Taking the Fall Series by Alexa Riley

September 02, 2024


I'm back with a series of books that I read a long time ago (2016), but I remember enjoying them.
The Taking the Fall series is an dual pov erotic romance featuring a woman who can't remember and the mafia man who is desperate to claim her.
Hopefully my reviews inspire someone to give this series a chance.


Book One


Layla O’Leary has had enough. For years she has been haunted by the night she can’t remember. When she learns the only man she's ever loved has betrayed her, she escapes and crafts a new identity. She's finally free...

Carter has waited eight years to claim his woman. Locking him up only fueled his obsession. The day he gets out he's coming for her. Taking the Fall was just the start. Now he'll stop at nothing to possess what's his.

Warning: this book contains a hero who grunts and growls his way through life, a heroine nicknamed Cherry looking to lose it, and instalove so fast and hard your panties might disintegrate. Note: Not responsible for exploding panties.

Rating -

Why oh why did no one tell me how freaking fantastic Alexa Riley are?! I feel like I'm so late to the game!! They are bloody phenomenal!! Although the storyline is a bit OTT and unrealistic, it's crazy good. Throw in their brand of amazingly appealing smut and you've got yourself another winner. I'm completely absorbed with Carter and Layla. Shoot, I'm even rooting for Jeannette and Saint (Michael). I really want to know what happened on the night that Layla can't remember. And Carter... Damn he's my kind of hero I'm sure!


Book Two


Carter has finally claimed his woman and he's never letting her go... Having her has only seemed to fuel his obsession.

Old demons are coming for Cherry and he’s doing everything in his power to protect her. Can he keep her safe while looking over his shoulder? Will her new secret send him over the edge? Can they find peace in chaos?

Maybe the very thing that started it all could give him more than he could have ever dreamed of.

Warning: Volume 2 contains more sexy hotness, sweet gooey love, and an alpha male who would do anything for his Cherry.

Rating -

I'm not even sure how to further convince people about how great this team of writers is. I thank them for providing me with an awesome and entertaining escape from the everyday. Yes, there's a plot and it's exciting but it's not in-depth. If you're looking for a meaty story, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a story with an interesting plot and amazing... amazing... Amazing sex!!!!! Read the f*ck on!! Orgasms out the yingyang people!! Gushes and spurts and splashes oh my!!


Book Three


Carter has spent years protecting her from this man, but now Layla has fallen right into his hands. With his world crashing down around him, Carter won't stop until he gets the vengeance he deserves. But will he succeed in saving the only person he has ever loved?

Warning: Vol. 3 contains triple the steam, triple the love, and triple the cheese. Not responsible for Kindles covered in Velveeta.

Rating -

4 gush-for-you stars!! These damn books have me sweating lol!! I wish I could post some quotes to give people an idea of what they're in for, but it would be too dirty for GR. It is safe to say that this is another book of smut-worthiness. Oooh Carter is freaking hot. His dirty talk, his descriptions... Not gonna say more. It was great as usual!


Falling In


They met by chance. Or so she thought...

Losing her wasn't something he was willing to do. Sometimes life takes you to the edge, but Jeanette had a Saint to catch her.

This is the short story of how they met, how they fell in love, and how much Saint loves going down on her.

Rating -

I thought Jeannette's story would be more complicated than it actually was. Go figure. I wonder what history she was talking about that prepared her to act knowledgeable with guns and cover stories? Ah well. This was okay for me. There's a lot of sex (as per usual), a murder, a wedding, a birth, a lot of sex, and then some generational stuff thrown in to prepare us for the next book. Did I mention hot sex?! Lmao!!

Sharpest Edge, The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair, Her Guardian Angel, and The Night Cap

August 28, 2024


Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing four books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!


Sharpest Edge by Alessa Thorn


Contemporary Romance with magical elements; multiple pov 3rd person; forced proximity; explicit heat

Kon and Athena's revenge on the shady organisation Aurora has painted targets on all of their backs. Now the Edgeworth's dark and bloody past is catching up with them, and there's no way to escape unscathed...

Izabella Silversmith, hacker and budding magician, won't walk away from the family that rescued her from hell, and with her power now rising thanks to Kon's tutoring, she's got more to lose than ever. Iz is determined to see the fight through to the end, even if her secret feelings for Silas are burning her up inside.

Silas wants to get the bastards that are hunting them and put an end to his nightmares once and for all. He needs to keep his eyes on the prize, something easier said than done when he's forced to live with Izabella, the only woman he's ever wanted and will never be good enough for.

Silas and Izabella will have to deal with the darkest parts of their pasts if they are going to have a future, and with invisible forces massing against them, the whole of the Edgeworth Crew is going to have to draw together to defeat what's coming.

Rating - 1/2

So many things about this story worked well for me. It had a heavy tone, but it was punctuated with light and humor, gaining several of my smiles. Both protagonists shared a vulnerability they weren't afraid to face. Their pasts shaped them, creating such strong and meaningful characters I couldn't help but want to learn more about.

I'm a sucker for found family and what these people created was something anyone would love to be a part of. There's an ease and comfort with them and yet they live most of their lives on the edge. Silas and Iz deserved every moment of happiness they could get with each other and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next book.

P.S. Anyone else not surprised, yet equally intrigued by who Leo really is?


The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair by Ashlyn Drewek


Contemporary Romance with dark elements; dual 1st person pov; captive; explicit heat

Roan Sinclair’s life is perfect, just ask anyone. Except, he doesn’t want it. Dedicated to his music, he dreams of a life free from his parents’ expectations. But those dreams are gone the minute he’s kidnapped by a group of merciless Russians.

Determined to make it out alive, Roan vows to do whatever is necessary to secure his freedom, even if that means seducing his tall, dark, and broody captor. But it’s not going to be easy…

In the criminal underworld, falling in love with another man is a death sentence, which means if they’re caught, they’re both dead.

Rating - 1/2

Man, Sasha's self-hatred almost got the best of him.

Men kidnap Roan, his father refuses to negotiate, Sasha and Roan form a strange bond, bad things happen to Roan, Sasha goes ballistic, and they get to be together.

That's the simplified version. Seriously, things went from pretty light and easy with a bit of robbery, a bit of kidnapping, some roughing up of the victim, some slurs, but nothing too dark. Then Roan gets hurt and Sasha loses his mind. Murder rampage and everything kind of lost and I enjoyed it.

Just saying.

I really liked this story, even when Sasha gave me whiplash due to his back and forth. I know there's another book out there, but I'm good with where these characters left things.


Her Guardian Angel by Larissa Ione


Paranormal Romance; dual 3rd person pov; forced proximity; descriptive heat

After a difficult childhood and a turbulent stint in the military, Declan Burke finally got his act together. Now he’s a battle-hardened professional bodyguard who takes his job at McKay-Taggart seriously and his playtime – and his playmates – just as seriously. One thing he never does, however, is mix business with pleasure. But when the mysterious, gorgeous Suzanne D’Angelo needs his protection from a stalker, his desire for her burns out of control, tempting him to break all the rules…even as he’s drawn into a dark, dangerous world he didn’t know existed.

Suzanne is an earthbound angel on her critical first mission: protecting Declan from an emerging supernatural threat at all costs. To keep him close, she hires him as her bodyguard. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that she’s in over her head, defenseless against this devastatingly sexy human who makes her crave his forbidden touch.

Together they’ll have to draw on every ounce of their collective training to resist each other as the enemy closes in, but soon it becomes apparent that nothing could have prepared them for the menace to their lives…or their hearts.

Rating - 1/2

I loved pretty much everything about this book. I laughed so hard when Declan broke down his desire for every bit of Suzanne. He totally objectified her, but she did the same to him and it was very hot. Honestly, these two were burning up the pages and I just enjoyed the ride.

Declan is Suzanne's primori and while we don't know why he merits an angel's protection, we know that he'll be protected. What better way to do that then to hire him as a bodyguard, so while he thinks he's guarding Suzanne, she's doing whatever it takes to keep him safe. And when the truth comes out, Declan took it like a champ (while making me laugh). I was thrilled that these two found a way to be together and find some happiness.

There were obviously some tie-ins to the overall Demonica universe and we got to hear from Azagoth and Lilli (what was that about?), Hawkyn, and get glimpses of past and future characters. I'm so upset about what happened to Cipher and am looking forward to reading his book to see what's next for him.


The Night Cap by Octavia Jensen


Contemporary Romance; dual 1st person pov; workplace; explicit heat

Come out to the bar, they said.
It'll be fun, they said.
But waking up in a stranger's apartment with nothing but a snarky note to guide me isn't actually all that fun.
It is enough to make me curious though, and enough to make me want to go back.
When I find out that the tall, rugged, tattooed, grumpy bar owner not only took care of me when I got too drunk to go home but also let me crash at his place and cuddle his equally-grumpy dog, I know I need to make it happen again.
And again.
And maybe one more time, just to be safe.
They say opposites attract, after all... and I'm definitely attracted.

Rating -

I've never tried this author before, but after reading the blurb, I knew I wanted to give this book a shot. And I liked it. I really did. While I found the blurb a bit misleading (Who is they? And I thought the notes left by Harvey were kinda dope), it wasn't hard to immediately get sucked into the story.

Both characters were messed up, but they somehow worked together really well. At least when Harvey would get out of his own way. And when they came together... *heh heh* ... it was great. I'll definitely be trying this author again.

Books That Didn't Make the Cut Pt.28

August 27, 2024


Hello hello! I'm back with some more books that didn't really work for me, but might be winners for you.

Let me know if you've read any of these or plan to. I'd love to know your thoughts :)


Coming to Hale by Marie James


Contemporary Romance

The only time she trusted someone with her heart, she was just a girl; he betrayed her and left her humiliated. Since then, Lorali Bennett has let that moment in time dictate her life.

Ian Hale, sexy as sin business mogul, has never had more than a passing interest in any particular woman, until a chance encounter with Lorali, leaves a lasting mark on him.

Their fast paced romance is one for the record books, but what will happen when Ian’s secrets come to light? Especially when those secrets will cost her everything she spent years trying to rebuild.

My Rating -

I gave up at 25%.

I can't take this Lorali girl. She's judgmental, superficial, and lacking in so many ways that it's impossible to like her. I didn't even get to the juicy bits :(


Desire in His Blood by Zoey Draven


SciFi Romance, dual pov, arranged marriage

A monster wants her as his bride…and he will stop at nothing to claim her.

Gemma Hara is drowning under the weight of her father’s debts. Working herself to the bone, she knows that if she doesn’t pay them off in time, the sadistic creditors will take everything: their home, their respected name, and, worst of all, her two beautiful sisters.

To save her family, Gemma agrees to do something reckless: marry a wealthy and mysterious stranger, who offers her a wicked bargain she can’t afford to refuse.

However, his bargain comes with one terrifying catch. Because her husband-to-be is a Kylorr.

One of the most fearsome alien races in the Four Quadrants, the Kylorr are beastly monsters, all muscle and menace, with powerful wings, depraved cravings, and berserker-like rages. The worst part?

They survive on blood.

Cold and cruel, Azur of House Kaalium, the High Lord of Laras, demands Gemma as his blood bride. To feed from her. To use her body in whatever way he wishes. For paying off her family’s debts, he expects her complete submission.

What neither of them predicts is how his bite doesn’t bring pain—it fills Gemma with more exquisite pleasure than she’s ever known. And as she finds her footing on a strange new planet, the one thing Gemma thought she’d never surrender might be at risk after all.

Her heart.

Too bad her new husband can’t seem to decide if he wants to break it…or keep it forever.

My Rating -

I really wanted to like this. I really did. But Gemma was AnNoYing!!

Who wouldn't be intrigued by a vampire race of aliens with large bat-like wings and sexy muscles? I know I was definitely interested.

But Gemma...


Tall, Dark and Stormy by Mickey Miller


Contemporary Romance novella

They say I’m a rich, bitter a**hole who isn’t capable of normal feelings.

Well, they say a lot of things.

And they don’t know shit.

You don’t become a billionaire without a strain of obsession bubbling within you. Strong and true, like a deep blue pilot light.

It’s true, I don’t suffer fools. And I don’t have time to become emotionally involved.

I loved once before. This is my curse. It keeps me focused.

Until I see Stacy’s ad. The office intern, auctioning off her virginity for charity, right there on the screen.

A gorgeously seductive photo, followed by some of the dirtiest erotic fantasies I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

And they’re about me. Her boss.

I’ll be damned if one of these tasteless men with no appreciation for this smart, beautiful angel will be her first.

If anyone has her, it’s going to be me.

Like I said, I’m a man of obsession.

My Rating -

I've read a few books by this author and this one was unlike any of those. Especially because I didn't like it. It didn't even sound like something he would write. Ah well. You've got two characters who have lost loves. The hero seemed to still be grieving even after becoming involved with the heroine. Honestly, their match up made no sense and lacked any real heat. I didn't feel a connection and couldn't believe how unrealistic their relationship was. He's a kagillionaire who owns what seems to be the one club in town... and he's got a sex dungeon in the basement that he had put in for the love he's lost. She's an intern at his company who has been fantasizing about him when she takes time from being a walking talking contradiction - she's bisexual and a Jehovah's Witness. What?! Absolutely not my taste.

His Agenda by Dori Lavelle

August 26, 2024

His Agenda by Dori Lavelle

I'm back with a series of books that I read a long time ago (2016), but I remember enjoying them.
His Agenda is a captive romance series with a naive heroine and a slightly unredeemable hero.
Hopefully my reviews inspire someone to give this series a chance.

**WARNING: Due to sexual situations and dark adult content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18, and anyone who is unable to read books containing the following issues: kidnapping, murder, rape, and extreme abuse.**


Veiled Obsession


I cry for the man I used to know, the man I used to love...until his love killed mine.

My name is Haley Macknight, and I'm dying inside. From the outside my life is every woman's dream. I'm married to Jude Macknight, a sexy multimillionaire who loves me...too much.

Once upon a time, I loved him. But that love is dead. Unwilling to let me go, I've become his obsession. He will stop at nothing to make sure I remain in a marriage I no longer want, inside my gilded cage.

Each day I pull away from Jude, I watch him transform into a monster. Before my eyes, he becomes a man I don't recognize, a dangerous man. He makes it clear that I belong to him, that my life is no longer my own. If I leave, he'll kill me. But if I stay, I'll die a slow death.

Rating -

This book popped up as one of those Goodreads recommendations based on what I've read recently. When I saw the rave reviews I thought that this book would definitely feed my dark appetite. Not so much. For me, this book was... meh... really. I read those reviews and assumed that I would be getting something gritty, dark and twisted. What I got was a woman who seemed more like a girl and a bully.

Haley turned thirty at some time in this book and to say I was surprised would be an understatement. She in no way, shape, or form acted like a mature adult. Not in her words, her thoughts, or her actions. I can't say I didn't like her but I can say that she seemed pretty one-dimensional to me. As for Jude, the whole situation is just unrealistic to me. What grown woman comes to depend on a complete stranger to these depths??? His 180 in personality was NOT a surprise! C'mon what did she expect?! He didn't want her to work, didn't encourage her socially, didn't talk or treat her with respect... the signs were there!

I'm just not wowed by this story. It is not scintillating, thought-provoking, or extremely interesting. But I'm again, not a quitter so I guess we'll see if my opinion changes with book 2.


Dangerous Intentions


My name is Haley Macknight, and I've finally escaped my marriage from hell. But my husband, Jude Macknight, has murder on his mind. He will stop at nothing to get me back. Even from a distance, he's controlling the course of my life. It's only a matter of time before he finds me. Before he kills me.

Rating -

The fact that there is a book 3 tells me that we're in for some more twists! If you like to read about psycho anti-heroes, then this book may be for you.

I actually liked this book. I liked being in Jude's head. He was so cray cray but it worked. I was in constant anticipation of what he would do next. His complex and warped thought process was pretty funny and I was on my toes wondering what kind of evil deed he would concoct.

Haley still annoyed me. Her thought process was less than intelligent. She kept talking about getting back her life. Ummmmm. What life?! She had no real plan and that irked me. And instead of making real use of her support network, she kept screaming for independence. TSTL-syndrome in full effect.

I'm about to start book 3 and I'm busy trying to figure out exactly what the twist will be. I think I have an idea Jude lives! and a huge part of me hopes I'm right! Thank you Kindle Unlimited for providing me with the opportunity to read this series!


Broken Illusions


Jude Macknight is gone forever, and I can finally start my new life with Dustin Brannon. But it's not so easy to move on.

When I close my eyes at night, I still see Jude's face. And sometimes, I swear I feel his presence. When will he stop haunting me? And when will I stop waiting for the other shoe to drop?

Rating -

This was the "startling" conclusion to the series. However, I wasn't startled. My prediction was accurate. Hooray... Actually, when my guess came to fruition was the first time in the book that my interest was truly piqued. Until then, I was bored. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, as Haley would say.

Jude... Jude... Jude... or should I call you Terrence? You wonderful psycho you. I loved everything you did bro. Your motivations were completely all over the place, but I still had mad love for you homie. I really felt the love you had for Haley. Deep in the bones kind of love. I get you. You killed all those women as symbols of that love. Warped love. Obsessed love. Crazy love. Drunken love perhaps? Regardless, you were a freaking fantastic character to read. I wish the entire book was in your pov. Honestly dude. Your passion burst through those pages. Not sparklers. Not even fireworks. Dynamite amigo. Dyna-freaking-mite!!

I could write odes about Jude. Sonnets even. He was the only person that sparked any interest in me. Haley once again gave a lackluster performance that only gained positive momentum because of Jude. His effervescence makes everyone around him shine lol. I like what Dustin represented, but told through Haley's eyes, unfortunately I didn't get a real chance to delve into his character and connect with him.

I'm not going to read the prequel. I'm going to keep my fond memories of Jude just the way they are as I say farewell to him at the end of this series.