The Sugar Bowl series is a contemporary romance with a revenge theme.
The author lists it as romantic suspense, but I think differently.
It's dual perspective with explicit content. Be warned that there is an assault trigger for those who prefer to avoid those.
Hopefully my reviews of these books inspires someone to give them a try.
Sugar Daddy
Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic business partner.
The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever.
Rating - 
I love a good revenge plot and while Sela's plan was absolutely nuts, I was ride-or-die. We'll go down together, girl!
There was something special about the relationship that grew between Beck and Sela. I don't know how she was able to do it, because anyone in J.T.'s orbit would be off-limits for me, but I guess the vengeance fire was blazing hot within her, blocking out the discomfort and fear.
Beck's blindness to everything that was J.T. drove me crazy. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.
The cliffhanger was predictable and although Beck's reaction was very dramatic, I couldn't blame him.
I love a good revenge plot and while Sela's plan was absolutely nuts, I was ride-or-die. We'll go down together, girl!
There was something special about the relationship that grew between Beck and Sela. I don't know how she was able to do it, because anyone in J.T.'s orbit would be off-limits for me, but I guess the vengeance fire was blazing hot within her, blocking out the discomfort and fear.
Beck's blindness to everything that was J.T. drove me crazy. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.
The cliffhanger was predictable and although Beck's reaction was very dramatic, I couldn't blame him.
Sugar Rush
After posing as an escort for the Sugar Bowl online dating service, Sela Halstead is looking for one thing: payback. She's closing in on the site's heartless founder, Jonathon Townsend, and she needs Beckett North, Townsend's business partner and her lover, by her side. She'd thought that their intimate nights together had forged an unbreakable bond, but after a shocking betrayal, Sela begins to doubt the brilliant bad boy. When push comes to shove, can she trust Beck to do the right thing?
Now that he understands the truth, Beck will stop at nothing to secure the reckoning Sela deserves. But between his desire for her and his disgust for JT, Beck doesn't exactly have a lot of control over his emotional state. Left with no other choice, he must summon all his discipline to maintain JT's trust and pretend that they're still friends. But how far will Beck go to prove his loyalty to Sela? He nearly lost her once. To keep her, Beck might have to kill for her.
Rating -
Aww Beck. That immediate regret was real. I love how he humbled himself and got on the right side of things, despite the history he shared with J.T.
The truth of his relationship with J.T. kind of devastated me and I wish that it was explored more.
Was I the only one who still wished that Sela followed through with her original plan?
The ending conflict was well done and I don't feel terrible about it at all. It was about time! I just hope Sela can get out of her own way so that she and Beck can find some happiness on the other side.
Aww Beck. That immediate regret was real. I love how he humbled himself and got on the right side of things, despite the history he shared with J.T.
The truth of his relationship with J.T. kind of devastated me and I wish that it was explored more.
Was I the only one who still wished that Sela followed through with her original plan?
The ending conflict was well done and I don't feel terrible about it at all. It was about time! I just hope Sela can get out of her own way so that she and Beck can find some happiness on the other side.
Sugar Free
For years Sela Halstead dreamed of revenge, but the quest for payback has been anything but sweet. Now, once again, she finds herself at the mercy of Jonathon Townsend, his hands crushing the very breath from her body. And even though she escapes with her life, Sela fears she may never recover. In desperate need of shelter and comfort, she runs to the one man she can trust. Beckett North has stood by Sela since the beginning. But can he handle the brutal truth?
Beck will do anything to protect what is his—and make no mistake, Sela belongs to him, heart and soul. The passion between them runs hot, even as their world begins to unravel. With the legacy of his ruthless business partner hanging in the balance, Beck stands to lose everything: his fortune, his family, his freedom. But each touch of Sela’s mouth on his skin, her nails down his back, makes it harder to let her go—and it might not even be his choice to make.
Rating -
Please save us all from Sela's foolishness. At least I was entertained.
Beck really stepped up in this book and I'm in love with the man he has become for Sela. He was so strong for her, being her ear and her protector. He was just so amazing!!
I'm not a huge fan of the ending, though I did appreciate how much of an ending we got. It's great that they got a happy ending (thanks Dennis), but it fell flat for me. It was like a quick wrap up to the dangling bits when those pieces needed a bit more time.
Or maybe I'm just greedy.
Please save us all from Sela's foolishness. At least I was entertained.
Beck really stepped up in this book and I'm in love with the man he has become for Sela. He was so strong for her, being her ear and her protector. He was just so amazing!!
I'm not a huge fan of the ending, though I did appreciate how much of an ending we got. It's great that they got a happy ending (thanks Dennis), but it fell flat for me. It was like a quick wrap up to the dangling bits when those pieces needed a bit more time.
Or maybe I'm just greedy.
Please Note:
I read this series back in 2016. I read and reviewed books differently back then so please take my words and recommendation with a grain of salt.About the Book:
“The best sex is hotel sex…”Welcome to the Rexford, the most luxurious hotel in town. My internship is a dream come true – until I walk in to my first meeting and discover my one-night stand at the head of the boardroom.
Controlling billionaire, Dominic Rexford: CEO - and the man I was secretly hired to seduce.
Now, I just want to keep my head down and stay out of trouble, but Dom has different plans.
He wants a repeat of our wild night together – and he’ll do whatever it takes to get me back between those 700-thread count sheets.
I’m in trouble now…
The Hotel Part One
FOUR STARS
YES!! I got what I was looking for. I just read a novella series that was sorely lacking in the chemistry department, but this made up for it. Thank the scribes!!
23yo Juliet kept making me think of that R. Kelly song 'Bump and Grind'. Lol. "My mind's telling me no... but my body... My body's telling me yes!" When everything else is telling her to stay away from arrogant, controlling, dominating, sexy as heck Dominic, she just can't.
Although it's a classic tale of resistance, the writing style was refreshing and therefore saved it from being stale or redundant.
The only way this would be better for me is if I got Dom's POV.
The Hotel Part Two
THREE 1/2 STARS
Geez, I kept wondering when Juliet's truth was coming out because she kept getting upset with Dominic for not telling her everything.
Frickin hypocrite.
Yes, there were certain things she deserved to know (like Dom being married), but then again these two were involved in a relationship based on manipulation.
Please remember that the only reason they're involved is because she arranged to meet him and seduce him as per the PI's order.
In my eyes, Dominic is the innocent party in all of this and this poor man is surrounded by deceit.
She feels betrayed??? Wtf?!
The Hotel Part Three
THREE STARS
This book was jam-packed with so much information and I felt a wee bit rushed to finish the story. The pacing was off for me.
There was a great suspenseful plot towards the end but it was wrapped up too quickly for my liking.
Cancer (Dominic's bro) and Juliet almost lose their lives and within a couple of pages the story is over. What? I wasn't in the car but I got whiplash from how fast this was.
And don't get me started on how Lillian (Dominic's exwife from hell) became a staunch ally.
I know this is make believe, but can it mimic real life for a moment?
I guess Dominic and Juliet got a HEA. I think it's inferred.
I just think there was great potential for this story and someone dropped the ball.
Dark Thoughts is a STAND-ALONE SciFi Romance. The hero might be tall, dark, and scarred but don’t be fooled by his appearance. He’s truly a monster. This story is not for readers with delicate sensibilities.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
Dark Thoughts by Cynthia Sax
Rating -
Book 1 of the Refuge series
Genre - Scifi Romance / assassin
POV - dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Amazon ebook
Length - 232 pages
The Refuge is home to some of the most violent beings in the universe. Kralj, its leader, reigns over the remote outpost with terrifying ease, ruthlessly squashing any rumors of rebellion, killing anyone who breaks his rules. Primitive, deadly, powerful, he’s a monster, scarred both on his face and his soul. He has never met a being he couldn’t control.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
This was such a great read! It was darker than I'm used to from this author, but I loved every moment I spent with Kralj and Dita.
Kralj was a unique being, possibly the most deadly being in the universe, and he thought he was destined to live his long life alone, protecting those in his refuge with a code of honor and deadly intent. Then Dita makes her presence known, constantly crawling up the wall of his oasis, a human assassin determined to keep her word and take revenge against three men who reside in the refuge. She's immune to his most lethal power and suddenly his life doesn't seem so lonely.
I enjoyed both the dark and light elements of their relationship. The author did a wonderful job of capturing their lethal beauty and their vulnerabilities. My only real complaint was that I wanted to spend more time with these two.
Knowing Zip
dual pov, explicit heat, 42 pages
Knowing Zip is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Seeking Vector. It is also a BBW Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Surrounded by his brethren, their females, and their offspring, all Zip wanted was a female of his own. A future like the ones he had to bear witness to. When he finally finds her after diligently searching every database he had access to, he immediately sets off to find her. Lucky for him, Ryssa had always dreamed of being kidnapped by a cyborg. This book definitely had tons of instalove vibes and with an edge of danger, it was very entertaining.
___________________________________
Dark Arsenal
dual pov, explicit heat, 65 pages
Dark Arsenal is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Taking Vengeance. It is also a Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Arsenal has seen himself as disposable. He's got no female, no offspring, no future. He signs up for dangerous missions, taking risks that those with families should avoid, and almost invites death. His future starts looking up when his latest mission brings him in close contact with the one woman meant for him. Vicuska is beautiful and determined and the perfect match for him. Their adventure together was scary and fun. I wonder if the Nora A.I. will feature in any other books?
Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing three books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!
Traded by Rebecca Brooke
dual pov, contemporary, abuse trigger
I’m a pawn, a piece of chattel, a toy--used and forgotten.
When you’re done with me, you can walk away with no regrets. That’s how my husband sees me. I try to be the best wife possible for him. After all, he took me on when no one else would. Now--he’s in debt and owes more money to the loan shark than we can possibly repay.
But, don’t worry, he’s come up with a solution, it’s just not one I was expecting.
...I’ve been TRADED.
Rating -
I liked this book. I did. Any time a broken woman can rise above and triumph, I applaud. However, I wasn't quite sold by this story.
Elena was verbally and emotionally abused by her husband for the entire 5 years of their marriage. How she allowed herself to be convinced by him that she was worthless is neither here nor there because this does happen. How she believed that through it all he really loved her was beside the point. What frustrated me was how fast she got past this (not even a month bro!)
She went from meek and submissive to sassy and borderline rude in a hot minute. I get that this is fiction but there was no real internal struggle.
She kept mentioning how serious she took those wedding vows. That when she said them she meant them. Ummmmmm... weren't you blackout drunk during your wedding in Vegas and didn't even know you were married until you woke up with a ring on your finger???
Then she kept saying that for 5 years she tried to be a good wife. But yet she grew up with both of her parents, who were still happily married it seemed. She already had an example of a good wife and it seemed nothing like the subservient slave she turned herself into. Her abuse was unfortunate, yes, but not completely understood by me.
This book annoyed me as well because it failed to fact check its info. Isn't Off Broadway the term used for a small theater in New York? Then how was Elena in an Off Broadway production in Colorado? Was this a travelling Broadway?
The only saving grace for this story was Ashton. I love an Alpha thug in glasses!! I loved how he quickly saw her situation and made moves to help her escape it. The way he helped her break out of her shell and become her own person was a beautiful thing. I really liked how he loved her.
The ending was pretty abrupt but some people like short and sweet HFN's I guess. Aside from some editing mishaps, the story was well written.
If you like a book that speaks on overcoming and moving past abuse and opening your heart to try again, this book might be right up your alley.
I liked this book. I did. Any time a broken woman can rise above and triumph, I applaud. However, I wasn't quite sold by this story.
Elena was verbally and emotionally abused by her husband for the entire 5 years of their marriage. How she allowed herself to be convinced by him that she was worthless is neither here nor there because this does happen. How she believed that through it all he really loved her was beside the point. What frustrated me was how fast she got past this (not even a month bro!)
She went from meek and submissive to sassy and borderline rude in a hot minute. I get that this is fiction but there was no real internal struggle.
She kept mentioning how serious she took those wedding vows. That when she said them she meant them. Ummmmmm... weren't you blackout drunk during your wedding in Vegas and didn't even know you were married until you woke up with a ring on your finger???
Then she kept saying that for 5 years she tried to be a good wife. But yet she grew up with both of her parents, who were still happily married it seemed. She already had an example of a good wife and it seemed nothing like the subservient slave she turned herself into. Her abuse was unfortunate, yes, but not completely understood by me.
This book annoyed me as well because it failed to fact check its info. Isn't Off Broadway the term used for a small theater in New York? Then how was Elena in an Off Broadway production in Colorado? Was this a travelling Broadway?
The only saving grace for this story was Ashton. I love an Alpha thug in glasses!! I loved how he quickly saw her situation and made moves to help her escape it. The way he helped her break out of her shell and become her own person was a beautiful thing. I really liked how he loved her.
The ending was pretty abrupt but some people like short and sweet HFN's I guess. Aside from some editing mishaps, the story was well written.
If you like a book that speaks on overcoming and moving past abuse and opening your heart to try again, this book might be right up your alley.
Lost by Ker Dukey
dark romance, multiple pov
We came from nothing and were given a second chance at life, and life was pretty good until it tipped on its axis and my world came tumbling down around me.
My Baby Sister is missing…
Stolen…
Lost…
I’ve never felt this helpless before now, the vacant hole inside me expanding with each passing second of not knowing where she is.
What’s she going through?
Is she hurt?
Suffering?
Alive?
The more I learn of her disappearance the more fear implants itself inside my heart, hardening - darkening.
The world is a depraved place, full of evil lurking behind normality.
Behind smiles.
Behind deception and facades.
She needs me and I will do whatever it takes to find her.
Whatever.
Whatever.
Rating -
For the first time ever, I struggled with a Ker Dukey story :(
Winter's little sister, Summer, is missing. There's a serial killer who targets teenage girls on the loose. Winter is taking courses at school to become a cop and believes she's equipped to handle the case all on her own, despite the man she loves, a high-ranking detective, working it already. Sounds like magic in the making, right?
I'm always pissed when the heroine thinks she's too big for her britches. Having a hard-knock life doesn't mean you're prepared to take on serial killers, pedophiles, virgin auctioneers, slave traders, etc. And when the cops are already on it, you're just getting in the way.
The entire story is Winter rushing headlong into danger and Cole coming to the rescue. Winter waving a gun around and being overcome. Winter constantly putting herself in dangerous situations and wondering how she got there. Winter just never used her damn head.
I'm sad because this story had so much potential. Unfortunately the little glimmers that shone weren't enough for me to fall in love with it. Will it stop me from trying again? Absolutely not!
For the first time ever, I struggled with a Ker Dukey story :(
Winter's little sister, Summer, is missing. There's a serial killer who targets teenage girls on the loose. Winter is taking courses at school to become a cop and believes she's equipped to handle the case all on her own, despite the man she loves, a high-ranking detective, working it already. Sounds like magic in the making, right?
I'm always pissed when the heroine thinks she's too big for her britches. Having a hard-knock life doesn't mean you're prepared to take on serial killers, pedophiles, virgin auctioneers, slave traders, etc. And when the cops are already on it, you're just getting in the way.
The entire story is Winter rushing headlong into danger and Cole coming to the rescue. Winter waving a gun around and being overcome. Winter constantly putting herself in dangerous situations and wondering how she got there. Winter just never used her damn head.
I'm sad because this story had so much potential. Unfortunately the little glimmers that shone weren't enough for me to fall in love with it. Will it stop me from trying again? Absolutely not!
Royal Savage by Victoria Ashley
dual pov, contemporary romance, abuse trigger
I CAN’T CLOSE MY EYES… I refuse to. Every time I do, all I see is blood, death, and pain. I can feel it - almost taste it, bringing me back to that night.
It doesn't matter that I'm still breathing; I no longer need it, I no longer want it. I despise it along with everything else around me.
The only thing I long for is to fucking fade away. I've given up. Until her at least…
AVALON.
She comes into my world, knocking me on my ass.
It turns me on to have her around me. Makes me want to wrap my hand around her tight little throat and fuck her until she feels my pain, feels the monster in me, but also makes me want to protect her from the very thing that she should be afraid of... me.
Once she sees the damage that I’m capable of; she’ll look at me like everyone else around me does: with fear.
AVALON KNIGHT
HIS EYES... THE DARKNESS IN them draws me to him, making me want to taste him, feel him… and save him. I shouldn't have gotten on the back of his motorcycle that day. I know that now. Colton warned me. I was told it was dangerous. I was told that nothing would be the same. He was right.
ROYAL is dangerous, dark, and seductive; the very thing that keeps me hanging on, willing to give my last breath just to touch him… breathe him in.
He’s savage, inked, and highly captivating. So different from his brother…
He's hazardous to my health, mind, and body, yet the only thing that I crave. I want to free him. I want to change his mind, but I'm afraid that he’s already too faded…
Rating -
Even the blurb is a hot mess.
This wasn't the greatest book of all time, but it was entertaining.
Royal was crazy hot. Emphasis on crazy. He was a tortured hero. He was seen as a bad guy (by the small-minded people in his small town), but he wasn't a criminal. He was protective and loyal to a fault. Tragic circumstances changed his perspective on life and it took the love of a good woman, enter Avalon, to help him find a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The story was a bit rushed and I found that details were given sparingly. Random characters were introduced with no explanation. Examples include Cole, who was the brother of another random character named Riley, and Baxton, who was someone Royal grew up with. No history was really given of Royal other than the tragedy that took place almost two years ago. So while that incident helped to shape his character and give it some much needed depth, both he and Avalon came off as one-dimensional people.
Overall, a fast and intense read.
Even the blurb is a hot mess.
This wasn't the greatest book of all time, but it was entertaining.
Royal was crazy hot. Emphasis on crazy. He was a tortured hero. He was seen as a bad guy (by the small-minded people in his small town), but he wasn't a criminal. He was protective and loyal to a fault. Tragic circumstances changed his perspective on life and it took the love of a good woman, enter Avalon, to help him find a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The story was a bit rushed and I found that details were given sparingly. Random characters were introduced with no explanation. Examples include Cole, who was the brother of another random character named Riley, and Baxton, who was someone Royal grew up with. No history was really given of Royal other than the tragedy that took place almost two years ago. So while that incident helped to shape his character and give it some much needed depth, both he and Avalon came off as one-dimensional people.
Overall, a fast and intense read.
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