BookedUpReviews

The Marsh Hawk by Dawn Mactavish

2012-02-27T17:54:00.001-05:00

Summary:

It was to be a gala three-day event at Moorhaven Manor, the rambling country estate of Lady Jenna Hollingsworth's betrothed, Viscount Rupert Marner. To be attended by half the Cornish nobility, not to mention a host of peers from London, it would be a diversion of picnicking, riding, archery, and shooting. it would end in Jenna marrying another.

But was her new husband the same man who had killed her father? After one night of passion, she began to wonder. The jarring aroma of leather, tobacco and recently drunk wine drifting toward her on the breeze--she remembered it so well, as well as the tall, muscular shape beneath the multi-caped greatcoat, and those eye of blue fire through the holes in his mask. Oh yes, she remembered the man with whom she shared a secret past. He was the highwayman known as...The Marsh Hawk....

Reviewer: BlackTulip
I thought after reading the blurb that it would be a good and entertaining story ... Regency, Cornwall, and Highwaymen are appealing and exciting elements ... Well I think that I have never read such a crazy story as this one! I felt completely overwhelmed by that book. There was too much of everything.

I'm generally the kind of person who likes descriptions but very quickly I felt that I was drowning. As a result, I skipped a lot of them. I found the writing and style rather heavy and exaggerated.

Love at first sight is alright with me but to marry in such a hasty way, without knowing each other like they did was too much, in my opinion it was not believable . And then it got worse, the more they were in love, the worst their actions and reactions were.

At twenty two years old, Lady Jenna seemed to me at first a sensible and determined young lady but she turned out to be ridiculously stubborn and immature. She couldn't stop crying for anything and everything. Simon Rutherford, The Earl of Kevernwood was not better. He was far too stubborn and proud. The whole book is a big miscommunication between the two main characters, Jenna and Simon. It was exhausting and irritating.

Even the end has a double layer. But when you think it's over, at last, it's not. I can only give 2/5 !

Publisher: Leisure Books

Blue Notes (Blue Notes 1) by Shira Anthony

2012-02-27T17:47:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Blame it on jet lag. Jason Greene thought he had everything: a dream job as a partner in a large Philadelphia law firm, a beautiful fiancée, and more money than he could ever hope to spend. Then he finds his future wife in bed with another man, and he’s forced to rethink his life and his choices. On a moment’s notice, he runs away to Paris, hoping to make peace with his life.

But Jason’s leave of absence becomes a true journey of the heart when he meets Jules, a struggling jazz violinist with his own cross to bear. In the City of Love, it doesn’t take them long to fall into bed, but as they’re both about to learn, they can’t run from the past. Sooner or later, they’ll have to face the music.

Reviewer: TigerLily
After reading Shira Anthony’s The Dream of a Thousand Nights and loving it! I knew this was an author to keep an eye on, and that I would be reading this…and I’m so happy I did! I really liked this, a lot! I love the whole idea behind it.

Jason or Jaz as everyone calls him ( which I believe fits him perfectly! ), has come to Paris feeling lost, after he found his fiancée cheated on him. Jaz is also lawyer, and a very good one at that. Paris being the city of love, what more would you expect than for Jaz to maybe find happiness and fall in love? First though he needs to figure a few things out…

Jaz, has always seemed to have this feeling he couldn’t quite understand…his attraction to guys, and when he meets Jules *sighs* he feels a connection. He is drawn to Jules, you could say Jules captivates him, and he struggles with though feelings, almost pushing Jules away!

Jules is a jazz violinist, doing his best to just get his band mates to even show up for practice! On the night Jaz first arrives in Paris, he shows up at the place Jules and his band mates are playing. Jules makes his way over to Jaz, deciding he must have him! Jason not fully being able to let go of this growing attraction to Jules, feels a course of friendly sightseeing is a good way to feel around. Only he never intended to fall in love!

I pretty much loved this whole book! From the beginning, the story was sweet, just enough detail to keep you wanting more, and there was captivating warmth between the characters. The chemistry was lovely, slowly growing but heartfelt and sweet. The only thing I was a bit iffy on was the build up for the ending…at first I was a little disappointed, but I thought about it for a while, I realized it worked for the story and the characters.

I give this 4.5 stars… Definitely recommend this! Can’t wait for more in the Blue Notes Series!

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Amethyst Moon (Prides of the Moon 5) by Ann Mayburn

2012-02-27T17:36:00.000-05:00

Summary:

Noah Braxton's world has been turned inside out and upside down ever since the fateful moment six months ago when he was turned into a shifter by a dying college girl. She made him promise to look after her sister, Giselle, and in an effort to sooth the dying girl he promised her that he would, not realizing the sacrifices he would have to make to keep that promise. Bound by his oath, Noah struggles to fulfill his role of beta to Giselle, an Alpha female, but he can't be everything she needs. He's gay and in order to bond properly with his Alpha female they would have to have sex. Without that bond with an Alpha he is slowly going crazy but he can't force himself to be attracted to a woman. His last hope at saving his mind and his soul lies with Madame Eve of the 1 Night Stand matchmaking service being able to find him a male Alpha that can bridge the gap between himself and Giselle.

Marcus and Vashan have come to Morgantown, WV in the hopes of finding an Alpha female to complete their Pride. Instead they find Noah, a man on the edge of insanity who is also a natural dominant. Despite this both men are instantly drawn to Noah and decide to help him. Marcus will have to use all his strength as an Alpha to dominate Noah and show him that submission to his Alpha doesn't make him weak.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
To fully enjoy this series you must have at least read Oynx Moon or all previous books in the Prides of the Moon series. I am not sure I like how the males meet and bond in 1 book and then join with their Alpha female in another. Though in this book the Alpha and Beta males join with Beta Noah, a human who's been turned and must bond in order to survive.

Marcus and Vashan are back and clearly are looking for a Alpha female as biology demands they have a female mate to produce children with, so it was surprising they chose to bond with another Beta who is male. While this has been my favorite so far in the series, I would have liked to have known more about the rogue shaman alluded to in the previous book and if he/she will be around in future books.

Will we hear if Giselle chooses Marcus and Vashan as mates in another book or will it be another shifter couple? I patiently wait to find out. I give this book 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Author Interview #1 Sommer Madsen

2012-02-27T00:03:00.004-05:00

Today it is my pleasure to welcome Sommer Marsden, a paranormal and contemporary erotica writer to the blog and for the first edition of Interview Monday.

Hi Sommer, Welcome to Booked Up Reviews

Hi there! Thanks so much for having me

In preparation for this interview, I went to your website and goodreads page and I saw that you have written over 100 short stories. You must have been a very creative child.

I was pretty creative. During summer breaks, I’d rather sit in the nice air conditioned basement making my own books or writing my own stories than ride bikes in the sweltering heat. I was no fool.

How do you stay focused to write? Do you have a work room you enter and work in for a specific amount of time? Do you use a computer as your sole base for writing or do you work from notes you may have created by hand?

I do not stay focused. That is my secret! (LOL). I do what another writer friend, Alison Tyler, once referred to as ‘layering’. I write a page, I do the dishes, I write a page, I talk to the dog, I write a page, I bake some cookies...I do this all day long and usually end up with anywhere from 1500-5000 words in a day. However, I just started homeschooling one of my kids again, so I’m curious to see what that does to my word count and my layering technique.

As for notes, I make frantic notes on anything I can, including my hands but I work mostly on a laptop that travels the house with me and iPad that travels the house and out and about with me.

Your new book Restless Spirit is about Tuesday’s journey as she settles down in her new life and her story is about scary leaps. This story will resonate with a lot of your readers, is there any special reason you choose to write about this big leap.

My youth was spent in an insane series of bold leaps. Some would say crazy. The final insane leap was deciding to get married and have the family I said I never wanted. But it turned out I did want it when given the opportunity to stare it in the face. The thing is, if you’re that kind of person, which I think life circumstances made me, you never lose your urge to make those scary leaps. They just translate differently as you age. It’s a popular theme for me. Fresh starts, bold moves, embracing your true desires—even if they scare you to death.

Do you have specific people in mind when you create your characters? Meaning, does it help you to imagine a character as a real person you may know or have seen?

Not at all. My characters are very much themselves in my mind from the get-go. They aren’t stars or famous folk or people in my life. Very rarely do I have a specific ‘model’ in mind for a character visual. One day, I swear I’m going to find a good sketch artist and describe my characters to them so I can see what they really look like!

If your book Restless Spirit was optioned for a film, who would you cast as the main characters?

Tuesday: I have zero idea for this one. I do think that Ksenia Solo from the new show LOST GIRL would work great. If she wore her blonde wig!

Shepherd: Brent Sexton

Reed: Matthew Gray Gubler

Adrian: Jeffrey Donovan

Thanks for stopping by Sommer.

Thanks for having me!

Sommer has kindly offered to giveaway Restless Spirit and it is not too late to enter here. The giveaway will end this Friday.

Treasure Chest #2 Enid Blyton

2012-02-26T20:43:00.000-05:00

Reviewer: QueenBee
I’d like to share one of my favorite authors of children’s literature I highly esteem, having grown up with them and the Treasure Chest feature on this blogsite is a perfect vehicle to spotlight these timeless writers. Most adults can name an author that touched their lives as a child and made their world a little richer for the doing. Good books find their way into a child’s heart in many ways. Maybe we had a parent or teacher who read to us; maybe a librarian recommended an author or a series; maybe they were a gift from a distant relative who wanted to be impactful; maybe a friend turned us on to what they were reading. It’s a blessed kid who has found a book so involving they read it by flashlight under the covers after bedtime because they just couldn’t put the book down. Enid Blyton was that kind of author for me.

British author Enid Blyton, now deceased, also wrote under the penname Mary Pollock (her middle and married name combined). Her books have sold more than 600 million copies and her work has been translated into 90 different languages. I grew up with her books and must admit I still occasionally read material authorized by her estate that moved to complete such beloved series as Mallory Towers and St. Clares. Some of her work has enjoyed modernization as many titles are dated and a product of the times they were written in. While at some later date I may explore the modernized works, I am going to focus on two of her original series for the purpose of this review.

With over 1700 works of Enid Blyton recognized on Goodreads (please note this includes books written by others who have received permission from the estate), I wish to focus on two series that I have read over and over and are my personal favorites, The Secret Seven and Famous Five. Both are set in England in an undisclosed period. The Famous Five consists of 21 novels where four children and their dog have adventures with minimal adult help.

Famous Five features the holiday adventures of a group of young children. The first book introduces us to Julian, Anne, and Dick when they go to spend a summer at their Aunt Fanny and Uncle Quentin’s house at the seaside village of Kirrin. The adults have a daughter, Georgina and her dog Timmy rounds out the fifth member of the Famous Five.

Rough and tumble Georgina, who goes by George the tomboy, hates her cousins when she first meets them. The story begins with her portrayed as a lonely girl whose only friend is Timmy, the dog who is a secret she must keep from her parents who don’t like the dog. It’s interesting to note Enid admitted in later years that she based George on herself.

George’s cousins visit for the summer and at first bossy “George” doesn’t like the changes that accompany their arrival. Quick to temper and somewhat scatterbrained like her scientist dad, the 11 year old firebrand loves her rural life and roaming the private island her family owns. The setting is perfect for adventures and the simple joys to be had in picnics, lemonade, bike trips, and exploring sea shores and old creaky homes with secret passageways and smugglers’ tunnels.

At 12 yrs of age, Julian is the oldest of the group and its natural leader. Level headed and fair, he is often found sorting out arguments Dick and George are having and maintaining group calm in tricky situations. He plans their adventures they all follow. 11 year old Dick is cheeky and quick witted and often butts heads with George, enjoying winding her up to a frenzy. 10 year old Anne is the baby of the group, easily frightened and pulled into adventures she doesn’t enjoy like the others. She is the planner and organizer, pulling domestic duties during the Five’s camping holidays. Both Julian and Dick are protective of their little sister and she becomes a strong, resourceful character in her own right.

Timmy the dog is a mutt George adopts in the first book who fiercely protects all the children on all their holidays. While initially ‘her’ dog and only friend, Timmy soon becomes beloved to all and a character in his own right. He is very loyal, clever and affectionate and allowed to become part of the household by the end of the first novel.

Adults have little presence in these children driven stories, although George’s parents figure into each book. There is Aunt Fanny, mother of George and maternal figure for all of the children, who has lived on Kirrin Bay for years, although she has sold off a lot of land to maintain her beloved island. She spends her days worrying after the children and their adventures and makes sure that the Five don’t get into any real trouble. She is written as dotingly looking after her husband who has either lost something or his temper. Uncle Quentin, George’s scatterbrained but world-famous scientist father, is usually portrayed as often losing his patience with lost paperwork that set back his experimentation. He is kidnapped or held hostage in several of the books and one book, too, involves his preoccupation with an invention so important he won’t let the children visit Kirrin Island for fear they might interfere with his concentrative study. He is actually a good sort when he is not busy and he arranges holidays at some interesting locales throughout the scientific community.

In short order, George and her cousins become fast friends and, as the series progresses, the girls even end up at the same boarding school. The first book, Five on a Treasure Island, has the children searching for lost gold from a sunken ship a bad storm brings to the surface. There’s a treasure map they find inside a black box pointing to a hidden dungeon on the island. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones interested in finding the gold ...

What I don’t like about Enid’s books is that the characters are described with very limited words and it is only by guesswork a reader figures out the children’s ages. It’s believed, however, Enid’s fast paced writing style grabs children’s attention and fuels their imagination by encouraging them to fill in the gaps left by the very limited descriptions of scenes.

Since some words have become politically incorrect and part of the lexicon of the era she wrote them in, subsequent editions have changed. It would be nice to see a release published with the original format intact and notations calling out the differences. These books should be seen as historical pieces as they speak of the nature of the times they were written. It’d be nice too to have once more the original art for her covers. Enid Blyton wrote messages on them to children.

There is an expanded series written in the 70’s and 80’s by a French author named Claude Voilier and most of these have been translated into English. These are further adventures that use the same core characters featured in the original series and a few brought in by this new writer. Unfortunately, the series was retired after its initial publication and is no longer available.

There is a second generation of Famous Five which features each of the original kids' offspring as well as a descendent of Timmy. It is set at Kirrin Cottage which is now home to an adult George and her husband and daughter. This is a perfect vehicle for younger readers whose parents want to introduce them to the magical world this author has created. There has even been a couple of TV adaptations of the book series. An anmated TV series followed and there have been several films and even a musical released on DVD in 1997. Not to leave any stone unturned, the series has also made its way into video games, gamebooks, and comics.

The second series of Enid Blyton’s I want to recommend is The Secret Seven which stands out as the only series that she set during school term as each child goes to day school. The Secret Seven is a group of child detectives who get to solve various mysteries presented in each book. The group consists of Peter, Janet, George, Collin, Jack, Pam, and Barbara. The girls all go to one school while the boys to another. Outside of Peter and Janet being siblings, none of the others are related to each other.

Peter is the leader of the group and we find these children always seem to be at the right place at the right time as far as mysteries go. His adherence for protocol can be wearing and unwittingly he reduces some of the girls to tears on more than one occasion. Janet, is his brave second in command and her attention to detail makes her good for following up clues. Jack is Peter’s best friend and the only one who stands up to Peter when he thinks he’s behaving unreasonably. In one book, he walks out on the group before affecting a reconcilliation later and his sister Susie takes advantage of his absence. Susie is Jack’s sister and featured heavily with some of her friends as a form of comic relief; she is always hanging around the group, humiliating and tormenting them because they won’t let her into the group. Binkle is her friend who, like her, causes a lot of mischief which is a constant source of irritation for The Secret Seven while providing the reader a laugh.

Colin has a big family that help unravel a mystery in one of the books and plays an important part in others. George, Collins’ best friend, is forced to leave the society in one of the books by his father who later rescinds his ban and allows him to rejoin. Barbara and Pam are best friends at Janet’s school and both girls don’t take the society seriously all the time and get reduced to silliness with giggling and nonsensical suggestions. Scamper is Peter and Janet’s dog, a golden spaniel who is an unofficial member of The Secret Seven and temporarily replaces members in the series when they leave the group for any reason.

With 15 books to the original series, the stories feature more core characters as the school setting brought about the potential for more child involvement.

Adults include the Inspector who the children become great friends with and turn to when they find something mysterious going on or need help. The Inspector encourages the children to help him do detective work, much to their delight, even if these children are often running around getting locked up and put in imminent danger and any responsible adult should not be encouraging them! Other adult characters in the series include Peter and Janet’s mother and father and Jack and Susie's mother who appear multiple times in the series. The Secret Seven series, like the Famous Five series, focus more on the children who act independently of the adults.

The series starts out with Peter deciding to form the Secret Seven after friend Jack sees a group of men haul a prisoner to an empty old house. A mystery is afoot and Jack and Peter find the prisoner with the help of the other five children and hand over the villains to a very satisfied Inspector.

Evelyne Lallemand, a French author, wrote an additional 12 books in the series in the mid ‘70s to mid ‘80s which were translated into English and occcasionally pop up on secondary markets. It’s a shame more isn’t done to get these republished and back into more children’s hands. A final note should probably include that while Enid writes in birthday parties, the kids don’t really age in the series. Otherwise, I don’t have problem because they are children books and I don’t want the magic formula changed.

One of the best English children writers, Enid Blyton is still regarded highly today. For me her work serves as a kind of family heritage as my parents grew up with her stories as well. It's interesting to note that her books served as some of the earliest examples of child detectives in England. She also known for her magical stories featuring pixies, fairies, animals and school houses.

Spliced by Robin Leigh Miller

2012-02-26T19:52:00.001-05:00

Summary:

For ten years, Avery Easton has quietly lusted after her twin brother’s best friend, Ridge Gates. When the cruel, cold hand of fate takes her brother’s life, Avery and Ridge turn to each other in grief and share a night of ecstasy. But mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams can’t push away Avery’s reality.

Violent and terrifying events have followed her brother’s body home and introduced Avery to another man…one who’s willing to give her everything she needs. And then there’s the secret she harbors that could tear her and Ridge apart even as it connects them for the rest of their lives.

A promise on the battlefield led Ridge straight into the arms of the woman he knows he has no business being with, but can’t stay away from. If he fails to come to terms with his broken body and Avery’s revelations, he could lose her forever—if not to another man, then to the violence that brought Ridge and Avery together.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
I can't say anything bad about this book... in fact it's one of the best books I've read in awhile. I haven't read any other works of Ms. Robin Leigh Miller but I'm definitely checking out her previous books.

I also haven't read many returning solider stories but I could feel the emotions of Ridge's last mission, to the guilt of surviving while other members of his unit didn't.

One thing please tell me that Kevin Stone is getting his own book? After reading how he helped Avery out and the mysterious hints to his background, I would so love to know more about him. I rate this book 5 stars.

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Bullying

2012-02-25T23:36:00.000-05:00

In the last couple of months, I've seen terrible attacks against bloggers and authors on Goodreads and other sites. I think everyone who's in the book community has probably heard about or knows someone who has been bullied. I had a friend on Goodreads go through this and thankfully they decided to stay but I know of others who left Goodreads or disappeared from the community.

So, I thought it was time to take a stand and promote love not hate in the community. I'm starting a new group on Goodreads called Blogger Loving. We have placed the shiny new button which links to the group on our blog and implore you to join this group and sign the pact.

Fashionta

The Cowboy And The Rose by Tess Quinn

2012-02-25T22:01:00.002-05:00

Summary:

A bond from the past, desire steeped in magic, love forged in passion... Gabe Burdock has two weeks to bond his power with April Willow or lose his magic. As a witch, his control over the earth contributes to the success of his vineyard, and he'll sacrifice anything to keep it...anything except his heart.

To escape her abusive father's control, April is ready to bond with Gabe, even if it means tying herself to a cowboy who claims he can't love her. But when Gabe and April touch, their passion explodes, and their magical bond cannot be denied. Can they put aside their fears and risk everything for love? Or will two witches lose their chance at happiness?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
The last three years of the life of April Willow were traumatic, because after the death of her mother, her father turned into a drunk. Now she's discovered that if she doesn’t bond with a man she doesn’t know during the two weeks after she turns twenty-five, she will die. That’s why she goes to Burdock vineyard, to meet Gabriel Burdock, the man she must bond to.

Gabriel doesn’t want a woman; he still loves Jamie, his ex-fiancée. The woman who left him because he didn’t agree to choose her above Burdock vineyard, the family business.

But the magic that links them and the attraction between them turns out to be too strong to resist. However, now Jamie wants Gabriel back…

I must confess that I’ve read Ms. Tess Quinn’s first book, The Bewitched Cowboy (related to this book and soon to be republished under the title Cowboy's Destiny), a year or so ago and I enjoyed it. So when I saw her name on this book, I grabbed it. And I can say the book and the writer didn’t disappoint me.

I loved the story and the concept too. After all the books I’ve read about witches, I considered this one unique. We have a man and a woman linked… so far nothing new, but they have two weeks to bond to one another or she will die and he will lose his powers. Wonderful!!!

I also loved the characters, they are lovely and credible. So, I can't rate this book less than 5 stars. And I’ll wait for the next book from this author.

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices 2) by Cassandra Clare

2012-02-25T21:44:00.001-05:00

Summary:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Reviewer: TigerLily
There is nothing negative I can say about this book, it is absolutely in every way possible amazing! It is easily one of my all time favorite books; if not favorite, I just have a hard time saying the middle book in a trilogy is my favorite, when it can't be a stand alone novel. This novel had everything you could ask for in a book. It had a great plot that had drama, action, and suspense. It had heaps of love (and not just romantic love but love between brothers, friends, and family), and wow the love triangle. Oh man was that done so beautifully you could feel the love that each had for each other and it just pulls your heart strings knowing that someone might end up heart broken.

In Clockwork Angel, I liked both Jem and Will and wouldn't have cared who Tessa ended up with, but after Clockwork Prince I am now 110% team Will. Don't get me wrong, I still love Jem and think any girl would be lucky to have him, but my goodness Will's love for Tessa is just something people dream about but never find. There were two scenes that had me just melting into a puddle for that poor boy, the scene when he tells Magnus Bane about his curse and his sister's death and he slips and says he loves Tessa. And the scene where he believes he can finally be with Tessa and he tells her about his love only to find out that she has picked Jem. Also, the love scenes are beyond steamy it's like reading an erotic novel just without any clothing being removed or any sex involved. You can feel the emotions in this book like they are your own and you can't help but loving all the characters and even feeling sorry for some of the villains. Tessa's brother death scene is a great example of this.
I can't wait for Clockwork Princess and I'm very sad to know that it will be the last of the series, I just hope she changes her mind, like with Mortal Instruments and adds another trilogy to it.

I'm giving this novel 5 stars. I wish I could give it 5.5, because that's how amazing it is!

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Valentine's Day Giveaway Winner

2012-02-24T23:17:00.000-05:00

Entry #2 Sheri C791 by Eve Langlais

Valentine's Day Giveaway Winner has been notified via email.

The Husband Hunt (Madison Sisters 3) by Lynsay Sands

2012-02-24T22:24:00.010-05:00

Summary:

Let the hunt begin…

Lisa Madison wants a husband, and she has just the candidate in mind: Robert Langley. Trouble is, the infuriating man insists on seeing her as the impish girl she once was—even as every other gentleman in London has taken notice of her womanly…charms. When her beauty lands her in danger, it’s Robert who comes to the rescue…only to announce his affections are not of the romantic variety!

Robert saw enough sorrow in his parents’ union to know he wants nothing to do with marriage, which is exactly what he’ll be trapped into if he acts on his desire for the irksome siren. And then Lisa does what Robert least expects: gives up on him! As feigned indifference gives way, blistering passion burns at last. But just before the pair can give in to hard-won bliss, an enemy with unfinished business lurks threatening to destroy them both.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Lisa Madison wasted two years trying to show Robert Langley, a neighbor and family friend, that she is now all grown up. Now ready for the Season, she was visiting Mrs. Morgan with her maid Bet, when she was drugged. But Mrs. Morgan wasn’t the friend Lisa thought, because she was going to sell Bet’s virginity to the highest bidder and give Lisa to a suitor.

The next morning, Lisa helps Bet escape and tells her to ask Robert for help. And this is Bet’s explanation of what happened to them:

“It’s awful, my lord. The tea was drugged and we was locked up and I escaped out the window, but Miss Lisa had to remain behind because the bed wasn’t heavy enough and we must get to her and get her out of there!” Bet cried.
“Please!” Bet moaned, rushing forward to clutch at his arm and urge him toward the door. “I’ll never forgive meself if Miss Lisa is ravished and ruined because I went out the window first. I should have made her go first. I should have—”

I couldn’t stop laughing.

At first, Robert thinks that Lisa, in some last ditch effort to gain his attention, has come up with a wild tale until Bet speaks Mrs. Morgan’s name.

When Robert finds Lisa, she's been drugged again and is wearing almost nothing; seeing her like this, he finally realizes that she is not a child anymore, but a young woman. I love what she tells him while he was carrying her to his carriage:

“You’re so brave and clever. And strong and handsome too,” she added with a pleased little sigh. “You will make beautiful babies.”

And once in the carriage, they have a wonderful and entertaining conversation that will for sure make you laugh. However, in the end, Robert is lying to himself and Lisa, that to him she still just a little sister. Then, she decides that if Robert is not interested in her, she will find another husband. And she thinks Charles Findlay could be the answer.

“It’s just perfectly obvious that his feelings for me don’t reach beyond filial and I’ve decided that neither do mine. He is far too stupid a man for me. Our children would be dunces. So I am turning my attention to more likely, intelligent game.”

“I am ready to find a husband, have children, and start my life.”

With the excuse of having renovations done to his London home, Robert moves in with Richard, Lisa’s brother-in-law and starts to look after her. But after two more kidnapping attempts and the revelation of Robert’s past, Lisa decides to seduce him.

Seducing Robert. Good Lord, she didn’t have a clue what she was going to do. How was she supposed to seduce him? It wasn’t exactly something she’d been trained in. Did they even have training in that? Was there a school for Birds-of-Paradise and other light skirts? Classes on kissing? Caressing? Or on how to not scream like an idiot when he tore through your maidenhead and sent the blood gushing?

She was planning to seduce a man, compromise herself and force him into marriage.

However, she doesn’t want to marry a man who doesn’t trust her. Soon after, she discovers the identity of the kidnapper and Robert, once again, comes to rescue her.

From the moment I started to read romance books, I've kept a few authors near to my heart, and Lynsay Sands is one of them. I consider her one of the best historical and paranormal writers and I always tried to read all her books, each one better than other. Her stories are pure magic, keeping the attention of the reader from the first page until the very end.

With love declarations like this one, who could ever dare to avoid reading her books?

“I do love you, Lisa Madison. I love your dreamy-eyed romanticism, your undaunted loyalty, your quirky sense of humor, your courage, your passion, your intelligence, and even your occasional naivety. I trust you with my heart, my name, and my very life.

And wow, what comes next is one of the best samples of humor I've ever read:

“What did you say after the part about loving my quirky sense of humor? Was it courage or passion?”
Robert’s mouth dropped, and then he asked with amazement, “Are you writing down everything I said?”
“I am trying to, but I can’t remember what came after my sense of humor,” she said, sounding vexed.
“Now what came after ‘humor’? I want to write it down so I never forget what you said.”
He was just relaxing, a smile curving his lips when she added, “I have long wanted to try my hand at writing and what you said was beautiful. I should like the hero in my tale to say exactly that to the heroine at the end.”

I will also add that this book is the third of the Madison Sisters series and could be read as a stand-alone one, although I recommend you read the previous books in order to aquaint yourself with this wonderful writer and the characters. So, 5 stars for this amazing book, as it's one of the best I've ever read.

Publisher: Avon
Review Courtesy Of: Edelweiss

The Witch's Mark by Daisy Banks

2012-02-24T21:47:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Reviled and exiled from her home, Nin finds her powers when she meets her Mage. Their love is one writ in the stars, but he can only be hers if she has the courage to journey with him.

Reviewer: Fashionta
If you think this book isn't for you because it's about hexs, spells, and stuff; then you'll be surprised like I was. The story revolves around a girl called Nim, who has a mark on her hand that makes her an outcast by the village and is sent to the mage nearby. But there is trouble lurking and we are taken on a journey as Nim discovers her true self.

I loved the concept of this book. Because of the local wise woman Agatha, the mark is considered as a bad sign by the village and this is what the story revolves around. The story is mostly about potions and basic spells; there's really only one heavy scene which would be classified as witchy stuff. Honestly, I was more wrapped up in the story, that I didn’t focus too much on it, because I was more interested in the sex part.

Fours stars for such an engaging book and for not being what I expected it to be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Ms. Daisy Banks’ work.

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Winning in a Landslide (Change 1.5) by JM Cartwright

2012-02-24T19:59:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Sheriff Grissom has just won re-election, but the campaign got nasty. Johnny and Grissom are at odds with each other, the reality of their world sinking in for both men. Johnny's frustrated and Grissom's patience is stretched to the limit.

Johnny's come to understand exactly what their relationship could cost Grissom, and he's having second thoughts. But the two men have established a family, and a life together -- a good life, despite their differences. Plus, it's almost Christmas, and they're breaking in a new housekeeper. How will she like working for two daddies?

Can they really make it work in small-town West Virginia? Join the boys from A Change of Tune and find out.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
Sheriff Grissom has won the re-election, only to hear that the runner up has filed a challenge, believing not all was handled as it should have been. Johnny has been trying to keep on the downlow, not wanting to make waves. It seems the stress has found it’s way home for Johnny and Grissom, and patience’s are running thin…and Christmas is just around the corner.

They are back! Woohoo! So nice to see Grissom and Johnny again, and to see how their family is doing! Loved the little kids, and how they interacted with them. Would have loved to see more family time with the little ones though!

I give this 3.5… Definitely a good holiday story.

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Giveaway #1

2012-02-24T18:40:00.003-05:00

I'm very excited to start this new feature with the one and only Sommer Marsden who kindly offered her new book Restless Spirits as a giveaway.

Summary:

Tuesday Cane walks out on her life and her abusive man when she inherits her grandmother’s house at Allister Lake.

There she finds plenty of distractions to take her mind off her loss with her sexy neighbour and handyman Shepherd, former TV star Reed and her old flame Adrian.

But , as time passes, she senses that something is not quite right with her new life. And no amount of steamy sexual encounters can hide her anxiety.

Surrounded by so many interesting men and erotic enticements, Tuesday has no intention of committing to one man ever again. But the more she insists she's nobody's girl, the more she wants to be somebody's girl. Will she continue to be a restless spirit and run from love or will she be won over?

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sommer will be stopping by on Monday to talk about her new release and writting

Pretty Monsters (Josh of the Damned 1) by Andrea Speed

2012-02-23T21:16:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Josh knew the night shift at the Quik-Mart would be full of freaks and geeks—and that was before the hell portal opened in the parking lot. Still, he likes to think he can roll with things. Sure, the zombies make a mess sometimes, but at least they never reach for anything more threatening than frozen burritos.

Besides, it’s not all lizard-monsters and the walking dead. There’s also the mysterious hottie with the sly red lips and a taste for sweets.

Josh has had the hots for Hot Guy since the moment he laid eyes on him, and it seems Hot Guy might be sweet on Josh too. Now if only Josh could figure out whether that’s a good thing, a bad thing, or something in between. After all, with a hell vortex just a stone’s throw away, Josh has learned to take nothing at face value—even if it’s a very, very pretty face.

Reviewer: Fashionta
When I picked up the first book in this series, I thought it was going to be an ongoing story developing the relationship between Josh and his love interest Colin. Turns out that Colin was only in a couple of pages of it and we got to know nothing about him (I didn't even know if he was undead and if he wasn't, what he was). The story actually is more comedy and just happens to have a gay lead character. It revolves around Josh working at a Quik-Mart, that happens to be right next to a demon portal, so most of his customers are undead (ranging from zombies, werewolves, lizard men, etc.).

As far as the comedy of this short goes, I was laughing out loud the entire book, Josh's personality and thoughts are great and he would be a funny person to know in real life. The only problem I had was I thought it was going to be a romance so that made it off a little for me. I was also hoping for more development in Colin.

I'm giving Pretty Monsters 3.5 stars because it was enjoyable for such a short story and it was well written, but I just wanted more.

Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Perfectly Hopeless by Holly Hood

2012-02-23T21:07:00.005-05:00

Summary:

Every summer, when the willow trees blow lazily in the breeze Maven Wilder goes back to Portwood. At one time she was sure she knew what love was. She thought she was in it, but not anymore.

Maven never expected to meet Henri Levitt that summer. A brown-haired, brown-eyed guy that keeps to himself and is always working odd jobs, Henri lives with relatives and comes off a bit depressed. He’s happy to stay busy, and if that means little social life, that is fine by him.

Nobody in Portwood thinks twice about Henri. And it’s only after an embarrassing accident happens at The Yogurt Hut that Maven even notices him. After meeting Henri that day, Maven’s life changes in ways she never counted on.

Spending the summer with Henri shows Maven there is more to life than heartbreak, and that some people do change you for the better. Maven learns a lot over the summer. And after meeting Henri, her life will never be the same.

Reviewer: Fashionta
Summer in Portwood is tradition for the Wilder family, along with most of their town but for Mavern, the middle child, she'd rather be at home. However, things are about to change. She meets Herni and things start to look up, but there's a secret that could tear them apart.

What can I say for this book? I loved it! It's an enchanting book and I loved the little three word descriptions instead of chapters to describe what's happening next. It's an interesting book and refreshing to see a YA book that has a romance that's sweet, rather than all about the sex, which today’s culture has made a huge thing out of. The book is a magical journey that must end but it will leave you with hope.

Fans of A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks will fall in love with this bitter-sweet YA romance story from Ms. Holly Hood. I couldn’t put it down until I read the last page. I have to give this book 5 stars.

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

2012-02-22T19:56:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Best friends Lani and Erin couldn?'t be more different. Lani'?s reserved and thoughtful; Erin'?s bubbly and outgoing. Lani likes to do her own thing; Erin prefers an entourage. There'?s no possible way they could be interested in the same guy.
So when Erin starts dating Jason, Lani can?'t believe she feels such a deep connection with him? and it may be mutual. The more Lani fights it, the more certain she feels that it?'s her fate to be with Jason. But what do you do when the love of your life is the one person you can?'t have?

Reviewer: TigerLily
This is only the second book by Ms. Susane Colasanti that I've read but I did find this book a little more enjoyable than the other, which I honestly can't even remember the name of. I found this book to be a good, funny read but it seemed to be lacking in character depth; so I had I hard time falling in love with the characters. Another thing I noticed about this book was that it's pretty much the same book as The Unwritten Rule by E. Scott that came out about the same time. I believe this was just chance, but I think because both books are so similar, they will be hard to tell the difference between when I try to remember both of them in the future.

Like I stated above, this book lacked character depth. I felt like both Jason and Blake were both very one dimensional and we never got to know them. With Blake, I can understand that being ok because he wasn't as predominant a character as Jason, but Jason was one of two main characters and we never really got to know him. Sure, we knew a few of the things he liked but there was never any depth to him.

The writing was easy and flowed well but because of the lack of character depth I'm giving this book 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Kindle Edition

Compulsively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton

2012-02-22T19:45:00.002-05:00

Summary:

For anyone obsessed with Pride & Prejudice, it's Darcy and Elizabeth like you've never see them before

This modern take introduces us to the wealthy philanthropist Fitzwilliam Darcy, a handsome and brooding bachelor who yearns for love but doubts any woman could handle his obsessive tendencies. Meanwhile, Dr. Elizabeth Bennet has her own intimacy issues that ensure her terrible luck with men.

When the two meet up in the emergency room after Darcy's best friend, Charles Bingley, gets into an accident, Elizabeth thinks the two men are a couple. As Darcy and Elizabeth unravel their misconceptions about each other, they have to decide just how far they're willing to go to accept each other's quirky ways...

Reviewer: Fashionta
What if Pride and Prejudice was written for modern times and set in America and Asia and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley where mistaken as a gay couple. Elizabeth Bennet is a doctor and Bingley has two sisters. That's just the tip of the iceberg, as a classic story is re-evented so that a new audiences can fall in love with the story of Mr. Darcy and Miss Benett.

I have to give this book three stars. This idea has already been tried in the BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice where a modern twist was taken. There Mr. Darcy was moody and eccentric. This goes a little further with developing Darcy and the other characters. Mr. Bingley has ADHD, Mr. Darcy is now called Will, and Elizabeth is Lizzie. It’s a book that will keep you entertained but not a new idea.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Beautiful Tears (House of DeDe 2) by Sharon E. Mamolo

2012-02-22T19:37:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Bethany Boudreaux doesn’t regret becoming a Lady. She adores the toys all her newfound money can buy. She likes watching the fear in others when she enters a room. When she thinks about her boys, the two most powerful bachelors in the country, she becomes giddy enough to kill. Life is definitely good, until a chance encounter.

Now Beth is desperately trying to help others in difficult circumstances. Philanthropy is not her forte. She devises a plan and waits for the right moment to make her move. It wouldn’t be so hard, a piece of cake really, if her boys cooperated … no questions asked. Yet her boys are becoming difficult with every breath they take while her determination to get what she wants grows to the point of urgency. Failure is something she isn’t use to and she’ll obtain their cooperation, at any price.

Reviewer: QueenBee
Nothing ever stays the same and the twist and turns in this book will leave you frustrated at the end at the author because you want to know what happens next. Five years have passed and Beth is now settled into her role as Lady Beth of the House of De De but still up to her old tricks.

This story keeps the same characteristic of the first novel but we have more of a paranormal angle and get ready for some shockers that will leave you wondering what really happened. The author is a master storyteller and once again I implore lovers of paranormal to read this series as it's truly a masterpiece. Her style and her words are magical. It's a pleasure to see an indie book that is well edited. If that has made you stay away from indie books, this is one you don’t want to miss.

I have to give this book 5 stars because I can’t get enough of this author’s work. She's one of the best Indie authors I've had the pleasure of reading. I’m waiting in anticipation for her third book in this series, which will be released this summer.

Alien Slave (Clans of Kalquor 5) by Tracy St John

2012-02-21T20:38:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Dani Watson is a sex slave on the planet of Dantovon. Having escaped post-Armageddon Earth, she’s resigned to spending several years working in a brothel to pay off her slave contract. Her one consolation is that she avoided being captured and enslaved by the Kalquorians.
When a Kalquorian clan buys her contract, Dani attempts escape. Crashing on a remote moon gets her puts her life in jeopardy, leaving her and the clan of Gelan, Wynhod, and Krijero fighting for survival in a hostile environment. Worse still, they’re being hunted by a group of brutal Tragooms who are determined to capture Dani and subject her to a fate worse than mere slavery.

Reviewer: Fashionta
I've been waiting for this book and I must say this is probably the best of the series so far. In this one, we revisit a familiar place and race that has been featured in previous books. We have a woman, who's sexually free and not totally brain-washed by the futuristic Earth government.

It's refreshing to read this and it's the change the series needed. There was other interesting additions in the series with the conclusion of book three, when Earth was turned into Armageddon. In that book, we saw more liberated women but nothing like this. In fact, we get the total opposite. The girl is willing to have sex with them straight away; once she gets past the fact the owner’s sister of the brothel broke the contract.

I have to give this book 4.5 stars. This one is similar to the previous books in the series but it has an extra element that makes it special.

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing

C791 (Cyborgs: More Than Machines 1) by Eve Langlais

2012-02-21T20:28:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Machines aren’t supposed to feel, but this cyborg can’t help falling in love.

Assigned as a specimen collector for a captured cyborg, Chloe is intrigued by the machine disguised as a man. Kidnapped during his daring escape, he shows her that despite the chip in his brain, his humanity is not completely lost.

Formerly known as unit X109GI, Joe is on a quest to discover his origin. While he doesn’t find the answers he’s looking for, he does discover that affection and lust aren’t just for humans. But when it comes to a battle between logic and love, which side will the cybernetic organism—once a man—choose?

Evaluating his feelings will have to wait though because the military isn’t done with Joe. But their threats against him pale in comparison before the shocking discovery of project C791, the revelation of which stuns the rebel cyborgs—and ignites a fury for vengeance.

GO METAL!

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
The captain orders to the corporal are to terminate all the cyborgs on board, they were over a hundred, and Unit X109GI overheard the conversation. He knows that:

Cyborgs were machines. Robots, like the captain said. Tools for human use. They might have started as flawed or damaged humans, but science and technology changed them. Changed them and stole their memories — along with their humanity — to make them into something the government could use to fight its battles, an almost indestructible army that could explore dangerous new worlds or force militant order on an overgrown population chafing for freedom. Most of all, cyborgs were expendable, in human eyes at least.
X109GI thought otherwise, which, in and of itself, was an anomaly his internal processor couldn’t resolve. Cyborgs weren’t designed to think. Their very programming prevented it. Their only will was supposed to be that of the human voices that gave them audible orders or the wireless commands transmitted to their neural nets. What his superiors didn’t know was since the EMP pulses on Gamma 15 some of his embedded computer controls no longer reacted to the imprinted human override. In other words, he controlled himself. He lived.

I think that from all the books I’ve read or movies I’ve seen with cyborgs, this is the most realistic and complete description of what and who is a cyborg.

With the help of Unit Y999SK, Unit X109GI saves all the cyborgs and he sends this message:

“Cyborgs, form squads of four and break off into flanks. New mission: control the ship and subdue the opposition.” Become, once again, the men we used to be — even if mechanically enhanced…
…and they took control of the spacecraft — and their lives.

Several years later, when Joe, the name X109GI has chosen for himself, is caught by the military who are trying to find a way to destroy them, Chloe, a lab technician, is paid to enter in the cage with him to take samples from him. Nobody knows that Joe was there because he wanted to find the secret of their creation. So, although he feels attraction for her, he has to finish his task.

So, despite how innocent the female appeared, no matter how she woke the nerves in his cock or made his mouth water, he would resist her obvious charms and discover her true purpose — which he doubted involved soothing his rebellious prick.

The first example of Ms. Eve Langlais’s humor is this phase said by Joe when Chloe rejects kissing him in order to get a sample of his saliva:

“I didn’t realize the rumors of my sexual exploits had travelled so far. I guess I should be flattered that you would think I could cause so much havoc with my tongue and lips. Although, for full effect, it’s not the lips on your face you should kiss me with.”

Chloe distracted him enough to get what she came for and after she leaves, he decides that he will take her with him when he leaves.
In her next visit to get samples, Chloe discovers that what the military told them was a lie. They told everyone that the cyborgs were created and not transformed and Joe tells her the truth:

We are human. Or were until the military experimented on us. For a long time we were also slaves until we threw rebelled and retook our freedom. Since our revolution, some of my kind have remembered fragments of their pasts, and what we couldn’t recall, we taught ourselves again.
She also finds out that the order to kill came before the cyborgs revolted and not after.

When Joe’s guard attacks her, he decides that is the time to escape and take her with him.

I love the scene when, after Chloe sleeps with Joe, she asks for his name:

“Don’t you want to tell something now?” She arched a brow at him expectantly.
“Such as?”
“Your name.”
“Why do you wish to know it?”
“Because we just slept together.”
“I wouldn’t call that sleeping.”
“Now you’re being deliberately obtuse, just like a man,” she huffed.
Insult thrown, he reacted. In a flash, he’d pinned her under him. “I am not a man. I am cyborg. Much better than any pathetic male you’ve ever known. And my name is Joe.”
“About time you told me.” Her lips curved into a smile that did strange things to his heart. “Hi, Joe.”
“Hello, Chloe.” He smiled when she giggled.
“Okay, introductions over, now what?” she asked.

And when they finally realized that they were in love with each other, they found out the truth about Chloe’s past.

I loved the interaction between Chloe and Joe, it's full of humor, intensity, and passion. I already added too many secrets from the book so I will let you discover the funny, full of humor, and hot scenes Ms. Eve Langlais has created. And like her previous books, it has wonderful characters, outstanding storyline, charming dialog, and amazing humor. Everything a good book should have. I give it 5 stars and I will be waiting for her next release.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Dances With Wolves (Highland Wolves 1) by Mandy Monroe

2012-02-20T20:41:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Jada had lived so long in an emotional desert, mostly of her own making, that she discovered it was hard to resist the invitation Larissa sent, even though she wasn't completely comfortable with the idea. Nevertheless, Larissa's appeals didn't fall on deaf ears. She had needs she'd ignored way too long-and she was still a nervous wreck when she arrived in Scotland!

She'd thought she would be lucky to find one man she found reasonably attractive. Finding three she found completely irresistible was just a little overwhelming-fun-but still hard to handle-and that was before she discovered the wolf masks really hid the true men behind them! They weren't just wolf-like. They were wolves!

Reviewer: QueenBee
I was disappointed with this book, in terms of content. It didn’t deliver what the author was conveying through her characters. The book mentions the heroine going to a masquerade, but the heroine knows it’s really going to be an orgy, as she knows what her best friend is like. Then, we only see hints of it. The author is more focused on the relationship between the main characters.

I have to give this book three stars, it’s nothing outstanding and special like her other stories, which I have enjoyed.

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Thyme: Brave and True by Jenna Jones

2012-02-20T20:31:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Thyme is the herb for courage, something Patrick has been lacking ever since he was publicly humiliated on a national cooking competition. For the past sixteen years, he's been content to be the personal assistant to celebrity chef Dix and love him in silence.

Between the end of Dix's long-running television show and accusations of fraud within Dix's charity, Dix's world is changing and Patrick doesn't know his place in it anymore. As secrets come to light, can Patrick find the courage to trust Dix as he once did, and to believe that he deserves it?

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
In ancient herb lore, Thyme was used for courage. It now seems Patrick is in need of some much needed courage, so bring on the Thyme! Patrick has been working for Dix ever since he was humiliated, publicly on a national cooking competition, which was around 16 years ago. Since then, he has been Dix’s personal assistant and closest friend, not to mention head over heals in love with him. But now Patrick is unsure of whether Dix is going to need him anymore…

Dix’s life has become complicated lately, his ever popular cooking show is coming to an end, then you add on the accusations of fraud thrown at him for his own charity. So when Nicholas and Harry from Herbs de Provence pop in for a visit, they couldn’t have come at a better time! Can they help bring Dix and Patrick together?

Aside from being a little jumbled, it was a very nice read. I loved reading about the herb lore and ways to put it to use. Kinda makes you look at your herb and spice shelf a bit differently! Hehe.

I give this 3.5 stars… definitely a fun and enjoyable read!

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

In The Service Of The King (Vampire Warrior Kings 1) by Laura Kaye

2012-02-20T20:07:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn't enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn't want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla's beauty and poise...and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire--even if it means risking Shayla's life?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Kael the Fair, Warrior King of the Vampires, Chieftain of Clan MacQuillan needs to drink a virgin’s blood or his mate’s blood in order to keep his immortality. However, he doesn’t want another mate after he lost his first one in a battle against the Soul Eaters; they are a vampire type that kills their prey while taking their blood, consuming their souls along with their bodies.

And because Kael doesn’t want a mate, he uses the virgin’s blood of a Proffered, a group of virgin girls trained to offer their blood to vampires. The Proffered is a branch of Electorate Council, human families around the world in alliance with the vampires. Yet, this night he finds his mate and he has to choose… his mate or a life of unhappiness.

Ms. Laura Kaye created a wonderful and torrid scene, when Kael claimed Shayla’s virginity; Shayla is the Proffered who turned out to be his mate. The scene was full of emotion, sentiment, and sizzling hot. However, I must admit I was expecting more action… they were fighting against the Soul Eaters, so I was assuming that there would at least be a fight between the two sides; but there was no fight. I will rate the book just 4 stars because of that; but, I will check Ms. Laura Kaye’s next book in this series, because I like her style.

Publisher: Harlequin Silhouette Nocturne
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Smoke Screen by Stevie Woods

2012-02-19T19:45:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Julian has a secret. He's infatuated with his best friend, Richard, and always has been. The trouble is that Richard is married to the toast of London society, a belle of the ball that Julian knows he can't compete with.

Just about the time Julian decides it's hopeless to dream about Richard, though, he finds out that the happy couple might not be so perfect for each other. Richard and his lady wife have some secrets of their own, secrets that might just destroy all of them. Can Julian convince Richard that the web of deception, smoke and mirrors might just work in their favor?

Reviewer: BlackTulip
At first, I was very optimistic about this book but quickly I found that something wasn't working and at the end, I remained utterly unsatisfied.

There is nothing original with the storyline, two best friends that love each other but think that their being together is something that can never happen. They don't even try to address the issue. One of them marries, believing that it will solve his problem, but of course it doesn't, it becomes even worse.

There is too much thinking and not enough action. They are wasting their time having fantasies about each other and there is too much pointless angst, when it could have been resolved quickly and simply. The wife could have had a more important and interesting part in that story. What a waste.

Another thing that bothers me is that there is no precision as to the period when the story is supposed to happen. And mostly, I really can't say that I felt any connection with the two protagonists. Apart from all this, it was not badly written at all. I very much liked, Beyond The Veil, an older book by this author and I intend to read Stone by Stone. This one just didn't work for me. I give 2/5.

Were Blood (Were Legends 3) by Lia Slater

2012-02-19T19:34:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Blanca Reble has been captured, yet again, to be used as some Vamp’s blood slave. Now she’s determined to escape her captor’s hold. But Worth isn’t who he seems and the way her body and mind react to his touch isn’t what she’s used to. It should be only a matter of time before their blood bond wears off, but what replaces it is an undeniable connection that Blanca’s never experienced.

Worth Sinclaire has never wanted a blood slave; he never had use for one. But when he sees the injured Were femme shackled in his cousin’s cellar, he purchases her for his own to protect her from a worse fate. Now he has to decide what’s more important—his loyalty to his own kind, or his growing love for a woman his people will never accept.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Hate or hate him not? Blanca Reble has been captured for the second time by vampires and she remembers what she suffered the first time. But the vampire, who bought her, is not typical, he didn’t hurt her, instead he provoked her desire.

Worth Sinclaire doesn’t agree with blood slaves and a lot more of the vampires laws, but when he sees Blanca for the first time, he swears to do whatever it takes to protect her, and later, when he starts to fall in love with her, to love her.

Vampires and Weres shouldn’t be together, but love is stronger than hate.

Third in the Were Legends series, it left me with the expectation of what's to come next. I fell for Blanca and Worth, they should be enemies, but they aren’t. Worth is a strong vampire who knows what is right and wrong. Powerful, passionate, and soooooo hot, he is every women’s dream, and my favorite of Ms. Lia Slater’s masculine characters. I give the book 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Variation by Toni V. Sweeney

2012-02-18T19:02:00.001-05:00

Summary:

What happens when the girl of your dreams is also the man from your waking life?

Federation agent Gabriel Marsh finds himself asking just that question when he’s teamed with Aleksandr Karanov. Lexei’s pretty as a picture and deadly as a cobra; he’s also a variant, a mutant who can change sex at will, something which just may come in handy on their new assignment. Marsh, however, has some adjusting to do where his new partner’s concerned—both morally and emotionally. His association with Lexei is ambivalent at best, prejudicial at worst, and the way he’s beginning to feel about Deirdre, Lexei’s female Other Self doesn’t even bear thinking about.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
The first meeting between Gabriel Marsh and Aleksandr Karanov, Lexei, is explosive and I enjoyed it as it was very well written. Gabriel doesn’t want a partner who looks like Lexei: slight and with a feminine beauty. Gabriel describes Lexei as

delicately but perfectly formed, like one of those antique Cybis figurines he’d seen in that museum when he’d been stationed on Antilla.

But Lexei was supposed to be a Third Classification student of Jai-Kin...and an expert on weapons, including ancient ones such as the crossbow and the automatic revolver, and the latest like the finger-laser.

However, the next day he discovers that Lexei was a Variant, a human who could not only change physical appearance at will, but sex as well; that comes as a shock to Gabriel… he is an Angelus, and they all share a high moral standards and rigid ethics.

What Gabriel starts to find out about his new partner is against of all his family taught him. Lexei has used all the women in his life, including his Other… the women he turns into... Deirdre Karanov. She is a real woman, with desires and hopes, the little time Lexei allows her to take control. I loved this contrast between the two partners: one behaving as an angel and the other as a jerk. And I must say I loved how Ms. Toni V. Sweeney slowly adds the attraction between Gabriel and Deirdre to the story.

However, the wicked wasn’t as wicked and the good as good as when Lexei dies on a mission, Ms. Toni V. Sweeney takes us beyond any imagination, to an end no one could possibly conceive. Praise for her, she leaves me thinking about a lot of “what if…?”

I recommend this book for all the people who want something different, something special. In a world where too many book's storylines are similar, this is a pleasant surprise to read something so unique. 5 stars.

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Photographer's Assistant by Andrew Grey

2012-02-18T18:49:00.001-05:00

Summary:

In The Photographer's Assistant, best-selling author Andrew Grey sets the backdrop for successful Christian, a nationally known erotic photographer, and his assistant, David , the efficient but demure type who is always there for his boss... Will these two star-crossed lovers ever find a way to come together?

Reviewer: TigerLily
I've read most of Andrew Grey's books, I'm a big fan, so I naturally picked up The Photographer's Assistant. I had very high hopes for this novella and it didn't disappoint. The writing style was beautiful and highly emotional. I loved David and had a love hate relationship with Christian.

The only problem I had was that while reading this book I felt like I had read it before. The reason for that is because it's almost identical to Take My Picture by Giselle Ellis. Both stories were about a photographer and his assistant that are secretly in love with each other. Both stories the photographer sleeps with countless amounts of his clients, while the assistant becomes broken hearted over it each time. Both stories the assistant is also a struggling artist (in this story David is also a photographer). And in both stories the photographer secretly takes pictures of the assistant and does a grand gesture of showing his love by showing the photos to his assistant. The problem with that in this story was that David was the one that uploaded and organized all of Christian's photos, so how would he have missed the photos of himself if they were mixed in with the photos Christian had taken while working?

But besides the the similarities I really loved this book, the emotions seemed just right and the story was pulling. I'm giving this 4.5 stars, only reason it's not 5 is because I just couldn't get over how similar the two books were.

This story was sold in the anthology In Bed With the Boss, it was combined with another story by author Ryan Field that this reviewer did not read or reviewed.

Publisher: Ravenous Romance

100-Followers Giveaway Winners

2012-02-17T20:07:00.003-05:00

Entry #5 Kimberly C. Bound by the Mist by Lisa Kumar
Entry #85 dave s. Gift of Love Anthology

Both 100-Followers Giveaway winners have been notified via email.

A Vampire in Whitechapel by Scarlet Blackwell

2012-02-17T17:43:00.001-05:00

Summary:

A bloodsucker discovers he's not the only monster stalking the streets of Victorian London, when his nightly search for sustenance brings him face-to-face with the city's most notorious butcher - Jack the Ripper. A short story from our Spectres horror line.

Reviewer: BlackTulip
I guessed how it would end when I finished reading the blurb, but I was still curious about it. I always was fascinated by the hellish and mysterious "Jack the Ripper". I have read a lot about it and I love the Victorian era, so why not!

Scarlet Blackwell is a wonderful story teller and she masterfully recreates this dark, damp, and so unhealthy atmosphere of the East End. We discover the maze of winding streets through Abel's eyes, a vampire, as he walks those streets every night looking for his next meal. And of course, how could they not then meet when roaming these same streets in the darkness!

I won't say more about the story, but I will just add that this vampire is an unusual and interesting one.

Overall it was good but much too short and to be frank I was waiting for something more that never came. At the end I remained unsatisfied.

But any fan of that specific period should read it. I give 3/5.

Publisher: Untreed Reads

Sex Games by C.K. Ralston

2012-02-17T17:35:00.001-05:00

Summary:

After seven years of marriage, Ellen and Paul's once hot sex life has lost its luster. Suspecting her best friend Cassidy and her husband enjoy great sex, she looks to her for help. Shocked when she finds out, Cassidy and her husband have become swingers, Ellen wonders if wife swapping can bring excitement back to their dull predictable sex life? She intends to find out.

Reviewer: Jasmine
Sex Games is the story of a menage a quatre. Ellen and Paul have been married for seven years and they have lost their hot sex life. Ellen worries about that, and she decides to seek help from her best friend Cassidy.

Cassidy Flynn is married to Ed, they have a hot sex life. When Ellen tells her concerns to Cassidy, Ellen is surprised to learn that Cass and Ed are swingers and she wonders if wife swapping can bring excitement back to their dull sex life. So she shares the idea with her husband and they decided to try something new and have a meeting with Cass and Ed, a very hot and revealing encounter ...

I really liked this story, and the dialog as the story unfolds. And I love the writing style of C.K. Ralston and she's become one of my favorite authors.

I recommend this book and give it 4 stars.

Publisher: New Dawning International Bookfair
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Meeting Destiny (Destiny 1) by Nancy Straight

2012-02-17T17:18:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.

Reviewer: Fashionta
Another wonderful cover attracted me to this book and the fact the it was an indie author was a bonus. I have stayed away from YA paranormals even though paranormal is one of my favorite genres. So this was a nice change and I am regretting not picking up more YA books in this genre as the only time I seem to read them is for reviewing.

This is the first in a trilogy and sets up the storyline. I love the opening scenes, honestly it's one of the best I've read in YA. It reads more like something you would see half way through a book, like a climax and it's the perfect way to start this novel as it gives all the same details we would expect from an opening chapter but we get bonus features lol.

The only negative thing I would say is I would have liked to see more of her dad and her brother. Her mom is such a strong character and I would like to have seen a close family member's perspective on more of the events. I know we got Seth and Max’s opinions but those events where pretty major events. Also, I would like more details in to the days hiking, as it seemed not enough information for me. I know it went the way where it the end leavings you wanting more but doesn’t feel incomplete itself, so I would have liked the hiking scenes to be longer.

I've seen the reviews on goodreads and I must say I don’t think this book is for everyone because of the way the book ended and the lack of explanations. I think YA readers have grown to expect to know everything straight away and in this case we only learn some of this and I actually like that, as it builds up the mystery aspect. I have to give this book 4 stars.

Winter Solstice by Michelle Garren Flye

2012-02-16T20:11:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Assignment from hell or love of a lifetime?

Becky Gray thought her new job in the Public Relations Office of Buncombe County Hospital would be easy, but her first assignment takes her onto the front lines of the Emergency Room. Assigned to follow sexy Dr. John Grant whose reputation as a womanizer is only matched by his skill as a physician, Becky is caught up in a whirlwind of emotion and drama. Can she find safety in the arms of a man she should despise?

Explicit sex and some graphic descriptions

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Becky Gray was the new public relations guru to a small community hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, named Buncombe County Hospital.

In her first day, while she meets almost all the people around, she also meets Dr. John Grant and I totally loved their meeting:

“I’m Dr. John Grant. I’ve heard you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, and you’re here to make me look good.”
“Surely you don’t need me for that.”

And after two weeks of visiting most of the departments, becoming familiar with the procedures and the doctors, establishing contact with the area newspapers, and even taking a few reporters out to lunch, she gets her new task from her boss, Adam Greeley and it is… to follow Dr. John Grant around for a month. Wow, the same man she starts to feel attraction for. And slowly, she starts to see him as a kind, honorable, and totally amazing man and not only the womanizer almost everyone thinks he is.

I just love how Ms. Michelle Garren Flye is drawing John, making him real to the writers, real to me:

“It’s not always easy, is it?” She stood her ground, determined not to let the moment pass. John Grant, after all, was her assignment.
He froze. “What’s that?”
“Moving on to the next patient when the last one still needs help.” She bit her lip, hearing more sympathy in her voice than she’d intended.
“No.” His voice was soft, almost lost in the continuous activity of the room. “It’s not always easy. And there are no easy answers, either. You get used to it.”
“Do you?” She took a step closer to him.
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled a little. “You do. Now let’s get going.”

And the descriptions of what he was feeling for Becky are so wonderful they make me crave a John of my own… only if I could just order him from the internet, it would be so great (nowadays we can order anything from the internet so, why not a man, why not John?)

This woman was something else entirely from John’s previous experience with women. He wanted to wrap her up and keep her warm and safe at the same time he wanted to release her and see what she was going to do next. When he’d seen her in the reading room watching him, he’d felt a mild shock when their gazes met, but that was nothing compared to what he’d felt when their lips had touched just moments before.

So, let’s talk now a bit about Becky: she is timid, she doesn’t do one-night stands, and she is falling for John:

“I can’t do this. I’m just too vulnerable, that’s all, that’s the only reason I ever even considered it. I’m not the type for a one-night stand, and especially not with a guy I barely know.”

Wow, I have to stop adding my favorite scenes of the book or I will never finish the review. And all of them are from the first part of the book… could you imagine what would happen if I add them from the whole book?

Well, with the appearance of Becky’s ex, the situation between them is just getting worse, because although Becky want’s John, she doesn’t know if that is a good thing, so she tries to deny the feelings she has for him. And after she lets them together, her ex alone with John, John tells her:

“I didn’t tell him that we’d spent the most incredible night of my life together and I’ve had a hell of a time keeping my hands off you ever since.”

Isn’t he the sweetest and perfect man in the world?

However, not everything is going well… the author adds misunderstandings and past lovers to the story and that gives it the action the story needs.

I think I said before that paranormal is my favorite genre, but I always take the chance of finding good writers… no matter the genre. And Ms. Michelle Garren Flye is a good one, a very good one; my favorite writers’ list keeps growing…

Now, I will put into words what I think about the book: we have outstanding characters, wonderful storyline, great dialog, and delicious humor that just adds flavor to the story. And the way she adds the medical terms with the story just fills me with wonder. Do you already know how many stars I’ll give it? 5 stars, of course. And I totally recommend it. Besides, I hope Ms. Michelle Garren Flye could extend her magic over me and send me a John for myself.

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Summer's Lease by Scot D. Ryersson

2012-02-16T20:01:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Calcutta, West Bengal, May 1891—Mair Calloway, Major Willoughby’s grandson, is arriving at Barrackpore for one night, en route to England for his first year at university. Captain Charles Blackthorne has been ordered to meet Mair at the train and take him under his wing for twenty-four hours. “No girls!” the Major orders. “Take care of his every need—personally!” Blackthorne, with an impeccable record in twelve years of military service would seem to be the perfect chaperone…

Summer’s Lease, an original short story from acclaimed author Scot D. Ryersson, brings the sights, smells, and tastes of colonial India to life. With a sensual undercurrent and simmering eroticism present throughout, the reader is transported to another world for a visit, that, like Mair’s stay at the Viceregal Lodge, is all too short and will leave you wanting more.

Reviewer: BlackTulip
I was simply blown away by this story! I don't remember ever having been so overwhelmed by so much feelings at the same time. It felt both so good and so weird. After so much emotions and such a compelling story, I don't know how I will be able to express myself and do the author justice.

Scot D. Ryersson has to be some sort of magician with words at least. He was able to take me there with Charles and Mair and make me share what they were seeing, what they were hearing, and what they were feeling. I was there with them in my little time capsule, in India!

It is a snapshot of a very brief and very passionate fling. As hot and spicy as this country.

The story takes place in India in 1891. The author takes his time describing the surroundings, the characters, their feelings and he does it beautifully and craftily. We learn a lot about Charles, not so much about young Mair, but I think it's understandable.

I felt so sorry for Captain Charles Blackthorne. He is a lonely man who spent more than ten years in India and who feels old even if he is not that old. I don't know how he managed to hide his inclination for so long in this microcosm but he did it. But immutably each year he gets older and each year the new recruits get younger. So Mair is like the last opportunity for him to be happy if only for a short time.

At the end of that story I felt both excited and melancholic and I wanted to give him a big hug. Of course it was too short, and I would like to know what will happened to Captain Charles Blackthorne next. It is such a wonderful tale, I give 5/5.

Publisher: Bristlecone Pine Press

Claiming Her Geeks by Eve Langlais

2012-02-15T20:39:00.001-05:00

Summary:

How does an alpha she-wolf, who can snap a man in half, learn to love and accept a pair of males who can only beat her in a game of chess?

Deena's searched a long time for a man she can claim, but nobody has ever stirred her interest, until Simon and Frank. The moment she meets the nerdy friends, she wants to mark them as her own, but as alpha of her pack, she can't settle for a pair of geeks as her mates even if in the bedroom they make her submit.

At first Deena terrifies them, but as Simon and Frank get to know her, they realize that beneath the tough exterior is a woman who wants a man--or two--to take control. When it comes to fistfights, they might not have the strength to prevail, but in a battle of the mind, and heart, they've got the smarts it takes to emerge victorious...to her screaming pleasure.

Trust fate and two men, to show this she-wolf that with a little bit of bondage, teasing and pleasure, she can claim the geeks who draw her, because after all, even a bitch can't fight fate and her need for love.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Each new book by Ms. Eve Langlais’ is always better than the previous ones and that's turned me into an addict. I always come back for more, devouring them as if chocolate and enjoying them like glimpses of heaven.

In this one, she merged the paranormal with a ménage, without losing the humor I love so much; creating an amazing, wonderful, enjoyable story. She takes all the clichés of the paranormal books and she twists them, converting them into something special, something incredible. I can’t say how much I laughed with this book. Now the hunting will be done by the female, not by the men.

Deena is a lycan like no other: she is an incredible strong alpha. No one can succeed in defeating her. And her inner “bitch” doesn’t want any of the alphas who want to force her to mate them. Until she sees two geeks: Simon and Frank. She wants them, she needs them.

Simon and Frank have heard of Deana… who hasn’t? She was famous for being a man-eater. However, she was their mate and they will do whatever it takes to make her admit it. And they've decided to torture her with pleasure until she agrees to claim them.

But the question is: will they be accepted by the rest of the lycan or will it make Deena appear weak?

It definitively deserves 5 stars, and everyone should have a copy; you will never find a book like this one!

Publisher: All Romance Ebooks
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Secret Light by Z. A. Maxfield

2012-02-15T20:28:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Rafe Colman likes his life. He has a nice home, a good job, and a wonderful dog. But he's exhausted by living a lie. When his home is vandalized because of his perceived German ancestry, he can't even share the irony with friends.

Officer Ben Morgan falls for Rafe's dog first, but it isn't long before he's giving her owner the eye. He thinks they have more in common than the search for Rafe's vandals, and he's willing to take a chance and find out.

If life in 1955 is tough on a cop in the closet, it's even tougher on a refugee who's desperate to hide his roots and fit in. Rafe knows from tragic experience how vicious prejudice can be. Every second with Ben is stolen, every kiss fraught with danger.

When Ben's partner threatens to ruin everything, Rafe and Ben have to fight to protect what they have but they're tired of hiding their secret light.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Reviewer: PurpleRose
Here we have a romance between Rafe, who as a 12 year kid left Austria and his family, and police officer Ben, who wants to become a detective. Rafe is now a successful top commercial real estate salesman who lives alone and in fear.

Most of the emotions in this story were full of fear based on discrimination and people's prejudice. Fear of being discovered about the hidden past, about the sexual preferences, or inclination toward the same sex. The fear can be accepted as normal, if we consider it's the year of 1955 and both Rafe and Ben live deep in the closet.

This is the story where as a reader you must accept the idea of being in "the closet", because of the safety of everyone involved. And even if this story is full of tension, we could feel the love and commitment between Rafe and Ben.

Secret Light was romantic in a slow burning way. I'm giving 4 stars to this historical romance and recommend it!

Publisher: Loose Id
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Hunting Jaguar (Spellbound For Love 1) by D. McEntire

2012-02-15T19:39:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Rachel Hayes’ father set out to prove the existence of the Miloni Temple and the Jaguar People. Searching for him, she finds her guide shot execution style, she’s chased into the Amazon jungle by gun toting militia, has a face-to-face encounter with a black jaguar, and encounters a tall, tan and then-some man with golden eyes and a strong desire to get her out of the jungle as fast as he could make her walk.

Tumi, a descendent of the Miloni race, is sworn to protect their secret. But, Rachel touches him like no other. Can Tumi deter Rachel from taking up her father’s quest, one which has caused blood to spill for centuries, and stop her from getting too close to the truth? Or will he be forced to uphold his lethal vow at the cost of his heart, and Rachel’s life?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Before they move away, four girls cast a love spell. The girls were Rachel, Becca, Tess, and Mindy.

The years have passed and Rachel Hayes is now an archaeologist. But she gets into trouble while searching for the Miloni Temple and Tumi, a shape shifter jaguar saved her life. When the same men try again to kill her, will Tumi be there to save her one more time?

This is the first book of the Spellbound For Love’s series and it should be read in the order of the release.

Ms. D. McEntire brings us an interesting concept, two shape shifters protecting their jaguar Temple, killing all people who approach the temple; protecting their secrets, their hidden treasures. However, when one of them falls in love, Ms. D. McEntire gives us a great story that I enjoyed and I give it 4 stars.

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Sinfully Sexy (Leather and Pleasure 3) by Jennifer Labelle

2012-02-14T17:10:00.003-05:00

Summary:

Sable Dixon and Lila Davis have been lovers since they started working at the ever popular fetish club Leather and Pleasure, but Lila has curiosities and would like to know how Sable feels about having a third join them sometime. She’s a little nervous, but can’t shake this fantasy that she hopes to enact sometime soon. So when Sable accepts and seems eager to have it happen, why is it that she suddenly feels nervous?

Lila is the love of Sable’s life, but when she’s approached with the tempting request of having a threesome, Sable is all for it and quickly invites Parker into the mix. He’s good looking, respectful, sexy as hell and there’s no one else she’d rather share Lila with. One invitation turns into so much more where fantasies are lived, and one sinfully sexy night has them all coming like they never have before.

Reviewer: Jasmine
This is a short story, exciting, hot, and sexy, which follows a menage a trois, between lovers Sable Dixon and Lila Davis, and Parker. The story is well written. The sex scenes flow off the pages from the narrative of when Sable and Lila tie up Parker and spend a sinfully hot night, to the phone sex.

I very much liked the writing style of Ms. Jennifer Labelle. I give Sinfully Sexy 4 stars and invite you to read this book.

Publisher: Romance Divine
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

A Sprig of Broom by Margaret Blake

2012-02-14T16:56:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Lady Cecily Hadfield has no alternative but to marry Thomas Cadwallader. However, Cecily is proud and haughty and promises that she will never be a meek and compliant wife to him, for he was part of the carnage that resulted in the death of King Richard.

Strong and beautiful, Cecily cannot envisage what fate holds in store, or realize how near to scaffold she so carelessly wanders...

Reviewer: BlackTulip
One more time Margaret Blake delivers a powerful tale full of danger at every corner. The action takes place at the end of the civil war between two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York; one of them won. Now is a time of reckoning, there will be no mercy for traitors. In these very uncertain times the life of a man means nothing, and the life of a woman even less.

This is the story of a noble young woman, Lady Cecily Hadfield, courageous, strong but also willful; who like many other women at that time is only a little pawn on a big chessboard, where no matter what happens, men always win. Power and greed is their creed. Caught in the world of political ambition and intrigue she tries desperately to navigate troubled water.

The new king "gives" her to a Welsh barbarian, Thomas Cadwallader, and she can do nothing about it. She is utterly powerless and quite alone, no one will come to her rescue. The only thing she can do is to stay true to herself, no matter what. She will have to be the wife of that man, there is no way out of it. He will own her body but he will never own her mind and her soul, never! She sees this new king and her new husband as murderers and usurpers, nothing more, nothing less.

Cecily and Thomas clash at first and this is an understatement. She taunted him each and every day tirelessly. I was not sure at the beginning if I was going to like her or not, but on the other hand I could understand why she acted this way. All I can say is that Thomas's tolerance to his wife was pretty high but only up to a point! Behind his cold demeanor Thomas is a good person but his pride is often a hindrance.

Page after page something happens, there is no rest. Each time Cecily says something outrageous to her husband, he reacts of course and it is an unending spiral opened to anything. Tension is very high!

Cecily will learn the hard way that willfulness is never a solution, on the contrary it can be extremely dangerous.

Margaret Blake created captivating characters. She has become an expert at mixing fiction with history, each time craftily balanced. This book is an action-packed story full of twists and turns. Wonderful book, I give 5 stars.

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC

Valentine's Day Giveaway

2012-02-14T00:18:00.002-05:00

In celebrating Valentine's Day I've decided to change the Giveaway Friday feature and giveaway a book courtsey of the author who happens to be a favourite of ours here at Booked Up Reviews. So I give you the one and only Eve Langlais.

Hello, my name is Eve. I'm a stay at home mom who works as a webmistress/customer service rep and in between juggling my three kids, hubby, and housework, I write really raunchy stuff--usually with werewolves lol.

I was born in British Columbia, but being a military brat, I have lived a little bit everywhere--Quebec, New Brunswick, Labrador, Virginia (USA) and finally Ontario. My family and I currently just outside Ottawa, our nation's capital.

I am the first person to admit I am totally boring and lead a mundane life. Seriously. My idea of fun is shopping at our local Walmart lol. I like to play video games, cook, and read. My inspiration, hmm, I guess you could say hubby as he is a total alpha male which means I often want to club him over head with a frying pan. But, despite his ornery, 'I-am-man' nature, I love him dearly. I do have a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing.

I'm writing romance, my way. I like strong alpha males, naked chests and werewolves. Lots of werewolves. In fact, you'll notice most of my multi partner stories revolve around great, big, overprotective Lycans who just want to please their woman. I am also extremely partial to aliens, you know the kind who abduct their woman and then drive them insane...with pleasure of course.

My heroines, they kind of run the gamut. I have some that are shy and soft spoken, others that will kick a man in the balls and laugh. Many of them are chubby, because in my world, girls with curves ROCK! Oh and some of my heroines are a teeny tiny bit evil, but in their defense, they need love too.

Some of my work does push boundaries and cross lines. Good and evil aren't always clear in my tales, and in some cases, I've stomped on well known religious ideologies. Have I mentioned my imagination is a tad bit warped?

I tend to have a lot of sexual tension in my tales because I think all torrid love affairs start with a tingle in our tummies. And when my characters do finally give in to the needs of their flesh? Well, let's just say, you shouldn't be reading my stuff at work. The door is wide open, explicit and hot. Really, really hot.

I love to write, and while I don't always know what my mind is going to come up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all romantic, because I love a HEA.

Thanks so much for coming by and checking me out. I wish you many hours of happy reading--and sexy times with your partner.

More information about her books can be found here
Review of her upcoming Claiming her Geeks will be posted this week.

Eve's offering up her newest book C791 and an excerpt from it is available on her site.

You can find more reviews of Eve's work on the blog:
The Geek Job
Bunny And The Bear (Furry United Coalition 1)
Swan And The Bear (Furry United Coalition 2)
Accidental Abduction (Alien Abduction 1)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't forgot it not too late to enter the 100 Follower Giveaway

Claiming Their Cat by Maggie O'Malley

2012-02-13T21:20:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Cat Watson managed to escape from the powerful drug lord Alvarez and right into the hands of the notorious killer—Rabid Rio. Rio promises to protect her and her baby if she becomes his mistress. With no money, what choice did she have?

Rio Wolff has found his mate, and she’s carrying another man’s child, not that it makes a difference to a werewolf. Cat’s running from the bastard, and only he can save her. It would help if she’d stop trying to run away every time he turns his back.

Creed Wolff gazes at the beauty standing in his kitchen and wonders why Rio has broken the rule never to bring a female home. She’s Creed’s mate so he can forgive his brother. Now he needs to replace Rio’s scent with his.

Cat can’t believe she lets both brothers pleasure her. Finally, she’s found a place where she feels safe, protected, and loved. But her world crashes when she finds out they have sold her to Alvarez.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Ménage (m/f/m), anal play/intercourse, sex with toys, and spanking.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Cat Watson is on the run from who she thinks is the father of her baby… and a powerful drug lord, Jose Alvarez. When she meets Rabid Rio she is terrified, she is sure that he will take her back to Alvarez to get the ransom.

But instead, Rio Wolff swears to protect her, because she is her mate. To his surprise, she is also his brother’s mate and they do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Yet, when she thinks they betrayed her, will they be able to save and claim her, this time for good?

My list of favorite writers and books keeps growing… We have a damsel in distress, two hot, very hot werewolves who just happen to find their mate and an unborn baby… and the book rocks! From the first moment, the story kept me under it’s spell. Although this is the first book of Ms. Maggie O'Malley, I’ve already checked… searching for more, she did an amazing job.

I loved the scene where Rio sees Cat for the first time and saves her. And the one where Cat tries to run and hides in a green bin. And where… I have to stop or I will start to describe the whole book! I will let you read and enjoy the book for yourself and I rate this book 5 stars. Someone told me that it is better to rate the best book I've ever read up until now and not wait until I find the best book I've ever read. What if I never find it? So I repeat, 5 stars for this outstanding book.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

WereSlave (Were Legends 1) by Lia Slater

2012-02-13T21:09:00.002-05:00

Summary:

As the Queen of Paqualette, Nayla is forbidden to have a husband or a human lover. Her life is a lonely and disciplined existence, so when she’s given the opportunity to choose a Were from her dungeon as her sex slave, she takes a chance. Werewolves, she knows, are nothing but senseless monsters, but after the one she selects to be her WereSlave turns out to be more of a man than she’s ever known, she must question her beliefs.

As the alpha leader, Mace is responsible for his pack. He’ll do anything to keep them alive, even give into the Queen’s sexual demands. But not unless he’s in control. Turning his enticing captor into the submissive is the only way to show her he’s more man than she realizes. Falling in love is out of the question, but so is leaving her behind.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
A faraway land, named Paqualette, is ruled by a queen, Nayla. She, like all the queens of that land, is forbidden to have a husband or a human lover, so they take an Eran as a WereSlave, and she decides to do the same. Nayla takes as her WereSlave the leader of an Eran pack who was captured days ago.

She expected to hate him, because her family was killed by one years ago, but Mace wasn’t like that. Mace Quinton was a powerful and kind man, who was searching for a place to call home for his pack. They started to fall one for each other, when a traitor strikes and tries to kill the queen.

Amazing story, about love and hate. Mace, her supposed enemy protects her while one of hers own tries to kill her. So not everybody who can change into a beast is a best. Excellent characters, full of feelings and intensity, credible story, marvelous style, Ms. Lia Slater has everything that a good writer needs. I recommend her and I've added her to my favorites writers. 4.5 stars

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Solace by Scarlet Blackwell

2012-02-13T20:59:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Victorian gentleman Dorian is looking for company on Christmas Eve and rent boy Benedict fits the bill. Dorian buries his troubles in the delights of the flesh and soon realises one night just won't do...

His peers argue that Victorian gentleman Dorian isn't so much the gentleman anymore since his fall from grace. Dorian's alone on Christmas Eve and looking for solace. Rent boy Benedict steps up to fill the role and his own miserable story is sure to strike a cord with Dorian...

Reviewer: BlackTulip
This is a tale about two lost souls who already suffered because of what they are. Alone on Christmas Eve, they walk down the streets of London in search of someone, anyone. They are both damaged but in a different way.

Dorian is a gentleman who has seen better days, the other, Benedict, is a rent boy trying to make a living. Dorian thought that it would be another quick thing but one look at the young man and he new that it would be different this time. He throws caution to the wind and takes the boy home. This golden-haired boy with emerald eyes has spirit and he likes that.

Neither of them would have guessed that what started as something quite entertaining but rather meaningless and easily forgotten, would change their lives forever.

This is a very well written SHORT story. The description of their night of mutual discovery, intoxicating, and passionate sex is a little gem. They are desperately looking for something and it seems they have found it. They both open their heart to each other. After misery, comes hope.

As always, the length is the problem and despite the quality of the writing and the fact that I want to believe in it, I remained unsatisfied. Nonetheless I don't regret reading it.

These short stories, the more well written they are, the more frustrated you're left, because of course you would have wanted so much more ...

I will overcome my great frustration for a time and give this book 4.5/5.

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Bound by the Mist (Mists of Eria 1) by Lisa Kumar

2012-02-12T22:46:00.002-05:00

Summary:

A magic that's fading

Relian has lived a life that hasn’t changed in millennia, and he likes it that way. As Prince of the Erian people, he has his conscripted duties. And a human, even one as desirable as Cal, does not fit into them. But as the enemy darkindred knock on the borders and the magic of his people fades, he might just have to find room.

A love that's binding

College Student Cal Weston spends a good portion of her time trying to keep people from thinking she's crazy, including herself. And with good reason. But her carefully constructed reality is turned upside down when she discovers that Relian, the seductive elvin prince who has been starring in her sensuous fantasies, isn’t merely a myth and his magical kingdom really exists. Now she’s bound to an elf and stuck in a land where no one, least of all Relian, is willing to spill any answers about the truth of her arrival.

Two people, two worlds meet in the mist

Even as love grows between them, can they lay aside their differences to embrace a life together?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Calantha, Cal, just wants to be an ordinary girl, but she's not. She keeps dreaming of an elf and seeing a strange fog. Through the fog, she can see Eria, one of the elven kingdoms.

It seems that the magic from Eria is fading away while the elves are fighting against the darkindred and to restore it they need a human. But the elves hate all the things related to the humans. However, the mist has other plans, plans that link Cal to the Eria’s prince, Relian.

I couldn’t stop laughing when I read what Kenhel asked Relian, his best friend, when he was preparing to tell his father, the king, that his bond mate is a human:

“Aw, Relian, do you want me to hold your hand while you face your father?”

Cal and Maggie, her best friend, are taken by the mist to Eriannon, the capital of the Erian elves, the same night the king celebrates Relian’s bonding. Cal doesn’t know if she wants to stay or to go back home.

However, not all the elves are willing to accept the two young women… some will do anything to keep the throne line pure, although it means killing Cal.

The story was interesting, and the storyline was credible. I liked the characters and I can't wait to read Maggie’s story. I bet it will be interesting.

The only thing I disliked was that Ms. Lisa Kumar added too much information, which made it a bit boring. For that reason I give it 4 stars.

Gray Pleasures by Robert W. Birch

2012-02-12T22:33:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Mary Grace, a widow now seventy, turned on to sex following her menopause. A naïve, guilt-ridden virgin at the time of her marriage, she never learned to relax and enjoy sex. Her husband proved a poor lover who only touched her when he wanted to get laid. Once he could no longer become erect, he ceased initiating sexual exchanges. At the time he died, Mary Grace’s libido took off. Eventually, she permitted herself to masturbate. She soon discovered her ability to achieve orgasm. When Mary Grace hears Nick Jacobson read poetry at the Senior Citizens Center, she decides to get to know him better. Via the Internet, she learns of his book-signing at a local bookstore, and plans to attend. Eagerly, she fantasizes about sexual encounters with this retired teacher, but she first must buy a whole new wardrobe of sexy underwear. The two meet. Coyly, Mary Grace lets Nick know of her interest in learning more about sex. Well able to succeed at that task, he takes it on. An aging male well versed in the art of offering delicious sensual caresses, he finds handling the teaching a bit easier than he does achieving hardness. Still, he’s a sensual man who loves eating a woman, and this is just what Mary Grace needs. She always felt that no man could admire her genitals, but Nick quickly convinces her that he loves the aroma and taste of her pussy. Mary Grace becomes comfortable with her body and Nick’s. She learns to enjoy both giving and receiving oral sex, and she even finds pleasure and excitement in talking dirty. Nick teaches her new positions. When he also introduces her to his gay son and his partner, she finds them a delightful couple. The budding romance becomes temporarily inconvenienced by an unfinished relationship that Nick needs to end. A more serious complication gets introduced by a woman who stalks and harasses not only Nick, but also Mary Grace and her family. At length, it seems as if everyone is screwing everyone else, except the two main characters. Mary Grace and Nick perfect a hot monogamous romance: one that offers lifelong pleasure.

Reviewer: avidscribe
For all those readers who think sex should stop when you get old, there’s this wonderful story, Gray Pleasures, to say nay.

But first, a word on the cover. Having my roots in graphic arts, I can’t help but weigh in on it. The publisher chose to give it a Van Gogh surreal sort of background and heavily touch up the couple. The man’s arm that holds the woman is disembodied or maybe growing fur. Whatever is on his knuckles and hand, it’s very off-putting. There’s been a huge effort to brush out details of both their bodies to the point the brushing draws attention to what is missing. If I were to judge a book by its cover, I’d have given this a pass. The swirling pattern over the entire photo has given it a faux painterly feel to it and it seriously doesn’t work.

On to the story. Mary Grace is a 70 year old woman who didn't find sexual pleasure till she reached menopause. Her husband was a less than giving lover who preferred lights off and hurried couplings and she never knew to demand more. She has been raised in an uptight overly religious family that taught her a woman's duty is to lie under her husband and submit, probably thinking of God all the time.

Nick is a retired teacher and local poet who hasn't let his age keep him from still enjoying sex and going after what he enjoys. He's intelligent, giving, demonstrative, outgoing and in good health. Unfortunately he comes with baggage—a relationship that isn't quite over as well as a stalker ex who refuses to let go.

They meet at a poetry reading he performs at her senior center and her world turns on its axis. We learn she's been a widow for ten years and finds herself strongly attracted to the poet and her fantasies take wing. She finds a way to meet him again, at a book signing for a book of prose he's written, and spends the time leading up to the day discovering that sexy underwear for a woman her age and a bra for a woman of her size requires a lot of hoop jumping. Outfitted finally in something she feels good about herself in, she has him sign her book and is surprised he remembers her from the center. He looks her up via her check purchasing his book to ask her out for coffee and she readily accepts.

Her bridge club at the senior center would be appalled but Mary Grace doesn't tell them about her desires or her new-found relationship. These are women she's known for 10 years who, although friends, keep the personal aspects of their lives concealed from one another. The women have largely 'gotten past' that desire for male companionship and view the opposite sex as pawing, grubby undesirables.

In Nick, Mary Grace finds the warmth and acceptance she's never had with a man. He's skillful, considerate and unselfish and she blossoms like a hot house flower under his tutelage.

There's an interesting story in here that really doesn't get enough time. This could have been a mystery or thriller. Her lover has a stalker ex who is intent to bring him down and any woman he touches. This crazy ex goes after Mary Grace and her extended family and I'd really have liked to have seen this drawn out more.

I enjoyed this from the aspect that it's the first book I've read that discusses the realistic expectations healthy adults of this age can expect. He's not always hard, they don't come on a dime, he's not ready for more 10 minutes after he ejaculates, she's sore afterwards. What I didn't like is I found the dialog in Mary Grace's head to be in an unreal voice that threw me out of the reality of the story. No one talks to themselves the way the writer has her considering her breasts and enjoying her sensitive nipples. Come on! This is a woman who refers to her vagina as "down there" to her social worker so her inner thoughts should initially come across as tenuous and awkward. She's a product of a rigid household and the conforming to the standards of the 50s when she was raising her kids and the use of colloquialisms right off the bat doesn't feel realistic. It is Nick who brings out the woman in her, a woman able to enjoy the vulgarities of sex-associative words and the freedom to say them out loud. The language would be forbidden elements to her at the start and they are not.

"What would it feel like to play with a man whose penis wasn't hard? As she reflected on her history, she felt exceedingly unprepared. I feel so utterly uninformed, hopelessly inexperienced, and totally naive, she mourned. But that warm cinnamon roll sure was delicious."

Huh? Now that's some weird stream of consciousness!

Even more unbelievable is Mary Grace's relationship with a social worker who allows her into her home to view a sexually explicit webcam website and then proceeds to strip for it. Really? In whose fantasy?

We should all find a 'Nick' at the twilight of our years or be a 'Mary Grace' who is open to her own sexuality and the adventures that still can be had at her advanced age. This was a noble effort to bring dignity and spice to senior citizens and hope for us all.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Publisher: Double Dragon Publications
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Fever and the Fury (Mythica Series 6) by Stephanie Draven

2012-02-11T19:28:00.004-05:00

Summary:

She's already killed him twice this week...

Phaedra, a fury, is bound to make Lieutenant Luke Lazaros atone for his supposed crime, but her usual method of inflicting pain doesn't work very well on a phoenix with the power to be reborn every time he dies. However, each rebirth leaves him with an overwhelming need for sex. Phaedra's new plan: to drive Luke mad with desire.

But Phaedra has never touched anyone—even herself—except to cause pain. She's an innocent when it comes to pleasure...but Luke isn't. His touch is a revelation, arousing a passion in Phaedra that is as delicious as it is terrifying. For no matter how much she wants Luke, giving herself to a man risks awakening her goddess's wrath.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
This is the second of Ms. Stephanie Draven’s books I’ve read and it was a pleasant surprise. In this series we have Gods, Demi-Gods, Medusas, Sirens, Furys, Phenixs, and other mythical creatures. The Gods are egoistical creatures and they do whatever they want, without thinking about the consequences.

Phaedra, a fury, sent and linked by Athena to Luke, to torture him until she atones or drives him to madness. She knows only what the goddess told her, that he betrayed his country and he must pay for it. She kills him many times, but he is a phoenix, he cannot die.

Although they start off as enemies, being together day after day, they fall for each other and Phaedra realizes that Luke was a noble man and Athena sent her in an attempt to control him. Will Luke let her release him from the bond that them link together?

Luke fought for his country and his family only to find out that some superior officials committed treason; when he told his grandfather, a general, he was told to keep his mouth shut about what he knew. When he told the press about it, he was named a traitor to everyone he knew.

Phaedra always did what Athena told her, until she realizes that she is just a controlling, manipulative harridan and she chooses love over the goddess.

Wonderful story. I loved the transformation of the main characters. I will rate this book 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Harlequin Silhouette Nocturne
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Dark Soul Vol. 3 by Aleksandr Voinov

2012-02-11T19:10:00.001-05:00

Summary:

In "Dark Lady I," as Silvio Spadaro plans to take on the Russian hit squad that kidnapped his boss, he decides the best way to deal with four extremely dangerous men is to become an even more dangerous woman.
In “Dark Lady II,” Stefano discovers yet another disturbing—and arousing—truth about Silvio and how easily Silvio can use a man’s weakness to his own ends.
“Dark Brother” brings another player to Stefano Marino’s household. Franco Spadaro has just been released from the French Foreign Legion and is catching up with his little brother. In the middle of a war, a skilled sniper comes in right on time—but two Spadaros might be more than Stefano can handle.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
Dark Lady I
In the first installment of this book, we see Silvio disguised as a woman so he can enter the Russian's circle. It concentrated more on Sergei the Russian leader and showed a small part of his human side, I even felt a little sorry for him. Silvio’s revenge was ruthless but still, some small part of his fragile and innocent side showed at the end.

Dark Lady II
The mystery of Silvio keeps confusing Stefano and his desire for him grows. The sex scene was tender in its own way.

Dark Brother
Wow, just wow. This I did not expect and I'm not gonna spoil it by telling. Marco’s presence sheds some light into Silvio’s past. As if one Spadaro was not enough, Stefano has to deal with another one. I feel that in the next volume his hands will be full with the two brothers.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get more intriguing, this volume proved me wrong. Surprises never stop with Voinov. His writing is so compelling that you can’t help but keep reading to reach the high peak. I'm looking forward to Vol. 4 of this series. Please don't take too long!

I give it 4.5, just because I wanted to have closure this time but didn't get it.

Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

A Lady of the Realm (House of DeDe 1) by Sharon E. Mamolo

2012-02-10T18:12:00.004-05:00

Summary:

Bethany Boudreaux is tired of being a damn peasant. Her mother, a born again human who rejects her witch bloodline, has kept Beth secluded and ignorant for most of her life. Beth wants to eat, preferably twice a day. She’d like a grand home, with a fully stocked bar. She’s tired of eking out an existence while the rich freaks get all the breaks. She’ll do anything to claim what is, by law, hers. She needs help, lots of it, because paperwork can be a *****.

When Beth learns Lord Aleksander is coming to visit her club, she grabs a stiff drink and waits. The dark elf of Losalfar is the perfect solution to her current legal problems. He’s obscenely rich, a top member of the hierarchy, about to inherit region two, including New Orleans, but most importantly to her … he’s a man. Men are so easy, regardless of race. With his help, she can have money, power and a title of her own. All she needs to do to gain his assistance is agree to three measly conditions.

Reviewer: QueenBee
What you do when you want to train yourself to become a witch and regain your family line but your family is either dead or has renounced their line as far you know? Go to the person who controls the region, who ordered the killings, to help you.

Where do I start with this book? I loved it and it's a must read for lovers of the paranormal and urban genre. It's sets the standard for me with new indie authors because of the great writing, the characters, and it beind well–edited book overall. Each of the chapters brought something new to the story, so you never know where the book was going to take you.

The characters of Beth, Lord Aleksander aka Sasha, and Malachi are the perfect foil for each other and the relationship between them is unique and more interesting as time goes by and we delve deeper into the world of houses and lord and ladies who rule America. In this modern day and time everyone is happy in the relationship and both men knows the status they have with Beth and are happy with it.

The research was amazing and details so accurate that you felt that you where there with them. Finally an author who doesn’t only sets her book in New Orleans but explores other areas of Louisiana while using the main party of the year, Mardi Gras as a chapter and not the major plot. I can't say enough about how amazing the fantasy scenes and settings are. There's enough details to satisfy you but still leaves you wanting more and she does the ending exactly with the same treatment where it leavings you wanting more but doesn’t feel incomplete.

I have to give this book 4.5 stars, as I'm still soaking in this wonderful book. I fully recommended that you go and buy this book and support this author. This one of the best Indie books I have read and to top it off this was her debut novel. The second book is already out and stay tuned for the review to be posted soon. Her third novel will be released this summer (USA) and she will be stopping by here in April to have an interview with us.

Publisher: Kindle Edition

A Little Light Loving by Berengaria Brown

2012-02-10T17:56:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Cord has been attracted to Dillon for a long time. After months of casual conversation and a gradually growing friendship, he’s finally convinced Dillon to share a meal with him. But Cord is a werewolf, and Dillon despises weres. Even worse, the holiday season makes Cord’s skin itch, his head ache, and his wolf side agitated. Usually he goes on vacation at this time of year, but he wants to be with Dillon.

Their first date is a success, although it's over way too fast. Still, Cord refuses to lose hope. Can he persuade Dillon to spend a little more quality time together? Even more importantly, will Dillon be able to open his mind and heart to the wolf within?

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
After reading this blurb I thought, great another shifter that mates a human book. But by the end of the book, I found out I couldn't have been more wrong. It also made me wonder how many other people had bought this book thinking exactly that and were disappointed it wasn't.

Halfway in I was so irritated that I went looking for the blurb to make sure I had the right book. All I can say is it was lucky I came across the author's blog which to me contains the real blurb.

Excerpt from blog:

Cord’s a werewolf and the holiday season makes Cord’s skin itch, his head ache, and his wolf side agitated. Usually he goes on vacation at this time of year but he wants to be with Dillon.

Cord decides to rent a little cabin in the mountains for the holiday week and Dillon agrees to come with him. They have a few wonderful days together, then Cord asks Dillon about werewolves and Dillon reveals his abhorrence of the animals and his animal heritage. Cord’s heart is breaking that the man he loves could be so mistrustful of him. How can they have a future without trust?

After reading that I found my confusion had been lifted and I could truly enjoy Ms Brown's work. Although I throughly enjoyed it, I wish it had been longer as I didn't really believe Dillion could come to term with his wolf side so quickly but in a short read it was adequate enough.

I give this book 4 stars.

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Mine to Take by Rachel Carrington

2012-02-10T17:45:00.001-05:00

Summary:

I didn’t ordinarily break the rules, but everyone has bad days, right? I mean, as an Angel of Death, I always toed the party line. That is until one night when I was feeling particularly vulnerable and along came Dominic. He’s another AOD, but don’t think of him as an angel because really, he’s anything but. To me, he was more like a walking advertisement for sin.

So that night, Dominic and I broke a cardinal rule—no fraternization between Angels of Death. Don’t ask me why it’s a rule. I guess that was why Dominic hauled ass before I even woke up the next morning. As an AOD, I understood. As a woman, I was pissed.

So fast forward two months, and both Dominic and I are facing disciplinary punishment if we don’t figure out how to put our differences aside and work together. Unfortunately, I’ve never been one to let go of a grudge very easily, and when it seemed like Dominic had no issues about what he did, my anger grew by leaps and bounds.

An argument generated more heat than Chernobyl, and once again, Dominic and I delved into the disallowed. And while we were busy getting busy, we lost a soul in a horrifying way. Now, we’ve been given an ultimatum. Find the soul and help her cross over, or both Dominic and I will have to cross over ourselves. As in permanently.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
This short story is the third and the last of the Spirit series. It can be read as a stand alone book.

Cleo is an angel of death who helps the spirits to cross over. She can't believe it when Dominic comes to help her with the 18 spirits she has to help. They had a night of passion two months ago and he left her without a word before she woke up. However, the council ordered them to work together and fix their problem or they will have to cross over themselves and they will never be able to come back.

The story was good, I liked it. If you are in the mood for something short, paranormal, and with a lot of sparks, I recommend this is the book. I will give it 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

100-Followers Giveaway

2012-02-10T17:18:00.003-05:00

I promised a 100 follower giveaway and sorry for the late start as I had problems with the organisation of things. Let me just say I never hated a certain email service so much.
First up, let me introduce the author who has kindly donated a prize to this giveaway.

First up, is Lisa Kumar

Lisa Kumar is a wife, mother, and romance writer who grew up in small-town Indiana. She now resides in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and son, who are used to sharing her attention with her not-so-trusty computer.

When not spinning tales of romance and fantasy, she can be found with her nose buried in a book, or more accurately, her e-reader. Her scholastic background is in psychology, which enabled her to get low-paying jobs in the human services sector. Needless to say, she’s now writing full-time.

The review of her book Bounds of Mist which is up for grabs will be posted next week
More information about her books can be found here

Review of her book Through the Rabbit Hole can be found here

The second prize has been donated by one of the team for the mm readers
Gift of Love Anthology

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end next Friday and I will try to announce the winners as soon as I can.

The Cowboy Tutor (Three Brides for Three Cowboys) by Linda Ford

2012-02-09T20:57:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Lesson One: Listen To Your Heart

With the mortgage due and funds scarce, Madge Morgan can’t afford distractions. Especially not from Judd Kirk, her sister Louisa’s meek tutor and—according to their mother’s plans—suitor. Madge’s focus is on her housekeeping job…little knowing Judd’s connection to her employer, or his real reason for coming to Golden Prairie.

At last, Judd has found the man who swindled his mother. Yet if he seeks revenge, he risks losing the one thing he wants even more: a woman with faith enough to rekindle his own. A woman with strong values and a gentle heart. A woman like Madge.

Reviewer: Fashionta
Seeking revenge is not the best idea, when your life comes apart. But the hero of this story is doing it for his mother, who’s choice has left her and his younger brother in dire straits. It’s 1932, 3 years after the Wall Street crash and times are tough. Just ask the heroine who’s trying to save her family while her mother's plans is to hire a tutor, when she really wants the person to marry her daughter.

Deception is a key point in this novel. Each of the main characters are dealing with it in their own way. It makes for a story of redemption and hope as these characters go on their own journeys to find their true selves and whether what they are after is worth it. I have to give this book 3 stars and say you must the read the rest of the trilogy to get the other sisters’s stories.

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Historical
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Duty Calls by Sherry Gloag

2012-02-09T20:44:00.001-05:00

Summary:

She’d saved his life…

Rafe Hawk refuses to accept the inheritance, of a large English estate, and the title that goes with it, after his birth father’s death because the man chose duty over the woman he loved and their son.

And when he finds himself temporarily living at Kinsale Hall, he’s not prepared to trust anyone associated with the place, including Trudi Delaney and her daughter.

So why, when he looks into their eyes, does he suddenly remember a woman who vanished without a trace after saving his life one stormy night ten years earlier?

Now he could destroy hers.

Something more than the handsome American’s instant dislike of her, disturbs Trudi Delaney. Why, when he’d come to design some chalets for her, does he spend so much of his time in areas of Kinsale Hall off-limits to visitors?

Trudi, who is still plagued with nightmares of her entrapment in a brutal five year marriage where she was held a prisoner of her cruel and psychotic husband, has been a single parent for more a decade. Eleven years after the night she and an unidentified man barely escaped with their lives, Trudi is still unable to remember the hours she spent with this stranger—the hours in which her beautiful daughter was conceived. Now, more than a decade later, she is confronted by another stranger. Will this one destroy everything she holds dear?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Rafe Hawk almost died eleven years ago, killed by his stepbrother, but he was saved by a mysterious woman who disappeared the next morning. He always dreamed about finding her again… but he never dreamed finding her with a daughter. His daughter. But she also had another child to raise, the daughter of her best friend who just died. Could he open his heart for little Lizzie?

When she was sixteen years old, Trudi Delaney ran off from her twin brother. She married and she was held prisoner for the next five years; and her brother thought she was dead all that time. All changed on the night she saved Rafe’s life and they had to run for their lives. That night they shared some hours of passion, and she conceived her daughter, but in the morning, after leaving him, she realized that she lost 24-36 hours of her life and she couldn’t remember a thing of what happened that night.

Lost, pain, tragedy, Ms. Sherry Gloag has a wonderful gift of making us feel what her characters are feeling. She captivates us, keeping our attention until the very last word. She is a great writer and I have become one of her fans.

However, I would have liked to have found more about the five years she lived with Denny, Trudi’s ex-husband and about the eleven years after she saved Rafe’s live. That’s why I give this book just 4 stars.

Publisher: Black Opal Books
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Masques of Gold by Roberta Gellis

2012-02-08T21:15:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Bold and beautiful, Lissa de Flael is caught up in a plot to prevent the signing of the Magna Carta when her husband is murdered. Sir Justin FitzAilwin, the noble and feared leader of the London watch, is sent to investigate. A single glorious night of desire between them becomes a shining, embattled alliance as intrigue and romance unfold in the turbulent and richly described setting of King John's 13th-century England.

Reviewer: Fashionta
This book is probably the longest book I've ever read before. So be warned, this book is a well researched story that deserves these number of pages for the historical accuracy. However, it fails to explore the relationship between the main characters well. The start is brilliant and the clear appreciation of each other is obvious, but as we get further along in the novel, the mystery which plays a big part is unsatisfactory as we are engrossed with other events that take place.

I have to give this book 3.5. It's nice to see this Roberta Gellis's book reissued as an ebook for a new generation. People who love well researched novels that make sure that the historical period details are accurate will love this book, but the plot is sub-par at the end compared to the research.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

The Wolf Within by Mandy Monroe

2012-02-08T21:03:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Most anyone would’ve thought ‘stealing’ their boss’ seed was a really bad idea, even though Brooke had no intention of ever letting him know what she’d done. But Brooke figured what the heck? She needed a donor and nobody stacked up to Dorian as far as she was concerned. She didn’t have evil designs on him.

Reviewer: QueenBee
This was a cute story about a girl who wants like crazy to have a baby, since both her best friend and her mother are pregnant. Her mother suggests she have a one night stand. Let's just say, what a mother, who can forgo her previous convictions to see her daughter happy. She decides to fullfill her fantasy and follow her mother's suggestion by having a one night stand with her boss, but she doesn’t know his secret.

I debated whether or not to give this book 3.5 stars or 4 stars. It's probably one of the better short stories that I have read in a while. It managed to fit a lot in a few chapters. It told a lot of information about the main characters, to a depth that I would normally see in longer books. So after much thought I have to give this book 4 stars.

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing

Gravity (Hammer 12) by Sean Michael

2012-02-08T20:53:00.001-05:00

Summary:

It's never easy to run into an ex-lover, especially when the break-up was a bad one. That's exactly what happens to Hunter Barrister one evening at the Hammer, though, and he's more upset over seeing the amazingly beautiful Forrest Greune again than he ever thought he could be. When he finds out that Forrest is not only back in town for good, but wants to join the Hammer Club, board member Hunter balks and refuses to give his consenting vote.

Forrest, a now retired model, isn't the same flighty young thing he was when he and Hunter were together, and he wishes Hunter could just move on. When that doesn't happen, he finds himself amusing himself, elsewhere with disastrous results. Broken and injured, Forrest is surprised to find Hunter the one at his bedside, the one who sticks with him and offers support through everything.

Can Forrest and Hunter put their history behind them and be what they need for each other, or will guilt, fear and the past put an end to the relationship neither of them seem to be able to abandon?

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
I love the Hammer series. I am always fascinated by BDSM, the ins and outs of the lifestyle and the relationship between doms and subs, but this story was extra special and in my opinion the best of the series yet.

Due to lack of trust, Hunter lost his sub and years later the reason that Forrest had to go to another club where he was drugged then attacked. From there, Hunter tries to make up for past mistakes. I felt with and for Forrest, his fear, his insecurities, and his anger, also I felt Hunter’s guilt and hope for new beginnings. The healing process was heart warming and the return of the trust between these two characters was amazing. Next to Montana, Forrest has become my favorite of this series. I give it 5 stars.

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Oracle of Dating (The Oracle of Dating 1) by Allison Van Diepen

2012-02-07T19:07:00.001-05:00

Summary:

For five bucks, the Oracle of Dating will tell you:
* How to flirt

* If that cute guy you're crushing on likes you, too

* Whether your new romance will last through lunch period

* And "much" more

What she "won't" tell you? Who she is.

No one at Kayla's school knows she's the famous Oracle of Dating-- the anonymous queen of dating advice. She doesn't even "have" a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make Kayla focus on everyone else's love life.

But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart--the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her "own" oracle of dating--and she knows just where to find one....

Reviewer: TigerLily
The Oracle of Dating is an adorable book that calls itself a young adult novel but reads in between young adult and adult in my opinion. There is a lot of talk of sex and other issues that read more for an adult but has the wit and feel of a young adult novel. Kayla (the main character of the story) is all about helping people with their love lives but has yet to have one of her own, which i found to be both funny and a bit unrealistic at the same time. Don't get me wrong, she was a great character and very funny but seemed way beyond her years for someone who has never had a serious relationship.

Another problem I had with the book was Jared. He seemed to only be in a 3rd of the book (but mentioned almost every page) and I found it hard to believe they were so crazy for each other after such a short amount of time and little development between the two characters. Also, if he had truly had feelings for Kayla he wouldn't have jumped to dating someone else after being blown off just once (or he thought he was blown off). Besides those few problems I found the book to be light and fun and would probably read future books in the series to see what happens.

I'm giving this book 4 stars.

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

A Rare Thing by Alex Douglas

2012-02-07T18:57:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Benedict Smith is an artist-turned-mature-student, and is feeling the pinch of funding his new studies. Forced to sell some of his grandmother’s jewelry to get some extra cash, it’s not just the antiques that have caught his eye but also Sam, the handsome owner of Carson’s Antiques. However, Sam has jewelry of his own – a wedding ring. Resigned to another doomed crush on a married man, Benedict brings an old necklace in to be valued with surprising results. Is all jewelry really what it appears to be?

Reviewer: PurpleRose
This short novella is about Benedict, a 39 year old man who has decided to go back to school to become a teacher after realizing he isn't making enough money as an artist. Benedict has had no success with relationships in the past and has even dated a married man. He needs a little extra money for books so he decides to sell some of his grandmothers old jewelry and boxes. At the antiques store he meets Sam, the owner of the store, who he has had a crush on for a while but believes is married. After a second encounter with Sam, Benedict asks him out but during the date confronts him about the wedding ring he use to wear.

I loved Alex Douglas's A Rare Thing, I just wish it had been longer. I would have liked to know more about Benedict's past relationships, did he date more than one married man, did he ever have any long term relationships, why were all of his relationships so bad? I would have also liked to learn more about Sam's relationship with his ex-husband. He mentioned that he was clingy, which kind of bugged me because why was he clingy, and would Sam end up thinking Benedict was also clingy because Benedict clearly needs someone who will show him the love that he has been lacking for years.

Besides wanting more, this novella was very enjoyable and I'm giving it 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Torquere Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Ugly to Start With by John Michael Cummings

2012-02-06T17:07:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Jason Stevens is growing up in picturesque, historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in the 1970s. Back when the roads are smaller, the cars slower, the people more colorful, and Washington, D.C. is way across the mountains—a winding sixty-five miles away.

Jason dreams of going to art school in the city, but he must first survive his teenage years. He witnesses a street artist from Italy charm his mother from the backseat of the family car. He stands up to an abusive husband—and then feels sorry for the jerk. He puts up with his father’s hard-skulled backwoods ways, his grandfather’s showy younger wife, and the fist-throwing schoolmates and eccentric mountain characters that make up Harpers Ferry—all topped off by a basement art project with a girl from the poor side of town.

Ugly to Start With punctuates the exuberant highs, bewildering midpoints, and painful lows of growing up, and affirms that adolescent dreams and desires are often fulfilled in surprising ways.

Reviewer: QueenBee
This book of short stories tells of a teenage boy living in a small town in America.
Each story introduces us to a scene at different points in his life as he gives his point of view about something, someone, or anything that he feels like about his life. We learn about his passion for art, his love life, while also learning about his family, friends and why the collection was named.

I have to give this book 3.5 stars and I have to say I've never enjoyed a collection of short stories so much. It doesn’t cut any slack and goes for the full punch using the language and characteristics of a typical teenager boy.

Publisher: West Virginia University Press

The Unrepentant Rake by Barbara Monajem

2012-02-06T16:52:00.003-05:00

Summary:

Beatrix March chose to be a governess rather than let an overbearing husband rule her. Even though she never intends to marry, it doesn't mean she can't enjoy a man's...company —especially when presented with one as tempting as notorious rake Simon Carling!

Simon doesn't usually seduce virtuous governesses, but Beatrix is unlike any woman he's ever encountered. Her luscious curves were made to grace a man's bed, and he's never denied himself such satisfaction before.

Flouting society's tedious conventions, in favor of thrilling chemistry, may force Beatrix and Simon to contemplate the unthinkable—marriage!

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
After reviewing a particular bad book, I decided to give this book a try, especially since it's a Harlequin Undone! And I wasn't disappointed.

Beatrix March is a damsel in disguise. While working as a governess, one of her pupil's stole from her a holy reliquary, a twelve-hundred-year-old toe bone belonging to St. Davnet; it had been in her family for centuries. And she has to find it or her uncle and aunt will force her to marry.

The notorious rake Simon Carling is visiting the March’s to help his best friend propose to their older daughter and he finds himself enchanted with their governess. He agrees to help her and soon will do anything to persuade her to marry him.

It was a wonderful story. It has everything: intrigue, deep characters, and sizzling scenes. Beatrix is a determined woman, who doesn’t want to marry. She decides to work as a governess until she’s thirty years old at which time she will receive a small inheritance. And Simon is a rake who didn’t know what he was waiting for until he sees Beatrix. The only thing I didn’t really understand was: if she was rich enough and had two London seasons, why was she working as a governess? That’s why I will rate it 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Breanna by Karen Nichols

2012-02-06T16:40:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Breanna Cooper had a quiet kind of life. Her parents had loved her and pampered her; she worked hard to make her coffee and tea shop a success in the small tourist town of Newport on the coast of Washington. When she went to open the shop that one morning, everything turned upside down. One minute she was standing before the ornate door in early May and the next she was lying in front of a fireplace with a pair of men staring down at her.

A blonde and a brunette. She closed her eyes, wondering if she were dreaming but when the tawny lashes opened, they were still there, sexy as ever.

Then the sharp pain in her head made itself known. And she panicked.

Reviewer: QueenBee
The concept of this story sounded interesting, Breanna the female heroine is of fey and demon royalty but doesn’t know her true identity. She appears to be ugly to others and the world appears rose tinted to her, until a series of events of happen.

This is what drew me to the book and honestly it was a great book until the last couple of chapters. The author had a careful balance of everything and the way she wrote this book and the length of the book seemed perfect for the twists and turns developing in the story. I thought this book was going to be at least 4 stars or above for me but then the ending changed my mind.

We knew there was an enemy and in fact we meet her and believe everything is okay as the main suspect is someone else. But when the enemy is revealed, I was disappointed. It was just a matter of oh she's the enemy. Come on! Where's the actual fighting scene and the more thorough explanation of why the person did it than just the couple of sentences we got. It's not a bad book but the ending made me give the book 3.5 stars.

Arousing Memories by Samantha Cayto

2012-02-05T16:16:00.003-05:00

Summary:

Agent Haley Walker is waging the battle of her life. She’s wielding her body as a seductive weapon to arouse memories buried by her lover Noah Turner. If she fails, people will die. Her former lover and mentor Severin Blake teases her with his presence and adds fuel to her fire.

Severin played the dominating alpha male with Haley and lost her. A bi man, he turned to Noah for solace. Haley’s proximity and plan strain his body and his patience. He stokes the flames with Noah while resisting the temptation of the woman he still loves.

A traumatized Noah is mentally lost. He doesn’t remember the two people showering him with attention and pleasure, although his body recognizes the duel arousal of soft woman and hard man. If only his mind could catch up.

Reviewer: QueenBee
Whenever I read the blurb for the book, I wondered if it is going to be a disappointment or be better then the blurb. In this case, it was surprisingly different and in a good way! Yes, there is a ménage scene but the focus is on three separate relationships.

In this story there is a three way triangle with the object of their attentions in the middle. The female lead is former lover to the male lead and now both them both sleep with the younger male separately. I was drawn to this book as the author balanced all these relationships out until their climax where the reactions of these character to each other played out.

I have to give it 4 stars. My suggestion is get a better blurb writer! The writer of this blurb made it out to be a totally ménage relationship and the cover was no help in this aspect either. It was beautifully written story which I enjoyed and makes me want to read more of this author in the future.

Publisher:

Bannockburn Binding (Beloved Bloody Time 1) by Tracy Cooper-Posey

2012-02-05T16:05:00.006-05:00

Summary:

In the early 23rd Century, vampires learned how to travel back in time, and created a time-tsunami that threatened life as we know it, until they corrected their mistake. They created the Chronometric Conservation Agency, which is tasked with preserving history and therefore protecting humanity’s future. The Touring arm of the Agency offers trips back into the real past, with vampire guides, called travellers.

When Natalia (Tally) Marta, vampire and traveller, takes her client to visit the siege of Stirling Castle in 1314, she is caught and held hostage for ransom by Robert MacKenzie, a Bruce clansman. Rob finds himself drawn to the wilful, stubborn and very different English lady he has captured and the relationship becomes an intimate, highly-charged sexual pairing. Swiftly, Tally and Rob realize their bond is more than sexual, that the emotions stirring their hearts are true.
Christian Lee Hamilton, vampire, one of the last true southern gentlemen, and Tally’s ex-lover, knows the 1314 time marker enough to jump back and help Tally return home. His arrival at Bannockburn adds complications, for Christian finds himself drawn to Rob MacKenzie as much as Tally is. But neither of them can stay in the past forever. To do so means certain death.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
For the love of a woman, a man can do anything…

Natalia Tally Marta is a vampire, who can take ordinary people for a visit into the past, in the 14th Century. However, her last trip went wrong; and she and her client were captured and held hostage for ransom by Robert MacKenzie, a Bruce clansman and they soon fall in love.

When Christian, Tally’s old lover, comes to get her, he discovers that she is pregnant and she must stay until she gives birth; but she can’t stay too long or she will have a terrible death. The three of them start to have a relationship until Christian and Tally have to return to the present.

Rob will do whatever it takes to live and find them in the 23rd Century.

It was a wonderful, unique, and imaginative story. Natalia and Christian are vampires and when they are traveling to the past, the symbiot that makes them a vampire is in stasis so they feel human again. But they can’t stay too long there or they will have a terrible death.

When it seems all books have so much in common, it is hard to find one that is truly new. Ms. Tracy Cooper-Posey created a wonderful story, with delightful characters and although the story is set in the future and in the past… the storyline is incredible. I must confess I’m dying to read the next book in the series!

I’m rating it 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Amazon Kindle
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Under His Influence by Justine Elyot

2012-02-04T18:21:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Anna Rice is avoiding a coworker's advances when she encounters enigmatic John Stone at a trendy London bar. With his impeccable suits, salt-and-pepper hair and suave demeanor, John is unlike any of the boys Anna has dated in the past: he's definitely all man. It's not long before Anna is head over heels in love, and experiencing out-of-this world erotic dreams.

Reporter Mimi Leblanc is wary of her best friend's latest romance. There's just something about John... But nothing Mimi digs up about him can deter Anna. Determined to protect Anna, Mimi continues her investigations-and what she uncovers about John is the last thing she ever imagined. But perhaps even more shocking is her own growing attraction to him...

Reviewer: Fashionta
Let me get this off my chest right away, what a horrible best friend Mimi was after the hero and heroine meet but then she had a point. I won't give away details and spoil the story but it's not for people who hates a hero who behaves improperly! This is one of the worst I've read. I didn’t like the angle the author took even when I got the full picture. If the storyline was changed and the actions of the hero happened before he was married I would have enjoyed it more.

Three and half stars, I wish the blurb was better in explaining the story. I was surprised how the story turned out and not in a good way. It was good writing but I don’t like the actions and the direction the storyline went.

Publisher: Carina Press
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Immortal Death by Laurel O'Donnell

2012-02-04T18:08:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Jade Smith's supernaturally fast ability to heal has made her a freak. After years of fearful reactions from others, she stays hidden in the shadows of life. The one thing that keeps her sane is her writing--and her wonderful Demetrius, an imaginary character she created in her online stories. But when Demetrius suddenly appears in her apartment, her life changes forever.

Demetrius Mercer is a fighter vampire for the de Nouviant family who spends his days hunting a rival vampire family for killing his beloved Rosaline. When he learns Jade Smith knows his life story and is publishing it on the Internet for all to see, he must uncover who she is and how she knows so much about his past--before she exposes him and endangers his entire family.

Will Jade's abilities be enough to heal Demetrius's scarred soul, or will he spend eternity alone in anguish?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Jade Smith always knew Demetrius, although she thought he was only an imaginary character she created in her online stories. Then she finds out he is real!

Between being chased by some monsters who try to kill her and Demetrius’s annoying habit of rejecting his feelings for her, she doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t tell her that he is a vampire, so she hides her powers from him.

Slowly, both Jade and Demetrius find out that the story she's written about him was not a story… and that she was his lost love, killed a long time ago.

But who killed her? He always thought it was another vampire clan who did it… but it was someone closer to Demetrius. When all he believes in turns out to be a lie, will they survive?

It was a wonderful story. I fell in love with them - Demetrius, a tortured man, who lost the person he loved most, Jade, a strong and sensible woman who will do anything to save the people around her. Ms. Laurel O'Donnell did a wonderful job, I give the book 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

How to Dance With a Duke (Ugly Ducklings 1) by Manda Collins

2012-02-03T20:19:00.002-05:00

Summary:

What’s a wallflower to do when she’s suddenly in need of a husband? Use all the pluck and moxie she can muster to get what she wants…

Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father’s exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father’s name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club—and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it.

Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He’s a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily—even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season’s most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston’s expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer’s bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened…or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined….

Reviewer: Fashionta
Lovers of Julia Quinn will fall in love with this historical series from debut author Manda Collins, who I personally believe will become a star. Three cousins have a lot to live up to after their mothers and step-mother were called Fabulous Featherstones because their beauty set the ton tongues waging in their debut season. It's not that the girls aren’t pretty, it's because they are more interested in intellect and this gains them the name Ugly Ducklings. However, these girl get their moment to shine after an encounter which brings something that will fulfill all of their dreams and wishes.

This is an interesting book. There's a twist of mystery in the novel, a rather engaging one which brings the hero and heroine together and soon it's will they won't they after they set the ton alight with their frequent outings and the promise the heroine makes to the hero. I have to give this 4 stars and hope that we will see more of this writer in the coming years. This author is truly a gem and goes straight on my favourite shelf on goodreads and authors to watch list.

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Slow Break (Sypricon Masters 4) by Sara Brookes

2012-02-03T20:03:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Jack thought he’d made the right choice to walk away from Tawse, the only BDSM club on Sypricon. But a life-altering tragedy has shown him the error of his ways. Now he’s ready to make amends and is more than prepared to kneel before the Dom he left so abruptly.

Denton is bound by the rules of Tawse, and he knows Jack’s membership has been terminated. But Jack’s return is all too personal and his actions can’t simply be ignored. Forced to make a choice, Denton does the only thing his instincts as a Dom tell him. After all, some men, like rules, are meant to be broken.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
Denton is a Dom at a BDSM club on the planet Sypricon. His sub Jack left him six months ago out of fear of what his employees would think about him. After his brother's death, he realizes he needs to be with Denton, so he returns to the club to beg for forgiveness.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Denton and Jack and thought both characters were very enjoyable. I also liked how the world was built and would have loved to learn more about it (I haven't read the other books in the series yet) and the wars that were mentioned in the book.

The major problem that I had with this novel was that there were 3 sex scenes and 2 of the 3 were Jack with other people (women actually which just seemed weird in a gay novel). I didn't like that Denton's punishment for Jack was having him broken by pleasing other doms.

I'm giving Slow Break four stars cause I really enjoyed it and would like to read the other books about this world or about these two.

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Lyrical by Victoria Blisse

2012-02-03T19:44:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Living in a world of lyrics, she sings his song and he is powerless to resist. Peter is held back by a lack of self confidence and interacts with people as little as he can manage to get away with, that is until willowy Chloe is assigned the desk next to him, she has other ideas. Peter soon gives in to her siren song and lets Chloe seduce him but he just does not know how to deal with this beautiful woman and her lusts. Does Chloe have the patience to teach him to play in harmony with her natural sensuality or will he be forever doomed to a solitary life with only his music for comfort?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Peter is an antisocial, fat, and lonely man. He is use to being rejected so when Cloe, the new girl, tries to gain his attention through kicks and prods, he is astonished.

This is a short story but very good written. I really enjoyed it. Because it is so short, I couldn’t give it more than 4 stars.

Publisher: House of Erotica
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Site Update

2012-02-02T21:57:00.002-05:00

If you haven’t noticed we now have a Facebook page and have added Networked Blogs giving you guys more ways to follow us as we push towards the 100 follower mark!

Keep checking our news page for these updates in the future.

Fashionta

When I Fall (An Uncommon Whore 2) by Belinda McBride

2012-02-02T18:43:00.001-05:00

Summary:

As king, Helios Dayspring is desperate to secure the future of his people and their new homeworld. His lost memories are slowly returning, bringing with them danger and betrayal.

As the king’s consort, Griffin Hawke wrestles with growing isolation from his lover. When Helios’s secrets begin to come to light, Griffin finds that he barely recognizes him anymore. And Griffin is haunted by his own secrets, nightmares that bring torture and death in his sleep.

Surrounded by enemies and allies, seductive aliens and dangerous operatives, Helios and Griffin find themselves tested to their physical and moral limits. Not knowing who to trust, they can only turn to each other.

Will you be there to catch me when I fall?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, violence.

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
I loved Pasha the slave, in the first book because he was sweet, sensuous, and passionate yet also innocent. In this book I loved Lio the king and the kind of man he became, his absolute love for Griffin, and his loyalty to his people. Griffin has insecurities because of his scars and feels less because Lio can’t share a lot with him but throughout all this, their love for each other is undeniable.

When Lio ask “what happens if I fall?” Grif answered “I’ll catch you.” That about explains their love to each other and their stand towards each other. I loved this book as much as I loved the first one, maybe because when I read a book, I always wonder what happens next after the HEA, what kind of problems they will face. In this book I had the chance to know, although I feel that there is some unsolved issues that will require a third book. The plot was nicely done and the book beautifully written. I give it 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Loose Id
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Blind to Men by Chris Lange

2012-02-02T18:34:00.001-05:00

Summary:

The day has come for Anya to reclaim her life. Protected by an Amazon, she must go to legendary Palance, the city of her dreams. She has to leave her home without even knowing she was cursed at birth. She is blind to men. She can't see them, and they can't see her. Except one.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
When Anya was born, she was cursed to not be able see or hear any man; she also can’t be seen or heard by them. The witch planned to sacrifice her when she turned eighteen, on the day of the summer solstice. But the mage and his son weren’t willing to allow that to happen.

A few days before the supposed sacrifice, Kylor, the mage’s son, and the only one who can see and hear her and be seen and heard by her, comes to take her to the palace. He helps her break the curse by taking her virtue on the very day of the summer solstice, and she discovers that she is a princess.

But the witch is determined to make them pay for ruining her plans.

This is a very interesting and unique story. It made me laugh a lot, like when I read that Anya, who never saw a man, thinks that Kylor is an ugly woman! And later, that he is a woman with a cock between her legs. I give it 4 stars.

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing LLC
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Highland Crossings by Laurie Alice Eakes, Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Gina Welborn

2012-02-01T20:16:00.001-05:00

Summary:

An heirloom brooch unites the lives and loves of four women in historic North Carolina. Seona flees Scotland with the brooch in tow hoping to find peace before her past is revealed. Fiona tries to recover the heirloom but ends up on the whipping block—with her rescuer a man she’s not sure she can trust. Seren sells the brooch but soon regrets giving up something so precious for what could be a hopeless dream. Brynna seeks to reclaim the stolen brooch but risks losing something even more valuable in the process. Will God’s path become clear in a new world?

Reviewer: Fashionta
This story takes the reader from Scotland to America and follows one heirloom brooch and four girls through the generations. I loved these stories for different reasons. Seona’s story I loved because she was not afraid that she was accused of being a witch and acted as healer. It was tough in those days, so I liked seeing a woman doing a job that was still a man’s job. Fiona and her problems, that girl just couldn’t get a break. Seren made lollies but would people think they aren't medicine? Brynna is obsessed with history and her passion shows it but the dreams she has will they be haunted by her broken heart which has held her back?

I give this book 4 stars. It was nice to see the clear connections between the four girls and understand their place in their family history. I've read books where this has failed miserably and leaves you guessing. I also included the Young Adult tag as this anthology is suitable for that reader.

Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Grayson's Gamble (Dawn Endeavor 5) by Marie Harte

2012-02-01T18:38:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Grayson Belle is one in a million. Unlike the government’s manufactured Circs -- the nation's warriors who’ve been mutated by the government into men who can shift form -- Gray was born with the ability to shapeshift and has a heightened sense of telepathy. But lately, his world has gone to hell. He’s prepared to throw in the towel after his current mission. He’s seriously messed up, lusting after his irritating partner, Bas, whom he’s not even sure he likes. And then, Al Ross, the rogue Circ he’s been sent to kill, turns his heart inside out and his resolve to nothing. He’s losing his edge, because he wants to mark both Circs as his own. But if he does, what will that mean to the future he’s mapped out for himself?

He’ll have to gamble on his instincts to ignore what his head is telling him. Sometimes being rational means less than nothing if the heart isn’t happy. And Gray will be damned if he’ll let himself lose at love. Now he and his partner just have to convince one stubborn female to take that same chance.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, menage (m/f/m) restraints

Reviewer: BlueBell
The fifth book in the Dawn Endeavor series concentrates on Grayson Belle. Grayson is a little on the snobbish side and prides himself on being born a Circ not manufactured in a lab. After all, Grayson knows the meaning of self control unlike the lab created Circs and going into heat is not something Grayson has to worry about. Well that is until he is teamed up with Sebastian. the trouble is Grayson is not sure if he wants to beat Sebastian to a pulp or claim him as his mate.

If Grayson isn’t confused enough about Sebastian, the rogue Circ they have been sent to terminate is also his mate.

I don’t think Ms. Harte has written a book I haven’t enjoyed, and I loved how Gray had to battle his self conceived notions that he was better and superior because he was born not created. Ohhh how the mighty fall. The chemistry between Gray and Bas grabbed you right from the start and when Ali was added to the mix she came with a whole other set of problems that both Gray and Bas had to work through. Totally awesome read, you’ll not be disappointed 4.5 stars

Publisher: Loose Id
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Prodigal by A.M. Arthur

2012-02-01T18:27:00.001-05:00

Summary:

After escaping its mysterious grasp twelve years ago, Ethan Wilde never thought he'd return to Kingston, North Carolina—until the murder of an old schoolmate draws him back to the hometown he fears and the love he left behind. Rooted to Kingston by a force he can't explain, Jesse couldn't leave with Ethan when he asked, and it's a choice he's always regretted. A choice based on a terrible secret they share with four others. When they were nine years old, the six of them were taken into the woods, and no one is exactly sure what happened to them. Only that they came out changed. Marked. Twenty years later, the evil that hunted them is back and it's collected two souls already. Ethan and Jesse's love defeated the monster once, but are old feelings strong enough to save the survivors a second time?

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
I'm not so fond of horror stories but this one caught me from the beginning. I'm also not a very patient person and I fought so hard with myself not to jump to the end and know what was happening but I just couldn’t do it, because I was afraid of missing any detail. It felt like watching a movie more than reading a book, the only thing missing was the music. I swear to God I was on edge the whole time, not knowing what would happen next. The plot was well done and unpredictable and the writing was beautiful. I would give it 4.5 stars because the ending left some unanswered questions.

Publisher: Musa Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Secrets of an Accidental Duchess (Donovan 2) by Jennifer Haymore

2012-01-31T14:52:00.001-05:00

Summary:

With her pale hair and slim figure, Olivia Donovan looks as fragile as fine china, and has been treated as such by her sisters ever since a childhood bout with malaria. But beneath her delicate facade, Olivia guards a bold, independent spirit and the kind of passionate desires proper young ladies must never confess...

It was a reckless wager, and one Max couldn't resist: seduce the alluring Olivia or forfeit part of his fortune. Yet the wild, soon-to-be Duke never imagined he'd fall in love with this innocent beauty. Nor could he have guessed that a dangerously unpredictable rival would set out to destroy them both. Now, Max must beat a Madman at his own twisted game-or forever lose the only woman to have ever won his heart.

Reviewer: Fashionta
Oh my this has to be one of the most disrespectable villains I have ever seen in a book! The author is a genius at creating this character and he fits into this story perfectly, setting up the relationship between the hero and heroine. Never have I read a villain that was so disputable and yet played a key part in the storyline and made the story what it was. The hero and heroine in their own right were wonderful characters but the villain was the extra ingredient to make this book spectacular and wonderful.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the novella which ties the two first book together by giving us a big insight into events preceding this novel and further insight of the heroine‘s sister Serena and brother-in-law Jonathan, who's story was told in the first book.

Happy Release day! Both this novel and the novella are being released tomorrow and I recommend reading the novella first if you buy them both as it explains events that are key to this story.

I have to give the book four stars only for that reason. They should have released it earlier instead of dangling it front of us, I need to know what happened with the villain and heroine now and can't wait to find out!

Publishing Date: Feb. 01, 2012
Publisher: Forever
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Through the Rabbit Hole by Lisa Kumar

2012-01-31T14:33:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Social worker Natalie Danvers never thought she would fall head first into her very own dimensional tear — straight into a fey lord’s lap. The handsome but infuriatingly vague Lorh insists she’s stuck in his land for three weeks and that only she can discover the reasons behind her appearance in TirAnn. Natalie’s convinced this is all nonsense until forgotten memories of Lorh and his siblings resurface and collide with reason. Just who and what is she to Lorh and his family?

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Natalie Danvers is a social worker and one night, while going home from work, she sees neon purple lightning and later wakes up in a strange world named TirAnn. She slowly realize that nothing is as it should be. She has memories of this place, about Lorh and his brothers. But could Lorh be her husband and his brothers their children?

Lorh has waited forty years to have his beloved wife back and is determined to do whatever it takes to persuade her to stay with him and their children. Will their love be strong enough to make her stay or after three weeks will she decide to go back to Earth?

A great story, I loved the characters, the storyline, and Ms. Lisa Kumar’s style. While many writers make the error of sharing too much information from the first or almost first moment, she allows the story to evolve gradually, involving us in the book.

This is a wonderfully written story, I recommend it if you are in the mood for a light fantasy book. I give it 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Astraea Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Viking's Sacrifice by Julia Knight

2012-01-30T19:41:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Viking raiders destroyed Wilda's home. She witnessed the murder of her mother and would have been killed herself if it weren't for the Viking boy Einar, who saved her from his ruthless brother. The blood and murder left Wilda cold and shorn of feeling.

Eight years later, the heathens return for Wilda. As a captive in the Viking village, she finds protection and silent comfort in the man who once gallantly saved her.

Einar has been cursed to silence by his brother. With the dark net of his brother's power cast over their village, silence is a small price to pay for his family's safety. But Einar is immediately drawn to Wilda, and the need to protect her from his brother awakens his Viking courage. Can Einar break his brother's curse in time to save the village and the woman he loves?

Reviewer: Fashionta
Ah the Vikings, always mistaken as blood thirsty men who raid and kill. This book portrays them in a better light. Yes, we have the blood thirsty jarl but most of the characters are actually kind and thoughtful after they realize that not everything is as it seems and sometimes the truth is hidden under the surface. This book shows how two societies can have warped ideas about each other but come together when needed. It’s a beautiful story and engaging to say the least.

I give this book 4 stars and hope that we get a series out it. We need to know what happened to the hero’s sister and brother who played an important role in this story.

Publisher: Carina Press
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Blame It On The Night by Shara Lanel

2012-01-30T19:08:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Human/werewolf relations were forbidden. Guy’s father made that clear years ago, but Guy had come very close to disobeying with naïve, teenage Olivia. He’d barely kept his body under control, as he’d held her during her first shocking orgasm. Years later, on edge with anger, grief, and the pull of the moon, Guy knows she’s the last person he needs near him.

Olivia is overcome with humiliation at the mere thought of seeing Guy again, since he’s starred in all of her fantasies over the past several years. She refuses to leave his doorstep, however, until he answers her questions about her missing sister and the dead body found on his property. Problem is, he’s ordering her to leave while blocking the door, telling her to get lost while pinning her between his hard body and the table, saying he doesn’t know what he’s doing while his every touch takes Olivia closer to heaven.

Sometimes forbidden love is worth the risk, but sometimes it leads to revenge and murder.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal intercourse, dubious consent, f/f sexual interaction, violence.

Reviewer: PurpleRose
This is a sequel to Blame it on the Moon, and I would recommend reading it first as Hayden and Kitty play a large role in this story.

Guy gave Olivia her first orgasm then disappeared from her life without a word. At a early age, Guy witnessed the punishment whipping of a female werewolf and the murder of her human lover, so he knows that he can't be involved with Olivia or any human.

Now 10 yrs later, Olivia has come back home to Devona, NY after receiving a mysterious postcard warning that her older sister, Amy may be in danger. Hayden and Kitty from Blame it on the Moon arrive in town at the same time after receiving a similar postcard telling Hayden he can find his biological father there.

At times I found it a little difficult to keep up, because this story has a little of everything, including werewolves, murders, kidnappings, long lost family, sibling discord, teenage crushes, pregnancy, and even BDSM and animalistic sex! The sex scenes were hot, especially when Guy took matters into his own hands...

I give Ms. Lanel props for the suspense part of this story as I was clueless to who the "bad guy" was until it was revealed and that rarely happens when I read a story. However, I was left with some unanswered questions, like how Olivia and the pack will deal with the changes. Why Hayden can only shift during the 3 nights around the full moon, is it because he's 1/2 human or because he wasn't raised with the weres and just hasn't learned to control his wolf yet? I see potential for a 3rd story involving Nootau, so perhaps my questions will be answered yet! I give 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Loose Id
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Wild Lilly (Willow Creek 1) by Ann Mayburn

2012-01-30T18:44:00.001-05:00

Summary:

When Connecticut socialite Lilly Brooks inherits land in Caldwell, Kansas, she finally has the chance to break free from the gilded cage of Victorian society and chase after her dreams of excitement and romance in the Wild West. Excitement arrives with angry Indians, smelly dogs, and drunken cowboys who won't take no for an answer. Romance comes in the form of a ruggedly handsome rancher named Paul McGregor. Too bad he calls her a whore within the first minute of their acquaintance.

Paul has spent the last three years trying to hold his family and ranch together after the death of his parents. When he saves a stunning blonde, who he thinks is a soiled dove, from a group of drunk ranch hands he tries to do the right thing and get her work at a good saloon. He soon discovers the woman whose favors he would love to buy owns land key to his family's financial future. Paul decides to use his best weapon to win Lilly over and get her property: seduction.

A wicked cattle baron wants Lilly’s land as well and threatens to kill anyone who stands up to him. Paul must decide what he needs more, the land or the beautiful and courageous, wild Lilly.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Lilly Brooks wants to find a man that can stand up to her and match her passion. That’s why she's decided to leave Hartford and move to Caldwell, Kansas, There she'll work as a teacher and live on the land her uncle left. She may be a wild woman, but she also has a kind heart. I enjoyed reading about her.

However, there are two men who want her land, Paul McGregor and Lee Krisp. And none of them seemed willing to play fair. One has decided to kill for it and the other to seduce her.

At least Lee Krisp is honest: he wants her land and is willing to kill to get it. Paul McGregor tells her that he loves her but he plans to marry her and after that hurt her so she will leave Kansas, leaving her land in his hands.

The story was good, and yet, I had to reread some of the sections so I could understand what was going on. Also, from the historical books I've read, I feel like the people from that time were much more proper and respectable than the characters from this story. I will give it 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

A Demon Does It Better (Demons 2) by Linda Wisdom

2012-01-29T18:51:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Bestselling author Linda Wisdom, with 13 million category romances sold, is working to build her single title audience with the hottest new area of the romance category– sexy demon heroes.

Lovely witch Lili Carter takes a job at a paranormal hospital where patients have been disappearing. There she encounters Jared, a dangerously sexy demon on a mission that gets Lili into a world of trouble. Lili can't avoid Jared for long and soon they find themselves creating a whole new kind of magick...

Reviewer: Fashionta
Does a demon do it better? Yes they do! Linda Wisdom's latest release takes us back to the alternative earth she created where human and supernatural creatures co-exist. In this story, we have two big mysteries going on and the heroine is out to solve them both. She has asked to return to the paranormal hospital, where she has worked in the past, to find her friend and the missing paitents. Then the unexpected surprise, patient 1172 who resides in the mental ward of the hospital, clearly shouldn’t be there.

All this only scratches the surface of what‘s happening in the book. There are hordes of characters that make appearances in the novel and they don’t seem forced or added in. They all have a place and that's just one of the things I love about this book.

I have to give this book four stars. Who knew that a category romance author could write a page turning book. Oh and one last thing, you're going to love the familiar cat that hangs around. I won’t give it away, but she's a pretty famous historian figure who’s known for her lovers.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

The Geek Job by Eve Langlais

2012-01-29T18:39:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Protect the geek, that’s the job she’s been hired for, but little did this shewolf expect to fall for a man of science.

As a werewolf who hires out as a bodyguard, Lexie is paid well to perform dangerous jobs that sometimes involve taking off her clothes. When she takes on the protection of a science geek for a vampire clan, she doesn’t expect her temporary girlfriend status to come with lots of pleasure. But a geeky human who pushes all her right buttons—and plays her body oh so right—isn’t reason enough for her to break the rules and fall in love.

Everything changes after an incident in the lab, but before she can decide if it’s safe to give him her heart, she has to help him survive.

Warning: Experimenting with a geek at home may cause uncontrollable lust.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Lexington, who preferred to go by her nickname Lexie, is a she-wolf. She's not like the other she-wolves who are submissive, rolling over, and showing their belly to the first interested male. She has Alpha tendencies. After she left her pack she started to work in security and her latest job was to protect a human geek who was working for a vampire clan.

Anthony Seval is a nerd. He's wasted years in the lab but now that he found the love of his life, he's willing to do anything to be with her. Even inject himself with vials that will either convert him into a Lycan or kill him. However, he injected two vials from the Lycan gene and one from the Vampire gene and Anthony converted in something more, something special.

I loved these characters. They are so different, but that didn’t stop them from loving one another. Ms. Eve Langlais has a unique gift in creating something special. Most of her books can be reread over and over again and still keep that something special, the thing that makes you enjoy reading her books. This story turned out to be one of my favorites and I will always love it. I definitively give it 4.5 stars.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

What's New, Pussycat? by Josee Renard

2012-01-28T18:49:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Versa couldn’t get that song out of her head, nor the man who sang it while renovating the house next door. Tall, built and tanned, he wore faded jeans and a tool belt and his body drove her wild. Theo had plans for the girl next door.

He’d spent all summer dreaming about her creamy skin and voluptuous body. He’d spent all summer with a hard on. Time to make his move. When Theo and Versa finally meet, the summer temperature turns up. Way, way up.

Reviewer: PurpleRose
For the past four months, Versa has been listening to Theo sing a Tom Jones song while he's renovating the house next door. But now that it's about time for him to move on to his next project, they've both decided it's time to make their move and explore what has only so far passed visually between.

They each have their own reasons for holding back on starting something, but know that if they don't overcome their fears and let this opportunity pass, it will never come again. This was a very short but hot story and I give it 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Cobblestone Press
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel (Beau Monde 1) by Samantha Grace

2012-01-28T18:46:00.001-05:00

Summary:

An exciting debut in a series that introduces the first of four debonair Regency bachelors who have it all: wealth, influence, and women swooning at their feet.

Love 'em and leave 'em Lord Andrew Forest receives a dose of his own medicine when jaded heiress Lana Hillary beds him then disappears without so much as a by-your-leave.

Tossed aside like an old hat by the only woman to capture his heart, Drew is determined to intercept Lana before she reaches London and convince her to marry him. He'll teach the little vixen a thing or two about how to love a man.

Reviewer: Fashionta
I liked the idea of the book, Miss Hillary is a bit of a matchmaker who wants nothing to do with the rakes, cads, and scoundrels. I thoroughly enjoyed, the first chapter which is an amusing encounter with one.

The hero is to swoon over and it helps that he's in trouble with the heroine’s favourite brother over another lady. I liked the rest of the book but the one flaw of this heroine made me take one and half stars off.

I have to give this book 3.5 stars. The character of Miss Hillary is a bit indecisive with whether to be a flirt or a proper young lady. Otherwise, it was a great start to this series and I can't wait to see who's going to be next.

Publication Date: Feb 01, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Lesserblood Lies by Ainsley Davidson

2012-01-27T22:10:00.001-05:00

Summary:

To protect her children from the despotic Trueblood, Merianne defied them by taking her girls and fleeing the planet. Even though Merianne's daughters are Lesserblood, they have the Talents. The Trueblood would train her children to use their dangerous gifts, but their methods are cruel, and Merianne would never see her girls again.

Merianne tries to give her girls a safe, quiet life, but when they befriend Thorne, a brilliant scientist, she finds herself drawn to the kind and captivating man-despite his uncanny resemblance to the Trueblood.

Thorne wants to help the girls control their emerging Talents, and he's intrigued by their mother. But just as Merianne finally accepts Thorne's help, two of her children are seized. To rescue the girls, Merianne and Thorne must risk death at the hands of the Trueblood, who will kill to protect their lies.

Reviewer: Fashionta
This is an enchanting book that is ironically named after the storyline. Set in an alternative universe, the world is ruled by the Truebloods. Merianne is a strong woman who's tried to make the most of her life, while hiding her daughters who are wanted by the Truebloods. The storyline is interesting and the hero plays a big part in making it so. The only thing I didn’t like is the fact we didn’t find out how he possessed Trueblood since they never leave the planet once they are adults. (I won’t spoil the reason as it a big part of the story)

I have to give this book fours stars. This book is one those books where you either need to read it twice to get the full meaning of the book or concentrate hard I like did on the first go. It's something different and I enjoyed it a lot.

Publisher: Carina Press
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Flesh Fantasy (The Ambrose Heights Vampires 1) by Maya DeLeina

2012-01-27T21:53:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Tonight, Rain Calisto searches for her man, and Rhys Matthews comes into focus. He is well-built and sinisterly sexy. In the same Denver nightclub, Armand Anastasio searches for his woman—Rain. But the men are more than gorgeous. They are vampires, and they are unmated.

A chance encounter lands Rhys and Rain together. Their attraction remains undeniably powerful and they fall prey to lust. With each passionate tryst, Rhys senses a connection that goes beyond the flesh. Unbeknownst to Rhys, Rain is a diabetic. Her insulin alters her biological makeup, disguising a revelation he isn’t quite prepared for.

Rain is Rhys's fated mate.

As they struggle with this knowledge, another bombshell is dropped. Rain’s insulin-laced tissue creates a rare vampiric blood that can fetch a hefty profit, and Armand has always known this. Is his attraction to Rain genuine, or is he just out for her blood?

This is the diary of Rain and Rhys. Recorded here is their transformation from a flesh fantasy to eternal love.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
Rain Calisto just wants some sex, no strings attached. She's playing a game with her best friends when she sees Rhys Matthews for the first time. They start a relationship, denying their feelings and that they're in a relationship until they finally admit that they are in love with each other.

But Rhys finds out that someone was selling serums from his family; the serums allow a vampire six hours of sun, without hurting him. Also, three people have gone missing and the kidnapper is a vampire. After being converted to a vampire, Rain is kidnapped by the same people that took the humans, Rhys decides to do whatever it takes to get her back.

I enjoyed the story, it is the first book of The Ambrose Heights Vampires’s series. It has well drawn out suspense, since we never find who the bad guy is or what they wanted (I hope we eventually find out as the series continues!). The story is intense, deep, emotional, and vivid and full of hot vampires. I must say that Ms. Maya DeLeina knows how to hold your attention and I will gladly wait for her next release… and the next book from this series. It deserves 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The Seed Bearer (Genesis Series 1) by Brooke Adams

2012-01-27T21:19:00.000-05:00

Summary:

What happens when the forces of good and evil confront each other over the love of a mortal woman?

All hell breaks loose.

An earth-shattering secret hidden for two thousand years finally sees the light when archaeologist Claire Raines goes in search of her mentor at Cambridge University, who has mysteriously disappeared after leading the excavation of a fabulous Neanderthal find in a treacherous labyrinth of caves on the Island of Majorca, off the east coast of Spain. On her arrival, she meets with the government representative in charge of the operation, tall, dark and stunning Vincent Demarco, who menacingly dissuades her from continuing with her search. But the truth of the matter surpasses her wildest expectations when a visit to the site with the leader of the original rescue expedition, gorgeous, blonde and blue-eyed Daniel Robinson, reveals fossilized vampire skeletons. The course of events leads Claire to suspect that Vincent is behind her mentor’s disappearance, who may have fallen victim to a secret conspiracy.

But nothing is what it seems and, unknown to Claire, Daniel and Vincent are in fact seed-bearing archangels and archrivals with the common mission to find the Host and impregnate her to create a new human race as part of a divine plan. When Vincent brutally opens her eyes to the truth of her identity, she struggles against her own personal beliefs and convictions. To make matters worse, Claire becomes pregnant and finds herself swept up in a crescendo of passion and heartbreak.
But falling in love with a mortal goes against the rules, and Daniel and Vincent must unexpectedly team up to protect her from the wrath of Archangel Michael himself when Claire refuses to accept her destiny… and the terrifying truth about the child she is expecting.

What happens when the forces of good and evil confront each other over the love of a mortal woman?

All hell breaks loose.

An earth-shattering secret hidden for two thousand years finally sees the light when archaeologist Claire Raines goes in search of her mentor at Cambridge University, who has mysteriously disappeared after leading the excavation of a fabulous Neanderthal find in a treacherous labyrinth of caves on the Island of Majorca, off the east coast of Spain. On her arrival, she meets with the government representative in charge of the operation, tall, dark and stunning Vincent Demarco, who menacingly dissuades her from continuing with her search. But the truth of the matter surpasses her wildest expectations when a visit to the site with the leader of the original rescue expedition, gorgeous, blonde and blue-eyed Daniel Robinson, reveals fossilized vampire skeletons. The course of events leads Claire to suspect that Vincent is behind her mentor’s disappearance, who may have fallen victim to a secret conspiracy.

But nothing is what it seems and, unknown to Claire, Daniel and Vincent are in fact seed-bearing archangels and archrivals with the common mission to find the Host and impregnate her to create a new human race as part of a divine plan. When Vincent brutally opens her eyes to the truth of her identity, she struggles against her own personal beliefs and convictions. To make matters worse, Claire becomes pregnant and finds herself swept up in a crescendo of passion and heartbreak.
But falling in love with a mortal goes against the rules, and Daniel and Vincent must unexpectedly team up to protect her from the wrath of Archangel Michael himself when Claire refuses to accept her destiny… and the terrifying truth about the child she is expecting.

Warnings: This title contains some adult language and graphic sex scenes (m/f/m).

Reviewer: Amlyt
I honestly tried to like this book but the content was over my head, there was just too much information. The concept of the book is interesting but the way it was written made it confusing. Like the blurb said it was about archangels and that's why this book caught my eye but the paranormal angle was more that.

I have to give it 3 out of five stars. It would have been better if was longer, as it needs more time to explain things since it is the first in a series. I also didn't see the point of the Bible verses at the start of each chapter, as they didn't appear to add anything to the story.

Publisher: eXcessica
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Question of the Week

2012-01-27T20:16:00.000-05:00

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Manscape or Au Naturel, how to do you prefer your cover candy?

Fashionta's Answer: It's a toss up. Au Naturel can be a bit too much sometimes, so I have to go with Manscape . Some of my favorites book covers which we happened to have reviewed on the blog...

Treasure Chest #1 Cherise Sinclair

2012-01-26T18:59:00.001-05:00

Reviewer: avidscribe

I’m introducing this Treasure Chest column on our blog with an appraisal of (most of) the works of one of my favorite erotic authors. Cherise Sinclair should be on everyone’s must-read list. Her works are on my ‘read again’ list when I am looking for a comforting friend.

Her women are, for the most part, soft, curvy and pliant. They’re largely young and sassy as well. Her men are all hard, broad, well off, well endowed and love giving pleasure to their women. But more than that, they listen to their women, get to know what isn’t being said, draw them out with heartfelt compliments, encouragement and praise. Her Doms are knowing, intelligent, playful and all-man. Seriously, what’s not to love? If someone were to ask me what my favorite story from her collected works is, I’d have a hard time coming up with just one. I love so many of her stories.

Maybe my favorite is The Dom’s Dungeon. The story of MacKensie and Alex Fontaine is a tale I’ve gone back to several times now. Vulnerable, feisty and submissive MacKensie is a vet intent to leave behind a painful, abusive past that had her experiencing abuse in foster care and subsequent escape to the streets at the tender age of 15. Beaten by a pimp, a kindly vet and his wife take her in and nurture her, giving her an education and the only home she’d ever known. With the death of her mentor, she has left behind her past by moving to Seattle to begin her life anew. She rents Alex’s house on a vacation exchange with an understanding that she is to watch his aging dog while the homeowner is out of town. A scuffle at the airport protecting an elderly lady sends Alex back home instead to nurse his wounded shoulder. There he finds MacKensie has jimmied open a locked door and discovered his private BDSM dungeon.

Her punishment is a spanking and afterwards he sits down with her to hammer out an agreement. He will say nothing of her breaking and entering: her reputation will remain unsullied at this critical time in her job hunt. She can stay for the original 2 week duration (now to be spent with him under his roof) if she agrees to pretend to be his sub so he can rid himself of a very undesirable stalkerish ex. He sweetens the deal saying he will even call in some favors with friends in influential places if she does a convincing enough job. While she is skittish, she really has no choice. However, she tells him she doesn’t like to be touched at all and thinks everyone will see that and know they’re not actually together.

A night later at a BDSM club changes the dynamics between them when MacKensie reacts to Alex’s pushy ex by declaring him as her own. He discovers her own arousal scares her so he pushes her past it, putting her in a situation where she has no choice but to feel. She experiences the first orgasm in her life at the hands of a man who does not force himself on her and shows perfect control over himself and her. She is awed.

Alex pushes her boundaries. He helps her to expose her long buried pain and deal with it. He’s observant to the things she cannot say and starts to unravel the mysteries of his “little cat”, as he calls her. As her lover, he wants to know; as her Dom, he needs to know. While he wasn’t looking for a relationship, she’s gotten under his skin and she’s a puzzle he feels compelled to unravel. Her stay extended, she comes to trust him, express her feelings to him and care for him … until a person from her past threatens to destroy her newfound happiness.

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• “Good morning, sweetie.” She sent the dog into ecstasy by scratching his sides. “Did you sleep with the brute last night?”

“Actually, the brute makes him sleep in his dog bed on the floor.” Alex strolled into the room, holding a cup of coffee, and sat down on the other end of the couch.

• Did he not understand the “won't happen” phrase she'd used? “Listen, I don't want you deluding yourself that I'm interested in sex when I'm not.”

“Ah. So you require objective proof that we both can see. I understand the need.” He tilted his head. “So if your nipples become erect in a warm room, and your pussy gets wet enough on the outside to dampen my hand, is that a sign of arousal?”

• Giving a tiny duplication of his growl, Mac glared at Cynthia. “He doesn't need you, you overbred cow; he has me.” And she grabbed his hand and shoved it between her legs.

“Well, now,” Alex murmured in a low rumble that sent nerves racing up Mac's arms.

• “Actually, if it pleases me that you be naked, then you will do so and be proud that I choose to share your beauty,” he said softly. “In situations like this, what you wear—or don't wear—is at my discretion.” He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Strip. Now.”

• “I didn't say you could do this,” she said, her voice shaking.

“Little sub, I didn't ask.”

Heroine’s favorite expression: Frak!

Dom’s term of endearment: little cat; little vet

Or maybe my favorite is The Starlight Rite, a foray into sci-fi. While not overtly BDSM, it has smatterings of it in the storyline. Mella (Armelina Archer) is stranded on the planet Nexus. With no friends, no family and no money, she’s forced into rolling men for their coin purses to get enough to eat. Her husband Nathan is behind a failed attempt to murder her, and, as a world renowned singer, she needs someplace to hide, hoping that in time she can raise enough money to get off the planet and find somewhere safe to live out her life.

She’s all of 5'5", “lush bodied” (don’t you love the way some writers describe a curvaceous albeit overweight woman?!), in her late twenties and picks the wrong person to try to roll one dark evening. Kinae Dain of the Zarain clan (a living god of a gorgeous man in his prime) easily subdues her and she is hauled before the planet’s judge and fined, money that will have to be met via her servitude. Her contract for this servitude is offered up via an auction. Dain is impressed by her courage, her pride and intelligence shown in court and bids on her. With no perceptible skills and lacking the weight to serve in hard labor, she is reduced to being a sex slave for a tad over a month, an unshuline.

The concept is disgusting and an anathema to the ‘earther’. Earth went through the Moral Wars 40 yrs. ago. Only married couples have sex and only for reproduction. Sensual indulgence is considered a route straight to hell. Poor Mella is overwhelmed at the raw sexuality of Dain and the forbidden sensuality of his touch. In short time, however, her body burns for his.

The Council of Five requests Dain’s expertise as head of Planetary Security to oversee the investigation of the ship that had been blown apart in the port, because the ship’s famous owner is dead and there’s pressure to find the culprit responsible. Dain starts to work on this, unaware this was Mella’s ship and the culprit is her husband.

One morning Mella is listening to the news on a view screen about the ongoing investigation into her death. Her husband is now on the planet “assisting”, intent to move it along so he can claim her inheritance. She watches the scene shift and she sees Dain at a restaurant with her husband and the two hired thugs who tried to kill her. She realizes Dain is nothing more than a cop, an enforcer—just like the men hired to kill her. Face the facts, she tells herself, Dain and the men who murdered her shipboard crew with an intent to kill her too are friends.

Sooner or later, Dain could mention he has a slave named Mella or her husband could show Dain a photo of her … and that will be the end of her. She is anguished. The man who had shown her such passion—what were the chances he hadn’t known about her husband’s plans? A servant in Dain’s household is proud to tell her Dain is in charge of every enforcer on Nexus. He knows everything.

The nature of sci-fi lends itself to a great deal of imagination and Cherise doesn’t let readers down naming animals (felin for a knee-high cat; deerlets for deer, relix for a lizard that catches a flutter in its pointy mouth) and sexual organs (somaline for clit; maline for pussy) although, right now, I’d say Evangeline Anderson has the sci-fi erotica slant covered with the sheer imagination imbued into her KINDRED series. She goes beyond the words to see how ‘earthers’ interact with alien technology, animals and food, often with hilarious consequences.

Heroine’s favorite expression: Oh Prophet!

Dom’s term of endearment: little thief; laria

Maybe my favorite is Master Of The Mountain.

Full figured Rebecca reluctantly joins her boyfriend, Matt, at a weekend swinger’s retreat at Serenity Lodge up in the mountains of Sierra, Nevada. Her boyfriend, thinks they need something to spice up their ‘lacking’ sex life. Inhibited and shy Rebecca is a talented artist working in an advertising agency but whose inner demons taunt her that she is fat and will never be good enough. She is haunted by the departing words of her dad who left her and her mother with ‘You’re fat and boring and so’s the kid. I’m leaving.’

Once at the lodge, Rebecca meets the other swingers and dimly notes the men may come in different sizes but all the women are toned and slender. She feels only fat and out of place. She has a run-in with Logan Hunt’s dog and is terrorized. As a child, a dog attacked her and she’s terrified of the animals now. Regarding Logan, he looks as mean as his dog only with steely blue eyes in a deeply tanned face with a scar below his left cheekbone. He’s over 6’ tall with muscles straining against his flannel shirt. He takes one look at Rebecca and knows she’s not a swinger. He can’t understand why she’s there.

Matt can’t wait to take off for an evening of swinging while Rebecca turns in for the night with a good book. At breakfast, Matt embarrasses her about her choice of food reminding her of her weight thereby ratcheting up her insecurities to an untenable degree. This is followed by an afternoon where everyone skinny dips and Rebecca witnesses Matt “heading for a blonde who looked as if she had substituted bouncy breasts for cheerleading pom-poms.” Anguished, Rebecca starts to head back up the trail but Logan blocks her way. No one hikes alone. He demands she strip down because she’s getting overheated. There’s no getting around the implacable wall of his chest and he starts to disrobe her when she hesitates. She is fighting back tears thinking about Matt with the perky blonde and Logan takes her in his arms to comfort her.

The meet-and-greet after supper involves several game scenarios designed for people to lose their clothes in penalty. When she finds Matt in their cabin with the same blonde, she considers sleeping on the lodge’s porch swing and that’s how Logan finds her, a bit tipsy, frozen and half conscious. He carries her upstairs to his bedroom and keeps her warm throughout the night, asking only for a kiss in the morning that becomes hotter than any she’s ever experienced in her life. He moves confidently over her body and she throbs, flaming out of control. He pins her down and gives her the orgasm of her life, leaving her shaking and dazed.

With no way to leave, the disgruntled non-swinger is put into the same sleeping situation the next night, though she experiences very little sleep under Logan’s expert hands. She blossoms, unfurls, experiencing a sexuality she didn’t know she possessed. This isn’t Matt constantly asking what she wants in bed. This is Logan taking … and her body LOVES it. Logan’s attraction to the zaftig beauty is something she doesn’t find possible even while she is intensely drawn to the gorgeous man.

But Logan has a past that makes him a dangerous man to be around and his brother Jake has the scar to prove it. When he pushes Becca away to keep her safe, she misinterprets his motives and blames it on her weight. She leaves at the end of the weekend devastated and broken. Can Logan make peace with his past so he can make a future with his little sub?

Fun and delicious lines:

• After a long pause and a surely-you're-not-serious look, Thor walked slowly back to the desk and dropped down with a long-suffering sigh. (Thor is Logan’s dog)

• [Becca wary over Logan’s dog] "It wants to eat me," she whispered. "Please, please, let me go."

A laugh rumbled in her ear. "No, sweetheart. I'm the one that will eat you. Thor only licks people he likes. It's his version of a hug."

• Making the rounds with a wine bottle, Logan set his hand on her shoulder to fill her glass, his touch causing shivers to run-through her body. He whispered in her ear, "How can I bribe you to make biscuits for breakfast?"

Her first thought was so depraved that she could feel herself flush. Oh God.

He chuckled and rubbed his knuckles over her cheek. "You will explain that thought to me later. In detail."

• He met her gaze, and amusement glinted in his eyes. And satisfaction. Satisfaction? Had he done that to her on purpose? She would have to kill him. That's all. He must die.

Heroine’s favorite expression: Good Grief; ugly, ugly, ugly (said in self-recrimination)

Dom’s term of endearment: little rebel, sugar

Note: The BDSM club Rebecca walks into at the end of this story is Dark Haven. She is approached by a Dom named Simon, a beautiful man with an aristocratic face, silver flecked black hair, standing six feet tall who treats her kindly. This is the same Simon in her short story Simon Says: Mine found in Doms Of Dark Haven.

If my favorite isn’t Master Of The Mountain, maybe it’s the sequel, Master Of The Abyss. This is Jake Hunt’s story, Logan’s brother. What I dearly love about this story is not only do I get to go back to characters I love but a mystery is resolved. In that regard, the overlapping situation reminds me of Robin Schone’s The Lover and Gabriel’s Woman—you need to read both, although in Robin’s tomes the mystery is the heart of each story. In the first book, we discover Jake is torn up over the suicide of his slave Mimi he uncollared. He can’t get past the hurt he caused her, hurt enough for her to throw herself off a cliff.

Or did she?

Twenty five year old pint-sized Kallie Masterson appears to be a Chuck Norris wannabe. She sports short black hair that looks like she cut it herself with a knife. She wears no makeup and hides in flannel shirts and work boots. She’s a kick-ass grown up tomboy that handles herself in a barroom brawl much to Jake’s surprise, protecting the three friends she’s gone there with, until a biker goes careening into her and lays her out flat.

Jake helps her up and she melts under his hands. Who wouldn’t? He’s tall, darkly tanned, lean faced with a strong jaw with a faint cleft in the chin (swoon!). Cobalt blue eyes. She’s had a crush on him forever but she thinks she looks like a two-legged pear and he could have (and has had!) anyone he wants in Bear Flat and then some. As he looks for bruising, he looks at the sassy woman as if for the first time.

Unbeknownst to Kallie, she is being watched. In the shadows, unwilling to join in the fighting because his battle is not against his fellow man but against evil, he has observed the small woman who actually had the temerity to strike a man. Her dark hair and dark eyes could be the markings of the devil. He needs to watch and see before acting.

Kallie and her cousins run a trail guide service and have agreed to join forces with Jake and Logan to provide tourists with a complete package of guide services and lodge accommodations in the rural mountainous area. It means, however, that some of the special guests will be part of the BDSM scene and Kallie is asked to go to Serenity Lodge to get an eyeful of what goes on at these private gatherings so she can be more comfortable with what her family is getting into. Once there and with Logan otherwise occupied, she’s approached by Simon (yes, that Simon) who starts to explain BDSM and notes the little pixie is submissive. He deliberately steers their conversation to pique Jake’s interest, noting she wants to play. She wants to play with Jake.

Jake is a one night only kind of guy and more than interested in finding out what’s under that unflattering flannel shirt of Kallie’s. However, he is not ready for how she rips right through his long-held detachment, how she brings his dominant needs roaring to the surface. Kallie’s hold nothing back, full speed ahead attitude is the antithesis of what he had with Mimi and she broaches Jake’s defenses. Still, he’s a one night only kind of guy … so when he sees her a week later in the grocery store accepting a date from the owner, why is he so upset?

And through this building sexual tension between the two, there’s an observer, a man who stares at Kellie and thinks she has a black soul and needs to be destroyed. She is evil, a black demon that would steal a man’s very essence and must be rooted out. A club over the head will do, shattering bones while the demon shrieks as its torn from the physical world.

This book is considerably longer than the story that precedes it and makes for a very immersive read. Lots more interaction, lots more sex, more characters (for future book consideration?), lots more character reveal, lots more moments with Logan and his (now) fiancée Rebecca and I couldn’t be happier. Cherise layers in the dark notes in a manner that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the moment the truths reveal themselves and the mystery surrounding Mimi’s death is finally cleared.

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• His masculine scent had the tang of a high mountain forest, clean and compelling, but he was intimidatingly close.

• She could feel how his hands would hold her in place, his cock hard between her legs, demanding entry and ... The air had completely disappeared from the room.

• Worry niggled in her stomach like hungry lake trout.

• There could be no compliment more potent than that huge erection in his jeans.

• His voice rumbled across her like a mountain avalanche and had the same effect, knocking down every one of her resolutions.

Heroine’s favorite expression: (none)

Dom’s term of endearment: little sprite, short stuff, sugar, imp

Cherise has two running BDSM themed storylines. The first is her Dark Haven collection that centers around participants at a private BDSM dungeon in San Francisco run by a Dom called Xavier (my Liege, to all the subs).

Doms Of Dark Haven, an anthology, brings together three distinct stories that play out in Cherise Sinclair’s universe. Sierra Cartwright’s contribution is called Met Her Match (a melding of her Hawkeye universe, so there’s more where this short story came from.). Belinda McBride penned Educating Evangeline that is the only paranormal entry in the anthology, a story about a wolf shifter. Master Xavier winds through each story and it’s sheer fun that these talented writers all agreed to create stories in Cherise’s world. Simon Says: Mine is Cherise’s; a short story that weaves in the characters from Master Of The Abyss and Master Of The Mountain. We catch up briefly with Logan and Rebecca and Jake. Personally, it’s these inclusions, these moments in her books that I love best about this writer because I long to catch up with every one of her characters and see how they are doing after I reach ‘The End’. Her characters stay with me.

With the success of the first anthology, a second was created. Doms Of Dark Haven 2: Western Night has stories from the same three authors. Sierra Cartright’s A Good Sub Would is a terrific read I highly recommend. Belinda McBride’s Hunting Holly follows, another excellent wolf shifter paranormal story that continues the storyline presented in Educating Evangeline. Cherise wraps up the book with Welcome To The Dark Side, giving us Virgil’s story (a character from Master Of The Abyss, a follow-up novel to Master Of The Mountain. We also catch up with Simon.

The second running BDSM storyline is her MASTER OF THE SHADOWLANDS series. These are full-length books and offer characters that overlap each story. There is always Master Z, (Zachary for short; owner of Shadowlands), a man able to pick up on people’s emotions and thoughts which aid him in his occupation as a child psychiatrist. At this writing, she has six books to this series and plans more. Yeah! Maybe this whole series is my favorite.

Club Shadowlands – book 1

Z’s story. A 20-something year old Jessica Randall, a pint sized Marilyn Monroe, trashes her car in a ditch trying to avoid running over an armadillo. It’s late at night, the road is deserted and it’s pouring rain. She sees a three-story stone mansion and goes to its doors and its doorman, Ben, tells her the doors are locked and she’s too late. She has no idea what he’s talking about. She just wants to make a phone call and dry out. He scowls and tells her he’ll have to ask Master Z.

She meets Z, Zachary Grayson, or rather, she slams right into him as she barrels into the small entry room. Firm hands grip her as she looks up, up, up. He’s tall with wide shoulders, and a deep baritone voice. In his 40’s, he has silvering black hair, dark eyes and sports tailored black slacks and a black silk shirt that outline hard muscles. He reminds her of a jaguar, sleek and deadly. He owns the club. In order for her to step foot inside, she must sign paperwork indemnifying the club and agreeing to the club’s extensive rules. She is so cold she can’t process the paperwork and hands it back unread with a hastily scribbled signature.

She’s given some dry clothes she can’t even manage to put on she’s so cold, her fingers stiff, shuddering so hard her bones hurt. Z steps in and strips her, pushing her protesting into a hot shower. He takes charge in drying her off afterwards, toweling her and then demanding she spread her legs for a more thorough drying. It’s a clearly defining moment in their relationship when she submits to his authoritative tone and does so despite her qualms about her body.

It’s bondage night at Shadowlands and innocent Jessica is thrust into the main room, a den of depravity. She meets Cullen, the bartender, who looks like a Great Dane with shaggy hair, all bone and muscle. She turns to watch the dancing going on and realizes it’s all terribly provocative and she’s getting aroused. She leaves the safety of the bar stool to wander around watching scenes and comes upon a burly man whipping a woman tied to a sawhorse. The woman is shrieking for him to stop and Jessica, having seen her sister beaten like that during her marriage, grabs the whip out of the man’s hand and punches him right in the face knocking him down.

There’s a penalty for interrupting a scene and Jessica would have known that if she’d read the papers she signed. She is paddled in public and Z administers the aftercare. Even though it was wrong to break up the scene, Z admires her bravery. The facets of her personality mesmerize him. As she returns to herself, Z kisses her and it’s like nothing she has ever experienced, as if she’s never been kissed before.

Later that evening, alone with him, she learns what it’s like to truly be a submissive. When morning breaks, the fairytale is over and she heads home not knowing exactly how to frame everything that has happened to her but 6 days later a package arrives from Z asking her to wear what’s inside it. It’s lingerie night at Shadowlands. Will she have the nerve to attend?

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• ‘She remembered how his mouth had felt on her, how his ravening tongue had licked over her, around …’

Ravening! (swoon!) Love to see a word injected into a different context than what I am expecting.

Heroine’s favorite expression: (none)

Dom’s term of endearment: little one; pet; kitten; little spitfire

Dark Citadel – book 2

Kari Wagner, 5'4", a pretty and lushly curved, modest and conservative high school biology teacher, attends an introductory class in BDSM at Shadowlands with her aggressive, overbearing boyfriend, Brian. It’s doomed from the start; Z and Master Dan watch the rough way Brian addresses her and Dan eventually steps in to separate the two. Kari tells Brian she’s leaving but Z convinces Kari to give it another chance with a gentler, more experienced Don—Dan Sawyer.

Kari feels an immediate attraction to the Dom. He is dressed in black leathers, hard faced with an equally hard body. Black hair, potent brown eyes, stern jaw. Dan is a detective by profession and is still grieving for the death of his wife 3 years prior.

When Sally, a sub in training, jokes with Dan, his expression turns to stone. He tells her to report to Cullen and she’s to be given to a Dungeon Master for spanking and his use. Kari is chilled. When Jessica interrupts to tell Dan he’s needed for a few minutes, Kari uses the opportunity to be convinced Dan isn’t a white slave trader and she and Jessica talk about Dan, the club and her expectations. They become fast friends.

Dan gives her a shattering experience in what it means to be restrained, shocking her with her own wanton reaction. The way her body reacted to domination is what she’s been looking for all her life, but when it’s time to leave he turns cold on her and she’s bereft and miserable, thinking she’s done something to offend him. Sally confides that that’s just the way he is, when it’s over it’s done and he never uses a sub more than one night. What neither of them understand is the little sub has gotten to him and he simply can’t move past the death of his wife.

Kari braves the next lesson alone and Cullen offers to work with her, asking Dan to man the bar for him. It’s a setup, trying to rile Dan who walks right into it. He hauls Kari away for a talk, admitting there is something between them unfinished. They spend an incredible mind blowing evening again together but it ends the same way: Dan cools and gives her a pained goodbye.

Just one more evening for the trainees. Could that night’s gamboling in Z’s Capture Gardens provide the atmosphere for Dan to recognize the dark citadel he’s placed around his heart and reach for the love that he needs to heal?

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• Everywhere his hand touched her skin wakened like spring after a hard winter, and warmth washed through her

• Jessica gave her a sympathetic look. “I’ll get back to Z then.” She shook her finger at Master Dan. “You be nice to her.”

Master Dan frowned. “If you were mine, I’d beat you more often.”

Appalled, Kari sucked in a breath and then saw a smile pull at his lips, the gleam of laughter in his eyes.

• She started to glare at him, got a level look, and managed to give him a tight-lipped smile.

He laughed. “Sweetheart, I hope you don’t play poker.”
• From the tightening of her muscles, the slight cringing away, he was bigger than she was used to. He got a deplorable sense of satisfaction from knowing that.

• [I laughed out loud reading this] Dan frowned. Had Z’s little sub just said “stupid asshole” under her breath?

Incidentally, this book sets the hilarious pattern of Jessica mouthing off and getting “punished” by Z at the behest of some Dom she’s “offended.”

Heroine’s favorite expression: Oh God!

Dom’s term of endearment: sweetling, little nun

Breaking Free – book 3

A lot of BDSM stories have, at their root, two fractured persons coming together and healing through their love. This is certainly the outline for this book, the most disturbing and poignant of all her stories I’ve read. I find myself often coming back to this brave woman and shaking my head in recognition that the story plays out all too true for many women throughout the world. Cherise gives us a moving, happy ending when in real life many battered women don’t get so nice a break.

Redheaded Elizabeth Stanton (Beth to her friends) is being chained and handled by an inexperienced Dom. The woman is terribly scarred with her too-thin frame showing old fractures, cigarette burns and puncture wounds from her sadistic husband she’s in flight from. Each time she is at Shadowlands she looks for a new top and can’t get off. Z watches her with concern knowing the club isn’t meeting her needs. He tells Nolan (who we have met in the previous book) that he’s her last chance—as long as he’s willing to be her Dom in the club she can remain, but if he gives up he’s going to terminate her membership.

Nolan King is one hell of a fierce looking Dom: ex military recently back from Iraq, black hair, dark eyes, reddish-bronze skin of Native American ancestry, standing broad at least 6' tall. He is an experienced Dom, the type she avoids; he doesn’t miss anything. He proceeds to take her naked with a spreader bar, leaving her aroused and wanting. For the first time since she can remember, she feels alive, none of her emotions frozen. He makes her feel like a woman, something she wanted and needed. But as much as he rouses her, she’s scared to death of him because he won’t permit her to retain any of her defenses.

An accomplished landscaper/gardener, Beth can’t help but compare him to her abusive husband who was also powerful but only interested in her response to pain, and wanting to hear her scream. Nolan notes her skin and bones appearance and is concerned about her fragility. He starts to work at padding her out, encouraging her to eat and making sure she finishes what he gives her. He encourages her to speak up, talk about herself and laughs when she shows annoyance at his tenacity. She is off balance with a man who shows patience and understanding and she finds herself warming to him even when she would rather insulate and remain detached.

She’s made a friend at Shadowlands—Jessica is the first person she’s been able to talk to in forever. However, poor Jessica makes a mistake and interrupts their conversation and ignores Nolan’s request for her to leave and he calls over Z to punish the bubbly woman. It’s Punishment at the stockades for her with Z saying, “Since you enjoy annoying Doms so much, I think we’ll let the Doms show their appreciation.” Later she meets Kari and is warmed to know she’s made yet another friend at the club. For a woman who has been on the run for so long, intimacy is profoundly moving.

When Nolan’s knowing fingers play her like a piano and she orgasms, they’re both surprised—he that he breached her barriers and trusted him to let go, she that she orgasmed at all. Her feelings scare her, however; she has no control when she’s with him and she opts to try a different Dom the next night she’s at Shadowlands. Bad mistake. The Dom she uses has no idea how to reach her and Nolan has to intercede. Beth is aghast at her own stupidity and that he viewed the awful scene. He talks at length with her about her fear and then punishes her by setting her up on Cullen’s bar as an ornamental trucker’s mud flap.

Nolan tells Beth that the one thing he insists upon is honesty. He warns her never to lie to him. He divorced his wife because she cheated on him and there is nothing he hates more than a liar. Could not admitting something be considered a lie, she mulls. How can she tell him she’s still a married woman with a psychotic husband dogging her heels? As they continue to get closer, the lie of omission weighs heavily on her. Her hard won freedom, her tiny peace of mind, the contentment she is gaining with Nolan is slipping away like fine sand through the narrow tube in an hourglass. Her

husband knows the general area she’s in after rifling through her mother’s mailbox and he is in Tampa searching for her. Oh, he has plans for his wayward little wife. Her punishment will take time and the pain will be unending. When he is finished with her this time, she will not be capable of running away ever again ...

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• Pleasure fizzed through her like a shaken-up soda.

• One eyebrow raised, and his gaze stabbed her to silence.

• [When Beth confides that Nolan is a bit scary, Jessica says …]“Oh please, that’s like saying Hannibal Lector [sic] only eats low-carb meals.’

• And the hint of laughter in his voice was like a warm spring shower on a parched garden.

• “Glad my price-and-joys aren’t under her care’ Cullen says observing a hard mistress.

• “Oh, God,” she whispered. Her mind had gone out of focus. Her heart beat so forcefully it should have knocked him off of her.

He chuckled. “No need to go that far. ‘Oh, Master’ will do.”

Heroine’s favorite expression: (none)

Dom’s term of endearment: sugar; little rabbit

Lean On Me – book 4

Andrea Eriksson is a fiery and beautiful combination of Hispanic and Nordic parentage who, at 5'10" and solid with muscles, is often mistaken for a Domme. A proud woman who owns her own cleaning business, she has been unhappy with the BDSM clubs in Miami and turns to her best friend, Antonio, to call in a favor and get her into the private, very exclusive Shadowlands on a sub trainee basis, not knowing there will be built-in hostility from subs and Doms alike for doing so.

Cullen O’Keefe, in charge of training, notes her attitude matches her size; notes too the solid feel of her—it’s been a while since he’s had a woman who he didn’t fear hurting with his size. While a confirmed bachelor, he is intrigued by the Amazon. She looks at him and inwardly frets that he’s so overwhelming—talk about instant domination! No man has ever towered over her or made her feel so unsettled.

When she’s handled, she has a habit of knocking a Dom’s hand away, much to their annoyance. She’s never submitted fully to anyone and when she’s scared she acts tough. Growing up in a rough neighborhood has given her a wariness towards all men. Without being aware of it, she challenges Master Dan who forces her to her knees. Later, she knocks Master Marcus’ hand off her shoulders. Cullen comes up with a unique punishment—she’ll forfeit clothing every time she lashes out. So when she takes a swing at Nolan for grabbing her arm and startling her, she is stripped of her clothes and then tied up in the Shibari art form. He adds a knot in the crotch for discipline and Cullen multiplies her torment by having her circle the bar for a half hour while that knot rubs her all the right ways and leaves her hot and bothered.

As the master in charge of training, Cullen must create enough attachment that subs want and need to please him but keep enough distance that they will bond with the right Dom when he came along. His well-ordered intention flies out the window when he deals with Andrea. Something about this beauty shakes the Dom up and the word ‘Mine’ hammers in his head when he thinks about her. The attraction is mutual and Andrea gives him her utter surrender one evening, telling him she only wants him to touch her and she masters his heart. They eventually spend an idyllic evening together at a private party Z gives for some of the Masters and their subs. There they finally give in to their passion for one another.

She meets the other subs and the women bond. We learn that Kari is now married and pregnant and Beth is learning self-defense. Andrea discovers Cullen is an arson investigator—a man of the law—and she is concerned he may be unable to overlook her past brush with the law and refuses to tell him about it.

Their future is jeopardized when a jealous trainee accuses Andrea of stealing money out of her locker. She’s been set up. Dan has access to sealed police records and knows her criminal background. She’s tried and convicted on a say-so, Dan throwing her clothing into her car like it’s trashed to be disposed of. Don’t ever come back, he warns. Only last night she lay in Cullen’s arms, now she is alone, the need to be held shaking her to her very core. Why did this happen when things in her life were finally starting to work? She begins to cry.

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• and jetted out in God-I-may-die jerks of his cock

• The furious look Andrea sent him should have had a flammable sticker applied to it.

• (Andrea’s aunt commenting on Cullen’s smile) “He’s just waiting to get you into bed. I have four children, and they didn’t arrive by stork. I have seen that look on a man’s face before.”

• “Shit. Fuck.” Dan paced across the office. “If she's not guilty... Hell, I feel like I ran over a puppy.”

• He barely managed to muffle his laugh. Damned if she wasn't even more contrary than Kari and Jessica. God, she pleased him.

• How would he ever explain to the ambulance crews that he'd chained his girlfriend out on the deck and killed her with too many orgasms?

• He'd taken her on a doghouse. From behind. Did that make her a bitch?

Heroine’s favorite expression: Dios!; Dios mio; Madre de Dios; Chingalo; Carajo; Hijo de puta; Estúpido baboso; pendejo; Chíngate cabrón

[I loved that she is constantly cursing under her breath. She’s very real and we share her sense of outrage each time.]

Dom’s term of endearment: Chiquita, little sub, little tiger

Two thoughts here … why is Andrea always addressing Cullen with ‘Yes, Señor’? Wouldn’t that more likely be ‘Si, Señor’ instead? In for the penny, in for the pound, wouldn’t you say?

And two, Dan, a man of the law, is painted in a most awful light that he wouldn’t have tried to hear both sides out before casting judgment. You don’t expect a knee-jerk reaction to a man trained to examine evidence and follow leads. Especially over a woman he knows his friend Cullen is interested in! Z’s absence, when he always seems to be around so much so that Cullen called him ‘Mother Z’, is oddly missing at this pivotal moment! What a perfect opportunity for him to have put his unique talent to work and rescued the situation. I believe it could still captured the same sense of drama, if not more so and not altered the tenor of what came next in the story.

Make Me, Sir – book 5

Okay, I admit it. THIS is my favorite of all her works. The story of Marcus and Gabi has everything. It’s a thriller, it’s often laugh-out-loud hilarious, it’s romantic and it’s sensual.

When her friend Kim is kidnapped, Gabrielle Renard (Gabi to her friends), a victim specialist with the Miami FBI field office, learns that slavers are kidnapping rebellious BDSM subs across the country and her friend is one of four abducted from an Atlanta club with Miami being targeted next. Knowing the FBI is putting female agents into BDSM clubs as decoys, she volunteers to be one at Shadowlands. She is warned by Special Agent Kouros that the women being targeted are only blatantly rebellious subs. Noisy ones. The buyers want the pleasure of breaking their spirits. Kouros has been conferring with Z and tells her that the Shadowlands owner said she will need to demonstrate disobedient, insolent behavior and that means the trainee program or she won’t attract enough attention to get noticed. Kouros informs her that club owners are sworn to secrecy so no one else will know she’s playing a part, including the Dom in charge of the trainees, who, according to Z, is a hard ass when it comes to disrespectful subs. Gabi can read between the lines—she will be punished from a Dom who doesn’t know she’s playing a part.

Prosecuting attorney Marcus Atherton, model gorgeous, rich and powerful, stands tall and broad shouldered with piercing blue eyes he uses to quell a rebellious sub and put her in her place. He’s taken over for Cullen as the trainer for the sub program and is riled when Z tells him he must accept a new, rather misbehaved sub and keep her for at least a month before he gives up on her. It’s unlike Z not to talk new additions to the program over with him and Z admits he’s doing someone a favor. An unusual request.

The nicely padded 5'5" strawberry blond has had enough of stuffy suits to last a lifetime and views Marcus in his tailored suits warily. Initially Marcus reminds her of her father—cold and controlled, and she can’t help but goad him. She’s anything but boring and each night ups the brattiness to the consternation (and amusement) of Marcus.

She mouths off to Dan when she delivers drinks with “Here go, dude” and is turned into a coffee table by Marcus when she complains her feet are tired and warned that if she spills a glass, she’ll have to give a blowjob. When Marcus surprises her and she tips a glass, she’s forced to fellatiate one of the Doms but frets that ‘Biting it off would probably come across as a little too defiant.’

Part of her outrage is real, the other theatric; she must continuously goad and the hilarious bratty things she does and says amuse all the Doms who have to bite back their laughter. Marcus’ instincts cry out for him to hold her, shield and protect her even as he must dispense punishment for her infractions. The bond between them deepens, attraction taking on a fierce hunger.

What will happen when Marcus finds out he’s spanked and punished an innocent, vulnerable woman, a completely terrified social worker who is doing all this just to save her friend?

To add to the drama while all this is going on, Jessica feels confusion about the deference Z shows to the new sub. He is protective towards the woman and Jessica’s never seen him extend that sort of concern to a new sub. A knot of jealousy starts to form in her chest. Z’s college aged kids pick a bad time to visit, furthering Jessica’s insecurity on what her status is with her Dom. She starts questioning their longevity.

Two subs have been targeted by the spotter working for the agency tasked to acquire them for their slave trade. With every appearance at Shadowlands, Gabi must up the ante, be more bratty and more outrageous if she’s going to be a successful part of bringing the slave ring down. This is a two-part story. The conclusion is in book 6, To Command And Collar.

I laughed at the feisty Gabi throughout Make Me, Sir. Her character is easily the most endearing because, out of sense of loyalty to her friend Kim, she pulls some outrageous stunts in an effort to garner attention. It seems so unfair that she gets punished, however, since all her attention-getting efforts are only to draw out the kidnapper.

Some verbal examples of the goading sub:

Gabi to Marcus: “Are you always stupid, or is today a special occasion?”

Gabi to Nolan: “Are you the first in your family to be born without a tail?”

Gabi to Marcus: “I can’t believe that out of one hundred thousand sperm, you were the fastest.”

Gabi to Galen: “You know, any resemblance between you and a human being is purely coincidental.”

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• Cullen: “You know, Marcus you say fuck you almost as politely as the boss.”

• Would the Internet have instructions on how to shave down there without slicing off something essential?

• (Andrea seeing Marcus nude finally) As her insides melted, she checked the water around her to see if it had started to boil.

• “Is that your face or did your neck just throw up?”

• “Yes, I want fries—I mean children. With you.”

• They hadn’t allowed him to get lonely, but despite their company, he’d missed Gabi as if he’d misplaced a body part. His heart, maybe.

Heroine’s favorite expression: (her one liners are too numerous to list)

Dom’s term of endearment: sugar

To Command And Collar – book 6

This is a continuation of the drama book 5 started. It is a gritty, sometimes terrifying look at the flesh peddling industry and the abyss some women fall prey into.

It’s buyer’s night and three men are looking over the merchandise on a warm Florida evening. Three women appear before them, trembling, praying the hatred in their eyes doesn’t betray them. Raoul Sandoval, a Dom we’ve met in previous Shadowlands books, is posing as a rich buyer for the FBI investigation. He’s to peruse and report back. The moment he recognizes Kimberly from the photo Gabi showed him, however, he realizes he cannot leave her behind; he must save her even though her purchase jeopardizes the FBI case now in place. His conscience is heavy that he can’t save them all and must leave the other two to their fates.

Kimberly Moore (Kim to her friends) has been kidnapped by a slaver who sold her to Lord Greville, a sadist who repeatedly raped and beat her, housing and feeding her like some animal. She’s been returned for a refund to the Overseer, Dahmer (what kind of psychopath named himself after a serial killer, Raoul wonders), because she took a knife to the Lord trying to kill him. The attempt got her a beating so violent she vomited before she was locked up in a tiny dog cage too small to stretch out in. Dahmer is a greasy, dark character who enjoys his job a little too much. Broken, beaten, and subdued, Kim now lives only to escape.

Needing access to the inner sanctum of Dahmer’s auctions, Raoul agrees to audition a fireplay demonstration for him at Shadowlands in the near future. The auctions are big events with many buyers, lots of slaves and a large number of the slaver’s personnel all present. A titillating performance can gain him the much needed entrée where wealth buys the finest slaves and the FBI can bring down the operation and arrest all the conspirators and free the captive women. Dahmer reminds him there’s also the follow-up visit needed to prove the sub has met his standards; Kim will need to play a dutiful slave. After all, satisfaction guaranteed, right? He has the fight of his life on his hands—how to reach the fragile and broken woman and gain her trust so she can be strong enough to help with the FBI investigation, even while helping her to heal.

The next morning Gabi rushes to be with her rescued friend and both women fall into each other’s arms crying. The FBI shows up, at first angry that Raoul had made the purchase on his own (backed with money from Z) but the Special Agent admits he would have done the very same. In the days that follow at Gabi and Marcus’ home, and with the help of Faith, a psychologist, Kim starts having little victories over the traumatic nightmare she endured. Kim watches the love between Gabi and Marcus and seeing the tenderness is healing just in itself. All men are not the enemy Kim has to remind herself as she frequently slips into the darkness of her past, shuddering with the memory of being caged, of being whipped.

Jessica and a very pregnant Kari join Kim and Gabi for a girl afternoon and catch-up. At the end of their bonding and regenerative afternoon, the FBI shows up with Raoul. Problems. Kim cannot go home. The slavers have eyes everywhere and would kill her as a runaway. It would put her family at risk. Staying with Gabi and Marcus puts them at risk as well. Witness protection is possible but she would have to convince everyone she’s dead and that would put Kim’s mother through terrible trauma. Would Kim agree to help the FBI and pose as Raoul’s slave? It means moving in with Raoul and learning his habits, his protocols. It would only be for the duration of convincing Dahmer that Raoul is satisfied with his purchase. Kim thinks of the women she’s left behind. Can she turn her back on them? She firms her shoulders and agrees.

Raoul’s Dom instinct tells him to move slowly with small touches and verbal play. He seeks to heal the damage and do what he can but much of Kim’s turmoil is related to being enslaved and everything Raoul does brings back those memories. A simple touch makes her cringe thinking he will attack. He chooses to shower with her, taking turns to wash each other. He touches her in a nonsexual manner, building up her confidence and trust. He starts her on strength training in his home gym as well as lessons in self-defense, making sure that she eats well and gets plenty of sunshine. He begins to inexorably draw out the woman from underneath all the trauma.

But who will draw out Raoul’s? He has his own demons haunting him: a family that doesn’t understand his lifestyle, a failed Master/slave relationship with his ex wife that he can’t move past. The last thing he wanted in his newly built home is another slave. Despair edges through his defenses.

It’s the night of the meeting with Dahmer at Shadowlands. The regulars are on alert. The Masters’ subs whisper to Kim that she will be watched at all times and not to be afraid; she’ll be safe. But they can’t know that a private call went out the night before to the Overseer that makes things very unsafe for Kim. For it seems Lord Greville has just discovered the ‘fuckhole’ who tried to kill him wasn’t disposed of properly by his staff and instead turned back in for a refund. He very much wants his little slave back. It’s payback time, and he intends to have his hole in a hole—six feet deep.

Fun and Delicious Lines:

• Slave. The word sandpapered his nerves.

• Kari grinned. “In that case, you should have been at the last barbecue when Gabi called Marcus a cretin and asked him if he’d had an extra bowl of stupid that morning.”

• [Kim’s POV] Yesterday the scum-sucking algae eater had buckled leather cuffs on her wrists.

• “Yes, Master.” Homework. Frigging what-I-did-on-my-slavery-vacation homework.

• Her mouth dropped open, and her brain started to kick in, erratic as a motor with some salt water in the fuel.

• His lips quirked as if he was trying not to smile. “Next time when I say we will play, I do not mean hide-and-seek.”

The moment when Kimberly hides far back in the closet, trembling because she’s stolen some of Master Raoul’s sex toys she doesn’t want him to use on her is so rich in emotion I cried. She’s a small child right then, terrified she is going to be punished for doing something wrong. It’s one of the finest scenes I’ve read from Cherise, intimate, poignant, achingly visceral. Raoul is tender and understanding, tucking her into his lap and against his chest and listening to her as she pours her heart out.

Heroine’s favorite expression: Drown him!

Dom’s term of endearment: pobrecita; kitten, gatita; Chiquita; carajo; sumisita; sumisa

Cherise’s work has gotten more gritty, tension filled and involving. From shy plump women who discover their submissive mien under the knowing hands of an alpha Dom to her most current work, she is working a broader palette these days with immersive elements that are sure to draw in more readers.

Things Consistent to this Writer That I Love:

• Every woman gets an adorable nickname by her dom: little thief, little vet, little cat, rebel, kitten, gatita, sumisa, sugar, little rabbit, etc.

• Every man’s eyes crinkle with pleasure when they smile.

• Secondary characters get fleshed out and made compelling. Secondary characters shift to their own storylines in her ongoing series so it behooves you to pay attention to the interactions of everyone.

• Her men are flawed, sometimes physically, but unrepentantly alpha. Unselfish, skilled lovers who take women who have often never known love, who almost always are not aware of their submissive nature, and bring out their sensuality.

• As her SHADOWLANDS series has progressed, the stories are meatier with taut drama.

• Her women have careers, often accomplished—gardener, singer/songwriter, accountant, advertising exec, businesswomen who are independent in their own right.

• There is the usually the threat of a psycho ex or business associate that threads believably through many of her stories, making her readers angsty to cheat like I did to get to the last chapter just to see the satisfying conclusions so they can take their time and relax as they read these often thinly veiled thrillers.

Unlike a lot of other erotic writers, she varies her terms so your mind isn’t caught in a loop of repeats. There is nothing I find that weighs down an erotic story than a poor sexual vocabulary. How many times have I seen a writer strive for eroticism but pull me up short, incongruent to the moment? It’s like short-sheeting a bed! Words carry imagery and can propel a story into memorable … or laughable. Cherise is a strong, gifted imaginative writer and I expect both the DARK HAVEN and SHADOWLANDS series to continue because new characters get folded into the stories and she makes all of them compelling enough you want to read their storylines as well.

Writer’s Strong Points:

•Good mental dialog for her females so we know exactly what they’re feeling or thinking. This can bring about hilarity as in the inner dialog of Kimberly Moore in To Command And Collar who wants to drown Raoul Sandoval every time she looks at him. No matter how many affectionate things he’s called her, she has to bite her tongue because her anger is so deep.

• Some wonderful turns of phrase:

He fondled her bottom for a long while, never touching anything, until all her anythings throbbed (TO COMMAND AND COLLAR)

the joy fractured and died, leaving her with the bitter taste of betrayal on her tongue. (MAKE ME, SIR)

… all her fight fucked right out of her (DARK CITADEL)

her voice was like a melody of happiness and caring (DARK CITADEL)

Odd how satisfying her little breast was, perching like a dove in his palm (BREAKING FREE)

“In the Shadowlands, lying at all is a problem; lying about having an orgasm is a crash-and-burn offense.” (LEAN ON ME)

With no exception, every one of her subs is inclined to snark. They’re strong women with smart opinions who are quick to outrage. Each winds up paired with a Dom who enjoys the boldness of their tongues even while having to punish the more severe brattiness. Jessica, for instance, has a habit of attacking men when she thinks a sub is being mistreated. It gets her frequently tied up and punished by Z. Cherise has given us subs who are witty, fun and people we’d like to know.

I enjoy a series, to see characters develop, intermingle, grow. She doesn’t disappoint, we catch up with each character from her previous story each time a new book rolls out.

Things I’d Say If I Could Talk to the Writer:

Cherise, you need to find a different way to talk scents! As only a frequent reader would probably note, you are repetitive when you refer to a woman smelling a man. ‘He smelled of x and y and himself (insert: name-of-character).’ I see a lot of writers using this same concept and it’s become hackneyed for me. You’re too strong a writer to fall into this pit.

A few examples …

She smelled of only soap and woman.

just the clean scent of soap and pine and ... definitely man.

Her scent—vanilla, citrus and woman—drifted to him …

She inhaled the clean scent of soap and man.

He smelled of subtly dark cologne, of soap ... of man.

He wore no cloying aftershave, and his scent of leather, soap, and man smelled just right.

She caught a hint of his scent—leather and soap and man

And the fact that every woman’s head fits into the hollow of her dom’s shoulder ‘as if designed for that purpose’ is a lovely way to talk about physical as well as emotional compatibility but after so many books, it’s overused.

Things I’d Like to See:

• Xavier’s story, how he came to own Dark Haven

• Sally needs a story!

• More story following the SHADOWLANDS subs’ interaction with each other. They’re an expanding team of women who care fiercely about each other, nurture and protect each other. I want moments that focus on them. Conversation, a night out, an afternoon shopping, dialog to continue their own storylines. In much the same way Christine Warren’s OTHERS fka FANTASY FIX group of girlfriends interact and support each other, I’d like to see the Shadowlands gals interact apart from their doms, even if it’s only to trade titillating stories. Baby shower for Kari, maybe? The wedding shower for Z and Jessica? Lots of opportunities for the gals to get together and talk.

If strong alpha men who will move heaven and hell for their women coupled with believable, moving storylines are your thing, Cherise Sinclair’s works will become some of your very favorites and you’ll find yourself recommending her to your friends who share similar interests. You can keep up to date on what’s in the works by subscribing to her website at cherisesinclair.com.

Bayou Rescue (Shifters of Alligator Bend 1) by Charlotte Rose

2012-01-26T16:27:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Adele Roche heads to the bayou for research. She doesn’t expect to encounter Oscar Valdez or Xavier Dupart. Nor does she expect to see them become alligators right before her eyes. But what shocks her most is that she’s their mate.

Two members of the gator clan are being held as aquarium exhibits, and a wealthy businessman wants to buy them for his private zoo. Adele is still reeling from the idea of being mated to not one but two shapeshifters, but she agrees to help the clan bring the trapped gators back.

As Adele spends time with Oscar and Xavier, she starts to like the idea of being mated to two sexy shape-shifters. But just as she’s starting to fall in love, everything falls apart. After a botched rescue attempt, blame falls on Adele. Can she find a way to rescue the trapped gators and claim her mates?

Reviewer: RedDragonfly
I do like well written Paranormal romances and this is definitely one of them! I look forward to reading more in this series as it's a nice change from cat and wolf shifters.

The romance between Adele, Oscar, and Xavier is believeable but I wish certain scenes were discussed about before and not after, though the secrets being held make me anxious to read the series and mad for not knowing more.

The story was well paced, with a not too out there storyline and was easy to read. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Seduction (The Spymaster's Men 1) by Brenda Joyce

2012-01-25T20:18:00.003-05:00

Summary:

Danger. Deception. Desire

Dominic Paget, the earl of Bedford, will do anything to resume spying upon Britain’s enemies. Badly wounded, he is put in the care of a beautiful gentlewoman, Julianne Greystone, only to discover that her sympathies lie with his enemies. Yet he can’t help but seduce the woman who saved his life—hoping she never learns f his betrayal.

Julianne is captivated by the wounded stranger she believes is a revolutionary hero. Until she discovers the truth…her “hero” is the privileged earl of Bedford. Devastated and determined to forget him, Julianne travels to London. But when she finds herself in danger, it is Bedford who comes to the rescue. Now Julianne must navigate the intrigues of a perilous city, the wild yearnings of her own heart and the explosion of their passion…

Reviewer: Fashionta
An Englishman that speak perfect French and is so good at his work that he mistaken for a French nobleman when in fact he is an English earl. Brenda Joyce's latest work introduces us to a half English, half French earl who is a spy during the French revolution, which is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

Another magnificent story by Brenda Joyce, who is known for her historical romance. She presents both sides of the war while introducing a group of characters that seem worlds apart due to their beliefs but might have closer connections than they think.

4 stars and I hope we get more insight into the secondary characters that play a role in this novel. In one of the upcoming books in this series, I would love to see the wedding of Julianne and Dominic, as there would certainty be a scandal considering the hero’s connections and heroine‘s family have an interesting past.

Publisher: Harlequin HQNBooks
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley

Captured by Julia Rachel Barrett

2012-01-25T19:51:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Mari never expects to find herself in a cage in a cargo hold on a spaceship. She quickly learns from her captors she's headed to the meat market. When they try to return her to hypersleep, she resists. After allowing her to stay awake, Mari realizes her survival depends on connecting with the male in charge, Ekkatt. She must make him see her as a sentient being or she will end up as dinner.

Ekkatt has never spoken to any human. They are valued for one thing, the money they bring at auction. The Attun race is vegetarian, but other species prize human flesh and bring in good money. Then the female with red hair speaks to him and forces him to admit she has a name. Mari throws Ekkatt's entire life into question, the biggest question...can he watch her sold to the highest bidder?

Reviewer: ScarletRose
An extraordinarily strong woman is taken from earth to a strange, alien world that after first glance seems much like our earth. She has faced terrible loss, yet managed to stay alive ...that bodes well for her survival in this hostel new world.

If you love Alien/Human romances, then you will be enthralled by Captured!

The heroine, Mari, awakens in a cage, naked and terrified. She has no idea where she is or how she got there...enter the hero, Ekkart...her captor. To him, she and the other women he and his fellow trappers have taken are just animals heading for the auction to be either slaughtered, or used as strange alien prostitutes. The 'animals' are kept sedated for easier transport.

But Mari wakes up... and she is pissed! She confronts her captors, intrigues Ekkart and makes him question everything he has ever believed. He must come to terms that what he does is morally wrong, in- humane and this will turn his life up-side down.

I loved this book! Ekkart is pissed that the cargo is awake.... Mari tells him.... ___you! LOL She gains his respect and he gains his heart... this is a wonderful love story that will have you rooting for this wonderful couple...and the lovemaking isn't bad either...in fact it is HOT....

Captured is the first book I have read by author Julia Rachel Barrett but it will not be the last.... I give it 5 stars....

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing

Fading (A Flirty Fantasy of Falling Idols 2) by Cecilia Gray

2012-01-25T19:37:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Ever had an itch you just can’t scratch?

Mhaya hasn’t. As a goddess, she doesn’t itch, or hunger, or thirst. In fact, she’s pretty much above petty human annoyances, from humiliation to heartbreak.

Until now.

Because ever since her better-known twin brother Eros gave her the boot from Mount Olympus, Mhaya has been fading from human memory. The only way to prevent her godly demise is to temporarily trade her immortality for the drudgery of pitiful, pointless humanity. Which is not exactly Mhaya’s style.

Her only ally in her quest to stay alive is the stunningly sexy, utterly unobtainable Marcus, a man who has his own reasons to see Mhaya fail. And yet, he’s somehow unable to turn his back on her… and the more she struggles to survive her brush with mortality, the more interested he becomes in showing her the very best part of being human: passionate, pulse-racing love.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
All Mhyra wants is to be back on Mount Olympus, where her family threw her out a long time ago. To be powerful enough to do so, she has to have a soul. That’s why she uses Lauris, a witch, but by doing so she hurts her lover, Marcus, whom she made immortal hundreds of years ago. To get the soul she has twelve hours to pass three tests or she will die.

Marcus decided to help her because

once you have a soul, you‘ll feel the full weight and pain of the misery you‘ve caused others, Mhaya. You‘ll finally feel guilt for what you‘ve done to my soldiers. And I want to be there when it happens.

This book is the second in the Fallen Idols’s series and it is a wonderful story. I totally loved how Ms. Cecilia Gray shows what Mhyra is feeling for the first time as a mortal when she felt hunger and she was tired. Although she was the wicked goddess in the previous story, in this one we start to understand her, to love her.

I loved the moments when she feels what true love is, when she faces her second task:

Find the courage to face your greatest fear.

She realized that her greatest fear was losing Marcus and not dying. In addition, she finally understands why she wanted a soul and it wasn’t about the power she could get, but because Marcus could finally get what he wanted all these years.

If you think that this was the most interesting part of the book, you are wrong. The best part is the end, it will make you laugh and cry and love every single word. It definitively is the best book I've ever read! You should try it, it won’t let you down. 5 stars… if I could give it more, I would!

Also, Ms. Cecilia Gray revealed to me that the next book of the series, Fleeting, will be available in late Spring/early Summer. I will be counting the days, as she's on the top of my Favorite Writer’s list.

Lord of Illusion (The Elven Lords 3) by Kathryne Kennedy

2012-01-24T17:48:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Acclaimed for her world-building, Kathryne Kennedy's third book in her haunting new historical paranormal romance series features transcendent writing.

Rebel Drystan Hawkes dreams of freeing England and discovers the key to opening the door to Elfhame lies with Camille, a young slave woman. Drystan sets off to rescue her and find the key that will send the dreaded elf lords away forever. But who is rescuing whom?

Reviewer: Fashionta
In this third of book of The Elven Lords series, fifty years has passed since the last novel. We are introduced to old and new areas with the story of Drystan, another half elven child who joined the rebellion due his connection to the heroine and hero of the previous novel.

He is an interesting character, who’s gift has also been a curse to him as he searches for the person he believes is the way to gain England’s freedom. He’s passionate about this work. The author shows this clearly, in simple words to describe him after a late night of work at the start of novel which sets the story and the journey on which we are about to be taken.

The person in question is a young woman who's been stuck in slavery but managed to rise to the position of servant twice and has been set back by unfortunate events. Most people believe her to be worthless and the author uses this to show the best of both lead characters. This couple work well together, which is something I love and follows the tradition set in this series.

Kathryne Kennedy has written another amazing book and this world continues to grow and become more creative as the series grows. I look forward to future releases and recommend this series to anyone who's looking for a good historical fantasy series. I give this book 4.5 stars

Publishing Date: Feb. 01, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Courtesy Of: NetGalley