A Way to a Dragon’s Heart by Xakara

Summary:

Dragon Shifter Kryssa Drake works twenty hour days, seven days a week, racing toward a sabbatical and hiding from the dating world after a devastating break-up that left her questioning her sense of self. The highlight of her day is the two hour lunch spent listening to Near Human Xander Luciano, co-owner of Luciano's Deli across the street, and living vicariously through his on-again/off-again relationship with Avian Caleb James. Over the years and countless intimacies of their friendship, Kryssa has grown to love Xander and the idea of Xander and Caleb, but ideas and potential are not enough to brave the pain of the past so soon.

Pastry chef and Near Human Xander Luciano has spent the last two years trying to charm Kryssa out of her vow of a five year isolation following her break-up. He's spent that same two years sorting out his feelings for his college sweetheart Caleb and trying to figure out a way to pin the restless Avian down or to finally make peace with a few months of happiess at a time. When Caleb opens the pastry cafe they always dreamed about and invites him to become a partner, Xander sees the flicker of hope that maybe half of is dream is about to come true. When he's volunteered by Kryssa's brother and boss to assist her in her current projects, as well as help her relax in his cabin up north, Xander thinks his persistance and culinary skills just might help him have it all.

Sometimes the only way to get a good man to settle down is to have a good woman help. And oft times, the most direct way to a Dragon's heart is through her stomach.

Reviewer: Dolce Amore
The story about Caleb, a dormant avian, Kryssa, a dragon shifter, and Xander, who is Fae-blooded, is very complex and interesting.

Xander's heart breaks a little every time Caleb leaves and he does often, because Caleb has the migration instincts of a bird. It's an urge Caleb has always felt, but now he seems to be settling down and trying to move their relation to the next level, but Xander’s still unsure if it will work.

Xander is also in love with his best friend, Kryssa. He knows that she's had a bad relationship and it's left her reluctant to try again but he is hoping to show her that he is not like her ex, Landon.

Just when the three of them start a relationship and the future looks bright, Kryssa’s ex appears, trying to get her back. Will he succeed?

I really loved the bits of humor in the book. Like when Kryssa's blonde temp secretary asked her:

“So, you like, get scaly, and big, and stuff?”
“You’re like, warm and stuff.”...
...I’m Therian and run hot...
Well, the whole cold-blooded thing, silly. Dragons are reptiles, right?”

I found that hilarious and it made me laugh outloud. She even made the terrified dragon run like a little girl!

I give it 4.5 stars, this is a very good book, I really recommend it.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

The City of Counts by Keira Andrews

Summary:

Stephen Parker's days are as predictable and boring as the tax law he practices. His heart broken by his long-time lover, Stephen is just going through the motions and burying himself in his work. But a chance encounter with Xavier Dumont, a mysterious -- and dead sexy -- younger man, leads to a steamy night that will expand Stephen’s horizons in ways he never expected.

Reviewer: CitrusFruit
I'm giving Keira Andrews' short story The City of Counts three stars. This was a very cute read but it just didn't have enough to warrant a higher rating, but I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others who are looking for a short vampire story.

This is actually the first book I've read by Keira Andrews and based on this book I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. Her writing style was simple, easy to follow, and the story flowed well. The story is about Stephan (who seems to lead a pretty boring life doing taxes) meeting Xavier while waiting at the DMV. They end up going to dinner then going home and sleeping together. During their sexual encounter Xavier bites Stephan, and Stephan seems to have no problem with it and just accepts that he is a vampire.

I would have liked to have had a little more backstory there, either that Stephan had already believed in vampires or them discussing it further; not just complete acceptance. The ending is very cute, Xavier is gone (I'm guessing this had to do with it being day and the sun but this was never answered either) but he left behind two tickets to Barcelona because Stephan mentioned always wanting to go there. If the author ever writes more stories about Stephan and Xavier I would love to read them (maybe about them in Barcelona that would be fun to read about).

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

In Love and War by Suzanne Barrett

Summary:

The setting: a small village in County Waterford, 1993. Irish dairy farmer, Meaghann Power, struggling to make ends meet, rents her converted castle keep to an embittered war correspondent wounded in Bosnia. Quinn Lawlor has come to his ancestral homeland to heal and to be left alone.

However, pragmatic Meaghann discovers much more than just her attractive-but-surly tenant's body is in need of healing. What begins as indifference turns to fascination, and later, desire. But can their passion survive Meaghann's own dark secrets?

Reviwer: QueenBee
Set at the height of the IRA war in Ireland, this novel is a welcome change from the typical war love story. Hurt and loss are common in a war, and the author explores them by introducing two characters who show the more realistic view of today’s war. She also aims to bring a balance, provided by additional characters presenting both views, which I enjoyed.

The author does a wonderful job of expressing the main characters' emotions about the war as they strive toward acceptance of the other's beliefs.

I have to give it 4 stars. Another well written and enjoyable book from this talented author, who's careful research is a joy to read compared to ill-researched books. I wish that we could have had a second storyline of Meg’s brother and Sara who were important characters in this story as they presented one side of the story whilst the main characters represented the other side.

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press

The Birches by Xavier Axelson

Summary:

Perfection isn’t everything, although it’s everything Leo wants. His desire to become the perfect chef may keep him at the top of his class, but it drives his friends and family crazy while keeping love and passion on the back burner.That is until he meets Dock, owner and chef of the new and popular restaurant, The Birches. Although Dock isn’t a trained chef, Leo finds the food he cooks delectable and the man behind the food irresistible. The lessons taught at the hands of an untrained cook may be just what this uptight chef needs to let go.

Reviewer: Fashionta
I give Xavier Axelsson's book The Birches 2.5 stars. I feel like this book could have been a little longer and less repetitive. The whole first chapter of this book is devoted to making meringues and Leo’s rage at not making the perfect meringue peaks. It’s only at the very end of the first chapter that you realize Leo’s rage is not because his meringue peaks did not come out perfect. Leo rages at everything and I do mean everything!

After a few chapters, you finally meet the other main character Dock, and that’s when you realize Leo is a bit of a food snob. He is rude with his critique of other restaurants; he feels like they do not use certain techniques because the cooks have not been to culinary school. Toward the middle of the book, I discovered I really dislike Leo. He acts more like a spoilt child than the grown up he should be.

I don’t really like this book at all. Mainly because a lot of it is repetitive, and in some areas of the book I feel like the author could have given a little more new information. For instance, if you are going to blame Leo’s anger issues on his mother's death, then it should have went into a little more detail on the death. Her death should not be just a blurb in the book if it is the direct result of how Leo behaves now.

I will give 5 stars for the last chapter, because that chapter was smoking hot. It’s just too bad the rest of the book was not!

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Crate Trained by Julia Talbot

Summary:

Gary knows that anonymous cruising is dangerous, but he never expects for a night out to end in a painful bite that won’t seem to heal. His cop roommate Chey knows that bite is even more dangerous than Gary imagines. Can he convince Gary that he needs to take some precautions before it’s too late?

Reviewer: CitrusFruit
Gary and Chey are roommates and both gay. But the one time Gary hit on Chey he turned him down, so Gary never tried again. At the start of the story, we see Gary going into a gay club called the Tool Box so he can find someone to hookup with. At the club, he finds some random hot guy and goes off into the corner to get a blow job. This scene is actually the only problem I had with the book, because I didn't think it was necessary to give details of getting a blow job from the guy. I think it would have been better if the author had a fade to black scene and just mentioned him getting bitten by a random guy. It's simply because in such a short story, I didn't need to hear about Gary hooking up with two guys. Except for that one scene, I loved the rest of the story.

Once Chey was introduced into the story, his point of view was always very funny and his possessiveness was very cute. I also thought it was funny how she mentioned Gary had read about bondage and something called the Gates of Hell on Nifty, which if you don't know, it's a free site to read porn stories. The ending of the story pulled everything together but also left it open enough to write more stories about these two, which I really hope she does!

I'm giving Julia Talbot's short story Crate Trained four stars. I loved this story, it was cute and very funny, I just wish it had been longer.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Bristol boyz Stomp by Doreen McGettigan

Summary:

The media was there in full force. Our court advocates warned us we were going to hear graphic details of David's injuries. I was prepared; I wanted and needed to know every detail of that night.

Reviewer: QueenBee
The rippling effect of a murder tears the lives of a town and a family apart. This honest, painfully touching memoir explores the short life and tragic death of the author’s youngest brother (David) who died in a senseless, heinous beating perpetrated by a group of kids bent on acting out.

The accused were members of a street gang called Bristol Boyz. What started as a simple band practice turned dark as the brother and his bandmates made their way home afterwards and were set upon by a group of teens wanting nothing more than to fight. It was a classic case of road rage that went awry. And why? To get out aggression? To set things right? To prove a point? The savage beating didn’t resolve anything for the attackers who ramped up violence exponentially later when they employed more to join in the melee. The author’s brother died in the ensuing clash but not before languishing for days in a hospital on life support. He never regained consciousness and the family was faced with the painful decision to remove him from life support when it was evident he would never recover.

Wanting perhaps to exorcise her own demons, the author relates the high emotions of her brother’s loss and follows the prosecution of members of this gang as a town tries to understand and comes to term with the pact mentality of the youths. She leaves no stone unturned as she documents the hour by hour, day by day drama for her family and their attempt to obtain justice for their lost boy. Her words are potent, a thunderous reflection that leaves one shaking in anger and grief. This well written, naked retelling of the search for justice winds up encompassing the author’s life as she follows the lives of those accused and watches members of the Bristol Boyz gang receive trial, sentencing, imprisonment and eventually parole back into society. Sadly, not all received sentencing for their murderous rage-filled act.

If it’s possible to enjoy such a tale, I did. I’ve read like-stories before that have not been as visceral and forthcoming, as direct and unbiased. Doreen McGettigan is careful to share her views but not go about offending anyone in any way. I have to give this stellar read 3.5 stars.

Dragon Rider's Woman by Freya Garth

Summary:

Doraya escapes a life of drudgery thanks to attractive dragon rider Goril and his sexy dragon Fiami. Then she discovers that throwing in her lot with Goril and Fiami means she has inadvertently become the sexual property of their whole tribe. Doraya joins seven other women who live with the thirty--five dragon riders and are shared fairly between them.

The riders are desperate for more women to join the tribe, but the traditions of their land make this almost impossible. Each rider is good-looking and kind, but it is Goril who Doraya adores. Doraya’s unexpected mind-meld with Fiami threatens her mental health but ultimately brings her closer to Goril. Can Doraya solve the riders’ problem, and in so doing win Goril’s love as well as his lust?

Reviwer: Fashionta
Doraya is living as a lowly kitchen drudge in the palace of King Panac because she had nowhere to go. She saw Goril many times in the past, while he made short visits with the king and she was attracted to him, but he is a dragon rider and she was just a nobody.

But one night Doraya asked Goril if she could go with him, even though she was afraid because of all the stories she heard about the dragon riders and their dragons. When a woman goes with a dragon rider she is never seen again, so she didn't know what would happen! People believe that the women are eaten by dragons, or enslaved, or used, abandoned, and left for dead.

When Doraya asked Goril to take her with him, she didn’t expect to find seven happy women with thirty-five men. Her lover can claim her for at least two weeks, but after that he will have to share her with the other dragon riders.

But when they make love for the first time, something happens and Doraya melds with Fiami, Goril’s dragon, the same way he melded with the dragon when he was a kid. Could he succeed in training her? Could he save her and teach her what she must do to keep her identity while feeling the dragon’s emotions?

The story is unique and charming. I enjoyed it, although I feel like Ms. Freya Garth could have extended it a little bit, especially the end. The characters are fine, not amazing, but there are ok, and the sex scenes are well written, even the lesbian ones.

I will give it 4 stars.

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders

Deception by Lyndi Lamont

Summary:

London 1895, where men who love other men flaunt convention and risk imprisonment for "the love that dare not speak its name." Until Oscar Wilde goes on trial for gross indecency...

An anonymous and intriguing invitation leads struggling artist, Leander Frampton, into a private world of sensuality with a stranger in an elaborate black and gold costume. When the masks come off, Leander rediscovers the lover he's dreamed of for the last two months. The man who abruptly left him in the middle of the night. Now Rupert Austin has returned, inspiring Leander's art and filling him with desire. Thinking he has found both muse and patron, Leander gives all he has: his heart, his body, his talent. But Rupert is as elusive and evasive as ever, appearing and disappearing in Leander's life, with little explanation.

Forbidden passions lure Rupert Austin, an outwardly staid art importer, into a secret life where he is free to pursue his love of handsome young men. Past loss makes him shy away from involvement, but he is unable to resist Leander's talent, youthful beauty and enthusiasm. Rupert arranges for a private showing of Leander's work, but that doesn't mean he trusts Leander with all of his secrets, especially after risky public sex that could have landed them in jail.

Two very different men—one, a businessman, with a great deal to lose and a taste for secret liaisons with beautiful men, and the other a young, gifted artist who will give his all to the right man. Will deception destroy any possibility for a once-in-a-lifetime passion for these passionate lovers?

Reviewer: BlackTulip
London, 1895, the year Oscar Wild went on trial for gross indecency and was convicted. It was a very dangerous time for men who loved men.

This book tells a beautiful love story between two men. One is ready to surrender everything he has and everything he is, the other feels he has too much to lose and is not ready to throw away his deceptive mask. Their reactions will be completely different when confronted with choices to make.

Leander Frampton is a character you simply cannot resist falling in love with. He is a young and beautiful artist who seemed rather delicate at first, innocent in many ways but very determined and resilient in others. Like every artist at the time, he struggles to make ends meet and has to work as a waiter in a restaurant to support himself. He is not afraid to do what it takes to reach his goal in life but only if it doesn’t mean compromising his independence or integrity, doing something that doesn't agree with him.

He is honest and trusting but can be very impulsive. From a young age he understood he was different and had to keep a tight rein on his youthful emotions in order to stay away from trouble.

Leander, being who he is, will give himself body and soul to Rupert without reservations and will be hurt deeply by all the things left unsaid.

Rupert is much more difficult to like. He is not a bad man and certainly a generous one - it is much easier for him to open his wallet than his heart, costs him less that way. He is used to wearing two masks, depending on the situation.

In Liverpool he lives a life of a respectable art dealer and family man. In London he is able to give free rein to his attraction to young artists. He was in love once but this person died long ago and he’s been guarding his heart ever since, mindful of all the things he could lose, status and family included, in case he gave his trust to the wrong people. Better not to trust at all.

We can see that he struggles with himself when he realizes that what he feels for Leander is much more than passing fancy but even then he cannot let go. Old habits die hard.

In the end, Rupert almost makes a decision that nearly keeps them apart forever. Frankly, I thought that he was too selfish sometimes, not giving pause to consider Leander's pain but always thinking about himself and his guilt ... Maybe he even didn't deserve Leander.

This was a well written and emotionally deep novella, no doubt about that. I give 4/5.

Forbidden by Anne Mather

Summary:

"I haven't come back into your life, James," Caroline said. She was shocked to discover that the position she had accepted as governess was the in the home of the man she had spent six years trying to forget.

Aware that nothing had really changed, that he could still create havoc with her life, Caroline's first instinct was to flee.

Then she found herself trapped - by his daughter's need of her and by the demands of his invalid wife. And by her own need of James!

Reviwer: QueenBee
I loved this book, unlike another of her novels Savage Innocence which had a very similar scenario. If you ever want to read a manipulative character in a Harlequin novel then this novel is for you. As the title suggests, the book is about forbidden things. In this case they are the relationships between Caroline and James and Laura and her beau. Each of them wants the relationship but there are important factors that stands in the way. For Caroline and James it is the fact that James is married to Deborah and they have a child.

It is Laura's relationship with her beau which brings these characters together. Caroline, the heroine, is employed by the family to teach and keep a eye on Laura. However, the main storyline is based around the summer fling that happened over five years ago and comes back to haunt the characters as Deborah schemes to get her way.

Caroline has matured into a strong woman who thinks this is an opportunity not to miss because it will look good on resume. She believes that she is working for the person who invited her and doesn’t want to back down when she realizes it's not who she thinks, because her heart goes out to the misguided Laura who is lost in this world due to her parents’ issues.

It becomes a cat and mouse game as the characters have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Acquaintances become friends as schemes comes to fruition and the author keeps us on our toes with the questions of who will be victorious in this game and who will win Carline's heart.

I have to give this book 3.5 stars as is it's one of Anne Mather's better books and the main disappointment was they didn’t go into much detail about the past fling. We only know the bare details of the fling and the story could have been improved as it lacked the knowledge of the past relationship between James and Caroline.

Be With Us by Lynn Tyler

Summary:

Lindsay, a conservative librarian, has always fantasized about being with two men who love her and each other. Much to her dismay, two hot men walk into the Toronto library where she works, eager to make that fantasy come true. But, wary of the scandal a ménage relationship would bring, Lindsay sends them away.

After being convinced to give them a chance, Lindsay begins to realize how close to reality her fantasy is, until a reminder of her painful past surfaces and her fears take over.

Will Lindsay have the courage to seize what she wants, or will she let her past dictate her future?

Reviewer: BlueBell
Lindsay is a librarian who is approached by Nick and Liam, a couple who believe they've found their permanent third in her.

Lawyer Nick has lived with his partner, firefighter Liam, for five years. They are totally committed to each other but both desire a permanent third and believe Lindsay is the one who will totally complete them.

The only thing I actually liked about Lindsay was she shares the same name as a family member. Harsh, I know, but she epitomizes everything I can’t stand in a heroine. Afraid of her own shadow, scared she may or may not be gossiped about or that gossip will put a damper on her budding relationship with Liam and Nick - oh, and then maybe the guys will end up leaving her! All these doubts, of course, before she’s even really taken the first step. I got that she had a lot of issues stemming from her childhood but for heaven’s sake, give me a heroine with a spine! I wanted to slap her and I kept wishing both Nick and Liam would realize they were better off without the aggravation.

Nick and Liam however were awesome, I loved them both, although there were times I was like - when is enough, enough? They allowed Lindsay to walk all over them both. She even casts them aside and still they both stand by her - give the guys a medal, they deserve one. The chemistry between the two guys was hot and believable. 3/5

Review Courtesy Of: ManicReaders