Friday, October 21, 2011

Devil’s Eyes by G.R. Richards

Title:  Devil’s Eyes
Author: G. R. Richards
Publisher:  JMS Books
Publication Date:  2011
ISBN:  9781611521986
Genre: Contemporary, Interracial, Paranormal, Gay Erotica
Length:  17 pages
Heat Level: Spicy erotic
Other: GLBT
Reviewer:  Starla Kaye
Date:  10-20-11

Naïve that I may be, I hadn’t heard of synesthesia and found the details about this really interesting. In some ways, as a writer myself, I “see” with my senses as well when I create a story.

Devil’s Eyes was very short, but well done. Enough was learned about the main character, Graham, to want to understand him and what he was facing: both the problem with his work on a particular piece of music and with his attraction to the younger man, Noah.

And it was nice and spicy, erotic enough to put you there in the story with these two men.


Monday, October 17, 2011

Holding the Reins by Vincent Diamond

Title:  Holding the Reins
Author:  Vincent Diamond
Publisher:  JMS Books
Publication Date:  2011
ISBN:  978-1-61152-095-8
Genre:  Contemporary, Gay Erotica
Length:  6,165 words
Heat Level: Spicy Erotic
Other: GLBT
Reviewer:  S K Fero
Date:  10-17-11

This was such a beautiful story, sad, too. It was very short and the characters weren’t developed a lot. Still, this is a story worth reading. I’ve read other books by this author and never been disappointed.


Emerald Moon by Ann Mayburn

Title: Emerald Moon (1Night Stand GLBT)
Author: Ann Mayburn
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publication Date: Out Now
ISBN: 978-1-61333-103-3
Genre: Paranormal, erotic romance, shapeshifters, GLBT
Length: 28 pages
Heat Level: Erotic
Other:  anal/oral play, GLBT
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 16, 2011

Ben Hanson had long ago given up on love, refusing to believe he was worthy of it. When he is given the gift of a 1Night Stand blind date, he goes into it expecting nothing more than a night of savage pleasure. Instead he finds the missing piece of his heart.

Jude Carson has an impossible task in front of him. He has to convince the man he hasn't seen in fifteen years that he still loves him with all of his heart and wants him back. A task made even more difficult by the horrible circumstances that led to their parting and tore their former pride apart.

Ben will have to learn that sometimes the hardest person to forgive is himself if he wants a second chance at the greatest joy he has ever known.

Emerald Moon hooked me at the dedication and the depth of the emotions in this story kept me tied to the characters awaiting the outcome of their relationship with great anticipation. Ben captured my curiosity and my heart the moment I was briefly introduced to him in an earlier story and I was happy to see him get his very own one night stand. Jude became just as important at his introduction. The shared past this couple has is at once heartbreaking and heart-warming. I’m a sucker for a hero with a tortured soul and when I’m given two what more could I ask for? The bar setting is marvelous, I am amazed by the wonderful personalities and cannot wait to read more about all these diverse shifters.




Amber Moon by Ann Mayburn

Title: Amber Moon (1Night Stand GLBT)
Author: Ann Mayburn
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publication Date:  July 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61333-023-4
Genre: Paranormal, erotic romance, menage a trois, shapeshifters
Length: 35 pages
Rating:  4 Diamonds    
Heat Level: Erotic
Other: anal/oral play, ménage, GLBT
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 16, 2011

Sabrina Wayne yearns for the perfect mates to fill the void in her heart. As a werepuma Beta, she is driven to find the strongest Alpha to submit too, or in her case, Alphas. Sabrina craves the delicious softness of a woman as well as the rugged strength of a man. She has almost given up finding the right couple when she takes a leap of faith and allows Madame Evangeline of the 1Night Stand matchmaking service to arrange what Madame Eve promises will be an evening Sabrina will never forget.

Alphas Nick and Madeline Turea have been searching for a woman like Sabrina for a very long time. After a disastrous relationship with a former Beta female, the couple has been extremely cautious to let anyone else get close to them or the Amber Moon pride. When Madame Evangeline contacts them about a possible match, both are eager to meet the beautiful woman who may complete their family.

A night of reckless desire and burning hot passion leads to an unknown danger that might destroy Sabrina's one chance at a perfect love. She must learn to surrender to the power of her Alphas and gain their trust before it's too late.

Amber Moon is a powerful, sensual read. Madeline is an outstanding character and I loved how we got to see into her heart and her mind. She is strong yet wounded, decisive yet hesitant and idealistic yet prosaic. She is complex and downright likable. Sabrina appears to be over the top strong almost alpha-like yet the other shifter brings out the beta in her. I love when her caretaker instincts take over and she becomes so much more authentic with those actions. Nick is practically sex on a stick and I honestly wish he had a bigger part in the story as I felt I barely scraped the surface of this intriguing man. The added action was a major bonus. This author knows how to write charismatic, captivating, characters with expressive emotions and sweltering sex appeal and I can’t wait to read more.



Of Ghosts and Geeks by Molly Ringle

Title: Of Ghosts and Geeks
Author: Molly Ringle
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: 10-12-2011
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Length: 103 pages
Heat Level: Sensual
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 16, 2011

Gwen Walberg, literature teacher and self-professed geek, is thrilled to acquire a priceless antique book but soon learns why it came so cheap.

The book contains the ghost of Violetta, its former owner, who spices up her boring afterlife by playing matchmaker. Gwen is her new target—and if she won't cooperate, Violetta is prepared to throw a storm of dangerous tantrums. Rather than give up the treasured book, Gwen reluctantly surrenders, and learns Violetta has already chosen the
man for her: Gwen's gorgeous gardener and friend, Paul Chang.

Paul is stunned that a ghost wants to cast him as a romance hero but intrigued enough to cooperate. Step by awkward step, Paul and Gwen allow their weird voyeur to force them into compromising positions. But what if the unlikely couple starts enjoying their bizarre, steamy situation?


Can they ever cultivate a healthy relationship with an unstable ghost
tagging along?

Of Ghosts and Geeks is a giggling good time. Violetta is the most annoyingly funny apparition I have come across in a long time. She is so undeniably selfish yet her antics provide so many laughs for the reader. Gwen and Paul are a fabulous couple and they should be grateful for the interfering specter who is helping them along with her matchmaking demands. I love that Gwen sees herself as a geek and is fine with it, almost proud of her nerdiness. I love how she takes Violetta’s presence in her life all in stride and is more concerned with her treasured acquisition. Paul is even more blasé about the voyeuristic ghost and her quixotic demands. He has the right mixture of geek and hottie to measure up for Gwen and I have to agree with her conclusion. I loved Gwen’s uncle even though I learned more about him than she would have liked. I am looking forward to reading more from this author this story left me with a big grin on my face and the occasional recurring chuckle.



Hell's Revenge by Eve Langlais

Title: Hell's Revenge
Author: Eve Langlais
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59578-852-8
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Length: 80 pages
Heat Level: Erotic
Other: anal/oral play, ménage, spanking, foursome, orgy, bondage,
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 15, 2011

I am literally going to kill my mother.

To say I have mommy issues is putting it mildly. The woman who abandoned me has a lot of nerve to just saunter back into my life without warning and drop a bombshell of atomic proportions. I tried to kill her as way of resolving my inner Freudian issues, but my damned boyfriends stopped me. Spoilsports.

As if wanting to strangle my birth mother isn't enough, once again, someone is messing with my life and a new player steps in to save me. Did I mention my dark knight is tall, gorgeous and fanged? Just don't tell my lovers because apparently they're not willing to share me with the undead.

The final showdown with the mysterious figure—also known as the major pain in my ass—fast approaches. I don't care how powerful they are. They screwed up big time when they took something precious of mine. It's never a good idea to piss off this Princess of Hell because revenge is my middle name.

Hell's Revenge is another fantastic adventure for Muriel, Satan’s sweet and sassy daughter. I love this character and the author who created her and I was not disappointed by this installment. I enjoyed catching up with all the beloved characters from the past including her father and lovable and wanton sister. I loved the new bad guy and getting to meet mommy. I adore the vampire addition to Muriel’s men. Our feisty heroine is as sarcastic and impulsive as ever and of course she is acting first and thinking later which provides lots of action and exploits for me! The sex scenes are steamy and fun with just the perfect amount of sarcasm and wit. The tone and skill in this story helps to cement why Eve Langlais has a solid spot on my must-read list.


Saturday, October 15, 2011

Something Different by Maureen O. Betita

Title: Something Different (1Night Stand series)
Author: Maureen O. Betita
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publication Date: September 16, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61333-099-9
Genre: Erotic Romance
Length: 35 pages
Heat Level: Sensual
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 15, 2011

…We women, we know the truth of love and the human heart.
He will mourn me, dearest Evangeline. But as this illness steals my time with him, I want to leave him with hope. This dating service you
run…when you feel he is ready, find him a woman, Eve. Find him someone different so that he doesn't look for me in her eyes. Show him my letter, so that he knows I want this for him with all my heart.
Our children will follow your lead. He will resist, but be firm. Use all you know to bring love back into his life. My days are numbered, the drugs ease my pain. Help my Aaron to heal from his. Yours in spirit, Maria Consuelo Castillo 

He read the letter and slid into the chair at the family meeting. With a shudder, he met his son's eyes and sighed. They all watched him, waiting. She wanted this? His beloved wife, gone three years? It was a useless gesture, but he wouldn't deny the attempt. One date, to satisfy Maria. But that was all. He swore it.

Something Different was something beautiful. If this story is any indication that romance is not just for the young, I cannot wait to grow older. Aaron is a wonderful hero, made more endearing by the depth of the love he has for his deceased wife and children. He is so stoic but not indifferent and might be the Mr. Right the heroine has been searching for. Hannah is a mature woman with a full past and an uncertain future. She is optimistic, good-natured and candid. She is compassionate and playful and seems to be the balm Aaron needs for his wounded heart. I loved the setting, who wouldn’t want to be romanced on the beach. I felt myself swept up in the magic of the moment. If you are looking for a grown-up love story that people of all ages will enjoy this one is for you!



Friday, October 14, 2011

Loving a Fairy Godmother by Danielle Monsch

Title: Loving a Fairy Godmother
Author: Danielle Monsch
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59578-808-5
Genre: fantasy romance
Length: novella
Heat Level: sensual
Other: n/a
Reviewer: Brecken Stevens
Date: October 12, 2011

When Tiernan made the wish to be a fairy godfather, he had no idea what it all meant. Reina, one of the head fairies never warmed up to Tiernan, but maybe that’s because she secretly lusted after the unorthodox fairy. Affirming Tiernan among the ranks of fairy godmothers will take him finally giving a human a happily ever after, but to get there will mean letting go of his own dissolutions and maybe even finding his own with the fairy godmother of his dreams.

The love story between Tiernan and Reina was the story to watch. I enjoyed watching their love grow despite their personal issues. I didn’t love the side story with Cinderella nearly as much as the main storyline. Overall, a very interesting and entertaining (oh and steamy) take on the fairy godmother idea. A great story for a reader looking for a steamy fantasy story with a familiar twist.


Eighth Night by Sandra Sookoo

Title: Eighth Night
Author: Sandra Sookoo
Publisher: Liquid Silver Publishing
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59578-768-2
Genre: holiday romance
Length: novella
Heat Level: sensual
Other: n/a
Reviewer: Brecken Stevens
Date: October 12, 2011

Eli loves his big, Jewish family, but he needs breathing room. Maybe he’s taken too much in recent years, but after years of being smothered, the break has been a relief. Rachel is unhappy with life as a whole, and adding Christmas gives her something to truly focus her discontent on. When Eli invites Rachel into his world of Jewish tradition and family, he thinks he’s being nice to a girl down on her luck, never imagining how well Rachel will fit in, let alone how much he’ll enjoy her company. The two have a lot of differences and Rachel has a lot of baggage. To make a Hanukkah to remember, they’ll have to decide if they want to celebrate together. 

I enjoy Sandra Sookoo’s stories. They’re uplifting and sexy and let love grow. I like the Hanukkah theme and learning a little about the Jewish faith. Rachel’s attitude was such a downer. With so many aspects of faith playing here, I never felt like she got the real meaning of Christmas from a true Christian sense—but then, maybe she didn’t have to. I also felt like there were a lot of stereotypes in the Jewish family, though I enjoyed Eli’s mother and sister very much. Eighth Night is a good holiday story if a reader is looking for something a little different.



Lost Wages of Sin by Rosalie Stanton

Title: Lost Wages of Sin: Sinners and Saints: Book 1
Author: Rosalie Stanton
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59578-824-5
Genre: paranormal romance
Length: 117
Heat Level: sensual
Other: oral
Reviewer: Brecken Stevens
Date: July 19, 2011, 2011

 Ava is in a pickle. She shouldn’t have fallen for an angel, shouldn’t have shared her secret about being one of Lucifer’s embodied sins, and probably just shouldn’t have gotten out of bed that morning. On the run from demons and her former overlord Ava turns to Dante, a vampire and old friend for help and support. Always just buddies, she’s shocked when Dante reveals how much he cares for her and how much she reciprocates. With hell itself after them, Ava and Dante might not have the time they need to figure out just where they’re headed.

Ms. Stanton has a very creative little world going on here. I love the embodiment of the sins concept-lots of fun possibilities there. Dante and Ava are fantastic characters and I loved being their cheer leader as the story went on. It’s always tricky to write stories like this because the back story has been done in hundreds of different ways. I didn’t love the back story of hell and heaven in this one. It just hit on a few points I personally didn’t love because of my faith. Readers looking for a love story will find it here along with the start of a series that is sure to be a lot of fun.


Last Minion Standing by Eve Langlais

Title: Last Minion Standing
Author: Eve Langlais
Publisher: Liquid Silver Publishing
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59578-797-2
Genre: paranormal romance
Length: novella
Heat Level: hot
Reviewer: Brecken Stevens
Date: October 12, 2011

 Sally doesn’t just need a sidekick, she needs a minion. A one of Hell’s enforcers, she does a great job and loves it, but could use someone to get her coffee and watch her back. When she meets Drake, the dragon shifter they grab each others attention. Drake has a lot on his plate. Not only is he trying to win Sally’s heart, he’s on his way to winning the reality show to be her minion.

Eve Langlais stories make me happy. They are edgy, a little raunchy and always good for a hot and naughty read. Last Minion Standing hits all the right notes for a great quick read. I loved the characters and the reality show aspect made me giggle. A great read.




Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Company She Keeps by Barbara Kellyn



Title: The Company She Keeps
Author: Barbara Kellyn
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication Date: December 5, 2011
ISBN: 9781616503376
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 216 pages
Heat Level: Sensual
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 11, 2011

Talk about taking your work home with you...
For better or worse, Harper Bukoski is married to her dream job at a small marketing agency. Thanks to the mismanagement of its morally-lax owners, it's on the brink of disaster. Despite the dysfunction around her--including a nagging suspicion that the clueless new account rep is her boss's mistress- Harper clings to the hope that her loyalty and diligence will keep the office on an even keel.
But the tightly-wound workaholic goes into a tailspin upon meeting Jed Sanderson, whose account is keeping the agency afloat. Harper is troubled by her undeniable attraction to a man with three potential dealbreakers stacked against him: he's a client; he's a recently-divorced father of three, and (the doozy!) he's buddies with her disapproving boss. If Harper listens to her head, she might miss out on something extraordinary with Jed. But if she follows her heart, she risks imploding her career and bringing down the entire agency along with it.

The Company She Keeps reeled me in from the beginning and like the television show Sex in the City, which it subtly and not-so-subtly references, it had me hooked. Jed had my heart from his first appearance. There is nothing I like more than a charming smile and a sense of sarcastic humor add in the fact that the man is smart and successful as well as utterly realistic and I’m a goner. I loved that this couple was far from fairytale perfect that they each had flaws and yet to me it made them all the more endearing. Harper is the kind of woman I’d like to have as a friend, if I could pry her away from the office, or pry myself away for that matter. The fact the supporting characters were so over the top, yet so downright believable (and recognizable as people I may have worked with) was such a bonus. I’m definitely keeping my eyes open for the next story by this author.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Turquoise Moon by Ann Mayburn


Title: Turquoise Moon (1Night Stand GLBT)
Author: Ann Mayburn
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publication Date: 20 Sep 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61333-103-3
Genre: Paranormal, erotic romance, shapeshifters, IR, multiple partners
Length: 39 pages
Heat Level: Erotic
Other:  anal/oral play, ménage, GLBT, Interratial
Reviewer: TJ
Date: October 10, 2011

Werepuma and sheltered virgin Kara Vinsenz has no idea how to entice men, furry or otherwise. She contacts Madame Eve of the 1Night Stand matchmaking service in a desperate attempt to avoid a terrible arranged marriage to a psychopathic shifter. In a daring move that goes against her confined upbringing, she poses as her twin sister to escape her family compound in the hopes of meeting an Alpha and a Beta strong enough to be her mates. She waits to meet them until she goes into heat and is totally unprepared for the consequences of her actions.

Ben Harkil and Jude Carson are on the hunt for the perfect Alpha female to complete their Pride and when they meet Kara, they believe their prayers have been answered. What starts out as a 1Night Stand ends up being so much more when Kara realizes that her lies may have doomed from the start the only love that can save her and her Pride from a madman.

Turquoise Moon is a serious, sensual and sometimes somber read and I loved every second of it. Ben and Jude are a concrete couple and their strong bond is evident from the moment they are introduced into the story. I enjoyed witnessing their interactions with each other and with Kara and I loved how well they all seemed to meld together. Every character in this story was so well developed including the bad guy. Kara was one of the most powerful heroines I have come across. She leads a life out of her control which is only going to get worse and she has the courage and the intelligence to try to change it. I cannot wait to see what else this author has to offer as I enjoyed everything about this story; the plot and setting the tone and the personalities.



 

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