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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Review - Free Love by Cindy Jacks


Title: Wilder’s Fantasies Book Three: Free Love

Author: Cindy Jacks

Publisher: Freya’s Bower

Buy Free Love Here!


Rating: You Need to Read


Reviewed by: Gabrielle



Free Love chronicles Fiona's first ménage à trois, guided her dom's masterful hand. In contrast to Marcelo's power and raw masculinity, Angel's boyish good looks and natural sweetness make him the perfect addition to her fantasies. Then again, sometimes three really is a crowd.



Fiona and Marcelo are on a quest to find just the right person to join them for Fiona’s first threesome. After meeting a few of Marcelo’s friends they finally come upon some one Fiona likes and feels comfortable with: Angel. The two take Angel back to Marcelo’s apartment and the fun begins.

In this book we continue with the escapades of Fiona and Marcelo. This is the next installment of their fun. I enjoyed this part of their story. Fiona is a young woman willing to try new and exciting sexual adventures and it is very evident that her Dom Marcelo loves her. No matter what happens he is always aware and caring when it comes to Fiona. Their relationship is a strong one that is based on trust and love. Even though this is another installment in Fiona and Marcelo’s life it can be read as a stand-alone. If you have not read their story this book will make you go in search of their beginning. Well written and fast paced this short story should not be missed. I will certainly be looking for the next in this series.

Review - Fallon's Flame by Marie Harte


Title: Fallon’s Flame

Author: Marie Harte

Publisher: Loose ID

Buy Fallon's Flame Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed By: Janelle


Genetic manipulation has created the first super soldier, the Circ. Able to transform into hulking, inhuman beasts at will, the second generation of Circs, under Project Dawn Endeavor, is much more dangerous than the first. The secret, psychically gifted four-man team who once worked for the U.S. Navy now belongs to the mysterious Mrs. Sharpe who is bent on cleaning up science gone wrong around the globe. She sends the men of Dawn Endeavor out on behalf of the United States government, but there’s more to her agenda than patriotism. If only the team knew what she really had planned.

There are few minds Jesse Fallon can’t read. Mrs. Sharpe’s is one of them. Olivia Lynn’s, the team’s new interpreter on their latest mission, is another. The woman is smart, sexy, and hell on Jesse's libido. Her lips say she refuses to become romantically involved with an ex-SEAL, but her body says something else entirely. Jesse’s Circ, and a Circ can never find satisfaction with a human, because only a Circ can ease his carnal needs. Except Olivia satisfies everything inside him and leaves him craving more. When the mission goes wrong, he’ll have to learn Olivia’s secrets in order to save her, and in turn, save himself. Because a Circ in love is a walking time bomb.


This story came out of the gate strong. It has a good primus, a strong plot, and interesting characters with interesting problems that have interesting solutions. I really enjoyed the dynamic among the boys. They are more then comrades in arms, more then friends. The reader can also feel their isolation brought on by their uneasy submission to a commander they don’t altogether trust.

But about half way through the story, it kind of started to flounder. As soon as the main pair got together, all the tension left the story. Even the drama outside the romance did not feel as alive. It even went so far as to skip that part of the story where the characters decide if they really want to be together.

The sex is wonderfully hot, and runs the gamut of several kinks. Each coupling is slightly different from the last and keeps each scene fresh. There are a few times when I wonder if, plot wise, sex is really an appropriate action to take

Overall, a good story and a fun read.

Review - Christmas in Killarney by Cash Cole


Title: Christmas in Killarney

Author: Cash Cole

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy Christmas in Killarney Here!


Reviewed by: Brynna Curry

Rating: You Want to Read


Waking up naked in church definitely distracts writer Colin Zachary from the writer’s block that's been plaguing him. Harry Gill, who rescues him, has altruistic intentions until he gets up close and personal with his sexy new charge. Ditto for Harry’s significant other, Morgan O’Hanlon.

The weather is miserable, and Colin has no choice but to stay with the handsome hunks, but he’s a workaholic who hasn’t been laid since Santa’s last visit, and all he can think about is easing his aching body and lonely heart. Not a problem. Harry and Morgan want him under their Christmas tree, in their bed, in the snow—any way they can have him.

But Colin can’t concentrate to finish an assigned deadline. Harry is up to his ears in Christmas orders, while Morg is beside himself with grief and worry that so many families will be without funds because he has misplaced their checks. The bar’s nemesis, who has tried unsuccessfully for years to buy the business, calls on them, offering money if Morg will sell O’Hanlon’s Pub to him.

Can hot sex and a cool Santa save Christmas in Killarney?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/m).



This novella starts out quick, giving only a peek at Harry and Morgan's background and character. More then a few things puzzled me about this book. Harry takes Colin home almost it seems without thinking about why he is in this particular situation. Sexually, the book heats up right off the bat in true genre style, but I felt Morg and Harry didn't know enough about Colin to evoke such strong emotions portrayed through the love scenes. However, plot and secondary characters were well thought out and integrated. I did like the way Collin aides in saving Morgan and Harry from financial loss at Christmas. All in all a good story and one you want to read.

Review - Day 94 by D.M. Slate


Title: Day 94

Author: D. M. Slate

Publisher : Eternal Press

Buy Day 94 Here!


Rating : You Gotta Read


Reviewed By : Brynna Curry


In the wake of a large meteor collision, a ghastly epidemic is unleashed upon rural Colorado. Joslin, Grant and their two young children barricade themselves in their home in the quarantined city. Their fight for survival begins; battling airborne disease, lack of electricity and running water, starvation, brutal Colorado winter and worst of all, the morphs. The violent morphs, both victims and carriers of the disease, soon become more numerous and aggressive. Joslin and Grant risk all to protect their children. As each strand of hope frays away, dangers increase until Grant is attacked. Knowing he’s been infected, Grant leaves his family to fend for themselves. Just when Joslin thinks things can’t get worse, her morphed husband returns on day ninty-four. Crazed and delusional, he is determined to get into the house. Joslin’s unwavering determination to save her children drives her to the ultimate risk.


News forcasts warn of an impending meteor shower that may come too close to the Earth. After making light of the potential danger, residents of a small Colorado town are shocked when the meteor unleashes a blanketing cloud of dust and disease, burying them in chaos. Joslin and Grant, afraid its worse elsewhere, barricade themselves in the house with their young children. The goverment abandons them, all utilities and most of the food supply are lost in the middle of winter in Colorado, but their survival begins when death creeps into their home.

This book is by far the most terrifying story I've read in a long time. A young mother's accounting of each day into the depths of Hell on Earth was at times more than I could take though I wasn't able to put in down. I cried with her, smiled and cheered her on as she tries to escape her situation with her family intact. Day 94 is one book you won't be able to put down and certainly one you gotta read. D.M. Slate is defininitely a "you gotta read" author.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Review - Mistress of Wolves by Leona Grey


Title: Mistress of Wolves

Author: Leona Grey

Publisher: Changeling Press

Buy Mistress of Wolves Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed by: Jennifer

A werewolf has gone rogue, killing his wife and her lover. Now Collin, Alanna's mate and an Alpha werewolf, must lead the hunting party that will try to prevent the bloodbath that promises to ensue.

But this rogue isn't acting normally. Collin and the others are in more danger than they realize, and Alanna can't just sit back and wait for him to be hurt. For the sake of her love she will become Mistress of Wolves... but is it worth giving up their chance at a family?


This short story is packed with hot sex and a good storyline. The love between Alanna and Collin is so real and strong. The conflict between packs and a rogue werewolf really adds depth to the story. Even though it could possibly have been longer, as a reader I never felt like I missed any information, just that I didn't want it to end. Ms. Grey tells a great paranormal story.

Review - Ghast by Jack Osprey


Title: Ghast

Author: Jack Osprey

Publisher: Noble Publishing
Buy Ghast Here!


Rating: You Need/Want To Read


Reviewed by: Jennifer


Alert: Serial Killer

Ghast is the story of two police detectives with a volatile romantic history, forced to work together to track down one of the cleverest, most fiendish killers the Dark Continent has ever seen.

Set against the exotic background of South Africa, Ghast tells the story of Daniel Tillinghast, a matchless virtuoso when it comes to creating an endless symphony of pain for innocent young women.

As Holly Khambatti and Fox Van Horne struggle to resist their passionate desire for each other and track down the elusive serial killer, the reluctant lovers face their feelings and are wrenched violently apart. As Fox looks for the woman he threw away—the one who has stolen his heart—it becomes obvious he is not the only one hunting her. Will Fox find Holly in time, or will Ghast enjoy his next victim?


The only reason I gave a mixed review is for all the serial killer stuff. It is very dark and sometimes I wasn't sure if I wanted to finish it, but I did and it is a very well written nail biting story that keeps you guessing as a reader.

Jack Osprey has a very warped mind when it comes to this story. I mean this as a great compliment. You have to be very imaginative to weave this tale of a serial killer. Also, you have to be a gifted writer in order to weave such a dark book with romance that plays off well, instead of seeming contrived. I think it never seems contrived, because they have a past relationship, and because they are still human even though they get back together.

As a reader I was left hanging at every twist and turn. You are in Fox and Holly's head one moment and then the serial killers in the very next moment. I was left exhausted and creeped out after some parts. I will also say there is so much more to this book that I won't reveal here. Needless to say there is more than meets the eye and it all comes out at the end, with a last chapter surprise. I was page turning as fast as I could just to discover the who and why.

With all of the violence and darkness swirling around, Fox and Holly rekindle their love for each other. The love scenes are sweet, hot and loving. The fact that they rekindle their relationship and find a happy ending is such a nice end to this story.

Review - Blood Magic by Eileen Wilks


Title: Blood Magic

Author: Eileen Wilks

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Buy Blood Magic Here!


Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed by: Mickey



Lily Yu’s world changed when she met Rule Turner, known to the human world as “that werewolf prince.” It’s been eight months since everyone else’s world changed, too—when the Turning hit. That shifting of the realms has magic seeping back into the world in quantities unseen since the hot news story concerned a pair of human babes raised by wolves who went on to found a new city: Rome.

Lily is a homicide cop turned FBI agent. She works for a special Unit within the MCD—that’s the Bureau’s Magical Crimes Division. Lily became a cop to stop the monsters , though it was human monsters she had in mind at the time. These days, the perps she tracks may be a lot more—or a lot less--than human.

In Blood Magic, Lily and Rule are faced with their most dangerous opponent yet, one the law can’t touch. One who can’t be killed. One whose like hasn’t been seen in our world since long before those wolves fostered Romulus and Remus.

Oh, one more thing about Blood Magic: Grandmother is back.


Not to refine too much upon authors who write ongoing series, but Eileen Wilks' Lupi novels are a set that should not be missed. The newest book, Blood Magic, is truly spectacular, clearly one of her best efforts. This novel is action-packed, with a substantial plot that allows it to standalone without its predecessors for reference. Perhaps this is due to Ms. Wilks' gift for dialogue, one of the best and wittiest I have ever read; it appears to flow across the page and seems so natural to her characters. And the characters themselves are amazing: she instills her wolves (Lupi) and dragons with human characteristics, describing both in great detail.

While this story is a segue from the last book, it does stand alone as a separate entity, never leaving the reader feeling lost at the beginning of the story. The plot is intricate, yet not so complex that one is completely lost; I love the touches of mid Eastern mysticism inter-spliced throughout that tie-in with Lily's heritage and her connection to the dragons. The depth and character development devoted to the secondary characters is extraordinary and one of the reasons why this author's books are so successful and why these characters are capable of being converted to heroes and heroines with their own books later. Added to to the action and suspense, murder and mayhem, and magic and mysticism is the intense passion leaping off the page whenever Lily and Rule connect. Could there be a better recipe for a book available, if so I have not read it yet.

Review - To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt


Title: To Desire a Devil

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Hatchette Book Group

Buy To Desire a Devil Here!


Rating: You Need to Read


Reviewed by: Mickey


Only Beatrice Corning can see past Reynaud St. Aubyn's savagery to the noble man inside. And Reynaud is drawn to this lovely lady, even as he is suspicious of her loyalty to her uncle, the present Earl. But can Beatrice's love tame a man who will stop at nothing to regain his title – even if it means sacrificing her innocence?


There's always a certain apprehension that comes with reading a part of a series, especially if you have not been following it faithfully since the beginning. Luckily, the is not an issue if one decides to read To Desire a Devil. If anything, after reading this book, the reader will find themselves avidly searching for the first three installments, anxiously trying to discover what happened to those characters we've grown to care for in this book. I enjoyed how Ms. Hoyt used the legend of Longsword, giving hints of his torment to connect not only each chapter and Reynaud's past, but also to introduce the present with all of its mysteries and conspiracies.

Adding to the overall suspense and outstanding plot, is Ms. Hoyt's phenomenal ability to convey the emotions of her characters and the situations involved. Her writing style is so beautifully fluid, from the beginning with Reyaud's surprise appearance to the end with it's equally surprising conclusion. Everything about To Desire a Devil encourages readers to fall in love with these characters, even when they are behaving badly. I loved the chemistry between Reynaud and Beatrice, and their reluctance to give in to their attraction. I also enjoyed how Ms. Hoyt slowly builds that tension while adding layers to the danger shadowing Reynaud as well. This is a charming romance, exciting to read with its added elements of treason, stolen identity and murder all added together. Definitely a book that deserves it's place on any keeper shelf.

Review - The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova


Title: The Swan Thieves

Author: Elizabeth Kostova

Publisher: Hachette

Buy The Swan Thieves Here!


Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed by: Jennifer

Kostova's masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, history's losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.



Elizabeth Kostova delivers a fabulous book again. The Swan Thieves weaves a intense tale of love, love lost, blackmail and painting. She mixes obsession with life. Mental illness with sanity. I was left with the feeling that I had been a character in the book. Like I had lived in both time periods and that I had experienced the loss, the joy of painting, the ache of obsession, and the surprise of finding love in unexpected places. Ms. Kostova just weaves an unbelievably detailed, imaginative story, that leaves you exhausted and waiting for the next one.

Review - Tales of the Red Moon Clan by Cherie De Sues


Title: Tales of the Red Moon Clan

Author: Cherie De Sues

Publisher: Noble Romance Pubishing

Buy Tales of the Red Moon Clan Here!


Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed by: Jennifer


Neol Pallaton walks alone through the bowels of society as a bounty hunter, until he shifts into a cougar to save Assistant D.A. Sara Hughes from certain death. A relentless killer keeps them moving by day through the Oregon forest—and by night under the full moon, passion rules their hearts.

The rugged forest is no place for a beautiful and feisty city woman, but Neol's determined to help Sara piece together why she's being hunted. Sara thought bounty hunters were brutal loners who stretched the law she's sworn to uphold. But Neol proves that no one can hunt, track and protect her like a Navajo medicine man from the Red Moon Clan.

Neol is willing to anger the spirits to protect his one true mate. Sara will have to bend the law to keep Neol and her alive—and together forever.



Ms. De Sues can weave a story. I was pulled into Neol and Sara's run for their lives. There were so many twists and turns that I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. On top of all of the suspense Neol and Sara fall in love on the run. The sex is hot and the love is instant. With all of that, Ms. De Sues throws in some shape shifting abilities too. I loved this book!

Review - On the Brink by Henry M. Paulson Jr.


Title: On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System

Author: Henry M. Paulson Jr.

Publisher: Hachette

Buy On the Brink Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed By: Janelle


When Hank Paulson, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, was appointed in 2006 to become the nation's next Secretary of the Treasury, he knew that his move from Wall Street to Washington would be daunting and challenging.

But Paulson had no idea that a year later, he would find himself at the very epicenter of the world's most cataclysmic financial crisis since the Great Depression. Major institutions including Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, AIG, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup, among others-all steeped in rich, longstanding tradition-literally teetered at the edge of collapse. Panic ensnared international markets. Worst of all, the credit crisis spread to all parts of the U.S. economy and grew more ominous with each passing day, destroying jobs across America and undermining the financial security millions of families had spent their lifetimes building.

This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime economic nightmare. Events no one had thought possible were happening in quick succession, and people all over the globe were terrified that the continuing downward spiral would bring unprecedented chaos. All eyes turned to the United States Treasury Secretary to avert the disaster.

This, then, is Hank Paulson's first-person account. From the man who was in the very middle of this perfect economic storm, ON THE BRINK is Paulson's fast-paced retelling of the key decisions that had to be made with lightning speed. Paulson puts the reader in the room for all the intense moments as he addressed urgent market conditions, weighed critical decisions, and debated policy and economic considerations with of all the notable players-including the CEOs of top Wall Street firms as well as Ben Bernanke, Timothy Geithner, Sheila Bair, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, and then-President George W. Bush.

More than an account about numbers and credit risks gone bad, ON THE BRINK is an extraordinary story about people and politics-all brought together during the world's impending financial Armageddon.



I’ll be frank, this book it dry, but I don’t think anyone expected it to be anything else.

I am not, by any means, a financial wizard, and I hoped this book would help me understand the recent economic fallout in an more informed light. This book turned out to be more memoir then explanation. It is written, not from the point of view of Mr. Paulson’s job, but instead from his life. Much of the book is spent talking about hi business history and his family. While the mechanics of the financial system are discussed, it is less nuts and bolts and more his sleepless nights.

Overall, this certainly isn’t a bad book, but it is more autobiography than a historical account.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Review - Dark Court: Dark Side of the Veil by Stormy Glenn


Title: Dark Court: Dark Side of the Veil

Author: Stormy Glenn

Publisher: Noble Romance

Buy Dark Side of the Veil Here!


Rating: You Could Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat


Zack Banning hasn't had an easy time of it recently. After spending more than fifteen years in the Marines, he's discharged due to a head injury received in combat. With no missions to run or people to save, it's all he can do to get out of bed in the mornings. The pills the doctors have him on to keep his injury-induced delusions at bay don't help the situation.

When he discovers a young man being accosted outside of a bar one night he sees it as a chance to feel the satisfaction of saving someone once again. He just doesn't realize until it's over that the young man came to the bar to warn him that someone is out to kill him. What Eljin tells him is a story so outlandish, Zack begins to wonder if he's having one of his delusions. Because if Eljin's story is true, the entire foundation of everything Zack believes just flew out the window.

Fleeing through the countryside with Eljin, Zack tries to understand everything without telling the man he's nuttier than a fruitcake. But the more time Zack spend with Eljin, the more he wants him until he can't think of ever being separated from the little elf.

The only way to save Eljin is to take him back home—through the veil between the two worlds. Arrival on the elf's side of the veil isn't perfect, however. They encounter a war between the elf worlds, the threat of human invasion, and a bias against humans. Zack and Eljin have to keep their wits about them as they try to save their home, their family, and themselves.



I love a good urban fantasy, and this one held promise. Unfortunately, it didn’t really deliver on that promise. We open with an ex-Marine who’s been drummed out of the service due to a head injury that leaves him with delusions and hallucinations. Enter a young man being attached by unknown assailants and you have a perfect opportunity for our ex-Marine Zack to feel useful again. The resulting rescue and subsequent tale told by Eljin made for a very compelling read. I found Zack’s responses to what most would consider a preposterous story to be very realistic and believable.

My trouble with this work starts after our intrepid duo reaches the home of Gunnery Sergeant Montgomery Barnes, who manages to convince Zack that Eljin’s story is neither a delusion caused by his injury nor the ravings of a madman. Zack’s reaction to learning that Eljin’s pregnancy is real and that Zack is, indeed, the father is about what I would expect from any normal, straight man who has just had his world turned upside down. What I did not expect to see was Zack’s sudden acceptance of the situation – and Eljin – all in the space of a walk in the woods. There was opportunity for true character growth here, and it just wasn’t explored. This disappointed me greatly and took some of the enjoyment I might have otherwise had right out of the story.

The biggest problem I had with this story was that the male pregnancy, while explained – sort of. I mean, okay. Magical creatures can have different rules considering their nature and means of procreation. I can buy that. I could have bought it better if there had been more of a reason for WHY things worked this way – just sort of came out of left field. As effeminate as Eljin was, he could have just as believably been a woman and the story still would have work. Hell, it probably would have worked better. At least then the pregnancy bit would have been more believable.

The whole idea of two men in this situation felt more than just a bit indulgent to me. It was almost as though the author was only interested in having our heroes be men because she wanted them to have sex. Zack’s conflict over his sexuality is almost non-existent and he’s a little too ready to jump into Elijn’s bed.

That’s not to say that there weren’t some redeeming qualities to the story. This is the first in what is evidently going to be a series, and I did find myself intrigued by where the author might be going with it. I do wonder what happened to Eljin’s cousin and whether he will be found and in what condition. I also wonder about the war between the courts and how the humans play a part in it all. Unfortunately, that wondering isn’t enough to make me look forward to the next installment.

Review - Last Chance by Sarita Leone


Title: Last Chance

Author: Sarita Leone

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press

Buy Last Chance Here!


Rating: You Need to Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat


Young widow Laura Perkins learned the hard way that life in the rugged frontier isn’t all sunshine and roses. She never planned to find herself alone in a land where gunshots and hangings are commonplace. But planned or not, that’s exactly what happens to her and, short of turning tail and fleeing, she’ll have to learn to live with her circumstances—one way or another.

When a handsome stranger saunters into Granite Creek, life takes a drastic turn. Laura and Chance are as different as night from day, but she still finds herself intrigued by the man.

And Chance? He’s as drawn to Laura as a moth to a flame. Too bad that moth has a trail of mystery—and murder—hot on his trail.



I’m not usually a fan of historical romances, especially those that deal with life on the wild frontier. This book was enough to almost make me change my mind. I greatly enjoyed the setting and the relationships of all involved. The plot to this story, the secret on Chance DeWitt’s ranch, was very real and believable given the time period and the story’s location, as was its resolution.

The obvious love and attachment between Laura Perkins and her sister Callie Jo was very sweet and rang very true. It added a nice depth to the story and helped to fill out their characters, as did the interactions between Laura and the Indian princess Dancing Otter. (I would have loved to have seen more of Dancing Otter, in fact.) I also loved the interactions between Slim and Chance, and Chance and Lefty…especially after Chance makes a rather large ass of himself in regards to Laura.

These were very strong female characters, something there should definitely be more of in any kind of fiction. Laura, while widowed and left to fend for herself in a small frontier town, doesn’t let that stop her from making a life for herself and watching out for her sister, another strong-willed, likable woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. These women had fire and sass and the story was made all the better for it.

Overall this was a wonderfully written tale of life and love found on the Nebraska frontier. There may have been some historical inaccuracies and Callie Jo may have been just the tiniest bit too forward thinking for the period, but those are minor things when taken together with the rest of this wonderfully told tale. If you enjoy stories of the wild frontier, I highly recommend that you check this one out.

Review - The Chosen by Annette Gisby


Title: The Chosen

Author: Annette Gisby

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy The Chose Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat



Love or duty -- which would you choose?

Prince Severin has been brought up to put duty before all else. Now, his duty is to marry and produce an heir. He has his choice of princesses. Unfortunately, his passion is for princes.

Havyn has been a slave all his life. When his powers are discovered, he finds himself purchased and freed by a Prince and apprenticed to the royal wizard, Ildar. His duty is to stay chaste to keep his powers strong. Unfortunately, his passion is for Severin.

With kingdoms at war, the throne hanging in the balance, and magic in the air, can the two men find happiness together, or is duty more important than love?


As fantasy novels go, this one was decent. The world was well-built, it was easy to believe the changes in mythos – wizards and where their power comes from, the existence of another race than humans – and the characters were well filled out and likable. The plot, while predictable in some places, was interesting enough to catch and hold my attention.

This was an epic high fantasy, complete with princes, kings, damsel princesses in distress, betrayal, and the ever-present quest. We start with Severin’s purchasing and then freeing Havyn, who then becomes apprentice to the royal wizard…and Severin’s object of first lust, then love. I did enjoy the way this relationship built. The quest to find the princess gives Severin and Havyn time to learn about each other and develop a strong bond.

I also enjoyed reading about the quest, and, even though some of the twists were a little predictable and easy to see coming, it was interesting enough to keep me reading just to see how everything would be resolved.

Something I didn’t enjoy, however, was some of the odd word choices and repetitive uses. There were several times where the same word was used 3 or 4 times in one sentence, making it a bit bulky and dull. There were also a few instances where the word chosen…just didn’t mean what I think the author was going for.

One admitted peeve that I have in erotic or sexual scenes is using purple euphemisms for male genitalia. It’s perfectly acceptable to refer to a man’s penis as, well, a penis. It’s also perfectly acceptable to call it a “cock” or even just simply an “erection.” Calling a wizard’s penis “his staff,” while cute and amusing, isn’t exactly the image I believe the author was going for. >_>

Overall, though, this was a good read. What flaws it has are minor enough to be read beyond. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a good fantasy adventure.

Review - Burning Kisses by Jill Knowles


Title: Keily Kisses 2: Burning Kisses

Author: Jill Knowles

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy Burning Kisses Here!


Rating: You Need to Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat



Val was an arson investigator before he got put in witness protection. Now he works for the Forest Service as the Head of Recreation in the Keily Ranger District. He can't afford to fall in love, but he wants love for Suzie.

Jet's a fire elemental and a professional photographer working to document an archaeological site. He doesn't believe anyone can love him, but he thinks Val and Suzie are perfect for each other.

Deputy Sheriff Suzie Quinn is the woman who loves them both, and whose premonitions show them building a life together. But she has to catch an arsonist who threatens everything before it starts, and convince Val and Jet they're worthy of love—hers and each others.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual interaction, ménage (m/f/m, m/m/f), voyeurism.

This was a very good book. The characters were interesting (by the way, where can I find a fire elemental of my own?), the world was well-built, the sex scenes were incredibly hot, and the plot was attention grabbing. I also liked that the paranormal aspects were well thought out and believable and that there was a level of skepticism and secrecy on the part of all involved. I loved that those who hadn’t ever had any contact with the otherworldly had to pretty much have it shoved in their face before they would believe that such things existed, and that the otherworldly creatures went to great lengths to make sure they weren’t discovered. It made for a much more believable scenario.

There were one or two things that didn’t sit well with me, though, which is why I didn’t give this one a Gotta Read rating. First, there was the whole “love at first sight/touch” aspect of the relationship between Suzie, Jet, and Val. I could believe it coming from Suzie given her gift, but to have the same from the other two, who have no such “cheat,” was a little hard to swallow.

The other was the rather random quote I found from another, well-known author that was just kind of thrown in there. Nothing wrong with homage – if that’s what you’re going for – but it does kind of throw the reader out to see something like that with no context to tie to it. I would have no trouble at all believing that Suzie was a fan of this particular author. It would have been nice to be told that, though, instead of having to guess and hope that that’s the reason that line was there. This wasn’t something that ruined my enjoyment by any means. It’s just something that made me pull back and have a bit of a “wha?” moment in an otherwise lovely story.

Other than that, though, it was a good read. Even though this is the second book in a series, it stands alone very well, and Ms. Knowles has done a wonderful job of creating a story that both holds its own and helps to round out an already established world. Definitely recommend checking this one out.

Review - My Purr-fect Alphas by H. C. Brown


Title: My Purr-fect Alphas - Pride Brothers Series

Author: H. C. Brown

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing LLC

Buy My Purr-fect Alphas Here!


Rating: You Need to Read

 
Reviewed by: Gabrielle
 


Dr. Elizabeth Clark's life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped by the Druiks, and taken to Druik Void, located in a future realm. Caged like an animal in a laboratory filled with humanoid specimens from other dimensions, she endures experimental surgery. Seduced by Zandor and Thryll, two very sexy shape-shifters trapped with her, she is persuaded to escape. Will Beth survive the frantic journey to the Gate and safety? Or will she fall prey to the insatiable shifters?


Once again H. C. Brown brings the reader into the wonderful world of Pride males. Beth Clark wakes up to find herself in a strange world full of all the things that humans think are imaginary. Locked in a laboratory and treated like a lab rat she finds solace in her developing friendship with Zandor and Thryll, two shape shifters who are just as trapped as she is. Beth soon finds out that she is the mate of both Zandor and Thryll. As they run from the evil Druiks the chaos begins. Can Elizabeth accept all the magical things their world is comprised of? Will Zandor and Thryll be able to convince Beth that they truly love and belong together before it is too late?
I love coming back to the world of this series, a great world full of magic and wondrous creatures like faeries, demons and shape shifters. The love between Zandor and Thryll is great read and all that more special when they want to share it with Beth. Zandor and Thryll are totally different but both endear themselves to the reader. Zandor is a tortured soul with a hardened heart while Thryll loves with a passion. Beth is a brave woman who deals with what fate has thrown her into. Together they are unstoppable. As they deal with all that happens you can see the love build and strengthen between these three.

Not only do you enjoy their story but you also get to see more of the Pride males and much more of Nox. I enjoyed this book immensely and cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Review - Three Cheers by Marie Rochelle


Title: Three Cheers

Author: Marie Rochelle

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Buy Three Cheers Here!


Rating: You Need to Read


Reviewed by: Mickey


Brock Garret has been lusting after the sexy mocha-skinned beauty Jamina Madison ever since he called her to become his daughter’s cheer leading coach. He knew that he should keep his distance, but its hard when she looks so damn good in those tight, white ass-hugging shorts….there is only so much a man can take.

Out of all of the coaching jobs in the world, why did she end up working for Brock Garrett? It wasn’t fair for one man to be that damn fine without even trying. Just one look from his dark blue eyes could make her forget everything going on around her, but Jamina Madison was trying her best to keep her distance.

Because if he could get her hot just from a look, what would happen once she gave in and let his hands touch her body?


Three cheers for Three Cheers, Marie Rochelle's ode to cheer leading and single fatherhood. Brock Garrett and his daughter are examples of what the dating scene is like for a single dad and his extremely precocious teenage daughter. Added to the drama is his need to be a little overly protective and the humorous situations that arise from when he seems to over react, as dads sometimes do. Ms. Rochelle manages to juxtapose humor and sexual tension in such a way that this becomes more than just a novel about single parenthood, and moves into the realm of a charming romance with ease.

Three Cheers is fun and funny, without being too “cutesie” or juvenile. Naturally, as it is about cheer leading there are some cheers in the book, but not the “rah, rah” traditional cheers that would put someone to sleep before the first line was spoken. Perhaps, this is partially due to Ashlei, Brock's daughter, an adorable character, full of energy, pep and spirit; or even Jamina, who is exactly what one would expect from her cheer leading coach, just lively enough to be the heroine of the novel. Luckily, Ashlei and the reader also fall in love with Jamina, while watching Brock struggle with the strength of his own feelings. Ms. Rochelle handles the family dynamics with touching sensitivity, leaving the reader to bask in the much anticipated happily ever after that seems destined for the entire family.

Review - Seducing the Saint by Melissa Schroeder


Title: Seducing the Saint

Author: Melissa Schroeder

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Seducing the Saint Here!


Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed by: Mickey


Liberty Wainwright needs a man and not just any man. She needs Brady St. James, otherwise known as the Saint. His skills and knowledge make him the only choice to rescue her father. Now, if she can convince him to help her, she'll just have to ignore her cravings for the man she's never forgotten.

Brady is stunned the woman who left him high and dry is back and asking for his help. Their affair had been doomed from the start. Libby liked to live by the rules and Brady lived to break them. He'd sworn she'd be back, but he hadn't expected it to take over six years for her to return.

The moment he accepts her mission, they discover their passion for each other is still smoldering. Unable to resist each other, their attraction sparks into an inferno that threatens to overpower all rational thinking. Libby and Brady realize they still might have a chance at love and happily ever after. If they don't get themselves killed first.


I must say Melissa Schroeder inevitably entertains and seldom disappoints her readers; Seducing the Saint is certainly no exception. The plotline is more than credible with Libby seeking her old friend Brady’s help to find her missing father who is supposedly searching for an obscure and priceless artifact. They encounter a number of exciting and dangerous situations that keep story entertaining. The search allows Libby and Brady to rekindle their old romance, while it also gives Brady a chance to revisit his memories and to wonder again what caused them to eventually separate.

As Ms. Schroeder gives us vivid and visual flashbacks through Brady’s subconscious, we come to see that their separation was not due to a lack of physical chemistry: Libby and Brady are quite the steamy pair. They do have a few other moral and ethical differences that cause issues between them, and this sometimes infantile squabbling is an ongoing source of amusement. In the end, will they work things out or will reason prevail; only Libby knows…. Above all Seducing the Saint is a FUN book, Ms. Schroeder’s characters have fun with each other, and one expects she wants her readers to have a good time as well, I know I did.

Review - Hunting Mila by Melissa Schroeder


Title: Hunting Mila

Author: Melissa Schroeder

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy Hunting Mila Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed By : Mickey




John Hunter can’t refuse a request from his birth father to find his soon to be stepsister. But finding Mila means finding trouble, because it follows her everywhere. All he wants is to get her back to Earth and get his father off his back. Problem is, Mila has other plans.





Melissa Schroeder is a very versatile writer penning contemporary, historical, erotica and including Hunting Mila futuristic novels, proving to her readers once again that she is phenomenal at whatever genre she attempts. In this story Mila Simmons is missing, and her mother and future stepfather decide to send his son out to find her. Fortunately John Hunter is quite good at “finding” things, unfortunately he’s not too happy to take on a project looking for what he believes is an “irresponsible party girl.” He does this favor for his father, grudgingly – after all what is family for, and he believes this will get the old man off his back. What Hunter discovers is that Mila is more than she seems, and more than his father has been led to believe.



From their first meeting Mila and Hunter are drawn to each other, and fighting the attraction with every bit of their considerable will. Mila is on a mission, and she is determined that no one and nothing is going to stop her from completing her task. Too bad, John, really evil bad guys, and good old fashioned lust get in the way of her well laid plans and complicate things along the way. Ms. Schroeder takes her readers on a fun ride through the galaxy with her characters as they work through their feelings for each other, dodge enemies and bullets, and somehow manage to fall in and out of each others arms with wild abandon. Hunting Mila is not a fluffy book, if you do not want your love scenes hot and steamy, read something else because the flush factor has been turned up on this one - in a tasteful way of course. If you are looking for fun, adventure and steamy romance read Hunting Mila, you will not be disappointed!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Review - Putting OUt Fires by Sienna Black


Title: Putting Out Fires

Author: Sienna Black

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy Putting Out Fires Here!


Rating: You Need to Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat



Carlin Rhodes is a firefighter, first and foremost. He loves his work, he’s good at the job, and he’s reliable to a fault. Some might say he’s too focused. A night out on the town with a good friend is exactly the thing he needs to loosen up. Even if that good friend abandons him at the doors to the Baseline and leaves him to find his own fun.

Zaid, a fire-called Djinn, dances at the Baseline, a nightly routine that bares it all for his customers and keeps him entertained while he avoids his destiny as a leader of his kind. When Carlin watches, though, it’s more than having fun. Zaid is intrigued and curious, drawn to the somber, focused man.

And like a moth to a flame, the firefighter is drawn to the fire-called djinn—and into a fight to save his city from the flame, when Zaid's destiny comes calling.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, dubious consent, male/male sexual practices, violence.



I greatly enjoyed this story. It was very easy to read, and the author built her world beautifully. The characters were interesting and engaging, and I want so much to go out and find my own djinn because Zaid was hot – and not just because he plays with fire.

Ms. Black does a wonderful job building her world and her characters. It was very easy to get into this story and to stay there. About the only thing that didn’t ring true for me – and what keeps this from being a Gotta Read – is that it seemed like Zaid was a little too quick and too willing to reveal what he was to Carlin, and that Carlin was a little too quick to jump to a paranormal possibility for the fire he had been witness to. Perhaps if the story had taken place over a longer period of time, and the two had known each other longer, it might have been a bit more believable.

That said, though, these things by no means ruined this work for me. I still loved it! Zaid and Carlin were wonderful together and apart, their supporting characters were just as well-rounded as they were, and the plot was intriguing and kept me reading to find out what was going to happen next. The only other complaint I have is that there wasn’t more to read about these two…and that is by no means a bad thing. ^_~

Review - Leftovers by Treva Harte


Title: Leftovers

Author: Treva Harte

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy Leftovers Here!


Rating: You Could Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat



Thanksgiving means family, and in their case friends--old friends and the best of them. Emerson was looking forward to sharing his new home, his culinary skills, his settledness, with his on-again-off-again lover Paul and their old college buddy Liz. Everyone always knew that Paul and Emerson were meant for each other. But years down the road, Paul's on the road, chasing fame and fortune. And Emerson, for reasons all his own, refuses to follow him.

This year, though, Paul's determined to change all that. To convince Emerson through charm, logic, and incredible sex they were meant for each other. What neither of them counted on was what would change after that.

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

I had a very hard time with this story. The characters didn’t seem real for me, and the story didn’t seem to flow as well as it could have. There were a couple of instances where we get a flashback-type look at Emerson and Paul’s past relationship. The way these skips were handled were a bit difficult to follow and really broke up what momentum the story had managed to acquire.

I also had a lot of trouble connecting with these characters. While there were some instances that stood out and made them seem more real, those were very few. For the most part, the characters felt very flat. There was also a lot of telling about how they felt about a given situation and not a lot of showing. It made for a dry read.

I really wanted to enjoy this work. Emerson’s condition is a fairly unusual one, and it could have made for a very compelling story to see how the two people closest to him, his lover and his best friend, handled finding out about it and helping him overcome it. As it is, the story didn’t quite get there, and that was a bit disappointing.

Review - This Side of Heaven by Fallon Blake


Title: This Side of Heaven

Author: Fallon Blake

Publisher: Loose ID

Buy This Side of Heaven Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed By: Janelle


Samara Hale has learned to keep everyone at arm’s length, with good reason. Abandoned by a father she’s never known, she’ll do anything to not become her mother and waste her love on a man who will only end up leaving. A powerful empath, she’s grown comfortable hiding behind her self-imposed walls. On the heels of her uncle’s death, a stranger shows up claiming to be a Telal, a half-demon, half-angel. She’s sure he’s out of his mind—unbelievably hot, but still, out of his mind. When she’s attacked by demons, he’s the only one who can save her. Samara will have to trust him with her life. She’s just not sure she can trust him with her heart.

With a forbidden love, an ancient prophecy, and demons on the hunt, Nathaniel knows this would be the worst time to act on his feelings for his mortal charge. But with Samara’s life in danger, he must not only come face-to-face with temptation, but with an old rival whose ambitions include claiming Samara for Lucifer himself. Nathaniel will risk it all to save the woman he loves and he can only hope Samara will take a risk of her own.


This is one of those stories that would benefit from being longer. It’s very cute, but it deals with subjects that are very complicated. The net result is a feeling that these topics are being glossed over. Since these conflicts are not only part of the universe as a whole, but mirrored within the characters, it makes the characters feel glossed over as well.

The sex is the story is good, if a bit purple at times. There are even situations when it is awkward and amusing.

Overall a nice story. It’s not going to set the world on fire, but it will pass an evening or a rainy day.

Review - Five Leaf Clover by Sandra Sookoo


Title: Five Leaf Clover

Author: Sandra Sookoo

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy Five Leaf Clover Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed by: Jennifer


When it comes to magic and love, which will a leprechaun choose?

Jinx may have a handle on her job as the town's baker, but it's the leprechaun jig that's out of control. She has a tendency to spill coins wherever she goes...not a good thing in a small town.

With big city hotels booked solid for the college basketball tourney, Conor is forced to cools his heels in the tiny town. It's by pure accident that he stumbles upon Jinx's secret. He demands three wishes and threatens to hold her hostage unless the curvy redhead complies.

Jinx will need more than the luck of the Irish to convince her sexy suitor she's not his fortune at the end of the rainbow. Or is Conor the one man who can make her chose love over magic?


Once again Sandra Sookoo writes a in depth short story. Poor Jinx starts having coins drop around her, and that's the way she discovers she's magical. Jinx is a strong female character who falls in love with a man who can't handle magic. Jinx walks away from the magic, so she might have Conor. An intricate story plot, in which I throughly enjoyed.

Review - Love Unexpectedly by Susan Fox


Title: Love Unexpectedly

Author: Susan Fox

Publisher: Kensington Brava

Buy Love Unexpectedly Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed by: Jennifer


Naveen Bharani is in love with his neighbour, Kat Fallon, but she's stuck him in the buddy trap.

Kat has a disastrous history with men: she's always picking losers and having nasty break-ups. No way will she risk her friendship with Nav. He's the best friend she's ever had and, though she's attracted to him, she can't risk losing him.
When she tells him she's traveling home from Montreal by train for her baby sister's wedding, the desperate Nav sees this as his last chance. He's going all out in pursuit of the woman of his dreams.

Nav decides to revamp his image and play "stranger on the train." He's determined to seduce Kat into seeing him in a whole new light, and realizing he's the man of her dreams.

Their journey across Canada by train—as best friends playing the "stranger game"—is truly one wild ride to love.




Susan Fox(aka Susan Lyons) tells such a creative love story. Kat and Nav have been "just" best friends, though both have more than just friends feelings. Kat has to go home and invites Nav to go with her. Nav plans his disguises and takes a chance on love and Kat. It's a great story that has all the components of a love story. Along with the love story there is an underlying tension between Kat's family members. Throughout the story the tension and rifts between the sisters and mom are slowly worked out. The switch from friends to lovers is a hard change and Ms. Fox makes that change believable and really sweet. Besides who wouldn't want to have hot passionate sex on a train? Kudos to Ms. Lyons for a great love story

Review - Love & Loyalty by Tere Michaels


Title: Love & Loyalty

Author: Tere Michaels

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy Love & Loyalty Here!


Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed by: Patchcat


Detective James “Jim” Shea is a Seattle homicide detective who has never taken his work home with him – until now. A case has gotten under his skin and though it’s “over," it isn’t for Jim. The emotional toll has left him vulnerable and tied to the victim’s dying father.

Meanwhile, Hollywood comes calling for a hot story, and screenwriter Griffin Drake sees the tragic case as his ticket to more serious fare than his usual action blockbusters. But to get the whole story he needs to win over the stoic and protective Detective Shea.

Neither man has had much luck when it comes to romance or long-term relationships and neither is particularly looking but there's an attraction from their first meeting that can’t be denied. Their impromptu first date seems to have no end in sight – quickly becomes a barreling freight train of romance.

Looming problems outside threaten their relationship – death, secrets and broken trust – and they'll have to learn loyalty to save their newfound love.

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


I loved this book. That’s not something I get to say very often, but it’s very true in this case. The author’s writing style was very easy to read, it gave enough description to keep me very entertained, and I haven’t laughed that much at banter between close friends in a very long time. (By the way, “Heterosexual Power Cabal” is my new favorite group name. ^_^)

I read this one twice, and both times had me up way, way past my bedtime because I just couldn’t put the book down. Why is that, you ask? Because Ms. Michaels has written such likable and compelling characters that you just have to keep reading to see how it all ends. What really sold me here was just how well-rounded and three-dimensional these characters were. They had personality and flaws and – in the case of the two male leads – were more than just the sum of their sexual orientation and the relationship that they build together.

I loved that Ms. Michaels didn’t take the easy, “love at first sight/meant to be together” way out with Jim and Griffon. It really added to the story and made it a whole hell of a lot more believable. She also gave her characters doubts about how things should be and are going. When Griffon becomes “the guest who didn’t leave”, she addresses it, giving Griffon doubts about wearing out his welcome and making Jim wonder about why he’s allowing a total stranger to camp out in his home and then resolving those doubts in a very realistic and believable manner.

I also greatly enjoyed the plot and the drama over the Ed Kelly script. Griffon’s incredible determination to see that his promises are fulfilled no matter the cost endeared him to me forever.

This was a great read – one that I will be revisiting in the not too distant future, I am quite sure – and definitely deserving of the “You Gotta Read” rating. So, shoo, shoo! Go look it up. Read! Enjoy! You’ll be glad you did. ^_~

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Review - What God and Cats Know by Sheryl Nantus


Title: What God and Cats Know

Author: Sheryl Nantus

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy What God and Cats Know Here!


Rating: You Want To Read


Reviewed by: Lupa


There's no such thing as a "Purr"-fect murder…

Rebecca Desjardin thought she had put her past behind her...until a dead "cat woman" appears on the front page of a local tabloid.

Street-smart and sassy, Rebecca is a survivor. Outcast from her Felis family because she can no longer change shape, she’s adapted to the world of men, and is quite capable of taking care of herself in her sometimes challenging career as a private investigator. But for her success she pays a price, her heritage, which she must keep secret at all costs.

Along for the ride, investigative reporter Brandon Hanover has his own troubled past. A photograph of the dead woman was supposedly slipped under his door, marking him as a possible suspect in the murder. Now all he wants to do is find the killer, clear his name, and get a good story…And maybe find out more about this mysterious woman he might be falling for.

Content Warning: Violence, Sexual Situations.




When a family like hers calls you have to answer.

Reb has lived for the majority of her life outside of her family. As a were cat who cannot shift she has been cast out by her own pride. That is until there is a murder of one of the members of the pride then she is called in to help.

Brandon is a curious fellow who gets pulled into the case by an anonymous photograph that is slipped under his door one night. Of course the last thing Reb needs is a tabloid reporter tagging along with her but she needs to keep tabs on him to try and keep him from taking to many secrets public.

Sheryl Nantus has created a wonderful world in this story. Well developed characters that immediately curl up in your heart as you read along with a fast paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat make this an enjoyable read.

Review - Time Stream by JD Williams


Title: Time Stream

Author: JD Williams

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy Time Stream Here!


Rating: You Want To Read


Reviewed by: Lupa


If everything you believed in was a lie, could the truth kill you?

Nick Grant doesn't know what to think when a mystery woman warns him that he's in danger from the future. 100,000 years in the future to be exact. Suddenly, this small town college kid finds the fate of the world rests on his shoulders. If he doesn't solve the secret of the TimeStream, everyone he's ever known will be lost forever.


What would you do if you found out that everything around you was a lie? Nick Grant learns just that in this great sci fi story from J.D. Williams. This story is filled with suspence, intrigue, excitement and some great twists that will leave you on the edge of your seat, well that and checking around you to make sure what you think is real really is.

J.D. Williams has created a universe that although much like our own has a fantastic surprise that will keep you reading well into the night to discover the truth.

(I would like to express my sincere apology to both JD and Lyrical Press for my mistaken write up on this book that was posted to the site earlier.)

Review - The Joining: Bound By Blood by Erika Sands


Title: The Joining: Bound By Blood

Author: Erika Sands

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy The Joining: Bound by Blood Here!


Rating: You Want to Read


Reviewed by: Lupa



His gaze haunts her like no other. Her beauty leaves him speechless.

One caress, one kiss, one taste of the enigmatic Ariel and a maelstrom engulfs D’Nar. One touch of the dark, virile vampyr and her secret passion ignites—a forbidden craving to be taken and overcome by this superior race. Before long, they are bound not only by her blood and his need for it, but by her humanity as their desire swells in time to the desert wind that whirls around them.

When Ariel agrees to become D’Nar’s concubine, she has no idea their mutual attraction will explode into a fury of ecstasy. But can this irresistible passion survive the growing distrust between human and vampyr? Can it survive an ancient evil bent on revenge? And knowing all the odds stacked against them, could it ever blossom into love?

In order for their world to survive, Ariel and D’Nar learn that desire alone will not carry them to the end of their quest. Only when they trust each other enough to love unconditionally can they save their civilization—and themselves.



A human healer on a distant world falls for a charming vampire viceroy. Seems simple enough right. Well toss in the manipulations of an ancient race and you get all kinds of fun and interesting events.

Erika Sands has created a universe of intrigue, passion and mustery. With characters that are endearing and powerful this was a very enjoyable read. The reunion of two races that split apart generations ago is well written and detailed. I always love reading a book I can close my eyes and easily visualize the characters and setting. I am greatly hoping that Ms Sands continues this saga in another volume. I cannot wait to see what happens to the people of this planet.

Review - Skin Deep by S.W. Vaughn


Title: Skin Deep

Author: SW Vaughn

Publisher: Loose ID

Buy Skin Deep Here!


Rating: Need To Read


Reviewed by: Lupa



Will Ambrose knows everything about love – except how to find it himself. He hosts a popular GLBT relationship radio show, but his own affairs have been rocky and abusive. With sexy, seductive tattoo artist Cobalt, it's lust at first sight. Unfortunately he's already involved ... until that night, when his late arrival home sends his cop partner into a jealous, violent rage.

Cobalt is a Fae, banished to live among humans. His studio, The Grotto, is both a hot spot for the NYC body art crowd and a haven for other Fae seeking protection. Though he's given up on relationships, since his human lovers tend to go insane when they discover his true nature, he can't help his lustful reaction to Will when the radio host visits The Grotto. He tries to dismiss it, but is compelled to get involved when a cab deposits a battered, broken Will at his door, with Cobalt's name on his lips.

Can their powerful attraction – and phenomenal sex – overcome an abusive closeted cop, a traitorous Fae who tries to divide them, and an ex-lover with inhuman powers who'll stop at nothing to take Cobalt back ... including going through Will?

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



Take one radio host who has had terrible relationships in the past, toss in a exhiled Fae with a skill for tattoo and scarification art and you have the makings of a great story. Cobalt is the kind of man that everyone (male or female) wants, powerful, handsome, gentle and loving, this guy makes you drool as you read the vivid descriptions and detailed story about his relationship with the charming mortal Will.

S.W. Vaughn has created a wonderful world filled with passion, drama and intrigue that will keep you enraptured to the last page.

Review - Echoes In The Dark by D.L. Rogers.


Title: Echoes In The Dark

Author: D.L. Rogers

Publisher: Awe-Struck

Buy Echoes In The Dark Here!


Rating: You Gotta Read


Reviewed by: Lupa


Disinherited by his parents in an effort to force him to give up the woman he loves who is from a different social status, Adam loses his "umbrella" of college, is drafted and winds up in Vietnam. There he learns many valuable lessons about life and death, friendship and survival.

Injured at Khe Sanh, he returns home and must learn to forgive the parents he blames for his being sent to Vietnam, while trying to rebuild his life with Belinda and the son born while he was away.

But as Adam looks toward the future, his past calls to him, sending him into a downward spiral of despair and self-destruction, unable to distinguish the past from the present.




Alright I am going to admit that I am biased a little with this book. Being married to a Vietnam vet gives me a little more reason to relate to the characters and the story of this novel but I can honestly say WOW.

D.L. Rogers has done a fantastic job of not only portraying the characters in a realistic light but she has also captured the emotional aspects of returning home from war. This book truly had me sobbing at times. The descriptions of what Adam goes through both in Vietnam and once he returns home are truly astoundingly accurate.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. If you know a Vietnam vet, or are simply curious as to how things were for these men and women I recommend you curl up with a cup of tea and dive into the excellent story.

Review - An Uncommon Whore by Belinda McBride


Title: An Uncommon Whore

Author: Belinda McBride

Publisher: Loose ID

Buy An Uncommon Whore Here!


Rating: Want to Read


Reviewed by: Lupa



“As a general rule, you won’t find the love of your life while you’re on your knees under a table.”
-- Helios Dayspring

Pasha is a slave, whoring for travelers at the most dangerous bar on Warlan. He has no memory, no future of his own, yet deep inside Pasha knows that that he is meant for better things. The day that Pasha spots the dangerous pirate in the bar, he knows that he mustn't let the stranger slip away, regardless of what he must do to attract his attention.

Captain Griffin Hawke spent the greater part of a decade searching for his lost king, only to find Helios Dayspring crouched between his knees, swathed in the robes and shackles of a whore. Though he is appalled by the downfall of his king, the hardened officer finds himself falling for the allure of the sensual creature who has taken his place. Returning Helios to his position on the throne is the only right thing to do, yet Griffin knows that in doing so, he risks losing his lover forever.

“A whore is a whore is a whore, unless he’s something else completely. I guess I must be an uncommon whore.”
-- Helios Dayspring

Publisher's Note: This book contains male/male sexual practices.



Ok I have to admit I was not expecting this story to be very good. Wow was I surprised.

Belinda McBride has created an intricate universe filled with endearing characters and a fantastic story.

There is a lot to be said about discovering your past, and when you discover the truth about Pasha’s past and the things that he endured you will just want to hug him. I know I know it is terribly girlie of me but it is true. This character has a huge amount of adversity to overcome in this book and he takes things for the most part in stride. And anyone who has ever fallen for someone they have known for years will relate to Griffin’s dilemma. He knows he needs to bring Helios back but he cannot help the way he feels for this man and hopes beyond hope that he will not get his heart broken.

Yes this is a gay romance. But the depth of the story is such that I think even those of you who do not necessarily like male/male stories will find this one endearing.

Review - Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory


Title : Knight of Pleasure

Author : Margaret Mallory

Publisher : Grand Central Publishing

Buy Knight of Pleasure Here!


Reviewed by: Brynna Curry


Rating: You Gotta Read



The Greatest Passion

Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that’s before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.
Is Worth The Greatest Peril

Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. When a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen must prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure … and that love can conquer all.


Sold into marriage to an old man by her father's greed at a young age, Lady Isobel Hume had hoped when her husband died she would be freed of her duties as a wife to lead her life as she saw fit and inherit the Hume castle and lands from her Lord. She was horribly wrong. Before his death Hume gave his land and holdings to a man who wants to own her and has no honor. Left with the choice of marrying the wretched man and keeping her home or leaving and marrying a man of the king's choosing, Isobel flees into the king's protection. Only to meet the elusive playboy knight Sir Stephen Carleton. Stephen finds Isobel's un lady like manner and sword play refreshing and finds he would give the world to have her as his own. Compelling suspense in a time when death is around every corner, isn't an easy feat to achieve in writing a medieval romance. Ms. Mallory pulls it off beautifully with enchanting characters and moments that make you say " No." Knight of Pleasure is one book you've gotta read.

Review - Purr-fect Seduction by H.C.Brown


Title : Purr-fect Seduction

Author : H.C. Brown

Publisher : Noble Romance Publishing

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Reviewed by: Brynna Curry


Rating: You need to read




Jill Morfranna, a sassy redhead from New York, is enjoying a photo shoot in the Scottish Highlands when she stumbles into an alternate realm. Trapped in a frightening world of strange creatures, her life turns upside down when a sinfully handsome shape-shifter kidnaps her. Will she win Dare of Knight Watch’s heart or will he trade her for his sister at the next slave auction?

Special Content Alert: Light spanking, M/M and M/F/M (secondary characters).



Photographer Jill Morfranna leaves her New York home for a photo shoot in the Highlands of Scotland. Anxious to get a better view of a castle, she inadvertly awakens a deep old magic, transporting herself into another realm. She never imagined her misadventures would lead her to the slaver's block or falling in love with Dare, a gorgeous shape-shifting prince. Dare must choose between saving his sister, or setting free the beautiful stranger from another world.

Strong characters and sweeping imagery of other worlds drag the reader into the story. Jill is strong while still insecure in her appearance and completely captivated by the otherworldly Dare. While Dare isn't afraid to show his softer side and his loyalty is to family is refreshing. Purrfect Seduction is wonderful story making H.C. Brown an author you need read.

Review - Bed, Bath, & Beloved by Lynnette Baughman


Title : Bed, Bath & Beloved

Author : Lynnette Baughman

Publisher : The Wild Rose Press

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Reviewed by: Brynna Curry


Rating: You Gotta Read


When Annie Riker and her sister inherit a decrepit mansion from an unknown great-great- grandmother who struck it rich in the Klondike Gold Rush, they move to Montana to turn it into a bed and breakfast. Annie’s primary goal is to find a safe place to raise her young daughter.

Jack Cabrini, CEO of the construction company working on Albion House, is looking for a safe place to raise his young sister. He moves to Bitter Falls to handle the Riker’s renovation project himself. When he gets to know Annie and her little girl, his focus turns to building a family of four—and someday, more.
But trouble follows Annie and Jack, and they must confront life-threatening danger, and their growing attraction, head on.



Annie Riker and her sister Tess have inherited a decrepit mansion filled with cobwebs, mice and secrets to their family tree from a great- great grandmother no one knew they had. Anxious to find a haven to raise her daughter Savannah, Annie welcomes the challenge of restoring Albion House to its former glory. With the aide of Jack Cabrini's construction company, she plans to reopen the old mansion as a bed and breakfast.

Jack is ready to take a more hands on approach within the company he inherited after his father's death and hoping to help his younger sister Marcy out of a tough legal scandal. When he meets Annie he discovers he may be ready for a future in Bitter Falls. This fast paced romantic suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat. Annie's fear for her daughter is so real its frightening. I love the way the author tied up all the loose ends nicely, giving everyone their just desserts good or bad. Bed Bath and Beloved is one book you gotta read.

Review - More & More by Niobia Bryant


Title : More & More

Author : Niobia Bryant

Publisher : Red Rose Publishing

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Reviewed by: Brynna Curry

Rating: You Need to Read



Mocha Nivens enjoys the casual nature of her long term, long-distance relationship with businessman Dean Kincaid, but she ends it when he moves back to town wanting more.


When Dean dates other women, Mocha realizes what she’s lost, but is it too late to claim the love she deserves?


Mocha Nivens had the perfect relationship with Dean Kincaid or so she thought. When he wanted more, she wanted out. Realizing the best thing in her life slipped through her fingers, Mocha hopes to bury her troubles with a steamy Jamaican cruise. Dean never gave up on Mocha and is set to show her just how much she means to him.

I was impressed by the author's skill with imagery and flowing words. Mocha is a powerful character, not afraid to embrace her life with or without a man. Dean only true flaw was failing to give her the words she needed to say forever. Tropical settings that leap off the page, a super charged connection between Dean and Mocha make this one book you need to read.

Review - Dead or a Lie by Jason A. Barret


Title: Dead or a Lie

Author: Jason A. Barret

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Buy Dead or a Lie Here!


Rating: You Could Read


Reviewed By: Janelle

A sun allergy predisposes Lee Teadora to a solitary existence as the night security director of New York Medical. Endless nights watching uneventful images on her security monitors make her desperate for excitement.

Be careful of what you wish for...

One night, while visiting her father’s grave, a group of bloodthirsty vampires attack her. Despite her martial arts training, she is outmatched. She should be dead…or undead, but she survives.

Lee isn’t alone in her battle. A shadowy figure watches from afar...protecting her.


I suppose it had to happen eventually. Read enough vampire romance novels in this day and age, and one of them is bound to be a Twilight mimic. And coming from me, that isn’t a compliment.

On the one hand we have Lee: who’s oh so special, but doesn’t know nor will she believe it. She has special training in combat – but still needs saving – everytime; and every man wants her – not that she notices. On the other hand we have Luke: a vampire who can’t bring himself to harm innocent so feeds on animals instead. He also has sworn to protect her, but because she’s so special, he’s also fallen in love with her. Not to mention the fact he seems to have a split personality issues.

I cannot blame an author for wanting to follow a popular trend, even if the trend setter is a terribly sad excuse for a story to being with.

I can, however, blame them for a complete and total lack of research. For starters, stem cell research was never illegal, it was heavily restricted, but never fulling illegal. Besides, what would a security guard know about what research the hospital does or does not allow?

For another, there is no genetic “structure” that assures a woman’s first child would be a boy, and therefore cannot be changed, magically or otherwise, to makes sure it is a girl. Furthermore, gender is determined by the father, so he is the one the magic rite would have to be performed on, not the mother.

Finally, the endocrine system does not change cells, it secretes hormones and chemical signals. The cells react to these signals by consuming sugars and preparing the muscles for fight or flight.

Overall, this story is structurally weak. The plot is a low resolution reflection of a story that was not very good to begin with, and the elements are poorly researched. I just don’t foresee recommending this book.