Mysterious – Page 2 – The Smut Report

Review: All Fired Up by Jenn Burke (2021)

May 28, 2021May 27, 2021 Erin

Ashes & Dust, Book #1

Heat Factor: Dry humping to climax is great, but have you ever tried a “whoops we woke up in the same bed and we’re aroused” hand job?

Character Chemistry: It was sweet

Plot: Someone is sucking the souls out of people with magic, so of course the vampire PI goes undercover to investigate and then ends up metaphysically bound to the soul-sucker

Overall: It took a long time to figure out what the deal was with the love interest, but the mystery and the magical creatures made for a fun read

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Review

Review: The Wedding Night Affair by L.C. Sharp (2021)

May 11, 2021 Holly

Ash and Juliana, Book #1

Heat Factor: One kiss

Character Chemistry: Solid

Plot: Juliana wakes up after her (traumatizing) wedding night in a pool of her husband’s blood. Naturally, she is the prime suspect. She enlists the help of lawyer/investigator Ash to save herself from the gallows.

*Content Warning for violent sexual assault before the book opens. It’s never described, but it is frequently referred to, and enough details are included throughout the text for the reader to get a pretty good idea of how bad it was.

Overall: Disappointing

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Review: The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin (2013)

April 14, 2021April 13, 2021 Holly

The Lotus Palace Mysteries, Book 1

Heat Factor: It takes Lord Bai a couple of encounters before he masters Advanced Consent

Character Chemistry: Yue-ying sees right through Bai Huang, and it’s good for him

Plot: A courtesan is found murdered, so a minor lord and a servant from the pleasure quarter team up to crack the case

Overall: This was a fabulous read—gripping mystery, interesting setting, lush writing, great characters—but I am conflicted about the relationship.

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Review: The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin (2013)

January 6, 2021January 5, 2021 Holly

Tang Dynasty, Book #4

Heat Factor: A bit of sizzle.

Character Chemistry: Literal sparring partners. Like, with swords.

Plot: Le Fing is a bandit. Han is a thief-catcher. He’s chasing her around China after she was maybe involved in stealing some jade. Then they team up because there is something bigger afoot.

Overall: I gobbled this one up. Nom nom nom.

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Review

Review: Black Witch Magic by Mila Nicks (2020)

October 28, 2020 Holly

Paranormal Hunters, Book 1

Heat Factor: They have extremely bad sex and are both absolutely mortified. This scene is excellent. (There is also a bit of good sex at the end.)

Character Chemistry: They’re both misanthropes who like reading. I buy it.

Plot: Selene’s family is cursed. And she’s a witch. Aiden is a paranormal investigator who definitely does not believe in magic and wants to do a show about her grandma.

Overall: Mostly fun

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