Review – Spark Of Desire by Charlotte McClain

Title : Spark of Desire

Author: Charlotte McClain

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy Link: Buy Spark Of Desire Here!

Rating : You Need To Read

Reviewed By : Shira

Blurb :

Turning thirty and working in a bookstore is not where Jessica saw herself. Her dream was to be a paramedic; she always loved the sounds of the sirens. When Kevin, a regular at the bookstore and also a firefighter, tells her the cut off age for the department is thirty-one years old, he sees the panic that crosses Jessica's face. Is that the only reason for offering to help study to make her dreams come true?

Review :

Spark of Desire was a sweet love story that told you don't always end up with "your type". Kevin's thought his type was petite with a bubbly attitude, not Jessica's tall and take charge attitude. They had so many stereotypes to overcome with each other and this lead to a lot of chuckles while reading. I enjoyed reading Ms. McClain's book because it gave me a sense of determination. You can do whatever you put your mind to and not let anyone steer you off track.

Review – Bring On The Night By Sonya Clark

Title: Bring On the Night

Author: Sonya Clark

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy Link: Buy Bring On The Night Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Brynna

Blurb:

If there's one thing Jessie hates, it's going after her own kind. She may be used to taking a bite out of human killers, but she leaves her fellow immortals alone. It's only after a series of gruesome murders have her suspecting vampires and werewolves are going after innocents does she set out to put a stop to it.


It's not long that Jessie finds herself racing against the waxing moon to stop an ambitious gang of monsters with a sinister agenda.

Review:

More comfortable with chasing down human killers, vampire Jessie is reluctant to go on a hunt for her own kind until the slayings threaten not only human but immortal way of life. Bring on the Night is an action packed read though unusually short for its genre. While I loved the book, I wish it had been longer perhaps giving us more detail about Jessie before she is sent on the King's mission. Charged with outing the groups of were-beasts and vamps responsible for the slayings before the entire underground community of paranormal creatures is discovered.


Ms. Clark is a word smith, telling the story from several different perspectives, instead of just Jessie's. While this helped to give me a better idea of the world she is building, it did effect my investment in the characters. I needed to know more about each character or at least a little more about Jessie. Still a great book and one you need to read.

Review – Chances Are by LaVerne Thompson

Title : Chances Are

Author: LeVerne Thompson

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Chances Are Here!

Rating : You Need To Read

Reviewed By : Shira

Blurb :

Employed, terminated, re-hired and promoted all in the same day; that was the kind of day Kayla Michaels was having. Not to mention her new boss who happens to the good looking Good Samaritan, Talbert Reynolds, that threw her libido into overdrive and helped her outside the bank after she was wrongfully terminated. The sparks are flying from both directions but they're both a little cautious when it comes to the opposite sex. When fraud is uncovered from within the company, will they be able to trust their instincts and each other?

Review :

Chances Are was an entertaining read for a rainy day. Ms. Thompson made you want to know more about the characters from the very beginning. The infectious interactions between the characters made me smile at times and hold my breath at others. I only wished to get to know the characters more.

Review - Silver Bound by Ella Drake

Title: Silver Bound

Author: Ella Drake

Publisher: Carina Press

Buy Link: Buy Silver Bound Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed by: Mickey

Blurb:

Sheriff Guy Trident doesn't have much to do with off-worlders; he has his hands full keeping his own planet safe. But he'll do anything, go anywhere to save Jewel Quinn. She broke his heart years ago when she left to marry a Terraloft aristocrat. Now she's run away from her husband, only to fall into the clutches of slavers.


Posing as a wealthy playboy, Guy arrives at Zuthuru Station to learn he's too late: Jewel's memories have been erased. She's been tipped in silver, a process that leaves nothing behind except her body, sexually bound to pleasuring her master. Unwilling to give up hope, Guy buys her.


Jewel fights to reclaim herself, recalling a different connection to the handsome sheriff, remembering the frightened eyes of a young boy and the events that made her run. Together she and Guy search for her cure, plan her son's rescue from her ruthless ex, and test if they have any kind of future...before the past catches up to them.

Review:

Nothing is more enjoyable than the unexpected, and Silver Bound by Ella Drake is certainly in that category. Who wouldn't be surprised by the idea of a science fiction romance that centers around slave trading, with mind-wiping thrown in as a bonus. Somehow Ms. Drake manages to put her vision on paper and succeeds in a spectacular way. Guy Trident is the quintessential hero, with a twist: he is not flawed as much as he is conflicted. And while Ms. Drake is very talented in relaying his turmoil and angst to us quite clearly, she does so without darkening the tone of the book, or altering our perception of Guy's character. Guy might be conflicted, but above all his actions are based on love, and Ms. Drake is clear outlining that throughout Silver Bound.

In addition, she manages to convey Jewel's sad and occasionally heartbreaking confusion as she struggles to remember pieces of who she was and is, again without changing the overall tone of the book. If the romance was the only reason to read Silver Bound, it would still be a great novel, but adding all the other elements elevates it to an even higher level. Ms. Drake adds a number of unforgettable secondary characters: some quite charming and some sinister enough to leap off the pages into our worst nightmares. Having such strong secondary characters is a bonus in what is already an entertaining novel. Is it any wonder why I loved this book? The real question is how could I not? If someone is looking for a wonderful novel with plenty of action, a great plot and a touching love story, Silver Bound is the one to read.

Review – Searching for Tina Turner by Jacqueline E. Luckett

Title : Searching for Tina Turner

Author: Jacqueline E. Luckett

Publisher: Hachette Book Group

Buy Link: Buy Searching for Tina Turner Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Shira

Blurb:

Who do you turn to and find inspiration for those moments when life isn't going the way you planned? Lena Spencer turns to the person who has been a part of her and her husband's, Randall, lives from the beginning; Tina Turner. Lena and Randall have grown from having the basics to now living in luxury in Los Angeles. Randall has fulfilled most of the goals he set for himself while telling Lena to put hers on hold. Lena, feeling the need to establish herself as Lena Spencer, Photographer, and not just Mrs. Randall Spencer, hostess extraordinaire, or Kendrick and Camille's Mom. When Randall tells her he won't go to any more Marriage Counseling sessions and she should just be happy with what she has or leave, Lena decides if Tina could do it and hold her head high, so could she. Using Tina's book as her guide and a journey to see Tina in concert, Lena searches to find the answer to, "What's Love Gotta Do With It?"

Review:

Searching for Tina Turner played like a movie while I read it. I did not want to pause to go do regular things for the fear that I might miss something. I felt the connection that Ms. Luckett wanted to share between Lena and Tina. At first, I did feel that Lena was a tad whiney and not standing up for what she wanted in her marriage and with her children but then I saw there was a growing period she needed to transition through. Randall needed to be brought back down to Earth and the only one that could touch him to do that was Lena even though neither thought she could. Ms. Luckett's debut novel will surely be on a lot of Book Club Reading List and I recommend it highly for one that has to be in your bag or e-book reader for the summer.

Review - The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

Title: The Lincoln Lawyer

Author: Michael Connelly

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Buy Link: Buy The Lincoln Lawyer here

Reviewer: Val

Rating: You Gotta Read

Blurb:

A Beverly Hills playboy arrested for attacking a woman he picked up in a bar chooses Haller to defend him, and Mickey has his first high-paying client in years. It is a defense attorney's dream, what they call a franchise case. And as the evidence stacks up, Haller comes to believe this may be the easiest case of his career. Then someone close to him is murdered and Haller discovers that his search for innocence has brought him face-to-face with evil as pure as a flame. To escape without being burned, he must deploy every tactic, feint, and instinct in his arsenal - this time to save his own life.

Review:

I chose to review the audio book and in my opinion, if you're going to read this book in any form, the audio book is the way to go. Narrated by Adam Grupper, a voice is given to Mickey Haller that is a perfect fit. Mr. Grupper transitions between characters in an eloquent and believable manner. His enunciation and the fluidity with which he speaks is simply mesmerizing. I could listen to that voice all day long.

Michael Connelly has taken The Lincoln Lawyer above and beyond most thrillers out there and leaves the reader begging for more of his work. With such strong willed and well developed characters as Mickey Haller, Connelly gives the main character depth and emotions you don't see in very many lawyers. The reader can relate to the way that Haller manipulates his way through his clients, the legal system and at times, his friends. This was a cleverly written book that will make you think and in my opinion, Mickey Haller could do no wrong. The climax of this book was a combination of twists and turns between lies and deceit. The Lincoln Lawyer was a bite your nails while sitting on the edge of your seat read. Outstanding!

If I could pick the best audiobook that I have ever listened to, The Lincoln Lawyer would be it. Spectacular, intense, action packed and filled with manipulation, The Lincoln Lawyer is everything that I could have ever wanted in a book and then some. I have to say that this book opened my eyes as to just what can happen in the legal system. The Lincoln Lawyer is a fresh, mind tingling read that you simply cannot miss.

Review: Valentines Heart by Cindy Spencer Pape

Title: Valentine's Heart

Author: Cindy Spencer Pape

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy Valentines Heart here

Reviewer: Val

Rating: You Want/Need to Read

Blurb:

Valentine Holiday loves being single. As the youngest member of the Holiday family, he’s in no hurry for the family magic to catch up with him and find him the love of his life. Right before Valentine’s Day, he begins getting emails from a dating site he never signed up for. He’s sure it’s just a hoax—until he meets Corazon Lopez.

Cora doesn’t have time for romance. The busy social worker is sure her friend must have signed her up when emails start arriving about her “perfect match”. Then she meets Val Holiday in person and all bets are off. Between forced vacation time and a free trip to a tropical resort, the fates seem determined to throw them together—along with a private suite and plenty of sex toys.

Val and Cora realize they’re in for the sexual frolic of their lives. They’re not so sure about falling in love, but the Holiday magic may have other ideas.

Review:

The characters in this book were fun and together, were very hot and sexy. Val makes clear that he has no intentions for a relationship of any kind so it's obvious that he would suspect his siblings of setting him up with a matchmaking site. Meanwhile, Cora suspects her roommate of interfering as she never signed up with any matchmaking site. Cora's character was a little unsure of herself and needed to loosen up. She definitely gets to do this with Valentine Heart, Mr. Hottie himself. When Cora and Val first meet, sparks fly and each knows they can't call this thing off just yet. I loved the part when both of them start reconsidering their decision to politely call off the "would be" romance.

I loved the plot line because it was a little different from most books. Reading the emails between Cora and Val really attracted me to this book. I love feeling like I have an inside take on what's going on in a story. Valentines Heart gets VERY steamy, which I know is something that you will enjoy reading. I wish this story had been longer so I could have bonded with the characters a bit more. If you are looking for a quick yet spicy read, you need to pick up Valentines Heart, you will be pleased.

Review: A Mystery/Suspense Collection Anthology: Sweet by Various Authors

Title: A Mystery/Suspense Collection Anthology: Sweet

Author: Miss Mae, Gerald Costlow, Cheryl Pierson and Anne Patrick

Publisher: Victory Tales Press

Buy Link: Buy A Mystery/Suspense Collection: Sweet here

Reviewer: Val

Rating: You Gotta Read

Blurb:

Miss Penelope's Letters by Miss Mae

The letters arrive unsigned. The writer demands that Penelope meet him in one of London’s most ill-reputed and darkest streets. When she dares to keep the assignations, she encounters a man in a black mask who leaves her breathless from his stolen kiss. Yet he claims the reason for their surreptitious tryst is an honorable one. Can he be trusted?

Review:

Wow, Miss Penelope's Letters started with action within the first sentence and I was hooked from that moment on. Transported to a different day and time, I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Penelope's Letters. I can't give away the story but I can tell you that there are good guys, bad guys, physical fighting and swords. Who doesn't love a good sword fight? There is also a very sweet romance that you don't want to miss. I would like to suggest to Miss Mae that Penelope have another adventure and be given her own full length novel. The masked man and Penelope are two characters that I have fallen in love with and would love to read more about.

Blurb:

A Distant Call by Gerald Costlow

The Appalachian Mountains hold mysteries galore for the unwary and the full moon increases the danger as Jessie Corman is bound to find out. Anna May Sherritt and her granny know all about the call and how folks often disappear. Can they save Jessie and solve the disappearances?

Review:

I had to laugh when granny said at Anna Mae's age she ran away to join the circus. A fun little read, A Distant Call will put a smile on your face. A very unusual story that pairs a preacher with a woman who has a paranormal gift, this is a story will keep you entertained until the the very end and what a amusing ending it was.

Blurb:

The Last of Her Kind by Cheryl Pierson

An old Victrola is the cherished possession of Cassie's grandmother. Her father also seems oddly attached to the antique phonograph, but her new stepmother detests it. Then Cassie discovers a secret, a wonderful, yet frightening, secret. Will it save her family or destroy it?

Review:

In the very beginning the reader is shown just how detestable the stepmother really is. I took an instant disliking to her. As the story progressed, the reader is drawn into the close bond that Cassie and her grandmother share. Through this strong bond, we learn a secret that is a fun twist in the story. I felt myself needing to read the story as fast as I could to learn more about Cassie's family. I loved the ending and a part of me wishes something like that could happen in real life.

Blurb:

Dangerous Deception by Anne Patrick

Gwen Jacobs thrived on dangerous assignments, until the massacre of an African village. She is offered a chance at redemption by accompanying Jack Peterson and his small group of humanitarians to report on the atrocities taking place amidst a civil war. When her secrets are revealed, will she lose the only man she’s ever really loved?

Review:

Dangerous Deception was an action packed read that had my mind reeling as to what could possibly happen next. This is a must read story to gain some understanding of what it is like to live in a war torn country. The images of the children in the orphanage touched my heart. I cannot give away any more of this book but trust me when I say that you need to read this fast paced story, it will leave you breathless.

Overall review:

Usually I can pick a favorite story or two out of an anthology but with this particular collection, that is not possible. Each story was drastically different than the one before it. In addition, each story is tightly woven with a strong reliance on faith which made me smile and kept me wishing for more. It's so difficult to review short stories and try to review them without giving away anything. I wish I could have gotten into more of the plots with each story but you simply must read these stories for yourself. Miss Mae, Gerald Costlow, Cheryl Pierson and Anne Patrick make one heck of a team when including all their stories into one book. Each story is short enough to be read on a lunch break and each story is written in an entirely different manner. This book was a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend A Suspense/Mystery Collection Anthology: Sweet to anyone who loves to read an intriguing mystery romance.

Review: Closure by Rie McGaha

Title: Closure

Author: Rie McGaha

Publisher: Champagne Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Closure Here

Reviewed by: Val

Rating: You Gotta Read

Blurb

High in the hills above Albuquerque, New Mexico Detective Zachariah Ellison arrives at the scene of a murder, and not just any murder, but one that definitely falls into the 'gruesome' category even for a seasoned cop like Zach. When another body is found murdered in much the same fashion, Zach knows he’s got a serial killer on his hands, and to top it off he’s got an assistant district attorney hounding him about the case. As Zach tries to investigate the crimes while sidestepping nosey Amy Logan, a third body is found and Zach hasn’t a clue as to whom the perpetrator might be. Amy Logan has worked hard to put herself through school and pay for law school on her own and now that she’s secured a position as assistant district attorney in Albuquerque, she’s determined to do everything she can to be the best prosecutor this office has ever seen. And as if luck was following her, she’s been assigned to the biggest homicide case the city has ever seen. The only problem she’s having is the homicide detective who’s leading the investigation—Zach Ellison.

Review:

I loved how this book opened with a Phil Collins song. I found myself liking the book before I even got started on chapter one. Now on to the characters. Zach's character was everything I look for in a hero. Of course he's a hottie, that's always a given but he is also a wounded man with a past he's trying to get over. Stacie's death hit him hard. My heart hurt for him when he would try to sleep just a little longer to spend more time with her. Amy's character was a woman who was blunt and to the point. Passionate about her job, she finds herself wanting to be just as passionate with Zach. The attraction between Zach and Amy was immediate and electrifying. For both, they fell fast for each other and boy did it get hot and steamy.

The plot was spectacular with a twist that you will never see coming. I enjoyed the vivid crime scene portrayal. Ms. McGaha paid particular attention to details and it really paid off. I must warn anybody thinking out reading Closure, if you are squeamish in the least, this may not be the book for you. However, for a crime novel fan, this is the perfect book for you. One thing that was a little bit different about this book was that at times, it was narrated by the killer. This was an exceptional addition to the book and made it a stimulating read that I didn't want to put down.

Ms. McGaha has written a book that has just hit my favorites list. I found myself laughing at the funny moments and then gasping in disbelief or horror at the crime scenes. Closure was a very well paced book that really pulls the reader in and holds their attention. With a gripping plot line and very real characters, Closure is not a book you want to miss.

Review - Impulsive by Jamie Hill

Title: Impulsive

Author: Jamie Hill

Publisher: Books We Love Publishing Partners

Buy Link: Buy Impulsive here

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewer: Val

Three Wishes

Blurb:
While visiting Madame Zena's Mystical Shoppe, Macy Green discovers a dusty old bottle she never imagines could actually be magical. The handsome genie who appears offers her three wishes, but Macy soon discovers it will only take one--one very special wish--to fulfill her heart's true desire.

Review:Three Wishes was a twist on an age old tale of the genie in the bottle. I can't really write much about the story because I don't want to give anything away but I loved how the Eugene made Macy see that things are always as they seem. This story was a fun read filled with some very steamy moments.

All That Jazz

Blurb:
Devon Knight has a secret. He's been watching his neighbor, beautiful Gia Malone, through their
apartment windows, every day while he practices his trumpet. She doesn't seem to notice, but she
does sway in time to the rhythm of his jazz music. When he finally musters up enough courage
to talk to Gia, he finds her more beautiful and charming than he dared to imagine. He also
discovers Gia has secrets of her own.

Review
All that jazz was a story that really touched my heart. Gia had a big secret and I was wondering how that was going to go over. I can't write very much in the review of this one in the fear of giving something away. The ending was just too sweet.

Playing With Destiny

When beautiful witch Calista Canyon discovers the man of her dreams living right next door, she tries everything she can think of, short of magic, to get him to notice her. She finally gets his attention, but does Ryan Lenhart know exactly what he's getting? And who is the other witch placing spells on Ryan? Calista is determined to find out who's trying to fracture their future before it even gets started.

Review:

I had to laugh when Calista dined on popcorn while watching "the show" and then mentally ran commentary on what kind of shoes the girl was wearing. The whole story through, I kept on thinking of Samantha and Darren from Bewitched. I laughed at the funny things that went on throughout this story and then to add Calista's quirky mother was just too funny.

High Maintenance
Blurb:
Deidre North is enjoying a family ski vacation after Christmas, when an accident sidelines her from the slopes with a cast on her leg. She's depressed about spending another New Year's Eve alone, until she meets the lodge's handsome maintenance man.
Rick Beaufort is good with his hands, but is he smooth enough to convince this high maintenance woman to take a chance on him?

Review:
Wow, I took an instant disliking to Diedre's controlling mother right away but towards the end of the book, liked that she was like that because boy was she in for a surprise. Diedre's character was just like every woman out there, full of self doubt and putting herself down. I can't say much more about the story because, again, I don't want to give it away.

So overall, I loved the stories. Each of them was very different, which was something that I enjoyed. My two favorites have to be Playing with Destiny and High Maintenance. Oh and one more quick thing before I go, don't you just love the cover? I look forward to reading more of Ms. Hill's work very soon. Impulsive is a great book to have with you while you're on the go or only have a few minutes to relax. Just enough time to get lost in a short story and still be done in time for dinner.

Review - Love, Sam by Linda Rettstatt

Title: Love, Sam

Author: Linda Rettstatt

Publisher: Champagne Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Love, Sam here

Reviewed by: Val

Rating: You Gotta Read

Blurb

Trish Garrity has to find a way to go on after the tragic loss of Samantha Preston, her partner of six years. Facing death, Sam writes twelve letters—one to be opened on the first of each of the twelve months following her death—intended to help Trish become more self-accepting and to guide her through grief.

Sam's plans for Trish, including a pre-paid trip to Arizona to visit a native Hopi friend of Sam's, push Trish to not only come to terms with Sam's death, but to come to terms with herself and to embrace the future.

Review:

Trish is suffering with the a deep sense of loss after Sam dies and she refuses to let go and move on with her life. Her character is exactly how I would feel after the loss of a loved one. With Sam's letters to Trish, she's forced to start living, even if to just say that she did the things Sam wanted her to do. Sam's character knew what a hard time Trish would have and in a last selfless act, wrote 12 letters. One letter for each month, in hopes that Trish would move on knowing that Sam would always be with her. Trish's character is taken on a whirlwind of self discovery. With believable characters and very real emotions, I actually found myself crying and smiling simultaneously. I was absolutely absorbed in the book and was flipping the pages just as fast as I could. With a very emotional beginning, this is a book that explores every emotion there is. There is nothing I can say that will do justice to this book. The reader will feel love, anger, loss, peace, and betrayal just to name a few. Dealing with death is always a draining experience and Love, Sam gives the reader a small glimpse into a world filled with the process of grieving.

Linda Rettstatt has done an exceptional job in bringing forth the emotions evoked in Love, Sam. I enjoyed the twist in the book. You sure won't see it coming and it gives you that Aha moment where everything makes sense. I love the writing style in this book, in particular, Ms. Rettstatt had me looking forward to reading the letters each month from Sam. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Rettsatt's work. If you are looking for a deeply emotional read that will let you escape for a while, then Love, Sam is the book for you. When you finish reading this book, it will leave you grateful for the people you have in your life. Amazing book!

Review - Charade of Hearts by Sharon A. Donovan

Title: Charade of Heart

Author: Sharon A. Donovan

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy Link: Buy Charade of Hearts here

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewer: Val

Blurb:

Jewel of the Night Series

While scuba diving off the coast of Diamond Head with her diving partner on a quest to find a family heirloom, underwater photographer Dominique St. John witnesses his brutal murder and photographs it, ensnaring her in a deadly jewel ring. Then when the investigating officer turns out to be her partner’s identical twin, a man she knew nothing about, her life becomes a Charade of Hearts.

Welcome to the world of greed, intrigue, deception and murder. At its core is a blue diamond worth millions.

As honest as his twin was corrupt, Honolulu Homicide Detective Oliver Carvalho must convince Dominique that her diving partner and best friend was a crook. In a race against time, Oliver must rescue her from a ruthless killer, but his biggest challenge proves to be Dominique herself. Her heart has been torn by betrayal and can only be redeemed with love.

Review:

Dominique's character was very engaging and I couldn't help but fall in love with her. To a point, she was naive when it came to Roberto but she was also very determined to get a part of her mother back. In the beginning I wanted to believe that Roberto did no wrong. He was charming, sexy and driven to help Dominique find the her mother's necklace. As the story unfolds, I saw just how wrong that assumption was and just how opposite his twin, Oliver really was. I've never read a story about the main character being an underwater photographer and I found it to be a refreshing change. I love being taken places I've never been and shown occupations I've never experienced. The imagery was outstanding. My heart felt heavy when Dominique was underwater imagining all that her mother must have gone through when she died. Oliver's character was the perfect kind of hero. Sexy with issues to overcome, extremely smart, and fiercely protective of Dominique, Oliver is the good twin that is easy to fall in love with.

I love to read Sharon A. Donovan's work for two reasons. First, I know it's going to be a solid piece of work and second, with each new book, it's even better than the last. I enjoy watching an author grow in their work and Ms. Donovan is definitely perfecting her craft. Charade of Hearts is a fast paced, edge of your seat romance laced with twists and turns along the way. The action scenes throughout this book will literally find you catching your breath. Ms. Donovan has a gift when it comes to writing a very descriptive novel which pulls me in every time. I get lost in her work and look forward to each new book. As for Charade of Hearts, you don't want to miss this book. Ms. Donovan has written a tantalizing read that will keep you on your toes. If you love tropical locations, good vs. evil and a sweet romantic suspense, Charade of Hearts is the book for you.

Review – The Pirate’s Secret by Laine Morgan

Title: The Pirate's Secret

Author: Laine Morgan

Publisher: Carnal Passions

Buy Link: Buy The Pirate's Secret Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed By: Nerine Dorman

Blurb:

Shannon MacCready finds love in the notorious pirate, Patrick Flannigan. But Patrick cannot return her love, for fear she'll discover his dark secret…

Review:

As far as plots go, this one's pretty straightforward. A sassy Irish lass stows away aboard her pirate love's ship when he has to return to sea, only to run into complications that are beyond her control. For fear of spoilers I won't divulge the rest but the story had an interesting though far from earth-shattering premise.

The characterisation was fair. I didn't, however, feel as much connection to either Shannon or Patrick as I could have, but I enjoyed their interaction.

Overall, I feel this story could have had more detail. Granted, the author gives enough to move the plot forward and her writing is consistent, but lacked in layering. She tells a good story which keeps the pages turning, and puts out a delightful tale that reads quickly. The ending did feel a bit contrived, in my opinion, and I felt I wanted to see more internal conflict before the conclusion.

Review - The Green Man by Lee Mather

Title: The Green Man

Author: Lee Mather

Publisher: Damnation Books

Buy Link: Buy The Green Man Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Nerine Dorman

Blurb:

Peter never believed in the Green Man. He told himself the story was just his mother's way of making sense of tragedy. An educated man with little faith in anything, Peter had no patience for supposed premonitions. That day-the day of the flight-was different. With his mother's latest warning ringing in his ears, the plane began to falter. Peter's world was about to change.

Review:

It's definitely a case of don't judge the tale by the cover for Lee Mather's short story, The Green Man. While I always wonder how much bang readers get for their buck when buying a short story electronically, Mather's yarn is worth the money spent on it, and he's definitely a fresh talent to look out for in the future. His style is mature, and he is a keen observer of his environment and the way people interact.

Peter Jones is very much your average Joe, who works as a buyer for a clothing retailer. He has never quite believed his mother's tales of the Green Man, who has visited her every time a relative dies. That is until his mother calls him just before he's departing on a business trip to warn him that the fateful Green Man has appeared to her again.

While the story isn't much more than detailing a frightening air accident and its emotional aftermath, I really appreciated following Peter's shift in attitude and acceptance of the events that shape him. While to a degree he is a passive observer, he displays a shift in consciousness that is somehow satisfying to conclude his story arc.

Mather is a rare gem offering thought-provoking, layered horror. Please can we see a novel soon?

Review – Crimson Hours by Susan Phelan

Title: Crimson Hours

Author: Susan Phelan

Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Crimson Hours Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Nerine Dorman

Blurb:

Do you believe in vampires?

Exposed in this titillating trio of distinctly different stories is the possibility that all around the world at any given time of the night, people are interacting with the undead - sometimes unwittingly.

Certainly there are those who welcome, even seek out, the immortal, as is the case with Samantha, an LAPD detective who enlists the aid of a bloodsucker from her past to help identify, track down and kill her daughter's murderer in "Dawn".

On the flip side, there are those clueless humans like Maddie, a bored and dejected Boston housewife in "Dusk", who has absolutely no idea her talented young dance instructor has had literally centuries in which to hone his craft.

And what of Alison, the icy businesswoman from Texas who finds out just a little too late, in "Midnight", that the cowboy who has recently roped her in and so quickens her pulse, doesn't actually have one himself.

Three women, three vampires, one night.

Think you would know if you met one?

Review:

Divided into three parts: Dusk, Dawn and Midnight, Crimson Hours is a collection of vampire fiction that takes a completely different tack from the usual vampire fare I've encountered thus far. To be honest, I wasn't exactly sure what I was expecting, but once I got into the author's style, which tended toward wordiness and took a little getting used to, I was completely immersed.

Simply put, Phelan is phenomenal. I've definitely put her on my TBR list for anything else she has published. Not only is her world-building and detailing solid, but her observations of human behaviour spot-on. You won't find cardboard cut-out characters here. Her vampires are unapologetically vampires, fangs, bloodlust and all. But they're people too, sensual individuals who've lived for many years with the burden of their immortality and the sometimes deadening ennui that brings.

Another thing I loved was that she resists the temptation to spill all her secrets. Each story is filled with mystery. You never know the whole truth, and it's fantastic to be left wondering, trying to figure out the facts she doesn't share.

In Dusk we meet Maddie, who is the epitome of what I'd term a "soccer mom". Somewhere along the line she's lost touch with her dreams, and it takes a mysterious dance instructor to reawaken her passions.

Samantha, in Dawn, carries a terrible burden-to find a killer-and to do so she must seek supernatural aid. But, is she prepared for the pain her discovery offers her?

Hardnosed businesswoman Alison finds her life coming adrift in Midnight, when her car is stuck in a mid-winter storm and an arrogant stranger with a secret helps her out of the trouble and into a crisis of the heart.

All characters are offered a turning point of sorts in their lives. This is a fantastic read. Each of these stories offers an almost voyeuristic glimpse into the lives of three women, whose worlds are changed irrevocably when they have an encounter of a vampiric kind. Go buy this book. What are you still waiting for? Phelan has a new fangrrrl-me!

Review – All The Right Moves by Tory Richards

Title: All The Right Moves

Author: Tory Richards

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy Link: Buy All The Right Moves Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Mickey

Blurb:

After discovering one of her patients dead in her office, Doctor Annie McCall finds herself on the run for her life. Detective Marshall Thomas isn't afraid to break the rules and offers her refuge. The only problem is who'll protect Annie from him?

Marshall hadn't counted on his primary suspect creating such a dilemma in his life. But once he discovers someone wants her dead, he is determined to keep his mind on the job in order to find the killer and to keep her safe.

As they struggle to stay one step ahead of the killer, their attraction for each other spirals out of control. And soon the only danger Annie's facing is the heat between them.

Review:

A well-written who-dun-it is always fun to read, and All the Right Moves certainly has all the right ingredients to make it a good story. Ms. Richards starts with an interesting and clever lead-in that invites the reader to both step into the characters' lives and a possible crime. The fortunate part is that both scenes are well-written with an attention to detail: she has a nice way of painting the scene that brings each part to life, very visual, graphic and colorful.

Added to the suspense and mystery is the humor and quick dialogue. I liked the interaction between the main characters, the constant repartee was highly entertaining, helpful as most of the novel was spent with just the two of them hiding out. When not talking, Ms. Richards did find other activities to fill their time, and she certainly knows how to describe hot and heavy love scenes in detail when writing about those other "activities." As an added bonus were a number of quirky and charming secondary characters to help progress the story along. Fortunately, All The Right Moves is a nice choice to help keep you entertained and happy for a couple of carefree hours.

Review - An Empress For Pantheon by Empress LaBlaque

Title: An Empress For Pantheon

Author: Empress LaBlaque

Publisher: Noble Romance

Buy Link: Buy An Empress For Pantheon Here!

Rating: You Could Read

Reviewed By: Janelle

Blurb:

Shyra leaves for work, but never arrives. Unfortunately, she's the next victim of a would-be emperor. Pantheon is crass and lacking in compassion. Only his seed can determine the true empress. Will Shyra meet her demise like the others, or will Pantheon's seed reveal the true empress?

Review:

There is a quote by Mark Twain that goes "the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and lightning bug." And it truly applies here. There is a lot of strange word usage in this story, including hair that scatters and the constant misuse of the word cosset - which means to pamper and is not a euphemism for girl bits. All these misused words contribute to some very odd and unintentionally funny imagery.

As to the characters, Pantheon is all right. His supposed to be an alien and therefore acts a bit strange. Shyra, however, is human but fails to act that way. When a strangely dressed man appears out of nowhere, lures you into his architecturally improbable house with promises of a phone, wanders off to have sex with a woman he claims is an android, admits to being an alien, and confesses to the murder if five hookers - it is time to make a hasty retreat, not take him out to lunch.

Overall, this story is very amusing, but I do not think it was meant to be so.

Review - Help Wanted Human: No Experience Necessary by Stephen Anthony Wytrysowsky

Title: Help Wanted Human: No Experience Necessary

Author: Stephen Anthony Wytrysowsky

Publisher: Whisky Creek Press

Buy Link: Buy Help Wanted Human: No Experience Necessary Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed By: Janelle

Blurb:

THE ALIENS ARE HERE!


Now How Do We Get Rid of Them!


You've seen them on TV! You've read about them in the Global Inquisitor! Now, read the tell-all autobiography by Stephen Wytrysowski, of the US Interpreter Team and the subject of much of the controversy surrounding U.S./Alien relations. Why are they here? Are they're intentions as benign as they would have us believe? Can we make money of them? What atrocious humiliations are our citizens being subjected to at their super secret base? And what is their obsession with anal probing anyway? Steve reveals the answers in this book that our government does not want you to read!


Get The Book That Is Banned on the Chricktou Home World!


Act Now!

Review:

Written in diary format, this story is different from anything else I've reviewed thus far. It is also written as if the author used speech recognition software, so it is filled with misspelled words, odd punctuation, and colloquialisms. All of which adds up to a very entertaining story.

This story follows a young, undereducated, blue collar worker who is thrown into an extraordinary situation. Each of the aliens is unique in their appearance, personality, and culture. And even though the reader sees them only through the lens of Stephen's prospective - complete with biases and limited understanding - each species comes across clearly individual, rather than just a bunch of stereotype aliens of various colors.

Overall this book is a lot of fun. The only drawback is that some parts can be confusing. Whether this was intended or just a happenstance of the style, I could not tell.

Review - Wolves of East Anglia Forever Claimed by Marisa Chenery

Title: Wolves of East Anglia Forever Claimed

Author: Marisa Chenery

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Forever Claimed Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

Out for a walk on her fist evening of her holiday in Norwich, England, Kamryn finds herself literally knocked on her butt by a gorgeous hunk of a man named Algar. He is quick to apologize when he helps her to her feet, and holds her hand a little longer than necessary, but he still reluctantly rushes after the man who he had been chasing. Kamryn returns to her hotel, sure she won't see him again.

Algar quickly takes down the werewolf sired by Fenris the wolf, in the hopes of finding the woman he'd knocked over before she disappears. After following her scent, only to come to a dead end at the hotel's elevator, he plans to return in the morning to wait for her to put in an appearance. When she does, he finds she stirs his wolf as much as she stirs his body.

Certain she is the woman meant for him, meant to be forever claimed by an immortal werewolf warrior, he knows he can't let her go, even if she comes to fear what he is.

Review:

Love can be a strange thing. Just ask Kamryn and Algar. While chasing down a bad werewolf Algar literally runs into Kamryn and from there the sparks fly.

I was pulled into this story right from the beginning. Algar is a great man who loves Kamryn with all his heart and is willing to let her make up her own mind after he shows her the truth about what he is and does. Kamryn is a woman who finds herself falling in love but must come to terms with what Algar is. The two are a wonderful couple and the love that they share shines through everything that they do.

Algar and Kamryn's story is the second book in this series. I loved the first book and this one was just as good. I cannot wait to see all of the other men find their true loves.

Review – Beg Me by Shiloh Walker

Title: Beg Me

Author: Shiloh Walker

Publisher: Smashwords

Buy Link: Buy Beg Me Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed by: Mickey

Blurb:

Beg me…there had been a time when those words made her burn with desire. But now, there was only fear.

Once, Tania Sinclair's life was almost perfect…oh, it had its ups and downs but she was happily married to a guy that adored her, one who had no problem indulging every kinky fantasy she ever had. But a couple of tragedies later, she's barely holding it together. A car accident took away her husband, and an attack from somebody she should have been able to trust has shaken not only her confidence, but it's also stripped away her fantasies and even made it painful to look back on her memories of her husband without fear.

Two years after her attack, Tania is determined to take her life back and the first step is taking back herself…her fantasies, her dreams, her memories. There's only one person she can trust to do it, too. One person she wants enough…Drake Bennett, her husband's best friend.

Falling for your best friend's wife-never smart. Drake's watched Tania quietly for years, watched her…wanted her, knowing he'd never have her. First, she was taken. And then, that night two years ago-a night that still scars her, a night that's left bruises on her that still haven't healed. He does what he can, though, because he loves her too much not to. He's her friend, there when she needs him.

And now she needs him. She's asked him for a favor…one that just about blows his mind…

Review:

Beg Me is a strangely compelling novella considering its predominant theme, no pun intended. Shiloh Walker is an expert at writing about the deepest and sometimes darkest emotions, and making them seem somehow acceptable. In her newest novella, she doesn't pull any punches, taking her readers to a whole new level of emotional extreme and angst, focusing on her characters' greatest desires and fears. In Tania we are able to experience both the good and the bad of getting what we wish for.

Drake and Tania are not the typical hero and heroine, yet they are still heroic in their appeal and likability. Without giving away the ending of the story, which is quite a surprise, there are a number of factors that contribute to their need to fight for each other. As always with Ms. Walker's works, Beg Me, is an extremely sensual novel, of course with a few tastefully graphic love scenes. There is so much included in this "novella" it seems like a much longer story: it is truly deeper than quite a few novels I have read in some time, and definitely better.

Review – Dangerous Curves by Cherie De Sues

Title: Dangerous Curves

Author: Cherie De Sues

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing LLC

Buy Link: Buy Dangerous Curves Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed by: Mickey

Blurb:

Selena Russo has won the coveted spot as a full-figured spokesmodel for the Rubenesque Romantix clothing line in Paris. When Selena starts getting hate mail, she ignores the warnings-models aren't known for their congeniality when they lose a big modeling gig. Especially a three-year, multimillion-dollar contract in the biggest ad campaign ever for curvy women.

Logan's a recent ex-Navy SEAL with a war injury, and his ex CO asks him to protect Selena while assuming the role of her photographer. When the death threats heat up with a dead pooch and bullets flying, Logan focuses hard on the sensual, violet-eyed beauty. It's Logan's pleasure to cover the body of a seductive, curvy, temptress, both in and out of the bedroom as their romance burns up the sheets.

Review:

Bravo to Cherie De Sues for featuring a full figured model as the heroine of her novel Dangerous Curves! Not only does it give readers a different perspective, but it also changes the typical dynamic and makes her novel that much more entertaining, not that the plot needs any additional twists to make it any more exciting. Selena and Logan ignite the pages with their romance as they travel from country to country dodging assassins, while discovering their feelings for each other. Ms. De Sues manages to maintain a nice balance between the action and the romance, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue while keeping us guessing at the true villain, never providing the answer until the very end the book.

It takes a talented author to juggle so many elements in one story, yet Ms. De Sues is able to keep the romance as the primary focus of the story and still have her readers happy from page to page. From their initial meeting, Selena and Logan have an obvious connection that deepens and grows, one that the author illustrates with a number of extremely sensual love scenes. Also adding to our enjoyment are quite a few appealing secondary characters who manage to enliven an already lively plot with their quick and witty dialogue. Everything in Dangerous Curves combines to make this a fun and entertaining novel that I enjoyed from the first page to the last. Would I recommend this book, without a doubt as it was destined for my keeper shelf from the first paragraph.