Red Hot Books

Review: Dragon Heat

2013-05-18T08:18:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this story, considering that it’s a relatively new author. I always hope for something good, but you just never know. Phoenix you’ve got yourself a new fan.

Draconian demigoddess, Zoricah, is on the hunt for the killer who has been taking out both dracos and vampires. The bad guys have finally done the unthinkable and taken one of Zoricah's and she doesn’t have a lot of time to get her people back alive. Using her only option, she enlists the help of Tardieh, the Vampire King who she’s helped out in the past. Will these two put their differences aside and do what’s right for their people?

This was a fun, sexy, solid story. There are a couple of issues that could be solved with some stronger editing, but they didn’t take away from the story. Phoenix’s world building for the existence of dragons and vampires was well done. I found myself pleasantly enthralled with the imagery. Born into a world where their differences made them enemies, Zoricah didn’t let that stop her from helping Tardieh escape from a brutal imprisonment that he suffered by the hands of an unknown assailant. It’s too bad that Tardieh’s trust of her was based not on her actions but by tradition.

I thought these two were really well suited and I found myself rooting for them as a couple. Zoricah was a strong leader, fighter and woman, but not so strong that she couldn’t and wouldn’t take the advice of her most trusted warriors. Her ‘girls’ as she called them - which of course totally reminded me of Charlie and his angels – were well suited and provided the levity that she needed to continue by not taking herself too seriously and still getting the job done. The Vampire King, Tardieh, was actually a nice guy. He has his special moments of needing a verbal take-down or two, but overall I must say he was surprisingly and pleasantly likable. His guards added a nice foil to Zoricah’s girls and I can definitely see a future where they’re flushed out with their own stories.

The chemistry between Zoricah and Tardieh was smoking hot and although it moves along pretty fast, there’s the backstory of their acquaintance that makes their romance not seem so rushed. Taken as a whole, this was a good effort and I very much look forward to more from this author.

Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: B+

*Book provided by author for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

Dragon Heat
by Ella J Phoenix
Release Date: April 6, 2012
Publisher: Cobblestone Press

Review: Beyond Eden

2013-05-17T08:23:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

I’ve had this story in by TBR for a long while now and have been hesitant to read it because, to me, the premise is sensitive and I wasn’t sure how this would work out. I’ve read other BDSM stories and for the ones I enjoyed, the overarching theme has been ‘sane, safe, and consensual’; one or two out of three doesn’t work – it has to be three out of three for me. The premise and promise of this story was good and I still think that the story itself was good; it was the telling that I had trouble with.

I didn't and still don't understand some of the details in this story. I mean I get that it’s fiction but it has to pass my single rule for all stories --- it has to make sense. Thank goodness there’s a category warning so I pretty much expected something that I might or might not be comfortable with to happen. Eve, Paul and Danny were all unlikable and let me not even get started on them as cheaters -- one of my big nos. Each of them thought that Paul cheating on his fiancé was justified because in the words of Paul, she's the c-word. I’m calling bullcrap on that because the woman was the nicest person and did absolute nothing to warrant the treatment that she got from Paul or any of the other two.

Who did I dislike the most of the three? It's a tossup, but Paul was my biggest problem. You can't treat people like you treated Trisha and it be okay. Yes, you have a pain fetish that you can’t tell anyone outside of the BDSM world about, but you didn't even give your fiancé a choice and, by the way, use a condom if you're going to lie.

As Danny is introducing Eve to the lifestyle and she’s going along just fine, everything is hunky-dory but she pauses to ask Danny if she needs a safe word because, hey she’s not stupid, just a novice. That jerk of the century has the nerve to say to her ‘Nope’…’if you trusted me, you wouldn’t have asked for it. I’m disappointed’ --- seriously, asshat, where’s the safety and trust in that? So other than getting up and leaving, which she clearly doesn’t want to do, because she’s asking you for guidance Mr. Professional Dom, how is she supposed to communicate to you that she wants to stop or take a break? When Eve continues to talk, Danny tells her she doesn’t have permission and BAM! he moves her right into puppy play immediately followed by being tied up and gagged. There’s some verbiage that Danny uses for his explanation for tying up Eve, and I just couldn’t believe he was saying that to someone’s first day on the job, per se. Talk about no learning curve.

Keeping with the idea of Eden, these are three of the most beautiful you’ve ever seen. But the only person who knows he’s beautiful is Danny, so apropos for Satan. So beautiful in fact, Danny can get any man or woman he wants as easily as a wink or a smile. Paul’s pain fetish and feeling of low self-worth is so deep he can't separate his work life from his home life. I didn't see evidence of that but I was told that, so I guess I should just go with it. He chose his profession as a lawyer because his self-worth is so low that he knows that’s all he deserves (sorry if you're a lawyer.) He constantly punishes himself but I don’t see him doing that, I’m only told. There's a scene of Danny whipping Paul to a bloody mess which was the only pain scene in the story and it was very rough to read, even Eve in her own sweet (insert sarcasm) way contributed on that one.

One of my biggest problems with this story was that for the majority I was told after about the things that each person would do, making everything seemed detached for me. I would have liked a lot more seeing of the actual actions that happened either between the threesome/twosome or individually. By the time things started getting a little interesting and feelings started coming to the surface, it was more than three fourths of the way through and too late for me to care.

Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: D

*ARC provided by Loose-ID via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Beyond Eden
by Kele Moon
Release Date: September 8, 2010
Publisher: Loose ID

Review: Summer in Napa

2013-05-16T08:38:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

This is what I would consider a slow burn, there’s nothing that jumps off at you. Instead it’s a nice, well-paced story. Picking up a few months after Kissing Under the Mistletoe --which is Gabe DeLuca, the oldest brother’s story-- this continues with another DeLuca brother. If you’ve not read KUM (get your minds out of the gutter) you’ll be okay reading this one because Adair didn’t write this as being dependent on that storyline; however I would definitely recommend Gabe’s story – it’s good.

Talk about getting your hand caught in the cookie jar, it seems that Lexi Moreau’s husband didn’t get the memo that you don’t diddle with your staff when your wife is in the next room – What a tool! After finding said tool in flagrante delicto, Lexi has finally reached the point of no return. After a quick amicable divorce, Lexi returns to her beloved hometown of St. Helena, where she hopes to restore her dream and turn her grandmother Pricilla's patisserie into a bistro. Eligible bachelor and town playboy Marco DeLuca has always had a thing for his best friend’s (afore mentioned tool's) girl. Although he’s been pretty good in the fifteen years since meeting Lexi, the gloves are off and it’s time to set some things right.

Let me just say that Lexi is a complete and total likeable girl. She kinda tall and she can’t seem to stop eating the cream puffs, but then again, Marco likes her just the way she is – gotta love that. There were moments where I laughed with Lexi and Abby’s antics – they’re such good friends that there’s no such thing as personal space -- they get all in the each other’s business. The progression of Lexi from being the victim of her own good deeds to finally seeing herself as someone who deserves better was awesome to see. There were moments where I wished she would beat down that loser of an ex, including a scene where I could swear I felt the air leave the room. (I might have shed a tear or ten.)

Marco underwent the bigger change, though. If you read the first book, the impression he left me with was one of ‘I can’t wait ‘til he gets his’ and does he ever deliver. Usually these roles are reversed in romance novels where the heroine seems to be angst filled, but this time Marco was the nail biter. His friendship with his best friend, Lexi’s ex, guided so many of his decisions that ended up hurting Lexi that it was sometimes painful to read.

Did I like these two together? Yes, I definitely did. Did the chemistry work? It sure did, like I said earlier theirs is a slow burn so don’t expect wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. There’s is a true romance relationship where they get to know each other as they are today, not as they were in high school and definitely not through the rose colored lenses. Well done, Adair.

Before I go, I have to say something about the secondary characters. Gabe and Reagan do make appearances. Is it greedy of me to have wanted to see more of Reagan interacting with other people than Gabe? That might a slight yes. The grandmothers are back – ChiChi is still commanding the room; Pricilla and her wardrobe are still stuck in leisure suites and concert T-shirts, you can try to picture that in your head but don’t do it too long, your brain might stay that way. Remember Abby? She’s the DeLuca sister who married another winner by the name of Richard. There’s nothing funnier than when she has to post the newspaper notices for Richard before she can divorce him. Oh my goodness, I almost cracked a rib when I read them. The other two DeLucas, Nate and Trey make their presence known and the testosterone that’s running rampant as those two try set their own stamp in the family business is very high. I think (and hope) that Nate’s story is next – go get ‘im Frankie.

Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: B

*ARC provided by publisher for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

Summer in Napa
by Marina Adair
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Montlake Romance

Guest Post & Giveaway: Marie Sexton

2013-05-16T07:43:00.000-05:00

Hi there and welcome! I’m Marie Sexton, and I’m thrilled to be able to share my excitement over my latest release with Riptide Publishing, Never A Hero. Never A Hero is available now, and today I have a little game that fellow Tucker Springs author L.A. Witt introduced me to called “Fact or Crap”. I hope you enjoy! Follow me on the virtual book tour for Never A Hero all week for more exclusive details about the book, the Tucker Springs series, and more. Plus, leave a comment below with your name and email address, and you could be one of three lucky winners to receive a $5 gift card to Riptide. Simply leave your comment by 5/17 at 11:59pm to enter.

Tucker Springs: Fact or Crap

Eight of the statements below are fact, but two are utter crap. But which two? Leave your guesses in the comments below. Everybody who has at least one correct answer will be entered in the drawing.

1. Tucker Springs is named for the lovely mineral hot springs located just outside of town.
2. The layout of the Light District is based on Old Town Fort Collins (Fort Collins, Colorado being Marie’s home town).
3. Never a Hero features a sandwich shop called The Vibe, which is based on the real-life restaurant Avogadro’s Number in Fort Collins, Colorado.
4. Second Hand started out as a single-author book, by Marie Sexton, but was later handed off to Heidi Cullinan to finish.
5. June Reynolds (Nick’s sister in Never a Hero) was inspired by the 8-year old daughter of one of Marie’s closest friends.
6. Dirty Laundry was originally a free short story, which Heidi later expanded to be part of the TS universe.
7. Nick’s dog Bonny was based on Marie’s not-so-good dog, Padawan.
8. Mojo, from Second Hand, was based on Marie’s brother-in-law’s dog, Tank.
9. June’s arm had to be amputated after a motorcycle accident when she was seventeen years old.
10. The next book in the series, LA Witt’s After the Fall, will feature Nathan (Michael’s receptionist from Where Nerves End).

*****

Never a Hero is available now from Riptide, Amazon, and all major book outlets. Never a Hero is part of the Tucker Springs universe, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. For more information about Tucker Springs, visit www.TuckerSprings.com.

Marie Sexton lives in Colorado. She’s a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along. Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

Find out more at http://MarieSexton.net, or download the Marie Sexton app, available free for Android or iPhone.

Review: The Charmed Fates

2013-05-15T08:31:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

When I read the blurb for the first in the series of the Charmed Trilogy, I would have never guessed Wenrick’s would take me on such a roller-coaster of adrenaline. Each installment is absolutely better than the last and this story is no different; this story is so much darker than the others -The Charmed Fates - is my favorite in the series.

Enjoyable to say the least, Wenrick’s writing style is captivating - there’s just enough dialogue that carries the story along quite well. One of the many things I like about her is the way that she conveys the passage of time. I’ve noticed that a lot of writers in this genre don’t express this in real time (days, weeks, etc.); this author does and it’s one of those quirky things that helps me believe that even in their paranormal world, these characters are subject to something that mutually affects us.

It’s been about a year since Olivia Greyson was involved in a horrific train accident, lost her best friend Sarah, and met Daywalker Caleb Wolfe. It’s during that time that she found out that she’s a Charmer, a Dhampir, whose talents are a wanted commodity amongst the most powerful in the community of vampires. Since she’s spent time and trained with her guardians at The Oracle, strengthening both her physical and mental self, Olivia is becoming a formidable warrior.

The Walker Coven - Olivia, her mate Caleb, her grandfather Jax Walker, and her good friend and fellow Dhampir Gemma - are living under the radar, always on the lookout for the dark and evil vampire, Luther Davin. Since their mating, Olivia and Caleb have gotten closer, but in this the final installment of the series, their relationship will undergo some significant challenges complicated by Olivia’s insecurities and Caleb’s need to protect. These two are still as hot as a couple. Olivia by herself continues to impress me in her maturity and the way she handles her business, especially with Caleb. Jax and Gemma’s relationship will see some incredibly happy times and undergo heartache that could shatter even the most patient soul. Jax couldn’t be any more perfect as a mate for strong-willed Gemma and as Olivia’s grandfather.

The Brethren are back - Alec is hunky and cankerous as usual, that foul-mouth delectable Lucas takes a more prominent role and I liked it just fine. The GLD (good looking Dhampir) Phin and his love Maya are as cute as ever, and the biggest horndog ever in the history of horndogs Kane is bringin’ it and bringin’ it well – fighting to keep Davin from increasing his power.

Now on to the bad guys, and boy howdy are they bad. At one point in the book, I was close to jumping to the end because I was so mad at Wenrick. I couldn’t believe what was going on – I was like ‘NOOOOOO way!!!’. But that’s what make a good writer isn’t it? The antagonists are just as well written as the protagonists. Davin in all his ugliness and evilness has been trying to get Olivia to come over to his side for quite a while now. With the increasing dangers to Olivia’s safety, the tension in the coven increases to a boiling point. If that’s not enough to drive the sane insane, Caleb’s 600-year-old maker Celeste shows up because she wants her Caleb back and will do whatever she needs to do to make that happen. Celeste is awesomely bad, twisted, a complete and total megalomaniac.

In the end, I relished this story individually but I gotta tell ya, I thoroughly adored the series and I’m so glad that I read it. Thanks Wenrick! I look forward to more from the ‘Men of Brahm Hill’.

Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: A+

*ARC provided by author for review

Click to purchase: Amazon
Learn more about the series & Enter the giveaway here

The Charmed Fates
by Christine Wenrick
Release Date: February 8, 2013
Publisher: Red Tree Publishing

Interview & Giveaway: Christine Wenrick

2013-05-15T07:33:00.000-05:00

Shelly is a big fan of Christine Wenrick's Charmed Trilogy. Check out this Q&A they did together!

Shelly: Hello, Christine. Let me start out my saying that I’m a big fan of your work. When I got the chance to do this interview – I was thrilled. So that being said – will you tell us a little about yourself and what (or who) started you on the course of being a writer?

Christine: Thanks, Shelly! I wish I could say I knew I was destined to be a writer all my life, but that’s not the case. I dabbled with writing in college but have been working as a commercial interior designer until four years ago when I decided to write my first novel, The Charmed. I think, like any author, you have to have something that inspires you, and for me it was the ending to this first book. I had a crystal clear image of that ending . . . and nothing else. LOL. So I basically started writing towards that end. Probably not the easiest way to write a book, but it worked out OK.

Shelly: One thing I noticed when I read the first story, The Charmed, was that even though this is a vampire story, you’ve somehow brought a unique and uncommon perspective to the subject. How’d you do that?

Christine: That is certainly a compliment. An uncommon perspective to a vampire story is hard to do these days, but it may be the sense of isolation I put the characters and the reader in at the beginning of the series. I knew I wanted an adult story, a very intimate and personal story between Caleb and Olivia. To me that meant isolating them from the world we see every day, but in a way that makes sense or is familiar to present times. Then you can create those moments of tug and pull, the quiet ones where very little is being said but you can feel the force that is drawing them together. If you can feel passion between two characters in the things they don’t say—the moments outside of the love scenes—then you’ve done your job as a romance writer.

Shelly: Which character, in any of the books, was the hardest for you to write?

Christine: Great question!!! I would say Jax, the coven leader. He has lived for centuries and his character needed to reflect that kind of depth and breadth of life experience . . . and, of course, pain. For me, he represented the emotional soul of the trilogy and as such is one of my favorite characters.

I had several challenges, mostly because when I started I didn’t know much about the piano. But in writing Olivia’s character it was clear that music was at the center of who she was. It’s how she expresses herself best. The hardest part was making sure that held true throughout all three books and did not get too far sidelined by the other events happening to her.

Shelly: I thought Maya was a gem – she’s sometimes come off as meek but when the tire hits the road she’s something else. Which character would you say is most like you?

Christine: Maya is a fun character. One of my favorite things to do is bring a character along for several books so the reader can watch them grow and mature. You will see that with Maya as well.

As for me, I’m not sure I’m really like any of my characters, more like a mix of them. I might latch on to one thing that it similar to me and build a character from there. For example, Olivia will doggedly focus on something once she believes it’s the right decision or course of action. I can be like that.

Shelly: I enjoyed the flow of dialogue - was it a conscious process that the cursing/swearing would be at a minimum for this series?

Christine: Actually, yes it was. Although I myself can curse just as easily as the next person, I’m just not a huge fan of words that can jar a reader out of the story, especially when they’re repeated a lot. Of course, that’s a really difficult rule to follow when one of your characters is a curse-a-holic (Ahem, Lucas . . .)!

Nowadays people curse, men especially it seems, so it needs to be in there. I just try to pick and choose the right moments and infer the rest.

Shelly: What story are you working on now?

Christine: I am putting the finishing touches on book three in my Men of Brahm Hill series, which is a connected five-book series to The Charmed Trilogy. It has taken me longer to write than I hoped because of my obligations for The Charmed, but I am so excited where this series is going I spend just about every hour I can getting it out of my head and onto paper. The first book in the series, Someone Else’s Skye, will be available this fall, and to get the most out of all the little nuggets I have left for the reader I recommend starting from the beginning with The Charmed.

As part of her tour, Christine is is giving away a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of The Charmed to one lucky winner that follows the tour. Enter to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: How Beauty Loved the Beast

2013-05-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

I feel like I have been waiting forever for the payoff on this love story. And it was just as satisfying as I hoped it would be. Now I am sad that it's over.

First, let me say, this is the last part of a trilogy and not the place for a new reader to jump in. If you want to try some angsty & sexy romance/ sci-fi Beauty & the Beast action, go start with How Beauty Met the Beast. For those of you who have been following along already, this installment picks up two weeks after the events of the last story. Hauk is still recovering in the hospital and Jolie is impatiently waiting for his return, so they can finally make a go of a relationship.

She gets her wish, but only as a new threat from the Ananke soldiers rears up. They are injecting members of the Underlight with some kind of chemical, one that is sure to have terrible consequences once it activates. Of course, the danger and plotting are only the backdrop for the real draw here: the romance.

Hauk has been crazy about Jolie since he met her, and now, for the first time, he can have her. But she wants more than he is ready to give. She needs him to stop pulling away from her touch, hiding his scars from her eyes. She wants him to bear himself to her; she wants nothing between them. It's a tall order for a man who has turned so inward since his injury. He makes a commitment to get there, though, and it's so touching as he makes his way toward that kind of intimacy. Jolie has work to do too. She's afraid of what it means to love, to go all-in emotionally. But as she tears down his wall, Hauk does the same with her. It's so, so good. And the sex is great.

Jax Garren takes things in an unexpected direction in the last quarter of the book. At one point, I was utterly decimated --and from there, I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster all the way until the end. I think I was ok with how things ended up, but I think there may be mixed feelings about it. (I liked that Garren addressed her own concerns with the ending in an Author's Note.)

Overall, though, I thought it was fabulous. I love Hauk. Love. And I love him and Jolie together. Well done.

Rating: B+

*ARC Provided by Carina Press via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

How Beauty Loved the Beast
by Jax Garren
Release Date: May 13, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press

Review: Never a Hero

2013-05-13T08:33:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

What a great read this was! It had such heart, along with characters I really felt invested in, and a romance I could root for. Not to mention some solid sexual tension and a good love scene or two!

Owen is a 28 year-old virgin, but that is the least of his problems. He has a congenitally amputated arm, put together with a horrific mother who turned his disabilities against him. He is terribly self conscious; he is socially inept; and he stutters. Oh yeah, and he's gay. He feels like a complete failure at normalcy and has no real belief that his life will ever get better. Until Nick moved in downstairs.

Nick is a good looking, friendly veterinarian who strikes up a friendship with Owen right away. He has a sister with the same birth defect and treats Owen like no one ever has... like a regular person. And before too long, it's obvious he sees him as something more. For some reason, though, Nick won't let things progress between them. He's got a secret that could destroy a relationship between them before it ever gets started. But can Owen look past Nick's problems the same way Nick does for him?

I don't want to spoil any of the details here, but both heroes are so sympathetic. Learning about the ways Owen's mother tore him down throughout his life made me want to jump in the book and punch her in the mouth. It made me feel like he may have never recovered if Nick and his sister had not entered his life. June is such a great character! She does so much help Owen move past his self-doubt. She is fun and full of life... and so unwilling to let her arm hold her back! But I think it was Nick who really held my heart in the story. While it's easy to see Owen as the man who needs saving, Nick needs him every bit as much. He such a good friend to Owen --such a good man-- and he has so much fear and hurt inside him. Such delicious angst!

The writing is great, as you can pretty much count on with Marie Sexton. I fell in love right along with Owen and Nick. And while this is book 5 in the Tucker Springs series, it works 100% as a standalone. I would definitely recommend this one to m/m romance readers!

Rating: A-

*ARC Provided by Riptide via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Never a Hero
by Marie Sexton
Release Date: May 13, 2013
Publisher: Riptide

Over the Rainbow at RT... Well, Almost

2013-05-12T19:14:00.000-05:00

It's been a week now since I returned home from my whirlwind adventure at RT in Kansas City. I met so many amazing authors, industry professionals, bloggers and fellow fans, I could tell stories for hours. This was my first time at the con and I learned so much about RT magazine, the convention itself, and the rich history of both. It was amazing to see how far the romance genre has come over the years and what a pioneer RT has been in so many ways.

With the fabulous Marie Sexton

Throughout the convention, I found myself surrounded by diversity. Whatever kind of romance you liked, you could find. There were panels and parties devoted to contemporary, erotic, YA, GLBT, paranormal, steampunk, inspirational... you name it. There were authors and fans there from every conceivable subgenre. It was so welcoming --and very cool.

But as I sat down for the awards banquet, one category was noticeably absent: GLBT. What's the big deal? you may ask. They can't have an award for every single thing. Well, they actually kind-of do. There are 11 awards for the different kind of Harlequin books alone. There are separate PNR awards for vampire and shapeshifter romance. There are individual awards for self-published authors. There are more than a dozen Historical categories --and one is so specific it is for the best "British Isle-Set Historical." Yet there is not one single GLBT acknowledgement.

The presence of Dreamspinner and Riptide could not ignored at this conference (and not just because of my mad school-girl crush on Damon Suede.) The Dreamspinner party was packed. The Over the Rainbow party was rad --plus I got a fabulous tshirt. And I am fairly certain I got a Tucker Springs book in my welcome bag. So where were these authors at the awards ceremony? M/M romance is big right now. Look at the success of Lover at Last in the mainstream. It was number 1 on the NYT bestseller list. Stars & Stripes won DABWAHA. The audience is there, so where is the recognition?

I'm not trying to disparage RT. The vibe was friendly and inclusive. Perhaps that's why this stuck out to me so much. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. And be sure to check out the awards list below. For what it's worth, I agreed with many of the winning selections. Big love to Firelight, Gunmetal Magic, Blade Song and so many other great books. Maybe next year, Touch & Geaux will get some attention too.

Complete List of RT's Best Book Categories of 2012

First Series Romance                                            Harlequin American
Harlequin Blaze                                                    Harlequin Desire
Harlequin Intrigue                                                Harlequin Nocturne
Harlequin Presents                                             Harlequin Presents Extra
Harlequin Romance Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Harlequin Special Edition    Harlequin SuperRomance
Kimani Romance    Love Inspired
Love Inspired Historical Love Inspired Suspense
Historical Romance of the Year    First Historical Romance
Historical Love & Laughter Innovative Historical Romance
Historical Paranormal    British Isle-Set Historical Romance
Regency-Set Historical Romance    Scotland-Set Historical Romance
Historical Romantic Adventure Sensual Historical Romance
Historical KISS Hero    Historical Fiction
Self-Published Historical Romance Contemporary Romance
Contemporary Love & Laughter    Self-Published Contemporary Romance
Vampire Romance    Shapeshifter Romance
Steampunk Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Worldbuilding Urban Fantasy Novel
Urban Fantasy Protagonist                                     Self-Published Urban Fantasy
Romantic Suspense                                                 Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Contemporary Mystery                                           Historical Mystery
First Mystery                                                            Suspense
Amateur Sleuth                                                        Mainstream Fiction
YA Contemporary Novel                                         YA Urban Fantasy
YA Futuristic                                                            YA Protagonist
Science Fiction Novel                                          Fantasy Novel
Epic Fantasy Novel                                                  Multicultural Romance
Multicultural Fiction                                                Inspirational Romance
Inspirational Suspense                                              Erotic Romance
Sci-Fi Erotic Romance                                            E-book Erotic Romance
E-book Erotic Novella

Review: Kiss of Heat

2013-05-12T08:41:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

OK. I've been waiting for this book. I glommed onto this series, tearing through each story, in the hopes of getting to the romance between Kane and Sherra. Lora Leigh has been dropping little scraps for us since the very first book. Unfortunately, after all of that anticipation, I can't say I was happy with the end result.

So the backstory on these two: Kane was the first man Sherra ever had sex with. She was locked up at the time and being studied for being a Breed. Kane was one of the soldiers. She fell in love with him and he promised to get her out... but he never did. Instead, she was raped by the guards and almost killed when she miscarried their baby. She had no idea he had been attacked and was nearly killed himself, rendering him unable to save her as he promised. She thought he used and betrayed her --and when she finally escaped her prison, she let him believe she was dead.

As this chapter of their story begins, both Kane and Sherra know the truth about what kept them apart. And they also realize that their night together turned them into mates. But Sherra was too young (?) to deliver the mating hormone in her kiss, so they aren't in the same kind of mating heat we saw with the couples in previous books. That doesn't mean she's not suffering, though. Once a year, she goes into heat and endures misery for a month until it passes. Kane wants to make their mating real. He wants to ease her suffering with sex. Sherra shoots him down at every turn.

I've read commentary from some readers that Sherra annoyed them in this book, because she is constantly turning her back on Kane, giving him the cold shoulder. My problem, however, was with Kane. He is a constant dick to her for three books and much of this fourth one. He mocks her and the other Breed members; he is domineering; and he does not pay enough respect to what she has been through. You can't bully someone into getting over a gang rape, or the loss of a baby, or the anguish of 10 years of believed betrayal. Yet that is what he tries to do.

Even worse, I feel like he forced himself on her. The victim of rape. In their first time together he say, "I can't force you." Then, just a couple of pages later, the scene plays out like this:

"Don't." She tried to jerk forward, a last weak protest before he could bend to her.

His eyes narrowed for long seconds, darkening further as she watched angry determination begin to build in his expression. He pushed her back until she reclined once again, moving closer to her, his cock aiming for the convulsing entrance of her pussy.

"For now. Just this for now." His voice was consumed with lust. "I'm not taking," he panted roughly.
"I'm giving. See, kitten, watch me give."

Her eyes dropped to her splayed thighs, widening as the head of his cock parted the slick lips of her pussy.

He later contemplates his actions.

He had forced her into accepting the mating heat. Had taken her kiss, knowing she would have no choice after the hormone was shared between them. Was he any better than the guards who had raped her in those labs?

This isn't the first time I took issue with consent in this series, but it is the first time where the heroine was already a rape victim.. And in the setup for the Dawn/ Seth relationship, it looks like more of the same could be on the horizon. This is a problem for me.

I also had a problem with inconsistencies with the world-building, like why Kane wasn't in the mating heat even after a shared kiss and sex. That's less than it took for the other couples. It left me confused --and had me re-reading scenes to make sure I understood what was going on.

And when all was said and done, I still feel like I should know more about what happened between Kane and Sherra all those years ago. Why did he come to her in the first place? Was he ordered to? Why would he take her virginity in front of those cameras? Did he know her before they slept together? Some flashbacks were in order. Or something.

I'm disappointed.

Rating: C-/D+

Click to purchase: Amazon

Kiss of Heat
by Lora Leigh
Release Date: November 1, 2005
Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Review: Hyacinth

2013-05-11T08:33:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

This one’s a little darker than its predecessor; the violence is a little more sinister, but the story is definitely better for it. Before I go on, you should know that I’m most likely going to reveal things from the first story as this a continuation and not independent so I would definitely suggest that you give Blue Violet a read first.

Selene has taken over as ruler of the Vyusher since the death of her evil twin brother Gideon, who if you remember was just as nutty as they come. She’s at a vulnerable stage in her life where she’s not able to control her own dreams. Thinking that the only way to protect her people is to get away from them, Selene decides to go away. After decades of hating her, Griffin -- member of the Svatura -- just wants to avoid Selene at all cost because of the role she played in his family’s death.

Selene’s powers are extraordinary, even to the Vyusher, and to her credit, she still has a compassionate and giving soul which is why Gideon was able to get away with doing to her what he did. Such a tool! I initially had quite a bit of trouble with her relationship with her brother, as their dynamics was really twisted and it just didn’t add up. Prepare yourself for that – wow! Again, such a tool he was. I thought the evolution of her character from even the first story was progressive (no wishy washy nonsense), understandable and increased my enjoyment of her.

The subtle nuances in Selene and Griffin’s relationship were handled well and paced wonderfully – enough to keep the pages turning late into the night. If you remember from the first story, she came to Griffin in his dreams and we find out a lot more of why she did that; more importantly we find out the story about the how and when she remembers Griffin and how she came to feel the way she did about him. I felt her pain - sucks loving dude when dude doesn’t like himself or you for the way he feels.

The relationship between Selene and Ellie was interesting and not unexpected in light of Ellie’s forgiving and loving nature. Without Ellie’s unfailing friendship, I know I wouldn’t have liked the story as much as I did. Because she’s had so little love and affection in her life, Ellie really filled that void of the sibling and it was sweet to watch the way Selene blossomed.

As unlikable as Griffin was written, it was hard not to like him. I could see him really trying to believe in something with his heart even when his memory and his eyes tell him different. After all the years of meeting only in their dreams, when they finally do meet, the connection he felt for and with Selene was instantaneous, mutual, and strong. It actually proved to be a bit too strong for him -- on them both, really -- making the acceptance and forgiveness that much more trying. It was hard to hate on Griffin knowing how both he and Ellie suffered without their parents. He did have to grow up, though, and watching him move through the motions of accepting Selene despite her past --- so cute.

It was great catching up with Alex and his fiancé Ellie, those wonderful Jenners, Adelaide, and Nate. I think I might be crushing on Ramsey, the red-haired firestarter, just a teeny tiny bit. Lila, you better get your man before somebody else does. Even though this is YA themed (i.e. no sexy time) Owen does a credible job of capturing and keeping my attention from beginning to end. Can’t wait for the next one --- not sure who it’s going to be, but I’m hoping it’s Lila’s story.

Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: B

*ARC provided by author for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

Hyacinth
by Abigail Owen
Release Date: February 23, 2013

Review: Down and Dirty

2013-05-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Allison
  

In the second book of the Dare Me series, we meet Galen's sister, Cat Thomas, the wild child from Down for the Count. Cat is hanging out with her brother and her bestie, Lacey, when in walks a blast from the past, Shane Decker. Shane was her bossy shadow in high school after her brother moved away...but he's also her unrequited childhood crush. Unfortunately, every detail of his rejection floods the front of her mind as soon as she sees him, and she knows he's nothing but bad news for her heart - no matter how good looking he is.

Shane has been away for far too long. Cat is all grown up and he can only hope that she is finally ready to commit - preferably to him. He's waited years for her and now that they're finally in the same place, the time has come for her to come to her senses. What he doesn't realize is just how hard he'll have to work to convince her of their shared destiny.

I really enjoyed Shane and Cat. Cat was a little hard to read at times because she was so stuck in her mother's past, letting it stop her from having everything and almost losing it all with her stubbornness. She's got a sexy, attentive, committed man, and all she sees are ties that bind her from being herself, from having a life. Right before you want to smack her upside the head, her mom knocks some sense into her - just in time!

Down and Dirty is a great follow up and I look forward to getting to know the next couple!

Grade: B+

*ARC Provided by Entangled

Click to purchase: Amazon

Down and Dirty
by Christine Bell
Release Date: February 23, 2013
Publisher: Entangled

Review: The Demon's Song

2013-05-09T08:46:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a fan of Kendra Leigh Castle's Dark Dynasties books, and when I found out she was kicking off a new series, I was very excited to get started. But when I started reading, I kept finding all these references to prior events. As a longtime PNR reader, I recognized the signs of a series already in progress and I double and triple checked to see if there were earlier books. This is, indeed, the first book in the Hearts of the Fallen series. BUT my instincts were not wrong. This is a spinoff to her Harlequin Nocturne stories Renegade Angel and "Vivi and the Vampire." Stories I haven't read; stories where the events and characters are heavily referenced. Be warned.

Our hero, Phenix, is the fallen angel of song. He and a small band of his brothers spent some time in hell, but now they help guard the supernatural underworld called Terra Noctem and help maintain the balance between good and evil. He has turned off his emotions; cut himself off from humanity... until he meets Sofia. The fiery nurse gets a crash course in all things supernatural when she saves her friend from being killed by a vampire. The rouge vamp could be part of a larger problem threatening the Terra Noctem, which makes it Phenix's problem... and to make a long story short, Sofia becomes bait to draw out the bad guys and Phenix becomes her bodyguard.

The book started out a little slow for me. Maybe it was because Phenix didn't really light my fire (until later in the story.) Maybe it was all the references to the backstory that kept pulling me out of the book. Either way, it didn't click for me at the beginning, but once things started heating up between Phenix and Sofia, it did take off.

As with all of Castle's books, I really liked the dynamic between the hero and heroine, both emotionally and sexually. The tension is great and payoff is satisfying. Phenix isn't quite as tortured as most of her heroes, but I did enjoy his journey to regaining his emotions. And I really liked two things about Sophie: 1) She is a grown woman who is comfortable and confident. She isn't an ingenue virgin or a clinging vine. 2) She stands up for herself. She doesn't sublimate her own life for one with Phenix. Both are a refreshing change of pace from most heroines in the genre.

The arc concerning the external conflict was fairly good, though it took a firm backseat to the romance. The ending wrapped things up rather quickly, but I was satisfied with how it all played out.

I'm definitely interested in continuing the series. But I really need to read the the previous stories first. The borderline OCD in me will have it no other way.

Rating: B-

*ARC provided by Entangled

Click to purchase: Amazon

The Demon's Song
by Kendra Leigh Castle
Release Date: April 21, 2013
Publisher: Entangled

Review: The Cursed

2013-05-08T08:39:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

Alyssa Day introduces us to a engaging new world in this first installment of her League of the Black Swan series. I had a bit of trouble engaging in the story in the first half... mostly because of the romance. But I got more invested... especially in the final third of the book.

The story begins with Rio in deep trouble. She witnessed a kidnapping at the hands of a powerful and Very Bad Man. Thanks to her ability to read minds, she knows he is now coming after her... so she runs to the most powerful man in Bordertown for protection, a wizard PI named Luke. Rio is messenger and has delivered to Luke before. In fact, she has quite the crush on him... and figures --if anyone can save her, he can.

It just so happens that Luke is investigating the very kidnapping Rio witnessed. And he has a thing for her too. When she fills him in on her situation, he quickly becomes her protector, her partner in solving the kidnapping, and later, her lover. All this, as she tries to figure out the mysteries of her origins. She grew up an orphan, knowing nothing of her past, but suddenly all kinds of powerful beings have an interest in her and her upcoming birthday. Now, it seems like everyone knows who she is, except for her.

I had a really hard time buying into the relationship here. Luke and Rio are completely smitten with each other from the get-go. A physical attraction, I get. But I never understood why --after centuries without love and near celibate conditions-- Luke's plan to avoid attachments is so utterly decimated by Rio. WHY is she so special? WHY does he love her? And speaking of love... these two are tossing around the L-word in a couple of days. All of this kept me from really connecting to the romance. I didn't feel deeply invested in either main character either. I didn't dislike them or anything; I just did feel like I knew them beyond the superficial. I didn't feel for them

That's not to say I didn't end up enjoying the book. The world building was good and once we started learning about the secrets of Rio's parentage, the story really got interesting. I liked how that all played out. And I didn't see it coming. For that reason, I'm glad I stuck with the book. But the first half was difficult to get through.

Rating: C+

*ARC Provided by Berkley

Click to purchase: Amazon

The Cursed
by Alyssa Day
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Berkley

Spotlight & Giveaway: Blush

2013-05-07T14:42:00.000-05:00

Blush Spotlight

From the author of Surrender to Temptation comes a provocative story of overwhelming passion set free with one exquisite touch.…

Madeline Stone is determined to heal from her tragic past, one difficult step at a time…and she doesn’t need any distractions. Then she meets a mysterious and captivating stranger—and over a glass of outrageously expensive wine, her world turns upside down. Try as she might to banish the wealthy business mogul from her thoughts, Madeline can’t fight Alex’s staggering appeal or his enticing offer of intimate discovery.

Alex doesn’t date—at least, not in the traditional sense. Still, he wants Madeline…and his sexual intensity provides her with a much-needed escape. They embark on a tumultuous erotic affair, one that takes them to the pinnacle of obsession and desire. But underneath each explosive encounter lie dangerous secrets waiting to consume them both.…

Lauren Jameson is a writer who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. She also writes erotic romance as Lauren Hawkeye. Visit her online at www.laurenjameson.com and twitter.com/LaurenHJameson.

Special Giveaway! Three lucky winners (US/CAN only) will receive one copy of Lauren Jameson’s sizzling new novel BLUSH. Just leave a comment to enter. Don't forget to leave your email address!

Review: Sworn to Protect

2013-05-07T12:30:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

Reeling from the sudden death of his best friend Brad Cooper, detective Shane Ford of the Sugarland Police Department life just got a whole lot more complicated. Not only is he now the legal guardian of Brad’s teenage son Drew, he also has to solve the mystery of Brad’s death. Daisy Callahan is the juvenile officer that Shane had a short, hot and wham-bam thank you affair with and he’s now realizing that maybe letting go was not the best thing he could have done.

This is the spin-off from another of Davis’s series (Firefighters of Station Five) and there’s also a story (Armed and Dangerous – Sugarland Blue #0.5) in the series prior to this. Suffice it to say that I found that out during the read because there were parts of the story that I felt I was already supposed to know. All that being said – what I didn’t know didn’t hurt me.

All three were likeable characters for me. Shane is the town’s bad boy bachelor who’s too pretty for words. He has a very loving family and a great group of supportive friends who don’t mind knocking him around when he gets too full of himself. I thought that he showed reasonable and not overly dramatic insecurities when it came to both of these relationships – as a lover and mate to Daisy and as a father and mentor to Drew.

Daisy was my absolute favorite character; I saw her evolution from this almost mousy girl who made it so easy for Shane ---he didn’t even put forth any effort – to this woman who knew she deserved more than the way Shane treated her. You go girl!

Playing a significant role in both Shane and Daisy’s life, angry teenage boy, Drew deserves his own mention. Growing up in a household that’s just you and your NFL star of a Dad can play quite the mind game. Then throw in that you suddenly lose everything that’s familiar and dear, it’s no wonder that there’s a little (okay a lot) of sulking and behavioral challenges that the adults around him have to manage. I enjoyed the progression of Drew coming into his own and finding out where he belonged. There were some parts where I was just biting my lips with anxiety and silently admonishing - don’t do it Drew - but sometimes we have to learn the hard way. Good stuff there.

In the end there was enough intrigue, suspense, romance, love, friendship (and the sex wasn’t bad either,) that kept me going and gave me my HEA.

Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: B

*ARC provided by Penguin Group via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Sworn to Protect
by Jo Davis
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Signet

Review: Dead Man's Deal

2013-05-07T08:49:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

I liked Angel's Ink, as well as the two novellas published so far in this series. But I'll tell you, this story is where the series really hits its stride. Maybe it's because we've gotten past all the introductions and establishing the characters. But more than that, it features a fast moving plot and unpredictable course of events. With great world building and a fantastic sympathetic hero, it's a book I didn't want to put down.

As the story begins, Gage is being forced to work for Reave, the Dark Fae crime boss. Reave knows Gage is a warlock and is using the information to blackmail him. That's problem number one. Problem number two: the Summer Court is in town, putting Trixie in danger. The Light Fae king still wants her as his consort; now the Queen is demanding a meeting. Problem three: someone has figured out the locations of the Dark Towers, putting the warlocks in kill-mode, and painting a huge target on Gage, a rouge who knows all their secrets.

All three problems not only put Gage in great danger, they threaten the people he loves as well. Reave uses Bronx as leverage. The Fae are a threat to Trixie. And the Towers, well... the Towers are a threat to everyone. Poor Gage is being pulled in so many directions, it's a wonder that he can remember his own name, yet he rises to the challenge. He makes tough decisions. He shows he is resourceful, loyal, powerful, fallible, and brave. You couldn't ask for a better hero.

One of my biggest issues with Angel's Ink was that I found the romance too easy --kind of anticlimactic. I worried the Gage/ Trixie relationship would be a lame plot point this time around. Jocelynn Drake avoids this by not making it a plot point at all. Gage and Trixie simply are a given. And making it a non-issue was the best possible course of action. So many other things were going on, I didn't have time to bemoan a lack of romantic tension. The book is filled with too many other kinds of tension. The kind that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what life would throw at Gage next.

Beyond that, I really enjoyed learning more about Gage's backstory and his family. I loved, loved, loved Gideon. (What a treat to see how his character has developed!) I think my female hormones went in overdrive reading about Gage and his connection to the baby Squall. I suffered watching him struggle with all he had to sacrifice for the greater good. And the ending --while not really a cliffhanger-- has me itching to see where the story will go next.

Very well done. Would definitely recommend. (While this may work ok as a standalone, it would be better if you read Angel's Ink first, if you haven't already.)

Rating: B+

*ARC Provided by Harper Collins

Click to purchase: Amazon

Dead Man's Deal
by Jocelynn Drake
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Harper Voyager

RT 2013: My Favorite Author Moments

2013-05-06T17:13:00.001-05:00

The RT convention may be over, but I have so many fantastic memories from my days in Kansas City! There were too many highlights to talk about all in one post --and I'll get to the Ellora's Cavemen and whatnot on another day. But for now, I just want to share a few stories about some of the absolutely amazing author moments I experienced during the con.

Gordon & Ilona Andrews

The best three hours I spent over the course of nearly a week in Missouri were in the Westin hotel bar with Gordon and Ilona Andrews. I can't even begin to describe how genuine and friendly they were. We talked about the Sookie Stackhouse spoilers, George and Jack, Jim and Dali, and Austrian food. I drank seven or eight vodka-cranberries. (It was happy hour. Don't judge me.) And though I have no doubt I squeed all over myself, they were extremely gracious and kind. It is so gratifying to find out that such amazing talents are also amazing people.

Delilah Marvelle

Another warm and genuine author: Delilah Marvelle. After an emotional panel on the heroes in historical romance, I approached her to tell her how much I consistently enjoy her work. When she thanked me, it was so heartfelt that it made me tear up. With so many readers/ bloggers/ reviewers and fans out there, it's hard to fathom that just one person's support and praise can make a difference. She made me feel like mine did and I am so grateful. Such a humble, talented, and lovely woman.

A big thank you to Jennifer Estep. Not only did she get up at the ugly crack of dawn to have coffee with me (and my fellow bloggers,) she listened to me as I detailed why I broke up with the hero of her series. She was patient and understanding as I went on and on about Owen and Gin like they were real people and I was taking sides in their dysfunctional relationship. Through it all, she sat there stoically and gently tried to explain why she wrote it that way. She's a real class act and a very nice lady.

Photo-bombing Jennifer Estep

Damon Suede

And last but not least, I still have my embarrassingly overwhelming crush on Damon Suede. It reared up every single time I saw him. He is just so damn funny and charming. I kept telling everyone around me, "I love him so much." And I do. (It's real, people! Even if he doesn't love me back.) He gave me a great, warm hug... and I think I am now even crazier about him than I was before.

There were so many other great authors who made an impression, like Jax Garren, Maire (pronounced Moira) Claremont, Kristen Callihan, Karina Cooper, Jaye Wells. Thank you to everyone for making my first RT a great one. I'll have more highlights from the con later in the week.

Maire Claremont

Review: Eternal Demon

2013-05-06T08:27:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

Oh Erion! When I first met you back in Eternal Kiss, I had no idea what a great hero you would make, but thanks to the end of Eternal Beast, I started this book more than ready for your story. Not only did the book deliver, but Erion is what really sold it for me.

As the story begins, our hero is desperate to recover his son, Ladd, who was stolen by the evil Cruen. Erion and his brother fled the twisted man who raised him and now Cruen is using the boy as leverage to draw Erion back into the fold. Instead, Erion kidnaps the women Cruen is betrothed to --and proposes a trade: her for Ladd.

Of course, when he abducted Hellen, Erion had no idea she was a powerful demon. Nor did he understand that her father was blackmailing her into the marriage. Despite the fact Hellen doesn't want her intended, she is determined to marry him. Her sisters' future depends on it. But when she goes into something like a sexual heat, she and Erion are unable to fight the growing attraction between them. From then on out, they are pulled between their personal desires and their need to protect the people they love.

Neither Erion nor Hellen has ever had anyone want or love them for who they are. One of my favorite parts of the book was watching them each feel love and acceptance for the first time. There is a great sexual tension between them, but even better for me was for each of them to find a home in the other. Both characters are noble and selfless, brave and loyal. It was impossible not to root for their HEA.

In the meantime, Synjon is back. He was the dear friend that Bronwyn was going to mate with in Lucian's book. If you recall, Cruen was responsible for the death of his true love and he is on a mission to make the man pay. (Eternal Beauty gives us a look at what he's been up to since we last saw him.) So he joins the Roman brothers and their mutore brethren to track him down. Poor Syn is just a shell of his former self, but Wright does a great job laying the foundation for his book.

I was really happy with how this story played out and was very satisfied with the ending. A must read for fans of the series.

Rating: B

*ARC Provided by Signet Eclipse

Click to purchase: Amazon

Eternal Demon
by Laura Wright
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Signet Eclipse

Review: Elizabeth's Wolf

2013-05-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

Lora Leigh veers a little from the formula of her Breeds books with this third installment. This time around, instead of a feline hero, we've got a Wolf Breed at the story's center. And that means a whole new bag of quirks for the relationship. Instead of a barb on his cock, Dash's dick makes a knot. And it's self lubricating (a handy tool when we get to the anal.)

But let me start with the actual plot. Dash is a military man with no family and no friends. He is nearly killed in the attack that wiped out his squad, but the words of a child pull him back from the brink. Little Cassie chose his name from a list at school and began writing him. The letters from the fragile child awaken his protective nature and soon, Dash begins to think of the girl and her mother as his. A very bad man is trying to steal Cassie, forcing her and her mom on the run. As soon as Dash recovers, he steps in to save them.

Elizabeth has had no one to rely on, ever since Cassie's father turned on her and tried to sell their child to a powerful criminal. When Dash first shows up, she is afraid to trust. But he proves himself over and over again, and soon she starts believing that he really can protect her and Cassie. It doesn't hurt that there is a massive attraction between them.

There is plenty of dirty sex in this book, but it comes much later than it did in the previous installments... maybe closer to the halfway point. And there is no mating frenzy; just good old horny sex. With a cock knot. Dash is an uber-possessive alpha, but he's also vulnerable because he has never had people in his life who he could love and would love him in return. I like that there was an emotional connection between him and Elizabeth that superseded the massive amount of sex.

Even though Dash comes from outside of the original Pride, the characters from earlier books are folded in, making it feel like a cohesive part of the series. I thought both of the leads were likeable and I appreciated how they filled a need for the other. It was still kind of over the top and a bit campy, but it wouldn't be a Breeds book otherwise. Still a guilty pleasure.

PS. If anyone can explain Cassie's fairy to me, I'd be much obliged.

Rating: B

Click to purchase: Amazon

Elizabeth's Wolf
by Lora Leigh
Release Date: June 3, 2005
Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Review: From Here to Eternity

2013-05-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

What a read! Talk about an interesting angle; Cuccaro blew me away. Considering that this is a short story, Cuccaro wisely used every word to convey the emotions and actions of her characters.

Waking up on what she thinks is a normal and mundane day, Rachel reads her own obituary then calls her husband with a single line "I’m dead." Nate, a researcher and the inventor of CYANAs is in love with his wife and will not be apart from her. He'll keep her by any means necessary.

Outside from the ethics of what makes us human; Cuccaro presented an interesting and fun story about love and what we, as humans, are willing do to for it. I’m not going to lie -- I had the same concerns that Rachel had about her new life and the decisions that were made on her behalf. But the rebuttal from sweet Nate are heartfelt and endearing. He made a good argument about what he’ll do to be by her side forever. The only thing I thought was missing was more from Nate as the story is told from Rachel’s perspective.

There was a nice good amount of intrigue and mystery to add a little something extra, both inside and outside of Rachel and Nate’s relationship. Even the bad guys aren’t the stereotypical neanderthals that you would expect to find. Overall, I enjoyed this read and look forward to more from this author.

Rating: B

*ARC provided by publisher for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

From Here to Eternity
by Paige Cuccaro
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Entangled

Review: Close Enough to Touch

2013-05-03T08:41:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Allison
  

Grace Barrett, makeup artiste extraordinaire, is running away. As she runs from her life in LA (and the ex boyfriend intent on making her life as miserable as possible), she runs to the only place she can find shelter, Jackson, WYO where her great-aunt lets her stay in an apartment building she owns. Although her aunt is quite prickly, she is grateful for the roof over her head...even if the floor is her mattress. Right off the bat, she meets her neighbor, Cole Rawlins - an honest to goodness cowboy. Even if the purple hair and dark makeup didn't scare him off, she figures eventually her personality will. It always does.

Cole is absolutely intrigued by his new next door neighbor. He's on the mend from a serious horse riding accident and she's a welcome distraction. Although he doesn't have the best memories of city girls, he can't help but be drawn to her. He loves her tough exterior but is convinced she's not as hard as she seems and each moment, no matter how fleeting, that he sees her vulnerability peek through, he falls even harder for her.

I adore Cole. He's been through so much and yet each day he chooses to be positive, chooses to believe that with hard work, his dreams have not escaped him yet. Plus - he's a sexy cowboy! Grace was another story, however. Talk about your tortured heroine. You can tell she's just had it really rough in life and after so many punches, you have a harder time rolling with them. Still, as much as I liked her and rooted for her, the darkness and constant self-berating was a bit much to read.

All in all, I still enjoyed the first book of Victoria Dahl's new series and look forward to reading the short stories in between before getting to Grace's BFF Merry's story! If you're looking for an emotional yet sexy read, check the Jackson Hole series out!

Grade: B+

Click to purchase: Amazon

Close Enough to Touch
by Victoria Dahl
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin HQN

Review: Platinum Promises

2013-05-02T08:37:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Shelly
  

In the past few years, I’ve stayed away from a lot of AA romances because in my twenty plus years of reading them I’d gotten so disgusted with the content I just stopped the majority except for a few favorites. I wouldn’t have even picked this one up but the cover caught my eye, understated yet compelling. Suffice it to say that this is my first story by this author and I was pleasantly surprised that both the content and the editing were spot on. Before I forget to tell you, this is part of a series. I didn’t confirm where in the series this falls but through my brilliant deduction I get the feeling that it’s the third.

Although being the youngest, not to mention being a fan of the ladies, Dexter Drake is a good looking, smart and educated young man. He’s done well in making a place for himself in his family’s business and has no intention of falling in love, much less marrying. Fresh from her doctoral duties in Haiti, Faye Buckner is back in the states to realize her dream of operating a free healthcare clinic in one of the more depressed areas in Southern California. These two were as cute a couple as I’ve read in a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing of Dexter and Faye’s relationship and thank goodness the ‘I love you’s’ were not thrown about too quickly either. My expectations of Faye because of her past and where I saw her going emotionally were pretty much met. So glad she wasn’t a clinging vine to Dexter. Instead she understood the game (thanks to some hard earned lessons) and didn’t play up to it at all. I can’t stand the whimpering heroines who just lose their ever loving minds. Whew, thanks for not going there, and well done, Day.

I was a little surprised that I found myself liking Dexter as much as I did. Typically, I’m not fond of playboys with more mouth than sense, so tickle me pink, because I liked Dexter with and without Faye. Yeah, he’s got a rep, but he’s a hardworking man who loves his family, especially his great-grandfather affectionately known as Papa Dee. The dynamics between Dexter and his Papa Dee worked so well that I found myself laughing out-loud at many of the conversations (or antics, take your pick) between the two.

Overall, this was a very entertaining read and I would definitely recommend if you’re just in need of a feel-good fix. The chemistry between Dexter and Faye was palpable and well written. The sex was hot, but keep in mind this is Harlequin, and they’re not explicit, so expect to read some fun and descriptive words -- love button, pearl, sword -- to name a few.

BONUS: My favorite scene, you can figure out for yourself what they’re doing

“Who does this belong to, huh?” Dexter’s words were punctuated by thrusts, long and deep. “Whose is this?”

“Yours,” Faye moaned.

“Say my name,” he demanded, his thrust more forceful, purposeful. In a sudden, unexpected move, he lifted her off him, sat her on the couch and stood behind her. Soon the heat of his sword was again felt inside her, and the dance resumed. “Say my name!”

Oh yeah - Happy Reading Folks!

Rating: B

*ARC provided by Harlequin via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Platinum Promises
by Zuri Day
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Kimani

Review: Beauty and the Blacksmith

2013-05-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

Oh Tessa Dare, you had me at "blacksmith." My only complaint about this fantastic little Spindle Cove novella is that is wasn't a full length book. I really enjoyed it. And for the record, it works easily as a standalone, even if you've never read from the series before.

Our heroine, Diana, is a gentlewoman, but she only has eyes for Aaron, the town smithy. For years, she has held a torch for him in silence, finding reasons to visit the forge --even if she has to break her own jewelry. Aaron is just as smitten as she is, but never dreamed there could be a chance for him with their difference in social station. But he's starting to realize there may be a reason for all of her visits. So he decides to take a chance and call her on it.

Diana doesn't admit her feelings immediately, but it doesn't take long. The story follows the two of them as they begin to spend more time together, to see if something more than a friendship can ever bloom between them.

I love the lady and the lower-class man trope. Especially when the heroine sees the value of her hero and never considers herself better than him. I loved how Aaron worried that he wasn't good enough, yet he did everything right. The romance was sweet, but it had solid sexual tension and a very satisfying payoff.

It was very good and I would definitely recommend.

Rating: B+

*ARC Provided Avon

Click to purchase: Amazon

Beauty and the Blacksmith
by Tessa Dare
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Avon

Review: Lord of Wicked Intentions

2013-04-30T08:51:00.000-05:00

Reviewed by Jen
  

I have to say that I have liked all three installments of the Lost Lords of Pembrook. And while this book wasn't my favorite of the three, I still enjoyed it. As with the books featuring his brothers, Rafe's story delivers on the recurring elements of a tortured hero and a love that helps him find peace and redemption.

Rafe is the youngest Easton brother, the one who was left behind in a workhouse after his uncle killed his father. His life there --and later, on the streets-- has turned him into a very hard man. He never got over his brothers' desertion and as a result, he has never allowed himself to care for anyone since. Add to that a severe aversion to being touched and he's not exactly a knight in shining armor.

He meets Evelyn when her jerkwad of a half-brother tried to auction her off to be a mistress for a nobleman. Rafe's not in the market for a mistress, but he is drawn to Eve and he can't bear the thought of her belonging to someone else. So he takes her for his own.

When Eve's brother set up the party that night, she thought he was trying to find her a husband. It wasn't until she was delivered to Rafe's door that she found out what was intended for her. And then she had a choice to make: give up her virtue or be turned out on the streets.

Before you get too mad at Rafe, know he never forces himself on her. He's not a fraction of the monster he thinks he is. Generally, I am all over the tortured hero with an underdeveloped sense of self-worth. And it wasn't that I disliked him, it's just there were times he was little too emo. On top of that, I wasn't really satisfied with explanation on the touching thing. I don't want to give it away, but his reaction seemed like it was perhaps an issue of a sexual nature. For what it turned out to be, claustrophobia would have been a more reasonable reaction than an aversion to hugs, sheets, or clothing.

All that being said, I did enjoy watching his losing battle with himself as he fought not to fall in love with Eve. How he lies to himself about his feelings from the very beginning. It's easy to see why he connects with Eve. He empathizes with her plight; he knows what it's like to be left with only horrible choices to survive. Yet she doesn't break. In fact, she becomes someone he can lean on. (The sexy times are really good too.)

We're treated to time spent with the couples from the previous books, which I liked. But this can easily work as a standalone.

Rating: B

*ARC Provided by Avon

Click to purchase: Amazon

Lord of Wicked Intentions
by Lorraine Heath
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Avon