April 21, 2009
Stranger by Megan Hart, 4
Book description: I pay strangers to sleep with me. I have my reasons….
But they're not the ones you'd expect.
For starters, I'm a funeral director taking over my dad's business. Not exactly the kind of person you'd expect to fork over cash for the lust and urgency only live skin-to-skin contact can create. Looking at me, you wouldn't have a clue I carry this little secret so close it creases up like the folds of a fan. Tight. Personal. Ready to unravel in the heat of the moment.
Unsurprisingly, my line of work brings me face-to-face with loss. So I decided long ago that paying for sex would be one of the best (and arousing) ways to save myself from the one thing that would eventually cut far too deep.
But Sam was a mistake. Literally. I signed on to "pick up" a stranger at a bar, but took Sam home instead. And now that I've felt his heat, his sweat and everything else, can I really go back to impersonal?
Let's just hope he never finds out about my other life.…
Review: Stranger is my favorite Megan Hart book so far. Like all of Hart’s other heroines, Grace is a complex character and I was never bored spending time in her head. I also enjoyed her romance with Sam and her relationship with Jack and I felt that both were equally well developed. This book does have some sad moments but it isn’t nearly as depressing as some of Hart’s other books. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the end. It fit well with the tone of the book but I wish it had been happier.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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March 11, 2009
Top of Her Game by Emma Holly, 4
Book description: It's not only Julia's professional acumen that has men quaking in their shoes - she also has a taste for keeping men in line after office hours. With an impressive collection of whips and high heels to her name, she sure has some kinky ways of showing affection. But Julia's been searching all her life for a man who won't be tamed too quickly - and when she meets rugged dude rancher Zach on a business get-together in Montana, she thinks she might have found him. He may be a simple countryman, but he's not about to take any nonsense from uppity city women like Julia. Zach's full of surprises: where she thinks he's tough, he turns out to be gentle; when she's confident she's got this particular cowboy broken in, he turns the tables on her. Underneath the big sky of Montana, has the steely Ms Mueller finally met her match?
Review: Top of her Game is another great contemporary erotic romance from Emma Holly. Her complex characters and inventive sex scenes are present here. There is some dominance and submission in this one but nothing too weird. I know I say this in every Holly review but I wish she would abandon writing paranormals and go back to contemporaries like this.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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January 04, 2009
In Too Deep by Portia Da Costa, 3 1/2
Book description: An anonymous and kinky author finds a fan in an eager librarian — but can the sensual stories become more than just fantasy? One day, librarian Gwendolyne Price begins finding indecent proposals and sexy stories in her suggestion box at work. Soon, she finds erotic letters and sensual emails aren’t enough: she has to meet her mysterious correspondent in the flesh.
Review: In Too Deep is a fun, sexy read. The characters weren’t overly deep but I did like them. The romance was sweet without a whole lot of drama. The love scenes were pretty vanilla but still managed to be hot. I’ll probably read something else by this author.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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September 25, 2008
Broken by Megan Hart, 4
Book description: My name is different every month -- Brandy, Honey, Amy-sometimes Joe doesn't even bother to ask -- but he never fails to arouse me with his body, his mouth, his touch, no matter what I'm called or where he picks me up. The sex is always amazing, always leaves me itching for more in those long weeks until I see him again.
My real name is Sadie, and once a month over lunch Joe tells me about his latest conquest. But what Joe doesn't know is that, in my mind, I'm the star of every X-rated one-night stand he has revealed to me, or that I'm practically obsessed with our imaginary sex life. I know it's wrong. I know my husband wouldn't understand. But I can't stop. Not yet.
Review: Broken is yet another fascinating book by Megan Hart but I don’t know if I’d classify it as erotic romance. It’s more women’s fiction with an erotic romance sub plot. It’s about a woman who is dealing with her previously happy marriage falling apart after an accident that left her husband paralyzed from the neck down while vicariously having an affair with another man. That’s not the sort of plot I’d usually enjoy but Hart made it work. I’m curious to see what else this author can come up with.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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September 16, 2008
Dirty by Megan Hart, 4
Book description: This is what happened…
I met him at the candy store.
He turned and smiled at me and I was surprised enough to smile back. This was not a children's candy store, mind you--this was the kind of place you went to buy expensive imported chocolate truffles for your boss's wife because you felt guilty for having sex with him when you were both at a conference in Milwaukee.
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
I've been hit on plenty of times, mostly by men with little finesse who thought what was between their legs made up for what they lacked between their ears.
Sometimes I went home with them anyway, just because it felt good to want and be wanted, even if it was mostly fake.
The problem with wanting is that it's like pouring water into a vase full of stones. It fills you up before you know it, leaving no room for anything else. I don't apologize for who I am or what I've done in--or out--of bed.
I have my job, my house and my life, and for a long time I haven't wanted anything else.
Until Dan. Until now.
Review: Dirty is very different than a lot of erotic romances. The subject matter can be quite dark at times so if you are looking for a fluffy romance you won’t find it here. The characters, particularly Elle, were very well developed. She’s not particularly likeable. Actually, she’s a bit of a train wreck but I couldn’t stop reading about her. If you like erotic romance with fascinating characters then you’ll like Dirty
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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July 02, 2008
The Erotic Secrets of a French Maid by Lisa Cach, 4
Book description: After an unsuccessful search for her dream job in architecture, Emma Mayson becomes a maid for an incredibly handsome, wealthy entrepreneur. But Russell Carrick is also a total workaholic who has lost his zest for life -- or has he just misplaced it? Setting aside her feather duster and her inhibitions, Emma rekindles her employer's passion with a fantasy world of boundless pleasure. But then the unthinkable happens: She falls for him. Can she make Russell see her as more than a plaything?
Review: It was nice to read an erotic romance where neither of the characters were jaded sex maniacs. They were just two nice, average people slowly falling in love and having a lot of awkward sex. I found that refreshing. The title is a bit misleading since this book has very little to do with french maids. If you like contemporary romance you’ll probably enjoy this.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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June 24, 2008
In The Flesh by Emma Holly, 4
Book description: Exotic dancer Chloe Dubois is better at being bad than anyone David Imakita knows. To keep her, this Japanese American CEO will risk everything: his career, his friends, even his integrity.
And what of Chloe? Will the unrepentant temptress trade her wild ways for a future with a man who loves her? Or will the secrets of her past rise up to destroy them both?
Review: Books like In the Flesh are why I like Emma Holly so much. Here the characters are flawed but interesting. The sex scenes are creative without all that supernatural stuff her newer books have. The characters in this book aren’t always nice to each other but there’s an underlying sweetness to their romance that I enjoyed. The book did employ a cheesy plot twist towards the end but I liked the rest of the book so much I can look past it. Besides, there’s a gay sumo wrestler in this book. I can’t be mad at a book that has a gay sumo wrestler.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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April 01, 2008
Fairyville by Emma Holly, 3
Book description: Zoe Clare is a medium who has no trouble communicating with the dead-or with real live fairies, for that matter! But she can't seem to get her feelings across to her landlord-slash-manager- Magnus Monroe, Fairyville, Arizona's most eligible bachelor. She's tired of his erotic antics with every woman in town but her. So when her high school flame returns to town, Zoe is more than a little vulnerable to his charms. How Alex broke herheart is a scandal no one in Fairyville has forgotten. But even if Zoe isn't ready to forget, she's willing to forgive. The rules they're about to break will bring out the jealousy in Magnus-and the astounding truth.
Review: Fairyville is my least liked Emma Holly book so far. I enjoyed the secondary romance but I was not feeling the main romance. The characters were ok but were not written with the depth I’ve come to expect from Holly. Fairy plot lines rarely appeal to me and this book was no exception. The erotica scenes were still very well written. The next time I want to read an Emma Holly book I think I’ll read one of her older works.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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September 24, 2007
Personal Assets by Emma Holly, 4
Book description: Style and sensuality. Power and passion...There’s something about Parisian boutique Meilleurs Amis that provokes all who enter to blur the line between business and pleasure. No one knows this better that Beatrix Clouet, the daughter of its infamous and not-so-dearly departed founder. And now, with a new boutique opening in Manhattan, Beatrix and her best friend, Lela Turner, are branching out—both professionally and sexually...
From the boardroom to the bedroom, there best friends will have to weigh the price of love and lust—while making their wildest fantasies come to life...
Review: Personal Assets is two romances in one written in Holly’s erotic, character driven style. When I found out this book had two separate romances, I feared that they would feel rushed. Fortunately I was wrong and both romances were well developed and equally enjoyable. Holly fans will enjoy this and it’s also a good starting point for someone who has never read her before.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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April 05, 2007
Prince of Ice by Emma Holly, 3 1/2
Book description: Human’s like to call them demons, but the yama are an old and civilized race—far too civilized to fraternize with lesser beings, a view highborn among them adhere to most stringently. It is only through plots and subterfuge that a quarter-human infant, one Xishi Huon, infiltrates a princely household. There she is raised side by side with Corum, the Midarri heir, whose own peculiarities make her his soul mate...at least until the whispers of their unnatural fondness lead her to be banished to an orphanage.
Coming of age as a courtesan, Xishi excels in the erotic arts. But when Corum becomes her new owner, the relationship will test the limits of her gifts. Corum is the Prince of Ice now and not the sensitive boy she knew. If he succumbs to the temptations of her human touch, their bond will defy every convention his kind holds dear. If he doesn’t. His uncontrollable sexual needs might drive both insane. Neither suspects what is happening behind the scenes, that the very plots that brought them together could up costing them their lives.
Review: Prince of Ice is set in the same world as The Demon’s Daughter but can be read on it’s own. I liked this book far more before Corum and Xishi meet up again as adults. Corum is more likable as a child and Xishi’s training as a courtesan was the most interesting part of the book. The romance was ok I suppose but I tend not to like soul mate plots. I didn’t hate the soul mate plot here but I didn’t exactly enjoy it either. I did like how this book had more world building from the yama perspective. This could just be my paranormal burnout speaking but I think I like Holly’s contemporaries better than her paranormals and I’m going to stick with those for a while.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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February 15, 2007
Natural Law by Joey W. Hill, 4
Book description: Mackenzie "Mac" Nighthorse is a highly respected homicide detective and a career cop. There isn't a dangerous situation that can back him down.
However, the personal becomes uncomfortably entangled in the professional when he goes undercover in a high class BDSM club as a male submissive in order to find a Dominatrix who is winning the trust and then murdering her chosen partners.
When his path crosses Violet Siemanski's, he realizes he's found a Mistress willing to be his ally in finding the murderess. But Violet is also going to shatter Mac's shields and make him question who he is and what he wants, a challenge more disturbing than any case he's ever worked.
Review: I really like Joey W. Hill’s writing. Like in Emma Holly’s books, the sex scenes help develop the characters and never feel excessive. The book focuses on the psychological affects of the BDSM lifestyle instead of using those elements as cheep thrills. The main characters are atypical and I enjoyed their romance. There’s even a decent suspense sub-plot. I’ll be reading more from this author.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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January 11, 2007
All U Can Eat by Emma Holly, 4
Book description: When the body of a wealthy woman is discovered in an alley near Frankie Smith's diner, Frankie realizes she's one of Chief Jack West's prime suspects. The truth is, Jack's attraction to the sexy proprietor of All U Can Eat is all-consuming-though he knows hauling her into custody isn't going to improve his chances with her.
What neither of them realizes is that the town of Six Palms is full of secrets that would shock even the raciest residents. Determined to clear her name-and to get to know the police chief better-Frankie joins Jack on a rollercoaster ride of an investigation. And soon, letting go of their inhibitions seems like the most natural thing in the world.
Review: While I enjoyed this book as much as all the other Emma Holly books I’ve read, it’s the first one that didn’t entirely work as a romance for me. The heroine sleeps with so many men is such a short time that the hero didn’t seem more special than any of the others. But I didn’t enjoy the character development of both the hero and heroine. The suspense plot was also good. I hope Holly writes more erotic romantic suspense.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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December 08, 2006
Nutcracker Prince by Katherine Cross, 3 1/2
Book description: It's Christmas Eve and Claire Jacobs has come to see the annual performance of The Nutcracker. Lulled by the familiar music and choreography, she has no idea that she will soon be swept out of her world and into one like nothing she has ever known…and into the arms of two very different men.
Erik and Adam have been members of the Company for decades. As immortal muses, it is their job to inspire others through magic and dance. One look at Claire, however, and they are inspired themselves — to put aside their long feud and convince her to join them forever.
They have one evening to seduce Claire body and soul through tender touches and hard commands. But Claire has a few ideas of her own and plans to get all three of them on equal footing…both in bed and out.
Review: Nutcracker Prince is an Ellora’s Cave Christmas quickie from debut author Katherine Cross. I found it to be more enjoyable than many of the Ellora’s Cave titles I’ve tried. The story is short but manages to have a nice fairy tale-like quality. The characters also have an interesting dynamic, especially Erik and Adam. If you’re looking for a fast holiday erotica story Nutcracker Prince is a good way to go.
You can order Nutcracker Prince here.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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September 16, 2006
The Demon's Daughter by Emma Holly, 4
Book description: It's Inspector Adrian Philips's job to keep the peace between humans and demons in Avvar. Part demon, part human, he's hated by both sides. But when he meets Roxanne, a fellow outcast, he finds in her everything his soul needs--and his body yearns for. The question is, will the exquisite pleasure they find together be worth the dangerous wrath of their enemies?
Review: The Demon’s Daughter is an erotic romance set in a sci-fi version of Victorian England. If I hadn’t already read and liked Holly’s writing, that setting alone would have convinced me to give her a try. Holly managed to cram romance, erotica, characterization, world building, and plot into this book and each aspect worked. There aren’t a whole lot of authors around who can do that. I also liked that Adrian wasn’t a typical alpha cop character. Holly made him seem very human and completely equal to Roxanne. I can’t wait to read more from Emma Holly!
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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July 02, 2006
Strange Attractions by Emma Holly, 4
Book description: When high-school dropout and unrepentant heartbreaker Charity Wills is offered a chance to attend college for free, she jumps at it. There’s just one little catch...
She must travel to the estate of a reclusive physicist with an ingenious mind for sex games. Obsessed with the unattainable and the mysteries of desire, there’s only one thing he craves: the thrill of being refused. Leave it to Charity to provide a challenge—especially when Eric Berne, her sexy “keeper,” is there to lend a hand.
Behind the locked doors of the isolated mansion, the games begin. So does the education of Charity Wills, who’s about to discover that the possibilities for sensual indulgence are beyond anything her wildest dreams ever allowed...
Review: I was beginning to tire of erotic romance. In my experience, the characters in this genre act more like talking genitals than real people. I also have a problem finding erotic romances romantic. Thank god for Emma Holly because neither of these problems are present here. The book description is a bit misleading. Both of the heros are bisexual and in a long standing relationship with each other. I also don’t find threesomes romantic but the one in this book really worked for me. Charity’s relationship with both men is well developed and she has a different dynamic with each of them. The heros’ relationship with each other is just as well developed. I think the attention given to the individual relationships is what made me find the threesome romantic. It just made sense that these three would choose to be together. This book isn’t for everyone, there are quite a few gay sex scenes and even some very light lesbian interaction. If none of that bothers you I highly recommend this book.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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May 21, 2006
Phantom of the Night by Michelle M. Pillow, 1 1/2
Book description: Orphaned at a young age, Lily Graye is taken in by her aunt and raised in the theatrical world of the Pavilion, a place where every strange whim is normal and every odd behavior encouraged. However, when her long dead childhood crush comes back to life, even she, a born eccentric has to question if life within the Pavilion has become a little too strange.
Review: Take Phantom of the Opera and remove everything remotely likeable about it, then add vampires. That pretty much sums up this book. This book is so bland and juvenile. It reads like bad YA fiction with boring sex scenes thrown in every once in a while. The only good thing I can say about this book is that it was short. Avoid.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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May 15, 2006
The Empress' New Clothes by Jaid Black, 3
Book description: Modern day Earth woman Kyra Summers is kidnapped and wed by a seven-foot tall, thickly muscled warrior claiming to be her Sacred Mate. Life on his home planet Tryston takes some getting used to, as the laws of the world cater to erotic hedonism and leave females at the sexual subjugation of the barbarians who claim them.
No one said love with an alien would come easily. Enjoy Kyra's spicy escapades as she adjusts to life and love in another dimension.
Review: I loved that this book was campy in the way that only bad science fiction can be. A lot of the dialogue was really funny too. I’m glad that the author wasn’t afraid to experiment. That kept the sex from getting too boring but it means that this book probably isn’t for everyone. The book was also far too long and I didn’t care for any of the characters. If you are looking for an erotic romance that’s a little different you may want to try this.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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March 18, 2006
Midnight Man by Lisa Marie Rice, 3
Book description: Interior decorator Suzanne Barron's new tenant is the most dangerously sexy man she's ever met. Navy Commander John Huntington, a former SEAL (aka 'Midnight Man') works best under cover of darkness. Within hours of meeting him, Suzanne has wild, no-holds barred sex with John, then panics at the depth of her passionate response to such a powerful and dangerous warrior. Suzanne doesn't do sex like that. John is definitely someone she needs to avoid for her own peace of mind. But when killers come for her, Suzanne known she can turn to only one man. John will guard and protect her body. But who will guard and protect her body against John?
Review: I really loved the way this book started out. The relationship development was interesting and I couldn’t wait so see where it was going. The hero was very alpha which would normally irritate the hell out of me but he was written in an interesting way. Then, the romantic suspense element kicked in and the book fell apart a bit. It was just too much plot for so short a book. Plot issues aside, the writing was far better than what I’ve come to expect from this genre. I’ll probably try this writer again.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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March 10, 2006
Jacob's Faith by Lora Leigh, 2
Book description: They are a new breed, a new race. Engineered rather than born, trained rather than raised, and their unique genetics have created more than one surprise...
Jacob left Faith six years before, unaware that the mark he left on her also left her in an agony of sexual heat that never dimmed. Now Jacob and Faith are together again, but surprises lurk around every corner and dangers as dark and deadly as their very creation surround them in more ways than one.
Review: Jacob’s Faith is the second book in the Wolf Breeds series. Unfortunately, the only thing that distinguishes it from the rest of the series is the terrible dialogue. The heroine spends half the book complaining about her lack of coffee, bear, and dildos. This series is getting old really fast.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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February 05, 2006
Soul Deep by Lora Leigh, 3
Mother Nature has a way of making the most unlikely couples 'fit'. And what could be more unlikely than a sassy, independent President's daughter who doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut and a loner Coyote Breed with a hunger for a cute rosebud mouth that he's determined to still.
The vote for Breed Law is coming down the pike. Kiowa's job is to watch Amanda, the President's daughter—look, but not touch. Just make sure the Goof Troop, the Secret Service detail assigned to protect her, do their job until the law is passed.
But when they don't and the bad guys move in to take her out, Kiowa reluctantly slips in to the rescue, snatching her away to safety. But she isn't going to come easy and it takes more than smooth talking to make her see his point of view.
For a man who's had nothing, Amanda Marion is food for the hunger that has tortured him, the reality to every dream Kiowa never dared believe in. What he feels for her is more than heat, more than love. She breathes life into his hardened heart, melting the icy chill that has protected him all his life, and touches a part of him that he thought had died—his soul. And now he'll kill anyone who tries to take her away from him.
But the one person he can't fight is Amanda, and when she wants to leave…
Yep, it’s another breeds book. The hero gets a little more character development this time around. Otherwise, it’s more of the same.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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January 16, 2006
Wolfe's Hope by Lora Leigh, 
Hope believed Wolfe was dead, but he was only waiting for the right time to claim her. The scientist who created him, Hope's mother, has forced his hand. She wants her creation back, and she wants any children he may breed on her daughter.
He is a man whose DNA was altered, infused with the genetic code of the wolf. His unique genetic makeup has created a male unlike any other and will make itself known in the most surprising ways. Now Hope must convince her mate she hasn't betrayed him, and they must defeat the plans of a scientist gone mad.
This is the first book in Leigh’s Wolf Breeds series. Characterization is almost non existent but since this erotic romance is short story length, I wasn’t expecting deep characters anyway. The dynamic between the main characters is interesting enough. The villain is so over the top evil that not revealing her motivations made her totally unbelievable. Not the best Leigh but readable if you like her style.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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December 31, 2005
The Man Within by Lora Leigh, 
He had protected her as a child, filled all her teenaged fantasies, and as a woman, he stole her heart. Only to break it.
Now, fifteen months later, the news has released. The man she loves is one of the genetically altered Feline Breeds who have shocked the world with their presence. He's also her mate. The mark on her neck attests to that. The fire that rages in her heart and in her body further proves it. But he hadn't wanted her then; does he really want her now?
Deceit and treachery, born in the past, now haunt the present as Taber and Roni fight to make sense of a sudden bonding. The mating of heart, body and soul as the man and the beast within merge; both battling the forces raging against the union and dominance over the woman he claimed.
The Man Within is the second book in the Feline Breeds series. It was similar to the first one but there were some improvements. The romance was much better. The characters had a history together which made them falling in love more believable. Taber was alpha but he didn’t cross the line over to asshole too often. Roni also had a bit more backbone then the heroine in the first book did. I doubt I’ll ever love this series but I’m interested enough to keep reading. Especially since the books are easier to get now that I have an e-book reader.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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December 02, 2005
Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh, 
Book description: Callan Lyons is a genetic experiment. One of six fighting for freedom and the survival of their pride. Merinus Tyler is the reporter who will tempt him, draw him, until the fury of the "mating frenzy" locks them into a battle of sexual heat there is no escape from.
Deception, blood, and the evil Genetics Council are hot on their trail. Callan will use his strength to try and save them both...and do all in his power to keep his woman in the process.
Review: Since this is an erotic romance, the sex is far more interesting than you would usually find in a romance novel so the book succeeds in that aspect. However, I wasn’t overly fond of any other aspect of the book. Callan and all of the other men were far too alpha for my tastes. Merinus isn’t entirely submissive but I would have liked to see her put up more of a fight. The plot has some interesting elements but not a whole lot was ever done with it. I recommend this book to fans of erotic romance but I’m not sure I liked it enough to continue with the series.
Category, Romance: Erotic|
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