Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

Two #Steamy #Romance #BookReviews by bestselling authors @Melissa_Foster and Rebecca Zanetti


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It’s hard to believe that I normally publish 3-4 books a year and for 2022 it looks as though I’ll be lucky to get two done. Maybe it’s the lasting effects of Covid, the horrifying war in Ukraine, or a general pall on life, but I feel this weird disassociation from everything and have for the last year or more.

Is anyone else going through something similar?

On the upside, I think the book I’m writing is some of the best work I’ve put out, so there’s that 🙂

And I’ve been getting lots of great reading in, which is always a good thing.

This week, I continued my obsession with Rebecca Zanetti’s Deep Ops series, Broken, and heated things up with Melissa Foster’s Crazy Wicked Love.

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An Amazon Best of the Year Selection

Dangerous: Former Navy SEAL Clarence Wolfe’s unit was taken out with a land mine. Injured and devastated, he hasn’t been quite right since. Worse, the tragedy was no accident. All Wolfe wants now is to take down the man responsible. In the meantime, he’s good with being the muscle for the Deep Ops team—and leading a steamy no-strings-attached personal life. Until one intriguing woman changes everything . . .

When Clarence Wolfe lost his entire team (minus one) in Afghanistan, he vows to hunt down the man responsible- even if it means his own death. He’s biding his time working with Angus Force and the HDD’s misfits, otherwise known as Deep Ops, and guarding the too-pretty Dana, but knows a deadly enemy is closing in and the only way to keep them safe is to become the hunter.

Reporter Dana Mulberry appreciates her watchdog, even if Wolfe’s overly protective nature impedes her investigations. But, when a fellow journalist, and friend, goes missing Dana is determined to get to the bottom of her disappearance and turns up the heat by going undercover at a sex club with Wolfe as her Dom.

As Wolfe and Dana explore a new relationship neither expected, they learn their investigations are tied together. Now they just need to survive to prove it.

I’ve loved all the books in this series but Broken is my favorite. Wolfe is as tough as they come, but his big heart shows in his gentleness with a tiny kitten he takes under his wing, the protectiveness he gives to Dana and the other women of the Deep Ops team, loyalty to the men he works with, and even in the whipped cream and sprinkles-loaded coffees he delivers to the office each day.

Dana is his perfect match. She’s tough, fun, sexy, and teaches Wolfe that friendship and love heals all wounds.

Excellent read!

What happens when the player gets played?
Sidney Carver has a big problem, and he goes by the name of Dwayne “Gunner” Wicked: six-plus feet of muscular, motorcycle-riding, animal-loving deliciousness. Gunner is her boss, roommate, and best friend. 

Sidney and Gunner have been best buds since their time together in the military.

Sidney was the only one Gunner could talk to abut home and family, and when his sister died, Sid was there to offer comfort. When she was injured in an IED blast, her military career over, Gunner made sure she had a place to go and a job she loved- at his new animal rescue business.

Sidney is grateful to Gunner for giving her a home in his house, a place within his family, and a new life with the Wicked Animal Shelter. But she has a problem. She’s madly in love with her best friend and he has no idea. What can she do? Enter Operation Get My Guy.

Gunner is thrilled to have his best bud, Sid, living and working with him. She gets him like no one else, and he loves her snorting laughter and compassionate nature- especially with the animals they rescue. So, when she suddenly comes to him asking for help catching his player cousin’s attention Gunner is surprised by the jealousy he feels. The more Sidney uncovers her sexy vixen, the more Gunner decides the only man she needs to practice her wiles on, is him.

This is a fun friends-to-lovers read. I got a kick out of Gunner’s bemusement when his military bud becomes a woman before his eyes. He is justifiably worried about ruining a treasured friendship but can’t ignore the feelings he’s always harbored for Sidney when they come bubbling to the surface.

I could have done without the many, many pages of sexual antics, and think there was a missed opportunity to make this a deeper, more meaningful story when Sidney and Gunner rescue a beaten dog, but overall, an enjoyable read.

Amazon link

Do you like steamy romances with a lot of sex, or less but more meaningful connections? Let’s chat!

My daffodils are blooming!

34 Replies to “Two #Steamy #Romance #BookReviews by bestselling authors @Melissa_Foster and Rebecca Zanetti”

  1. I’m hooked on Zanetti’s writing. having read the fifth of the series courtesy of NetGalley, I plan to go back and catch up. Great reviews, Jacquie.

    I understand about writing. Having a hard time myself this year.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I’m actually having a better writing year than usual and making good progress. Sometimes it’s hard to disconnect with what’s happening in the world though, especially when I’m constantly surfing for the latest news from Ukraine.
    Thanks for sharing the reviews. Sounds like two good ones!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. We all do what we can do, Jacquie. Two books in a year is good in my opinion! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these two books. Both are intriguing, but Broken really spoke to me!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. For a long time, I skipped romances because I didn’t want to read the steamy parts. Then–lightbulb moment–I realized I could read the book and skip those scenes rather than skipping the whole book. It’s a shame it took me so long to figure that out; I probably missed a lot. But I didn’t miss Zanetti’s series. I devoured one a day last week until I’d read every installment. I love the Deep Ops guys. I’m not sure how you picked a favorite.

    As for the malaise and the disconnect? You’re not alone. I feel it, too. But two books this year is still two more than you had before. And two more than most people will ever write. Take the win. Sending you a big hug.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I love you for saying that- it’s true! A few years ago, I had no books published and doubted my ability to ever write a decent book. It’s all in how you look at that glass 🙂
      I think Wolfe’s big heart won me over the most, though I still have Force’s book to read so that could change!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I love all the guys. Wolfe is a marshmallow inside a steel shell, though. I adore him.

        You’re definitely beyond “decent” in the writing department. I’m one of many fans. Your glass should always be half (or more) full.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Great reviews, Jacquie 🙂 I prefer more meaning over steamy in books. The last couple of years have had me editing books I’d written in the past and publishing them. Nothing new except poetry and a few short stories. Although it’s good I’m getting my older stuff out there, I hope to get that spark again for a new book.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I totally understand how you feel. On top of the things you mentioned, my daughter had cancer and my mom was suddenly deathly ill. All are on the mend, though, so perhaps we all have a reprieve coming in some form or another. 🙂 xoxo

    I think your reviews are fantastic! I have so much reading to catch up on. 😀

    Your daffodils are lovely!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so sorry, Kymber, that must have weighed heavily on you ❤
      Yes, family health also creates a lot of strain. I've had my grandson with me for 7 months now because his mom was too overwhelmed from years of dealing with his Type 1 Diabetes and her university studies. And my mom has failing kidney function. We go to the hospital this week for a consultation, fingers crossed she doesn't need dialysis yet.
      {{hugs}} to you and your loved ones.

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  8. I did notice you weren’t publishing a lot, but since we just met (well, a few years ago), didn’t know which was the norm–3-4 books a year or less. My current book is taking forever to write and it could be exactly the reasons you mentioned–COVID, Ukraine, general malaise with events.

    I read my first Zanetti book–wow that girl can write!

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  9. Awww… Your daffodil is Gorgeous, Jacquie. I just saw another review for Zanetti that said the book was awesome, really the whole series. I’d have to skim the steam (Lol), but I heard the characters and action are great. And YES, the general malaise is real. I’m finding it hard to read, hard to write, and I’m having to force myself to knuckle under to meet a deadline that shouldn’t have been an issue at all! The war in Ukraine has certainly put a damper on everything. It’s distressing to say the least. Hugs, my friend. Keep spreading the love.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Hi Jacquie, These both sound like good reads. I especially like the sound of the second one. With regards to writing, covid and this war have not impacted on my writing although an uptick in work does. I think South Africa has been so politically, economically and social unstable for so long (my whole life) that I am used to it and nothing much phases me. Last year thousands of people were running around looting malls and business districts and burning them down. It was very widespread violence. As a consequence, Ukraine is not a very direct issue in my life although I feel very sorry for the civilians who seem to be suffering very harsh treatment at the hands of the oppressor.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I think it’s a better ability to cope with disruption. You get used to it and can continue to focus and operate through it easier. I think South Africans are generally very high strung though, as a result of constant anxiety.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Both books sound great, Jacquie. We kind of skip the steamy books or movies. But lately hubby just fast-forwards the steamy part so we still get the story. I think the pandemic makes our minds dull and flat whereas our minds are lightened by the sights and sounds before the pandemic. Now with the war in Ukraine, I’m sad and angry. This doesn’t help with our creativity.
    I love your daffodil, Jacquie! The daffodil and tulip season is over in California. My daughter gave me some bulbs and I planted many tulips at the beginning of April when I came back from the trip to see my grandkids. Only three are coming up. The rest will come up next year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think you’re right about the effects of the pandemic and then the war, Miriam. Coupled with my mom’s ill health, I just can’t seem to care about much anymore. I hope it passes.
      The garden helps. It’s hard to be depressed with all those beautiful colors!

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      1. I know your mom lives right by you. At least you’re close to her. I hope she’ll get better.

        I have my ups and downs. The weather is getting warmer and the sun comes out. That helps when I spend time doing gardening.

        Counting the days for the next trip to see the grandkids also helps. Are you daughter and grandson staying with you?

        Hope to see more of your garden, Jacquie.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. The weather makes a big difference, both with aches and pains, and mood. I’m so glad summer is near!
          My grandson is here, my daughter is in Vernon (about six hours away), though we just learned she’s coming to pick him up next week. Have to admit, we’re gutted. It’s been wonderful having him here.
          Do you ever think of moving closer to your grandchildren, Miriam?

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          1. Sorry to hear that your daughter is coming to pick up your grandson, Jacquie! It seems like he just got here! I’d love to move closer to my grandkids but as you said about the weather, it affects the body and mind. Hubby can’t stand the gloomy weather. Even right now, on his running days, he waits until the sun comes out to go running.

            For now, we have to settle with frequent traveling. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

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