Mx. Phoebe

Simon Strange delivers a very hot and steamy romance for those of us still living in isolation in the first of the “Shelter” trilogy Shelter in Place. Whew! Wipe the sweat off my brow for the rest of my review.

Isolation can make one take the time to think of things in a different light and boredom can make you try new things and Strange puts this to the test in the character of Ross.

If you are not one for the details, there is still the romance and the conversation of what is sexuality. I actually loved this part of the conversation as it mimics my thoughts in a lot of ways. Cal is a sensitive guy and has suffered his own trauma which Ross handles in his own confusing way - which once again Strange writes brilliantly.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Hired to find a missing girl, Gloria is led to a dangerous predator who has been making girls disappear for a long time and Gloria is next.

Gloria Morris is the best kind of private eye: she is easy on the eyes, has a way with the ladies, and leaves every either happy or dead. She works for a lawyer who does not mind the blurring of the lines especially since the next case he sends her on is a missing girl, Susie Mae, who sells her time for dates, sex, and parties. Her roommate and lover, Clarissa, has begged for help and has already threatened one of the pimps with an ice pick in a friendly exchange. Unbeknownst everyone, Susie Mae decided to add blackmail to her repertoire and everyone is looking for the evidence and is willing to kill to make sure no one else gets it. Gloria chases the leads which lead to devine food tastings, old friends, new friends, and the murderer. The question now for Gloria is how far is she willing to go to get the confession?

I loved Out of Control by G.R. Browda. I think I would have loved it just for the language alone, Browda states in her Goodreads profile that she writes in “hardboiled colloquial American English” and it works. The novel reads as a mix of the old gumshoe novels set in today's world, but with an elegance of language that if you love words will get you wet - sorry for the graphic word but it is true. She took the word “gay” back to what it used to mean (multiple times) and this is something I have been saying we need to do as writers. She also described a sex scene in a way I have NEVER read a sex scene before and I will admit it flummoxed me and she never wrote the same type of sex scene twice. She is heavily descriptive in her writing to where you can visualize the wallpaper, which is something I do not normally like to read in excess but once again - the language. Browda has seduced me with her turn of a word and phrase.

Now let's talk about the story and we have yet another hit. Gloria Morris is a private eye that I want to question me (pretty please). This is a gumshoe I will follow on any mystery she wants to investigate. She is tough, caring, funny, and she gets the ladies and the ladies still like her afterwards. The secondary characters are unique and fun and are a great setup if Browda decides to take Morris further (which I hope she does). The mystery itself was solid and fit the old style mystery set in today's world. According to Goodreads, this is Browda's first book and if it is she knocked it out of the park because I want more. I especially want more of Morris, but I have faith that whatever she comes up will be just as fascinating and lovely to read. I highly recommend this book - especially for Book Clubs as once again the language here is just lovely to read.

I talk a lot about the language in this book because it is usually the writers who have a unique style or turn of phrase that I remember. Lass Small had a very distinctive style as it was abrupt and short and simple in its complexity. I read every book. Jennifer Fulton was the first lesbian author I ever read and it was her style that kept me reading the genre that was very limited at the time. Karin Kallmaker is another author, I always recommend. Octavia Butler's Kindred is the book I send everyone. I could keep going on, but hopefully you get my point. I love words, and Browda won my heart with her words. (Sigh, I am so easy.)

#FridayReads #BookReview #GRBrowda #OutOfControl #OutOfControlAGloriaMorrisMystery #GlorisMorrisMystery #GloriaMorris #LesbianBookReview #LesFic #LesbianMystery #Mystery #Lesbian #LesbianCrime #Crime #PhoebesRainbowWorld #BookReviewer #FlippingRainbows #4Stars #RatedRSex #LGBT #LGBTQ

Mona and her friends might have a cure, but time is running out and the enemy is drawing near.

Mona's mother gives her the solution, but it takes time to recreate and it might not work. Caspian is having a hard time believing that his mother cursed his girlfriend. Professor Feathertop is showing an increased interest in Mona and her kitties. Plus, the year will be ending soon and if Mona does not pass she will not be staying at the Academy.

No pressure.

Laura Greenwood is making it harder and harder to write a review without giving something away. Greenwood has packed Fourth Time's A Cure (Drowlgon Press, 2019) with all kinds of deliciousness that it would be too easy to say something I should not. I did say that this series is turning into one of my favorites by her did I not?

There is magic, romance, laughter, and friendship in Cure. I should probably add that there are plenty of cute kitties too (laugh). There is also family drama, tense verbal scenes, and kisses. A battle is coming and the bad magic guys just threw down a gauntlet that Mona cannot resist. Bring on the next book because it is the end and I cannot wait!

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Joe Gazzam and Jessica Therrien give us family angst in the midst of international mystery in The Mercenary's Daughter (Acorn Publishing, 978-1947392748, 2020). I think the interaction between Tara and Mitch is the best part of the book. I am not usually one to praise family drama, but it all makes sense and if you have a sibling then you can get it and laugh. You probably will even laugh if you do not have a sibling (laugh).

Gazzam and Therrien keep it real when it comes to the solutions of two relatively young people on a rescue mission. I am, unfortunately, completely familiar with Tara's backstory which is too real. Gazzam and Therrien do a great job of making the story come to life with tactics that could actually be done.

This is a stressful and at times funny adventure. Stressful, because hello you want them to succeed! (laugh) Gazzam and Therrien got me to care about the characters and that is a huge plus.

I think you will love this international sibling mystery and I hope these two hit the road again.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

I think someone cursed Ronnie (laugh). When you read Curses Start Somewhere (2020) by Laura Greenwood, I think you might agree with me. There are definitely undercurrents of something else going on and I bet the boards on Greenwood's community pages are lighting up over this story.

[bc:Being Exposed 36360389 Being Exposed Mae Worthington https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507236784s/36360389.jpg 58043907]Mae Worthington explores what happens at a party when the secrets of a teenage clique start to break everyone apart in Being Exposed.Everyone has a secret: they are pretending to be someone else. Jackie and Garrett's true identities/secrets are exposed at a party and Garrett feels he has been hiding the biggest secret of them all: he is gay. In the aftermath, everyone's truths come out in a college visit road trip. These stories are not for the faint hearted and might be a trigger for some people. Worthington confronts many issues from neglect, homelessness, date-rape, gay-bashing, anorexia, low self-esteem, bullying, to outright hate violence. The stories are told in all of their voices and not just from one point of view. This is an excellent book and coming out story for all of the characters and does not offer an easy happy ending because life is not like that. #YoungAdultFiction #YoungAdultGayFiction #MaeWorthington #BeingExposed #4Stars #GoodreadsGiveaway #PhoebesRainbowWorld #FlippingRainbows

Dean Cornwall makes a road trip fun, but maybe not so merry (laugh). Cornwall gives us a rich guy who always gets what he wants no matter who has to step on and a guy who is tired of being stepped on. Then Cornwall mixes in some really hot chemistry and talk about a conundrum. The back stories are good and realistic. The hard-core rich guy's turn around is quick, but hello it's a holiday story (smile). Cornwall gives us some great heat too. I really liked this holiday road trip and I like the message that Cornwall gives as he writes about giving back. Add Driving Him For Christmas to your warm, fuzzy, and gives you a “good feeling” holiday reading list.

I have to admit that when I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I was going to love it. I was right! Lily Michaels writes such great characters in Unlikely Match. Michaels also looks at BDSM from the learning curve of the Dom in this case and once again I love it. It is informative, correct, and done with sensitivity, humor, and in the case of our couple love.

I love boxing so I am always happy to read a book where boxing is involved. Michaels highlights a common sport injury (unfortunately) and the choices that people make while dealing with their impact. Clayton is a well-rounded character that I would love to hang out with and have train me.

Tyler is a keeper. He reminds me of the kid who always earned the under-dog award at the end of our training camps, because he does not give up. Ty is not what he represents on the surface and proves once again that the package may not always be as it appears.

I love this story and I think you will too.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Dakota is so bad. (laugh) Stardawn Cabot created a character in Standing Firm that I wanted to spank. Holy sugar! I have so many thoughts racing through my head as I go to write this and I waited to write this because of the many ideas. Having spanked someone barehanded, I gotta give it to Morgan for hitting over 50 on the first shot. I bruised my hand giving a spanking and she did it on the first go around with no problem. Damn.

Cabot wrote the mistakes that new Domme and subs make when entering a relationship for the first time and how they communicate their way through them. I think this is such an enlightening read for newbies.

I love the inclusion of real life happenings with Morgan's injury and life experience. (I am a military girl who was injured so I am always happy when I see real life depicted in books.) The romance between Morgan and Dakota is cute.

I have to admit that I was glad to see that there is a second book to their story because I liked their story and I want to see where they go. I think they could be a great teaching tool and erotica piece for BDSM.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

First let me give a huge shoutout to Victoria Cooper Art. I am a cover ‘ho and this had me at the first look. I did not read the blurb, I just put it on my wish list. Lust was immediate and intense. The covers for this series are just gorgeous. Hubba hubba.

I was then extremely lucky to then get an opportunity to get an ARC - holy sugar and roll me over I was getting a new book girlfriend! Little did I know this was going to become a permanent relationship.

Nikki Landis brings the thrills and the chills with Black Magic Voodoo. (laugh) Yes, I went for the easy adjectives here because they aptly apply. I love witches and anything related to Salem as I live in Massachusetts and have been there. Landis gives a great foundation basing the premise on 13 witches whose family still live and practice today.

Landis immediately starts with the tea and drama. Who is the enemy? Who is a pod person? Who are all these men just showing up in Cassie's life? Suddenly there are secrets everywhere she turns. Landis has created an addiction already for more in me.

In just this book there have been multiple battles, blood, and zombies! I am so excited for more!

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

What a delightful futuristic dystopian paranormal romance!

I really love the uniqueness of this clean sweet romance by Laurel Beckley. Evie and the Pack-Horse Librarians should be a series. I love the diversity of the characters and their own style which brought so much to the story. Then there is Evie and Katalin and I can just see it now as Evie gets in trouble and Katalin saves her all the time (laugh). Or the little cub getting into a scrap and needing to be saved.

Laurel Beckley has created a fantastic world I definitely want to see more of and live in for a while. I think Evie and Katalin are a couple to root for and the secondary characters are incredibly interesting so let's beg the author to write us some about this delightful world.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Mary Eicher moves Artemis' story about seven years after we left The Harbinger. It kind of picks up where the mystery left off, but if you have not read the first book, it is okay as Perceptions can be read as a standalone. I do not recommend it as the first book is perfection and Perceptions is missing some of what made me love Harbinger so much.

This is not to say that Perceptions is not a satisfying book - it is a good read. It has a solid mystery with an interesting twist which I think will come back to bite the characters in the butt later. This book focuses on the mystery and an origin story.

It also spotlights Angie's role and her growth since becoming aware of her precog ability. Eicher's use of Greek mythology is fascinating here as I once mixed this genre and astronomy myself in college and I love it.

I cannot wait for the third book in this trilogy as Eicher ends this book with a shocking bang for those who did not guess it. Perceptions is a twist on what you might assume.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

We have been watching Marigold quietly disappear and now we know why in Lilies of Loss. Laura Greenwood has created yet another fairy-tale with uniqueness. I have no familiarity with The Frog Prince fairy tale - to be honest I have never even heard of the tale. For me, this was just a fairy-tale about a girl experiencing freedom for the first time.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Heloise West has created a world that I do not want to live in, but I want to make a tub of popcorn and watch continuously. Living in it would just stress me out too much unless I just played voyeur to Hank and Nick's intimate scenes.

His Dark Reflection has layers and West just sucks you into them and before you know it your heart is beating way too fast. The mystery is complicated, messy, and deadly. West adds in an amazing set of secondary characters. Some of them you will crush on and others you will love to hate. Some I want to smack myself. Just saying.

It would be easy to focus on the dark and moody Nick because he is the obvious one: hot, mysterious, and hard-to-get. West though has created a fantastic counterpoint with Hank who is not without his own dark past. He also has his own troubles going on in his own house - both of them actually.

West also sets events up for upcoming books...well I see things too Tripp. (laugh)

His Dark Reflection gave me tingles. It is so good. I got nothing else...you need to read it - enough said.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

I just finished A Mistress for Christmas and Karen Nappa has three ghosts visit Ezra to show him what could be and I was hooked. I know it is a familiar trope, but seriously it's the holidays and this is way better than a Lifetime movie where a girl comes through a dryer...just saying.

I love Ezra's introduction to a scene. Nappa also gives us tidbits into Lynn's life which ends up being quite illuminating. (Excuse the holiday pun.) You end up rooting for the characters while Ezra is on his journey to self-acceptance.

I will say kudos to Ezra on his last outfit...now that I would like a picture of...oh and of Capitolina and her posse. (I'm not giving out spoilers...Just saying.)

Want to know who and what I am gushing about? Then you need to read A Mistress for Christmas and watch Lynn and Ezra in action. It has made my holiday bright.



I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

I had to think about what I wanted to write because once again Laura Greenwood has taken a series in a direction I did not expect it to go. (laugh) Imagine that an author with tricks up their sleeve?

Catching a Wizard is all about the chase, but not so much for a wizard, but for that elusive thing: someone else's answers. People are keeping secrets from Daphne including those that are close to her. Daphne is building a long list of questions and we all know how Daphne can get when she starts poking her nose into things.

Greenwood keeps everyone on track regarding the various mysteries in the series. I just say remember the ones still unsolved from Vampire because Greenwood did not address those in Wizard. (laugh) Greenwood is a writer who knows how to keep a reader hooked.

See y'all in the halls of Grimalkin...or deep within the Catacombs.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Choices. Life is all about choices and so is Déjà Vu. Lawrence I. Hill explores what do we do when we live in a homophic environment and we have just discovered we like the same-sex. Mind you, Tee realizes this in the 8th grade and has it confirmed one snow day with Alvin his best friend.

Choices. Tee knows what he wants even at a young age: more. For him to get “more”, he has to fit the profile and not be a gay man. This choice brings him immense professional success, but what did he sacrifice?

Choices. Alvin on the other hand accepted who he was at a young age. His parents kind of supported him so he did not lose his family life. Socially on the other hand, he suffered. His friends suffered. His friendship with Tee became nonexistent.

Choices. Now here we are and Tee is back in town and asking specifically for Alvin. Hmmmm....

Hill brings an honest conversation about what it means to “come-out”. The choices that people make and what the possible consequences may be. Luckily for us, Hill is writing a holiday romance which means...I'm not giving away the ending! (Y'all haven't learned by now?! (lol)

Reconnections. Laughter. Friends. Christmas. It's Déjà Vu with an extra bonus of love and heat. A holiday treat to add to your reading list.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Elemental Ride does not say that it is the beginning of a new series, but I hope it is.

Mell Eight has once again created a world that I want to spend time in. Elemental Ride is based on hot motorcycle riders who have magic. Seriously, who doesn't want to read more about that?

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.

Weekend Girl plays like a teen rom-com. Alex Powell writes such cute and funny scenes. There is plenty of humor, awkwardness, and miscommunication to make Weekend Girl a true romantic comedy.

Powell deals head on with the issues of having to introduce a “new” modified version of you - that you don't know yet if it is actually you. Powell then adds the mental health issue of panic attacks and anxiety to Ash's character. Like they don't have enough going on...oh wait(!) let's add in a good-looking guy into the mix.

What follows is an exploration into the rainbow spectrum. Having to come out again.The fear of coming out as violence against transpersons has increased. Plus Ash still needs to pass Science.

Quote:

(Bei Bei says,) “Ive lost my phone. Do you mind calling it for me?”
The girl's mouth twitched. “That the best you got?”
“Not by a long shot,” Bei Bei replied.

(Loc. 52)

I love this interaction, and by the way I have never gotten that pick up line. (I wonder if it works...laugh).

Ash's best friend Bei Bei is an interesting secondary character as she has as many issues as Ash. She is an Asian Butch lesbian who is a love them and leave them type of gal. Honest until it hurts, unless we are talking about her. She is a vibrant sidekick for Ashley.

The romance between Ash and Nolan is funny, sweet, and at times way hot.

My only issue with Weekend Girl is the message of acceptance is pounded into the pages. I can understand two or even three times, but it felt like the message was being shoved down my throat. This for me by the end of the story took away from the blossoming and self-acceptance of Ash and their romance.

Weekend Girl is a fun rom-com. Powell creates a couple to not only root for, but want to see again. Hopefully in Bei Bei's story we will all be reunited again...hint, hint.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

I love smart complicated stories and Alex Washoe gives us one with Simply Connected.

Washoe mixes sports and math in a creative way and with different viewpoints. At the same time, they explore gender identity through the main character of Blaise.

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.

MacKinnon and Greenwood have created an intricate world. I can just imagine a huge wall where they post pictures of where creatures and lands can be found and what dangers are hidden there. They have also created multiple mysteries with plenty of characters to help Macey solve the big and small.

I find this world fascinating. Just as in the real world there are prejudices to work through. Battles to be fought. Climate change to stop. Oh and let's not forget taking the time for “fun” and love.

MacKinnon and Greenwood have created it all.

Kathryn Allen has written an intense international thriller with not just one heroine, but three. The main focus is on Samir, who is on vacation from Interpol. Her best friends, Ashleigh, who works as a defense contractor, and Chelsea, a rich business woman with lots of connections.

These ladies team together when Samir's father goes missing. Allen has created a character in Samir much like Atomic Blonde, kick ass and willing to do anything to get the job done.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Check out more of my review on Phoebe's Randoms - link in bio.

She went for a massage to relieve some stress from a messy divorce and got so much more.

It all started innocently enough when Rebecca Fowley goes to The Steam Room on the recommendation of a friend. She has just got through a nasty divorce and having to deal with her equally nasty ex-husband and his attorney. After several weeks of listening to the attendants chatter to her while getting massaged, she notices Alice due to how quiet and calm she is. She requests Alice so that she can finally have a silent massage not expecting to feel such strong sexual feelings at her first touch. Alice takes one look at Rebecca, her first solo client, and her panties get wet as Rebecca's body is a girl's dream come true. Alice manages to make it through the first massage without embarrassing herself and then Rebecca requests her services again.

Gigi Black adds the steam to this massage room and it is good for Rebecca all the way around. This is a short story, but it is packed with eroticism and plenty of detail. Black gives us both women's point of view which is nice as we can see how involved both women are with each other. This first book I imagine is the foreplay as the oral sex is light and other sexual acts are hinted at, but not fully realized. The story still gets an R rating for sex though due to the erotic details of the foreplay and that is what this story is: foreplay. Enjoy it!

#FridayReads #LesbianBookReview #GigiBlack #TheSteamRoom #BookReview #PhoebesRainbowWorld #LesbianErotica #Lesbian #Erotica #3Stars #RatedRSex #FlippingRainbows #LGBT #LGBTQ #LesbianBook

Oh my Gosh!!! Rocky Start is freaking hilarious. I had no clue that there was someone even clutzier than me. Now see if everything that happens to Leela and Aurora happened to me on a first date, I would be like “yeah no, this isn't going to work out (laugh).” In a romance book of course they stay together!!! (smile) This is one really funny first date that would have you peeing your pants if you watched it happen in real life. Just saying. Depends needed.

Spoiler alert: they never get around to the Fancy Pasta (laugh, wink). This story is filled with heat and no one gets burned. Whew. I love these ladies together. Bookmark this section rainbows.

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.

Juno and the Lady is an adventure that is at times funny and scene chewing with action. It is a fantasy filled story filled with fire, friendship, and the hopes of town to change the world.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.