Romance Book Scene

Romance Book Review: Jennifer Probst's Sex, Lies and Contracts

2012-02-17T22:41:00.000-08:00

Author: Jennifer Probst
ISBN: 9781603107778
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Red Sage

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With a story line wrapped around poems and sonnets, Jennifer Probst brings readers a romantic piece about a woman attempting to live up to a promise she made to her father on his death bed and a wealthy Englishman looking for a woman who loves him for just himself.

In order to inherit his family's company Jack must marry as soon as possible. His mother even has a woman picked out for him, but Jack doesn't love that woman. He wants to find someone he can love for the rest of his life not just a woman who marries him for money. So he goes on a journey to America to find a woman. Be pretends to be a gardener and attempts to woo a woman just like any other working class guy.

Julianna has dedicated her life to her parents. Now that they are gone she is living up to her father's last request--that she keep the family home on the Cliff. The only problem is the estate is filled with debt and she has no way to pay it off. What else can she do, but marry for money?

A professor of poetry, she believes she is plain and boring seeing no suitable men available to help her with her cause. Then walks in a drifter looking for some quick money. Jack is a handsome man and she is completely attracted to him, but he is unsuitable in the way of trying to keep her promise to her father. Now she must choose, marry for money or marry for love?

Lots of very sexy erotic love scenes fill out this romance.

Description:
Julianna Elizabeth Waters promises her dying father to save the family estate at all costs, even if it means marrying for money, and not love. After years of taking care of her sick parents, she's become afraid to push past the walls of her Newport mansion and live.

Jack Woodward has it all - wealth, power, and prestige, but discovers a contract stating he must marry within three months or his legacy will go to his cousin, a man he loathes. He leaves England and disguises himself a gardener, intent on finding a woman who loves him for himself, and not his money and title.

When he spots Julianna on the cliffs, he vows to claim her at any cost, but she is intent on marrying a wealthy husband. He may be disgusted with her values, but he craves to initiate the spinster into the dark world of pleasure. They strike a bargain: she will belong to him every night and do anything he commands. Lust turns to love as the nights unfold, and suddenly the terms change.

But when his cousin comes to town, disguising himself as the perfect husband with a plan to steal Jack's legacy, Jack forces her to choose: love or money. A wrong choice throws a startling chain of events in action. Can love and truth triumph or will it be too late?

Romance Book Review: Emma Lang's Matthew

2012-02-17T18:38:00.000-08:00

Author: Emma Lang
Series Connection: The Circle Eight
ISBN-13: 9780758269041
Genre: Western/ Romance/ Historical
Publisher: Kensington Brava

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The Grahams were a happy family. Mother and father deeply in love, with eight children living on their Texas ranch in the mid-1800s. One day after spending time away from with six of his siblings, oldest son Matthew goes home to find his parent's dead and his youngest brother missing.

Three months later the siblings find themselves working their farm and learning to live together without their parents. In order to add to their land size and collect free land from the government, Matthew finds that he must marry. He finds himself in a bit of a pickle when he tells the government official that he is married to a woman named Hannah and must produce her to get the land.

When he meets a woman named Hannah, he knew that he couldn't pass up the opportunity help his family.

Hannah can't believe that a handsome man like Matthew wants to marry her. He is completely honest with her, but has offered her something she has always wanted and never thought she would have. Finding her place in this big family might be a challenge, but Hannah is up for it and she just might find love in the end.

This is the first in the Circle Eight series, introducing readers to the big family and their time period. Wonderful love story, featuring the well thought out theme, filled with mystery and heroic women and strong western men.

Description:
A man learns to hold what is his…
It is a vast spread in the eastern wilds of the newly independent Republic of Texas, the ranch their parents fought for … and died for. To the eight Graham siblings, no matter how much hard work or hard love it takes, life is unthinkable without family…
In the wake of his parents’ murder, Matthew Graham must take the reins at the Circle Eight. He also needs to find a wife in just thirty days, or risk losing it all. Plain but practical, Hannah Foley seems the perfect bride for him . . . until after the wedding night.
Their marriage may make all the sense in the world, but neither one anticipates the jealousies that will result, the treacherous danger they’re walking into, or the wildfire of attraction that will sweep over them, changing their lives forever.

Romance Book Review: Beth Harrison's Cursed

2012-02-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

Author: Beth Harrison
ISBN: 9781603107730;1603107738
Genre: Fantasy/ Fantasy Celtic/ Paranormal/ Ancient Britain/ Reincarnation/ Witch
Publisher: Red Sage

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For me, Cursed was one of those book that I just got sucked in and kept reading until the end.

Forced into going to a facility party for the college she works for, Kate meets a the new professor on campus. Aidan More is attractive and compelling, but one touch of his hand and she fells panic and danger.

Soon Kate is pleagued with dreams of two lovers from another time, the couple look strangely like herself and the handsome Aidan. The dreams seem too real to a simple erotic dreams of the sexy new profession. Kate doesn't know what to think and goes to Aidan for help. But Aidan isn't who he appears to be and Kate doesn't know if she can really trust him or how much in danger she really is.

Aidan has a lot of secrets and the biggest one of all is that he's been cursed by a black witch who has brought him back to life for 1,000 years all with the intention of seeing him kill the reincarnation of his first love. The only problem is once he sees her again, in Kate, he isn't sure he'll be able to go through with his mission of killing her. After 1,000 years of coming back and remembering his past he's turned cold and hard, but still can he kill the one woman he has loved for enternity?

Lots to obsorb in this book. The author works to weave a tale that includes witches, reincarnation, just plan good sex and a love to last many lifetimes over.

Description:
Kate Casterbridge, professor of Victorian literature, prefers to spend her evenings alone with her cat on her lap and her nose in a book. Aidan More, the world’s preeminent scholar on witches and witch burnings, has suffered the tortures of the damned over thousands of years and hundreds of incarnations. He’s bone weary and determined at all costs to fulfill the ancient obligation that binds him.

When Kate shakes hands with her drop-dead gorgeous new colleague, she knows he’s in mortal danger. A confirmed skeptic about paranormal phenomena, she’s shocked and terrified by this sinister premonition. And that’s just the beginning of what’s in store for the shy, scholarly professor and the sexy stud with a dark, horrific secret.

Aidan bewitches Kate right into his bed, where they have the hottest sex she’s ever experienced. But is there more to this mysterious stranger than meets the eye? Kate crashes head-on into a world where witchcraft is alive and well and ancient evil still holds sway—and where she’s in grave danger of losing more than just her heart.

Romance Byte: Maddie James' Murder on the Mountain

2012-02-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

Author: Maddie James
Series Connection: Ladies of Legend
ASIN: B0078EOJTO
Kindle Release
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press

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Description:
A Ladies of Legend Romantic Suspense Novel

Kate Carpenter thinks her Tennessee State trooper husband is dead.

ATF Agent Michael Lehman knows he is not.

When Michael goes undercover into Kate's elementary classroom for a few weeks, posed as a school drug cop, his mission is to find out what Kate knows about her husband's supposed death, and to determine if she has any involvement in hiding away the AWOL trooper turned drug runner.

His mission is to get answers. Get into her life. And not into her panties.

But somehow things go haywire....
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Murder on the Mountain was previously released by Resplendence Publishing in 2008. This is a revised and updated edition of the novel. First time available on Amazon for Kindle.

Romance Book Review: Debra Kayn's Margot's Lawman

2012-02-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

Author: Debra Kayn
Series Connection: Sisters of McDougal Ranch
eISBN: 9781426893209
On sale date: Feb 13, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Western Romance

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For a year Pike's local Vet, Margot, has been keep a secret from the town. She's been involved with and in love with the town Sheriff. She had her reasons for keeping it a secret but now Sheriff Roy Lee is more than ready to tell everyone their secret.

It wasn't that Margot was ashamed of her relationship with Roy Lee, but the past year had been hard with her father's illness and his death. She wanted to keep something to herself and Roy Lee had been good about letting her keep the secret.

Now Margot is ready to tell the town and all who will listen that she loves Roy Lee.

This is the fourth in the Sisters of McDougal Ranch series, but can be pretty much read on its own. After, however, you might want to read the other stories as I wanted to. Good writing skills, wonderful characters and strong series connections will make you want to go back for more.

Description:

It's hard to keep a secret in the small town of Pike, Montana, but veterinarian Margot McDougal and sheriff Roy Lee Hanson managed to keep their relationship on the sly for months. Margot cares for Roy Lee, but the last thing she needs is to worry about local gossip while she's busy running her clinic and dealing with the loss of her beloved father.

Roy Lee can't wait to tell the world that he loves Margot. He respected her decision to keep their affair quiet—until now. It's time for everyone to know Margot is his gal...especially Ryan Martin, her new assistant. He's formed an attachment to Margot and Roy Lee is sure the city boy's unexplained appearance in Pike means he's up to no good.

Margot just wants to help Ryan fit in, and Roy Lee's jealousy soon drives a wedge between them. A wedge that only increases when Margot is roped into Ryan's secret, too...

Romance Byte: Mary Manners' Mattie's Meltaways

2012-02-10T20:14:00.000-08:00

Author: Mary Manners
Series Connection: Sweet Treats Bakery
ISBN: 978-1-61116-113-7
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group (White Rose Publishing)

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Description:
Mattie Spencer has spent the last decade raising her three younger and grooming Sweet Treats Bakery into a thriving business. Over the years, she's watched her sisters grow into beautiful women and find the men of their dreams. Now it's her turn, but, at thirty-five, she feels too old to dream of a husband and children of her own. Tyler Jacobs, a firefighter in the small town of Mount Ridge, keeps busy raising his seven-year-old daughter. The death of his wife during three years ago still haunts him, but morning stops into Sweet Treats, along with a dose of conversation and a handful of Mattie's delicious mint meltaways, kindle a desire he thought was extinguished forever. Now Tyler has just one goal--to convince Mattie that love knows no age.

Romance Book Review: C.L. McCullough's Song of Life

2012-02-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Author: C.L. McCullough
Digital ISBN: 9781616503482
Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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For those who appreciate a little drama and suspense in their romance reading, C.L. McCullough's Song of Life would be a perfect choice for a weekend read. The love story features a younger man and a beautiful widow. The young man is dealing with a lot of issues he needs to overcome in his life.

When Sunny hired drifter, Cas, some of her friends were a little skeptical, but Cas quickly won them over with his hard work ethic and handsome looks. Sunny knew from the start that there was something about Cas that she recognized in him and he felt the same about her, but aside from being several years old then Cas he's on the run from something. Can she really trust her heart to him.

Cas decides he wants to "woo" Sunny. This is his first time at it, but he knows Sunny is worth all the trouble. In the meantime, Cas has to learn to find songs in his soul with a little help from a local priest and Sunny he just might do it.

Trouble is what lerks just around the corner, however, and the small town that Cas calls home will have to have a little faith in Cas to see him through.

Description:
When Sunny hired a handyman, the last thing she expected him to fix was her heart.

Sunny Douglas is running out of time. A widow buried in debt, she struggles to find the money to keep her Inn up and running. When drifter Cas Martin comes to town, Sunny finds he's just the handyman she needs. The problem is, soon she wants him for more than his handiness with a wrench. She doesn't want to be one of those women who tries to feel young by dating a younger man, but neither of them can fight the attraction.

Cas has spent his life under his father's tyrannical thumb. Now he's on the run, hiding from his father and trying to become his own man. In Nevis, Cas begins to think he can be happy. He has found a place that calls to him, a town that accepts him and a woman who loves him. Now if his past would quit haunting him...

Will he find the courage to defeat his father, bare his soul to the woman he loves and finally lay his ghosts to rest?

Romance Book Review: Morgan Q. O'Reilly's Courage To Live

2012-02-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

Author: Morgan Q. O'Reilly
Series Connection: Open Window
Digital ISBN: 9781616503505
Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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One of the hardest styles there must be to write is in the first person. It is always the hardest for me to review because it isn't my favorite style to read, so please keep that in mind as you read on.

The last time Candace saw he husband was the night her beat her up and walked out on her and her son six months ago. Since then she's been living with the fear and hostile stares of neighbor. On the verge of leaving him before he left her, Candace moves about her days split with hoping that he will turn up so she can get her divorce signed and worried that he'll either kill her or take her son from her.

In the meantime she meets the young Air Force fly boy who's just recently moved in next door who takes an interested in her and her son. Cayden is cute and is showering her with attention no matter how much she tries to push him away.

This is an emotionally gripping story about abuse, love and family. It is the second in Morgan Q. O'Reilly's Open Window series which follow the Shaughnessy family. A well written supporting cast fills out the story. The story takes place in the wilds of Alaska where there are some great descriptive verses that talk about the area around the Air Force Base outside of Anchorage.

Description:

She’s living in fear. He’s a born protector. There’s a missing man holding them apart.

Candace Cutler intended to leave her abusive husband, until he vanished one snowy Alaska night. She lives in a limbo of dread, wanting only to care for her son. And now a cocky young pilot has moved in next door.

Cayden Shaughnessy is a born protector. He doesn’t like the rumors about the guy who left a single mom and cute kid next door—and who’s he kidding? He finds the mom pretty adorable, too, in a hot, can’t-resist sort of way.

But Candace doesn’t have time for games. Too many loose ends leave her unsettled, and she can’t help expecting violence to step once more from the shadows...

WARNING: Contains two brief descriptions of violence; however, justice is served. Also contains hot loving, a Top Gun-worthy fly-by, sex and more sizzling Shaughnessys.

Romance Book Review: Sydney Landon's Weekends Required

2012-02-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Sydney Landon
Series Connection: A Danver's Novel
ISBN: n/a
Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Sydney Landon first book offers a contemporary romance featuring a love story between an administrative assistant and her workaholic boss. Claire has been working hard taking care of her sick mother. She needs extra money to keep her month in her own home, so she takes on the job of jumping out of cakes at bachelor parties.

One night she jumps out of a cake for her boss's best friends party, where her boss is attending and changes her life forever.

Jason can't believe his eyes when his beautiful assistant jumps out of the cake at his best friend's party and he can't believe how jealous and protective he feels toward her. Now he can't stop thinking about Claire in a way that doesn't just have to do with boss and assistant.

I was very impressed with the writing of this first book and would enjoy reading the future books made available in this series. Both Jason and Claire are great characters and work well together as a couple. The supporting cast in the way of Claire's friend Suzy is a great source of comic relief in Claire's otherwise saddened life. It will be great reading her story next.

Description:
Claire Walters has worked for Jason Danvers as his assistant for three years and he has never thought of her as a woman until the day she jumps out of a cake at his friends bachelor party. Claire is forced to work a second job at a party planning company to support her ailing mother. She is horrified when Jason not only finds out but has a front row seat to the action. Jason is determined to know how the beautiful, sexy woman in the cake can also be his Plain Jane assistant who tries her best to blend in to the background from 8-5 every day. Now not only does Jason see her as a woman, he fully intends to give her the fairy tale ending that she deserves!

End of book...
"There are tentatively three books planned for the Danvers Series. The next book in the series is scheduled for Spring of 2012 and will be Suzy’s Story... Not Planning on You."

Romance Book Review: Shawn Dalton-Smith's Dreamers

2012-01-31T21:38:00.000-08:00

Author: Shawn Dalton-Smith
ISBN: 9781603107655
Category: Suspense/ Paranormal Romance/ Spicy Romance
Publisher: Red Sage Publishing

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Somiar's life is about to change in a big way. Her mother calls her to come home and told her it can't wait. When she arrives her mother tells her a story about how she's adopted and she's the only one who can save her birth mother. What more she'll have to do it in a dream.

Shocked Somiar can't believe what her mother is saying. Learning she was a dreamer and that other dreamers were paid assassins that killed others in their sleep in their dreams doesn't go over well, but she agrees to save her birth mother. That is until she meets the man in her dreams.

Malachi is a Dream Catcher. His job is to find Dreamers before they kill. There is something about Somiar that he can't get enough of. When he believes that she is in danger he knows he has to make sure she is protected. Even after she realizes she betrays him, he still can't keep from loving her in his dreams.

Well-plotted page turner with a cast of lively and believable characters despite the original fantasy story line.

Description:
Somiar Ayers always thought it was really cool that she could control her dreams. In one night, her world is shattered when she finds out not only is she adopted, but she comes from a race of female assassins called Dreamers. While in a dream state, Dreamers can astral project anywhere, any time. Since they don’t leave fingerprints or DNA they can literally get away with murder. Now that her biological mother is caught, she has been charged to get her back. At any cost. With the help of her adoptive mother, Somiar is in a race against time. Can she find her mother before Malachi finds out she is the key to the Dreamer he’s been seeking for years? Or will she find her whole life has been a lie?

Malachi Walker is a Dream Catcher who has been hunting Dreamers for the past seven years. Particularly the Dreamer that killed his best friend. When he saves Somiar Ayers from a Dreamer, he can’t believe his luck. If he can keep her alive, he can catch the one Dreamer that has haunted him most of his adult life. But as the past descends on them, and webs of deceit are untangled, he starts to wonder. Who will save him from her?

Reader Alert! : Who said mind blowing sex can happen only in a dream? Somiar and Malachi find out that the real thing can be as phenomenal as a dream. So sit back and relax. And grab a cigarette after the climax.

Romance Book Review: Mary Abshire's The Awakening

2012-01-31T20:47:00.000-08:00

Author: Mary Abshire
ISBN: 9781616503475
Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Vampire
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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When a young woman is rescued from a junk yard where a group of burned bodies are found she realizes she can't remember a thing. The men who come to her rescue tell her a story that horror movies are made of. Apparently she's a vampire, but that's not all she's also a few other species that aren't human.

The only think she knows for sure is that she has a knife in her boot with the initals SB on them.

With no other choice but to go with the men, "SB" must follow the trail of missing werewolves and vampires and currupt politicians to find out who she really is.

This is the first book of a continuing series. For a starter book this book is interesting and held my attention pretty well, despite the fact that vampire stories aren't my thing. Keep the eye on the goal of the mystery of who is SB and what was she doing with the group of chard bodies kept me going until the end.

Description:
She's the only one of her kind. And she doesn’t even know her name.

Two investigators--one human, one vampire--find a young woman among a mass of dead bodies. She has no memories, and nothing but her clothes, two receipts, and a mysterious dagger carved with the initials ‘SB’.

As she seeks her identity, SB realizes she's unlike any other creature in the world, making her the most valuable person on the planet. And the most wanted.

WARNING: Language, violence, and graphic sex.

Romance Book Scene: Candace Gold's Crazy Love

2012-01-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

Author: Candace Gold
ISBN: 9781616503451
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Comedy/ Inter-racial Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Abby's life is consumed with her book store and her crazy family. She soon meets Charles, a new author hoping to find a place to host a book signing for his book.

Both feel attracted to each other, but each think that there is someone else. Eventually they work everything out and start dating. All along Abby is fearing the day that he wants to meet her family. When Charles proposes, Abby is quick to say yes, but when he wants to meet her family it is time to get creative.

This book is filled with wit and charm. I fell in love with both Abby and Charles and their families will leave the readers in stitches half the time. The hero and heroine are accompanied by an excellent supporting cast of misfits.

Description:
What would you do for love?

When Abby Minton agrees to host a book signing for Charles Greer in her bookstore, she doesn't expect she'll end up giving the man dating advice…or dating him herself! As she falls in love with Charles, she becomes more and more petrified that their relationship would be history if he ever met her dysfunctional family. Between her brother's failed bank heist interrupting Charles's book signing and roses from a persistent stalker making Charles think she's taken, their relationship is one mishap after another.

But when Charles finally proposes, Abby is faced with the most ridiculous prospect of all: introducing him to her crazy family. The only solution is to hire actors to portray her family members. But will that just set them on the road to unending lies?

Romance Book Review: Wendy Ely's Dreaming of Him

2012-01-26T22:24:00.000-08:00

Author: Wendy Ely
ISBN: 9781616503444
Genre: Ghosts/ Paranormal
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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This book is a compelling read and not at all what you would expect. It is a short, quick novel featuring Amber, a lonely depressed woman whose dreams are filled with a familiar man who she falls in love with.

Trace wants so much to be part of Amber's life. For years he's tried to help her from the dream relm with the help that one day they might be together.

Description:
The dark brings romance…and death

Loneliness has clouded Amber Addaire's life, but now she's ready for a change. After a complete makeover still leaves her unhappy, it's only when she starts dreaming of an oddly familiar - and extremely handsome - man that she begins to feel happiness.

Trace Elkson is a spirit stuck on earth long enough to let his childhood friend, Amber Addaire, know how much she meant to him before he died. He can't tell her what he is, or that he's watching over her. He can only communicate with her through her dreams and hopes she will eventually realize who he is.

In the dream realm, Amber falls in love with Trace but can she figure out who he is and join him before his spirit is forced to move on?

WARNING: A deep friendship, impending death, and a life saved.

Romance Book Review: K.D. Grace's Body Temperature and Rising

2012-01-26T14:35:00.000-08:00

Author: K.D. Grace
Series Connection: Lakeland Heatwave Book 1
ISBN: 9781908086884
Genre: Witches/ Ghosts/ Paranormal/ Erotic Romance/ Demons
Publisher: Accent Press Ltd

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After reading this book I had to sit on it overnight to see how many stars I would give it. If I gave only marks for excellent writing skills and hot, hot, hot love scenes that I would definitely go for the 5 Hearts on this one.

The story line features an American woman, Marie, moving to England after she gets run down and run over in the business world in America. She decides its time to rest and slow down. She moves into a cottage on a farm in the Lake District. The farm is owned by handsome Tim.

While walking through the woods, Marie comes upon her neighbor Tara and the handsome Anderson having sex on the trail. Little does she know at the time, but handsome Anderson is really a ghost called upon by the witch Tara. Anderson later finds Marie lost in the woods in the rain and while helping her warm winds up having sex with her as well. Marie still doesn't realize that Anderson is a ghost because she has special powers that allow ghosts to take on a solid form by just her touch.

You can kind of see where this book is going so far.

Tim comes into the scene next. He's attracted to Marie, but there are strange things going on in his life. Ghost seem to be all around him wanting to have sex with him. When he realizes that Marie can see the ghosts as well, he decides he's not crazy. The two embark on a wild sexy romp together fighting off a demon ghost while trying to navigate the ghostly paranormal and ghost sex magic.

Where the book runs into some problems for me is that the romance is just about nil. We know that Tim and Marie are attracted to each other and are sleeping together, but we don't see any real love between them and between the ghosts and the witch next door they are having sex with too many others that it seem there really isn't any connection between the two. That leaves something missing for me.

Erotic fans will really love this story however because the sex scenes and K.D. Grace's writing style is perfect for that genre. This is the first book in this series, so I hope to see Marie and Tim's relationship move closer together in future stories.

Description:
American transplant to the Lake District, MARIE WARREN, didn’t know she could unleash demons and enflesh ghosts until a voyeuristic encounter on the fells ends in sex with the charming ghost, ANDERSON, and night visits from a demon. To help her cope with her embarrassing and dangerous new abilities, Anderson brings her to the ELEMENTALS, a coven of witches who practice rare sex magic that temporarily allows needy ghosts access to the pleasures of the flesh.

DEACON, the demon Marie has unleashed, holds an ancient grudge against TARA STONE, coven high priestess, and will stop at nothing to destroy all she holds dear. Marie and her landlord, the reluctant young farmer, TIM MERIWETHER, are at the top of his list. Marie and Tim must learn to wield coven magic and the numinous power of their lust to stop Deacon’s bloody rampage before the coven is torn apart and more innocent people die.

Romance Book Review: Jayne Ann Krentz's Copper Beach

2012-01-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Series Connection: A Dark Legacy Novel
ISBN-10: 0399157875
ISBN-13: 978-0399157875
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Paranormal/ Psychic
Publisher: Putnam

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A great fan of Jayne Ann Krentz from way back, but I sadly say I can't give this book 5 hearts because it lost something for me when I realized this is about a paranormal mixture of her Arcane Society's two worlds of her Krentz/Castle work. That probably doesn't make any sense, but here goes.

The characters in this book have psychic paranormal powers but yet the Arcane Society is never mention or any relationship to Jones and Jones as in the Krentz's Arcane Society books. There is a whole series of crystals used in the books as they are used in the Castle Arcane Society books. Basically it holds both the principals of the contemporary and the future series. It establishes the the use of the crystals in this contemporary timeline, but really has no connection to Arcane. That was a little disturbing because I kept waiting for a Jones to appear in the story. It was just too closely related to the other stories without establishing any connection.

That said. The story and characters were good and I liked the sexual chemistry and psychic connection between Abby and Sam.

Abby has a special ability that allows her to unlock a book psychically so that the secrets inside can be read. She is the only one around who can unlock a book that has some dangerous information inside. There are many people who want this book and they all know that Abby is the only one who can open its secrets.

Sam is one of the people who is looking for the book. He knows that Abby can help him and it just so happens that he can help Abby stay safe from the bad people who want the book. While the two try to find the book and try to stay safe the realize there is a deep connection between the two, but Abby has a hard time with trust and Sam will have to work really hard if he is going to get the girl in the end.

Description:
A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell’s unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes—and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber—“hot rocks.” Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.

Romance Book Review: Callie Croix's Touch Me

2012-01-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

Author: Callie Croix
ISBN: 978-1-4268-9297-4
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Carina Press

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On the erotic romance factor this story receives a scorching hot and the romance chemistry these two characters sizzles off the pages.

Tianna (Tia) is just getting over a bad marriage and staying at her friend Alex's home while he is away in the army, when Alex comes home unexpectedly Tia knows she can't stay at the house.

Not because Alex doesn't want her there. Alex would like nothing better then to keep Tia with him and spend days just touching her, but since she's his best friend's twin sister and just getting over a bad relationship he knows that won't happen. What he doesn't realize is that Tia wants him just as much. Not only does she want him, but the things she wants him to do to her would surprise him.

This is my first book by this author, but I'll be checking around for more. This was just a short story, it will be interesting to see what she can do with a full novel.

Description:
Arriving home on leave from his tour of duty, Army Captain Alex Montoya knows there's a beautiful woman waiting for him-his best friend's sister. She's always been off limits...until now. He fully intends to move them out of being "just friends" and encourage her to release the sexual needs he senses she's buried deep.

Tianna McIntyre is starting over after her marriage ended. Her ex-husband weakened her self-esteem and caused her to deny her true sexual desires. But being around Alex brings all her dormant fantasies to the surface, and now Tianna feels the stirrings of her secret, submissive wishes.

Determined to help repair the damage Tianna's ex did to her self-worth, Alex will use whatever means necessary to convince her they're meant for each other, including tying her down to make sure he has her full attention while he takes her to the heights of pleasure she's always dreamed of...

Romance Book Scene: G.A. Aiken's The Dragon Who Loved Me

2012-01-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

Author: G.A. Aiken
ISBN: 978-1420108897
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Shifters, Dragons
Publisher: Zebra

Purchase this book here

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I've read this whole series and have fallen in love with the dragons and humans who live in this world. As the series has gone through some of the most funny romance I've ever read. The Dragon Who Loved Me, had some bits and pieces of the hilarity that makes up G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenstein's stories, for the most part was by far more serious, filled with action, conspiracy, beheading, massacres and blood letting.

As Queen Rhiannon and Queen Annwyl's land is at war from all sides. The Southland and Northland dragons are fighting to keep their Independence from the Iron dragons. It took a little while for me to figure out what time period the author is working in, as she seems to have no order in how she tells her story. However it soon becomes clear that this is about five years since Ragnar and Keita's story.

The groups has been away from home for five years fighting the war and keeping both empires safe. There is a big plan together to finish off the war for once and all. Annwyl has some crazy ideas of her own.

The love story is between Rhona the Fearless and Vigholf Abhorrent. Rhona, like many of her kind, doesn't trust the Lightnings, or Northern Dragons, at one time the Northern Dragons would kidnap Southern Dragon females to mate. Now that the Northern Dragons are on the side of good, Rhona isn't sure what to think when she find Vigholf following after her. He's been doing it for five years.

When Rhona is sent to escort her cousin Keita to Annwyl's castle, Vigholf decides he can't let her go alone. During the time they spend together their attraction grows.

This isn't a story for the faint of heart. Annwyl is just as bloody as usual. Her children, the twins now five, are just as violent as their mother and their cousin Rhain has a few surprises of her own.

Description:
I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I’ve earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it’s the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best—destroying the enemies of my kind.

So the smartest thing wily barbarian Vigholf the Abhorrent can do for me is stay out of my way as we risk all on a deadly mission in enemy territory. I don’t care if he’s fascinated by me, even though he is as attractive as he is resourceful. He’s having far too much fun putting me in difficult situations and testing my sense of duty to the limit. And I’m going to enjoy challenging his insufferable confidence, outwitting his schemes, and making him surrender in the wildest ways…

Romance Book Review: Ashlynn Monroe's Whitney’s Wonderland

2012-01-15T01:18:00.000-08:00

Author: Ashlynn Monroe
ISBN: not assigned
Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Publisher: Whisper Publishing

Purchase Book Here

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Quirky Alice in Wonderland type short story.

After a fight one twin disappears leaving the other feeling guilty and changed for life. Now it is Willow's 30th birthday, 15 years since her sister's disappearance. After a disastrous birthday dinner with her current boyfriend, Willow happens into a psychic shop where she is told to go to the place where she last saw her sister and she will find her.

Following the psychics advise Willow goes home and gets lost in a local forest only to be met by a Robin Hood character and all sorts of crazy things.

Despite the strange bizarre circumstances Willow finds herself in, this was a very nice well written short. It is a quick fun read for a weekend. However, that said, don't be fooled by the below description and the title of the book this is Willow's story, not Whitney's I think there might have been a mistake along the way. It doesn't change anything about the book or how it reads.

Description:
Haunted by her twin sister’s disappearance when they were only fifteen, Whitney has made finding people her life’s work. When her most recent boyfriend pushes for a commitment, she flees and finds herself at a strange psychic’s shop. The woman gives her hope that her sister is still alive, but also warns that something evil and supernatural is coming for her. Returning home, Whitney pursues the lead the mystic offered. The lead brings her to a strange world she wasn’t prepared for.

Coming to her aid, a sexy Robin Hood saves her life not once but twice, yet she has a hard time trusting her begrudging savior. Something is very wrong about his world of lost things, but Whitney only wants to find her sister and get them both home. Her attraction to the warrior only complicates her search. His world is fraught with danger, but she finds passion in his arms.

Romance Book Review: Sky Robinson's Double Dare

2012-01-14T19:46:00.000-08:00

Author: Sky Robinson
ISBN: 9781603107594
Category: Contemporary
Publisher: Red Sage Publishing

Purchase this book here

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Hoping to bring some excitement and maybe a little love back into her old college roommate's life, Sydney decides that this weekend she will introduce her friend, Emma, to her new boyfriend's brother. While getting ready to take a hike she dares her friend to have a little romp in the woods with the first two good looking guys the meet. Only Emma doesn't know that the odds are stacked against her, as Sydney knows for sure where two very sexy woodsman are hanging out for the day.

Emma laughs off her friend's dare, after all how many sexy guys could be hanging around in the mountains? That is until she meets Jack.

Sex, sex, sex...this story has it all as the girls spend a very love filled weekend with the brothers. Now it is just up to the Emma and Jack whether they can make a go of their relationship past the weekend.

Description:
Sydney James wants to put a little fun back in her friend Emma’s life, so she talks Emma into a dare to sleep with the first two good looking men they see. Emma doesn’t know that it’s a setup with Sydney’s new boyfriend Logan Ford, and his sexy older brother Jack. Sydney and Logan fulfill the dare in the woods, and Emma and Jack stumble onto front row seats. Emma’s a little too conservative to go through with the dare right away, but she regrets not having a little fun with the man as the day rolls on. Her love life has been nonexistent and having Jack around makes her see just how much she wants that to change. Luckily she gets her chance later that night when Sydney invites Logan and Jack to her cabin.

Romance Book Review: Stephanie Beck's Unraveling Midnight

2012-01-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

Author: Stephanie Beck
Digital ISBN: 9781616503437
Genre: Romance/ Paranormal
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here

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A little slow moving, but a sweet romantic tale about a family of werewolves who go out on their own to a new place where they meet a human and all fall in love.

Knitting in the park, yarn store owner Lucy meets a young girl and her father. The girl decides she wants to learn to knit. Her father wanting to give something good to his daughter agrees to take lessons with her.

When Scott walks into Lucy's yarn store and really takes a good look at her for the first time, his wolf falls in love with her. The drama unfolds as Lucy learns that the family are werewolves.

Description:
An entanglement with a werewolf brings unexpected turns.

Scott, a lone werewolf expelled from his pack, bends over backward to give his kids everything he can - including knitting lessons for his daughter. Learning to knit becomes much more appealing with Lucy Jamieson as the teacher. His heightened senses tell him the compassionate and beautiful human might be what he and his little band need, yet getting involved with Lucy means exposing her to his paranormal reality.

Although Lucy's childhood skewed her expectations of family, she recognizes and respects Scott's desire to protect and provide for his kids. When Scott is hit by a truck, Lucy offers to help with the kids--and gets more than she bargained for after learning Scott's true nature...

Author Spotlight: Amber Kell

2012-01-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

Author Amber Kell

This weekend I discovered a new author and was able to read two series of her books, Moon Pack and A Wizard's Touch.

The series are available through Silver Publishing in ebook and part of both series is available in paperback.

I really enjoyed the Moon Pack series, featuring all sorts of paranormal being with stories including a little suspense, mystery moving from story to story and of course a lot of fun male/male romance.

The series begins with two friends, Anthony and Stephen, who decide to take a trip to a local club in order to find there mates. The club is owned by a local wolf pack and the alpha decides that Anthony is his mate. From then on the series finds new members of the pack finding their mates, at the same time offering a back story about the pack and a group of mutants trying to take over the human and fae world.

Each story is a fast quick read. Most have been rewritten and expanded from their 2009 original release. While the books feature male-male sexual interaction, which in my book automatically makes it an erotic romance, had it been male-female romance it would really fall under the general romance category.

The fun part about this series is that the author has named each book in correspondence to each letter of the alphabet. The series gets to the letter I in the alphabet. I'd be interested in checking out the rest of the letters and seeing where the series takes the readers.

In the Wizard's Touch readers meet Jaynell, an accomplished wizard who adheres to his father's dying request to go to wizard school. Upon attending he meets his new roommates, a young wizard/elf and three triplet wizards. On the first night in town he also meets his mate, Thomas, a werekin.

The series follows Jaynell and his friends as they fight other wizards who want to harness Jaynell's power for their own.

About the author from Silver Publishing Website:

Amber lives in Texas with her husband, two sons, two cats and one extremely stupid dog. Always happy to hear from her fans, you can email her at amberkellwrites@gmail.com. Her book release dates and previous books published can be found at her blog: htttp://amberkell.wordpress.com

Moon Pack Series:

Attracting Anthony
Description:
Anthony goes to the club to start dating again after the death of his lover. He didn't plan on being anyone's mate. The pack alpha had other ideas.

Baiting Ben
Description:
After leaving his old pack in Alaska, Benjamin is looking for a man to call his own. Unfortunately, just as he finds Thomas, a man from his past comes to claim him. What is he going to do when two gorgeous werewolves both want him for their mate?

Courting Calvin
Description:
When Calvin's sister is kidnapped will he be forced to betray a friend to get her back or will the sexy vampire, Alesandro, come to his rescue?

Denying Dare
Description:
Weretiger Dare Moon yearns to be with werewolf Steven Dell. But Dell wants one of his own kind. When his best friend Anthony tosses catnip on his clothing, Steven learns that sometimes what you want and what you need are not necessarily the same thing. Especially when mutant werewolves threaten the one thing that has become more important than having a pack of his own...having a mate.

Enticing Elloitt
Description:
Elliott comes to the Moon pack bar to meet with Anthony. Little does he know Anthony's plans include handing him off to Parker, the pack security officer. Parker takes one look at the slim accountant and knows he's found the submissive mate of his dreams.

Finding Farro
Description:
When Farro's son is stolen by mutants it takes him to another realm where sexy fae roam and one of them follows him home. Meanwhile, Anthony goes to new extremes to be the perfect mate for his alpha lover.

Getting Gabe
Description:
Unaware he has werewolf DNA, Gabriel is stunned to learn after an attack that not only will he change into a wolf but that two fae warriors are his mates. Now he has to help his men find the scientist who is creating the mutants before his new formula hits the streets.

Hunting Henry
Description:
Henry works as the pack cook, happily hiding from a painful past and suppressing his wolf side. Dakota is a wolf given a formula to become a human. What happens when a man who doesn't want to be a wolf bonds with a wolf who doesn't want to be a man.

Inflaming Inno
Description:
Betrayed by his sister, Inno Weston becomes the captive of mad scientist, Lorus Korl. After he escapes with the secret formula to making werekin mutants, he races through the streets and straight into the arms of the vampire Mikel Cruento.

Mikel doesn't quite know what to do with the injured werekin he finds in a dark alley. Instinct has him taking the poor thing home. Honor insists he take Inno to the Moon Pack with the formula. Lust makes him want to slake his thirst for the gorgeous shifter.

Danger lurks around the Moon Pack and even closer to Mikel's home. He soon learns that sometimes a vampire has to listen to his heart instead of his mind. Inno belongs with him.

A Wizard's Touch Series

Jaynell's Wolf
Description:
At his dead father's bequest, Jaynell Marley attends an esteemed wizard school hoping to finish up his education. What he finds it that the real education he's lacking is about life. When shape shifter Thomas Sparks claims Jaynell as his mate the pair start a whole new understanding between werekin and wizards.

Kevin's Alpha
Description:
When the alpha of the local werewolf pack declares Kevin as his mate, the free-wheeling wizard panics. He didn't plan on settling down, not now, not ever. However when Jay goes missing he has to partner with the alpha to help his friend. If Kevin can't find the confidence to dredge up his magic, his friend could be lost forever.

Romance Book Review: Diana Palmer's True Blue

2012-01-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Author: Diana Palmer
Series Connection: Long, Tall Texans
ISBN: 978-0373656370
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

Purchase this book here

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Say what you like about Diana Palmer, but I've enjoyed many of her Long, Tall Texans series. I don't mind the fact that she reintroduces characters and enjoy seeing them used over again. That's why one reads a series to begin with.

That being said, I am a little disappointed with Rick Marquez's story. My disappointment doesn't come from poor writing, although I agree Diana Palmer has been a little off lately. I don't even mind that the heroine was once again a virgin, because more and more these days there are women out there deciding to keep their virginity.

No my main complaint here is that while the couple had a great deal of potential of being a good match, the readers don't really get a chance to see that. I can see this story being a lot longer, minus the history stuff. I liked the fact that readers were able to spend some time with Barbara, Rick's mother, but we seem to see them more together than we do Rick and his love interest Gwen. The first half of the book keeps the two at arms length and shows no real attraction between the two.

The second half of the book is slightly better than the first part. Having to hero and heroine finally become involved. There is some jealousy angles that could be explored more, and even addling a little more suspense in the end to fill out the story line and really make the book work a little better.

I'm not ready to give up on Diana Palmer and her Long, Tall Texans series yet. I'd like to see the story head back to Jacobsville and stay there for a while. Maybe get away from detectives, federal agents and mercs for a while. A nice story about a rancher would be good for a change.

Description:
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Diana Palmer continues her beloved Long, Tall Texans series by delving deep into the heart of one of San Antonio’s top detectives, Rick Marquez. He never met a case he couldn’t solve or a woman he couldn’t charm. But this smooth-talking Texan is about to meet the one woman who’ll lasso him—body and soul!

Second release of True Blue that includes Carrera’s Bride
ISBN: 978-0373837717

Purchase this book here

True Blue (originally published December 2011 in Harlelquin Special Edition #2155)

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Diana Palmer continues her beloved Long, Tall Texans series by delving deep into the heart of one of San Antonio’s top detectives, Rick Marquez. He never met a case he couldn’t solve or a woman he couldn’t charm. But this smooth-talking Texan is about to meet the one woman who’ll lasso him—body and soul!

Plus a Diana Palmer reader favorite!

Carrera’s Bride (originally published November 2004 in Silhouette Special Edition #1645)

With his imposing stature and notorious reputation, Marcus Carrera instilled fear in friends and foes alike. However, there was one woman who could see beyond the casino tycoon’s formidable veneer to the gruffly tender man inside. And their destinies collided when Jacobsville sweetheart Delia Mason was unexpectedly swept up in a tidal wave of trouble while on a tropical island holiday getaway.

After Carrera rescued her from an unwelcome suitor, he claimed her trembling lips in a boldly possessive kiss that left her dizzy with delight...and breathless for more. But in his top secret line of work, this man of mystery moved in dangerous circles. Now Carrera had to risk it all to take Delia as his beloved bride!

Romance Book Review: Ella Jade's Embracing the Unexpected

2011-12-29T21:23:00.000-08:00

Author: Ella Jade
Digital ISBN: 9781937325138
Genre: Male-Male/ Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

Purchase this book here

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Touching romance about a lawyer who is order by the court to take an anger management class after beating up the ex-boyfriend of his female best friend. Parker never had a successful relationship with a woman and now is wondering why he is attracted to the anger management instructor, Jace.

Jace is intrigued by sexy lawyer who is taking his class. All through the class Parker has stayed quiet. Parker may just be learning that he is as attracted to Jace as Jace is to him.

Description:
Sometimes love can be found where we least expect it.

When Parker Phillips, a successful attorney, has a confrontation with his friend Ava's abusive boyfriend, he finds himself facing assault and battery charges, and he's ordered to attend an anger management course. Parker, who has never been attracted to a man, is drawn to Dr. Jace Cross, the psychiatrist leading the class. But how can that be, since Parker is straight?

Jace accepted the fact that he was gay many years ago, and he's comfortable in his sexuality, but he's been single for some time now. He throws himself into his work to fill the lonely void.

Although sparks fly whenever they're together, Parker's reluctant to embrace these feelings he has for another man.

Can the sexy doctor help him discover who he truly is?

Content Warning: Strong language, graphic sex

Romance Book Review: Stephaine Beck's Barely Dreaming

2011-12-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

Author: Stephanie Beck
ISBN: 9781937325114
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

Purchase this book here

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When Neela is kidnapped she looks to the only person who has always been there for her for help. The man she created in her dreams. After she is rescued she forgets everything that happened and she forgets about her dream man. Turning up pregnant she realizes she needs to remember exactly what happened for the sake of her own sanity.

When her dreamworld and reality become mixed everything changes for Neela.

A quick read, this fantasy romance shows that even when things are at their worst they arent' always as bad as you think. We all need our own dream man and if it were me, I think I'd create him like Neela did with a Scottish brogue accent.

Description:
As dreams come alive, trouble lurks around the corner.

When Neela Raymond and three of her college girlfriends take a camping trip over spring break, they’re abducted by a group of men and held captive for a week. At least that’s what Neela’s been told—she can’t remember any details of the horrifying event. But one thing is very apparent—during that week she became pregnant. Afraid of the possibilities, Neela finds it difficult to attend classes, eat, or sleep.

When Neela finally falls asleep, she wakes in a dream world, where she finds Gabe O’Shay. Though she can’t remember him either, something in her recognizes him.
Gabe and Neela are best friends of a different sort. Created in Neela’s mind when she was just a child, Gabe has always been her dream friend, growing as she did, to eventually become the man of her dreams.

With Gabe’s help, Neela’s memory begins to return, and ugly truths emerge. Snagged in a violent, illegal scheme, Neela will have to struggle for survival. The nightmare is not over yet.
Meanwhile, Gabe has managed to find a tear between the dream world and the real world, but will he arrive too late to help his Neela?

Romance Book Review: Zena Leigh's Taming the Stallion

2011-12-26T23:18:00.000-08:00

Author: Zena Leigh
ISBN: n/a
Category:Contemporary Romance/ Erotic Romance
Publisher: Whispers Publishing

Purchase This Book Here

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Rachel hasn't been back to her old home in two years, not since she was trampled by a horse and before that raped by one of her employees. Going along with her thearpist she goes back to where it all happened and runs into the new owner.

Nick doesn't know what to make of the woman who fainted in front of him, but when he realizes exactly who she is he knows he wants to help her. That is, if he can convince her to stop running from him.

Sweet, sexy, erotic love story featuring a hard as nails hero and a war torn heroine, who work to heal each other.

Description:
Rachel Sheldon is running scared – from both men and horses – so when she meets the sexually experienced Nick Sheldon at her former stables, only time will tell if the newfound desire he awakes in her will be enough to tame him.