Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

In the romantic suspense novel, Beneath Deception: An Unbreakable Series by A.L. Long, the worlds of two opposite, deeply complex characters collide and the explosion leaves the reader delighted. Xavier London knows he is a man not to be trusted. He has betrayed the one person who saved his life. He harbors a dark secret. However, he just wants to live his life, keeping his secrets to himself, but then he meets a woman and his life changes. Tessa Sands knows nothing but what one man has taught her. She has been made to believe that she is someone she isn't. That is until Xavier comes into her life. Can these two people who are irresistibly drawn towards each other overcome their personal demons and allow love to lead the way?

Beneath Deception: An Unbreakable Series by A.L. Long is a spellbinding romance with characters that readers will want to follow. The author creates two characters, each flawed in the way they see themselves, then puts a challenge before them. The romance grows steadily and, without inventing unnecessary twists in the story, the author capitalizes on the strength of the characters and explores the internal conflict intensely, which makes the story even more gripping. Here is a novel with characters who will move readers. The story is tightly-plotted, fast-paced, and intense in the emotions it evokes in readers. The prose is elegant and the writing is filled with suspense. You're going to stay up the whole night wanting to know what happens to these characters.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Erica had always felt protected and cherished by Dante from when she was still a child, always making her feel as though she mattered. Her respect for Dante grew into longing for him until the moment he broke her heart. She ran away to Paris, but even then, she didn't forget the man who “was so devastatingly handsome, so powerful and dangerously sexual.” When Erica returns, Dante is not thrilled, even though he had secretly craved his best friend's sister. Now she wants to learn about BDSM and wants Dante for a teacher. It's complicated because Dante is co-owner of the club with her brother, Chris. But Erica seems to be the fire that will make Dante ache like hell, not in his arms, but in those of someone from his past, someone deadly.

Yearn For You by Sayara St. Clair is a sizzling romance that shouldn't be read in public places, and this is a fair warning, for right from the prologue the reader is treated to a tantalizing moment of a sexual encounter, wild and utterly arousing. But that isn't the point of this novel. Sayara St. Clair puts a fire in the hearts of her readers as they watch the drama that unfolds in this narrative. There are moments so intimate, so sensual that they make readers forget their surroundings, and the author shares interesting details in the descriptions. Yearn For You is a novel for mature readers, sensually intense and featuring very sophisticated characters. Written in beautiful prose and rich in plot points and conflict, it is one of those books that keep readers awake through the night.

Reviewed By Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite

A Torch In His Heart (The Wanderer Book 1) by Anna Belfrage is a story filled with romance and magic. From the moment Helle Madsen walks into Woolf and Partners and meets its intense owner, Sam Woolf, she decides he’s an unsettling man. There is something dark and dangerous about him that Helle can’t quite put her finger on. All she knows is that her heart beats faster and she has a strong desire to flee. When her fears prove correct, she finds a savior in Jason Morris. Though she’s never met Jason before, except in her dreams, everything about him seems familiar. Helle discovers that she knew both Jason and Sam in a previous life. Bound together through countless lives, Helle must choose the right man and end the cycle of heartbreak and pain that began three thousand years ago.

A Torch In His Heart is aptly named as it describes an undying love that transcends time. From the moment I started reading this book the plot pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. In a story filled with paranormal phenomena, the characters are magical and larger than life. Anna Belfrage writes amazing characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I liked the unpredictability of story events while tackling reincarnation. The backstory was told in a way that enriched the story and brought depth to the characters. Paranormal romance readers who like meatier stories will not regret buying this book. A Torch In His Heart ends on a cliff-hanger. To continue reading Helle’s story, readers will have to grab Smoke In Her Eyes.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

I first discovered the concept of submissive and dominant in Fifty Shades of Grey, but Master Me by Sayara St. Clair takes the concept to a new level, introducing a conflict of wills that defines the complexity and the sophistication in character development. A sizzling romance that is the third book in Dante's Purgatory, echoing BDSM themes, it follows a story where roles are reversed. In the club, Xavier isn't just the dominant one, but one who equally intimidates and his physique keeps women at bay. But one tiny woman, Trixie, is about to change all that. She doesn't find it exciting playing the submissive type and what she plans to accomplish, she plans to accomplish on Xavier. Can she break down his walls and bring him to his knees and get him to submit any way she wants?

Warning: sex opens the book and it is intense. The content is strictly written for mature readers and there are a lot of sexual scenes that are described with forensic precision. While it features mature themes and a lot of sizzling romance, the narrative focuses on character and explores the struggle between two strong wills. There is a beautiful twist in the story and it is so skillfully crafted that readers will love to discover it as they wonder if Xavier's dominant character reflects who he truly is or is just a mask that shields his vulnerability and dark secrets. Master Me isn't a book to read in public and it features interesting characters and the very edge of sexual pleasure. Sayara St. Clair writes boldly and makes readers want to try things they have never thought about.

Reviewed By Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

Notorious in a Kilt (Hot Scots Book 5) by Anna Durand is a sizzling romance tale of Rae Everhart and Iain MacTaggart. However, this romance is not as simple as it sounds. Iain was Rae's college professor when they fell for each other. Their feelings grew stronger each day until they slept together, then all hell broke loose. After this fateful night, Iain was nowhere to be found and soon after that, Rae found out that she was pregnant. Iain's abandonment created some serious trust issues in Rae; nevertheless, her selfless love towards her daughter, Malina, helped her move on. Now, after thirteen years, Rae has no interest in romance. Being a single mother, she has different priorities which do not leave time for any other distractions anyway. So, when Iain makes a sudden comeback into her life, once again apologizing and claiming to be in love with her, she is unable to trust if there is any sincerity in his confession.

Although Notorious in a Kilt by Anna Durand is filled with vivid sexual encounters, the plot of the book has a certain depth to it. These scenes are spontaneous and are in no way flimsy. There is a constant psychological conflict that Rae goes through the moment Iain re-enters her life. Rae is a woman who wants nothing more than to protect her daughter, and this makes her want to push Iain away. Nevertheless, since she never stopped loving Iain, a bigger part of her heart wants to spend her life with him. Even if, for a nanosecond, she lets her emotions win over her need to protect her daughter, how can she trust the man who abandoned her thirteen years ago? All these conflicts, emotions, and questions are woven beautifully around an erotic genre.

Iain's Scottish charm increases manifold with his usage of German, French, and Gaelic words here and there. Only an experienced and talented author can bring so much variety to a genre that is all about the physical aspect of romance. Anna Durand's Notorious in a Kilt (Hot Scots Book 5) would appeal greatly to readers of erotic romance. There is some secret to be revealed at the very end, and this keeps a reader on the edge of their seat. The narration is very much in sync with the genre, and sizzle-seekers would be more than satisfied with this well-written book.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Trick’s Trap by Lucy Leroux is a mesmerizing contemporary romance with a twist; it is sizzling and engrossing. They first meet in an underground game, and Patrick Tyler knows instantly that Tahlia will be the game of a lifetime. But then she suddenly disappears and everyone thinks she’s dead. A memorial is even held for her by her friends. But Patrick eventually learns that she still lives and pursues her. When Tahlia accepts help from Patrick, she knows she will be taking him to a point of no return and into grave danger. Is she ready to let him into her past, to unveil her family secrets?

There is a lot for the reader in this book — deft handling of plot, skillful character development, and intelligent world building. The characters are so genuinely flawed they are real to readers. For instance, Tahlia is a very beautiful and intelligent woman, but she has a difficult past and it is catching up with her pretty fast. This is the vulnerable side of her that makes her a compelling character. Patrick is well developed and readers will love to find out what becomes of his desperation from the moment he learns that Tahlia is gone.

The writing is focused and fluid and the scenes are well-crafted, infused with a lot of emotional energy to keep readers completely absorbed. The handling of conflict is also impeccable — it is developed at multiple levels and Tahlia is at the center of the drama. Lucy Leroux has a unique gift for storytelling, but what I found very interesting is the author’s ability to lead readers into the different seasons of the hearts of the characters. Trick’s Trap is a great read for fans of contemporary romance.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Desire is a quick read romantic suspense novel by romance author Cybill Cain, and the sixth book in the Chimera Club Stories series. In the traditional vein of suspenseful romance, two attractive players in the game of love find their sport spoiled when the power of true love compels them to change, but this book comes with a twist. Tony McIntire is intent on bedding the beautiful Mila Samuels, using all his wiles and physicality to drive her wild and have her doting on him, but he never planned on becoming so powerfully loyal to her. Mila, for her part, has childhood secrets that make it challenging for any man to truly get close to her, but meeting Tony makes her want to unlock those secrets at last.

By far the most interesting part of the tale is the fact that Mila is blind. In a world where appearance means everything, Tony certainly lives by that fact, but he can’t seduce Mila in any of the usual ways because the exterior he’s worked so hard on isn’t visible. Because Tony needs important information from Mila, he perseveres but finds it difficult to connect when revealing his true self and the insecurities therein. Cybill Cain does an excellent job of portraying Mila as a character with the very real struggles of disability, but also someone who is much more than that and not defined by it. If you’re looking for a brand new twist on romantic suspense that also has plenty of erotic moments, Desire: Chimera Club Stories is the read for you.

Reviewed By Robin Goodfellow for Readers' Favorite

Unstable: Hooked Book 4 by Charity Parkerson is a gay erotic read about two men who, despite their demons, still love each other deeply. Seventeen-year-old Eli had recently been thrown out of his parents' home, so he constantly struggles to survive. When he tries to rummage through a dumpster behind a bar, he ends up meeting its owner, Jimmy, who later takes him in. Even so, Eli takes off, along with Jimmy's money and clothes. Three years later, Jimmy finds a handsome young man on his doorstep, who claims to be the teen he took in. In this enchanting, fast-paced romance, Parkerson shows that, even with their pasts, two people still manage to fall in love and find their happy ending.

I'll admit that when I picked this book up, I was curious. I've never read erotica before, but it had a sexy cover, and who isn't going to read a book with a sexy cover? And of course, by the time I was done, I was blushing. I enjoyed Eli and Jimmy's initial attraction, as well as their growing love and lust for one another. I also enjoyed their stubborn pride, what with Eli wanting to give back Jimmy's money, and Jimmy demanding that he stop. It was heartbreaking to read about Eli's story as well, and I became intrigued by the subtle hints relating back to Jimmy's past. I thought the two worked well together and, while there were times when their romance got a bit cheesy, it was sweet nonetheless. Parkerson illustrates the simple fact that you can find love anywhere, and that no matter what, they'll always support you. Because of this, I would recommend this book to those readers who love erotica in general, gay relationships, and sweet romances.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Scandalous in a Kilt: Hot Scots, Book 3 is a sizzling romance novel written by Anna Durand. Emery Granger had given herself a weekend jaunt to the Big Easy, partly to commiserate losing her job and sense of security in Colorado Springs, but mostly to celebrate the end of the 9-to-5 grind of cubicles and office politics. She had majored in computer programming in college because she loved creating programs and dreaming up new solutions to problems, but her real-life employment had seemed little more than correcting other people’s programs and similarly monotonous work. She had gone to the famous nightclub Pat O’Brien’s right after dropping her luggage at her hotel and was still dressed in her travel-worn, but favorite clothes. While she had brought sexy attire for the next evening’s outing, for tonight she preferred the anonymity of her Comic-Con T-shirt and faded jeans. She was enjoying people-watching and sipping a rum drink, when she heard a deep voice asking if the seat next to her was taken. She turned and saw a muscular, gorgeous man looking down at her with luscious amber eyes and she noticed he was wearing a kilt. She couldn’t help but gaze down at those muscular calves disappearing into brown leather boots. And while she wasn’t in the habit of indulging in one-night stands, somehow the thought of a night with this man seemed irresistible and full of promise.

Anna Durand’s sizzling romance novel, Scandalous in a Kilt: Hot Scots, Book 3, is a marvelous contemporary fiction story about two relatively dysfunctional people with very different lives who somehow find that the other makes them complete -- even if getting to that point is sometimes difficult and arduous indeed. Durand’s erotic scenes are beautifully written with a heavy emphasis on the actual romance and sensuality experienced by her two characters. While more explicit than those who like their romances squeaky clean will feel at ease with, I found those interludes to be respectful and lovingly portrayed. I particularly enjoyed seeing how Emery and Rory try to get past the baggage of their past lives and old romances, and work to find common ground. Scandalous in a Kilt works perfectly well as a standalone book; however, I would recommend reading the preceding two books in the series, Dangerous in a Kilt and Wicked in a Kilt to fully appreciate the MacTaggart family dynamics and the close relationships of the three MacTaggart brothers. I’ve found each of the books to have entertaining and original plots and marvelous characters. Scandalous in a Kilt: Hot Scots, Book 3 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

A successful and very rich businessman, Rade Matheson is out to find the man who embezzled millions from one of his companies. But he stumbles on Dylan Adams, a woman who has just lost her fiancé, Michael, and still can’t move on. The moment he sets eyes on her, he knows he can’t forget her. He wants her badly, but is he ready to break an already broken heart? While Dylan can lead him to his stolen money, he knows he wants her more than anything else. Can Dylan overcome her fear of betrayal and follow her heart? Can anyone be what Michael had been to her — her whole world and someone she could do everything with? Next to Never is a sizzling romance in the Shattered Innocence Trilogy by A.L. Long.

Next to Never is a delightful read and I completely enjoyed the characters. It opens with Dylan in a conversation with her best friend since grade school and she can’t make up her mind whether to go to the opening of a night club or not. Her life seems to have no color since the death of Michael. Her humanity comes out beautifully and the reader quickly understands her vulnerability, the void she feels within her, the pain of her loss and her anxiety. The romance is built around a strong story line, making it real and intriguing. No, it’s not just about the attraction, but also about characters that look and feel a lot like real people we encounter every day. A.L. Long is a great story teller and I loved the way this author takes readers into the hearts of the characters and the inner workings of their worlds. It is a delightful and hugely entertaining read.