Breathless: A Story of Dominance and Submission by Jenika Snow

Summary:

Lalita Marshall is in desperate need of money. When her best friend tells her about an opportunity that will relieve her of all her financial worries, Lalita feels it just may be too good to be true. Then, she finds out that this so-called opportunity would essentially make her a submissive sex slave to six very powerful and gorgeous men.

When she finally meets Dorian, Zakary, Alec, Kane, Michael and Torryn, she knows she is in big trouble. The six of them not only exude a power that leaves her breathless, but they also leave her body sexually sated and exhausted. The longer Lalita spends with them, the more she knows that this isn’t just a job for her, not when she is starting to fall for each and every one of them.

Reviewer: Fashionta

When I picked up this book to read I was in a ménage mood, and I so fell in the love with this story. For those who have read Kimberly Zant's Snow White and Seven Hunks and hated it, I want to assure them that they will love this book which follows the same type of ménage arrangement but is so much better written. In Breathless: A Story of Dominance and Submission,  the heroine is in financial straits not of her own doing and needs to make cash fast to pay off her ex-husband's bills. She decides to follow her friend’s advice when she offers her a business card and explains it's the quickest and safest way to get money quick by being a 'high class, very expensive entertainer.' Swallowing her trepidation, she calls the number on the card and makes an arrangement with six men. They have her complete a series of tests and after she successfully passes them, they agree to meet her. The introductions are by first name only and she knows them only as associates of one another. They're looking for a sex toy. Here is where the two books differ as the relationship is more explored and makes the sex seems more real and plausible. Honestly, Kimberly Zant’s was  more of a porn feast as the story revolved around the blackmail of a homemade salacious video and there was another female character involved in the arrangement. In this story we getting seriously love and a BDSM feast without going over the top. 

I have to give Jenika Snow's story 4 stars. The concept of the arrangement has been done before so it's nothing new, but the way the arrangement played out and the  relationships formed from it made it so much better than Zant's book.  

Publisher: Siren Publishing

An Unexpected Return by Jessica E. Subject

Summary:

Looking to experience all the universe has to offer, Prince Aristides escapes from the kingdom of Tyto and travels through space to the Emerald Planet, Elatia. He yearns to partake in the activities the planet is famous for, and fulfill all his sexual desires, but loses his heart and soul to an Adamos apprentice. Unfortunately, she is Terran, and her people are sworn enemies of those from Tyto. If he can convince Xia to give up her dreams of becoming an Adamos, and travel back to Tyto with him, will his parents accept her, or condemn them both?

Abandoned as a toddler on Elatia, and raised by Kalara, an Adamos specializing in erotic massage, Xia decides to follow in her footsteps. But she remains conflicted as to whether she wants to service clients for the rest of her life, or settle down and raise a family. When she meets Aris, he turns the tables on her, and brings her as much pleasure as she gives him.

Will they have their chance to be together, or will their families tear them away from any chance of young love?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore

Aristides, the Prince of Tyto, didn’t want or need his betrothed so he  sets her up with Benignus, his friend, who has craved the woman for more  than two years. Thereafter, Aristides flies to the planet Elatia to  receive sexual pleasure from the revered Adamos. 

He wanted to experience every sensation before he settled down with anyone, if, of course, he found someone he could love.

  Xia is studying to be an Echelon Four Adamo, Mistress of the Sensual  Arts. She reaches level Echelon Two and is given her first appointment,  but realizes that she wants something different. She wants to please  only her future husband, if someone could possibly desire her.  

  She meets Aristides, her appointment, and Xia knows that the desire she  feels for him is impossible. He is Otarian and she is Terran, rise in  Elatia, and they do not mingle. Yet, sharing pleasure night after night  makes her soon fall in love with Aristides and when they face his  parents they discover Xia’s true identity. 

As much I enjoyed Ms Jessica E. Subject’s previous book, Satin Sheets In Space, this book left me disappointed. I was expecting more.  The storyline was routine, full of clichés and with almost no  futuristic elements in it. The characters had little depth; Arisides,  too, comes off as a jerk with remarks like: 

This is what you’re paid to do   

he says as he addresses Xia when they first meet. 2 stars. 

Publisher: Decadent Publishing   

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Cathie Dunn Giveaway (INT)

Recently BlackTulip had the pleasure of interviewing Cathie Dunn and the interview can be found here. Now I like to welcome Cathie back with a giveaway . Up for grabs is one copy each of the following books Dark Deceit, Highland Arms which are both full length novels and Silent Deception her new romantic paranormal suspense that was released only a couple of days ago in PDF or Kindle (mobi) form


a Rafflecopter giveaway

It Started With a Dare (Southern Comfort #1) by S.L. Danielson & Julie Lynn Hayes

Summary:

Boredom at the Junior Prom leads to a dare that leads to a kiss between two seventeen year old boys. Being gay in rural Georgia is no picnic. As circumstances force them together, Mark and Blake uncover truths about themselves, embarking on a daring relationship. But they’ve got one major strike against them already—Mark is unwilling to come out about his sexuality, and Blake doesn’t want to live in a closet.

Can they fan the flames of their relationship, or will it sputter and die?

Reviewer: WhiteDaisy


It Started With a Dare opens on the night of the junior prom for seniors at New Liberty High in its gymnasium. 

Mark Wittington and Dylan Zurkowski are seventeen and best friends.  Both boys have gone to the junior prom alone without dates. To have some  amusement at someone else’s expense, Dylan dares Mark to make a scene  with a boy, Blake, who is dancing with a girl named Violet. Blake Davis  is a geek and rather uncomfortable. Dylan double-dog dares Mark to kiss  Blake in front of everybody. At first Mark refuses Dylan’s dare. No way  would he do something like that, but he is compelled to go along with  the “double dare” or face recrimination from Dylan who would make him  pay by telling Blake’s grandfather he had spiked the punch with vodka.  


  I really disliked Dylan at that moment. What kind of a friend would act  like he did? Not a real one, in my book. From my point of view, the  kiss was rather innocent. But Blake couldn’t get this innocent kiss out  of his mind. 


Mark lives with his grandfather, George, who is a  mean, strict bastard. Making sure Mark isn’t allowed to be a spoiled  child in his grandfather’s opinion, Mark gets a job at Krystal Castle,  an eatery famous for its flavorful burgers. Mark doesn’t get along with  his grandfather, but being abandoned by his parents as a child, the old  George is all Mark has left. 


I felt sorry for Mark as a  character. I can’t imagine living in his shoes with a grandfather who  used to beat you up as a child, really harsh! But damn, if he isn’t a  strong person too. I’m proud of Mark, because he didn’t give up. As a  reader I could see how Mark emotionally developed with Blake’s help and  support.


Blake’s and Mark friendship is formed slowly through  working shifts at Krystal Castle. I enjoyed their slow paced friendship.  We could see how both of them changed emotionally and mentally. Their  attraction was well written and emotionally real too.
   
 “You’ll  find a way,” Blake answered quickly. “You always do. You’re the kind of  guy that always lands on his feet, no matter what.”  

This was really warm and positive compliment to Mark.

  I don’t want to say more an give away the end. I was 100% absorbed in  the storyline and loved it fully. I only hope the second book in the  series won't emotionally be too tragic for Blake; as at the end we could  see where authors S.L. Danielson and Julie Lynn Hayes were leading us.  I’m giving 4.5 stars and highly recommend it to all YA m/m lovers. 

Publisher: No Boundaries Press

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Surrender To The Siren Prince by Kate McKinley

Summary:

Marine biologist Morgan Johansen doesn't believe in fairy tales, so when rumors of a sexy male siren surface, she sets out on her boat to prove them wrong. But when she's tossed overboard by her ex, she comes face to face with a strong, virile siren who's undeniably real and promises to awaken her every erotic fantasy.


Racing to save his people, Erik, heir to the siren kingdom, must find the one woman destined to be his queen. When Morgan hits the water, he feels her presence and knows instantly she's the one. Now he must convince her to abandon her strict scientific beliefs and submit to the powerful desire that grips them both. But one question remains to be answered...


Will Morgan return to the surface, or will she surrender to the siren prince?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore

When Morgan Johansen's ex, Aeron, throws her overboard from his parents’  boat as bait to catch the sirens (unbelieving as he actually is that  they even exist), it's all in play. With that portion of their  relationship ended, they remain good friends but she'd still like to  kill him for tossing her into the water and she's going to somehow make  him pay! But then she discovers that the rumors are true, there ARE  sirens in the water … and one of them grabs her, swiftly pulling her  under the water. Aeron jumps in to try and tries to save her but he is  too late and sees her pulled under the surface. 

He was pulling her down … deeper into the ocean’s black, fathomless depths.

 In order to save his kingdom and his people, Erik has to have a child  before his father dies … but his father already is too weak and dying,  the magic fading. Erik has been searching for years for that perfect  woman and Morgan is his last chance.

Most  human females quickly fall victim to the siren curse, sinking into  madness, spiraling into violent fits of anger. If they conceive, they  are often driven to jealousy, killing their babies before they are able  to take their first breath. Eric can’t take that risk with just any  female. He needs someone strong, someone who could resist the curse and  reign by his side—someone like Morgan.

 A  few days ago, when he’d sensed her in the water, possessiveness had  washed over him. He’d known she was the one instantly, before ever  setting eyes on her.

Rorik  had raised Erik to lead the siren people, to provide for them, protect  them…and he’d failed. If his father drew his last breath this moment,  the power that protected them would die with him.  

Only Morgan could save them.

  Aeron is rescued by Erik’s men; by his behavior, Erik soon realizes  that Morgan is half siren herself. It is the only way to explain the  siren attraction she clearly had on Aeron, emotions like extreme  possession and jealousy cause her ex to strike out at Eric several times  because of her.  

A marine biologist, Morgan tries her best to  find a cure for the sickness that has struck so many sirens. Yet, when  she discovers that Erik has lied her, that he is the prince of the  sirens and that he not only bonded to her but impregnated her without  telling her, she leaves the depths. 

It’s an interesting book.  Erik has a very interesting way of making a woman eat if she doesn’t  want; I will let you discover what I’m talking about. I enjoyed reading  about Morgan and Erik. 4 stars    

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Retreat: A Roughstock Story by B.A. Tortuga

Summary:

When Coke finally gets to invite his lover Dillon to the annual bullfighter retreat, all manner of mischief is on the menu along with the barbecue. The guys have three days before all their families show up. Can they get enough team-building done in seventy-two hours?

Reviewer: Carolina Fruitfly

We first met Coke and Dillion in the novels Roughtstock - And a Smile - Season One and again in Coke's Clown and the short stories Cowboy Christmas and Just Another Day at the Office. The Retreat is another short but still highly enjoyable read, especially if you have already read the previous books about these two. The writing is just the same as the others in this series, along with most other novels I've read by B.A. Tortuga, who pens a story that makes you actually feel like you are in the heads of the people you are reading about. The POVs are real and true. In this story, Coke, who is a seasoned bullfighter, invites his younger boyfriend Dillion (who is a clown for the rodeo circuit) with him on the annual bullfighter retreat he and his friends go to. This is simply a day-in-the-life type of story; it didn't really add any depth to the characters but we get to see a glimpse of them having sex, relaxing in the pool, drinking and playing rock band on an xbox. It is a nice short story and I'm giving it 4 stars.

Publisher: Torquere Press

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Absolutely Eric (Boston Boys #2) by Erica Pike

Summary:

Simon Preston loved his life. Between his job as a highly paid architect and his lover, Chad Murphy, things couldn’t be better. And since adopting the precocious little girl who was the love of their lives, he was ready to take the next step - marriage. After a grueling day at work, Simon decided to surprise his melded family with a homemade dinner and a selection of the finest Disney movies available. He also had another surprise in mind. Gay marriages were legalized in the state of New York and even though their relationship wasn’t perfect, Simon knew it was time to make it official. The feast prepared, he waited. And waited. 

Eric Wesley is short and snazzy, hot and happy. Or that’s what he thought. After three years of living on the wild side he’s tired of being a playboy and wants to find love.

Eric, however, has never been in love before and doesn’t see that the guy who’s been gazing at him all summer might be Mr. Right. Boring-suit-guy Alexander Centauri isn’t only style-less and clumsy, but also terribly awkward. After a miserable date, Eric plants Alex on another guy’s lap and goes after Mr. Wrong…who looks so right.

When Eric realizes his mistake, it might be too late.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly

Eric is a man-whore. In his own words, he is a “flaming gay and he  flaunts it”. He sleeps around and has fuck buddies and never feels shy  talking about it. He even went to have a threesome with his best friend  Adam and Jesse (the love characters from the first book in this series).  Then comes Alex—handsome, cute, but boring in the way he acts and the  way he dresses. Eric feels insecure around him, and, in my opinion, the  reason is because he likes him and is attracted to him without knowing  it because he can’t imagine himself attracted to someone as boring as  Alex by Eric’s standards. 

When Eric sleeps with Adam and Jesse,  Adam asks him to be real, not his fake, flashy persona. While being in  this threesome, something in Eric changes. For the first time he  witnesses a couple who are so in love make love. He feels it in their  spoken and unspoken connection and he wants this too. Eric agrees to go  on a dinner date with Alex and afterwards takes him to a nightclub only  to leave him there with his own friends and go off with Rafaello, who he  thinks later that he is in love with. Alex is hurt. Later, when Eric  goes to his job at Alex’s magazine, he discovers a new side to Alex and  then starts discovering new sides as if he peels away layer by layer to  see his core personality and Eric can’t help but feel attracted to him  and regrets losing him but now cannot act on his attraction because Alex  has started a committed relationship with his close friend Terry.  

  I loved this book and I loved Eric’s funny expressions  ("spankalicious"). I also liked the slogan on his t-shirts. It showed  how free spirited he is. I think, however, he does it to draw attention  to his exterior so nobody can see his interior. This book is about how  we only discover the value of what we had once we lose it. It is also  about friendship and you can’t help but love each and every one of  Eric’s friends. Once I started, I couldn’t leave the book. I was so  drawn to all the characters except, of course, for Rafaello, and I can’t  wait to read the HEA for each one of them as the series continues. 4  stars   


Publisher: MLR Press

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye

Summary:

Unwillingly attending a company team bonding day, Taylor would rather be spending his time actually working. The team-building does have the advantage of letting him watch Scott and Fergus, two other gay men who work for the company. When they're told to break into small groups and tell each other something deep and meaningful, Taylor naturally gravitates to the two men.

With the suggestion of lust as a topic, and an invitation back to Fergus' place for a more in-depth (and hands-on) study, Taylor's team-bonding day is looking up!

Reviewer: Dolce Amore

Alyssa Scott has two reasons to come back to Frederick and apply for a  job at Whiskey’s Music Roadhouse: first, they pay well and second, she  would be close to Marco Vieri, her brother’s best friend and her  childhood crush.  

  

However, Marco isn’t the man she remembers;  after four years of doing what he loved most, being in the Special  Forces with Brady, Alyssa’s brother, they walked into an ambush that  cost them the lives of three good men and left him terribly injured.  

Opening  his eyes, he found himself kneading at his left arm, the one that had  been torn apart from bicep to wrist by a booby-trapped explosive he  barely remembered.  

Surgeons had rebuilt his arm as good as could be  expected, especially since the nerve damage was so extensive they’d  initially doubted he’d have coordinated use of his hand, but the tendon  transplant never healed right. His fingers remained weak, and his elbow  was stiff as hell.  

But the shit with his brain was worse. It  blanked out a big spot in his memory and tormented him with haunting  nightmares and frustrating apraxia, the occasional inability to say a  word and communicate his thoughts. And surgeons didn’t have a fix for  those. 

 
   Because of his injuries, the imperfect healing and who Alyssa is, Marco fights the attraction between them. 

 She was his best friend’s little sister. Strictly off-limits. That was guy code 101.

But when a Whiskey’s client tries to rape Alyssa, Marco realizes that  his feelings for her run deeper than he thought; he loves her.  

 Her Forbidden Hero  was an interesting story and I enjoyed reading it. Ms. Laura Kaye  paints a sympathetic, moving tormented hero paired with a decisive,  strong heroine to win his heart. However, I felt some of the secondary  characters weren’t deep enough and needed to be drawn out more. 4 stars.  

Publisher: Entangled Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Done by Cassandre Dayne

Summary:

Simon Preston loved his life. Between his job as a highly paid architect and his lover, Chad Murphy, things couldn’t be better. And since adopting the precocious little girl who was the love of their lives, he was ready to take the next step - marriage. After a grueling day at work, Simon decided to surprise his melded family with a homemade dinner and a selection of the finest Disney movies available. He also had another surprise in mind. Gay marriages were legalized in the state of New York and even though their relationship wasn’t perfect, Simon knew it was time to make it official. The feast prepared, he waited. And waited. 

When the call came, Simon's life was immediately shattered. In disbelief, he fell into a state of despair. How could Chad leave him and take the baby? Hell bent on getting his life back, Simon fought his inner demons, an abusive past and false truths and walked a twisted path until he was a changed man. And suddenly, he was faced with the fact no one believed Chad was really in his life. Was he truly going mad?

 Michael Dayton was a private investigator and former decorated cop. And he was the only man who believed Simon’s story. As both men slipped down a trail of lies and deceit, Michael attempted to drag Simon back from the brink of revenge and the ravages of insanity but he had demons of his own. Could the love and honesty given freely be their salvation or would Simon lose what was left of his humanity?

Reviewer: WhiteDaisy

Simon and Chad appear to be a content couple at the beginning of this  story. I could even say that although they have small problems of their  own, both of them appeared happy. Chad and Simon have lived together in  Simon's house for nearly a year. However, due to problems at work, they  haven't been emotionally close to each other for at least two months.  Not as they remember it to be at the beginning of their romance. 

  Simon knows that Chad has some troubles at work, but they never talk  about it. From the start Simon appears to be a kind, loving character.  He knows it is best to give Chad his space when Chad is having his swift  mood changes. Simon is sure that their newborn, six month old daughter  Ashley, has saved their delicate silent relationship. Before they  arranged to get Ashley through a surrogate, both of them had worked too  much and always lived past each other

It's why Simon never  suspects that Chad would be waiting and seducing him for sex, at the  beginning of this story. For Simon this is an amazing night and in his  eyes they make love. Chad is aggressive and bold, which isn’t usual for  their sex life, but Simon takes the night as a good sign for their  relationship Everything is coming along just fine; the final step to  adopting Ashley is within grasp. The very next day Simon makes a  decision to ask Chad to marry him. 

What strikes me as weird in  the story is that Simon never introduces Chad to his two best friends,  Mary and Justin. Sure, each of them have their own lives, but come on!  to live with a boyfriend for a year and never introduce him to your best  friends feels totally off. But okay, suspension of disbelief. 

Chad Murphy is an odd character. As a reader, I couldn’t place him. I  felt negative vibes about Chad right from the start. So the huge bomb  that falls the very next day didn’t come as a surprise for me. 

“Oh Mary. He left me and took Ashley away with him.”    

If something like that happened to me, I would definitely lose my mind. Simon didn’t deserve this, it is simply horrible.  

“What am I supposed to do now? He was my world. I just don’t understand.” 

I love  these two sentences. They tell you all about Simon as a character; he  was completely devoted to his precious, newly created family. “You’re  loving and giving almost to your downfall. You simply can’t blame  yourself for any of this.” I agree with Mary who is talking here. Simon  is simply too good, which made him blind to a fault.  

Mary knows  Simon needs help, that’s why she contacts a private investigator,  Michael Dayton, who is a good friend from her childhood. Michael Dayton  is a PI and former decorated cop. Mary and Michael are friends and in  her eyes, Michael is the only one who can help Simon through this  situation. Michael meets Simon the very next day. I liked Michael as a  character; he is competent, good at his work and asked Simon all the  right questions. We can see there is attraction between Simon and  Michael right from the start. Whenever they touch for a handshake, both  of them feel an electric jolt.  

I won’t write a deeper review  because every reader has a right to uncover the truth on his or her own  and there's a mystery here that needs unraveling. But I can state that I  found the ending disappointing. It was as if Simon didn’t need Michael  at all; he found Chad all on his own. And Michael's well-intentioned  white lie at the end of the story wasn’t the correct one to make. I  hated Michael’s decision. I’m giving this 3.5 stars. 

Publisher: Rebel Ink Press

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Suck It Up by Berengaria Brown

Summary:

Unwillingly attending a company team bonding day, Taylor would rather be spending his time actually working. The team-building does have the advantage of letting him watch Scott and Fergus, two other gay men who work for the company. When they're told to break into small groups and tell each other something deep and meaningful, Taylor naturally gravitates to the two men.

With the suggestion of lust as a topic, and an invitation back to Fergus' place for a more in-depth (and hands-on) study, Taylor's team-bonding day is looking up!

Reviewer: RedDragonfly

When I picked up Suck it Up I wasn't expecting much from this  short menage story from Berengaria Brown. The length alone gave me cause  to think this story would have little in the way of development and  probably simply be just one long sex scene. Even enjoying Berengaria's  writing style in the past, I wasn't expecting more than a good way to  pass 10 to 20 minutes reading. I am happy to report this was not the  case—this story was actually very enjoyable and I would have loved a  longer, more detailed story.

The story centers around a team  building exercise in a company that is strengthening communication  between its workers. In particular, three coworkers breaking off in  their own pod to work together discover mutual interests. I loved in  this short read that Berengaria provides us with insight into what all three  men are thinking. This makes for a much more enjoyable read because one  male POV wouldn't have been enough information to let us know anything  about the other characters.

 

Taylor, who is more of a doer than a  sayer, isn't enjoying the team building exercise assigned because he  prefers to actually be working but when he is asked to break off into a  smaller group, he decides he wants to make the most of it and see if his  coworkers, Scott and/or Fergus will join him in the exercise. They do.  Scott, who has been happy to be getting paid for doing nothing in this  team building endeavor, is bored and counting down the minutes until  lunch. Fergus takes the lead. He's looking for a relationship and thinks  that Scott and Taylor and he should make a go out of it and takes the  initiative to suggest it. The lusting proves to be three-way mutual. The  sex scene is very short and becomes just the three giving each other  oral pleasure, and manages to be a pleasant surprise because we actually  get some details about the three before they all get together in  Fergus's bed. 

  

I'm giving this story 3.5 stars.  

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Alana's Surrender (Good Vibrations #2) by KT Grant

Summary:

Alana, the lead singer of the all girls’ group, The Lady Pearls is about to hit it big. Every Saturday night she sings at Sisco’s, a popular bar in town. She’ll always be grateful to Casey, the owner, who gave her a start and who she has a secret crush on. Casey doesn’t just want to be Alana’s employer but her lover. Then there’s the bartender Marc who also lusts for Alana and refuses to wait on the sidelines as Casey puts the move on her. He’ll finally claim Alana as his own and perhaps allow Casey to join them for a night all three will never forget.

Reviewer: Fashionta

Alana and her band, The Lady Pearls, have been playing regularly  at Sisco Casey’s joint after he gave her band the break they needed and  now the little band is on its way to greater things. 

The  tension between the Alana and Casey is hot and when Alana is caught once  again sneaking a long, hungry look at Casey’s ass, he decides to take  things into his hands and give Alana a taste of what's to come should  she decide to play. Casey, however, isn’t the only guy wanting to play  with her. Marco, the bartender, also wants to get a piece of Alana and  after a show he follows her into the bathroom where things start to  sizzle between them.


I have to give this 3.5 stars. This book is a great little novella that is hot and engaging and manages to have an involving storyline. And the twist at the end was a great way to finish the tale and keep the story fresh whilst adhering to The Edge series' common theme of Happily- Ever After - For- Now -Only. 

 


Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Changing Worlds (Worlds #2) by Cari Z.

Summary:

In this sequel to Cari Z's Opening Worlds, former starship captain Jason Kim travels to Perelan, the homeworld of his lover, Ferran, to start a life together. The ruling council of the Perels have allowed this unconventional union to continue in the hopes of strengthening relations between themselves and the humans. And while Ferran's family welcome Jason with open arms, not all of the other major families are as pleased. The arrival of an outsider to their insular, subterranean world challenges the traditions of centuries.

Tensions soar as old rivalries are rekindled in the wake of Jason and Ferran's relationship. Inevitably, something snaps. Jason and Ferran soon find themselves literally fighting for their lives when xenophobic anger pushes things beyond the breaking point. Only their devotion to one another can see them through, but a ghost from Jason's past threatens even that. With Perelan on the brink of civil war, Jason and Ferran must find a way to stand together in the face of chaos and to change the world on their own terms before it tears itself apart

Reviewer: WhiteDaisy

At the start I have to say, I really loved this second book! I was  enthralled by the storyline from the previous book “Opening Worlds”, and  so, it was a pleasure to read this sequel. I really wanted to see what  would happen to Jason and Ferran and to their newly created  relationship, because I loved the emotional connection between them. 

At the end of previous book, Jason was approached by a human ambassador  on Perelan’s home planet. She offered Jason a deal. “He could marry  Ferran and live with him for at least a year, on the Perelan home  planet. During that time, he would have to learn all about the Perelan  culture and had to be willing to accompany Ferran with missions on  Perelan’s behalf after this one year probation. Jason was stunned and  thrilled to actually have a chance of a life with Ferran. And it wasn’t a  surprise that Jason agreed and signed the ambassador's proffered deal.  With this, Jason shown how deeply he fell in love with Ferran.  

  Ferran is an empath like every Perel, but he is also an infertile male,  which usually means a life of servitude. Infertile males are used as  bargaining chips by their mothers and traded to other families to become  caretakers and homemakers. But Ferran had fallen in love with Jason,  who is a loner by nature and has always been. And to be with Jason,  Ferran had risked a great deal. Ferran was fortunate to be a son of a  high ranking family of Perelan society. House of Grenn was the house of  Ferran's mother. I really liked Ferran's mother. By allowing Ferran to  marry Jason, she proves how deeply she loves her own son. 

This second book, CHANGING WORLDS,  starts out with Jason and Ferran. They have spent a week together in  Jacksonville and are packing Jason's personal items which they intend to  take back to Ferran's home planet. The week is like a honeymoon for  both of them. They make love every day. Their emotions of love and  devotion are shown and felt on each page. I love the harmony between  them. Within a week, Jason and Ferran are taken back to Perelan on the  ambassador's spaceship. Jason is going to be the first human being being  given intimate access to an alien world humans don’t know much about

Jason and Ferran's love is tested throughout the entire book, mostly  because Jason is an outsider. Jason has to prove himself and battle  xenophobic local Perels every day. Even some house matriarchs don’t wish  for change, which Jason brings simply by being in their midst. But  their love and devotion proves to everyone who wishes them harm that  they will not be separated. 

   

Publisher: Storm  Moon Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Dreaming in Blue by Olivia Starke

Summary:

Blind since childhood, Sierra is satisfied with her success as a relationship therapist. Contacting 1Night Stand is an outlet for her physical needs, or so she tells herself. When she meets Daniel, the chemistry is definitely there, but a single parent with a child has the terrifying potential to disrupt her orderly life.

After losing his wife in a fire three years before that left him terribly scarred, Daniel has focused on raising his young daughter and little else. Meeting Sierra through 1Night Stand is a way to step back into the world. And he definitely can’t deny the instant attraction.

Madame Evangeline has a sweet surprise for them as they discover one another…

Reviewer: DolceAmore

After Sierra Applegate’s fiance called off their wedding a week before  the date, she needed years to be ready to take baby steps into the world  of men again. And now she has a date through 1Night Stand with Daniel  T. McIntyre.

Daniel lost his wife in a fire some years ago and  has taken care of his daughter, Alisha to the exclusion of all else; but  now he has decided to start dating again

    However, something  is afoot, these two are not the strangers to each other they think they  are. Maybe Madame Evangeline really has super powers ... this is the man  who long ago was the boy who gave Sierra her first kiss.

It is  a sweet and enjoyable short story. Ms Olivia Starke has created some  wonderful characters who give richness to this sweet story. I liked that  although Sierra remembers colors just in dreams, she still is an  optimistic woman.

Though darkness greeted her, brilliant color filled her, a sweet memory to carry through the day.

  Sierra is blind, you see, and she sees colors only in her dreams. She  remembers blue, though. Blue is the sky and the color eyes of the first  boy who kissed her so many years ago. Daniel.

I also enjoyed the relation between Daniel and his daughter:  

“What’s for breakfast, pumpkin?”  

She tapped her chin, her slim eyebrows drawn together. “How about chocolate ice cream?”  

He feigned a stern look and played along. “Now, who eats chocolate ice cream for breakfast?”  

“Fairies and gnomes eat chocolate ice cream for breakfast. And french fries covered with fire ants.”  

  He burst out laughing. Each morning, Alisha created something more  imaginative to go with chocolate ice cream. Love and pride swelled in  his heart, and he stroked her dark brown hair, the same color as his in  his younger years.

   The only thing I could offer by way of complaint is that it a bit too short. 4.5 stars 

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Boss's Super Hot Wife by Dee Dawning

Summary:

Johnny Fullmer is taken aback when his boss asks him to help, his wife, Márin, with her woman's club event. When he meets the gorgeous woman, he's surprised to discover he's to take part in a date for charity auction. After Márin outbids everyone else, Johnny is flummoxed. What's going on?

Reviewer: Jasmine

When  Johnny Fullmer's boss, Raymond Ronson, has to be out of town on   company business, he prevails upon Johnny to help his sexy wife, Márin,   with her woman's club event. Johnny is a player who really doesn't  want  to miss a sure one with his own woman but can't say no to his  boss. Up  till then, he's made it a point to avoid his boss' wife  because she's  off limits and he senses an interest on her part already  which makes him  nervous. It goes against his nature of trying to bed  every good looking  female who shows interest but he has, till now,  confined himself to  admiring her from afar.

He doesn’t know that he will be part of  a charity auction for this  club event. He's been roped into modeling  some beachwear and then  participating in an auction for a date  afterwards. With his good looks,  Márin knows he'll bring in some record  money. There, he is shocked to  find out he has a history with Márin he  wasn't even aware of, going  back to a time she had a crush on him when  she was all of 12 years of  age. When Márin wins him with a ten thousand  dollar bid, their  explosive sexual conflagration is all but guaranteed.  

I  enjoyed how Dee Dawning wrote the sex scenes; they are torrid and   burning hot. The story is told from a male POV which is not typical for   this kind of read as well. They end falling in love and become   passionate lovers. 3.5 stars. 

Publisher:New Dawning Bookfair
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Rth Rising by Donna Steele

Summary:

Kat Stans and Davd Palfy have very different experiences growing up in a space colony far from the over-polluted Rth of their ancestors. However, both end up as Enforcers for Puter, the computer programmed on Rth supposedly to serve, but now showing signs of controlling the colonists. Kat is assigned by the head enforcer to hunt down and return a "shirker," any colonist who tries to escape Puter's authority. This shirker turns out to be more than she bargained for. Sparks fly when Davd himself turns the tables on her, capturing and kidnapping her. Spirited away to an unmapped village hidden in the wilderness, her growing feelings for Davd hamper her foresworn duty and threaten the safety of the family members—still controlled by Puter—that she’s left behind.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore

After the destruction of the planet Rth and the creation of a new place to live on the planet M-27A, Puter, the computer, is keeping busy setting the number of children everyone is allowed as well as the careers their lives will follow.

Everything anyone needed was provided by Puter.

The original colonists had him programmed on Rth.

Kat’s grandfather, Chi, discovers that Puter is already on the task of decreasing the population; Puter has a program installed by somebody who did not want the colonization to happen. When Chi tries to uninstall the program, Puter kills him.

Kat has always wanted to be a doctor like her grandmother, so when Puter sets her path as enforcer and removes her right to have babies, she is devastated.

"43035KPS, Kat Stans," Puter intoned. "Enforcer, no children."

  As if that wasn't shattering enough, Kat’s parents split soon afterward.

Davd Palfy, an enforcer, has had a traumatic childhood, so when he discovers that there are people escaping Puter and living independent of the dictates, he decides to help more people escape. He balks at his life-script now forcing him to have a child Puter designates for him. When he disappears, Kat is sent to find him and bring him back. Things don't go as planned, however. He is the one who captures her and decides to keep her for his own.

"You're not ready to travel yet. You need to eat. Replace the blood you lost."
"I didn't know you cared," he said, his voice sounded low, sexy.
"I don't. But I don't know the way home without you."
"Ahh," he placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me."
"Not as much as the liger did."

Rth Rising is an interesting book and I liked some of the interactions between the characters, like the example above. However, the book’s style proved to be a bit boring: too much unimportant information disseminated slowed it down. While it had some futuristic elements in it, there were some elements from the supposed Rth that were clearly from Earth, like the fairy tales (Cinderella, Les Miserables, Treasure Island, etc.). I rate it 3 stars.

Publisher:Rebel Ink Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Opening Worlds (Worlds #1) by Cari Z.

Summary:

Captain Jason Kim is less than thrilled when the mission log for his merchant starship includes ferrying three male Perels back to their home planet after sowing their wild oats across the 'verse. After being burned in his last relationship, he wants nothing to do with the sensual, quill-haired creatures. It's just his luck that Ferran, one of the Perels, takes a distinct liking to him.

Ferran is captivated by Jason's aloof nature, but for one who must return home to domestic obligation and impending marriage, lasting romance seems out of the question. Nevertheless, his charm begins to open Jason up, and the more time they spend together, the more difficult it becomes to say goodbye.

Reviewer: WhiteDaisy

This first book was a really short one, but emotionally satisfying with a  HEA ending. Even so, I'm happy I didn't read it before the second book  was released. This allows me to go straight on to the second book to  fill in more story and not wait for months for its release. 

  Jason Kim is a captain of a merchant vessel "Silver Star". Because he  prefers life on a spaceship, his ex-partner, Blake, left. Partners for a  year, Blake and Jason's relationship fell apart because Blake cheated  on Jason with a Perelan, who had been a passenger. We see that Jason is  an emotionally burned character, deeply reserved and cold mannered. For a  year, Jason has lived only for work and his crew. On their way to the  planet Perelan, Jason's crew receives a new order: to transport 24 human  passengers and some random cargo to their home planet Ishtar and 3  Perel males back to Perelan.

If Jason never sees a Perelan  again it will be too soon. After Blake's betrayal, Jason doesn't like  the entire Perelan race. As the passengers all board, Jason reluctantly  meets all three Perels, who are the last to board. One of them is  Ferran, who introduces himself to Jason personally. Perelans are a race  of unsurpassed beauty and humans are naturally drawn toward them, easily  in thrall in their proximity. Unsettled, Jason retreats quickly. 

During next few days, Jason deliberately avoids dinner time with the  passengers, because he doesn't want to see or meet the Perels, knowing  one of them "Ferran" would be more than interesting. Perels are known  not only for their beauty but for their easy, fast emotionless coupling.  Jason doesn't want a simple one-night stand, which is all he would  expect from them. 

Jason instead plans to work around the clock  and avoid interaction however possible. But Flo, his second in command,  convinces Jason, with diplomacy, to join in at least one dinner with the  passengers. As soon as the captain enters the dinner hall, Ferran  approaches him with a desire to share some time with Jason. From this  evening on they do, eating at least once a day together. Ferran seems to  want nothing more than to spend time with Jason. He finds no other  passenger as interesting in his eyes. 

Their first stop is on  the planet Ishtar, where all 24 humans depart. Jason has a free day  before him, so with Flo's encouragement, Jason invites Ferran to spend  some free time on the planet with him. Renowned for its natural  preserve, a place with incredible fauna, Ishtar is a place Jason wants  to share with Ferran. Together, they discover the land is more like a  game preserve with an enclosed section for a butterfly pavilion. Amidst  all the beauty, Jason and Ferran become lovers. 
     

I really enjoyed this short "coming together" story and will definitely read the second book, too! I'm giving 4 stars.  

Publisher:Storm Moon Press

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Succubus Gift (Telepathic Clans #1) by B.R. Kingsolver

Summary:

The history of the Clans, called the Sidhe by the Irish, stretches back to antiquity. The Goddess blesses Her people with 25 Telepathic Gifts. In addition to Telepathy, the Gifts include command over Air and Fire, Telekinesis and Teleportation. In over 2,500 years, She has never bestowed more than 15 Gifts on a single person.

Brenna Morgan was orphaned at eight when her parents were killed in a plane crash. Through one foster home after another, she carried the ornate, carved wooden box her mother had left with her, keeping it always a secret. Then one night she stumbles over a man who claims her as family.

Brenna’s life isn’t the same after she discovers her unusual and mysterious heritage. In addition to being a telepath, Brenna learns she has the Succubus Gift.

That’s just the beginning of her problems. Someone is stalking her. Then there’s the tall, dangerous woman who shadows her and hints a Goddess has linked them. And what is she going to do with a handsome, charismatic, womanizing man she knows she should avoid?

Some days a girl just wants to pull the covers over her head and stay in bed -- with a willing young man of course.

Urban Fantasy with a dash of romance. The Succubus Gift is a completely different take on the succubus myth. Beautiful women and hot men in a world with a hidden telepathic subculture.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore


When Brenna Morgan sees a man with no thoughts, no mental activity, but whom she could read his emotions, she follows him. After saving him from his pursuers by shielding him, she finally has the chance of finding more about herself and discovers that she has grandparents, an aunt and that her cousin is the same guy she helped that night; she has a lot of money from her late parents and will probably live two hundred years.

Brenna learns that she is not only telepath, but she has the maximum of Gifts from the twenty five that are identified. Until her, nobody was known for having more than fifteen of these.

While learning more about the Gifts from her aunt, she meets Collin Doyle.  Although she knows he is a womanizer, Brenna hasn’t dated in over a year and a half so she accepts a date to go out with him

Just in case I’m not the only date you’ve made for Saturday night, perhaps you should consult your schedule to make sure you’re not double or triple booked. I’ll check back with you before I leave this morning, okay?” 

His eyes seemed locked on her breasts. 

“Mr. Doyle?” Brenna said. 

“Yes?” 

She pointed to her face. “I’m up here.”

 He’s got me confused, too. He’s so damned good looking, and just when I think he’s an arrogant jerk, he turns around and does something so sweet and thoughtful, and gives me a smile that says, ‘you didn’t really think I was like that, did you?’

New to the world of the telepaths, she didn’t know that there could be people wanting to hurt her until two men break in to her house and she is forced to fight back, killing one of them. Devastated by what she’s done, Brenna accepts her aunt’s offer to learn about her Gifts, especially because she’ll be close to her newest and best friend Rebecca Healy.

When she finally gets a grip on some of her gifts, Cindy, the woman who has been teaching her about her succubus Gift, is kidnapped, tortured, raped and left for death. After she helps healing Cindy, she swears revenge against the ones who savaged her. 

It’s an interesting book. I liked the characters and the humor Ms. BR Kingsolver adds to the story. 

No wonder Jared is so sweet. You sucked all the sour out of him and kept it for yourself, didn’t you?

You’re a hard woman, Rebecca Healy. 

<smile> But soft in all the right places.

 I don’t think the human body was meant to hold that kind of power. Note to self, leave the fucking lightning bolts alone. 

Well written and full of imagination, I enjoyed reading it. However, I would like it to have more feelings, passion, and intensity. And for a book about women having the succubus Gift, the sexual scenes were rather light. 4 stars

Publisher:Smashwords