Vocal Expressions

This was my first time reading a short romance novella by Janica Cade, and her writing style struck me as sexy, sharp, and emotionally layered. The story follows billionaire Ethan Wolfe, who reluctantly agrees to take over Lane Entertainment Group at the request of its owner, Christopher Lane. The catch? He has to keep Lane’s daughter, Ava—the creative force behind the company—on board. Ava, unaware of her father’s decision to sell, is blindsided and furious, especially after learning her father is gravely ill. When he passes away the day after the deal is finalized, her anger toward Ethan only intensifies. Despite the tension, Ethan rushes to comfort her, and the two give in to their mutual attraction in a moment charged with grief and desire.  The plot thickens when Ava reveals documents stating that her cousin, Jonathan, was meant to take over the company in the event of her father and uncle’s death. The revelation shocks Ethan, prompting him to step back and temporarily hand co...

This was my first time reading a romance novel by Mia Black, and I found her writing style to be bold, relationship-driven, and full of heat and deception. The story centers around Jazmine (“Jazzy”), a freelance consultant for multimedia companies who recently ended things with her cheating boyfriend, Aaron, in Charlotte. Ready for a fresh start, she heads to New York to stay with her best friend Tami while she gets back on her feet. On the flight, Jazzy meets Quinton (“Que”), a handsome and charming stranger who keeps her calm during turbulence. They exchange numbers, and a week later, he invites her to explore New York City—he’s Brooklyn-born and Queens-raised, after all. Their chemistry is instant, leading to a steamy night at the luxurious Carlyle Hotel, with windows overlooking Central Park.  Though Jazzy is drawn to Que, she’s hesitant to jump into a new relationship. She enjoys his company but can’t shake her curiosity about his vague career in “sales.” Her doubts intens...