Arroyo Blanco, Book 1
Heat Factor: There’s a little bit of spice.
Character Chemistry: Well, she dunks him in a lagoon at their first meeting, so I think we’re off to a great start!
Plot: Emilia writes dirty stories under a pen name; Ruben writes scathing critiques of these stories under a pen name – and wants to write an exposé of the author. Banter and shenanigans ensue.
Overall: The set up is so strong, but the ending felt rushed.
Heat Factor: It’s pretty steamy for a reasonably standard old school historical romance
Character Chemistry: Galen makes Hester feel things. He also thinks she’s arresting.
Plot: Slave catchers are roving around, looking for our protagonists, in antebellum Michigan
Overall: The work this book does is really something special
Difficult Dukes, Book #2
Review of Difficult Dukes, Book 1
Heat Factor: It’s your medium-low-level histrom sexytimes, and it works well in context
Character Chemistry: The way these two processed their relationship – separately and together – was awesomesauce
Plot: Ten Things I Hate About You but more grown up
Overall: I waited a loooooooooooong time for this book, and it was better than I’d hoped for
Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 4
Heat Factor: Their first kiss was boring
Character Chemistry: Hate and love are two sides of the same coin
Plot: It’s marketed as Steampunk Cinderella but it’s more enemies-to-lovers / bodyguard / road trip
Overall: DNF at 50%. I was slogging and then just couldn’t take it any more when Gus-Gus the friendly pumpkin farmer appeared.
Handymen, Book 2
Heat Factor: I mean, there are handcuffs in the first few pages.
Character Chemistry: Steamy, steamy, and with a shared trauma that they turn into something really good.
Plot: Bernie’s childhood haven is being sold by her horrible uncle, who is the mentor of TV landscaper Eli Zorn. When the property is selected by Eli’s show to be rehabbed, Bernie handcuffs herself to the house and refuses to leave. Eli needs the rehab for his career; Bernie needs the house for her nonprofit. WHAT WILL HAPPEN??
Overall: This series rocks, and #2 is just as strong as #1.
