantic adventure. Proceed with caution (or excitement ;)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
The wedding of the year has arrived and we've been given front row seats with this final book in the Venus Rising series. Jessica, Justin and Chris have come a long way since the beginning of the series and they're now all proud to announce their relationship to anyone who cares to listen. They are head over heels in love so although they can't all get married legally they still want to have a ceremony to celebrate their relationship and their love for each other. Not everyone is quite so happy about their wedding though and one guest in particular has only accepted their invitation because they want to stop the ceremony from going ahead. So will this be the wedding that the triad has been dreaming of or will it all end in disaster?

I really enjoyed this final book in the series, I don't want to say too much about what happens at the wedding or how things turn out but I will say that some characters I've had low opinions of in the past really turned things around here. It's not all smooth sailing but I was really happy with how everything came together at the end and it was great to see so many happy couples. My only minor niggle is that we didn't get anything from Hilary or Liam's perspective. Their relationship has been almost as front and centre as the triad for most of the series so although they appeared in this book I was really hoping we'd get to hear where they're at in their relationship in their own words. It would have been so easy to just have a scene with them reminiscing about how far they've come together while sharing a dance at the wedding or something and that would have been hugely satisfying.

I'm going to give a slight warning to people who are planning on reading the Stronghold series after this and say if you don't like spoilers then I'd recommend reading the first four Venus Rising books, followed by the Stronghold series and then finish out with Venus Wedding. Only because all the previously single characters we met in the other books are now loved up and in relationships of their own (that occurred during the Stronghold books) so I now know who everyone is going to end up with. It's not really a major spoiler though as you can get that information just from reading the blurbs so as long as that's not something that will bother you feel free to go ahead with this book first.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Venus Transcendent - Golden Angel

Outed by her ex-boyfriend, Jessica is determined to get comfortable with her unconventional, polyamorous relationship with both Justin and Chris. And that means facing her family and choosing her own happiness, and the happiness of her men, over anyone else’s judgment.

But as the trio approaches their future more united than ever, it’s Liam and Hilary who begin to falter as Liam discovers Hilary has kept him a secret from her own parents. While he’s been falling head-over-heels for his honey-girl, it seems she doesn’t feel quite the same.

Editor’s note: Venus Transcendent is a high-heat romantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and other extremely mature themes. It is book four in the Venus Rising series and is intended to be read and enjoyed after Venus School, Venus Aspiring, and Venus Desiring. Proceed with caution (or excitement, whichever)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
In the fourth book of this series we see Jessica start to become more comfortable in her relationship with Justin and Chris. She's still extremely self conscious around strangers but she's starting to realise that it doesn't really matter what people think about them as long as they're happy. She's fed up with her family ignoring the issue though and is going to take matters into her own hands to force them to face the issue. Let's just hope it doesn't backfire on her. Meanwhile Liam is ready to take the next step with Hilary but she's nervous about how quickly their relationship is moving and that's got them both on edge.

All I'm going to say about this is that I was really happy with the progress made on both of these relationships. I've been invested in Jessica, Justin and Chris since the beginning and it's great to see them with such a supportive community around them, they may not have all of the family approval that they'd hoped for but they've created their own family of supportive friends. Not all of Jessica's vanilla friends have abandoned her and they've all been welcomed with open arms by the kink community in Stronghold. I also really love Hilary and Liam, they're a ridiculously cute couple and I think they're pretty perfect together.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the Stronghold spin off series, we've met so many great side characters and I hope they'll all be getting their own books.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Venus Desiring - Golden Angel

Spend enough time around a submissive and eventually you’ll meet a Dom. And that’s exactly what happens to Jessica’s best friend Hilary. Liam is gorgeous, irresistible, and ready for relationship. But despite seeing how happy Justin and Chris make Jessica, Hilary’s just not sure if the lifestyle is right for her. And despite how attracted he is to Hilary, Liam definitely isn’t ready to train a newbie to the scene.

Meanwhile, Jessica, Justin, and Chris are ready to take their relationship to the next level but the painful rejection of Jessica’s family is keeping her from fully investing in everything they could be. Hilary and Liam just might thrive if they can ever get it together, but will Jessica, Justin and Chris survive all of the pressure that they’re under now?

Editor’s note: Venus Desiring is a high-heat romantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and other extremely mature themes. It is book three in the Venus Rising series and is intended to be read and enjoyed after Venus School and Venus Aspiring. Proceed with caution (or excitement)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
Jessica and her men couldn't be happier when they're spending time alone together or around understanding friends like Hilary or the other members of Stronghold but it's not so easy in the real world. Chris' parents have disowned him, Justin's mother is slowly coming around to the idea of their relationship but Jessica's parents are just refusing to deal with the issue and have stopped returning her phone calls. The lack of communication is driving Jessica crazy but she's also finding it difficult to know how to introduce her two boyfriends to the other people in her life because she's scared of the judgement she'll receive.

The triad have a lot to deal with in this instalment, the family pressure is one thing but it's all made a million times worse when Jessica's evil ex-boyfriend gets wind of her new relationship and starts trying to cause trouble for her. I really love these three, I appreciate the way they communicate with each other and I think Golden Angel does a brilliant job of showing how hard this kind of relationship can be because of other people's reactions. It's not common to find three people in a committed relationship and it's not something that can easily be hidden in the long term unless they never want to be able to date outside of their own homes. Most erotic romances focus on the sex and romance side so it's refreshing to come across a series that shows the potential issues too.

While Venus Desiring gives us the chance to see how Jessica, Justin and Chris are settling into their relationship we also get a whole new romance between Hilary and Liam which I loved. I definitely have a new book boyfriend in Liam, I think one of the things I find most interesting about him is that although he's a Dom he's not so hardcore into the scene as most of the Dominant characters I come across. Yes he likes to be in charge but apart from the odd minor spanking he's far more interested in pleasure than any kind of pain which suits Hilary perfectly as she's still very new to the BDSM scene and has no interest in being whipped. The scenes with Jessica, Justin and Chris are as hot as always but I think Liam and Hilary's romance ended up being even hotter, I loved their role playing and they definitely left me in need of a cold shower by the end of the book!

I'm so glad I started reading this series, it's been a lot of fun and I'm fully invested in all of the characters now so I can't wait to see what happens next. I REALLY hope that Jessica's ex is made to suffer in the next book for his actions in this one.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Venus Aspiring - Golden Angel

After graduating from The Venus School and returning to reality, Jessica learns that both Justin and Chris deceived her while she was studying her every fantasy with them. Though the betrayal does nothing to quell her equal desires for each man, now she can’t be sure if either man she fell for was even real.

And even though both men are willing to fight for Jessica in an effort to earn her trust once more, she’s not ready to choose one over the other, and she’s certainly not prepared to navigate a relationship with both of them. After all, what would people think?

Editor’s note: Venus Aspiring is a high-heat romantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and other extremely mature themes. It is book two in the Venus Rising series and is intended to be read and enjoyed after Venus School. Proceed with caution (or excitement)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
This second book in the Venus Rising series deals with the fallout of Jessica coming home from the Venus School and realising that two of her teachers, ones who she had started to have feelings for, are actually colleagues who work at her company and who knew exactly who she was the whole time. Not only does Jess feel betrayed that they never told her their true identities but she's also embarrassed and worried that they're going to tell everyone she works with exactly what she got up to on her holiday. Luckily for Jess that is the last thing Justin and Chris want. They may have gone about it badly but both of them had been trying to pursue her for months and now they know she is into the same kinks as them they're both hoping that she'll be willing to let them woo her now they're home.

Jess may have been annoyed by the way Justin and Chris handled things but these two are REALLY good at grovelling and it doesn't take them long to get back in her good graces. Both of them want the chance at a relationship with her but Jess is having real problems making a choice because she's got strong feelings for both of them. The more time they all spend together the more they start to realise that perhaps she doesn't need to make a choice but a triad relationship is hardly conventional and they're walking a difficult line when it comes to deciding what to tell other people.

It was great seeing Jess, Justin and Chris become more secure in their relationship but Jess still isn't sure she's ready to deal with the fallout of making things public. Luckily their friends have been fairly supportive but breaking the news to their families doesn't go down well so they've still got plenty of hurdles to overcome. I have to say I really love how open and accepting Jess' best friend Hilary is and I have very high hopes for the potential romance between her and Liam. I also really enjoyed meeting the Doms (& Domme) from Stronghold so I'm pretty sure I'll be diving into that series as soon as I finish this one!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Venus School - Golden Angel

Eager to learn more about herself and embrace her submissive fantasies, Jessica enrolls at The Venus School with every intent of excelling at the pleasure-centered program. But when she discovers just how attracted she is to her instructors, her dedication to expanding her horizons wavers. Fortunately, both Justin and Chris consider Jessica a star student and teacher’s pet, and each of them seems intent on winning her for himself.

When Jessica unexpectedly falls for both men, she decides to ace their Menage A Trois course. But will she be forced to choose between them when it’s finally time to graduate?

Editor’s note: Venus School is a high-heat romantic adventure that contains elements of MF, MFM, and FF. It’s the first installment of the Venus Rising series and is intended to be read and enjoyed first. Proceed with caution (or excitement)!

Venus Rising Series:
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
Venus Rising Boxset (Contains all 5 books in the series)

Visit Golden Angel's website for more information

Review:
I've heard great things about Golden Angel's erotic romances and have been wanting to try her books for a while so when I was offered a chance to review the Venus Rising Boxset I couldn't resist diving into this series. The boxset contains all 5 Venus Rising stories but I'm going to review them all individually as I go, along with a series overview when I've read them all.

The Venus School is all about getting to know the main character Jessica and watching her explore her sexual fantasies by enrolling for a two week course at the Venus School for Sex. Students get to choose what lessons they'd like to take part in, everything from sensual touching and massage, masturbation through to anal sex and/or menage with anything else you can think of in between. There are plenty of experienced instructors around or students are welcome to practise together after classes so as you can imagine this is a book with multiple partners and a huge amount of kinky sex.

Jessica has never had much of a chance to explore her fantasies, her ex-boyfriend made her feel dirty for wanting to try out things like spanking but staff and students at the school are all so open and happy about their own kinks that it gives her the freedom to explore things she'd never considered before. I'm all for stories where sex as seen as something positive and fun rather than something to be ashamed of so I really liked the open atmosphere. We get to know Jessica quite well in this first instalment but while she's spent time exploring with Justin and Chris they're still a bit of a mystery so I'm looking forward to getting to know them both better as the series continues.

I don't tend to read a lot of erotic romance with quite this much partner swapping but I have to admit this was one of the hottest books I've read in absolutely ages so I'm really looking forward to diving into Venus Aspiring. Justin and Chris have a lot of explaining to do if they're going to get Jessica back on side but I have a feeling it won't be too hard to bring her around to their way of thinking.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Siren Reborn - Lexi Blake

Cole Roberts and Mason Scott loved each other since childhood, but they needed something more to make them whole. They searched for a woman who could complete them, but a terrible accident tore them apart. Their perfect life shattered, they were each left angry and alone.

Kitten Taylor’s past is filled with heartache. She yearns to be part of a family she can call her own. When Cole takes her in, she hopes to finally find the place she belongs, but quickly realizes something is wrong. There is a chasm between them and every day it seems to get worse. When they are alone together, she can sense the wonderful bond they could share, but they can’t seem to find a way to connect.

Everything changes when Kitten meets Mason for the first time. She instantly feels a connection and realizes how perfect their lives could be if Mason and Cole could look beyond the past.

When a killer puts the trio in their crosshairs, Cole and Mason will have to put aside the betrayal and hurt they allowed to consume them in order to forge a future with the woman they love.

Re-released in a second edition. Re-edited but no substantial changes.

Texas Sirens Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Small Town Siren
Siren in the City
Siren Enslaved
Siren Beloved
Siren in Waiting
Siren in Bloom
Siren Unleashed
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)
Siren Reborn

Nights in Bliss Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Three to Ride
Two to Love
One to Keep
Lost in Bliss
Found in Bliss
Pure Bliss
Chasing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Kitten has been a side character in both the Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss series for quite a while now so I've been looking forward to her story for what feels like forever. We already knew that she'd been abducted from college as an innocent and pretty naive teenager and treated appallingly by the man who held her prisoner, we've seen her trying to deal with the consequences of that with the help of Julian, Leo and other members of the club for a couple of years now and slowly starting to regain her confidence.

All Kitten has ever really wanted is a family to call her own but it's only after years of therapy that Julian and the others believe she is finally ready for a proper relationship. She recently signed a six month D/s contract with Cole and although she is starting to develop feelings for him there is still something missing from their relationship because he's afraid to take the next step with her in case it brings back memories of the trauma she experienced. Kitten is longing for something more but she's having trouble asking for it while Cole is trapped in a vicious cycle of wanting to protect Kitten but ending up smothering her by mistake. It isn't until Mason walks into their lives that things start to change. Cole and Mason have an incredibly complicated history but Mason is able to understand exactly what both Cole and Kitten need and he helps them learn to communicate.

This was probably the most emotional story in either of these series, Kitten has been through so much but she's still such a joyous character. She's seen the worst life has to offer and now she's determined to always find the positives no matter what situation she's in, she looks for the beauty in life and her personality is infectious to the people around her. Mason is also fantastic, his history with Cole was really difficult and I felt so sorry for the way he had been treated so it was very easy to root for him as a character. Cole had made some really stupid decisions in the past, mainly down to his own guilt I think, which is the reason I was able to forgive his actions reasonably quickly. I'm glad he was able to prove to Mason that he'd changed and show both Mason and Kitten what a wonderful life they could have together.

These series have an incredibly high heat level but the sex always compliments the romance and never talks away from it. The relationships are so well developed that I never have a problem believing that the triads can make it work long term once they work through whatever issues are facing them becoming a thruple in the first place. My only minor complaint is that it was really easy to figure out who was messing with Cole's business but since I'm far more interested in the romance and relationship that is really not worth worrying about. I'm sad that we seem to have come to the end of both of these series now, well all of the original stories have now been rereleased anyway, but I really hope Lexi Blake decides to write more books around these characters and set in Bliss. I know some of them pop up in the Masters & Mercenaries books from time to time but I'm not ready to say goodbye completely.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Jessie's Harem - Mandy Rosko

Ghouls just wanna have fun...

Jessie needs an army. One made up of the strongest alphas she can find if she is to kill a powerful sorcerer. The former master who created her.

She needs warriors, both wolf and dragon alike for this tricky mission. Easier said than done because dragons and wolves don’t get along! Luckily, Jessie’s a ghoul with succubus powers and she doesn’t have to look far to find a few scrumptious men who are the perfect candidates...

She just didn’t expect to have so much fun making the growly warriors do her bidding, though they don’t seem to mind when play time rolls around.

As things heat up in the bedroom, complications arise. The long history of fighting between dragons and werewolves is more challenging than Jessie expected. To ensure her freedom, and their cooperation, she might have to, horror of horrors, release them from her spell.

Trusting four angry warriors to stay on their own free will is a new experience for Jessie. Because, whether she wins her freedom or not, Jessie is used to a solitary, loveless life, and not convinced she’s worthy of four knights in shining armor.

Visit Mandy Rosko's website for more information

Review:
Jessie has been used and abused by her husband for years, he even went so far as to turn her into some kind of ghoul / succubus type creature who has to feed on souls to stay alive. She's been planning her escape for a long time but she knows she can't battle him alone, so she sets out to get herself an army by ensnaring an alpha werewolf and an alpha dragon shifter using her succubus abilities. She ends up binding 4 men to her with a spell and promises them that if they are able to kill her ex she will give them back their freedom.

I'm having a hard time writing a review for Jessie's Harem because I don't have a lot of positive things to say about it. I struggled with Jessie as a character, she can be extremely childish, is always very selfish and very rarely thinks about anyone other than herself. She has zero problem with compelling others to do her bidding using her magic even while complaining that the same thing had been done to her and that's why her husband needs to die. The men were a little more likeable but they spent so much time having petty squabbles amongst themselves and it was just irritating to read about. The wolves and dragons are at war, for no real good reason and that's just the way it's always been so why would they try to make peace?

Yet, despite the fact that the two sides can't stand each other and have spent years killing each other in battle, along comes a woman and suddenly they can work together? Never mind the fact that they're all aware she's put a spell on them, it's not some subtle thing that they're not aware of. They know from the get go that she's manipulating them and playing on their emotions yet somehow all they care about is how beautiful she is and how much they want to get in her pants. I find that really hard to believe considering she put them under her spell by feeding them her corrupted black blood. I just didn't buy the attraction between them, or believe that all four men would get together behind her back not to try and figure out an escape plan but to try and work out how to seduce her. I hate to say it but this is just one of those books that I'd have a really difficult time recommending and I would have zero interest in reading more about any of these characters or this world.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Sirens in Bliss - Lexi Blake

It’s the event of the year. The wedding of Leo and Wolf to their beautiful sub, Shelley McNamara, has all of Bliss up in arms—and makes everyone think about love and marriage and family.

Wolf and Leo have to deal with the sudden reappearance of their father. Rafe Kincaid is handed an opportunity that might take him and his family away from Bliss. Aidan, Lexi, and Lucas O’Malley find themselves at a crossroads in their marriage. And Stefan Talbot must face his biggest fear—possibly losing his wife in childbirth.

So come to the Feed Store Church, pick a seat, and enjoy the chaos as all your favorite characters from Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss, Colorado, come together for one eventful weekend.

And some of them may never be the same again.

Note: This is a reunion book, which shares an overall story arc and many crossover characters with the Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss series. This is not a stand-alone.

Nights in Bliss Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Three to Ride
Two to Love
One to Keep
Lost in Bliss
Found in Bliss
Pure Bliss
Chasing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)

Texas Sirens Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Small Town Siren
Siren in the City
Siren Enslaved
Siren Beloved
Siren in Waiting
Siren in Bloom
Siren Unleashed
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Nights in Bliss Series)
Siren Reborn

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Most of the books in the Nights in Bliss and Texas Sirens series work completely standalone so while you'll appreciate them more if you're familiar with the side characters you don't need to have read previous books to enjoy then. Sirens in Bliss is different because this really is an homage to all the books that have come before and it ties the two series together as Wolf, Leo and Shelley return to their hometown Bliss to get married and bring all their friends from Texas home with them. There's always been some crossover between the two series but here we get to see nearly all of our favourite characters from both together for the first time and it leads to all sorts of hilarious conversations.

While this book is ostensibly about Wolf, Leo, Shelley and their upcoming wedding it's also a chance to check in with previous couples & thruples at important points in their lives. Stefan is panicking at the impending birth of his first child and absolutely terrified that something terrible will happen to Jen. Rafe is struggling to settle in Bliss and has been offered the opportunity of a new job but it would mean convincing Cam and Laura to move to Miami with him. Then you have Aidan, Lexi and Lucas who are pulling away from each other at a time they need each other the most. Obviously we see lots of other characters in the background too but these are the main focuses of the story.

What I loved most is that we're getting to see Wolf, Leo and Shelley take the next big step in their relationship but at the same time we're reminded that a wedding isn't an automatic happily ever after. All relationships will be tested at some point, people all bring their own baggage to the table and everyone has to work hard at keeping their love alive. The important thing isn't to have a perfect life, it's being willing to put the work in to make the relationship a success.

Sirens in Bliss has all the humour of the previous books as well as all the heart. It's all about the importance of families, yes the one you're born to but sometimes even more importantly the one you choose for yourself. Friendship plays a huge role in this series and I love how each of the characters supports everyone else.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Beauty - Lexi Blake

The princess in the tower

In one horrifying night, Bronwyn Finn lost her family, her kingdom, and the princes who had haunted her dreams for years. Left alone, years pass as she fights for survival and craves revenge against the uncle who took everything from her. But she’s never forgotten her Dark Ones. Now she hides along with her guardian, but the war rages ever closer.

Two dark princes

A tragedy marred Lach and Shim’s lives. The future kings of the Unseelie Fae are obsessed with finding their promised wife—Bronwyn. Lach and Shim have never stopped believing that Bronwyn is their mate. She is the bond that connects the halves of their shared soul.

A destiny that will change a kingdom

With the blessing of the renegade kings, Beck and Cian Finn, Lach and Shim begin a dangerous quest to find their bride before Torin and his hags take her life.

Across two planes, a war will rage. Lives will be lost. Love will be found. And the Seelie Fae will welcome their true kings home.

Re-released in a second edition. Re-edited but no substantial changes.

A Faery Story Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Bound
Beast
Beauty

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Bronwyn lost everything the night her uncle invaded her home and killed her parents so he could take their throne for himself. Her brothers, princes Beckett and Cian, escaped but believing Bronwyn was dead they left her behind. She only survived with the help of the unseelie princess Gillian and the two have spent years in hiding hoping to find a way to escape and reunite with their families. Throughout her childhood Bronwyn dreamed of two men who she called her Dark Ones, they grew up with her and where her closest friends but their connection was lost the night she almost died and she has missed them desperately ever since.

Lach and Shim are the unseelie princes and symbiotic twins, one soul split into two bodies. Technically they should be fading away without finding their mate but they both bonded with Bronwyn across the planes the night she nearly died. For years the connection has been weak and they feared she might be dead but recently they've been able to connect with her through their dreams once again. Now they need to convince their father, and Bronwyn's brothers, that she is alive and desperately in need of their help. The seelie and unseelie must unite against the imposter king if they're going to have any chance of protecting all of the realms but it won't be an easy battle.

The first two books in this series were brilliant and my jaw almost hit the flaw when it was revealed at the end of the last book that Bronwyn was still alive. I couldn't get my hands on a copy of Beauty fast enough and I enjoyed every minute of it. We get to spend time with the previous couple and triad which was fun but I think Bronwyn, Lach and Shim probably had my favourite romance of the series. Lach and Shim have always known who Bronwyn was, in fact they sent their sister Gillian to the seelie court hoping to arrange their marriage, but things went to hell before anything could be arranged. Bronwyn on the other hand believed the guys were just a figment of her imagination so she gets quite the shock when they walk into town expecting her to marry them!

All three of them have very different personalities but put them all together and they balance each other out perfectly. There were a few frustrating moments when Bronwyn wanted to be allowed to fight for her people but the brothers wanted to hide her away and protect her but once they come around they're a force to be reckoned with. This book ties up the loose ends from the previous books, we've been building towards a war with Bronwyn's uncle for a long time now and it was satisfying seeing them all come together to take him down. It's been years since these books were first published but I'm really hoping that now Lexi Blake has made the decision to rerelease them that we might get an extra book with Gillian's story, I'd really like to see her get her own happy ending but I think enough hints were given in this book to give us a good idea how her life will turn out.

This has been a fun series to read and it's definitely one I'd recommend to paranormal fans who like a little Dominance and submission in their stories. I love how all of the books in Lexi's different series are loosely interlinked, and here we get to see a few familiar faces from Bliss and Texas Sirens but with a twist.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Bound - Lexi Blake

Megan Starke has given up believing in knights in shining armor. With an unrewarding job and a failed marriage, no one would confuse her life with a fairy tale. No one is coming to save the day or carry her off to a romantic fantasy. So when she wakes up in a magical world and discovers she is to be the grand prize in a fierce and bloody tournament, she isn’t sure if she’s having a sexy dream or a horrible nightmare.

Two kings without a kingdom

Beckett and Cian were raised to be the saviors of their people. Prepared all their lives to lead the Seelie Fae, prophecy proclaimed they would find a bondmate whose love would complete them and unleash their magical powers. But the thrust of a traitor’s blade stole that future and now it threatens to take their lives. Struggling in exile, their glorious destiny has become a curse. Unless they can find the perfect woman to save them, they will descend into madness and ruin. When all hope seems lost, Beck sees Meg and knows she’s the key to their salvation.

An epic battle begins

In a world filled with dethroned kings, upwardly mobile vampires, and dangerous, feline-loving hags, Meg will need all her strength to survive. Finding herself caught between Beck and Cian, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to claim her happily ever after.

Re-released in a second edition. Re-edited but no substantial changes.

A Faery Story Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Bound
Beast
Beauty

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
When Megan is abducted by a demon and taken to a different realm at first she assumes its a horrible nightmare. Then, when she starts to understand what has happened all she can think about is finding a way to escape and get back home. But the longer she spends in Faery, especially with twin brothers Beckett and Cian, the more she starts to question herself. Why return home to a dead end job, a failed marriage and a family she never sees when she could stay here and be happy? But first Meg has to decide whether she can accept the relationship that Beck and Cian are offering her or whether she prefers to fight for something on her own terms.

I've become a huge Lexi Blake fan since I first started reading her rereleased Sophie Oak books, I love the Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss series and I really like the way all of her books tie into one large universe. As much as I love her contemporary romances I'm really a paranormal girl at heart so I wanted to read this series the minute I first heard about it and I wasn't disappointed. Bound is a great introduction and pulls readers into a world full of fae and vampires, one with multiple realms and interesting politics.

Meg is a great character, she's a normal human girl who had no idea that other realms existed until she was forcibly taken into one so she's totally out of her depth in the beginning but she's no pushover and once she starts to figure things out she works hard to make a place for herself. She's had enough of living for other people's expectations and is determined to take control of her own destiny. Beck is the more dominant of the twins, he's the one who likes to be in control and who wants to protect the people he cares about but he has a few personal hangups that were very frustrating for Meg to deal with. I could understand why he acted the way he did but I was glad that Meg fought to show him what she needed. Cian was definitely the more relaxed brother, he's more of a joker and takes things less seriously but that doesn't make him any less committed to Meg and their relationship. Meg had a great connection with both of her men and this story was just as hot as the Bliss / Texas Sirens books.

I think what I loved most was that Meg was the real hero of the story, she is the one who comes to the rescue and she definitely earns her happily ever after. I loved the twin's vampire cousin Dante so I'm really happy that his book is next and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Back in Bliss - Lexi Blake

Logan Green is back in Bliss, but only for a few weeks to help out at the sheriff’s office. Everything changes when Seth Stark strolls into town with Georgia Dawson on his arm.

Seth’s arrival is anything but a happy accident. He always dreamed of a big house on the river and a wife he could share with his best friend, Logan. After building a software empire, his only goal has been to make that dream come true. He just needed the perfect woman.

Georgia is still haunted by the dark, troubled man who saved her life. She can’t get Logan out of her head. Her boss brought her to Bliss to help him decorate his new summer home, but when Logan Green walks through the door she discovers Seth has something different in mind.

Seth has a plan for their mutual happily ever after, but he never dreamed that coming home would put all their lives in danger.

Re-released in a second edition with new content.

Nights in Bliss Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Three to Ride
Two to Love
One to Keep
Lost in Bliss
Found in Bliss
Pure Bliss
Chasing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)

Texas Sirens Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Small Town Siren
Siren in the City
Siren Enslaved
Siren Beloved
Siren in Waiting
Siren in Bloom
Siren Unleashed
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Nights in Bliss Series)
Siren Reborn

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
We've been building up to Logan's book ever since we saw him tortured at the hands of the Russian Mob in Found in Bliss. Since then he's been a regular recurring character in both the Nights in Bliss and Texas Sirens series and it's been obvious to everyone that he hasn't been coping at all with what happened to him. He's no longer the happy go lucky young man we first met and instead he's closed off and angry with the world. It's understandable considering everything he went through but it's still been hard to watch.

Georgia and Logan had a connection from the moment they met in Siren Unleashed. She initially came across as a snobby rich girl who looked down on everyone around her but as we got to know her I started to realise that she's actually quite sweet underneath the hostile persona she shows the world. Logan didn't know what to make of her acerbic personality but the spark between them was fierce and I loved watching her rock his world. Logan helped save her life when she was in danger but that didn't stop him pushing her away afterwards. He's lost trust in the world and isn't willing to let anyone close to him.

At the start of Back in Bliss it's been months since Georgia and Logan last spoke. Georgia moved to New York and is working as an assistant to hot billionaire Seth. Little does she know that Seth is Logan's best friend from childhood. He's also a master planner and although he ended up in Georgia's life because he wanted to protect the woman his friend cares about he fell in love with her too and now he's determined to create a family for the three of them the way Logan and Seth always planned as children.

Logan hasn't been back to Bliss since he ran away from his friends and family and moved to Dallas. He's so stuck in his own head that he can't bear the thought of being back in the place where he was tortured and he's basically trying to pretend to himself that Bliss doesn't even exist. It takes a lot of manoeuvring on Seth's part to get Logan back in the town and now he's going to pull out all of the stops to convince both Georgia and Logan to give the three of them a chance at a loving relationship.

While all of the books in both of these series work as stand alone stories I do highly recommend reading at least the books I mentioned above if you want to get the most out of Logan's story. He's such a complex character that you really would be missing out on the full depth of his history if you started here. I really enjoyed seeing him finally start to open up about what happened to him and how it has affected him, it's only with Georgia and Seth's help that he's able to start to come to terms with things and put it all behind him. One of the things I love most about Bliss is all the quirky characters that live there and we get to see all of our favourites here as they welcome Logan and Seth back into the fold and welcome Georgia into their hearts. This is actually a place I'd really love to move to! Back in Bliss was a fitting end to Logan's journey and I'm looking forward to seeing him enjoying his happily ever after in future books.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Once Upon a Time in Bliss - Lexi Blake

Re-released in a second edition with new content.

Go back in time to Bliss’s first happily ever after…

CIA operative John Bishop arrived in Bliss, Colorado, seeking a respite from the high-stakes game of blood and lies that sent him to the worst corners of the world. A week playing the role of vacationing professor Henry Flanders would recharge his batteries, especially if he found a gorgeous woman to occupy his time.

Nell Finn has spent her life focused on helping others, but when she meets the tall and mysterious Henry Flanders, she can’t stop imagining what he might do for her. When Nell and her mother are threatened, Henry comes to her, offering his protection and comfort.

But as the threats escalate out of control, Henry discovers that the beautiful and innocent Nell is much more than a plaything. Can he save the woman he loves without exposing the secrets that would drive her away?

Nights in Bliss Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Three to Ride
Two to Love
One to Keep
Lost in Bliss
Found in Bliss
Pure Bliss
Chasing Bliss
Once Upon a Time in Bliss
Back in Bliss
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Texas Sirens Series)

Texas Sirens Series:
(Originally published under the pen name Sophie Oak)
Small Town Siren
Siren in the City
Siren Enslaved
Siren Beloved
Siren in Waiting
Siren in Bloom
Siren Unleashed
Sirens in Bliss (Crossover with the Nights in Bliss Series)
Siren Reborn

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Once Upon a Time in Bliss is book 8 in the Nights in Bliss series but it's also kind of a prequel. Nell and Henry have been some of my favourite side characters since the beginning of the series so I loved this chance to go back in time and see how they first met. It was also great to see younger versions of so many of the characters we've already met and love, in particular Logan and his best friend Seth shine in this story and as their book is next this was the perfect introduction to them (I think this is the first time we've seen Seth on page but I could be wrong about that).

Anyway, lets get back to our main couple and discuss the romance. Nell has been such a fun character throughout the series, she's a bit hippy in her attitude, very much a free spirit who cares deeply about the people and the world around her. She's constantly picking causes to protest over but when the chips are down she's definitely someone you want on your side because she's fierce when it comes to looking out for her own. Henry is a much quieter and more serious type, he's happy to indulge Nell in her crazy whims but not likely to join her in her protests. Instead he watches proudly from the sidelines making sure she doesn't get into too much trouble. We know from his actions in previous books that there is a darker side to Henry but Nell definitely brings out the best in him.

This story gives us a chance to get to know more about Henry's past as a CIA operative. He has a dark and bloody past but he's relieved to have left it all behind him now. When he first arrives in Bliss the last thing he was looking for was to settle down but he was definitely suffering with burnout from his job. Nell was someone so light and pure that the attraction was instant but he worried about tainting her with his past so it wasn't easy for him to start a relationship. In a lot of ways these two are total opposites but they work so well as a couple, she makes his world a much brighter place while he is able to shield her from the darker side of life and keep her happy.

I loved spending time with Nell and Henry but it was also fun seeing younger versions of characters like Max, Stefan, Callie and even Mel. I really enjoyed the friendship between Logan and Seth too so I'm looking forward to reading their book next. This series really is so much fun to read and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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