Long and Short Romance Reviews

Christmas on Wherever Island by Amber Polo

2009-11-20T04:06:00.006-05:00

Christmas on Wherever Island by Amber Polo
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Paranormal
Length: Short (67 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Fennel

Marti Bell is facing the prospect of a very unmerry Christmas. Reluctantly leaving her married lover, she travels toward ice, snow, and judgmental family until a magic Santa sends her to a surprise destination in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Wherever Island would be paradise, except the only place to stay is the beachside cottage of gorgeous globetrotting photographer Cliff Holmes. Cliff wants to unwind and treat Marti to a little romantic Caribbean Christmas fun but she’s determined to stay in the warm ocean and out of hot water.

For some Christmas is magical. All they want is the love of their family surrounding them. The gifts, the shopping, the weather all adds to that magic, while for others…

Well let’s say for many others Christmas emphasizes the opposite. It magnifies the aloneness. Shopping becomes a chore; nit-picking relatives are a penance to be endured, and office parties something to avoid at all costs, as are well meaning and genuine friends who offer invitations to join them for the festivities. But some offers are too good to turn down, and her lover, Ben Clawson’s offer to drive her to the airport was too good for Marti to turn down.

So, nothing unusual in that, perhaps. But not everything is what it seems. A missed plane connection forces Marti to make a choice and when, indifferently, she says ‘wherever’ the booking clerk takes her seriously.

Out of hurt anger and humiliation rises a new tomorrow, one unforeseen, full of wishful dreams that fall into place in the most unusual; circumstances.

Cliff Holmes is a man haunted by his past and he scurries back to his favourite retreat to await his Christmas companion. When, due to an accident, she fails to show, Cliff discovers the magic of Wherever Island has not finished with him yet.

Can Marti and Cliff let go of their past enough to recognise the potential of their future? Read this charming Christmas story to find out.

Keeper of My Heart by Therese M. Travis

2009-11-20T04:03:00.005-05:00

Keeper of My Heart by Therese M. Travis
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Genre: Recent Historical, Inspirational
Length: Short (77 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Orange Blossom

A bitter heiress refuses to trust man or God...until a faithful veterinarian challenges her beliefs. Determined to keep her heart safe from betrayal, Rebecca denies both God and the man who calls to her, certain his love can never be true enough to bring her back to her faith and a future with him. Adam is equally entranced, but Rebecca's denial of faith proves a deterrent to pursuing a relationship with her. But now that Rebecca has taken a job in Adam's animal clinic, an attraction that neither one believes can work begins to grow.

With Ms. Travis’ inviting prose and interesting description, it didn’t take much to get me into this story.

I found the writing style refreshing. The author describes the scene so well you can see, feel and hear every part. However, the 1930’s setting didn’t come across very distinctly though the author brings up the Depression and some of the effects. The character’s dialogue and internal monologue seemed too contemporary.

Rebecca Gresham is the townie and Adam McCormack the newbie (and veterinarian) to the small community of Haven Falls, VA. Though this is less than a full length novel, the story progresses naturally. I enjoyed seeing how Rebecca agrees to help out in Adam’s new clinic and eventually opens her heart to the sweet doctor. It’s inspiring to read an Inspirational romance with a hero strong in his faith and how he assists the heroine on her path to finding God—or in this case making up with Him.

It’s a short sweet romance, something akin to Grace Livingston Hill who wrote at the time this story takes place. Enjoyable and lovely. Keeper of My Heart is a ‘keeper’ indeed.

Forever Amore by Amber Leigh Williams

2009-11-20T04:00:00.010-05:00

Forever Amore by Amber Leigh Williams
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing
Genre: WWII Historical Romance
Length: Full (251 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Was their love destined to last forever …

Engaged in a brutal dogfight, dashing American Lieutenant Charles Tyler crashes his broken plane into the Italian countryside. He prays for divine intervention—and is certain he’s found an angel from the very moment he looks up at Lucille Renaldi’s lovely face. Yet how can he be with her when his sense of duty tells him to stay away?

… or become another casualty of war?

Lucille’s attraction to the American is forbidden, her obligation to her family’s safety overwhelming. At great peril the Renaldis carry Charles from the crash site and disguise him as just another worker in their vineyard. Hidden there inside the ugliness of World War II is the beauty of a growing love, and a danger that could end their lives any day—when all they want is … forever.

Amber Leigh Williams’ ‘Forever Amore’ is a dynamic war-time romance novel. The love of the two main characters, Lieutenant Charles Tyler and Lucille Renaldi is wonderful, frank, and exciting. Almost from the start, we get to know them as real, believable people with many concerns and responsibilities, but we see that potential there. When it seems possible, we are then all too aware of the difficulties, too.

Making him especially human is the Lieutenant’s camaraderie with his buddies in the early pages, and the natural dialogue. Meeting Lucille has an enormous impact on him. And then, of course, it is the age-old story of forbidden love, with the ensuing heartbreak, self-doubt or blame, and the struggle to make with their own perceptions.

One of the nicest things about this is, in this case, it is the main characters’ own sense of duty, or propriety that provides the chief barrier. They are both extremely likable and engage reader sympathies at once. Perhaps, most touching is the efforts of everyday people – and the risks they take – to protect someone who is not even their own. There is both desperation, and determination. We feel very clearly the terror of invasion, the potential loss of family or home. The events here make the people who lived and struggled in World War II seem a finer sort than ordinary humanity. Through all this fear they still reached out to help someone else. We do know such tales have a basis in fact. This makes this story, this lovely romance, all the more moving.

The two main characters dominate the narrative, but secondary characters are well-presented although in some cases stereotypical. There is also a most unexpected villain (as if a war wasn’t enough to deal with!) However, this interaction makes the story all the less predictable. There are so many scenes worth noting, that I fear this would become novel in its discussion. Suffice to say this features everything From dogfights to intimacy, love to desperation.

“Mountains rear toward the heavens…” Williams has a particularly poetic turn of phrase and has brought the romantic back to romance. The wonderful visuals her words create and pace of the story give this an overall aura that is heartwarming. Our sympathies are engaged at once, and if feels as if we have stepped back in time and see these events first hand. I must give this a best book, as the rating sheet goes no higher. Mark this a must-read.

Eureka Springs by Annette Snyder

2009-11-20T04:00:00.009-05:00

Eureka Springs by Annette Snyder
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full (222 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Camellia

With an excuse of managing inherited property, Ruth Seidle runs from her ruined reputation. She vows to begin a new life without married men, undisclosed lies or destroyed friendships. Who knew her choices include so much of her hidden past?

John Vickers buries a history of adultery the day he lays his unfaithful wife to rest and, with his infant daughter in tow, begins life in a better direction void of betrayal and deceit. Can he overlook the past to view the positive side of a bad situation and build a better future for his family?

When Ruth crashes into John’s life, can she gain faith in her own devices and be the person she promised? Can John put previous experience aside and trust the best is possible even when his heart’s involved?

Gossip and adultery create a bubbling cauldron of hurt. In a small town like Eureka Springs, Florida, the cauldron simmers and at times boils over. In 1947, people were moving from wartime to a more prosperous time with tremendous social changes, but sexual harassment was still alive and well in the workplace, especially for single women.

Ruth Seidle, determined to change her life after messing it up royally from the time she graduated high school until the death of her married lover, plans to move from a small town in Nebraska to New York City and live in anonymity so small-town gossip can never hurt her again. However, she must first settle her Aunt Virginia’s estate in Eureka Spring, a small town in Florida. Before she knows it, she is embroiled in gossip once again.

John Vickers, a widower and father of adorable little Gretchen, had a special connection with Aunt Virginia. And he knows the ways of Eureka Springs, his hometown. He is comfortable with himself and his life style. However, when Ruth comes to town, he realizes he wants her in his life. As obstacles pile up to thwart their building a relationship, John overcomes most of them, but seeing Ruth in another man’s embrace is too much. He rejects her, breaking both his and Ruth’s hearts. Little Gretchen helps him find his way back to love.

Annette Snyder gives the reader an excellent glimpse into the morals of society, the quest for material gain and social position that flourished after World War II. She also gives a glimpse into Aunt Virginia’s life, a heartfelt love story of a single woman.

When Ruth and John finally recognize the wisdom of Aunt Virginia’s saying, “Love who your heart tells you to”, they begin to move in a positive direction toward the future rather than being mired in the past with all its mistakes.

Gossip and the damage it can do are ever present in this story of people finding their way to happiness in a unique time of history.

Hot Property by Lacey Diamond

2009-11-19T04:06:00.006-05:00

Hot Property by Lacey Diamond
Publisher: Awe-Struck Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short (134 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Betsy Alexander rides a Harley to blow off steam after stressful work days peddling real estate in a soft market. She desperately needs a motorcycle ride after her first encounter with the arrogant hunk Skylar Blakewood. Then to find out the real estate developer snatched up the land she'd planned for her dream house and a hillside of Christmas trees, knocks her off her sturdy footing, literally.

Hot Property brings us into a fast paced world of immediate emotion, snap decisions, and two strong minded individuals. Betsy and Skylar share a certain outlook; they know what they want(and Like,) they are both used to achieving, and more importantly, both trust their own judgment. The interesting twist is that in both cases, we kind of hope their judgment is flawed… surely all men can’t be as unreliable as Betsy so sternly believes. Skylar wavers between enigmatic and rude, at times with no clear reason, but we do understand that he’s a self-made man, beyond tough, and with his eye constantly on the bottom line. In spite of all that, their attraction to one another is powerful and electric and totally believable. It is that attraction that carries all the reader’s hopes, and moves the plot forward.

From their first touch – a hot tingly handshake, the underlying sexual tension begins to play a role in the story, as well. And it’s frustrating! When Skylar invites her to dinner and Betsy refuses, readers will find themselves shouting, ‘What?? Are you Crazy?’ There are a myriad of moments exactly like that.

Loads of small details fill out this story. The background of real estate and Skylar’s development is just right, never overdone. There are some fun character details, like Betsy’s Hog (motorcycle) and the fact that Skylar’s ancient pick-up is coincidentally named ‘Old Betsy.’ The great point here is that details remain background and never intrude into this very focused story. Attraction and resultant frustration are the chief emotions. This is a quick and engaging read.

Pumpkinnapper by Linda Banche

2009-11-19T04:06:00.004-05:00

Pumpkinnapper by Linda Banche
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Regency Historical, holiday
Length: Short (75 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Orange Blossom

Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled, and a jealous goose. Oh my!

Last night someone tried to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe's pumpkins. She's certain the culprit is her old childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.

Henry, Baron Grey has never forgotten the girl he loved, but couldn’t pursue, and so decides to catch Emily's would-be thief. Even after she reveals his childhood nickname--the one he would rather forget. And even after her jealous pet goose bites him in an embarrassing place.

Oh, the things a man will do for love.

It's a Regency era All Hallows Eve tale full of hilarity, a dashing hero and a darling heroine, a nuisance of a goose and possibly a spirit or two. What’s not to like?

This novella opens with a hilarious scene as the lovely Emily Browne Metcalf openly accuses Henry, Baron of Grey of being a Pumpkinapper. ‘Whatever is a pumpkin anyway?’ he wonders. And how is a gentleman to disagree with a lady—a lady he’d not forgotten since his youth.

Pumpkinnapper may be a funny tale on the surface, but it’s a reunion love story (my favorite kind). The emotions and passions are already there. They only beg to be stirred up until they come surging to the surface. Emily and Henry (or Hank) were an absolute joy to read. Obviously meant to be together, their interaction is witty and smart. I found the pages whisked by far faster than I realized.

Ms. Banche writes in a lovely style utilizing many Regency era phrases in her dialogue that made it realistic and believable. Totally cute and enjoyable from beginning to end. It is escapist literature at its best. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of the Pumpkinnapper. It may be a short lively read but the characters and writing will stay with you long after the end.

Krysta's Curse by Tara West

2009-11-19T04:03:00.006-05:00

Krysta's Curse by Tara West
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: YA Paranormal
Length: Full (155 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Orange Blossom

Everything about Krysta Richards is wrong, from her short height to her unmanageable hair. Her ability to talk to spirits doesn’t help things, either. Her physical flaws don’t seem to matter to Bryon, her lab partner. Just as the chemistry between them is about to ignite, a homicide detective asks her to summon a murder victim, her drunk father suddenly takes an interest in her life and her dead friends enlist her in a crusade to save their decrepit cemetery. She dreams of gracing the cover of Cosmo, but if she can't get her life back to normal, she’ll be labeled the poster child for Weirdo.

I love YA fiction. Especially if it has great humor and tone. And that's exactly was you get in Krysta's Curse. I was familiar with Ms. West's work before beginning this book but this was the first I'd actually read any of her books. And I'm glad I did. It was enjoyable from beginning to end.

Krysta's Curse is that she can see the dead. She can talk to them and they can talk back. The dead have this uncanny ability to find her and sometimes they have requests. Things that they want her to do that she really doesn't want to do. Things that mess with her personal life. But really what choice does she have? I really loved the old ghostly couple Krysta does her best to help throughout the story. They definitely made me chuckle.

This is the 3rd book in Ms. West’s Whispers series. And though I hadn’t read the first two books in the series, I was able to enjoy and follow this book about Krysta without a problem. The author does mention events that had taken place previously in the other books to help fill in the gaps. You see, Krysta’s two close friends have supernatural powers too. To find out more about them, you have to read the two previous books.

The object of Krysta’s affection and her lab partner, Bryon Thomas, gets wrapped up in her crazy life as well. With things so screwed up, she doesn’t know if they’ll ever get together. Bryon is great though. He has his issues and he has his flaws too. And who isn’t attracted to a gorgeous guy with a drama-filled life?

Due to the subject matter and eerieness in certain scenes (as an adult I was even weirded out), I wouldn't necessarily suggest this book for young teens (or tweens) or for families who don't approve of paranormal reading material. Having said that, Krysta’s Curse was an enjoyable YA book. The writing was fun and quick paced, the characters drawn realistic just like the kids town the street. I especially enjoyed the interaction between the three girls as well as that of Krysta and her dad. I just hope we find out more about Krysta’s other parent in another book one day. Well worth the read.

Dreamed Destiny by Courtney Breazile

2009-11-19T04:00:00.008-05:00

Dreamed Destiny by Courtney Breazile
Publisher: Devine Destinies
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short (28 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 3 Books
Reviewed by Vervain

Kayla goes to Hawaii looking for an escape from her divorce and impending thirtieth birthday. She gets an awakening of a gift of dreamed foresight her grandmother claimed to have, and Kayla had always shunned. When Kayla dreams of her destined lover, she desperately wants to harness this newfound gift. But can she use what she has ignored for so long ignored? If she finds him, will she be able to claim him, or has she strayed so far from her destined path that her dreamed ending will never come true?

Kayla is visiting her long-time friend, Shelly, when her dreams begin. She’s never believed in her grandmother’s tales of dreamed destinies, but she wishes her dream lover were real.

The author gave just enough description and background on this part of the story to draw me in without overdoing the backstory. Then, once Kayla arrives in Hawaii, the story shoots into light speed. Tyrone, Kayla’s dream lover, turns out to be real. The added conflict that occurs at this point is great, but I wish the author had slowed the resolution a little. I think it could have been prolonged a little bit -– even in a short story.

All of the characters, main and secondary, were nicely developed. We receive a decent amount of back story on them, making them seem realistic and quite likeable. The overall plot was nicely developed, but could have been tweaked a tiny bit in one or two places.

Dreamed Destiny is a quick, but satisfying read. It’s a sensual romance that will bring a smile to your face and proves that love truly does conquer all.

The House of Wacks by Denise Gwen

2009-11-18T04:09:00.008-05:00

The House of Wacks by Denise Gwen
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Young Adult
Length: Full (218 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Orchid

Little did Jordan Meadows realize, when Dad insisted she get a job, it would turn out to be such an amazing summer! Who would have guessed that all her eyebrow, bikini, and leg waxes at Tranquility Spa would pay off as job experience? Working behind the scenes on the set of House of Wax IX: Return of the Revengenator, she becomes the go-to girl for paraffin wax. Then she meets Keith Charles, a band nerd from her high school. Between draping his freckled arms with wax and making sure he looks extra clotty, she’s stunned to find herself falling in love with someone outside her own clique. As filming and the summer draw to a close, she’s a changed girl, for sure. She's made friends with people she never would have associated with at North High School, but what about her friends, the awesome foursome? Should she break up with Keith, since he’s not a member of her exclusive, inner circle? Or is it time to branch out and make new friends?

"You, young lady, are getting a job."

These were not the words Jordan Meadows wanted to hear at the beginning of the summer holidays, but her father was adamant. The National Bank of Daddikins was closed. If Jordan wanted money to spend, she had to earn it.

Jordan doesn't realize this summer will push her onto the first step of the ladder to adulthood. A Hollywood film crew hits town and hires high school kids as extras and crew for the making of their B horror movie. To her delight Jordan is hired as part of the make-up crew. Her interest in the job makes her start to question her usual way of life. It also brings her into contact with two boys she wouldn't have condescended to speak to at school.

Most of the pupils at Jordan's school come from reasonably well off families. Keith, one of the theatre geeks from school, is working as an extra and Jordan becomes friendly with him and friendship builds into attraction for each other. The other boy is Ned, a loner who everyone at school makes fun of. By the end of the summer Jordan is forced to choose between her new friends and her closest friends girlfriends who now seem a little shallow. Her choice will affect her life in the new school year.

The House of Wacks is a very entertaining book. This is a story of a teenager on the brink of womanhood who is forced to realize money is not hers for the taking. She is brought face to face with people who have to work for a living and acquaintances from school who are less popular than the clique of four she belongs to. Jordan's first paycheck gives her an unexpected sense of achievement at having earned the money herself. Jordan begins to question herself and her outlook on life. Is she really as shallow as people think she is?

I loved the way the author showed us inside a modern teenage girl's thoughts. Jordan thinks of herself as a good person, and the reader is able to watch the doubts building inside. Inside she is as vulnerable as the next person. Jordan also learns the difference between loving, caring parents and those who try to buy their children's love.

The only thing I couldn't understand was the title of the book. Why The House of Wacks? The film at the center of the book takes place in a waxwork museum. I thought at first the "Wacks" referred to wacky people, but there didn't seem to be anybody who fitted this description. Some of the characters were spoilt, nerdy and geeky and others thought a lot of themselves but Wacky? No.

This aside, the book is a very enjoyable read. I think it would be enjoyed by young adults and adults as both would get a different type of pleasure from the story about teenage life and romance.

Hope and Prey by Sharon Horton

2009-11-18T04:06:00.007-05:00

Hope and Prey by Sharon Horton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Length: Full (383 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Camellia

A date with destiny isn't what Kurt Reid has in mind the night he enters the "alley of convenience" he uses to meet informants. Yet destiny is what he finds in the crumpled form of a young woman. Kurt approaches slowly, and moments later he finds himself lying flat on his back. Kurt has just met Andrea "AJ" Summers, someone he senses is no ordinary woman.

Lovely and likable, AJ possesses other qualities that some see as dangerous. She's smart, brave, and very good with a gun. And though she tries to deny it, AJ admires, in Kurt, the same quality she possesses...fierce independence.

When AJ joins the underground newspaper Kurt works with, they soon learn that one of the criminals they are seeking is hunting AJ. Can they overcome their independent natures and learn to love and protect each other?

Men in black, some doing good and some doing evil, frequent dark alleys in the city.

A. J. Summers is one of these men’s prey and another of these men’s hope, even though she feels alone since the death of her parents and brother. A. J., having been absent from her homeland for many years, returns planning to be inconspicuous. She wants to live in peace. Past experiences haunt her. Placed in a situation at too early an age and then used as a scapegoat when things went wrong, she bears emotional and physical scars that influence many of her actions. A survivor with unique talents, A. J. is a strong heroine that suffers but continues to hope and work for a happy-ever-after.

Kurtis Reid, dresses in black and lives with lots of black memories. He is a man of mystery with his clandestine comings and goings that are expected an accepted by those who know him. His rescuing A. J. from a dark alley sets in motion events that make HOPE AND PREY an intriguing story about old atrocities and new evils. Driven by a strong sense of right and wrong, Kurt creates his own personal hell at times and threatens to sabotage his future happiness.

The secondary characters add tension, humor, friendship, duplicity, and cruelty to make the story come alive. The antagonist and traitor are smart and driven by their own desires, making them dangerous adversaries for A. J., Kurt, and their cohorts.

HOPE AND PREY is a riveting story. Sharon Horton grabs the reader’s attention from page one and takes her on a journey with many twists and turns that go from dark alleys, to the ocean, and to pristine, snow-covered mountains, from fear and desperation to a phenomenal love and hope for the hope. Some real surprises in this one!

A Knight of Passion by Ingela F. Hyatt

2009-11-18T04:03:00.008-05:00

A Knight of Passion by Ingela F. Hyatt
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full (207 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Bittersweet

He is a desperate prisoner escaped from the dungeons and she is his beautiful and daring captive.

It was only three months ago when I, Lord Reynard Devin de Fauconer, learned of my father’s death, making me Baron Rothwell. When I returned to the family castle after a five year absence, I certainly did not expect to find my cousin, Sir Garron, sitting in my stead, having stolen my identity. Then to imprison me in the darkest hole of my own dungeon, accused of the most vile treachery. And yet I cannot blame him for his perfidy, for truly it was I who killed Maggie of Maidwell – his woman. I fear my actions, my desires brought about her death. After this tragic incident I vowed never to touch another woman – gentle or baseborn.

However all is not lost – with the aid of a loyal servant I escaped the dungeon. I must tell you that during my flight I stumbled upon the most exquisite creature. Even half dead as I was, I could not resist the desire to kiss those lush lips. But what happened next was most unexpected – the lovely girl took it upon herself to sneak me from the castle, away from Garron’s grasp. It was then I realized the spirited beauty was none other than Lady Rianna de Termonde, my own betroth, come to marry the imposter Baron Rothwell! The thought of him touching her, kissing her, makes my blood boil. And so I have done the unthinkable – I have kidnapped her.

We’ve been racing across England for several weeks now, eluding Sir Garron’s men and battling brigands intent upon killing me and stealing her. But I wonder if I am deluding myself. Rianna believes me to be Baron Rothwell’s cousin, and I have not dissuaded her from this belief, using it as a shield to protect her. But I tell you honestly, I do not know how much longer I can resist the passions brewing between us. There is something about her which touches me in a way I have never felt before. Should I reveal my true identity to her? Confess my darkest secret? Or will my love bring about the death of yet another woman? I seek your wise counsel in this matter.

Desperately Yours,
(the true) Baron Rothwell

Take some bravery, courtesy, gallantry, valor, dexterity in arms, then add romance, and you come up with “A Knight of Passion”, a tale of true chivalry.

Filling the pages with questions that demand answering: why did he take the young woman? Did he really kill Maggie? Why did she rescue him?, Ms. Hyatt easily hooked me from page one.

Creating fantastic descriptions, like for example the one on page fifteen that also made me want to see what hid under that river, Ms. Hyatt only fails in one thing: repetition. Expressions like “honeyed hollow”, “it would burst through his braes”, “his need” or “through his veins”, are repeated over and over in the story, even when the point has been made across.

Also, the passing of time seems a bit awkward, but it can be easily overlooked since it doesn’t really interfere with the story.

Great characters, true to the times, (Rianna can seem a bit too maiden in distress, but it is as it should be in a tale of these characteristics), “A Knight of Passion”, is a sweet, romantic and sizzling story of medieval times.

The only interrogation I had left after a quick and enthralling read was: Ms. Hyatt, will we be hearing Garron’s story any time soon?

Love to Stake Another Day: Love Bites Book 2 by J. Morgan

2009-11-18T04:00:00.008-05:00

Love to Stake Another Day: Love Bites Book 2 by J. Morgan
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short (136 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Orchid

Lyssette Ravell finds herself smack dab in the middle of a mess her brother started. When a new threat surfaces to threaten the Vampire/Human alliance recently set in place, she finds herself teamed with Kristain Marshall, who just so happens to be her almost brother-in-law.

Sent to rescue her brother Eli from the clutches of Rudolpho's daughter Valerious, Lyssette finds more than she bargained for. There's a traitor on the Vampire Council. Now, Lyssette must save her brother, root out this traitor and at the same time avoid at all cost falling in love with Kristain, the one man who could make her forget all the vows she's ever taken as an agent of the VCI.

This second book in the Love Bites series is as funny, intriguing and captivating as the first book.

Love to Stake Another Day continues where the first book left off, but soon takes a swift turn onto its own path. The story is told by Lisette, a vampire and agent of the VCI. She and Kristain, a human Slayer, are thrown together when the human / vampire alliance sends them to rescue Lisette's younger brother, Eli. Valerious, a vampire traitor who is definitely on the wrong side of sanity, has kidnapped Eli. Lisette and Kristain fly to Egypt but Valerious always seems to be one step ahead of them.

Their journey takes them to an ancient underground temple where they unexpectedly meet priests who are so old they have become dangerously childlike. Miles of endless desert must be crossed before they can confront Valerious in her own lair. Unfortunately the main aim of Valerious is to kill Kristain. Lisette realizes she has fallen in love with the human and does everything she can to protect him.

The emotions and interaction between Kristain and Lisette are easy to follow. Both of them use humor to its full advantage, sometimes to cover emotions—at other times as a twist on words. Of course introducing a human to ancient vampires causes a lot of hilarity too, especially when they think he is a blood tribute. Reading the story from the vampire point of view gave more insight into their history and their interaction with humans during their long lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Despite being the second book of the Love Bites series, Love to Stake Another Day is a story in itself and does not rely on the reader having read the first book. However I would warn that if you read this book, you will enjoy it so much the first book of the series will be next on your wish list.

J. Morgan has not convinced me to become a fan of other books of the paranormal genre, but I would definitely like to read more of the Love Bites series.

Emmy's Song by Christy Trujillo

2009-11-17T04:09:00.010-05:00

Emmy's Song by Christy Trujillo
Publisher: Devine Destinies
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult
Length: Full (233 pages)
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Asphodel

Life is good for eighteen-year-old Emellia Ortega! Not many teenagers can say that, but Emmy isn't your average teenager. On the fast track to making her dreams come true, she has her sights set on a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and nothing can stop her. Nothing, that is, except Cale Cruz.

With perfect pitch and unbelievable good looks, he quickly weaves his way into the hearts of everyone around him. Drawn to him with an intensity she cannot explain, Emmy soon finds out that Cale has a secret. He is Maldito, half-human, half-vampire and has returned to seek revenge on the vampires that slaughtered his family. Thrust deep into a world she never knew existed, Emmy will risk everything she has worked for to join Cale in his fight as tragedy slowly tears her perfect world apart.

When a link between their past is discovered, fate's perfect plan begins to spin a web around them stronger than anyone could have imagined. Together they tackle impossible situations, fight impossible battles, and embark on an impossible journey that will change both of their lives.

"Bienaventurados los malditos porque son los únicos que pueden salvarnos." Blessed are the cursed for they are the only ones who can save us.

"Blessed are the cursed, for they are the only ones who can save us" is the quote that begins the Maldito series. This quote won't actually make much sense until much further into the story however, but I found it very intriguing, just as I found this book. This is a somewhat different take on the whole vampire craze effecting the literary world (young adult or otherwise), drawing inspiration from an old Spanish legend.

Music plays an important role throughout the better part of the book. From the song that plays in Emmy's dreams, to the music she listens to, music a heavy component in her life. She wants to be a music therapist and is working hard for it. Obviously, as this is a book, you can't hear the music itself, but Trujillo chooses to highlight several songs that will be familiar to most and a few less well known songs. After the halfway point, music takes a backstage to the true drama, but for the first half we learn about Emmy's moods depending on what song is playing in the back of her brain.

Feisty, Emmy speaks her mind most of the time, accepting everyone and cheering people up just by being who she is. Some of this is explained later on, but I think it had a lot to do with her personality. She came off as being very sincere, even when wishing her best friend Sarah luck at scoring a date with Cale, the guy that Emmy has found herself reluctantly crushing on. She is jealous, which is natural, but mostly she wants her friend to be happy. As the novel progressed she became a little more uncertain of herself, but given the circumstances I understood that fine.

Cale is a very mysterious guy for the first half of the book. Always smiling, always watching Emmy, always seeming to be there, Emmy isn't sure if she's flattered, irritated or pissed off by the attention. We learn about his history in bits and pieces, from a variety of sources, and he definitely screams 'smooth customer'. Then something tragic happens and the world is turned upside down while he scrambles to figure things out. I liked him better after the tragedy honestly. He came off as being much more genuine and less cocksure of himself.

Chris was the most confusing part of the entire novel for me. Most of the time he acted like a jealous boyfriend, or disgruntled old man. He was hot and cold throughout the novel, changing emotions so quickly I often had to re-read things to make sure I didn't miss anything. And I'm still not certain he's on the level honestly.

The romance between Emmy and Cale began hot, simmered for a little while and then erupted full steam. There was reluctance on both their parts, for different reasons, but once they got over those hurdles they quickly made up for lost time. Too quickly in my opinion, as it felt like they were moving so fast and committed to things so rapidly that it was hard to take it seriously. Its not that I doubted they didn't feel so deeply, its more that the development seemed to be put on the backburner after the two admitted they couldn't stay away from each other. There was tension.

The story itself reads a little unevenly, some of the transitions being rough and some characters, Chris in particular, had a misleading characterization. How he regarded Cale by the end wasn't such a big surprise, everything in between however was tangled and muddled. The 'bad guys' were also kind of one-note and throw aways, without much fleshing out beyond the fact that Emmy is important to them.

Emmy's Song was an intriguing beginning to what the author says will be a trilogy. It answers most of the questions presented throughout, but opens the gates to more exploration later. It leaves me wanting to read the next book, which is of course always a good sign.

Noella's Gift by Donica Covey

2009-11-17T04:06:00.007-05:00

Noella's Gift by Donica Covey
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short (59 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Fennel

A disillusioned cop, and a bitter woman. Can a little girl take the bah-humbug out of their holiday?

There is little that is unexpected in Noella's Gift, but it is the way Donica Covey creates her hero and heroine and present's them that make's this an intriguing tale. I think it is safe to say that in most contemporary romances we accept there are two main characters, but in this story there are three. And Noella is the third.

There is a saying that the loneliest place to be is in the middle of a crowd. Well for many Christmas is not the joyful celebration of happy memories most people assume it is, and in Noella's Gift we have both Holly Harper and Jaxon Cole, who, for reasons unexplained, would prefer to forget its existence.

Holly's solution is avoidance, and Jax's is work, and Noella's... is a Christmas gift beyond price.

With the description of the attic and Holly's childhood bedroom Ms Covey portrays the stark difference between Holly's past and her present attitude to life. And she uses the same theme to open Jax's eyes to the reality his life has become.

You can't help but fall in love with Holly, Jax and Noella and I thoroughly enjoyed this short story.

Honorable Intentions by Margo Hoornstra

2009-11-17T04:03:00.009-05:00

Honorable Intentions by Margo Hoornstra
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (289 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Fennel

Former cop Samantha Wells is the last person single dad Chase Canfield wants chaperoning his young, impressionable daughter. Not if she's the same beautiful stranger who shamelessly came on to him with all the promise of unfulfilled passion, making her impossible to forget.

Samantha must prove to Chase she's a competent, trustworthy professional. That the sultry seductress he knew was only a pretense, her misguided alter ego acting on a stupid dare.

To save her reputation, she has to make him believe the mind blowing kisses and undeniable connection they shared meant nothing.

The hard part will be convincing herself.

Instant attraction, denials, and misunderstanding laced with a liberal helping of a bitchy ex wife and her scheming husband ensure there’s plenty of emotion on every page of this story. Add to the mix a beguiling daughter whose growth throughout the story endears her to Ms Hoornstra’s readers and character’s alike.

Samantha Wells lends new meaning to stubborn. Her return to work starts with an obnoxious phone call from the work-colleague from hell, gloating over her new assignment -- information he shouldn’t be privy to. His challenge to her to ‘get a life’ hit a raw note, and lit a fuse to an emotional rocket that threatened to go berserk, so when she ran into Chase Canfield in her favourite coffee shop and sparks flew, she decided to go for it.

When Chase Canfield discovers his daughter’s new bodyguard is the same woman who’d come on to him earlier disillusionment and anger set in. How can he trust the woman, with morals that equal an alley-cat's, to look after his most precious treasure, his daughter?

The list of characters are mixed and varied and each propels their scene forward lending pace and energy to her main characters. With two such strong main characters, you may be forgiven for thinking their immediate supporting cast could not do them justice. Chase’s daughter Lisa blossoms beneath the new environment that Samantha brings to their lives, and just when you think everything is working out splendidly up pops the bitchy ex again with one more challenge.

Every page is packed with emotion and action, and this is a story you will find hard to put down, once you’ve read the first page.

Three Hearts by Sue Perkins

2009-11-17T04:00:00.005-05:00

Three Hearts by Sue Perkins
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short (88 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Lavender

Travis Denton's arrival in New Zealand throws Darcy Farrell's life into turmoil. She's never met the man, so why does he dislike her so much?

Travis states he is the father of her eight year old niece Brooke. He initially tries to prove Darcy is an unsuitable guardian. His failure makes him more determined to get custody of the child and take her to America. Darcy is worried Travis might disappear overseas with the child. She makes a difficult decision. She must do what's best for Brooke.

Her choice brings her into close contact with Travis, which creates a problem when she becomes attracted to him!

Three Hearts is a delightful story and aptly named due to the main characters. The title fits perfectly. The hunky American Travis Denton finds out after eight years that he has a young daughter, Brooke, and he goes from California to New Zealand to meet her for the first time. He doesn’t expect to fall for her aunt Darcy who has taken care of Brooke since she was born, when her mother died.

Three Hearts is filled with tender emotion and realistic reactions to a tense situation. Darcy loves her niece so much and doesn’t want to lose her. The discovery that her sister’s child has a known father, coming to claim her and take her from Darcy forever is heartbreaking to her. She resents Travis’s entry into their lives. Travis is a good man though, with the best of intentions. He’s quite charming as is his spunky little daughter.

This well-written tale will touch you and keep you engaged as these three characters interact in an entertaining unfolding of events. There’s even a jerk in the story that you’ll truly dislike, adding an extra little bit to the adventure.

There was one aspect I found slightly annoying. As likeable as Darcy is, she kept giving Travis a hard time, even when he made the effort to do right by her. She’s a good character, but I wish she would have been a little nicer to Travis all along the way. However, this was a great little story, obviously written by an experienced writer. I’d recommend it.

Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell

2009-11-16T04:09:00.007-05:00

Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Fantasy
Length: Full (358 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Hibiscus

The underwater kingdom is his as soon as he claims his queen…Rod Tritone has the looks and charm to snag any queen he wants for his Mer kingdom, but unfortunately, it's not up to him. As fate would have it, the one woman destined to rule with him is terrified of water…

She lives in land-locked Kansas and has no idea she's a princess…Valerie Dumere thinks Rod is gorgeous and irresistible—but why does he keep insisting she has another side to herself that only he can show her?

Somehow, Rod has to prove to her who she really is. But when she finds out the truth, will she ever forgive him?

Rod Tritone, heir to the throne of the undersea world, needs a queen capable of ruling the oldest kingdom on earth. Someone regal, learned and of noble birth. Problem is, the only eligible noble-born Mer princess is half-Human - and she doesn't have a clue about the non-Human part.

Valerie Dumere has screwed up her life at every turn, so when her mother dies and leaves her the family business, Val realizes it's up to her to buckle down and get her life on track. No more excuses.

So when a guy shows up claiming to be her destiny, she scoffs. No way. She isn't running away from her responsibilities ever again - no matter how good the guy looks without a shirt.

But Rod isn't going away. He can't claim his inheritance without her - and Val will lose hers if she goes with him.

It's going to take one whale of a tale to get her to chuck it all and follow him off into the wild blue under...

Think of The Little Mermaid on land, then mix in a good portion of Enchanted. That is what I found in Wild Blue Under. Ms. Fenell’s second book in this delightful series is a cute story of a merman and a hybrid human mermaid mix. The twist comes when the hybrid doesn’t realize what she is.

Valerie Dumere is the heroine of the story who is allergic to the ocean. She returns to Kansas to run Therese’s Treasure Trove, her deceased mother’s store that sells ocean tchotchkes. Valerie learns that she has an inheritance from her dead father who she never knew, has a run-in with the tax man and meets Rod Tritone. Valerie gets into Lucy-like situations, is always admiring Rod’s better assets and doesn’t seemed at all phased by talking birds or sea creatures.

Rod Tritone is the soon to be High Councilman of the Oceanic Council who undertakes a special mission to locate the missing landed Mer and fulfill The Prophecy and save the world from being lost. This is a noble undertaking that Rod believes will not take long. Little does he know that he has to contend with not only Valerie but a plethora of avian foes that are determined to undermine his mission.

I enjoyed reading about all the minor characters. I was able to visualize each and everyone as their well defined traits along with their quirky mannerisms which made them unique from any other character in the story. I was glad to be reacquainted with Livingston and enjoyed meeting Maybelle and Adele, who helped Valerie and Rod in their journey. I loved the Hitchcock-esc story lines on Valerie and Rod’s trip. Did anyone else envision the movie The Birds?

If you can overlook Valerie’s easy acceptance of everything that occurs to her, especially toward the later part of the story, I hope you’ll find Wild Blue Under to be as much as an enjoyable journey to the ocean as I did. This is truly a starfish in the sea of writings. I can’t wait to see what is next in this whimsical series.

Black Ice by Lexie Davis

2009-11-16T04:03:00.001-05:00

Black Ice by Lexie Davis
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short (127 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Azalea

At night on an icy road, Sophie Steven's dead body is found inside her fiancé's car. On the outside it appears to be a simple accident, but as Detective Blake Warren starts to investigate, she discovers there's more to the story.

Detective Ryder James is determined to find Sophie's killer and put him behind bars. No one will stand in his way, not even his new partner, Blake. He's worked for years without a partner and he doesn't need one now, even if she is sexy and intelligent.

Blake is a complete mystery, and she's the last thing Ryder thinks he needs, until a killer threatens to take her away. Can they work together to stop the killer before Blake becomes the next victim and Ryder loses the woman he loves?

Sophie, a beautiful young woman has a fight with her fiancé and ends up dead in a car accident … or is it an accident? Was her death planned? Or was she in the wrong place at the wrong time? Was she the intended victim?

This is a love story laced with murder and intrigue and more twists and turns than an English garden maze. But the heroine is not the accident victim. The story mainly revolves around Blake, a young, pretty police detective and her partner, Ryder, whom she finds arrogant, and whom she will ultimately depend upon to save her life.

There are several suspects in the death of Sophie, from her wealthy father to hotel valets. Even Blake’s long ago boyfriend fits into the scenario. The story starts out strong and continues that way as we follow Blake and Ryder as they try to solve the puzzle. We intuit from the beginning that Blake and Ryder will turn their dislike of each other into a mutual attraction, but don’t expect it to happen quickly. The story has an innocence and sweetness to it that takes time to build. But the characters both have a sarcastic edge. Ryder wonders if Blake is a virgin and that’s an unusual premise for a story written in the 21st century. I got caught up in the question myself.

If you like a story that will keep you guessing then this one is for you. It combines murder, romance, mayhem and intrigue all rolled into one neat little satisfying package. I definitely recommend it.

My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy

2009-11-16T04:00:00.012-05:00

My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full (363 pages)
Heat: Hot
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A wild west heiress, Summer Wine Lee knows that she's not an acceptable bride for her fiance's knickerbocker family. She grew up in an Arizona mining town, cares more for critters than people, carries a knife under her skirts, and, worst of all, she has a highly improper secret from her past. But she also has high hopes that a real English Duke can teach her how to be a lady…

Were it not for his father's gambling debts, the Duke of Monchester would never have stooped to civilize Summer. But the more time he spends with her, and the more social scrapes he has to rescue her from, the more he finds it impossible to change her into a proper lady. How could he, when he's falling in love with her just the way she is?

My Unfair Lady is a rollicking good read chock full with humor, a delightful romance, endearing characters both furry and human; and it ended up being a book I could not put down until I finished it at one o’clock in the morning.

Summer’s personality is sunny, winsome, practical, cheeky, spunky and delightfully clever. She has a goal that as time goes on seems to be less and less important. Yet, because Summer has integrity, it puts her in the position of being torn between what she wants and what she’s promised to do. It takes a lot of guts to stick to a promise, even when the reasons for keeping it seem no longer valid. At times I felt she should have just gone with the flow, but that wouldn’t have been true to her character. No one grows from taking the easy way out so the internal conflict works.

Byron, the Duke, is a cultured man of many talents. It is incredibility refreshing to find a hero that is not as tall as the Rock of Gibraltar. Byron is a regular guy, as far as the upper crust can be regular, and a tortured man at that. He has his pride, his defenses intact and a few secrets that he holds close to his chest. He doesn’t trust easily nor smiles. I totally enjoyed watching how Summer worked her personal magic on Byron, slowly thawing him into the man he should have been.

I got the greatest kick out of the fast paced dialogue and witty verbal fencing between Byron and Summer. I adored Summer’s penchant for rescuing fur-babies in distress and how her influence touched a spot in Byron he’d thought lost to him forever. Romance abounds in this story.

Secondary characters a varied and colorful. I have many favorites. We have the prince, an enemy that really isn’t and someone who shouldn’t have been who was, fancy riding and snobbish old biddies. There’s even a scene that might make some people squeamish yet is perfectly in character. There’s even a moment when I got the sniffles, it was so tender and achingly sad. Then there were the many parts which had me laughing out loud, which isn’t a smart thing to do in the wee hours of the morning when people are sleeping.

My Unfair Lady has everything I look for in a romance story. I cheered for Summer, wanted to hug and save Byron, my cheeks hurt from grinning so much and I could not put the book down until I’d read it from cover to cover. If this book is a representative of Ms. Kennedy’s regular style, I’ll be looking into her back list. I’d recommend this book to all my friends.

Use By Date by Helen Ravell

2009-11-16T04:00:00.011-05:00

Use By Date by Helen Ravell
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary/Comedy
Length: Full (191 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Fennel

In life and love—you can’t win from the sidelines.

Helen grabs her reader's attention with her opening shot. An invisible woman? Really? Well, yes and no. So when Helen Ravell's heroine, Taylor Elliott, decides she's done with being nothing more than Jodi's Mum or Mrs. Elliott, the teacher, she takes drastic action.

Needless to say nothing goes as planned and she finds herself centre stage and the focus of several eyes, all appraising her in differing shades of emotion. From staidly boring, her life takes on a momentum of its own driven by friends and her new lover.

In the words of Sir Walter Scott, Scottish novelist, poet, historian and biographer, "Oh what a tangle web we weave, when we practice to deceive." And deceptions abound in this story.

So what is a guy to do when a stunning woman sits down at your table without introduction, and begins laying down terms and conditions he knows nothing about? Well, Matthew Bourke decided to play along and maximize his chances. But of course Ms Ravell puts plenty of spanners in his works.

Add to the mix a discrepancy in age between Matthew and Taylor, bring on the families, and watch the sparks fly. This fun read is a must, especially if you've just endured a bad day and are in need of relaxation and a laugh.

Consequences by Rebecca Savage

2009-11-13T04:09:00.005-05:00

Consequences by Rebecca Savage
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full (207 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Books
Reviewed by Stephantois

Jeni is as happy as she thinks she can be, having lost her parents to tragedy during her teen years. She’s finished her Masters Degree and is working on her PhD. Things couldn’t be better, until she’s kidnapped and shoved into a manhole under the street with six other women.

Nick is well on his way to depression, or maybe he’s just pulling out of it. His fiancé was murdered one year ago, and he’s sitting on the street where the murder happened. It’s the middle of the night. He hears a noise, and is surprised to discover seven bound and gagged women, one of which has perished. He’s a homicide detective. It’s his job to find the killer, before it’s too late and the perpetrator of the crime finishes what was begun.

Jeni Campanelli is partying with her friends at a St. Louis nightclub. While her friends are having a great time, she’s not. Deciding she’s had enough, she heads out to her car alone but never makes it there. She wakes up to find herself completely wrapped in tape, including her mouth and eyes. She has a feeling that she’s not alone.

Homicide detective, Nicolas Tarentino is back revisiting the site where his fiancée, Isbella was killed. She was shot in the head and then her car was set on fire. Police assumed it was a gangland killing.

Close to the previous crime scene, Nick finds Jeni and some other women tied up and dumped in a sewer.

Nick and Jeni feel an immediate connection to one another. Although Jeni is an independent woman, Nick feels he has to protect her until they can find the person responsible for the crime.

I’m a big fan of romantic suspense and woman in jeopardy novels and I really liked the plot. It had some very tense, edge-of-your seat moments. I also very much enjoyed the characters of Nick and Jeni. I sensed they were going to make a great team, not only for solving the case, but in the romance department too. The other characters are well drawn and the dialogue very natural sounding. However, there were two things that stopped me from giving this story a 4 book rating. One was that there was too much back story presented in the first few chapters. I would have preferred to learn about Jeni and Nick’s background gradually as I got to know them. Also, the person responsible for the crimes keeps a journal and their reasons for being evil are known too soon. As a result, I guessed who was responsible for the crimes as soon as they were introduced. I’ll be fair to the writer, as I do read mostly mystery and suspense there aren’t too many books that can fool me until the final pages, so other readers might not guess as quickly as I did.

Regardless, I like Savage’s style and would definitely read more of her work. If you like a sexy romantic suspense, I’d say it’s absolutely worth a read.

Harley Street by Lynne Connolly

2009-11-13T04:06:00.006-05:00

Harley Street by Lynne Connolly
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full (271 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Camellia

Mystery, murder, and an old menace. It’s enough to damage the strongest love.

Richard and Rose, Book 4

Lord and Lady Strang return from their adventure-filled honeymoon, more than ready to settle into married life. After a few weeks living in his parents’ Piccadilly mansion, Richard and Rose are restless for their own home, a space where they can work out the pattern of their new life together.

House-hunting will have to wait. A maid in the household of Rose’s aunt has been murdered, an act that forces Richard to reveal a dark secret from his past. Despite the desperate passion they share, marriage requires disclosure—something at which Richard has never excelled.

In light of his revelation, Rose must find the strength to delve deep into the bedrock of their relationship while simultaneously facing the height of London society. As they work to unravel the clues that lead to a murderer, an old enemy launches an attack on their already fragile hearts…

The super special connection Richard and Rose have makes this story sparkle. It is remarkable and refreshing. The strength of each is enhanced by the other as they deal with unsavory situations, some that carry over from their past. As they unravel the mystery of a murder and maneuver to contain the machinations of their enemies the Drurys, they learn some heart-wrenching facts that test the strength of their love.

Eighteenth century England’s mores, social structure, dress, transportation, intrigues, politics, and power struggles come alive in HARLEY STREET. The importance of “Family” and keeping its name unsullied sets in motion much of the action. Richard’s mother is “something else” in this arena.

Lynne Connolly creates settings that are so true to that particular time in history that the reader gets a memorable trip back in time. The well-developed characters that evoke strong emotions intensify the conflicts and covert activities making HARLEY STREET a true page-turner. BUT, most of all, the love that Richard and Rose share creates heart-pounding scenes at times and at other times makes the reader sigh with pleasure and satisfaction.

HARLEY STREET is an exquisite love story (that the title and cover did not do justice to). Richard and Rose take the reader on an exciting adventure full of intrigue, conflict, and LOVE. This is another Lynne Connolly novel that is a KEEPER.

Jaguar Nights by Mary Alice Pritchard

2009-11-13T04:03:00.007-05:00

Jaguar Nights by Mary Alice Pritchard
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full (319 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Fern

Can the calming energy of a human empath prevent a dangerous, untamed weir leader from destroying his pard? Will Cole be the answer to Syndee’s longing for acceptance and a home, or will he be her destruction?

When empath Syndee Rawlings blows a tire late one night, she thinks it’s a simple case of rotten luck. Leaving her car behind, she comes upon two teenagers being accosted by what appears to be furry monstrosities of some kind. Acting on instinct, she rushes to their aid, only to find herself attacked and left seriously injured. After losing consciousness, she wakes in a strange place, with a strange man, and a pard of weir cat shifters.

As an alpha cat, Cole knows it’s probably best to kill the woman that assisted his pard, especially as there is a very real probability she will become a wolf weir. There is no guarantee that she will survive the change, much less welcome it. But the jaguar under his skin has a different opinion on the matter, informing Cole he has found his mate. He heals her in the only way an alpha can – by sharing blood, power, and saliva. Now, it’s a matter of waiting. Will the woman that will make him complete become his most detested enemy? Or will she embrace the cat that will soothe his soul?

Jaguar Nights is a shifter tale that hits the page running. Syndee blows a tire and is thrown into the action immediately. There is no warm up or introduction. Human will meet shifter, and really, is there any better way for a heroine to grasp the reality of the “unreal” situation? Shortly after the fray, she meets Cole, and from then on in, it’s hot, hot, hot. The attraction and chemistry between Syndee and Cole is absolutely sizzling, and I loved the build up that occurs prior to their mating. You know it’s coming, and the tease just before makes the wait worthwhile. I also enjoyed the underlying tension in regard to animal Syndee would take when she shifts. A part of me wanted wolf for conflict, but the other wanted the cat to see just how scorching things would be between them with a common animal to share. I will remain spoiler free aside from saying the big reveal is everything I hoped it would be –and more.

The very slight problem I had while reading the story was something that drew me out of the pages and caused me to think versus experience. Syndee is placed in dangerous situations time and again, and in more than one of them, she is gravely wounded. As she is human and not yet weir, and with the severity of her injuries, I couldn’t comprehend how she continued to survive time after time. She had some of Cole’s blood to assist in her healing speed, but not nearly enough for some of the damage she takes. I can’t really delve too deeply into this, as it would ruin portions of the story, but it’s an issue I had when I finished up and reflected on the material. It’s not a bad thing that she lived, because that would defeat the purpose of the romance. It was just something I began to note of with each miraculous recovery.

Aside from that, the story is wonderful. The sex is hot, the characters are intense, and the premise and the plot involving rogue shifters will keep you on your toes. If you’re a cat fan, you’ll adore Cole and his best friend, Zack. In fact, I’m hoping there will be more Zack for us in the future. He manages to steal a majority of the scenes he’s in, which is incredibly impressive when you’ve got a hot alpha jaguar like Cole steaming up the page.

Be sure to put Jaguar Nights on your TBR list.

Seducing The Night by Tamelia Tumlin

2009-11-13T04:00:00.005-05:00

Seducing The Night by Tamelia Tumlin
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short (66 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Fern

Rana Cartwright wanders into The Voodoo Den for one reason and one reason only. To seduce and kill the man she once loved. The only way she can save her son's life is to destroy the vampire who sired him. There's only one problem. She soon realizes that she never stopped loving the man she must destroy.

Alexandru Milkos has lived six long years of torment since turned by an elder vampire. He lost the only thing that ever mattered to him. His fiancée, Rana.

Now she's back. Though his love for her has never wavered, he senses she has a motive much deadlier than a simple reunion. However, what concerns him the most is the shameful secret he's harbored for the past six years. A secret that could turn Rana away from him forever, that is if he lives long enough for her to realize the truth.

Seducing The Night is a love story that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go. The very first line will gain your notice, and from that point forward, you won’t be able to put this delicious little novella down. A mother that is forced to kill the man she loves to save her son…the implication alone is enough to ensure your heart gets stretched to the breaking point. How can you choose, when either path will most assuredly break your heart? Uncovering the answer involves a stomach churning, heart-pounding, roller coaster ride that you won’t want to miss.

I loved Rana and Alexandru. They are lovers that have been torn apart through no fault of their own. Six long years have passed since he was turned against his will, but he’s never forgotten the one woman he’s always loved, and she’s never forgotten him. From the moment they reunite, their love, their attraction, and their complete devastation at the loss of one another is painfully apparent. You’ll ache for them, cry for them, and when they finally gain some measure of happiness, you’ll cheer for them. Tamelia Tumlin has twined a story that will linger long after that last page is turned, and I can quite honestly say, it doesn’t get much better than this.

If you’re a vampire fan, be sure to place this novella on your TBR list. Seducing the Night has all the spice, tension, and heartfelt moments that the genre is renowned for. And the stellar writing, memorable characters, and fast pace will ensure you finish this delightful nugget in one sitting.

Aimee's Locket by P. L. Parker

2009-11-12T04:09:00.007-05:00

Aimee's Locket by P. L. Parker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical/Time Travel
Length: Full (371 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Camellia

An antique ivory locket catapults Aimee Reynolds back to the year 1847. Alone in St. Louis, Missouri, she has to find a way to get home to present day Seattle. She needs a suitable male willing to marry her or be left behind when the emigrant train departs for the Oregon Territory.

Jake Marshall, scout for the Markham Party, is the perfect, if unwilling choice. Undaunted by his overt rudeness, Aimee entices Jake to the alter, promising her diamond earrings as payment for a marriage of convenience. Properly wed, she secures passage on the wagon train, and discovers her future may be in the past.

“Born 1987 – Died 1910” is not a typo but a revelation about Aimee Reynolds’ life after she put on an antique locket in the twenty-first century and ended up in the mid nineteenth century, a half continent away from her Seattle, Washington home.

Faced with limited options and with a compelling need to get back to her family and twenty-first century way of life, Aimee makes a bargain with Jake Marshall to take her west with the wagon train he is scouting for. She wants to get as close to her home as possible even if Seattle has not been founded.

Even though pampered by nineteenth century standards, Aimee pulls her weight on the trail, suffering blistered feet, hands, and bruises galore. She conquers a multitude of fears, withstands the disapproval of her fellow travelers, and lives up to her bargain with Jake while being honest with him about leaving him when they get to Oregon.

She longs for family and her easy life back, but she is drawn to Jake, her Greek god in frontier clothes. She does not want to want him, but she does.

Jake Marshall is going west for his last time. He will settle on a homestead at the end of this trip. He wants a wife and family but realizes Aimee does not fit the life he wants; yet, he cannot resist her--even when she makes his life difficult.

P. L. Parker’s characters sizzle with life. The children Aimee teaches, as they walk day after day, are reflections of their parents’ attitudes, but they are also eager for new experiences—especially if they are couched in games—so like children across time.

The Vancouver section of the novel is a mini-novel all its own with a truly, truly sleazy villain, a strong but conflicted heroine, and memorable secondary characters, especially Maudie O’Malley (loved her).

The reader, via P. L. Parker’s smooth writing, makes the journey with Aimee with all emotions in high gear as Aimee uses every ounce of her mental, emotional, and physical strength to reach her goal—a goal that is finally made clear as she holds the antique locket while in Vancouver after a life-changing event.

ENJOYABLE READING!