Dark Fantasies by Kiersten Riley

Title: Dark Fantasies

Author: Kiersten Riley

Publisher: Whispers Publishing

Publication Date: Jan 7, 2011

ISBN: n/a

Genre: fantasy romance

Length: 27

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Heat Level: Erotic

Other: Oral sex

Reviewer: Brecken Stevens

Date: June 8, 2011

 Sara’s job as the star of Dark Fantasies, a naughty radio program has led her to have high expectations, with little hope of finding a man who can fulfill all of her fantasies. She falls asleep one night and wakes to find the man of her dreams, is now the man of her waking life. Luke refuses to explain his existence, but he insists on staying, if Sara will have him.

Half of Dark Fantasies’ twenty-seven pages are sex. The plot, when it peeks its head up, has the potential to be really interesting. I like that Luke has some element of magic pertaining to his existence, but I didn’t like that no answers were really given. If a reader is looking for hot and sexy, Dark Fantasies will cover it. If they’d like anything more in a story, it’s just not in this one.

Torn by Raven Starr

Title:   Torn

Author:   Raven Starr

Publisher:   Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date:   August 2010

ISBN:    978-1-60435-766-0

Genre:   Interracial Romance, Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Length:   56,798

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Heat Level:   Steamy

Reviewer:  Yasmine

Date:   2/9/2011

“Everybody falls in love and everyone gets hurt. Alyssa Kendall is no different. But what would you do if the love of your life was being held captive by a psychopath?

 How far would you go?

 Alyssa finds out just how far she’ll go for love, revenge and peace of mind. She’s not Torn between two men, but between the two halves of herself.

 Which half will win? Find out in Torn.”

Ms Star’s Torn is a romantic rollercoaster, at times you just are ready for the ride to stop and at others you can’t wait to see what is going to happen next.  Her characters Alyssa and Julian are highly likable and flawed characters; in their flaws we find their humanity. What I like most about Ms Stars writing her ability to write color blind. I know this is an interracial couple yet it didn’t read any different then if they were, white, black, Asian or purple. I was able to loose myself in the heroine and put myself in her shoes.

The story Ms Star has is full of high energy but parts of the novel dragged and others she seemed to skim over. I would have liked the book to focus more on the mending relationship then being chased by a killer crazy man, and secondary characters that though likeable and rich didn’t always add to what essentially is a romance novel.   Although this story was not for me personally I will gladly read more of her work and look forward to giving  her another try. 

To Play or Obey by Abby Wood

Title: Play Or Obey

Author: Abby Wood

Publisher: Breathless Press

Publication Date:

ISBN: 978-1-926771-73-1

Genre: paranormal romance

Length: 162 pages

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Heat Level: Erotic

Other:  anal/oral play, BDSM

Reviewer: Gabrielle

Date: 1/29/2011

 

When romance writer Gabriella takes Mayor Dick up on his invitation to visit the town Peckerwood she finds herself drawn to him like no other. When Dick asks her to make a choice her decision will change her life in more ways than she knows.

 

I was surprised to find this book a story about true love. After reading the blurb for this book I expected a very tongue and cheek story. What you get is a story about finding love in the last place you think. I enjoyed watching Gabriella find herself and her place in the town but I found it a little unnerving that most of the choices that she makes seemed rushed. When she finds out that Dick wants her to be his submissive so she can research her books it does not take very long for Gabriella to jump right in full throttle. This book has a paranormal twist and when Gabriella finds herself again in need to make a choice it once again seems rushed. I would have enjoyed a bit more in the book on these parts. I understood Gabriella’s reasons but think that showing her putting more thought into these choices would have helped me enjoy the book more.

 

Not only do we meet Gabriella and Dick in this story but we also get to meet many other interesting characters that live in Peckerwood. To Play or Obey could be a nice start to a series. I certainly hope that many of the other inhabitants of the town will find their happy ever afters.

 

Although Gabriella and Dick are a nice couple and I enjoyed the banter and developing relationship between the two I found that I did not click as well with these two characters as I have with others in the past. I have enjoyed Abby Wood’s books in the past and even though this one is not a favorite I will be sure to check out more from this author in the future.

Hearts Aplenty by Rosemary Gunn

Title: Hearts Aplenty

Author: Rosemary Gunn

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-59578-790-3

Genre: ménage contemporary romance

Length: 47 pages

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Heat Level: Erotic

Other: M/F/M

Reviewer: Brecken Stevens

Date: January 25, 2011

 Claire has a secret fantasy that isn’t so much of a secret from the two men who love and want her. Jared is a wonderful man who accepts Claire for who she is and is willing to share her with her adult step-brother, Mark. The three work for a dynamic of sexual exploration and acceptance while trying to find a way to make their relationship one their families can accept.

As far as heat goes, this one was on fire! It relied on past experiences and past feeling building to get to that fire though, and that made it hard for me to get beyond the initial heat to the heart of the story. I would have loved to see the relationship build instead of being told about how it had sparked. The set ups for future stories about the family are intriguing and I’m sure in the world Ms. Gunn has built for Hearts Aplenty will have much more drama and lust in the future.