Succubus Series by Richelle Mead

Georgina Kincaid is a reluctant, but outstandingly good at her job, Succubus, she feeds on men claiming pieces of their souls for her “team”, but she longs for the love that she has been denied her for centuries. 

Hugh is an Imp who negotiates for your soul should you have a desire to swap it for something, but he is also one of her best friends, along with Cody and Peter her friendly local, and very gay, vampire buddies. 

During the day Georgina must earn a living and works as a deputy manager and the local books store, with her human friend Doug, and Warren her human boss who is good for a quick energy fix from time to time, apparently he lost his soul years ago.

When Duanne, the obnoxious vampire, gets murdered its Georgina that is main suspect, especially to her Demon boss Jerome; Arch Demon of Seattle, who just happens to hang out all the time with Carter the cryptic Angel. Not your usual pairing, especially as Jerome looks exactly like a certain movie style whilst Carter seems to like the grunge scene a little too much. 

Throughout the story we are told snippets of her former human life, and given peeks into her previous bodies, names and places she lived.

Enter Seth Morgansteen, local author who just happens to be Georgina's favourite, not to mention he is doing a book signing in her store. Seth was not the sort of guy I would have thought the energetic Georgina would fall for but when you start to see her history and the reason she sold her soul in the first place you can see why Seth and his delicate, artistic nature, call to her.

On the flip side, and not so much in the background is Roman, an enigmatic character who suits Georgians love of life, dancing and danger. 

Back to the super naturals killings and the race is on to find who or what is doing it, why and stop them. Can Georgina do it? When the final showdown happens its electric but the deal our lost little succubus has to make is heart breaking.

I totally loved the start of this 6 book series, the plot was fantastic, full of twists, turns and mystery. All the characters were strong, some were down to earth and likeable and some were dark and mysterious, humour, sex and horror the perfect combination. I cannot wait to read what happens next in Georgina's life. 

Succubus Blues

Poor Georgina starts this book at a demon award ceremony, could her week get any worse! Totally love all the humour in these books.

Bastian her incubus friend, is also an ex-lover, ex-partner in “crime” and is dumped back into her life to bring down a huge Evangelist in the shape of the very austere Dana.

Doug, her book store buddy get wrapped up in a whole “ambrosia and God mystery” which was a brilliant and thrilling story line.

RM reveals another failed relationship from poor Georgina’s fated history. As she and Seth dance around the relationship that they have the torment for both is beautifully written.

All previous Demons, Angels, Imps and Vampires make appearances and spice up the story line even further. 

Succubus on Top / Nights

Georgina and Seth are continuing their relationship with the no sex rule, but Georgina is losing all her energy during protracted dreams that promise her the life she has always day dreamed and wished for.

Tawny is the new succubus and provides some angst and humour, badly dressed and with no clue how to “suck souls” Georgina is set the task of mentor by Arch Demon Boss Jerome.

Dante and Erik are the new human characters, they have a history together but can Georgina save them both from

Love all the outfits and food references, so keen to try a Grey Goose gimlet!

Eventually the mystery is solved with a bit of heart stopping action, love, lust and all sort of other goings on. RM never fails to bring it on.

Succubus Dreams

Therapy works unless you sleep with the therapist and suck out their life force! Jerome has forced Georgina into therapy, she is being horrifically sulky and he has had enough of her.

When that fails he sends her to Canada, to spy for another Arch Demon who is having problems with a demonic cult that are giving Satan a bad name!

Another mystery for Georgina to solve as Jerome is “summonded” in a turf war and goes missing.  

Fearful that a new Arch Demon will be appointed Georgian rushes to locate and save Jerome, with the help of her current destructive relationship, gosh this girl knows how to punish herself.

However whilst Jerome is captured she soon discovers that she can have rampant sex with Seth, which is not good news as he is in a different relationship and trying to make a happy, non-Georgina filled life for himself.

The erotica in these books is always fresh, never repetitive, sensitive but heat inducing.

More heart breaking revelations about previous relationships from the past.

RM is really evolving all her main stay characters in new and wonderful ways.

Succubus Heat

A new and suspicious Succubus arrives just as Sirens trap Georgina in a dream state from which she cannot escape.

As the bond between Seth and Georgian is becoming stronger, others are starting to notice, this is not liked by many in her circle, lest of all her best friend Maddie who she is supposed to be helping to marry Seth!

Whilst the gang, including human Eric, try to save Georgina she continues to be stuck in a different dimension where she is shown truth, possible futures, tainted truths and outright lies, in horrible torturous semi dreams. This is horrific to read as I have come too really like Georgina

Only an American would suggest that Guinness goes with shepherd’s pie!! Seriously, NO!

RM does well to keep this book from becoming too dark and utilises Georgina’s more light hearted friends to accomplish this; Peter and his soirées really make me want to be an immortal!

Succubus Shadows

Hahaha I loved that all the immortal gang are now using Facebook!

From the start you can feel that this book is going to have an explosive ending as Georgina ends up in Hells court with unlikely allies and lawyer. A loop hole has been found in her Soul Contract.

A beautiful ending that brings all the little comments throughout the series together, I think this is the only book in the series you could not read as a standalone.

The climax was one of those "I saw that coming from a mile away", but it wasn't lame or upsetting

I could easily read this series over again many times, so lovely, so funny and wonderfully circular. 

Succubus Revealed

The Pleasure Games by Karma Leah

Poor Kelly, stumbles into the real world of "no experience" when trying to enter the job market with her English Degree.

Whilst trudging around on the wrong end of the job interview list she comes to her final appointment of the day and is propositioned in a most unusual way.

There is some serious hot and heavy action going on in here, no shying away and no stupid analogies. The ending was very satisfying!

For an erotica book this has a surprisingly good pace, some tongue in cheek (thankfully other places too!) humour, literacy and a passable story line, not a plumber or vampire in site.

The Pleasure Games

French Fries and Flame throwers by Glen Johnson

Totally love the fact that GJ does NOT apologise for being an English author and uses all the correct spellings!

He is the master of short, sharp stories and excels at it in this set. Each of the stories are based around residents in a block of flats, GJ cleverly links them all but you can read each one individually, but I challenge you just to read one and not be drawn into finishing the entire set.

GJ has pulled a master stroke in managing to link every single story to each other, places, times, people, relevant news items.

Really enjoyed all the prologue “chats”

The Insomniac:

Oh dear, poor obese Trevor is so tired keeping up with demand in his chip shop that he makes a fatal error, and then his efforts to make good don’t go as planned.

GJ manages to do the inner dialogue perfectly giving a great “view” of the British chippy on a Friday night with all its bawdy customers and informs us of how Trevor feels about life, family, love and everything really!

Then his desire for late night french fries (chips) occurs, add in a little slip and an incident involving some cling film, mix in some mud and finally a twig!

I did not know whether to laugh or cry at the ending, it was so beautifully thought out and executed, this author just blows me away.

The Taxidermist:

Fred has a disturbingly disgusting desire to start practising on his neighbours cats. Thankfully they decide to not be cooperative.

I despise all animal cruelty, even in fictional stories, it was fairly obvious where this story was going but as I follow this author on FB I note that he too is an animal lover and trusted him with my emotions. I was not disappointed, although the story made me feel glad in one way it still irked my heart.

The horror is slow and painful to endure and made me squirm but ultimately it was the gore that made me cheer.

The Butcher:

GJ does cliché and stereo type so well its wonderfully kitsch!

Anton the Russian has been up to naughty things and tension is high in the preparation room but when Anton is given a promotion he refuses all bloody hell reigns down, how do you say no to a drug baron?

GJ does well to make you like what should be an unlikable man, then feel his pain at his demise, in a rather unique fashion.

The Florist:

Elena is just trying to make her orchids grow,  when it all goes a bit wrong.

GJ pays such attention to detail I could not help but be drawn into the story. The way he interconnects the characters is charmed, having learnt about Jimmy in The Insomniac and the “sister” we now meet her in all her weird glory.  

Elena and her son Jimmy have been busy installing a watering system but she has added a special fertilising ingredient she found in the Sky High shop.

As she gets a good dousing of the newly enhanced misting spray strangeness ensures – riveting reading all the way to the crescendo.

The Lovers:

Nalin and Isaac seem to have a perfect life until something random happens to change things for them.

Having already met the characters I felt like I slipped into their lives unwatched and with the brilliantly researched and factual back history of Nalin’s life I was engrossed, and sad at the world’s history.

During some amazingly erotic love making something awful (and funny) happens and I was left heartbroken at the ending.

The Animal Lover:

Gertrude can’t fit out her apartment door but her animals keep her company.

Whilst I love animals the description of the smell in her flat and what the various animals did was enough to make me gag! Over all her cruelty was far worse than Fred the Taxidermists. The ever so accurate portrayal of obesity was both sickening and fascinating.

As Gertrude teeters on the edge of a heart attack on her trek around her flat to find her inhaler I found myself breath holding and waiting for the inevitable.  Her final demise was very slap stick in what appears to be GJ signature way of killing people off, most amusing.

The Agoraphobic:

Gordon is the building manager with a nice money making side-line involving hidden cameras, so all the goings on are being watched, recorded and broadcast.

It is in fact his best night ever with all his regularly voyeurs logging on to watch the mayhem going on in the building, and the revolting Gordon is just watching it all with £ signs dancing in his eyes.

It was a brilliant way to catch up on what was happening in each flat from another perspective, the time line alone was magnificent in its perfection. In a few sentences GJ summed up the night of horror.

When he gets a knock on the door the person on the other side is not who he expected.

The Foreigner:

GJ launches from one dead body to another, and does it with superb style.

Samira is a covert spy and assassin, but she also has a complex and sad past, however now is the time she must make a quick escape as Gordon’s little internet business has alerted authorities to her.

GJ could easily write thrillers as he clearly has all the knowledge and skill to lead readers down a dark path of intrigue then set them on fire with the truth.

Another amazing little snippet of the bigger story, another sad ending but with that little hint of a giggle.

The Geek:

Poor schoolboy Benedict is often bullied and left alone by his hard working (and playing) mother, but he has been working hard on his school project and he has a dream.

I loved the way GJ interjects all these little comments that just speed you make to other scenes, this would make a brilliant Tarantino style film.

In the epilogue GJ really rounded up the horror and giggles, tying up every loose end and giving an incredible to ride to his readers. 

French Fries & Flamethrowers

Hyde by Vince Churchill

Hyde is a dark, erotic thriller that is most definitely twisted, tortured and a great read. Vince Churchill has many titles published but this is my first read by him and I have to say I am impressed. 

I do enjoy erotica, but don't read it often because a lot of those stories tend to get boring, repetitive or have no real plot line, not so with Hyde. 

We are first introduced to Sam, the main character, at the gym and its obvious she can take care of herself; so she should, she is a Detective in a  Major Crimes unit, her personality is a little cliché but works well due to VC writing skills.  

Cut to Simone and VC launches straight into some mind boggling rough sex, finished with a sms text.  Not sure about this as an opening chapter, that much in my face was a little hard to take and took me several attempts to get into, I was also a little confused. However, all becomes clear when we find out how the two are related and Hyde or The Keeper, as the police like to call him, has his next victim.

But The Keeper is not your usual kidnapper, he is on a mission, Hyde is sexy, thrilling, and just weird enough to almost believe, to almost want to  be kidnapped yourself, almost.

The hunt and the game are soon on and it makes for riveting reading.  Naively I thought I understood the plot line and how this would soon pan out along the usual lines and become obvious but VC soon twisted that on its head! 

VC's imagery is creative, making reading Hyde an almost visceral experience; fear and sex are given equal attention and the writing of each is powerfully effective and emotive. 

The story, in my opinion, lends itself to being longer, it could have been expanded and still not felt drawn out, it was almost the clipped and edited version, like editors used to do to SK; put your foot down Mr Churchill.

HYDE

Monsters in Hollywood (books 1-6) by Lila DuBois

Lights, Camera ... (Book 1): 

Calypso Hollywood Productions is a company run by five beautiful and talented women; Lena, Jane, Akta, Margo and Cali.

One day a group of three exceptional looking men, Luke, Michael Henry and Their walk into office with a proposal for a movie.

But here is the twist, they 'are monsters, hiding from persecution and are slowing dying out. They need to get out Their message That They want to be friendly and integrate into human society without hiding.

They are among us as Their Already Seer has provided them all the spells, in the form of gorgeous tattoos That allow them to change from Their monster bodies to human form.

However, the girls laugh them off and send them on their way, not without Luke begging for a Date with Lena, who Obliges Because He is after all gorgeous and she is starting to feel like a born again virgin.

The monsters That LD describe Both are horrifying and beautiful, and get all Apparently Their sexual experience from succubae !!

This is an erotica book after all and it soon turns to some rip roaring sex from Luke and Lena. Apparently magical spells but do not hold well after eight hours of sex and a night's sleep as Luke inadvertently lets out for Lena His monster to wake up next too, I unfortunately looks like a demon With His huge wings, horns and cloven feet!

This leads to some humorous moments and then the plot really begins. There are other moments when you 'humor Realise That all their "knowledge" about humans comes from watching TV shows and movies, although this is a little odd can actually When They Interact with humans, so That falls flat after a while.

Just as the girls are getting on board and seriously thinking this movie That Could Be a go ahead to That monster is not fully With the plan tries to kill Lena and the plot twist and Takes a really starts to sizzle as much as all the intense sex That is going on.

Some very sad moments in This First Book That really seal it as a story and not just erotica.

Lights, Camera .... Monsters

My Fair Monster (Book 2):

Clearly Whilst the first book sets the scene and then Continues to concentrate on the love that has now blossomed Between Lena and Luke, it is now obvious That this is now Jane and Michael's turn.

More body numbing sex OCCURS but Michael's monster is not what you would expect!

A new monster has joined the group, Runako, I is not convinced That Should integrate humans and monsters. With His sad back story and still painful memories Clearly I Began to agree with His points of view on human annihilation instead.

The grin inducing Often humor is still here, Along with the eyeball popping sex but this book felt more like a love story and there was no clear moving forward of the story.

However LD book sets up 3 very neatly at the end.

I was aware of quite a few editing errors in this book Which Were a little distracting.

My Fair Monster

Gone with the Monster (Book 3):

This is Clearly Runako and Margo's chapter and she is one tough lady That man needs a tougher to crack her. So I kidnaps her and Margo Takes to a cave.

This Allows for some really funny moments, as by default in Original two characters are much more humorous. Runako's monster just happens to be the biggest demon looking thing you can think of.

Whilst Margo is filled with Self-body issues, Runako acerca is clueless female human emotions Generally And This makes for great banter not to mention the almost painful but highly erotic sex scenes.

Again we are shown the horrors of humans vs monsters in the past and why Runako is so afraid of integration. When I fully shares with Margo His pain she confesses That She May who did they know awful things to His Sister.

This knowledge With a new element of revenge and killing Enters The story line and Gives it an interesting twist.

New monsters and plot elements in this book are Introduced at it Continues to not shy away from going to some deep dark places in some XXX sex scenes.

Again, some editing issues, but this time not so distracting.

Gone with the Monster

Have will travel Monster (Book 4):

Now That the story line is not just about the monsters bringing out into the open, the secret Black Wolf agency trying to capture and experiment is to focus on monsters.

Henry goes off to China to seek out and plead for help from the secret, yet powerful warrior clan.

Their is Tokaki Most prized warrior and Agrees to come and help them, but as the fight coordinator on the movie !!

There is a lot more in this book speak movie Which was becoming tedious. The two new characters Tokaki and Jo, the artist, are so obviously going to be the next couple together but That Get Their characters and plot lines are so cliché to make it feel like some 70s porn film.

Whilst I Understood That Tokaki was the Chinese version of the westernized notion of monsters, I turns into a huge white tiger that looks a lot like the parade dragon / lion, I got fed up reading about Their Chi - I am not reading in Original books for intellectual stimulation! Not to mention That acerca 50% into the book info we have only peeked at a penis surprised so far, and if Jo says His male body is "ridiculous" once more I Would have screamed, and not in pleasure.

The little movie Were funny one liners and the best character in Madoka This chapter was the teenage sister, a beautiful purple dragon.

Eventually Tokaki and Jo get together, but I is rude, obnoxious and oblivious to her feelings Which of course are fixed by watching a marathon of chick flicks. I found this to be very condescending and not fitting With the rest of the books. Although they 'are getting a bit boring monsters in every mating for life with each girl picks I have to enlighten on monster sex.

If I had not bought the last two Already books in the series I Would have Given Up At this point as the center plot is missing, the editing and continuity is way off and the sex has Become boring.

The notion That brilliant sex can suddenly fix all female hang up and make You have instant self-belief is a little nauseating or maybe I have yet to enjoy That sort of sex!

The ending paragraph was good and it pulled together some unanswered questions from early in the book but does not make you want to read the fifth installment.

Have Monster will Travel

A Monster and a Gentleman (Book 5):

You are now thrown forward into movie production. Apparently all on set people believe in monsters and none have run screaming to the loony bin but surprise, surprise one has leaked to the press photos DESPITE huge confidentially clauses.

Cali the bitch of the group Total has-been lusting after Seling, a fire breathing dragon, who joined the group During a rescue camp at the Black Wolf, and this is Clearly Their sexual chapter for fun and eventual mating.

No mention Thus Far of the plot twist Involving the Black Wolf camp, if They Were Such a threat then why forget them ?? So Easily The editing is much more of an issue in this book and LD Could have Done with some better beta readers / editors to pull together her inconsistencies.

Why every single woman in this group have to be hung up on Their lack of body perfection is now becoming annoying. Plus the eleven sizzling sex scenes and daring are now repetitive, same sex couple different.

Not sure on the odds of finding each monster kill Their exact Within the five women in LA who happen to be making Their movie.

Eventually Investigations get under way into who leaked the photos of the monsters, trying to out them.

The monsters call on Their Seer, Mauve the Banshee.

Between the Black Wolf Banshee and the militia, That suddenly make a reappearance this is a lot more violent action in this book.

Towards the end is more of a monster story, much less erotica, even if boring in this book.

This series has sort of flunked in the middle not sure If its erotica, a story, Both of neither. The one dimensional characters and Have Become Often slide off the page with no thought. The book end has-been read simply as I am hoping for a conclusion.

Monster and a Gentleman

The last of the Monsters (Book 6):

Flashbacks from VARYING PoV allow for the story of Henry, the monster and end Akta - That end the couple need to pair off to Make This all so convenient.

Mauve the Banshee has discovered who the leak is and punishment is interesting. The Black Wolf men are used in a unique way.

Once the movie is finally out, so are the monsters and they 'are whisked off to meet all the "special" people of the world.

The relationship Between Henry, the color changing monster and Akta skin is crawling and childish to say the least.

A dramatic finale Allows the series to redeem itself at the end.

Overall This Could Have Been probably four books, better edited and more flesh and brains Given to the characters. The first book was amazing and the sex but soon Became repetitive and pathetic Were plot lines, or Told At least not well.

For a fast bit of erotica LD is a good writer as she does not shy from some eye watering moments but as a storyteller, nope not her strong suit as her plots are often forgotten or repetitive, but overall a good series to read.

The movie references in the stories and was very clever book titles and you can not help but love the cover art!

Last of the Monsters

CODE NAME: Ghost & Fire (Books 1 & 2) by Natasza Waters

This is a bit of a hard one to review, military based thriller/erotica/romance is not my thing but I was offered the, two parts of the story, to review.

When I first started it I gave up. It didn't grab me and I found the set up a little confusing especially when NW was describing the main characters and all the periphery elements, I couldn't keep up with who was who!

However, I went back to it and was sort of glad I did.  I have mixed feelings over the books as they are a bit dragged out, but there is an engaging story, a traumatised heroine and an alpha male hero who engage in some steamy sex scenes, but even that becomes a little formulaic by the second half of the story (in book 2) and there is a limit to my sympathy for both main characters.

The sexual tension and inevitable sex was initially exceptional. The multiple male characters are fantastically hot alpha males.... they would certainly make my knees knock, and this is fiction after all – I don’t really want too much reality in my erotica!

What can I say about Kayla; she is strong with a lot of past trauma that really shapes her character and how she reacts to things.  She is also abrasive, cold and not overly likable plus many a time I wanted to scream at her to just stop, just stop!

Thane, the male lead, at the start I didn't quiet “get” him but he grew on me eventually, but the on/off almost abusive relationship between the two of them I think was supposed to be sort Burton/Tayloresque but never really got pulled off correctly.

However, this is not some bubble headed erotic, drool a minute story though, there is some real gusty stuff in here and the serial killer aspect is very well written. That said you HAVE to read book 2 to get any closure, which I feel is a little bit of a cheat when with cleaner, more concise writing and fewer subplots and characters the story could have been easily concluded in this one book and been a better read for it, but it didn’t the author leaves you on a cliffhanger, with no closure.

 Code-Name: Ghost

After reading the first book "Ghost" you have no option but to continue the story. However, I didn't find this book as gripping as the first and to be honest the on-off relationship between the two lead characters got a bit tiresome. Having said that, I would recommend these two books.

As said before, NW would have been better just extending the first book then putting this sequel out. Kayla remains true to form with her stop/go emotions, yes she has severe emotional trauma in her past but does that really give you the right to treat others like rubbish? Also I found the constant reminder by NW of her past a bit boring and therefore I lost sympathy eventually.  Basically in Ghost she was strong and coping, in Fire she became a moaning, boring bitch.

Overall, I like NW writing style the serial killer aspect of the story is defiantly wrapped up in this second book and if you enjoy military romance/thriller novels but can suspend all sense of reality then you will love these books.

Will I go onto book no.3 - if I see it on offer, then yes!

Code-Name: Fire