Brie Surrenders Her Heart (After Graduation #8) by Red Phoenix

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

In the final installment of the Brie story line, fans finally got the answers to many of the questions that have been driving us slowly insane. And let me tell you, as a fan of Red’s Brie series this reader was well satisfied with the outcome.

We finally learned just what had transpired between Ms. Clarke and Rytsar. Brie opened her birthday presents which included a special gift from Lea which lead to an amazing scene with Master, Brie, Lea and Tono. Master finally took care of the Beast in the most amazing way. Brie’s documentary is released. And Brie and Master - well it could not have ended better!

There were so many amazing highs to this final book in the series but I have to say that my favorite chapter was titled Pearls. You just have to read it to understand.

Again there are so many fantastic lines, some I would love to share but they would give too much away if I did. So here are a few:

“Just you wait. Brie. I’ve watched you from the beginning of training. I know what you like.   I think tonight will top everything. Everything!’

  It’s good to be me …

“I love you too, Brie Bennett, with all the fierceness of a condor.”

“Those talented lips are definitely not wasted on you.”

5/5 Stars

Undressed (The Manhattanites #1) by Avery Aster

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

Lex Easton has not had it easy lately. After losing her Father, Famous Rock star Eddie Easton. She has had to deal with her Mother, an alcoholic, prescription pill addict. Whom it appears is helping to run Easton Essentials into the ground. Now Prince Massimo Tittoni, the CEO of Girasoli garment company has cut off Lex’s supply of fabric for her new line. Without those fabrics Easton Essentials will be finished.

For the most part I liked the character of Lex Easton. I loved that she was a fighter and never gave up. I liked that she was headstrong, and faced down the mighty Prince. What I didn’t care for was her trashy talk when having sex. I can understand why the prince felt the need to gag her.

Prince Massimo’s character was sexy, rich but a little too kinky for my liking. As a Prince, I guess I am holding him to a higher standard and felt his being nude in front of friends and Jemma “someone who works for him” just didn’t fit in the story somehow. Take away a little of the kink and he would have been the perfect hero in my book.

I will say that Avery doesn’t hold back anything in her writing style, you get a pretty good idea of the type of character she is trying to portray to the reader. I just wish as a reader there was more of a passionate connection. For me there seemed to be a better connection when Lex and Massimo were just having conversations. But when they had sex it was not believable .

3.5/5 stars

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

O.M.G. What an amazing story.  First I have to admit that I have not read the previous books by Tiffany Reisz. But after reading The Mistress I will be going back and reading the entire series. What an amazing story. It has just about everything a story should have and more, a kidnapping, passion, forbidden love. I found myself hypnotized to my kindle not even wanting to take a break until I reached the very end.

Nora Sutherlin has been kidnapped and is being held captive by two men and one serious nutcase of a woman. To stay alive she tells the woman stories, but these really appear to be flashbacks of her past with her lovers Soren, Wesley and Kingsley.

There are a couple of scenes I am not kidding … had me almost hyperventilating. I had crocodile tears flowing down my cheeks. Tiffany writes a brilliant story of how difficult love sometimes can be when forbidden. The passion and true love between Soren and Nora. What each one does for the other. I also loved the ending, without giving anything away. I love the gift that Nora receives and the phone call that comes in.

A Couple of my favorite lines:

“ Funny how hard it was to distinguish “Dominant” behavior from “asshole” behavior most of the time.”

“You call her Little One?”
“I always have. She was a teenager when we met. A very ill-mannered teenager. She demanded to know why I was so tall. She insinuated I had grown this tall simply for attention.” 

“Only Nora could be rude and flirtatious at the same time”
“I explained to her that I was tall so I could hear God’s voice better. And since I was taller and could hear Him better, she should always listen to me. That didn’t sit very well with her. She retorted the next day with a verse from Psalm 114. ‘The Lord keeps the little ones.’ Her biblical proof that God prefers short people. I started calling her Little One after that. It helped us both remember she belonged to God first.”

5/5 stars … wish I could give it more.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brie Visits Master's Italy (After Graduation, #7) by Red Phoenix

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

There are a number of author’s that I just cannot wait to read and Red Phoenix is one of them. Especially, her Brie Series. I hate that we are almost finished with Brie After Graduation. There is just one more novella to go, but Red Phoenix is promising that it will be longer than the others. If it is anything like #7 then WOW !!! Fans are in for a treat. So many things happened and in this reader’s opinion, all were fantastic.

We learn a little more about Ms. Clarke and her past but still I want to know what exactly she did to Rytsar. Also loved how Master made Ms. Clarke apologize to Brie. He is so in tune to her emotions.

There is an intense Bullwhip scene with Master and Brie … wowza.

Master and Brie travel to see Brie’s Parents … hehehe … saw that one coming. “Secretly I am hoping to find out her parents are in a BDSM relationship, now that would be hysterical.”

Master and Brie travel to Italy … O.M.G. I cannot even describe what happens there. A woman from Master’s pass has waited for him for 18 years … SAY WHAT !!! Parts were uncomfortable for poor Brie. But I think in the long run it was the best thing that could have happened for Brie and Master; I think it brought them closer together and showed Master where Brie’s heart is. This reader will tell you she was crying like a baby when Master and Brie had their talk.

We also celebrate Brie’s Birthday. There are some humorous moments, and again another shocker with Ms. Clarke and Rytsar.

Please Red, I am asking as a fan … before ending After Graduation answer a few of this readers questions, in the last book. Please … please … PLEASE !

1)                 What the heck did Ms. Clarke really do to Rytsar?

2)                 Are Brie’s Parents accepting after all, and are they into BDSM now?

3)                 Does Master propose to Brie? And make little Brie’s?

I do not want to give too much away but I must put a number of my favorite lines in this review. They are just too meaningful not to mention.

***** Spoiler Alert *****

 “ He was the master of incidental touches-simple contact that could drive a girl wild.”

“ God, I can’t believe he’s making me do this!”

“ I am honored by the depth of your love, babygirl.”

 “ But I will never let you go.”

 “I love you, Thane.”

5/5 stars 

Unscrupulous (The Manhattanites #2) by Avery Aster

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

This is the story of Taddy Brill, head of Brill Inc. She has a wicked sense of humor.  She is self sufficient, strong, sexy, loyal to friends and employees, and takes no prisoners. I loved certain parts of Taddy and as the story goes on you learn what made her the person she is today.

Warner “Big Daddy” Truman is extremely rich. And after being burned by a woman with serious issues he might just be a little cautious. But, that all changes when he meets Taddy. The one woman he just can’t seem to get off his mine. I loved that Warner was there for Taddy when she went to see her Mother. 

On a whole I love both the main characters and supporting characters in both this book and the first Undressed. It shows true friends that are always there for each other. They are funny, wacky, smart, and stylish and support each other through everything life has to throw their way.

This book has a lot of humor which I love in both romance and Erotic novels. I recommend this book to those that love erotic but I must caution. At times this book is raunchy and goes just too far for my taste level.  Which I believe takes away from this story.  I didn’t care much for the things that were said between Taddy and Warner while having sex … I prefer passionate words. And it kind of ruined the mood for me.

I love a good erotic novel with the best of them. The scene at the Hotel du France goes too far in my humble opinion. Having sex on the balcony was shocking enough. What the male porn star did, went way too far, and took away from the story.

One of the humorous lines from this novel:

"No Problem, We'll swear off men together for future dating and relationships. But I'm still using 'em for sex"

4/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brie Discerns Master's Heart (After Graduation #6) by Red Phoenix

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

Master has returned and this could not have come soon enough. After Graduation #6, picks up where Brie Learns Restraint ended. And we see Master protecting Brie from a new threat. The Beast as she is referred too, has come to weasel her way back into Master’s life. And she will use anyone to get to him including Brie.

The wolf is finally brought face to face with Brie in a meeting where Marquis Gray and Master were there to keep the peace. He is told by Brie that she loves her Master. Brie also tells Faelan, she would never have chose him to be her Master. I think maybe he has finally gotten the message, as later they run into each other and he never acknowledges her.

Brie also completes her Documentary and has a meeting with Mr. Holloway to learn of the outcome.

There were a number of passionate moments with Master and Brie and I have to admit there was something missing with him being gone.

Favorite passage: “ I love my Master,” she purred. “Your Master loves you,” he replied.

5/5 Stars

Brie Learns Restraint (After Graduation #5) by Red Phoenix

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

When Master leaves the Country he enlists another to watch over Brie. This Novella picks up where Brie Faces Her Master's Fears ended. As a reader I at first struggled with this decision. I soon saw the wisdom behind this, with a wolf on the prowl. After reading this novella, I now believe Master made a very wise choice. 

For this reader I also felt Brie and Tono's personal relationship grew, but in a way that doesn't interfere with her and Master. Everything about Brie and Tono was special, from having pizza, to demonstrating kinbaku at the training center to telling each other of their love for one another. I felt they were the perfect pairing while Master was away. He was there to help and protect Brie. She helped enlighten him that he needed a more permanent submissive in his life.

Brie continues to grow and learn under another's command with limitations. She also continues to work on her documentary with filming at the training center and interviews with trainers. One demonstration was just breathtaking.One interview raised more questions than answers. What really is behind Ms. Clark and her attitude? What makes her tick? I am sure readers are wondering the same thing. 

I just melted when Master called Brie ... His Poem and signing it Love Thane. I also loved that he set up a certain time each day for her to go exercise. Knowing this would help her feel closer with him, especially with a certain new gift. I must say even though I felt many of the things that happened in this novella were needed, Master was sadly missed. Yes we heard from him but for me he was truly MISSED!

5/5 stars

Diamonds and Spurs (The Callens #9) by Melody Snow Monroe

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

Amanda Clairbourne has discovered her husband Craig’s Ponzi scheme and she wants no part of it. So she sets a plan in motion to escape him. She files for divorce and goes into hiding a few days before the hearing. When the divorce is granted she leaves Denver and heads to Wyoming. Gone are the days of spa treatments, manicures, facials and designer clothes. She has gone to the one place she hopes Craig will never find her.

Amanda now goes by the name of Mandy Duncan. Mandy has found work as a hired hand on a ranch in Wyoming. She will help lead a team of women on horseback as a wilderness guide. 

Not trusting men after her marriage to Craig, Mandy is not looking for a relationship. But when Vince Callen “cousin to her boss” and his roommate Cameron Longworth enter the picture they are both interested in Mandy. But their ex-fiancée Sharon might have a say in this budding relationship.

When Mandy is first shot, the men move into protection mode. Soon there is a fire, a bomb, and then Mandy is kidnapped. And the men are trying to get to the bottom of who is behind it. Is it their crazed ex or Mandy’s Ex?

I really enjoyed this book. I have not read the previous books in the series. I thought the author did a pretty good job making this book work as a standalone as well as part of a series. But I did feel like something was missing. Maybe it was just too many accidents etc in a short amount of time. I think I would have liked more interaction between the main characters before the sex scenes. Speaking of sex scenes … Some were scorching hot, especially the Sundae scene. And the first scene … with Cam outside. 


4.5/5 Stars

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brie Faces Her Master's Fears by Red Phoenix

Reviewed by Nancy Crocker

Red has worked her magic in the fourth installment of Brie after Graduation. The novel picks up with Brie & Master leaving Russia in a hurry, and leaving Rytsar out in the cold " my own private joke here". We find that Brie will have just 48 hours to get her documentary together to show to Mr. Holloway, once they land back in the states. 

Brie learns she must come face to face with her old nemesis Mary. But when Mary, Lea & Brie meet at The Kinky Goat ... let me just tell you this fan was holding my breathe. I wanted to scream ... No RED ... Don't go there! Thank goodness she heard me ... LMAO

I did feel Master struggling in this novel and pray he stays the course. It was great to visit with the instructors again. And I did enjoy Master setting up a long overdue meeting for Brie with a former lover. But once again Red drops a shocker of all shockers at the end. Part of me understands because of what had happened at The Kinky Goat, but then I felt Brie's shock and heartache at being commanded to do something she didn't want to do. I know I could never do what was suggested in my real life. I can't wait to see if this isn't more of a test in their growing relationship. This was a major cliff hanger and I was glad to see that Red showed us who was on the other side of the door. 

5/5 stars