Oz by Eden Elgabri and Heather Peters

Oz by Eden Elgabri and Heather Peters

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Lionel and Crow and Tim, oh my!

Can Dorothea Gale escape the clutches of foreclosure by making a deal to have sex with three handsome men?

Dorothea Gale is a victim of a bad economy. After losing her job, Thea asks Tim Woodman, the man of her dreams and the contractor who built her home, to help her sell it. He leads her to the powerful William Ozarak, a voyeur, who offers her a deal – sexual submission for one month in exchange for two years worth of mortgage payments. Can she barter her body to prove ‘there’s no place like home’? Or will she lose her soul in the process?

Tim Woodman, who is in the middle of a divorce, isn’t looking for entanglements. Yet he can’t help be drawn to the sexy Thea. If he helps her will he lose his heart? Or did he even have one to begin with?

Dorothea “Thea” Gale is alone, jobless and fixing to be homeless.  She can’t bear the thought of losing the home she had custom built to foreclosure.  She doesn’t realize what she is getting into when she asks an old friend to help her sale it.

Tim and Thea have crossed paths several times over the past few years but the timing has never been right.  Now Tim is back in her life and in the middle of a divorce but he is willing to do anything he can to help Thea, even introduce her to his biggest competitor.

This isn’t your typical Wizard of Oz story so be warned.   Oz is a steamy, sex filled take on an old classic that contains very little actual romance, aside from Tim and Thea’s story.  Thea agrees to Oz’s proposal to do whatever he requests from her for thirty days in order to save her beloved home.  She is allowed to bring one male with her when she comes and Tim seems to be the natural choice for her because she trusts him.

Thea is surprised when she and Tim are joined by two other sexy guys, Lionel and Crow.  She is not used to “performing” before an audience but Oz prefers to watch, rather than participate.  As the days pass, she becomes more and more aware of her sexuality, even though she is still uncomfortable with what she is doing.  If she can just get through thirty days with Oz, her house payments will be paid for two years.

The story is very sexy and not for the light hearted.  I liked the characters involved, even though the story line is a little weak.  Thea is literally in the hands of three sexy men while Oz watches.  Each of the characters has something they are hiding and throughout the story they are revealed.  I loved the addition of Tim’s ex-wife in the mix, that was perfect and definitely stirred things up.  Tim and Thea have the most to lose with their budding relationship on the line but he finds a way to salvage it and Thea’s house in the end.

Overall I enjoyed this story and will definitely never be able to look at the original the same again.  I give Oz 3½ Flaming Hearts.  

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Scentsual by Victoria Blisse

Scentsual by Victoria Blisse

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Scentsual is a femdom story written by leading erotic author Victoria Blisse and set in the seaside town of Scarborough… Kelly is dominant and has a heightened sense of smell, so many of her memories, thoughts and feelings revolve around scents. She meets Rob on a trip to Scarborough and seduces him; their lust is instant but is Rob the submissive man Kelly really needs to fall in love with? This excellent title from House of Erotica has been specially formatted for today’s e-readers.

From the moment Kelly steps off the train she is assaulted with the familiar scents of Scarborough; the smells instantly relax her and she is transported back to her childhood.  While wondering around town reflecting on her life she is assaulted by the scent of leather, citrus and cinnamon.

Rob is in town for the day and is immediately drawn to Kelly.  He didn’t set out looking for a woman, much less a dominant one but he is intrigued by Kelly.  He is both turned on and embarrassed by some of the things that are expected of him but he isn’t ready to walk away from Kelly.

This was a sexy story that takes the reader on a sensual journey so descriptive that they feel they are right there.  Kelly is so attuned to the scents around her and they enhance all aspects of her life, especially her sex life.  I love the fact that she knows who she is and is secure in her body.   She is a dominant that requires a committed submissive, she finds that in Rob.

Overall I enjoyed the story and give Scentsual 3½ Flaming Hearts. 

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The Isis Collar (#4 Blood Singer series) by Cat Adams

The Isis Collar by Cat Adams

* I received a copy of this book from Tor Publishing in exchange for an honest review*

Celia Graves was once an ordinary human, but those days are long gone. Now she strives to maintain her sanity and her soul while juggling both vampire abilities and the powers of a Siren.

Warned of a magical “bomb” at a local elementary school, Celia forces an evacuation. Oddly, the explosion seems to have no effect, puzzling both Celia and the FBI. Two weeks later, a strangely persistent bruise on Celia’s leg turns out to be the first sign of a magical zombie plague.

Finding the source of the plague isn’t Celia’s only concern. Her alcoholic mother has broken out of prison on the Sirens’ island; her little sister’s ghost has possessed a young girl; and one of Celia’s boyfriends, a powerful mage, has disappeared.

Celia Graves is sent to a local school by a power psychic but she was too late.  Now she is experiencing severe headaches and she is not healing from injuries received from the blast.  With the help of Bruno, Creede and a host of friends, she has to find a cure to save the world from a zombie outbreak before it’s too late.

This is the fourth installment in the Blood Singer series and Celia is faced with yet another problem.  She is injured while trying to save a school full of small children that she can’t seem to recover from.  It turns out it is a magical spell that is turning people into zombies if they don’t get the antidote.

Her mother has escaped from the island and is back in town and Creede is missing, Celia just can’t seem to catch a break.  Fortunately she has the help of friends including Bruno and Rizzoli the evil witch Glinda doesn’t stand a chance.  Unfortunately she isn’t able to save everyone though.

I love Celia’s character.  She is a strong female that takes care of herself but she isn’t afraid to ask for help when needed.  She is constantly having things thrown at her that she has to deal with.  First she is turned into an abomination, then finds out she is part siren and cursed, what’s a girl to do.  Now she is infected with dangerous magical virus that could turn her into a zombie if not taken care of.  She meets every challenge head on but like any other female, has her periods of breakdowns.

She is still struggling with her feelings between Creede and Bruno both bring something different to the relationship.  They are both trying to help figure out what is wrong with her.  She is having painful headaches and her memory is full of holes.  While Bruno gets her to the hospital for the antidote, Creede goes missing because he’s getting too close to Celia’s problem.

We see a lot of familiar faces including Dottie, Dawna, Agent Rizzoli and others.  Each continues to aide Celia in her daily life and helps play a role in helping keep her safe.  Glinda the the evil witch is wreaking havoc left and right aided by an ancient artifact that was stolen by her father.

The story is action packed and fast paced.  I enjoyed the fact that the story arc started in the first book has continued through to this one.  It was fun seeming old friends and watching Celia get out of one scrape after another.  I think there is still too much focus on her meals and the fact that she can’t drink blood.  Overall though, this was a good installment to the Blood Singer series.

I would definitely recommend reading these books in order (Blood Song, Siren Song, Demon Song) for the storyline to make sense and flow.  Overall I give The Isis Collar 3½ Flaming Hearts. 

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Boots and Promises (Ugly Stick Saloon #2.5) by Myla Jackson

 Boots and Promises (Ugly Stick Saloon #2.5) by Myla Jackson

* I purchased a copy of this book for my personal library*

A cowboy can’t possibly be happy in NYC, can he?

Ella Lang followed her dream to be on stage all the way to New York City, with the approval and support of the love of her life, Jesse O’Brien, a genuine, died-in-the-cowhide Texas cowboy. For months, Jesse has pounded the pavement and has yet to find a job befitting a man used to horses, boots and wide-open spaces. Though it breaks her heart, it’s time to cut her lover loose and let him mosey on back to the Rockin’ O Ranch, his roots and the family and horse he loves.

Look out Ella, this cowboy has other plans…

Ella can’t believe all her dreams are coming true and that her cowboy is there beside her.  She is worried about him and feels guilty because he just doesn’t seem to be happy in New York.  When she stumbles across a little blue box she makes the decision to set him free so he can go back home to his ranch.

Ella loves Jesse more than life itself and it’s killing her to see him so unhappy in New York.  He followed her there to support her and her dream but he just doesn’t seem to be fitting in.  She is enjoying her time on the stage but she feels guilty about all the time she has to spend away from him.

Jesse left his home and family to follow Ella to New York and he doesn’t regret one minute of it.  He doesn’t fit in with the New Yorkers but he has a plan to fix that, it’s just taking a little longer than he hoped.  He wants to be there for Ella but he knows that he needs to have a purpose there too.  He is ready to settle down and make a life with her, if he can convince her not to run away.

I loved this short story and can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.  Ella and Jesse are a sweet couple that love each other to the point that Ella is willing to risk her happiness for his.  The ending was fabulous, I loved how Jesse’s plan all came together in the end.

Overall this is a fun short story that introduces us to the Obrien boys that fill the pages of the next book in the series Boots and Bareback.  I give Boots and Promises 3½ Flaming Hearts.   

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Intimate Exposure – Portia Da Costa

Intimate Exposure by Portia Da Costa

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

From the moment Red Webster arrived at executive Vicki Renard’s firm, sparks flew between them. The photographer is supposed to create a company profile for its new owner, but he spends most of his time flirting with her. His sexy teasing infuriates Vicki…and piques a desire to submit to him. His hypnotic eyes promise what she’s been secretly craving: a sexually dominant master, like the ones in her favorite erotic novels.

Investigating his new business incognito, billionaire F. W. Shanley–aka Red–is turned on by Vicki’s fiery personality and undeniable beauty. When he discovers her reading a BDSM novel on her eReader, he knows he’s found a woman who shares his desires and promises to be a challenging submissive.

When Red arranges a weekend at a secluded hotel, Vicki agrees to indulge in no-strings-attached erotic fun. But can she commit to this kind of life with Red when he realizes they can have so much more?

Vicki has been worried about job security ever since FW Shanley took over their company.  She is mortified when she catches his photographer, Red taking pictures of her bottom when he is supposed to be making a brochure for their boss.  He seems to spend more time flirting with than working on the company profile.  She doesn’t know how to take him, especially when he grabs her ereader and comments on what she is reading.

Red has recently acquired the insurance firm and now he is undercover in his own company to see how things are going.  From the first moment he laid eyes on Vicki he was intrigued.  After seeing her choice of reading material, he is determined to find out if she is interested in a little BDSM play.  Now he just has to get her to agree to play before she finds out who he really is.

Vicki is excited when she wins the company contest and the “prize” is a stay at a luxury hotel, the only catch is that Red is the other winner.  She doesn’t know how she is going to survive the stay with him when they have to share a room.  She is attracted to him but he makes her nervous, especially after he saw her ereader.  The idea of playing around with some of the stuff she has read about turns her own and Red just adds fuel to the fire.

FW Shanley is more comfortable being Red than corporate mogul.  He loves the flexibility his life gives him and the ability to go “undercover” in his own businesses.  He enjoys his role as DOM and has been looking for someone willing to play with him; he hopes he can convince Vicki to be her.  As he gets to know Vicki more, he starts to feel guilty for deceiving her.

The chemistry between Red and Vicki is evident from the beginning.  They are playing the typical game of count and mouse with Vicki being the prize.  She is a strong female but I was a little disappointed at her reaction to his lie. I am glad they worked things out but would’ve liked just a little more conflict between them to balance out the sexual chemistry.

Overall, this story was sexy and a lot of fun to read.  The characters were interesting and well matched and I loved the ending.  The book moved at an even pace and kept me interested until the end.  I give Intimate Exposure 3 ½ Flaming Hearts.

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A Waltz at Midnight by Crista McHugh

A Waltz at Midnight by Crista McHugh

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

When her mistress receives an utterly unromantic letter from a potential suitor, servant Susanna Parkwell is asked to craft an appropriate response. Though hesitant to take part in the deception, Susanna agrees, never dreaming the scorned suitor will write back.

Theodore Blakely abhors being pressured by his family to marry, but he’s intrigued by the witty refusal he receives from “Charlotte”. After exchanging more letters, Ted believes he’s found a soul mate in his thoughtful and understanding correspondent, and asks permission to formally court her.

Though racked with guilt over her lies, Susanna can’t resist the opportunity to meet Ted in person. So she poses as Charlotte at a holiday ball, where she vows to tell him the truth. But when the clock strikes midnight, will Susanna have the courage to reveal her identity and risk losing the man she loves?

Because of the war Susanna and her brother Jake lost everything, including his leg.  They now live with in the north with their aunt while her brother attends law school.  She is working for their aunt because she has nowhere else to go plus it is helping her brother fund his classes.

The girls are not nice to her and it’s all she can do to hold her tongue.  Charlotte is the only one that is kind to her and she is in need of help.  She convinces Susanna to help her write a letter to an unwanted to suitor to discourage him without upsetting Charlotte’s family.  Things don’t go as planned and Susanna and Theodore begin writing on a regular basis.

Theodore is being pressured by his father to form a union with Charlotte to obtain a patent they own.  He is not happy about being forced into this relationship and tries to dissuade her with his horrifying stories of the war.  What he never counted on was finding a kindred soul that he was able to share his truest desires and wishes with.  She was refreshing in her responses and wasn’t shocked by anything he told her.

Susanna may have fallen in love with Ted but she feels guilty for her part in the whole ruse.  After agreeing to meet him at a ball, things don’t go as planned and Charlotte’s secret is out.  How will Susanna ever be able to face Ted again after she lied to him?

Susanna is a woman that wants to be loved and have a family but she feels like she will never have that opportunity since the war destroyed her life.  She is a strong female that is trying to make the best of a bad situation and trying to help her brother get through law school.  When she was asked to help Charlotte write the letter, she was conflicted but the money she was offered would help them move out that much sooner.

When she starts corresponding with Ted, she looks forward to the letters because he shares the world with her through his stories.  She feels like she is stuck where she is with no way out.  He sends her little trinkets sometimes and those are among her most cherished possessions.  With every letter she falls more and more in love with him.

Ted is a former soldier that walked away from the battlefield.  He has traveled to Europe but is now home.  He loves to draw and doesn’t want to work for his father.  He isn’t honest with himself or his father about what he is passionate about.  Through Susanna’s encouragement he finds a way to mesh his love of drawing into the designs of the steam engine.

The masquerade ball is the perfect setting for them to meet and Susanna to convince him they had no future.  You felt sorry for both of them because it’s obvious that she is in love with him and doesn’t want to walk away.  He has plans for them that don’t coincide with hers.  I loved the ending though, it was perfect.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and was pulling for this couple from the beginning.  I give A Waltz at Midnight 3½ Flaming Hearts. 

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The Gin Lovers #1 by Jamie Brenner

Gin Lovers #1 by Jamie Brenner

* I received this ARC free from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Set against the turbulent and glamorous backdrop of Prohibition and the rise of the jazz age, The Gin Lovers is a sensual and romantic story of how one high society woman’s passion and courage lead her to love.

It’s 1925, and the Victorian era with its confining morals is all but dead. Unfortunately, for New York socialite Charlotte Delacorte, the scandalous flapper revolution is little more than a headline in the tabloids. Living with her rigid and controlling husband William, her Fifth Avenue townhouse is a gilded cage. But when William’s rebellious younger sister, the beautiful and brash Mae, comes to live with them after the death of their mother, Charlotte finds entrée to a world beyond her wildest dreams – and a handsome and mysterious stranger whom she imagines is as confident in the bedroom as he is behind the bar of his forbidden speakeasy.

When Charlotte married into the famous Delacourte family she knew that she would be thrust into New York society, she just never expected for all eyes to be on her when her mother-in-law passed away.  Her husband William is controlling and keeps her in the dark about his business and their finances.  Her sister-in-law Mae moves in with them and introduces Charlotte to a whole new world while her husband is away.

Charlotte was raised modestly but her mother tried to make sure that she would marry well.  When she marries William Delacorte, she knows that appearance is everything in New York society.  She doesn’t feel comfortable being in the spotlight but she wants to make William proud so she is always the model wife.  She is thrust into spotlight when her mother-in-law passes away and that’s when things start to slowly fall apart in her life.

Charlotte’s days are filled with planning the new library to be housed in her mother-in-law’s home and looking after her sister-in-law Mae.  After following Mae one night, she finds herself in a whole new world.  She is fascinated by the clothing, the music and Jake, the owner of a notorious speakeasy.  She hasn’t been able to stop thinking about him since meeting him at the funeral.

Charlotte tries to be a good wife but she seems to be getting bored with her life.  She may be a socialite but she still feels isolated from others because she isn’t comfortable in that environment.  She is curious about things going on outside of her world and she doesn’t understand why her husband is always away on business.  I loved seeing her emerge from her shell and start to observe the things going on around her.  She is a loving and caring woman that takes the time to get to know Mae, unlike everyone else.

The characters, dress and setting help to make the first installment in this serial exiting and interesting.  I’m not a history buff but this time period is one of my favorites and has always intrigued me.  I love the dress, the jazz and night life.  To me they were way ahead of their time with women’s liberation because in the clubs, the women seemed to have the power in their sexy dresses.

Overall I enjoyed the first installment in this serial and can’t wait to read the second one.  I give The Gin Lovers #1 3½ Flaming Hearts. 

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His Strength (Men of Valor #2) by Kiru Taye

His Strength (Men of Valor#2) by Kiru Taye

* I received a copy of this book from Breathless Press in exchange for an honest review*

When a warrior seeks to claim a free-spirited woman, he soon discovers a tigress unwilling to be caged.

As a young widow, Nneka yearns to be released from the obligations to her late husband’s family, and live as an independent woman. With a past colored by a brutal father, she’ll never yield to another man willingly, and will do just about anything to attain that freedom, including flouting the laws of the land.

Ikem was unable to claim Nneka once because his lineage meant he wasn’t good enough. Now fate has given him another chance, but he quickly discovers that claiming this unpredictable wildcat is easier said than done. Will he be able to convince her that succumbing to their passion is the key to her freedom?

Ikem has wanted to claim Nneka for as long as he could remember.  His proposal was rejected because he wasn’t “born of the soil” even though he had lived in their village all his life.  He was essentially a visitor, and couldn’t offer her a future according to their customs.  Now she is a widow that has been in morning for a year and he is determined to make her his.

Nneka is a strong woman that desires to be set free from her “duty” to her deceased husband’s family once her mourning period is up.  She wants to be her own person and not have to depend on a man for anything.  She is very uncomfortable with her brother-in-law’s advances and continues to bide her time until her father-in-law will release her.  She desires Ikem but she is afraid that he will want to control her life; the total opposite of her husband.

Ikem has remained single since his proposal for marriage was rejected by Nneka’s family.  He hasn’t had a problem with the women and he’s worked hard to become a member of his village, rather than just a “guest”.  He has been biding his time until Nneka’s morning period is over and he plans to offer another proposal for her hand and this time he isn’t willing to take no for an answer.

During her period of mourning Nneka’s head had been shaven, she isn’t adorned in jewelry or beads and her clothing is drab and shapeless.  Through it all Ikem sees the woman inside and she is intrigued by him.  She desires him and wants what only he can give her but she is also afraid that he will want to control her.

They are a well matched pair, both are strong individuals but very lonely.  Ikem has managed to make a name for himself with the ladies but there is no relationship involved.  Nneka’s husband was a weak man that was unable to fulfill her passions.  In one kiss, Ikem showed her what she had been missing and she was hungry for more.

This story takes place in a village in Southeast Nigeria.  We are introduced to several of their customs but I would have liked to learn a little more about them.  It is always interesting to learn about new places when I am reading.  The characters were appealing and I enjoyed reading their story.  I am glad that he didn’t give up on them and the brother-in-law got what he deserved.

Overall I enjoyed this His Strength and give it 3½ Flaming Hearts.     

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Aquarius Unclenched and Pisces Possessed by Tammy Valentine

The following is a combined review for Book 12 and 13 of the Zodiac club.  The date starts in Aquarius Unquenched and ends in Pisces Possessed.  So sit back and join Izzy as she makes her way through the final two signs of the Zodiac.

  Aquarius Unquenched – The Zodiac Club #12 by Tammy Valentine

* I received a copy of this book from Breathless Press in exchange for an honest review*

 Twelve star signs, four friends, one extraordinary year. A luxury spa holds hidden delights as Izzy encounters the next star sign in her sexual adventure.

Izzy indulges all her senses when the next encounter on her sexual journey through the zodiac takes her to a luxury spa. But there are more surprises in store than even Izzy has bargained for, and the French masseuse is just the beginning…

 

  Pisces Possessed – The Zodiac Club #13 by Tammy Valentine

* I received a copy of this book from Breathless Press in exchange for an honest review*

Twelve star signs, four friends, one extraordinary year. Reaching the final star sign in her sexual adventure, Izzy discovers just how liberated she’s truly become.

Izzy’s ultimate encounter on her sexual journey through the zodiac takes her on an exhilarating thrill ride of sensual, ecstatic experiences. But what will she make of the new woman she has become?
Izzy’s next date works at a luxury spa and invites her to join him for a relaxing evening.  She never expected her night to be full of sensual activities, staring with a massage with a sexy French masseuse.  The pool comes complete with its own merman that so happens to be an Aquarius.  Before the night is over she may be able to cross both Pisces and Aquarius off her list.

The Zodiac series continues with Izzy completing the zodiac challenge with these two books.  She starts out with a date to meet her Pisces Josh at the spa he works at ends up in the pool with a sexy Aquarius.  After a sexy message brings back Izzy’s memories of her Gemini encounter, she is primed and ready for a swim in the luxurious pool.

In Aquarius Unquenched Izzy continues to discover more about herself and what her limits are.  She was turned on by the sensual massage by the female masseuse when it got a little too personal, rather than becoming uncomfortable with the situation.  She is open to new experiences, including skinny dipping with a sexy Aquarius.

The story continues in Pisces Possessed with a very erotic interlude in the pool with Izzy being the main focus.  The activities that Izzy participates in open her up to some experiences she never would’ve tried when she first started the Zodiac experiment.  It’s an evening she will never forget but is it something she would want to repeat?

Izzy has learned so much about herself through this whole processes.  She has tried things she would not normally have considered in the past.  She has gained self-confidence and she is comfortable in her own skin.  She isn’t shy around men any longer and she definitely isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants.  She recognizes that her pleasure comes in different forms, whether it’s with a man or woman.

I don’t think she regrets participating in the experiment but I believe that she is glad that she has finished the list.  She has had a lot of fantastic experiences but many of them are not ones that she would want to experience.  She can’t wait to have her next meeting with the Zodiac Club so she can wrap up this year-long experiment.

Overall I enjoyed both of these short stories but feel that they really should’ve been one book.  I give both Aquarius Unclenched and Pisces Possessed 3½ Flaming Hearts.    

 

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Four Play (Dirty Tricks #4) by Myla Jackson

Four Play (Dirty Tricks #4) by Myla Jackson

* I purchased a copy of this book for my personal library*

Things are heating up in Temptation Texas…

Charli has a date with cowboy Connor Mason, but she still has her previous sexual antics with three hunky strangers on her mind.

What’s a girl to do…

Determined to do some comparison shopping, Charli sets out to seduce Connor to see if he has what it takes to keep her veeerrryyyy happy in the bedroom department.

Warning: Sexy, sweet cowboy, mystery lovers, multiple partners and one very confused and horny woman…

Charli still can’t believe the night she had with Original Sin and his friends but now she has to get ready with her date with Connor.  Maybe he will be as interesting as OS and she can be happy with just one man.

Man what an impression Charli makes on Connor when she greats him at the door for their date.  The neighbors also get an eye full.  The date Connor planned for them was so incredibly romantic, from the setting to the picnic lunch he packed.  Charli and Connor spent time getting to know each other and I think in the end it left Chari more confused than she was before their date.

She was stunned to hear Connor’s dreams for his future, especially since she isn’t looking for forever.  Although I think she is starting to re-evaluate what she is looking for.  She seems to enjoy her encounters with Original Sin but something is missing and she can’t put her finger on it.  Something about Connor draws her to him.

On the other hand OS is fun and exciting, not to mention sexy as hell. She makes up her mind to tell OS that their time is over, until he leaves her wanting more after their encounter.  He expects her to make a choice between what he can give her right now and the future possibilities with Connor.

What’s a girl to do?  Find out in the next installment of the Dirty Tricks series.  I give Four Play 3½ Flaming Hearts.  

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