Category Archives: Red Hots!

April 7, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Tough Love by Heidi Cullinan

toughTitle: Tough Love by Heidi Cullinan
Special Delivery Book Three
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance, Red Hots!!, Kink/BDSM
Length: Plus Novel
Book Rating B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

It takes a strong man to be this fabulous.

Special Delivery, Book 3

Crescencio “Chenco” Ortiz pulled himself up by his garter straps after his father’s will yanked the financial rug from under his spank-me pumps. He doesn’t need anyone, yet when Steve Vance steps into his life, the prospect of having a sexy leather daddy on tap begins to take on a certain appeal.

There’s a hitch when he learns Steve is friends with Mitch Tedsoe—the half-brother Chenco never knew except through his father’s twisted lies. Despite his reservations, soon Chenco is living his dreams, including a performing gig in Vegas. Now if only he could get Steve to see him as more than just a boy in need of saving.

Steve’s attraction to Chenco is overshadowed by too many demons, ones he knows his would-be lover is too young to slay. Yet as he gets to know the bright, determined young man whose drag act redefines fierce, Steve’s inner sadist trembles with need. He begins to realize Chenco’s relentless tough love might be the only thing that will finally set him free.

Product Warnings: This story contains glamorous drag queens, exhibitionist secondary characters, and no-holds-barred BDSM play, including watersports. Readers are advised they may well leave this novel feeling uncharacteristically fierce.

The Review:

Tough Love is another boundary pushing romance in Heidi Cullinan’s wildly popular Special Delivery series. This third installment delves pretty deeply in the sadism side of BDSM as Chenco Ortiz and Steve Vance explore their unexpected attraction. Their intense relationship is more than just physical; there is also a strong emotional connection between these two vulnerable men that heals the wounds from their respective pasts.

On the surface, Chenco and Steve seem an unlikely pairing. Steve is much older, financially secure, sexually experienced and heavily into BDSM, edge play and sadism. Chenco is in his mid twenties, scrabbling to make ends meet and not only has he never considered BDSM, he is very selective when it comes to sexual partners. But Chenco has an immediate response to Steve’s quiet strength and commanding presence. And Steve? He wants to protect Chenco and help him through his current difficulties while the dominant in Steve yearns to explore Chenco’s submissive side.

Both men have troubled pasts to overcome. Chenco’s issues stem from problems with his parents. He failed to live up to his mother’s expectations while his father was a homophobic, abusive jerk who took financial advantage of Chenco. Everyone he has ever cared about has betrayed him in some way and Chenco has a difficult time trusting anyone.

Steve appears to have his life firmly under control and while that is mostly true, he is a mess when it comes to his love life. He has a great deal of unresolved guilt from a failed relationship and his sense of responsibility keeps him tied to someone from his past. As Chenco becomes more confident and self-reliant, Steve’s vulnerabilities and fears threaten to derail their relationship.

The BDSM relationship between Chenco and Steve is fairly hardcore with plenty of kink (I definitely recommend reading the product warning). Steve is firmly in control with Chenco submitting to whatever Steve asks of him. While pain is always a part of their scenes, Steve is always quite gentle with Chenco in the aftermath. This dichotomy in his personality is incredibly fascinating and it is sometimes difficult to reconcile the caring, gentle man with the sadist who gets so much pleasure out of inflicting pain. Chenco is definitely centered by this domination and he flourishes under his care.

The characters from the previous novels in the Special Delivery series are integral to the unfolding story. Mitch Tedsoe is Chenco’s half-brother and their relationship is very rocky in the beginning. Mitch’s husband Sam helps smooth some of the rough spots between the brothers and he also helps Chenco understand some of the intricacies of the BDSM world. Randy is still endearingly blunt and while he sometimes oversteps boundaries, his heart is always in the right place. Ethan and Crabtree are also on hand to lend their assistance and all of the men fully support Chenco as he achieves his dream.

Sexy, smoldering and intense, Tough Love is a wonderful love story but it is also a journey of emotional healing for both protagonists. Heidi Cullinan does not hesitate to venture into forbidden territory as Chenco and Steve fully explore their sometimes taboo desires. The novel’s conclusion is sweetly sentimental and incredibly romantic. A marvelous addition to the Special Delivery series that old and new fans are going to love.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Heidi Cullinan, Kink/BDSM, Rated B, Red Hots!, Review, Romance, Samhain Publishing Limited, Special Delivery Series, Tough Love

March 3, 2014 · 11:56 pm

Review: Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan

doubleTitle: Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan
Special Delivery Series Book Two
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance, Red Hots!!, Kink/BDSM
Length: Plus Novel
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Know when to show your hand…and when to hedge your bets.

Special Delivery, Book 2

Randy Jensen can’t stand to just sit by and watch as a mysterious man throws money away on the roulette wheel, especially since Randy’s got his own bet going as to the reason this guy is making every play like it’s his last day on earth. The man’s dark desperation hits Randy right in the gut. Half of him warns that getting involved is a sucker’s bet, and the other half scrambles for a reason—any reason—to save the man’s soul.

Ethan Ellison has no idea what he’s going to do with himself once his last dollar is gone—until Randy whirls into his life with a heart-stealing smile and a poker player’s gaze that sees too much.

Randy draws Ethan into a series of wagers that leads to a scorching kiss by midnight, but he isn’t the only one with an interest in Ethan’s vulnerability. Soon they’re both taking risks that not only play fast and loose with the law, but with the biggest prize of all: their hearts.

This book has been previously published and has been revised from its original release.
Product Warnings: This story contains high-stakes poker, gangsters with a weakness for kittens, foursomes, and kinky consensual sex.

The Review:

Set amongst the bright lights and sheer decadence of Las Vegas, Heidi Cullinan’s Double Blind is a captivating story of redemption for lead protagonists Randy Jensen and Ethan Ellison. It is also a breathtaking love story that is full of down and dirty sex and surprisingly tender emotions between our two über stoic heroes.

This second installment in the Special Delivery series begins about two years after the first book ends and this time, it is Randy’s turn to find love. Randy is an expert poker player but it is his uncanny ability to read people that is the true secret to his success. Accepting a bet from his friend (and former gangster), Crabtree, Randy approaches Ethan just as he loses the rest of his money on the roulette wheel and when these two make a wager between them, they set off for a little fun, a la Vegas style which of course includes innocent sightseeing, LOTS of booze, gambling and if they’re very lucky, some seriously hot sex.

Ethan is coming off a bad break up that did a real number on him emotionally and financially. With literally nothing left to lose, he accepts Randy’s offer to stay with him while he figures out what he is going to do next. He veers between the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and Randy is unexpectedly good at helping Ethan find middle ground. With Randy’s (unwitting) help, Ethan receives a job offer from Crabtree to help bring Herod’s (the casino where he and Randy met), back from the brink of financial ruin.

Surprisingly enough, Randy is the bigger mess of the two men and he is going to have to get up close and personal with his own demons if their relationship is going to have a chance of surviving. Mitch and Sam come back into his life for an extended period and while their appearance certainly complicates things, they also help Randy get his head on straight on more than one occasion.

The sexual attraction between Ethan and Randy is pretty darn hot right from the start and their first kiss is over the top SEXY. While their sex scenes are undeniably erotic, Double Blind is nowhere near as kinky as Special Delivery. There are a few light scenes with BDSM elements and of course Sam and Mitch are always ready for a little group lovin’, but a lot of their scenes fade to black or take place behind closed doors. But somehow less sex really works in the story and I really felt the emotional connection between all of the characters, not just Ethan and Randy.

Superb location, fascinating characters and super steamy sex scenes make Double Blind an outstanding read. All of the characters grow and mature and become more at peace with their pasts. Heidi Cullinan takes everyone (including the readers) on a bit of an emotional roller coaster but in the end, it is completely worth all of the turmoil.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Double Blind, Heidi Cullinan, Kink/BDSM, M/M, Rated B, Red Hots!, Review, Romance, Samhain Publishing Limited, Special Delivery Series

February 10, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: After the Rain by Daisy Harris

rainTitle: After the Rain by Daisy Harris
Fire and Rain Series Book Two
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance, Red Hots!!
Length: Category/Word Count: 47,000
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

They’re going to need a bigger tent.

Fire and Rain, Book 2

Henri’s list of bad exes is as long as his arm, but nothing prepared him for his latest, heart-stomping breakup. He thought he couldn’t feel more abandoned, until his ride for a group camping trip bails, leaving him stuck driving for hours with a guy who is absolutely not his type.

After breaking up with his girlfriend of five years, firefighter Logan is working up the nerve to explore his interest in men. He knows he’s gay. He just hasn’t had the guts to do anything about it…until now.

Henri’s big-city attitude and tight jeans push every last one of Logan’s buttons, and when he and Henri have to share a tent, Logan is thrilled. He should have realized Pacific Northwest weather would get wet—forcing them to strip naked.

Though the steam between them is thicker than coastal fog, Henri’s not sure he can let himself fall for another man. Not even the guy who finally treats him right.

Product Warnings: Contains bad ex-boyfriends, even worse weather, and more than your average amount of sex in a tent. May not be suitable for those with germ phobias, outdoor aversions or fear of damp shoes.

The Review:

After the Rain by Daisy Harris is a sweet and sexy romance between a barely out firefighter and a newly single college student. Thrown together during a camping trip, will love flourish despite the obstacles in the their path?

Logan MacDonald and Henri Serre’s reactions to another when they first meet are polar opposites. Logan is instantly attracted to Henri, but Henri makes it pretty clear he has no interest in Logan. Part of Henri’s standoffish attitude stems from a bombshell dropped on him by his cheating ex but the main reason is he completely misjudges Logan at their first meeting. When the two wind up sharing a tent, Henri’s opinion of Logan begins to change but he still has a compelling reason for avoiding intimacy.

Logan and Henri are great characters and although they are complete opposites, they really are a good match for one another. A Texas cowboy who moved to Seattle with his now ex, Logan is young, but his job as a firefighter gives him a lot of maturity. He is sweet, rather shy and innocent but he is very eager to gain some sexual experience now that he is out of the closet.

Barely out of his latest relationship, Henri is a little on the cynical side, which is a bit off-putting initially. He is pretty dismissive of Logan and at first he does not see the appeal of this down to earth cowboy. Before long, Henri begins to appreciate Logan’s physical assets, but it is Logan’s genuine kindness and good nature that really gets Henri’s attention.

The relationship between Logan and Henri is fun to watch and although they have a few misunderstandings, it is fairly angst free. Logan coaxes Henri to step out of his comfort zone and Henri gains a new appreciation for the more physically active lifestyle Logan enjoys. When the relentless rain forces them inside their tent, their sizzling attraction heats up. Although inexperienced, Logan is surprisingly dominant and wherever he leads, Logan is pretty eager to follow and their sex scenes are super steamy.

After the Rain is another delightful romance from Daisy Harris that I really enjoyed. This is the second installment in the Fire and Rain series but it can be read as a standalone (you should definitely read Fire and Ashes because it is a great book too).

5 Comments

Filed under After the Rain, Contemporary, Daisy Harris, Fire and Rain Series, M/M, Rated B, Red Hots!, Review, Romance, Samhain Publishing Limited

February 14, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Bound for Keeps by SE Jakes

Title: Bound for Keeps by SE Jakes
Men of Honor Series Book Five
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!!, M/M, M/M/M, Ménage & More
Length: Category
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:

They can’t deny the attraction…or the danger…

Men of Honor, Book 5

Since losing their beloved third to cancer, Keith Masters and Johnny Lou Reed haven’t thought about filling the void in their lives with anyone else. Until a stormy Christmas Eve, when a half-frozen, newly discharged Army Ranger shows up on their doorstep—with no memory of who he is or how he got there.

The former Marine in Keith is suspicious that he can’t turn up any information about Shane anywhere, not even an address. Direct questioning will have to wait until they’ve gotten the boy well.

Shane knows it’s only a matter of time before Keith and Reed figure out his past. And when they learn the depth and the darkness of the secrets he holds, he could get them all killed.

In the heat of the dark winter nights, the three men discover a passion that heals the gaping wounds in their hearts. And Shane wonders, despite the danger hot on his heels, how he will ever bear to leave…

Product Warnings: Contains secrets, undercover operations and three hot, alpha military men who can set a cold winter night on fire.

The Review:

Bound for Keeps, the fifth installment in SE Jakes’ Men of Honor series, is a compelling romance between three men who are emotionally scarred by past events but still believe in the healing power of love.

Keith Masters and Johnny Lou Reed have been in a long term committed relationship for several years. They are still mourning the loss of their third partner, Bobby, when Shane mysteriously appears on their doorstep in the middle of a raging snow storm. As former military men now working as mercenaries, Keith and Reed are quickly aware their unexpected visitor is somehow connected with the military as well and it soon becomes clear that Shane is revealing a carefully edited version of his past. When Shane’s mysterious past finally catches up with him, will it destroy their fledgling relationship?

Ms. Jakes does a superlative job of getting the reader up to speed on the intricacies of everyone’s pasts and their previous and present relationships. Through flashbacks and conversations, we learn of how Keith and Bobby began their relationship and how Reed became the third in their triad. Shane’s story is revealed in bits and pieces and although Keith and Bobby uncover some of his secrets, they patiently wait for Shane to disclose this information on his own.

Bound for Keeps plays out over several months and the men’s shared experiences in both their professional and personal lives bring them together. Both Keith and Reed are honest with one another about their attraction to Shane and they both see the possibility of adding him to their relationship. The men take the time to get to know one another both individually and as a threesome both in bed and out. Their relationship never feels forced or hurried and it always feels realistic. There are a few instances of jealousy and there are few rough patches as Shane continues to keep secrets from Keith and Reed.

While the story is mainly character driven, there are a few action scenes. Reed and Keith go out on a few missions, and the story culminates with Shane’s confrontation with a man from his past. The action sequences are brief and wrapped up fairly quickly, but they provide added dimension to the characters and the plot.

The sex scenes are fairly well detailed and there is a light BDSM element to some of them. They are a good mix of ménage scenes as well as the men together in different pairings. There is a little bit of dominant and submissive exploration between the three men and the men are a perfect compliment for one another.

The Men of Honor series is an excellent series and while I have enjoyed all of the previous installments, Bound for Keeps is my personal favorite. The story is fast-paced and quite riveting. The protagonists are exceptionally well-developed and their flaws add to their charm.

Although Bound for Keeps can be read as a standalone story, you won’t want to miss a single installment in this outstanding series from SE Jakes. Definitely a recommended read for anyone who enjoys romances with hot military men turned mercenaries.

2 Comments

Filed under Bound for Keeps, Contemporary, M/M, M/M/M, Men of Honor Series, Menage, Rated B+, Red Hots!, Review, Romance

February 20, 2012 · 3:57 am

Off Limits by Emma Jay

Title: Off Limits by Emma Jay
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!
Length: Novella
Book Rating: B

Summary:
Don’t look. Don’t touch. Definitely don’t want.

There’s no boundary Zach Purser won’t push. Three-ways, four-ways, sex clubs, he’s tried it all. It’s all about the freedom, but lately he’s had the nagging feeling that something is missing.

At a friend’s engagement party, he spots the missing piece all tied up one hot little package of a woman. Trouble is, she’s his best friend Adam’s baby sister. Adam knows all of Zach’s dirty secrets. Which means if he even thinks about touching her, he’s dead.

Paige Clark has crushed on Zach since she grew breasts, but he’s never so much as glanced her way. Until now. She knows desire when she sees it, and Zach’s eyes burn with that unmistakable heat. Finally, she’s got his attention—now if only she can get him to act on it.

Zach tries his best to push her away, but she doesn’t push back, she pulls—tumbling them both over the edge of resistance and right into bed. Panic isn’t far behind. Now he’s stuck between a big brother who’d like to bust his nose, and a woman who’s gotten under his skin. And of all the things he’s tried, romance isn’t one of them…

Product Warnings: A bad boy who can’t follow rules, a woman determined to lead him astray, a big brother with a hell of a right cross, and a smoking-hot sex-club seduction.

The Review:

Emma Jay’s novella Off Limits is a very steamy yet incredibly sweet romance. Paige Clark finally gets Zach Purser to see her as more than her brother’s little sister. They spend one unbelievably passionate night together, but Paige wants more out of a relationship with Zach than just sex. And Zach? Let’s just say their night together brings to life some unexpected needs and emotions along with an impossible to resist desire to spend some quality time with Paige.

Zach and Paige are exceptionally well-developed characters. Paige is a self-confident young woman who is not afraid to take a risk and go after what she wants. She respects herself enough to not settle for a purely sexual relationship and she pushes Zach when he needs it.

In the beginning, Zach comes across as a bit shallow when it comes to women. He indulges in casual one night stands, and he is clearly uncomfortable letting Paige into his life. But he is willing to step out of his comfort zone and pursue a relationship with Paige despite his misgivings.

Paige and Zach’s shared past helps ease the transition from friends to lovers and makes their newfound relationship more plausible. Their sex scenes are plentiful and scorching hot. Their dates are extremely romantic and they take the time to get to know one another as their romance progresses.

If you are a fan of contemporary romances with some extra spicy lovemaking, then you are sure to enjoy Off Limits. It is a quick read with an engaging storyline and charming characters. Emma Jay wraps up this wonderful novella with a delightful and heartwarming epilogue.

7 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Emma Jay, Off Limits, Rated B, Red Hots!, Romance

January 5, 2012 · 3:55 am

Boots and Chaps: Ugly Stick Saloon Book One

Title: Boots and Chaps: Ugly Stick Saloon Book One by Myla Jackson
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Kink/BDSM, Multiple Partners, Red Hots!
Length: Novella
Book Rating: B

Summary:

She gave up stripping to go legit…until three Kiowa cowboys bring on the down-and-dirty.

Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 1

Jackson Gray Wolf is turning thirty, and what does he have to show for it? A ranch. No wife, no kids, no dates. He’s had his eye on the pretty owner of the Ugly Stick Saloon, but their one accidental encounter was interrupted before he could get her out of her take-me-now red cowboy boots.

Audrey Anderson isn’t in the market for a man. Been there, done that, has the scars to prove it. She retired her pole-dancing boots after purchasing the Ugly Stick Saloon, and now manages a stable of strippers. When she winds up one stripper short for a private party, she’s forced to slip on a mask and into the role of the mysterious Kiki.

Jackson didn’t want the birthday bash his twin brothers are throwing him, but his vow to ignore the rented stripper goes awry when she shows him exactly how far she’s willing to go—for all three of them.

Audrey can’t forget the sizzling heat between her and one sexy Kiowa in particular. Jackson. Trouble is, she’s not sure if he wants the bold, brassy Kiki, or if he’s ready for the wounded woman underneath.

Product Warnings: This title contains hot scenes with multiple partners, with a little BDSM on the side. Caution—it could melt your e-reader!

The Review:

Myla Jackson’s Boots and Chaps is a fast paced read that is incredibly erotic. Now a successful bar owner with a reputation to protect, Audrey Anderson suppresses her submissive urges. Will one night of passion with Jackson Gray Wolf and his brothers Mark and Luke make her forget her painful past and embrace her darker desires?

Boots and Chaps is an enjoyable read with sympathetic protagonists. Written in alternating viewpoints from Audrey and Jackson’s perspectives, Ms. Jackson provides readers with a great deal of insight into their characters. Audrey is a complex character with a lot of depth. The scenes between Jackson and his brothers are entertaining and reveal different facets of Jackson’s personality. While brothers Mark and Luke are likeable, their characters are not as well developed as Audrey and Jackson.

Boots and Chaps is engaging novella with an interesting plot. The sex scenes are explicit and the BDSM aspect is light with bondage and spanking. The addition of Luke and Mark to Audrey and Jackson’s sex scenes gives a little extra kink to the storyline.

If you are a fan of hot cowboy stories with BDSM elements, then you are sure to enjoy Boots and Chaps. I am eager to read the next installment of Myla Jackson’s scrumptiously erotic Ugly Stick Saloon series.

7 Comments

Filed under BDSM, Boots and Chaps, Contemporary, Erotic, Multiple Partners, Myla Jackson, Rated B, Red Hots!, Romance, Ugly Stick Saloon