Book Review: “Swept Away” & “Bitter Draughts”

About Swept Away

When a lonely witch accidentally upgrades her enchanted broom into a very alive, very possessive familiar, her quiet magical life is turned upside down. Between flying lessons, jealous magic, and undeniable chemistry, Jazzy quickly learns that falling for your broom is a lot more complicated than it sounds… and far hotter than anyone could have imagined.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Swept-Away-Sugar-Rush-ebook/dp/B0H735RW1M/

My Review of Swept Away

I received a digital copy of Swept Away, by Sugar Rush through Secret Santa’s Review Pool. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I’m not sure what I expected when I asked for a book with “A Sentient Erotica”, but I must say I was surprised. This is not a cute little witch romance as the cover would suggest. It’s a graphic story of unconventional sexual exploits, not for the feint of heart.

Most witches claim a cat or a bird to be their familiar, but not Jazzy. Her familiar is her sentient broom, Bramble, who has fallen in love with her, or at least in lust, and made it his solemn mission to chase away thoughts of unworthy warlocks from her mind and satisfy her every need. Their sexcapades are unusual and graphically described, and I had a hard time envisioning some of the positions described being engaged by a broom, but I must admit it was interesting trying. 🤭

The story doesn’t have a lot of depth, but perhaps erotica does not require it. There is not a lot of conflict involved, in fact, the witchy neighbor fully supports Jazzy’s new romance with her familiar because it makes Jazzy so completely happy. I guess a satisfied with is a happy witch. It made for a quick, easy read, which is mildly stimulating. I read it in two sittings.

A surprising erotica story. I give Swept Away four quills.

About Bitter Draughts

Paris 1898—the fin de siècle, a turbulent era when passions run as high as prejudice. In the midst of the infamous Dreyfus Affair, as anti-Semitic riots erupt all over Paris, Inspecteur Michel Devaux has a baffling murder to solve. Is it a crime of politics or a crime of passion? As death follows death, Devaux traces their tangled threads from the privileged classes to the seamy Paris underworld. Help comes from unlikely sources: a crime lord, a clairvoyant, a crazy woman who feeds the cemetery cats, and an old friend from the Foreign Legion. Devaux’s calm harbor amid chaos is his friendship with the talented, beautiful American artist, Theodora Faraday. But as he struggles with his own horrific past, Devaux is reluctant to accept her help—because he’s falling in love with her.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Draughts-novel-murders-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B09WG99X71/

My Review Bitter Draughts

I received a free digital copy of Bitter Draughts, by Ives Fey through Sandra’s Book Club. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Having enjoyed another book by this author, I thought I’d give this one a try. See my review of A Harmony of Hells.

This tale is skillfully braided to coincide with that other book, taking place during the same time period, during the late 1800s in Paris. We are shown what is happening with characters who are present in the other story, but not they focus of this tale. If you’ve read A Harmony of Hells, you will be in the know where the two coincide, and if you haven’t, your curiosity will be piqued. While that other is the tale of Averille Charron’s search for his sister, Jeanette, this sordid story is the tale of Detective Michel Devaux and the artist, Theodora Charron, whose friendship seems to be turning into something more, as Paris explodes with the madness of the Dreyfus Affair. Both tales are written with that delicious gothic flavor which drew me to pick up the first book by Yves Fey.

Unrest and antisemitism stirs in Paris, as the accused Dreyfus is imprisoned on Devil’s Island and the trial for treason approaches. It’s up to Detective Michel Devaux to solve a series of recent murders, which are thought to be connected to Dreyfus opposers and a series of letters which claim his innocence. Things are heating up and the fallout hits close to home, when rioters attack the gallery where Theo Charron, is holding her first showing with Averille and Blaise Dancier in attendance, making one wonder whether it’s all connected to Dreyfus, or are these events just disguised to look that way? Can Michel discover the truth in time to discourage the violence that threatens in the streets of Paris? And can he keep Theo safe from the violence when she seems determined to throw herself in the path of danger?

Gothic murder and intrigue with a touch of romance. I give Bitter Draughts five quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders. Her novels include Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Books 1 & 2 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, and Double Visions.

Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.

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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.