This is just what the avowed Scottish highlander historical reader would ask for: a steamy, emotional love story set in a well-researched Scottish historical setting. I enjoyed Alexander and Hannah's journey to love, and Alexander is scrumptious enough to substitute for a nice hot fudge sundae. I look forward to her sister's stories, particularly young and quirky Lana's.

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

A nice introduction to the Leopard series. I'm late reading this, but I finally got an opportunity. I splurged and downloaded Fever (a duology of "The Awakening" and Wild Rain, which I've already read. This took me a while because I was listening to it on Kindle Text-To-Speech at bedtime, and I kept falling asleep and having to rewind.

We learn about the Leopard shifters and how their society and physiology works. We're along for the ride as Maggie Odessa goes to the Borneo rain forest to find out about her birth parents. She's been lured there by Brandt Talbot, the man who happens to be her destined mate. He's known for some time that she was his mate (in their race they spend lifetimes looking for their mates). Maggie has no idea that she's a Leopard shifter. She's getting some feelings and physiological changes that don't make sense and are actually quite embarrassing, including some amorous feelings when that wasn't a problem before now.

At first, Brandt seems a bit stalkerish. I don't mind that if it's done well. It was a little weird in this book. He was stalking along beside Maggie in panther form when she arrives with some of the Leopard Men to their village. I was like, could you just say hi already? I was glad he finally introduced himself, and I think that he did come a little too strong at first. However, I liked that he realized that his love for Maggie meant that he had to make sure she was happy with being with him. I like that it wasn't going to be a foregone conclusion that she would accept him. He gave her the choice. Interestingly enough, I found Brandt quite a desirable contrast to the hero in Cat's Lair, who assumed and was willing to force his mate to accept him. I think that Maggie and Brandt are a really excellent match, although I didn't feel that way at all about the couple in "Cat's Lair."

I really liked that Maggie gained control of her change on her own, and I loved the scene when she changes for the first time. That was very well done. I felt like I was seeing and feeling everything along with her. The rainforest and its flora and fauna was beautifully rendered in Feehan's descriptive pose. I wouldn't love the humidity or the insects, but I would love seeing so much vibrant life firsthand.

This was pretty darn steamy. Less of the off color words that are in the newer books, but no less steamy. Great chemistry between Maggie and Brandt. Not hard to believe they loved each other, even in this short format.

The suspense aspect was a little weak, to be honest. Feehan was a bit preachy about the environmental message. Don't get me wrong. I'm 100% on board with conservation and environmental awareness, but I don't like when it comes off as a Public Service Announcement in a fiction novel. But overall, this was a satisfactory short story. I'll give it the full four stars

BLURB

The man of her dreams would give the orders. For him, she had two words that satisfied them both..."Take me."

For five years, Serena has run Fantasy Incorporated and has devoted her time to fulfilling her clients' fantasies. Never her own. Until now...

Her most secret desire is to give ownership of her body to a man. Someone who will command her, pleasure her, and have complete authority over her. So she seeks out Damon Roche, owner of an exclusive sex club and a man strong enough to make her do anything he wants. Anything.

Together they'll journey into a world she's only dreamed of. She's given the opportunity to immerse herself in a different life while her normal one waits for her to return whenever she wishes. Damon has no desire to let her go, however. Serena is the woman he's long searched for, and it's up to him to convince her to stay when the game is all over with. He wants their fantasy to become their reality and for Serena to remain his pampered, cherished submissive.

MY THOUGHTS

SEX. SEX. SEX. LOTS OF SEX.

Scorching hot. Like I've said before this kind of book is not my cup of tea but surprisingly I found it very enjoyable. But I still don't know how I would handle it, I always ended up blushing. Haha.

Yes! Damon Roche is a damn fine man, downright sexy. Hands down. Gosh, he's like a dream. He's perfect. He treated Serena like a queen (lucky woman) and he doesn't share. *swoon*

And I loved Serena she isn't afraid to explore her sensuality. The connection between them were undeniably explosive. The sex between them left me speechless and blushing from my toes up to the tip of my head. They did a lot of sex here, from anal to spanking and to using butt plugs. *cringe*

Another thing I liked in this book are the girls friendship. They made me laughed a few times especially Julie. The men were not only gorgeous but so undeniably sexy that pretty much made my day. I really can't wait to read the other books from this series especially Julie and Nathan's story. 

“Sweet Persuasion” is filled with hot, steamy sex scenes. But enjoyable nonetheless. If you don't have any problem with books filled with lots of steamy sex scenes, BDSM, bondage, anal sex with a sweet and romantic story line this is a great read. :)

BLURB:

He was the stuff erotic dreams are made of

Salon owner Julie Stanford wanted Nathan Tucker ever since she gave him his first massage. Getting paid to feel every inch of his body, stripped, oiled, and spread out in front of her. Stuff dreams are made of. But the sexy guy was oblivious to the signals she was sending; until she finished off his final rub-down with something extra. In fact, the best extra he ever had. Unfortunately, he came around too late. Now Julie's moving on.

She was everything he'd dreamed of

The woman was driving him crazy.  She lit fire to his insides then ran like a scalded cat.  And now she's going to someone else to have all her fantasies fulfilled? Over his dead body. He's more than willing to give her what she wants, and as soon as he pins the little minx down, he'd show her his own brand of sweet seduction.

It's all fun and games until someone falls in love.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the third book in the series and like the first two book it was also pretty HOT.And a lot funnier than I expected.

Julie Stanford has the hots for Nathan since the moment he walked inside her Salon. She did her best to get his attention. She was thrilled and always wanted to get her hands all over Nathan’s hot body but unfortunately for her he was so determined to avoid her and her advances. And that pissed her off big time because it left her wondering what the hell is wrong with her. 

I loved Julie’s character. I admired her spirit, determination. She knew what she wants or who she wants and willing to do everything to have it. She’s a fighter stubborn as hell but she also knew when to give up and move on.

Nathan Tucker. Oh gosh I don’t know if I want to smack him for being an idiot or kiss him for being sweet and softy. He’s extremely gorgeous, hot and sexy, smart, dependable, I could go on, but in short, he’s a real sweetheart. He’s easy to get along with, funny, he jokes a lot especially when he’s with his friends except when it comes to Julie. Since he met her he did nothing but act like some teenage boy about to experience his first orgasm. 

And when he learned that she’s moving on and planning to be a filling in a stud sandwich all bets are off. Haha (filling in a stud sandwich – another name for threesome. It made me laughed so hard Julie’s sense of humor is out of the world sometimes.) So Nathan did everything to prevent that. He’s willing to do everything for her even to the extent of crossing his own limit. I also loved the way he called Julie heifer. 

And for that the winner is Micah. Haha. Lucky man. He’s always been asked to be the second guy. 

Julie and Nathan’s nature of relationship is slightly different from the first two but I think it’s perfect for them. I don’t see Nathan doing stuffs like what Damon and Micah. But the story still great. The bed scenes are freaking HOT. HOT. HOT. And I loved the way how Maya Banks included the subplot. I still get to see what’s happening in Faith and Serena’s happily ever after. I also enjoyed the little information about Micah and Connor that was provided in this book.

Sweet Seduction is such a great book. And I really, really like it. Kudos to Ms. Banks for keeping me interested and wanting more.

P.S I’m very curious about Cole. 

BLURB:

Under Faith Malone's deceptively soft exterior lies a woman who knows exactly what she wants: a strong man who'll take without asking - because she's willing to give him everything...

Dallas cop Gray Montgomery is on a mission: find the guy who killed his partner and bring him to justice. So far, he's found a link between the killer and Faith - and if Gray has to get close to her to catch the killer, so be it.

Faith is sweet and feminine, everything Gray wants and desires in a woman, but he suspects she's playing games. No way would she allow a man to call the shots in their relationship. Or would she?

Faith sees in Gray the strong, dominant man she needs, but he seems determined to keep her at a distance. So she takes matters into her own hands to prove to him it's no game she's playing. She's willing to surrender to the right man. Gray would like to be that man. But catching his partner's killer has to be his first priority - until Faith is threatened and Gray realizes he will do anything to protect her

MY THOUGHTS:

TWO WORDS: SMOKING HOT! 

This is the first time I've read a book that includes a threesome (M/M/F), anal sex, bondage, and spankings. This isn't my cup of tea, and I can say that it left me speechless, embarrassed, and most of all blushing. Haha. I’m actually planning to skip that part of the book but my curiosity got the best of me so I've read it. Now I know the saying "Curiosity killed the cat" is true because I nearly died because of it. Haha.

But I totally enjoyed it from the first page up to the last. It had all the elements I enjoy: strong-alpha male hero, intelligent and dependent heroine, likable secondary characters, funny/witty banters and interesting plot.

Grayson Montgomery is such a gorgeous, sweet and lovable hero. While Faith Malone is a strong-willed, dependent, and intelligent heroine. In my book they make a great couple. And fighting their attraction is way too cute, always turning away from each other. And when they've finally acknowledged their feelings their relationship was explosive.

What I like most about this book is not only did I fell in love with Gray and Faith but also with other characters too. Nathan and Micah were so damn hot. And I bet their stories will be hot as this one or maybe hotter. The author didn't tell much aboutConnor and Damon in this book that’s why I can’t wait to read their stores so that I can find more about them. 

Overall this was an enjoyable read for me. The author got me hooked and intrigued that I can’t wait to find more about the characters. That’s why I immediately started with book two.  

Happy reading!