Tessa’s Trust by Rebecca Zanetti

Nick Basanelli has finally decided to win Tessa over, which is overwhelming enough, until his overprotective side makes an appearance when he finds out she is in danger.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have been so excited to read Tessa and Nick’s story and it definitely lived up to all my expectations. Tessa is fun and interesting and straightforward. She keeps her promises and will give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove her wrong. Nick is super swoony, smart, and just the right amount of serious to mesh well with Tessa’s more impetuous nature. Their relationship has been coming for a while now (from previous books), so it felt completely right to have them act on their desire for each other. This was a fun, exciting read. I can recommend this entire series if you like romantic suspense, and don’t miss the novellas in between. This one stands well on its own, though it does help to place all the other characters if you’ve read the previous books.

Published: May 20, 2023
Series: The Anna Albertini Files
Sensuality Rating: Warm

Lady and the Scamp by Shana Galen

Will goes undercover in the palace to investigate Emily, Lady Averley, who they nominally suspect of treason.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love Will’s parents, from Lord and Lady Spy, (amazing series – go read it now) and it is wonderful seeing the next generation of spies emerge and do their thing. Will and Emily found a way to keep doing what they loved, only with each other. No one had to give up anything for them to be together. The plot to assassinate the queen was exciting and all the aspects of the story flowed together really well. This is a fun read with plenty of thrilling action, intrigue, and romance.

Published: October 11, 2022
Series: The Royal Saboteurs
Sensuality Rating: Warm

Issued by Paris Wynters

The military is trying out a new spouse-matching program and Jim and Taya are the guinea pigs.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This has a different kind of plot – the military acting as matchmaker to try to mitigate the failure rate of relationships in that unpredictable and dangerous environment. Jim was sort of forced into the arranged marriage if he wanted to keep his job and Taya desperately needed a new start after losing everything and running for her life. What you ended up with was one person keeping a boatload of secrets and the other trying his best to keep himself detached. I enjoyed the development of their relationship and the road they both had to walk to get to a point of mutual trust. It’s a quick, exciting, steamy read.

Published: June 25, 2020
Series: Navy SEALs of Little Creek
Sensuality Rating: Hot

The Bladesmith Queen by Sarah MacLean

Orsa is a bladesmith, like all her family before her. The village considers her to be cursed and she has given up on love until a warrior shows up unexpectedly one day.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was different and interesting. A super short story, but it packs an emotional punch.

Originally published as part of the Sword Stone Table Anthology of Arthurian retellings, the exclusive e-book edition is available via Sarah MacLean’s newsletter.

Published: August 8, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Warm