Friday Mini Reviews #27: S.E. Lund, Rachel Bach & Kit Rocha

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The Agreement by S.E. Lund (Unrestrained #1)

bought
18+ only

Synopsis from Goodreads
Journalism graduate student Kate McDermott is a good girl who has done everything she can to please her very powerful and domineering father -- a Justice on New York's Supreme Court with hopes for political office. When she decides to write an article about BDSM in popular culture, she tells herself it's just research and nothing personal for she can't afford to become the target of gossip or scandal. She hopes that the carefully worded agreement she writes up will keep her relationship with the Dominant she will interview strictly professional.

Then 'Master D' - Drake Morgan - walks into the interview and Kate is mortified for not only is he gorgeous, he's the son of her father's best and oldest friend…

Drake Morgan, MD, bass player, philanthropist – Dominant. Known as Master 'D' in Manhattan's BDSM Community, Drake must keep the kinky side of his life secret to protect his very successful career as a neurosurgeon. After a heartbreaking divorce, Drake doesn't do girlfriends, he doesn’t do sleepovers, and he certainly doesn't do breakfast in bed the morning after. He keeps everything in his well-ordered life separate and under his firm control.

Then Kate McDermott crosses his path and screws everything up. Now, nothing is neat and tidy anymore, and no longer under control for Drake is smitten and things are going to get messy…

From Amazon Bestselling Romance author S. E. Lund comes a story of two people who find themselves in each other's arms. The Agreement will stay with you long after you read the final page. 

 Amazon kindle US/UK

 5/10

It wasn't a bad book, peeps, but at some point I got fed up with the main heroine allowing her so called "best friend" to blackmail her. This was an absolutely ridiculous, overblown drama that should have been easily avoided by telling her friend to shove it where the sun doesn't shine! Otherwise it's a very soft, charming BDSM romance.
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Так себе, вроде бы и милый современный роман с небольшими элементами БДСМ, однако на какой-то момент моя терпимость к слезливой главной героине-тряпке, которая позволила своей так называемой "лучшей подруге" себя шантажировать, закончилась, и вся эта раздутая драматизация нормальных отношений между двумя взрослыми людьми качеству этого романчика совершенно не помогла. Так что, не рекомендую.



Beyond Jealousy by Kit Rocha (Beyond #4)

bought
18+ only

Synopsis from Goodreads

She’s been looking for the perfect man. She found two.

When Rachel Riley sacrificed a life in Eden to protect the O’Kanes, she earned her place in the powerful Sector Four gang. But the former crime princess is tired of being everyone’s sweet little sister . It’s time for her to get wild, to embrace her fantasies as only an O’Kane can—with a delicious exiled soldier and the gang’s wickedly sinful tattoo artist.

A saint...

Lorenzo Cruz is a warrior, taught by his commanding officers in Eden that involvement equals distraction. Emotion is a liability, and desire a sin. In Sector Four, he finds decadence, shameless sex—and his own dark urges. No battle strategy prepared him for how Rachel makes his heart race…or the way his rival for her affections sets his blood on fire.

...and a sinner.

Ace Santana has a dirty reputation and a mind to match, especially where his new lovers are concerned. He’s eager to help Cruz embrace his dominant side, and to explore the lines between pleasure and pain with Rachel. But corrupting them quickly becomes an obsession, a need he can’t deny—and a love he never imagined.

Three hearts on the line means a hundred ways their ménage a trois could go wrong. After all, even O’Kanes do forever two-by-two. One of them could be the missing piece that makes them all whole…or a temporary diversion destined for a broken heart.

Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK

8/10
 Well, we've been waiting for their story for a long time, right, folks? *grinning* This was scorching hot and sweet, and the trio did work together really well. I would have liked more on the story development front, hence my lower rating, - otherwise it was a good installment in this series.
* * *
Неплохо написано, да и историю Рэйчел, Эйса и Еруза мы ждали от Кит Роша давно. Ну что же, писатели не подвели. Этот тандем получился нежным и чувственным, хотя я жалела, что сама история и построение мира пострадали в угоду развития самих героев. Что ж, во всём не выиграешь. *пожимая плечами*



Beyond Solitude by Kit Rocha (Beyond #4.5)

bought
18+ only

Synopsis from Goodreads

When a motorcycle accident leaves Derek Ford riding a desk at the O’Kane compound, the last thing he needs is a sexy new assistant upending his office and his life. But Mia isn’t scared of her domineering boss. The friction between them generates an undeniable heat—but Mia will not be kept, and Ford will do anything to protect what’s his.

A few notes:

Unlike Beyond Temptation, this story stands separate from the main series plotline, with a tight focus on the hero and heroine as they travel through some parts of the Sectors we don't usually get to show.

 Amazon kindle US/UK

 7/10

 Wasn't the best novella in the series for me, but I did enjoy meeting my favorite characters nevertheless, even if the main characters didn't do anything for me. *sigh* Novellas are almost never rated highly by me, because there is just not enough story, and this  one unfortunately went into that category.
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Мне кажется, можно вообще эту новеллу пропустить. Для линейного сюжета она ничего не сделает, а сами главные характеры симпатии у меня н вызвали. Читать можно было разве только для упоминания моих любимых персонажей.


Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach (Paradox #2)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

The rollicking sequel to Fortune's Pawn -- an action packed science fiction novel.

Devi Morris has a lot of problems. And not the fun, easy-to-shoot kind either.

After a mysterious attack left her short several memories and one partner, she's determined to keep her head down, do her job, and get on with her life. But even though Devi's not actually looking for it -- trouble keeps finding her. She sees things no one else can, the black stain on her hands is growing, and she is entangled with the cook she's supposed to hate.

But when a deadly crisis exposes far more of the truth than she bargained for, Devi discovers there's worse fates than being shot, and sometimes the only people you can trust are the ones who want you dead.

Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository | Fishpond

8.5/10
I actually liked the first book much more, ladies and gents. I think it was an overly convoluted plot that threw me. I felt like after a blast I had with book #1 Honor's Knight slowed down and went a bit murky. It's still an amazing sci-fi, but I would be able to judge it better as a series after the third book. What did you think of it? Loooved Rupert!
* * *
 По сравнению с книгой первой, вторая часть по качеству проигрывает. Это всё-равно очень хорошая научная фантастика, однако книга чересчур заполнена новыми поворотами сюжета, и я заметила что к середине её темп сбавляется, поэтому я начала терять интерес, который держал меня в напряжении на протяжение всей книги первой. Однако Руперт по прежнему рулит.