Dark Blood by JJ Massa

Title: Dark Blood

Author: JJ Massa

Publisher: Midnight Showcase Fiction

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: 1555-5496

Genre: paranormal romance

Length: 119

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Rating: 3  diamonds

Heat Level: spicy

Other: n/a

Reviewer: Brecken Stevens

Date: October 28, 2010

In Love Like Blood, Julianna Gold’s health isn’t the only thing holding her down, her oppressive relationship is also taking its toll. Raiden Vagner is a vampire who heard Julianna’s call years before and has been searching ever since. When they finally meet, Raiden hopes he’s in time to reverse the damages done by her MS and when threats on her life become stronger, they’ll have to trust each other to keep Julianna alive. 

Rubies, Sapphires, And Ivory is a shorter story about Niccolo and Ivory. Niccolo is a vampire out in the world for good times and interesting company. Ivory is just trying to make enough money to pay her debts and really start her life. They meet in Italy while Ivory is working as an interpreter and after a lovely meal, they spend a long night together, only to have Ivory have to leave in the morning. Unable to get her out of his mind, Niccolo tracks Ivory down and they rekindle their passions, but when Ivory realized Niccolo is something more than he seems, any chances of a relationship will go on hold.

In the second story, JJ Massa kept things simple and short, making it a quick, sexy read without the usual gloss of perfection vampire stories sometimes embrace. Ivory is human and when she was frightened, she acted like one. The first story was a little tedious because too many voices got added to the mix. The storyline itself was a great idea. I wanted Julianna and Raiden to get together and the danger line of Julianna’s husband being so angry and unhappy pushed the suspense along. Unfortunately, with so many different points of views having their say, the urgency deflated right when it could have exploded. Vampire lovers will still enjoy the story because Raiden is yummy and Julianna really is a very likable character. It was a great idea that just didn’t quite pan out which is why it only made three diamonds.

Vamptations 2 Anthology

Title: Vamptations 2

Author: Kara Griffin, Ravyn Reccio, Megan Hussey, Taylor Evans

Publisher: Midnight Showcase

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-0-557-42623-2

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 153

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Author Website: http://karagriffin.webs.com/, http://ravynreccio.blogspot.com/, http://goldenmuse.tripod.com/

Author Email: karagrif66@comcast.net, ravynreccio@gmail.com, goldenmuse@lycos.com, mssubmissions@gmail.com

Rating:  3 Diamonds

Heat Level: Erotic

Other:  Oral, Anal

Reviewer: Cassandra Parker

Date: October 6, 2010

Night Nibbles

Candra is on the run from her abusive ex Drevvin and is seeking out a savior in Talkeetna, Alaska. She knows the only one who can help her is Steffin. Only his strength and determination to reclaim his will overthrow Drevvin’s rule.

Seth Black has been on his own for 500 years and cannot believe his former betrothed Constancia has arrived in town. He had managed to remain hidden and removed from the kingdom of the Dark Kindred but will his lost love help him to realize his destiny?

Vampyric Dreams

Every night for 7 years Gabrielle has dreamed of a mysterious vampire lover. The dreams are incredibly vivid and are starting to affect her day to day living and her health. Micah has been searching for his mate and future Queen for 300 years and has finally located her. Micah lost her and his kingdom long ago but now he has a chance to recapture everything. He has been trying to trigger Gabrielle’s memories of their past life together but with poor results. Will Micah be able to help Gabrielle remember before it’s too late for her and their kingdom?

Song of the Vamp

Antonia has become increasingly frustrated with the singer she manages. She can’t reach him during the day, any business dinner they have together is mobbed by fans and he always orders these disgusting bloody steaks. Of course that doesn’t lessen his attractiveness. Will Antonia finally have the courage to change her relationship with her star?

Once the Sun Goes Down

Both Jacob and Dahlia are on the prowl and get quite the surprise when they find each other.

Overall the stories in this book were not well matched. The first story, Night Nibbles, tried to do a lot with very little space. The story had a lot of potential to be interesting and was a different take on vampires but the plot was rushed and the ending wasn’t very climatic. I would have felt more comfortable with Candra and Seth as a couple if I had been given the opportunity to see their relationship from the beginning. I feel that without this basis their relationship is a little lacking.

Vampyric Dreams was the hardest story for me. The dialogue is overly dramatic and unappealing. Every conversation between the hero and heroine were completely unrealistic. Gabrielle and her best friend had a good dynamic and were fun to read, but Micah was too one dimensional to be the hero. The villain had more going for him than the hero.

Song of the Vamp was the best story of the bunch but I would have liked to have read Sylvan’s viewpoint of the story. It was an interesting take on a vampire story with a vampire who actually has a job and isn’t just living on his/her wealth. Considering the length of the story the previous relationship of the characters makes their interactions flow better, and the relationship developed naturally.

 Once the Sun Goes Down wasn’t really much of anything because it was only 13 pages. It didn’t leave an impression on me because it was so quick and the characters just met and hooked up. I would recommend skipping this one entirely. It didn’t really make any sense.

Sea Dance by Leanne Strange

Title: Sea Dance

Author: Leanne Strange

Publisher: Midnight Showcase Fiction

Publication Date: 2010

ISSN: 1555-5496 Vol. 57-10-RS2

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 46 pages

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Rating: 5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sensual

Reviewer: Devoni Rayne

Date: 04-17-2010

On her last day of a research assignment, Kass finds herself attracted to a handsome alien merman who won't take no for an answer.

Leanne Strange created a beautiful underwater world of Seamyst in Sea Dance. I was swept away into the beauty and customs of Seamyst. Kass is a down to earth character, figuratively and literally. I enjoyed her reactions to Deverel, a brass, hunky merman. I was rooting for them to get together from the start. The only problem I had with this book is it made me want to go out and find this wonderful world. I love it when a book makes me want to truly believe a fictional place exists. If you want a quick, beautifully written fantasy this book is perfect.

Slow Burn by JJ Massa

Title: Slow Burn

Author: JJ Massa

Publisher: Midnight Showcase Fiction

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: 1555-5496

Genre: Anthology short stories contemporary to paranormal

Length: 132 pages

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Rating: 3 1/2 diamonds

Heat: explicit

Other: oral, some anal, bloodletting~vampire style

Reviewer: Brecken Stevens

Date: Jan 21, 2010

From best friends in Hollywood, to southern belles in danger, to a little fun at dinner, and a final twist to some vampire fun, Slow Burn is a culmination of four short, sexy stories. Hollywood-land is harsh, the southern belle is repressed, the waiter is hot, and the vampires are delectable and tough, making the book a study in contrasts.

In the way groupings have, a few of the stories of Slow Burn outshined the others. The first story, Old Friends was a treat when old friends reunite and sparks fly for a happy-for-now ending. The middle drags with two nice, predictable shorts one filled with sex, the other with good old fashioned southern-style drama. The ending story, a longer paranormal short, Anything, was a great ending. It drew me in and I’ll be looking for the sexy cousins’ stories in the future. I give the total stories three and a half diamonds. The first and last would get more on their own, but the two middle stories brought it out of the four diamond running. It definitely warrants a read from those looking for quick, steamy stories.

Thrilled (Anthology) by Hussy/Valentine/Dixon/Kemp/Powers

Title: Thrilled Anthology

Author: Megan Hussy, Lex Valentine, Christine Dixon, C. Margery Kemp, Mae Powers

Publisher: Midnight Showcase Fiction

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: ISSN 1555-5496

Genre: Erotic Contemporary

Length: 107 pgs

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Rating: 5

Heat Level: Erotic

Other: Oral sex, voyeurism, explicit language, graphic sex, toys, videotaping of sex, cougar action, light BDSM

Reviewer: Olivia Starke

Date: 11/30/09

Of Power and Passion, Megan Hussey
Jacquie is a tough PI with an eye for hot gentlemen. When a lover lands in hot water, she sweeps in for the rescue.

Turning Cards, C. Margery Kempe

A tarot reader turns up a card that spells good news in her own love life.

Silver Lining, Lex Valentine

Despaired with love, Maris posts goodbye letters to her chatroom pals. A special member emails, begging her not to leave. His words capture Maris' attention.

The Awakening, Christine Dixon

Patience needing something to spice up her love life, found just the thing to awaken her interest. But would her husband like it too?

Includes two bonus stories by Mae Powers.

This is a collection of incredibly sexy, intense, and juicy tales to make feel flushed and flustered! A combination of humor and eroticism, with a more touching story thrown in by Lex Valentine, each author does a wonderful job of pulling you into their stories. Thrilled provides you with some cougar play, hunky guys to make your mouth water, relatable spunky heroines who will make you smile (and envy,) and a space alien or two thrown in just to keep you on your toes. This is definitely a don't miss in my book! If I could rate it a 6 I would!