Brenda Murphy (4)Recensioni

Jaya Pomroy has run a private security firm for several years. She is a powerful, imposing, dominant female who knows what she wants from a submissive partner. Jaya has checked in to Rowan House, a high-class brothel catering exclusively to Sapphic women with a taste for kink.

From a wide range of willing paid submissives, Jaya is immediately taken with Sarah, who is everything she desires in a partner. When it is time for Jaya to return to leave Rowan House, she asks Sarah to come with her. Sarah refuses the invitation, and they do not pass on good terms.

Years later, they meet up, and this is the story of Jaya's often frustrating pursuit of Sarah, who is happy to date her, but refuses any form of commitment.

There's a lot of sex in this story, mostly rough with heavy powerplay elements and off-the-charts chemistry between the two leads.

This is the first book in a series involving Rowan House. Each story deals with a different relationship (not all are couples) and each book can be read as a stand-alone. I'm absolutely looking forward to continuing with the series.

Mac and Lana meet in an airport lounge and bond over their shared enthusiasm for motor sports.

Mac is ex-military and suffering some trauma as a result of her experiences in the service. She doesn't trust easily, not herself or others, and as a result she never lets herself get close to the women she dates.

Lana designs Formula 1 vehicles. She works for her father's company and is fearful of losing her career if he learns she likes women.

The women hit it off quickly. We get the story from Mac's perspective and her self-doubt is agonizing at times, but ultimately worth the ordeal. The sex is hot and plentiful, with some enticing power exchange elements, and the world of fast cars and bikes is written in such a way that I (with no interest in such things in the real world) didn't feel left out.

And that cover art is gorgeous!

Very recommended.

"Dirty hands. Heavy beats. Dancing in a garage. Jeans and boots and T-shirts. Sweat and grease. If there was a heaven, Mac was sure it was like this."

Really good.

Really good.

This was a relatively interesting story once I was able to wrap my head around what was going on. Things were not clearly explained right off the bat, and I didn't know who all of the characters really were for quite some time. Then, when I thought I figured out what the deal was, another character and relationship dynamic was introduced that made me shake my head. At one point it just felt like Martha was in love with everyone and none of it felt special in any way. Then there was a mystery that got introduced, and it was a decent one. The story overall was a good one, but I found myself frustrated at times where I couldn't love it 100%.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by IndiGo Marketing & Design

Lockset by Brenda Murphy
University Square #2

Eunice Park never thought she would return to her hometown but when she did reach home again one of the first people she saw became her tower of strength. Both women grew up in the same town but did not know one another from childhood. Their road was not easy but they do manage to weather all that comes their way and build a strong relationship as a result of it all.

What I liked:
* Eunice Park: lawyer, intelligent, focused, professional, career-minded, estranged from her family, too busy for a relationship.
* Morgan Wright: locksmith, warm, caring, animal lover, family oriented, loving, empathetic, unlucky in love, a great person.
* Rudy: the rescue dog that Morgan meets near the beginning of the book
* Morgan’s family: diverse, interesting, there for one another, supportive, likable, and everything a person would want in a family.
* That the main characters were both mature, knew how to communicate, were gainfully employed, and were open to love
* The story, writing, secrets, mysteries, and resolution
* That the story felt believable and events described – good and bad – can and do occur in the real world.
* The food – I looked up several dishes mentioned and am eager to make a few or try them if I can find them.
* Seeing some of the characters mentioned in the previous book
* Wondering who will be up next in the next book of the series

What I did not like:
* Realizing that some of the bad things that happened in this story in fact do occur in real life and relationships.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Ninestar Press for the ARC – This is my honest review

4 Stars

On the Square by Brenda Murphy
University Square #1

Dale Miller needs a couple cups of coffee in the morning to feel human so is not a happy camper when she encounters rather rude Mai Li at a too early meeting for a building renovation estimate. It is a rocky start to what might eventually lead to romance for the two.

What I liked:
* Mai: someone who knew what she wanted
* Dale: unlucky in love but with a great family
* That both women were capable, independent, intelligent and caring even if they didn’t always communicate as openly as they could have
* That both women had some life experience under their belts
* The character development of the women as the story progressed
* The security both women had in their sexuality
* Dales sons and father
* That this is a series that will develop as each book is published

What I didn’t like
* Knowing that the bigotry, discrimination and aggression more than one person experienced is not unusual and occurs all too often

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to Ninestar Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars