Two independent people from different lifestyles who don’t ever want to marry are faced with needing to do just that, and to marry each other. Complicating the situation even more, they are witches and both will face dire consequences if they refuse to bond and marry. Matt will lose his powers with controlling the weather, which he needs for his vineyard. Destiny will lose part of her soul and die.
The story idea was intriguing and I found myself feeling the same frustrations Destiny and Matt dealt with. The magic elements made their trials interesting, their emotions hotter, and their struggle to come together harder. All in all, this was a heart-tugging story that I enjoyed reading.
When Randi arrives at the Feng Shui Inn in Sedona, she only has one thing on her mind. Travel back through the space-time continuum and find out what happened to her father, who disappeared when she was only two years old. But she hasn’t counted on taking along Mitch, an undercover fed, who seems on the trail to stealing her now grownup heart.
This tale of time travel romance takes Ms. Piper’s heroine from modern day Arizona to exciting Miami, at the height of its glitzy, slinky disco mania. Randi and Mitch, modern to a fault, meet the people of thirty years ago, featuring some of Miami’s finest underworld characters. Add in the fact that Mitch is actually working on a case, which may involve Randi’s long-lost dad, and you have all the ingredients for a great rainy day read. The only problem will be putting the story down long enough to go get more cocoa. Of course, this would also be fun to read on a hot day, with a tall iced glass of something. I just don’t recommend anything these characters had to drink in 1980. I doubt we have the head for it. Either way, this book is a fun ride with great characters and wonderful background.
Kara had been young and stupid, and she’d married the wrong man ten years ago. The “right man,” her husband’s younger brother, had warned her. Now that she is divorced, she’s once again swamped by fantasies of Austin, who has become her friend. He’s still eight years younger and that’s still a problem, isn’t it?
Austin had a crush on Kara ten years ago and knew she shouldn’t marry his older brother, a man that even he didn’t trust. During the last few years of her marriage, he and Kara had become friends. His crush had turned into an intense love. He wants to have a future with her, but first he has to get around her reservations.
If you enjoy second chance at love stories, you will enjoy this one. It is short, packed with emotion, and you can’t help finding yourself pulling for the younger man intent on convincing the woman he loves to give him a chance. If you’re a woman beyond the “perfect body” stage in life, you’re going to identify with the heroine and understand her doubts. This is a quick read and a feel-good story where hope for that magical happily-ever-after shines bright.
Like most people, Nicky Everson just wants to be loved and to love someone back. It seems like such a simple thing, but it hasn’t been for Nicky. He picked the wrong person in his last relationship, a bully who used and abused him. And when that relationship turned really sour, when his boyfriend beat him up and he left their home, he had nowhere to go. His older brother loved him but always believed Nicky made bad choices. He was tired of hearing “I told you so.”
Troy Summers is Nicky’s brother’s partner as a cop. He, too, has been struggling with finding that special someone to love and share a life with. He met Nicky once and felt an immediate attraction, but getting involved with Nicky would be complicated. He didn’t think it could happen. And then one night he receives a call from Nicky, a plea for help.
I was drawn into the story by two people searching for love, such a complicated thing. Both men wanted the kind of relationship where you didn’t judge the other person for their likes or the things they did. Troy was a good, strong cop, what some might see as a man’s man, but there was so much more to him than that. He accepted Nicky and all of Nicky’s interests that others belittled him for. He desired Nicky and would fight to protect him. In contrast, Nicky was physically nowhere near as big and strong as Troy, and had been often wrongly accused of being “girlie.” He might be smaller, yes, but he loved with all of his heart and prided himself in taking care of those he loved. His strength came out when he was put to a test, when he defended the man he loved. I enjoyed all of the characters and the storyline. The author did a wonderful job of showing the struggles of a finding that special someone and of finding a way to make the relationship work.
Magnolia Colby joins a dangerous expedition in the Amazon as a substitute photographer. To push the head archeologist, Alex Marcellus, to stay on the team, she lies to him about her relationship with her brother Marcus. Convinced she has tricked Alex into thinking she's actually Mrs. Marcus Colby, she avoids him to protect him from the leopard she changes into every night.
This was an okay read. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat in suspense and the paths it took were kind of predictable to me. The hero and heroine were well developed though and I did enjoy their interaction. I’d definitely read her other works, despite my so-so assessment of this particular story.
Alexandra found the love of her life at a music fest a year ago and lost him the same day. A family tragedy tore her away from the event while he’d gone to bring friends back to meet her. Leaving so unexpectedly, she took with her a Stetson autographed by Toby Keith that he’d temporarily had her hold. Guilt has weighed heavily on her as much as her longing to see him again at this year’s event. If he comes…if she can find him in a crowd of 50,000…if he’ll forgive her for leaving with his prized hat. So many ifs.
Ben thought he’d found ‘The One’ a year ago, but evidently he’d been wrong. He’d left her alone for a few minutes at the fest and when he’d returned, she was gone, along with a prized hat he’d intended to give to his disabled younger brother. And he hadn’t even gotten her name. All he could hope for was that she’d come to this year’s fest, with his hat. He was no longer interested in anything more from her.
But love can be a complicated thing. It can twist a person’s emotions around and make them be stubborn at times. And yet sometimes it finds a way to bring people back together. If you enjoy second chance at love stories as much as I do, then this book is for you.
Title: First Dimension Author: Rebecca Royce Publisher: Liquid Silver Books Publication Date: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-59578-650-0 Genre: Fantasy Length: novel Buy Link Author Website Author Email rebecca@rebeccaroyce.com Rating: 4 Diamonds Heat Level: spicy Other: N/A Reviewer: Dana Dean Date: 2/18/2010
Kidnapped and hauled through time and space by a gorgeous hunk, Ms. Hadley Pettigrew represents hope and salvation for more than one dimension. Unfortunately, she has no idea why. Fortunately, Hawk does. Born and raised a warrior, he has battled to save his princess for decades. Now he must use her daughter to go home despite the sense of defeat that comes with his decision.
Together Hawk and Hadley face her talents, his people’s needs, the concerns of another dimension long held hostage by grief and disease, and the strange affliction of the wise ones. With Hadley the first year in a new dimension arrives and the future begins.
Danger, intrigue, sibling rivalry, and compassion roll together nicely in Ms. Royce’s First Dimension. Hot and hunky Hawk represents a true warrior in his desire to protect those he loves. Hadley quickly becomes a member of that elite group, but neither of them knows quite what to do with the other. Hawk’s love for Hadley’s deceased sister makes him a bit of forbidden fruit until a surprise turn of events rocks even that reality. Though filled with almost too much information at times, altogether First Dimension is an interesting read that kept me wondering what would happen next, and sets the scene well for the sequel(s) I assume are to follow. Nice job, Ms. Royce.
Title: Cupid in Blue Author: Sandra Sookoo Publisher: Lyrical Press Publication Date: 2009, digital date 2-1-10 Genre: Contemporary paranormal Length: 34 pages Buy Link Author Website Author Email: sandrasookoo@yahoo.com Rating: 5+ Diamonds Heat Level: Sweet, sensual Reviewer: Starla Kaye Date: 2-12-10
Being part of a magical family is enough of a problem, suddenly sprouting wings and having the powers-that-be decide you will be the new cupid is an even bigger problem. Aaron Bernhart can’t believe this is happening to him. He hasn’t even been successful at having a romantic relationship himself. How can he possibly help others find love? Well, there’s always the instructional manual that comes with the bow quiver of arrows. And he could take classes at the Institute. What he doesn’t need is someone giving him grief about his new wings and his new career. Especially not a woman only in town for a limited time.
Catherine Alicot can’t believe what she sees: a gorgeous man with wings, trying to figure out how to fly. “Have you escaped from an institution somewhere? Do you need some sort of mental help?” she asked him, and yet she didn’t consider him a freak.
I fell in love with this story in the second paragraph of page one. Who can resist a poor man frustrated by a passing flock of geese as he remembers how they plow through his flight path, causing him to plummet to earth as he struggles with a new set of wings? Even though Aaron knows he’s from a magical family, he can’t believe being the new cupid can possibly be his destiny. Then along comes Catherine to spot him trying to fly, only to fall to the ground in frustration. I enjoyed their interplay and her teasing him from the beginning with “you’re just a guy on the wrong side of genetics…I don’t judge.” An absolutely wonderful story!
In the first story Angel-Fire we are introduced to the pirate Jack Stanton and his lady Angelique. She is a gypsy that has caught his eye but it seems she may have caught him instead. As they enjoy each other Jack finds himself having a vision. Jack may not live long enough to find out what it all means. It seems that Angelique belongs to another man and he does not like to share.
In our second story The Phantom’s Lair we meet Katheryn Hollinsworth the daughter of the newly appointed Deputy Governor. During his stay on the island of Tortuga Jack not only saves Katheryn but also begins to loose his heart to her.Will love conquer all or will they forever only get fleeting moments of chance?
In the last story Storm-Singer the reader is transported to the Isle of Nyx where magic rules. There we meet the vampire pirate named Jaden and his love Arrah. While attacking a ship one night Jaden takes a prisoner, a beautiful lady named Sarita. All is not as it seems for the lovely lady Sarita holds a secret. Jaden keeps her at the island and tries to find out the secret she keeps. Will Arrah find that secret before it is too late or will she loose Jaden forever?
Each of these stories are quick paced and full of action. Both pirates Jack and Jaden are great characters with leading ladies that are strong enough to stand by their sides. If you enjoy romance and the sea this book is for you.
Title: Master and Commander’s Prey Author: Tethys J. Killian Publisher: Eirelander Publishing Publication Date:2010 ISBN: Genre: time travel romance Length: 79 Buy Link Author Website Author Email : tethysjkillian@gmail.com Rating: 4 Diamonds Heat Level: erotic Other: mild dom/sub play, anal Reviewer: Brecken Stevens Date: Feb 13, 2010
Shiloh wanted to be left alone or at least get away. Away from the job she didn’t like much, away from the classes she despised and mostly out of touch with her family who never got along well. A head blow leads to her waking and finding herself in the past, aboard a ship, with a sexy captain. Jacob finds the beautiful, engaging Shiloh in his war ship and wants her. She’s crazy, of course, but that doesn’t stop the instant attraction. But is attraction enough, especially when Shiloh is waiting to wake up and go home to her own time?
Master and Commander’s Prey is a great short story. I was able to put it down, but I always wanted to find the time to pick it up again because it has a good balance of sexy and sweet with a little danger and strife. Just a nice mix I enjoyed. There is some genuine naughtiness in the dom/sub play that gives it a bit of an edge that I also found engaging. I gave it four diamonds and think anyone who enjoys a sweet romance with a little kink will enjoy Master and Commander’s Prey very much.
Deputy Jace Maxwell looks out for Sarah Tennison, and wants her. Although the fiery feisty woman is a friend, he knows he can’t have her. Because as much as he craves Sarah, he also lives with a secret, fierce attraction for men. And Sarah just won't understand.
Sarah has suppressed her love for Jace, knowing he only sees her as a chore. Enter cowboy Jasper Simmons. Jasper is as sweet and gentle as Jace is hard. Sarah tries to keep both men separate in her mind, but can’t stop fantasizing about being tangled and sweaty in bed with both of them.
When Jasper finds a dead woman nailed to a tree, he is thrown into contact with Jace. The proximity unearths an attraction neither of them had felt before. Seeing Jace with Jasper in an emotion-filled situation gets Sarah wondering if her roommate is keeping secrets. Then Jasper admits to Sarah he once had a crush on another man, Jace suddenly kisses her in a shocking lapse of control, and suddenly Sarah's fantasies are taking on a vivid reality. Will sweet, awkward Jasper be the key to two becoming three?
If you’re looking for an exciting murder mystery mixed with off the charts HOT love scenes, then you need to read Becoming Three. The characters are wonderfully developed with each having a distinct personality making them living breathing individuals in my mind. I found myself deeply involved in the who-done-it aspect with the mysterious murders as I would in any good murder mystery, and I have to say the action between our two heroes and heroine are not for the faint of heart! I look forward to more of Cameron’s works.
In a distant medieval land, a lascivious, evil faerie Princess plots to gain the throne of the human kingdom. Fate decrees that two faerie soul mates must change the destiny of the three kingdoms. Obeying the decree, Ellewyn lies with a mortal king and becomes pregnant with his child. Tragically, Ellewyn dies in childbirth, although her spirit lives on. Her soul mate Merwyn raises her son Talaesyn as his own, and then assists the boy in his quest to unite all three kingdoms under his rule.
In a world where faerie powers are potent but remain disguised in human forms, sexual desires burn hotly. Talaesyn travels with Merwyn to the human kingdom of Aedalon, where they both gather information as invisible witnesses to the uninhibited sexual activities of three separate pivotal women in the court. In so doing, the two faeries learn the shocking truth regarding the nature of the Queen’s evil reign. Will Talaesyn succeed in uniting and then governing the three kingdoms? In the kingdom of Aedelon things are changing. The veil between mortal and fey is thinning as legend becomes truth. First the coupling of Ellywyn and Garreth result in a son such as none before him. Talaesyn is that son and must bring the three kingdoms together before an evil queen uses her powers to cause even more havoc. Three Kingdoms has a fairy tale feel in many ways. It’s written in the style of telling, not so much showing which left me really wanting to get better acquainted with the characters. It is full of very graphic sex, so it’s not one for the casual erotica reader but it does end happily enough for the romance side to be fulfilled. I gave it three diamonds because I know there are romance readers who want the harder stuff, and Iain Bard puts it all out there.
Jule Grey’s ten-year marriage may have ended, but her desire for sex and love hadn’t. But she’s forty now and the dating prospects are slim. As she grows more sexually and emotionally frustrated, her best friend convinces her to try a blind date with a man she is certain is perfect for her. Except that he’s far younger than she feels comfortable with, at first.
Dan is a young stud more than capable of fulfilling a woman’s fantasies. But he wants more than a one night stand with a woman he’s seen before. He can make her happy, if she’ll let him…in more ways than one.
A story like this can give a woman hope that love can still be found when your world falls apart, when you’ve gone through a divorce and face the dismal world of dating again. If you dare to take a chance and take a big step out of your comfortable box, something special just might happen again. This was a hot, naughty look at the magic of May-December romance.
Title: More & More Author: Niobia Bryant Publisher: Red Rose Publishing Publication Date: 2009 ISBN: 978-1-60435-483-6 Genre: Destination Romance Length: 80 pages Buy Link Author Website Rating: 4 Diamonds Heat Level: Sensual Reviewer:Sky Date:2/10/10
Mocha hopes the glamourous Jamaican cruise she and her book club are on will help her forget Dean and their incredibly hot weekends. At least the ones they used to have before he suggested taking their relationship to the next level. Mocha doesn’t want that, does she? A man underfoot all the time messing up her perfect life? Even if she happens to love the guy.
Niobia Bryant’s tale of romance gone awry is a fun read for a winter day when we’d all rather be on a cruise. Blue skies, bluer water, all the amenities of a cruise ship. Escape! And her characters are very likeable. Mocha is a woman who has achieved much in life, actually likes herself, including her body! but has a few things left to learn. Dean is a very sexy fellow, whose only real mistake is moving too fast without letting the object of his affections know what he has in mind. The reader will wait with bated breath to see if Mocha opens her eyes in time, because a guy as fine as Dean won’t be available forever.
"When fireman Dustin Hardesty saves a scruffy tomcat from a fire, and then a neutering at the shelter, he has no idea he's just moved a cat shifter named Tigs into his life.
Tigs figures he owes Dustin, so he'll hang around to give Dustin some good times. He doesn't count on Dustin never wanting to let go of his alley cat."
Hot Men, Hot sex and Shapeshifters... oh my. Ms Austin has a hot erotic short here guaranteed to steam up any mirror and bring the screen your reading it on to amelting point.
Her characters are flawed with a lot of depth for a book so short. Yes she is able to bring us into their thoughts through their individual blogs. She lets us see what they see and feel everything they are feeling through great writing. A great M/M read with a good story and great writing.
CJ and Mac have been friends since childhood, and seen each other through many of life’s trials and tribulations, including a string of failed romanced each. Why can’t they find the right person? Mac has finally figured out that they are each other’s perfect mate. Now to convince CJ, who has decided to give up on men after her last painful breakup. Where better to set the stage for romance and seduction than a cruise for romance authors and their fans? If Mac can’t convince CJ he is her destiny in a setting like that, he has no hope of winning CJ’s heart under any circumstances.
This is a lovely romance about two people just a little beaten around by life and love who have the chance to have their cake and eat it too. Author A.C. Arthur takes the reader on a Caribbean cruise to watch while Mac, a very hot and very sweet guy, tries to show C.J. that he is the guy who belongs in her bed and her heart. His object of love is a woman who has strong doubts about her appeal and about the ability of a male to be the partner she needs in life. She is a heroine we can all identify with, who hasn’t had romance go wrong? But we root for Mac throughout the story, and hope that his ex, Sidra, also on board, doesn’t submarine what could be a beautiful future.
Title: Chasing the Moonlight Author: Anne Marie Novark Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Publication Date: 2009; First Yellow Rose Edition, 2010 ISBN: 1-60154-656-4 Genre: Contemporary Length: 244 pages Buy Link Author Website Author Email: am@annemarienovark.com Rating: 5 Diamonds Heat Level: Spicy Reviewer: Starla Kaye Date: 2-9-10
Stone Creek, Texas’ bad boy, Mitch Defalco, had left town right after high school, headed for fame and fortune in Nashville. Life seldom works out like you think it will and it sure hadn’t for him. Now he returns to his hometown and his family with a teenage daughter he’d not even known about, hoping his family can help him be the father he wants to be. But deep down he believes he’s still the same bad boy he always was and always will be. He’s afraid to take a chance of letting himself fall in love, certain the woman would never deserve the kind of man he is.
Sarah Cooper hasn’t had an easy life, but she’s a survivor and a loving mother. She’s also had a secret crush on the town’s bad boy who had dated her older sister years ago. The same bad boy her mother blames for the death of her sister. And now Mitch is back in her life. Bigger and more dangerous than ever, at least to her and her wounded heart.
I love “bad boy” stories and “wounded women” stories, so the combination was wonderful. Both Mitch and Sarah have spent years dealing with issues that have been hard to put behind them. They need each other. She needs to help him understand that he’s a far better man and father than he thinks. He needs to help her get over the terrible incident in her past. Their kids need to help Mitch and Sarah move beyond what is keeping them apart so they can become a family. It was enjoyable to follow the struggling romance, and to watch this special man learn to be a father.
Title: A Star To Steer Her By Author: Philippa Grey-Gerou Publisher: Liquid Silver Books Publication Date: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-59578-657-9 Genre: Historical Length: 249 pages Buy Link Author Website Rating: 4 Heat Level: spicy Other: oral play Reviewer: Sasha Evins Date: 02/07/10
Blurb: Nicholas Randolph has had his life mapped out for him with little regard for what he wanted. Sailing home from a business trip to America, Nicholas's ship is beset by the privateer ship Lucifer, captained by a dangerous, beautiful woman who takes him hostage and forces him to serve aboard her ship. But as days and weeks lengthen into months, Nicholas begins to find in his captivity a freedom he has never known. And he finds in the captain a woman very similar to himself, trapped in a role of someone else's choosing. Emma Sullivan has known only the sea her whole life, a tie more powerful for her even than love. But as Nicholas works his way into the life of her ship, he begins to make her question if she can't be a captain and a woman, too. Given the right partner.
The seas never run smoothly, and even as these two enemies work their way towards something more, storm clouds are brewing which will chase them from the crystal waters of the Caribbean to the very heart of London itself. To overcome the perils in their path and find happiness, Nicholas and Emma will need to choose the star to steer by.
Nicholas is a beta hero with a taste for excitement and Emma is the proud adventurous heroine that all of us gals have lurking in the depths of our souls. I admit this story started out slow for me. Emma’s point of view wasn’t used as much as I would have liked in the beginning to form an attachment to her right away. Also, I’m more of an alpha hero kind of girl, so it took a while for Nicholas to grow on me. But hang in there, because by the middle you are in a mad dash to the end to see what happens next. The love scenes evolve as well from somewhat tentative, to off the charts spicy!
The author’s knowledge of history, as well as sailing (and privateering) is wonderful. You really get a feel for the world the hero and heroine are living their adventures in, and the romance of the era.
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