**NOT RECOMMENDED** A Kiss At Midnight by Eloisa James

A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: HOT (Major Scene Skipping)




Miss Kate Daltry doesn't believe in fairy tales . . . or happily ever after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince . . . and decides he's anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman—a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancee, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn't love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.

Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.

Unless a prince throws away everything that makes him noble . . .

Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune . . .

Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.



This book started out with such promise that I was excited to find out how Ms. James would turn this "fairytale" into something new. As you can see from my stars I was disappointed.

The heroine started out with "morals" and over a weekend lost her mind and gives it all away... If I had read the prince say "just one more time" or "Just the one night" I would have stopped reading and moved on to another book. The heroine had spunk and there was a lot of witty banter between the two but all was overshadowed in my mind with the MULTIPLE sex scenes that ruined this book for me. What kind of woman would allow a man that is engaged to another woman allow a man to pull her off to the side and "make love"( for lack of a better word) at a betrothal party with the other woman there... disturbing, disappointing and ridiculousness...

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating:




The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazement's. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknown-st to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.



I would give this book a 3.5 if that were possible but rounded up. The writing was all about painting a picture and while the images were beautiful so many of them were a waste of time... over half the book I was trying to figure out the purpose of this "Circus" and the last half had so many extra characters added in that I lost track of which one was which. The book was fairly clean with only one curse word at the beginning (totally uncalled for) and an implied sex scene half way through. If you love circuses this is the book for you. The romance was on the back burner for most of the book and in my opinion the author had a stage to make this much more romantic than was achieved.

**NOT RECOMMENDED** Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: HOT 


Reckless and wild, beautiful Lily Lawson delights in shocking proper London society--and will break any rule to flaunt her independence. And now she is determined to rescue her helpless sister from an upcoming, undesired marriage to Lord Alex Raiford, the arrogant Earl of Wolverton. Through fair means and foul, the headstrong hellion succeeds outrageously-but her handsome adversary is not to be outdone. A master gamesman, Lord Alex counters Lily's scorn with kindness, and parries her blistering barbs with gentle words and a soft, sensuous touch. For he has resolved to make the spirited miss pay dearly for her interference-with her body, her soul...and her stubborn, unyielding heart.



This book was my first Kleypas and I'm afraid to say that if all her books follow this writing pattern I won't be reading this author. The book was sweet enough substance about a girl that made bad decisions that followed her into adulthood. The relationship between Alex and Lilly could even be believed in a far fetched way but all the "love making"(if you could call them that) I found to be uncomfortable and extreme in amount and that was with skipping the scenes as best I could. I would not say that this book was erotic but Kleypas did write out specific acts and body parts and the total lack of sexual tension was the biggest downfall.

Lost Truth (Truth, #4) by Dawn Cook

Lost Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff

This is the final book in nationally bestselling author Dawn Cook's magical ''Truth Series''. One last lesson. Alissa is steadily advancing in her magical studies with the last surviving Master at the legendary Hold. But she's haunted by dreams--dreams revealing that other Masters have survived. Alissa's dreams lead her to a distant island where she and a rescue party discover countless Masters, alive and part of a flourishing magical society. But instead of being welcomed, Alissa finds that she herself may need to be rescued. The Masters' leader, Keribdis, believes that she should be Alissa's teacher, whether Alissa likes it or not. When Alissa rebels, she endangers not only her magic but also her life.



The final book was my favorite! We have a love triangle throughout this book. This was action packed and a perfect ending to the series. I don't want to give anything away so I will just say keep reading until you get to the end, it is well worth it.

Forgotten Truth (Truth, #3) by Dawn Cook

Forgotten Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff


This third book of the enchanting Truth Series is a tale of magic and love. Alissa is the only student living in the Hold, learning a millennium's worth of magic from the last surviving Master. Even shape-shifting to her dragon-like raku form is becoming second nature. But when a spell goes awry, Alissa is transported back four centuries to an era when the Hold and its city thrive with magic students and their tutors. Separated from the man she loves by four hundred years, Alissa's distress and confusion are causing her to lose control of her shape-shifting. If she can't return to her own time, Alissa will be permanently transformed into her bestial form with no memory of her human life--or her love.



I read this and the the last book Lost Truth back to back so it is hard to remember where this one stopped. Another great book in the 4 book series and still highly recommended! It was completely clean and in no way lacking because of it.

Hidden Truth (Truth, #2) by Dawn Cook

Hidden Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating : Fluff 


Alissa never believed in magic. But then she went to the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers once learned magic from enigmatic Masters. Under the tutelage of the last surviving Master, Alissa discovered that she had inherited her father's magical ability.
       But the Hold is ruled by Bailic, the renegade Keeper who seized the First Truth, a book of magic he will use to harness the might of the city of the dead and wreak a war of total devastation. The book has thwarted Bailic's every attempt to access it, while it continually calls to Alissa—who must summon all her will to resist it. For if she gives in to the First Truth's ultimate power and knowledge, she will be utterly changed—and the man she loves could be lost to her forever.


The second book in the "Truth" series starts up right where the first book finished so abruptly. As I said with my review of the First Truth, the author still has problem keeping time in order while this is easily overcome, I wonder that it wasn't caught after editing the 1st book. I was happy to see Strell and Alissa grow closer but still they are so far apart. .. I highly recommend this series for anyone looking for a clean fantasy romance.

First Truth (Truth, #1) by Dawn Cook

First Truth by Dawn Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff


Alissa doesn't believe in magic. Her father's stories about the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers learn magic from the enigmatic Maters, are just that―stories. But her mother insists that Alissa has inherited her father's magical ability, and so she must go to the Hold―the only place her talents can be trained. 
      On her way, she crosses paths with Strell, a wandering musician from the plains. And though Alissa is not sure she can trust a plainsman, Strell has something she needs―one of her father's old maps. Traveling together, they can reach the Hold before the snow sets in.
      But they don't know that the Hold is nearly empty. Something is very wrong and someone believes that Alissa and Strell knows about a book called First Truth.



This was a very good book. The writing aggravated me a little because it seems the author had troubles keeping the time throughout the story.  There is an undertone of romance running very deep under the surface and I look forward to seeing where it will end up. All in all I would recommend this book to historical romance, time travel, mythical and magic story lovers. Very clean and entertaining.

A small disclaimer: This should have been one book together with the 2nd book ... it feels like the author took one book and split it in two so be sure to have the Hidden Truth before you finish this book or the suspense might rip you apart. :-)

Dragon Blood (Hurog, #2) by Patricia Briggs

Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated-Hot





      With this second installment of the Hurog series we follow Ward as he is caught by the snare that we thought he escaped in the 1st book. Ward is able to escape seemingly impossible situations because he is surrounded by loyal friends and mystical creatures that know of his reputation.

       This book had a lot of talk/act of homosexuality(not explicit), which is not my cup of tea.(as well as pedophile acts not described but referenced) We are pulled into torture sessions and murder, deceit and love. How can a story have all of this in one book? This was an action packed sprint and then it was just over. I was disappointed with the abrupt ending and felt cheated after all the horrible evil done. This is not one of Briggs books I would read again or recommend to anyone unless they were already a Patricia Briggs follower.

Dragon Bones (Hurog, #1) by Patricia Briggs

Dragon Bones by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated-Slightly Hot


Riding into a war that's heating up on the border, Ward, the new lord of Herzog, is sure he's on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. The bones could prove to be dangerous in the wrong hands, and Ward is certain his enemies will stop at nothing to possess them.



I will start by saying this is not my favorite series by Ms. Briggs. I enjoyed this book and thought it was worth reading if you have nothing else to read. Our hero is a strong and competent young man but due to some bad choices his home is stripped away from him. Due to a survival instinct taken to far our hero has to prove himself to earn back what is his already. I personally did not like the relationships of the king and queen as we dealt with adultery and homosexuality. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a historical highlander book with lots of mystic tales and magic.

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Clean/ Some Violence


Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.



This book was both wonderful and heartbreaking. I couldn't stop until I knew how it was going to end. Poor Katniss, Poor Peta, Poor Prim, Poor Gale...the list goes on and on... there were so many twists in this book. I don't want to give any spoilers but I was happy with the ending and would definitely recommend this series.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Clean/ Some Violence


Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

Wow! What a series. We start this second installment of the Hunger Games Trilogy with a bang. Katniss has to convince everyone her love for Peta is true and wasn't meant to start a rebellion... After some big twists and turns we finish the book with a HUGE cliffhanger... do not start this book unless you have the last book Mockingjay ready to go before the end. Highly recommended!!

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Clean/ Some Violence


In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
       Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.



The concept of this book is a lot to swallow but Ms. Collin's tells a story that only a masterful author could make it seem natural. WOW! This is an excellent book! Couldn't put it down. I understand why Stephenie Meyer recommended it.

**NOT RECOMMENDED** Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5)

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: HOT (NOT Recommended)


Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .



Disclaimer: Once again, the cursing in this book is atrocious. While it is "cleaner" than the last 4 books in the series, the cursing was so distracting for me that it slowed me down on reading this book. There was 1 detailed sex scene and 2 implied.



In this adventure of Kate Daniels we get to see a lot more tender moments between Kate and Curran, the beast lord, and her mate. The emotional connections displayed were much needed to carry out this series. I am not planning on reading anymore of this series due to the graphic language. I hoped that the author was using it to draw in followers and would tapper off but it appears not. I was happy with the ending of this book and feel like Kate still has a long journey ahead of her.

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated-Hot


Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?



**Strong Language - multiple "GD" and "F" words**



We start of with the shock that ended the last book. Rose has murdered the Queen... Or at least that's what it looks like. This book has many different trails to follow before we get to the end. While we end up with a HEA, the journey is rough. There were multiple times while reading that I couldn't help but question "Why is he doing that?" "Why would he say that?" "How are they going to get out of this?"


There was a sex scene with no details and had the language been better I would have given this a 5 star rating! It's a shame

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated - Barely Hot


Salvation has its price.

The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s — and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series.



**Strong Language- multiple GD's and F words**



The 5th installment of the Vampire Academy Series was quite a roller coaster. While things were accomplished in this installment that you hoped for there was heartbreak around the corner. When beginning this series I was hoping that the foul language would diminish with the story becoming more popular, unfortunately that was not the case. There was an almost sex scene that was not overly detailed with an unexpected ending.......

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Fluff - Heated


How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?



** 2 uses of "GD" and 2 "F" words **

 
         Rose gets into a lot in this book. She travels half way around the world set on a mission. There were so many up and downs in this book and I couldn't help but think "How will she be able to get through this mission" ... It was heartbreaking but at the same time I could see there was no way she could leave without completing it... Hold on to your seats because the last 2 chapters have some big twists!

          While the cursing was improved I was disappointed with the cursing because once again it was completely unnecessary. I felt like the author did a great job on avoiding too much intimacy but enough to break with Rose...

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri, some rules are meant to be broken...

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing but suddenly there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmare, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most..but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

***Mild Language- This book was MUCH improved on the cursing compared to previous books in the series and that makes me happy! There was one sex scene but it didn't go into details other than to say they had sex.

Book 3 did not disappoint. I was shocked with the ending and must start book 4 ASAP. The relationship between Rose and Lissa is becoming more and more strained as they are growing up and making more decisions without the other considered. I felt like Lissa was a bit selfish in the last two books and I can see that Rose really isn't as much of a best friend as she claims. WHY wouldn't Rose tell her about the feelings she has for Dimitri? That's what best friends do...

*There was one sex scene but it didn't go into details other than to say they had sex and that is why it is 3 stars.

This book did not end in a HEA but I have been assured that it gets better so I will continue the series.

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality: Heated


Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…
 
It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…



**The unfortunate part is that this is a YA novel but the language is rated R and the sexual content is between PG-13.


The second in the series did not disappoint. While Rose is continually trying to cope with her feelings for Dimitri.. While Rose is dealing with the possibility that a happy ending may not be possible for her, learning all she can to protect Lissa and deal with her issues and trying to move on, you are pulled in for a gripping story. The language was major for YA novel and would have earned itself 5 stars had it not been in there. The sex scene was minor and not needed but didn't take away or add to the story.

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Heated


St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.



**Adult language in a YA Novel!



The beginning of the Vampire Academy series sets a stage with two runaway high school students being dragged back to boarding school. As the reasons for their departure unfold I had to refer back to others in the series to be sure I was reading the 1st book. Rest assured that all is explained eventually and you end up in a world filled with Royal events and a love that appears doomed from the start. What will happen next? I can't wait to find out.

There was an ALMOST sex scene that was brought through a charm but the characters stopped before anything MAJOR happened. Throughout the book there were innuendos.

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sensuality Rating: Sweet


Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.


This was a cute YA romance. I thought it was very original and am very interested to see where the author will take us next.