The Goblin and the Girl by Neil Irani

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Maverick Arts Publishing
Children's
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Blurb: Every morning a girl looks in the mirror and sees a goblin. She is scared that people will see that she is different and so she hides under a hat. One day, when it is stormy outside, the hat blows away…
A beautifully illustrated book about self-confidence and friendship.

Review: The blurb really nailed this one. I was inspired by this little children's book. And thrilled to see an author unafraid to tackle the issue of low self esteem in kids. The fact that I have children and one of them gets picked on sometimes only made this story hit closer to home for me. It helps to show kids that not everyone sees what you see. and that REAL friends see who you are and not what you look like :)

Sparkle's Song by Samantha Hale

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Maverick Arts Publishing
Childrens
To Purchase

Blurb: Aunt Millicent does not allow music in her house, so when Sparkle hears a beautiful song coming from the forest, she wants to find out where it is coming from. Following a songbird, she discovers something magical that will change her life forever.

Review: I don't get many children's book to review but when I do I jump all over them :) This was one that not only appealed to me but also to my kiddos, as well it should. A tale of loss and coping with change, Sparkle finds joy in the world again after the loss of her parents. A wonderful story with pictures that drive the imagination to new heights. A winner for my kids :) Therefore a winner for me :)

Ghostly by Samantha Combs

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: Astraea Press
Young Adult
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Blurb: High school has never been effortless for social misfit Juice Zander and her sophomore year is proving to be no exception.  Having a new boy in homeroom actually pay attention to her might be a start to all that changing.  But there are some big issues brewing.  That fact that Shane Elliot has revealed himself to be a ghost isn’t her biggest problem.  Neither is the fact that he wants her to help him find a “host body” so he can be a real teenager again.  It’s not even that when she does find a possible donor for her supercute ghost, it’s another so-not-ugly guy who for some unprecedented reason likes her.  No, her real problem is that after years of platonic friendship, she discovers one of her best buddies has feelings for her, and she’s afraid those feelings might be mutual.
 Enlisting the help of her tight group of best friends, Juice sets out to 1) find the perfect host for her ghost, 2) figure out her surprising new relationship with her longtime friend and 3) maybe discover she’s not such a social misfit after all.

Review:  Captivating til the end. Will keep you wondering what the outcome will be. A good read for young paranormal readers. Will take you from one character to another and yet to another as the story line unfolds. Recommend!

Forbidden Fruit by Rosalie Stanton

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Noble Romance
Contemporary Erotica
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Blurb: Ashlynn Sweeney has been in love with Reese for ten years, which would be no problem if he were not her stepbrother. Being near him is unbearable, but Ashlynn likes to think she plays it cool, and his living on campus definitely makes life easier.

When Reese comes home for spring break, Ashlynn does her best to avoid him. Yet temptation’s hard to resist, and discovering the object of her affections masturbating to pornography is about as tempting as it gets. Though she flees before they can lock eyes, Ashlynn finds Reese isn’t about to let her off that easily. Instead, he suggests they watch the rest of the movie together.

Ashlynn’s low on options. She can either face the forbidden with her head held high or brace herself for uncomfortable family gatherings. Either way, her life’s about to change . . . she just doesn’t know how much.

Review:  Not bad :) Naughty and sexy all at the same time. While I personally found the virginal sex a bit more pleasurable than what I think most women experience their first time, it was still well done and a story worth reading. A bit more than erotica, this one has a bit of a story and a nice resolution. There is more than just the hot sex...though not much more. But the sex is HOT HOT HOT :)

Israfil's Future (Celestial Justice #3) by Serena Yates

Story: 6.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 14.5
Publisher: Silver Publishing
GBLT Fantasy
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Blurb: What if you’re a police angel used to taking orders but suddenly find yourself facing a situation where you need to think for yourself?

Israfil is an excellent police angel. He doesn’t like checking up on other angels to make sure they follow the dictates of Heaven’s middle management, but he’s very good at it. When a mission goes painfully wrong and he’s faced with prosecution, he’s sure he will be severely punished. Instead, he’s sent to Earth and told to 'get a life'.

Chris is a professor of psychology at Buffalo Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona, who is taking a much needed vacation in the Coconino National Forest. When he goes hiking one day he finds a very naked, very confused man with amnesia in a clearing. The only thing the stranger remembers is that his name is Israfil.

Will the two men be able to solve the riddle of Israfil’s past? And once they do, can they decide what to do about Israfil’s future?

Review: Ms. Yates has a nice style and flow to her writing. It’s a pleasure to read. I liked both Israfil and Chris. I just wished I’d gotten to their story sooner. The first 40 pages (of 117 page story) is setup. I understood the need for more info on Israfil, but I admit I found myself wanting to skim forward, but I didn’t. The first third of the book felt like the story before the story…but keep reading. When you finally get to Chris and Israfil together (much later in the book) it does deliver on a great m/m romance.

I didn’t enjoy Chris’s introduction to the story. A scene is played out then we’re told “three weeks pass.” A little more story is played out, and then it’s written “a week passes.” Finally Chris goes camping and I had to wonder what all the build up was for because it didn’t do much but give an oversized helping of setup that I didn’t enjoy.

But get to page 40 because from there the book is what we all love in m/m romance. Hot, sexy, emotional. Without the front heavy filler this book would have garnered a fantastic review. There is nothing to criticize in the development of the relationship or in the satisfying ending. Chris and Israfil make a compelling couple and the sex between them is hot (the last few pages of the book will overheat your ereader)

I know this is a mixed review. There were some amazing parts to this story and some that just didn’t give me much to get into.

What Daughters Are For by Ana Star

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 8.5
Total: 17
Publisher: Written Expressions
Contemporary Erotica
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Blurb: A year after the death of her mother, Karine developed a crush on her stepdad, Martin. Recently, she’d been spying on him as he masturbated to porn movies and dreams of being intimate with him. This time, she’s decided to make her move. Will they get it on or will it be an epic fail?


Review: For a hot erotica daddy/daughter theme, this one was worth the read. Now, when I read erotica I am not expecting romance. Hell, most of the time I am not even expecting solid writing but what I do expect is for the actions and launguage to cause certain "stirrings" Mission completed.

This dirty little tale did exactly what is was designed to do  :)

Forever and a Day by Delilah Marvelle

Story: 9.5
Presentation: 9.5
Total: 19
Publisher: harlequin
Regency Historical
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Blurb: Roderick Gideon Tremayne, the recently appointed Duke of Wentworth, never expected to find himself in New York City, tracking down a mysterious map important to his late mother. And he certainly never expected to be injured, only to wake up with no memory of who he is. But when he sees the fiery-haired beauty who's taken it upon herself to rescue him, suddenly his memory is the last thing on his mind.

Georgia Milton, the young head of New York's notorious Forty Thieves, feels responsible for the man who was trying to save her bag from a thief. But she's not prepared for the fierce passion he ignites within her. When his memory begins to return, her whole world is threatened, and Roderick must choose between the life he forgot and the life he never knew existed.…

Review: Filled to capacity with gripping, edge of your seat turns that will leave you breathless. And if they don't? Call your doctor :)

Ms Marvelle has done it again world. This masterful artist has riveted me with her power and ensnared me with her talent of the written word. Never let it be said that I didn't bow down before her because here I am in awe :) This striking tale gave me everything I needed, wanted and didn't know existed in a book.

*SNAPS* Ms Marvelle on a true work of art :)

Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Harlequin
Contemporary
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Blurb: When Keri Daniels's boss finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town—and looking for him. He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping trip, Keri can ask one question.

The chemistry between Joe and Keri is as potent as the bug spray, but Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart, and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever?

Review: Oh Yeah!!

There were times when I thought that I was going to mess myself I laughted so hard. A sister with a grudge, an ex who wants you back and a family to contend with? Yep, it has it all:) and then some. By no means was this quite what I expected when I selected this story to review. Yes, I knew I would get a rekindle of a past love but it was so much more than I ever dreamed and all in a wonderfuuly delicious way.

The Seduction of Prince Frog by Mary E O'Connor

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Paranormal Erotic
To Purchase

Blurb: All men were toads as far as Miranda was concerned, and she had no intention of marrying only to please her father. She meant to rule her kingdom herself.

Review: This book is about a princess that has to marry before her birthday or she will give up her right to rule the kingdom.

Miranda (the princess) meets a handsome prince who is dreamy and mysterious, but Miranda is falling head over heels way to fast for Lord Waterman (the handsome man) but she is not sure who he is or where he comes from since he will not reveal anything other then details about why he is there seeking her help. When Miranda agrees to have lunch with him they end up in bed together. Where after they make love he basically rushes out the door.

Miranda is trying to figure out if this is love she isn't even sure who he is and why he cant tell her who he is.At the end of the story we find out about the curse that Lord Waterman paid a witch to put on him so that he could spy on Miranda's fathers kingdom.Only a selfless act will break the curse. So he sacrifices himself so that he could warn Miranda's kingdom of the up and coming attack.

I liked this book even though it had some parts that I didn't understand. There were some really good sex scenes between Miranda and Tristen and it had a great plot. I would read more by this author and I would recommend this book to my friends.

One Perfect Night by Rachael Johns

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Carina Press
Contemporary Erotic
To Purchase

Blurb: Peppa Grant's fellow employees may call their new CEO Mr. McSexy, but she's also heard that he's aloof and distant. Cameron McCormac certainly seems cold toward Christmas when she meets him at the company's annual party...but he's also the sexiest man Peppa has ever seen. And when he offers to forgive the damage she accidentally caused to his expensive car in exchange for accompanying him to his family's holiday get-together, she agrees.

Cameron needs a date to the family party to get his matchmaking relatives off his back. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, leading to an incredible one-night stand. But Peppa wants love and family, while Cameron's only interested in temporary pleasure. When their relationship takes an unexpectedly serious turn, will he run the other way—or will he give love a second chance?

Review: OMG!! THAT was a super sexy read. One of my favorite plots beside friends to lovers is the "I need a girlfriend/wife for (insert reason)" They just really work for me. I just love to see all the funny, crazy things that happen along the way to them discovering they can't live without the other :)

And this one worked for me....and then some :) Everything for me was great. I loved the characters, the plot and the sex....yeah :) Now I just need to get more from this author and I think I will be set :)