Thistle Dew by ALee Drake

Story 9.5
Presentation 9.5
Total: 19
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sensual Paranormal
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Blurb: Sage Winters is the owner of an Adirondack bed and breakfast aptly named Thistle Dew by her late husband, Eric. She is a strong woman, not only successful in her business but as a mother. Although she tries to be loyal to her love for Eric, frequent guest and author Hawke is so irresistible that he catches her eye and eventually her heart. Sage is an overprotective mother who reluctantly learns to rely on others at a time of crisis.


Hawke, a shy, reclusive best selling author, steps up to the plate as hero when Sage's daughter, Pia is missing and any clues to her whereabouts have been buried during a blizzard. He learns to trust his intuitive voice and finds Pia via dreams and eerie signs.

And it is Eric, in spirit, who is not always angelic, but intercedes and intervenes to keep his ‘girls’ safe. He not only shows Hawke where to find Pia but encourages Sage to open her heart and love again.

Review: Sage is the owner/manager of the Thistle Dew bed and breakfast. She is widowed with a four year old daughter, Pia.

Hawke is the sexy, mysterious motorcycle rider who is there for a writer's workshop.

Lowell is an old friend of Sage, (and of her dead husband), who has a thing for Sage and is very jealous of all men around her. He might have a violent nature.

Norman is a writer who often comes to the writer's get-togethers at the B&B. His wife was in an accident and has been in a nursing home for 32 years. His daughter, killed in the accident, has been his writer's muse.

Eric is the dead husband who communicates with his daughter, causes things to happen, and is an active part of the story. Can a spirit be a ghostly matchmaker?

Sage's daughter is kidnapped from the parking lot. Lowell blames anyone and everyone. It appears he, Hawke and Norman might all have motives. Is the hawk, a bird of prey, that appears several times a clue that Hawke might also be a predator? Is Lowell, who has wanted Sage for years, capable of doing such a horrible thing? Or was it Norman, the sweet old man who sometimes calls Pia by his dead daughter's name?

WHO did it???

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At times I rolled with laughter; at times I almost cried. Eric's presence was the cause of much hilarity. One instance was when he gripped Lowell's wrist and caused the beer to spill "wetting his khaki pants in a very uncomfortable area."

Several times Eric caused Chaka, the llama, to torment Lowell, which added to the side-splitting humor. Eric sends messages and clues to other characters throughout the story. Tears welled up in my eyes when Hawke thought about his son being taken out of the country by the ex-wife, comparing his loss to the despair of Sage's daughter being kidnapped. The different descriptions of a parent losing a child were heart-wrenching.

Ms.Drake's writing made her characters come alive and almost jump off the pages.Sage's guilt and despair over the kidnapping happening in the few minutes she was distracted by Hawke's kiss was described so vividly tears came to my eyes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot. It was so much more than "just another cute romance." It had twists and turns, mystery and emotional drama to keep me turning the pages (and forgetting to cook supper,)

The characters were well developed into real people. One character was so well described it made me dislike him before I realized he was not a total bad guy, just a person with common human failings.

Descriptions of the winter activities, the snowy scenery and even the dialogue were wonderful.

Thistle Dew left me with some questions. Can dead people/spirits from the past communicate with living people? Can the ghostly beings actually cause physical things to move? And the cover picture - was the snow a symbol of something hidden? like a person's true personality??

Whatever answers a reader comes up with would be their own, I am left guessing.

Regardless, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed reading this story by Ms. Drake.

Smoking Hot by Sommer Marsden

Story: 7
Presentation: 8
Total: 15
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Erotic Paranormal
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Blurb: Van really wants to dislike her blind date, on principle of course. So naturally she really likes Sean Tierney on sight. Her thoughts automatically go from zero to naughty when they meet. He’s a tall, green-eyed blond who drives a smoking-hot classic car.


Speaking of smoking hot, the Halloween party he takes her to turns into a nightmare. Not because it’s a blind date, but because the whole thing goes to hell when a ghost in the shape of evil black smoke starts taking out the guests. Van decides she’d like to live to see another date with sinfully handsome Sean and she learns there’s something to be said for life-affirming sex. Lots and lots of life-affirming, we-may-die-here-so-lets-do-it-while-we-can sex.

Review: Cute but I could have had more :)

As to be expected from Ms Marsden, it was.....SMOKIN' HOT! but I thought the story was a bit rushed. Of course how else is a story supposed to be that takes place in the span of a single f*cked up first date. :) Jacked. A totally nail biting first date that would have had me screwing the pants off my sexy blind date no doubt and boy do they ever. In a closet, a dumb-waiter and with a medium peeking through a key hole. YEAH, dirty little voyeur :)

All in all it was a good, hot fast read that while I would have liked more, was fine the way it was. Nothing really left out. Just enough :)

Submit With Me by Amber Skyze

Story: 5
Presentation: 7.5
Total: 12.5
Publisher: Ellora's cave
Erotic Contemporary
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Blurb: Rena is on a quest to get laid and she’s willing to go to any length to fulfill her need.


Marc has a thirst for a submissive. He longs to find someone he can bring to the edge of ecstasy and rein back in before an orgasm. He wants to tie, tease and torture his submissive, pushing the limits of sexual awareness.

When he offers Rena five hundred dollars to be his sub for the night, he gets more than he bargained for. This spitfire is about to show him a thing or two about submitting.

Review: Well, what can I say. I had really high hopes but they kinda got mushed.

What starts out hot, petered out and began to waver for me. Stranger sex....;) at least for now. I know, you are raising your brow going Huh? but if I tell it would spoil. While the end made the entire story make sense the journey it took to get there just didn't work for me.

I lost what little connection I had with the hero during his bout of aggression and felt basically nothing for the heroine from the start.  At the end I got the Ahhhh....but by then I just really didn't care very much.

This is not the first story that I have read by Ms Skyze and it won't be my last as I know what she can do. I will be on the prowl for more of her works but not based off of this story.

Talk Dirty to Me by Inez Kelley and Ginny Glass

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Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Carina Press
Erotic Contemporary
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Blurb: "Tell me what you want. Talk dirty to me."

Biologist Nora MacGregor is frantic when she loses her dissertation notes on female sexuality—and some very personal fantasies. Then a sinful stranger calls with a wicked proposition: if she talks dirty to him, he'll return her notes, page by page. "James" allows Nora to explore her deepest desires and challenges her clinical ideas about sex. But James can't give her the loving touches she finds in her budding relationship with Dr. Jarod Reed.

Jarod seized an opportune moment to fulfill his desire for Nora by becoming the mysterious James. While the anonymous, erotic phone sessions are unforgettable, Jarod longs to tell Nora he wants more than just talk. But how can he confess his deception without it costing him the chance to make their fantasies a reality?

Review: YEAH BABY!!!!  OMG what a laugh out loud, rocking read that will heat you up :)  There was no way I could have stopped reading this one. Passion, emotions, naughty phone calls :)  Oh, how sweet it was :)  My only wish is that it had been much, MUCH longer :)
 
Ms Kelly and Ms Glass did a wonderful job on this story. Everything was there and fit together very nicely. Without a doubt one of the best books I have pleasured my eyes and mind with in awhile :)
 
Thank you ladies, for your work I give you *SNAPS* :)

Sheriff by Eryn Blackwell

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Erotic Historical
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Blurb: Lorella Constonce runs a boarding house in 1887, Giddings, Texas, not a brothel. If she ran the latter, she might know how to entice the sexy Sheriff Jefferies to more than just her dinner table. The need to hide something from him doesn’t help her cause.
Treydon Jeffries has a dead body in town and he suspects Lorella knows more than she’s telling. Treydon’s determined to discover her secrets, even if he has to seduce them out of her. With as many fantasies as he’s had about Lorella, he wouldn’t mind taking charge and finally putting her where she belongs—in his bed.

Publisher’s Note: This story was previously published elsewhere.

Review:  My only wish for this story is that it was longer.

I LOVED IT!!  The characters and description in the story along with the plot just sang for me. I love historical westerns and this is a good reason why. Stories that are written this well are wonderful and make me want to read them over and over again.

From the start this one was one that just kept me. I couldn't stop until I was done. *SNAPS* Ms Blackwell :)  You made my day :)

Loving Jilly by Sylvie Kaye

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Contemporary
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Blurb: When a harried caretaker with no spare time hires a soulful builder who’s willing to take the time, he fixes more than she bargains for. Jilly is a New Orleans daycare aide by day and by night an errand-running caretaker to the three quirky aunts who raised her. What Jilly doesn’t have time for is a man who wants more than she can spare.

Zack is a brawny carpenter who works for his father’s construction company. He’s attracted to Jilly but wants the real deal when it appears all she has time for is a slam-bam-thank-you-man relationship. Will his patience and persistence gain him the time he needs to win her trust and her heart? Or will her aunts’ stop his clock with a voodoo hex?

Review: The story was well developed with lots of twists and turns. The characters, both main and supporting were interesting personalities, even those who were ancestors. The three aunts Jilly lives with and looks after are funny, annoying, and endearing. The aunts approve of Eric because he is a good Southern both with a white collar job, while Zack is a Yankee and a blue collar construction worker. Eric and his boyfriend, Ken, become involved when they give Jilly advice about her relation with Zack. The gay guys act as cupids for the straight couple. Even other minor characters add much humor and interest to this story.

The first time Jilly and Zack meet, it is attraction at first sight; maybe not love at first sight, but definitely lust. She is hot and bothered with lots of sexual thoughts and fantasies.

This was a true romance where love overcomes all odds, with interference from her family, from his family, from long ago family secrets and life in general. I really enjoyed the book.

Cover was appealing, the prominent nipples on both characters was suggestive of the hot sexual hints and innuendos given to the reader throughout the story. Being familiar with the construction business, I was impressed when the author used correct terminology and usage for tools and methods used in building.

Descriptions of the sight and smells of bayou Louisiana added a lot of detail to the story. Descriptions of pre Civil War mansions and furnishings seemed very authentic.

Jilly's explanation of how to eat crawfish, with all the pinching, pulling and sucking became very erotic; especially when she compared it to sex - "wet and messy, but rewarding".

Usage of Cajun French language really added atmosphere. Fais-do-do is a party or having a good time. Local ideas like using a stainless steel butter knife to get rid or strong odors like onions was interesting.

The only problem I had was with unusual terms like chakras and tantric that I felt should have been explained when they were first used. Having to stop reading and look for definitions interfered with my enjoyment of reading. Probably other readers know what they mean but I didn't.

One Perfect Flower by Roberta C. M. DeCaprio

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Historical Western
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Blurb: Raven Eagle, compromised by a white agent invading her village, is sent to live in England with her mother's people. Separated from her siblings, she boards a ship owned by the Lord of Limerick, going to Ireland instead. To save her from the threat of the Sea Patrol, the lord agrees to an arranged marriage.

Braiton Shannon, suffering from an inherited illness forbidding intimacy, becomes tormented by his heart’s desire to love Raven. Her courage in the face of danger saves him from death, risking her own life to release him from his curse. Raven's spirit and determination spans the globe from an Apache Reservation to an Irish manor, and she learns if you are true to yourself, love always finds a way.

Review: The cover was not very appealing when I first saw it. Picture of a pretty flower done in pastel pinks and grays was nice but not all that great. When I was almost finished reading the story the cover started to make sense, I changed my mind, my thought was "ah ha, now the cover makes perfect sense and it is a great choice". Molly tells Raven she is beautiful as a flower and again at the end of the story it becomes clear that Raven is the perfect flower.

The opening scene was a grabber, the aftermath of a young woman's rape is enough to make all women readers want to get revenge for her. The plot developed from there. She is half white and half Indian living on an Apache reservation in Arizona. Her white mother convinces her Apache father to send Raven, her sister and brother to relatives in London to escape the white agents who control the reservation and violate and abuse the Indians living there.

The description of the Indian women's clothing made the description of white women's clothing show just how miserable the white women must have been in all the many layers that respectable ladies were expected to wear. Changing from a soft, flexible moccasin to a stiff shoe with a very pointed toe and buttoned to well above the ankle must have been miserable. Ms. DeCaprio describes how uncomfortable it was.

Raven becomes an accidental stowaway on the wrong ship going across the Atlantic. Lord of Limerick, Braiton Shannon, is the captain/owner of the ship. He marries Raven to protect her against arrest by the "Sea Patrol". This is his third time to rescue Raven. She has a miscarriage and loses the baby who was the result of the rape at the reservation.

There are many hints throughout the story about a terrible secret of Braiton's. Terrance, the ship's physician provides one of these hints when he suggests a year of marriage and "Raven will never have to know the truth about what physically ails you...." Braiton thinks many times about how he has been cursed and would never inflict his hell on her or a child of his own. He and Terrance agree the marriage be unconsummated because "she doesn't deserve to be caught up in my hell."

Raven's sister and brother go to London and Raven lands in Ireland with her husband. They have agreed to be married for one year and then he will send her to London.

The discussions of Raven and Braiton about the differences in cultures and lifestyles of British/Irish life and the Apache reservation and the Irish dialogue and Apache terms were enjoyable reading. I think they added to the contrast in lifestyles and how much Raven had to learn.

Besides their cultural differences, Raven and Braiton had other problems to overcome. She has confrontations with Joleena, who wants Braiton. Joleena and her brother are causing business problems in Braiton's shipping business. Raven becomes pregnant by drunken Braiton and he does not remember the encounter.

There were only two things about the story that bothered me. The Apaches never had a social structure with titles like "princess”. A chief's daughter did not have a social ranking equal to the British. The other thing was the "Sea Patrol". The British did not have a naval force called "Sea Patrol". These two technicalities did not detract from my enjoyment of reading the story. This is a story I enjoyed; I was up after midnight because I couldn't wait to read what was happening next! It was great.

Where The Rain is Made by Keta Diablo

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Historical Time Travel
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Blurb: A decadent-looking savage has captured Francesca DuVall and her brother, Marsh. Now she must spend every waking moment planning an escape from the camp of the brutal savages. What she doesn't count on is the powerful draw of desire interfering with her scheme.

Ethan Gray is a curator at a national museum in Washington, D.C. . . . most of the time. But when he travels through time to help his beloved People, he becomes Meko, leader of the most revered and feared tribe of the plains, the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers.

Their worlds are decades apart, yet Meko can’t resist the dark beauty he kidnapped during a raid. He has many battles to fight, but none more crucial than capturing Cesca’s heart forever.

Review: What a wonderfully written historical. The amazing attention to detail really made the story POP! Filled to the brim with heart stopping characters, a riveting plot and a love that spans time, this one will remain on my shelf for years to come and be revisited often :)

I cringed, flinched, sighed and shed a tear. Any story that can do that has my vote all the way. Ms Diablo, yet again yet have given us, the readers, a story that just defies words.  I look forward to seeing more from you in the future :)

The Mile High Club by Valerie Mann

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Noble Romance
Erotic Contemporary
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Blurb: Drew Driscoll never knew what hit him when he met Emma for the first time. Mr. Type-A personality doesn't allow relationships to interfere with his business success. But something about Emma strikes a deep chord hard and fast. So, in typical Drew fashion, he rationalizes the situation and hires her as his administrative assistant to keep her close but without any emotional entanglements. Or so he thought.


Emma never dreams how difficult working for Drew will be when she'd accepted his offer. Sure, she does her job well, he pays her even better and she enjoys the jet-set lifestyle as his assistant while he deals his way through every major boardroom in the country. What she doesn't have is Drew. The immediate attraction sizzles between them but he always keeps his eyes forward and hands off, which makes doing her job easier but her nights lonely. When she accompanies him to a formal business event and he gets immersed in an unexpected and lengthy call from Asia, a frustrated Emma accepts an offer for a ride home from his former business partner. The next day, on a cross-country corporate flight, Drew fires her.

Once she gets past the initial shock of unemployment, Emma realizes nothing is standing in the way of pursuing the affair she knows they both want. And where better to pursue her ex-boss than at a private, thirty-thousand feet?

Review: Ms Mann did a bang up job with this naughty read :) Hot, totally hot. A sexy as hell man, a lust they both want to fulfill, and a private jet bedroom......YEAH BABY!!!!!!!

The blurb really gives a very good view of the story. Even though Drew comes off as a bit of an ass at one point, I totally got it. Men and their jealousy :) LOL It makes them act like dicks sometimes :) But even so, he was still able to maintain his alpha super stud hotness and appeal.

Great little read with smokin' sex :)

Who Would Have Thought? by Trenice Carter

Story: 7
Presentation: 8
Total: 15
Publisher: CreateSpace
Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Friends since high school, Steve Kruz, Justin Brooks, and Alexander Moran settle in Blaine, MN.


Due to their captivating looks, tempting bank accounts, and no holds barred attitudes; the gorgeous male specimens were dubbed "The Men of Adonis" by the eager and, oh so willing, citizens of the metropolitan city with the small-town feel.

Dr. Steve Kruz, the constant mediator, finds that he needs the help of his "brothers" to capture and keep the woman who has finally stolen his heart.

Review: While not quite what I would have thought, this was a pretty good read :)

If you like a book with a lot going on (lots of characters) then this is a good one. There were a few times when I had issues keeping track of all the characters, but the story moved along well and the plot was interesting and kept me.

All in all an enjoyable read that I am glad I read. Thank you Ms Carter :)

Beast of Caledonia by Kate Poole

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Historical
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Blurb: In an ancient time, in an ancient land, their worlds collided. Can their love survive? Can they?

Sara is the daughter of the emperor’s legate in Caledonia, the Roman name for Scotland. Annachie is a Pictish warrior captured by her father’s soldiers and made a slave. Their friendship grows into a love neither of them can even acknowledge, much less consummate.

When her father finds them in what he thinks is a compromising position, he gives Annachie to a notorious slave trader and takes Sara back to Rome. Thinking that she will never see Annachie again, Sara agrees to become a Vestal Virgin. But six years later, her world is turned upside down when the games in the Coliseum feature the renowned gladiator, the “Beast of Caledonia”. Annachie!

Only for him would Sara forsake her vow of chastity and risk her life. And when she faces the ultimate price for loving him, only Annachie may be able to save her.

Review: I loved every word of this amazing story. The characters, the setting, the flavor, the sex, on my gosh the pain and betrayal. While reading I forgot about the words and simply existed within the pages. I was swept back in time and I didn’t want to return to the real world but wanted to stay with Sara and Annachie. I don’t want to give away the story in my review because the brilliance in this story was in the way each scene, each encounter intensified the experience for me, the reader. You’ll be hooked from the opening scenes, you’ll be breathless during the battles and you’ll swoon with the passionate love scenes. And just when you begin to believe the story was heading in one direction, Ms. Poole twisted the story—and my stomach—with her words and images. You’ll cry for the injustices then celebrate the victories. I didn’t believe two people could suffer—and love so deeply. By the end of the book I was breathless and exhilarated. The story is intense, gut-wrenching, hot, and a book that will stay in my reader so that I can read it again and again.

Rekindled by Mari Carr

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Ellora's cave
Cowboy Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Rekindled is a standalone sequel to Spitfire.

It’s been a year since her husband’s passing, and running the ranch is taking its toll on Claire Hutchins. Independent as the day is long, she concedes the need for help. She wants a foreman, an employee to run the day-to-day who can handle a woman calling the shots. Someone who won’t give her any trouble…

Who shows up at her door, first in line for the job? Jeb Carter. Ex-high-school sweetheart. Longtime rodeo star. And the one man capable of making Claire’s lust burn out of control…of making her surrender completely.

Trouble has finally come calling…and he’s as irresistible as ever.

Review: Great hook, great characters, great sex, and an ending that not only sizzled but satisfied. The story has a nice pace to make the development of Jeb and Claire’s rekindled relationship believable. The sex was hot but not overly graphic. Ms. Marr’s writing had a nice style and was a pleasure to read.

Coach Me by Ann Jacobs

Story: 7
Presentation: 9
Total: 16
Publisher: Ellora's cave
Erotic Contemporary BDSM
To Purchase

Blurb: Book 4 in the Gridiron Lovers series.

Master me, thinks Susan Anderson when she finally lays eyes on Colin Zanardi, former NFL MVP and now coach of the Savannah Rebels. He is only in town for a few days, but he’s the Dom she’s been dreaming of, yearning for. She just has to convince him to play with her, show him how submissive and obedient she is, and demonstrate just what she can do for that gorgeous body of his.

It’s been a long time since Colin has played with a true submissive. Susan is eager to be dominated. By him. He’s the perfect Master to tame her, and settling down this firecracker is a challenge Colin can’t resist. He can think of so many things he wants to use on her—a sex swing, a spiderweb, a roomful of sex toys.

He’ll play her scene—tie her, blindfold her, order her to pleasure him—for their mutual satisfaction. Colin is more than ready to turn this hometown party girl into his own private sex slave.

Review: Cute story. While I am not normally over the top about a story where the heroine...gets around, I understood in this case her need or at least why she felt the need.

She needed something. Needed to find a man who could give it to her. And how else are you going to find it unless you sample? Even though I thought the relationship developed a bit fast, it wasn't so over the top that it made me groan and roll my eyes.

Ms Jacobs did a good job building the characters and creating a vivid story that held my interest to the end.

Lord Decadent's Obsession by Brita Addams

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: Noble  Romance
Historical Erotic BDSM
To Purchase

Blurb: Since losing his wife, a woman who shared his sexual proclivities, Prentice Hyde has wandered lost, until Desiree Huntington appears at The Sapphire Club, wishing to engage his services in just the activities he most enjoys. At her seductive request, he paddles her lovely derriere, then takes her to his bed, showing her passion that she has never before experienced.


However, Desiree has a secret. Ten years before, the wicked Prentice Hyde took her virginity, her being one in a long line of faceless young women who were charmed by the handsome and persuasive Marquis of Wycroft. That single act destroyed her life, forcing her into a marriage with a man three times her age. Now, Desiree is bent on revenge.

Will she be able to make the decadent marquis fall in love with her without engaging her own heart? Can she forfeit the sexual awakening he has aroused in her? Will he be able to convince her he has changed and now his fondest desire is for her to join him in Lord Decadent's Obsession?

Review: WOW! When I was younger I never read regency romances. Then one day I woke up and bam, I just started and have since discovered that I really enjoy them. Let me just say that if they were all as hot as this one...HOLY CRAP!!!

A total turn-on from start to finish. Emotions raw and ragged are exposed and thrown out there for you to read, see and feel...and I felt every one :) With just enough kink to make it super spicy but not over the top. The sex was hot but the story was really great.

A total pleasure to read :)

Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Adkins

Story: 6.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 14.5
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Contemporary Menage
To Purchase

Blurb: Combine an art gallery in need of funding and a woman who’s willing to do anything for her “owner” after being bought in a charity auction, and you’ve got one hell of a night to remember. But what happens when you end up owned by two men instead of just one? For Katelyn Davis, that makes a perfect situation even better.

Uninhibited and driven by lust, the three of them make it a night that none of them will soon forget.

Review: Cute, kinky but not over the top.

An enjoyable read with a fun little twist that Katelyn wasn't expecting. Short and to the point, the characters and plot were easy to follow in the quickie without much fluff. Exactly what I have come to expect from both a quickie and Exotika.

Ms Adkins did a good job in a few pages.

Deep in the Woods by Annabel Joseph

Story: 6
Presentation: 9
Total: 15
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Erotic BDSM
To Purchase

Blurb: Sophie finally finds the courage to reenter the Atlanta BDSM scene after extricating herself from an abusive relationship. At a local munch, she meets Dave, a funny, laid-back erotic photographer. When she sees him again later at a dungeon, Sophie is surprised by her strong attraction, and nervous about starting a new relationship, but Dave eases her fears. They embark on a sexy, thrilling D/s relationship and Sophie finds healing and fulfillment in Dave’s arms.

But Sophie is still haunted by nightmares of her past. On a dark night in the woods with Dave and his friend Ryan, frightening memories overtake her. She knows that in order to move on, she must uncover the tragedy that haunts her subconscious.

Sophie’s quest for answers brings her face-to-face with her previous tormentor. She finds herself once more in the deep woods, not only fighting for answers…but also for her life.

Reader Advisory: Contains m/f/m ménage scenes and brief but graphic violence.

Review: Hot sex? Yes please. A bit disturbing at times? Maybe. I had a hard time believing that after such a traumatic abusive BDSM relationship that she would be willing to get involved with a Dom that she doesn’t know very well. And I have to say that I was a little put off by the fact that he knew about some of her trauma and still did some pretty aggressive things to her. He’s a sadist. She was abused. I don’t know, for me it just didn’t work and it stretched my mind to try and believe it.

Had there not been quite so much detail at times as to how severe her abuse had been I might have been able to buy her being with a sadist Dom again. The story itself, the love, between the two main characters I liked, as far as a love story goes. Aside from the sex I just didn’t really feel like I was reading an erotic book. It felt more like a good love story with kink thrown in for the flavor.

Nebulous by Shiloh Walker

Story: 5
Presentation: 9
Total: 14
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Paranormal
To Purchase

Blurb: Seven hundred years have passed since Azar’s birth. A demon-born incubus, his survival depends on women. Although he doesn’t remember all of his mortal life, he does remember his lost love…Caoilinn.

But he begins to dream of another woman. And demons do not dream. She rekindles the embers of his lost humanity and makes him yearn for things he cannot have.

Kerrigan dreams of Azar as well, and one night, while he watches her, she whispers his name. A name she can’t possibly know.

A name that will summon a demon…

Publisher’s Note: Previously released in the Myth-behavin’ anthology.

Reader Advisory: Story contains a wee bit of forced sex.

Review: Nebulous was a great concept but the execution fell flat for me. The story begins with Kerrigan, but about the time I was really interested and ready for her and Azar to come together, she disappeared from the story. We moved back in time and the connection between the past and present, for me, was lost in translation. Caoilinn becomes the heroine within the book (Kerrigan in a past life). The story is repeated through several retelling of events and becomes confusing. I kept reading hoping that in the end, all the disconnected pieced would fall into place and I’d love the story as I have loved so many other of Ms. Walker’s stories. But the ending was easy, like waking up from a bad dream, the past seven hundred years was wiped away. Oh wait that’s what happened.

On the positive side. Shiloh Walker is an amazing author, giving detailed descriptions, engaging dialog, and memorable characters. For me, this one just didn’t come together.

Lust’s Temptation by Tawny Taylor

Story: 6.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 15.5
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Paranormal/Ménage
To Purchase

Blurb: Book two in the Masters of Sin series.

Troi and Amun—one dominant, the other submissive, both alpha—are possessed by the spirit of Lust. Its dark demands have tested their will every minute of every day for centuries. And they’ve committed deviant, selfish acts to satisfy its unrelenting carnal hunger. But the guilt doesn’t overwhelm them until they meet Oriel. She is their salvation, their peace. They need her. But they don’t deserve her.

Life’s lessons have taught Oriel not to trust anyone, especially gorgeous men who will use anyone for their own satisfaction. Granted, they’re sexy. Charming. Her body responds to their every look and touch. But she can’t—won’t—take a chance on them. Until she discovers she can run away, but she can’t escape the emotions they stir.

As darkness closes in, Troi and Amun’s lives and souls hang in the balance. The beast will consume them if Oriel can’t accept her own dark needs, and trust the two men who have summoned her most decadent desires.

Reader Advisory: This book contains same-gender sex, group sex, and various and sundry other deliciously wicked acts committed by two very naughty boys.

Review: I loved the premise of the story and of the series. I think Ms. Taylor has found a fascinating angle and I’m excited to read more in this series because of the potential.

Troi, Amun and Oriel are all great characters. Troi and Amun inner battle was intense, erotic and titillating but came with guilt and remorse. I loved the dichotomy of their struggle both to find the one that completes them sexually and screwing all the time. It was hot.

Oriel had some endearing qualities. She had an inner goodness and yet she her inner vixen loved the idea of being with both Troi and Amun.

However, I did have a few issues with the story. Several times the story seemed to reinvent itself. I thought I was reading a story that had romantic suspense elements, then I was reading a BDSM story. Somewhere in the middle in comes Oriel’s Dad and the story once again became something else. If these were the tools to bring about motivation and change in the characters, they didn’t work for me. All sections were entertaining, well written and erotic. But what one scene had to do with the next was often lost for me. There are unanswered “situations.” As in topics were brought up but then seemed to be lost as the story changed directions again.

I still think this is a series to watch, the author has a nice style with her words. This particular story just did a bit too much jumping around for me.

Healing the Fox: Animal Attraction by Michelle Houston

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Phaze
Contemporary M/M paranormal erotic romance
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Blurb: When an injured fox comes into the wildlife rehabilitation center, Scott knows he isn’t an ordinary animal, he’s a shifter. Taking him home, Scott does his best to care for the injured shifter, and finds himself falling in love.


Knowing it would be selfish to ask Christian to stay, Scott has to decide if he will let Christian walk out of his life, hoping that his love will return.

Review: While I found the opening a little hard to get into, once the connection between Cris and Scott is established, I was quickly immersed in the story. Healing the Fox is erotically sexy, poignant and even at times light-hearted. It taps into your emotions and makes you want for a true connection between Cris and Scott. I found their coming together to be intense, yet sweet. But yet for as hot and titillating as their encounters are, you’ll ache at the depth of Scott’s feelings. His is a selfless love and this story was a pleasure to read. It’s short yet delivers.

Catch Me a Catch by Sally Clements

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Contemporary
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Blurb: She had the perfect life - and all she wanted was to escape it. Artisan chocolatier and reluctant matchmaker Annie Devine wants to survive the annual Durna Matchmaking Festival without messing up. She's useless at relationships, and the whole village know it. They've known ever since the day she was left at the altar in her wedding dress. When Jack Miller, charismatic head of Miller Advertising is forced to make an emergency stop on his transatlantic crossing, she mistakes him for a love-lorn bachelor, and sparks fly. Jack's in Ireland to discover his roots, while Annie's desperate to escape hers. Annie longs to win the coveted Chocolate Oscar competition, and claim the ultimate prize, her own shop in Dublin. But with the deadline for Jack's return to New York looming, is she making the right choice?

Review: What a cute story :)

Ms Clements really painted The Emerald Isle for me. I got a great taste of the flavor and an eye-full of the mystical view. The characters were real-to-life and popped off the pages. The plot was believable and interesting. Without a doubt an adorable read that was very hard for me to put down.

The Witch Awakening by Karen Nilsen

Story: 6
Presentation: 6
Total: 12
Historical Paranormal
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Blurb: The Witch Awakening tells the story of Safire of Long Marsh, a young woman with psychic abilities in a society that condemns such abilities as witchcraft. Safire struggles to master her abilities in secret, in the process inciting the deadly wrath of a vengeful spirit. Rather than traveling far away on a traditional fantasy quest, Safire must delve within herself and others in order to find the truth that can save her and those she loves. The plot combines elements of fantasy, paranormal romance, and family saga. My passion for European history, particularly the northern Renaissance, inspired the setting and court politics.

Review: Lies, deceit, betrayl - OH GOODIE!! Ok, imagine you have this guy pawing after you. You don’t want him – heck! You don’t even like him. Yet he keeps showing up asking your father for your hand in marriage.


UGH! Can we say creepy stalker ?! Then, imgaine you meet a guy who is everything you are wanting, but your father doesn’t approve. Feel like your life cant get worse? Well throw in a little family dishonor and some mystical powers that could get you burned at the stake and BAM! You have yourself a little intriguing story.

Badcock by Debra Glass

Story: 8.5

Presentation: 9

Total: 17.5

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Erotic Historical

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Blurb: When her fiancé trades her for an heirloom ring to a dashing highwayman who holds up their coach on a desolate country road, Sophia Astley is hurt and shocked. However, it soon becomes strikingly apparent to Sophia that she is the true gem Bad Jack sought. Intrigued, she willingly submits to every tantalizing taboo he metes out to her.

Dressed as a masked highwayman, Jack Badcock, Earl of Stafford, thinks he is acting out the fantasies of a woman he knows only through lurid letters. As Jack tames her with blindfolds, sensual spankings and an array of torrid toys, she plays her role as the abducted, submissive virgin convincingly—too convincingly. By the time Jack uncovers his fantasy lover’s true identity, it’s far, far too late.

Review: What a complete and total bastard!!! No not Jack, I was talking about the fiance :) LOL But I made you stutter there didn't I?

OMG What a totally rocking story filled with a super alpha stud, a young woman who discovers what life and love can really be about and sex.....yeah *sigh* every tantilizing, dirty detail floated my boat and quivered my belly :)

Ms Glass does not fail to deliver on story or erotic content with Badcock. Of course, I haven't read anything of hers that I didn't love :)  but be that as it may, this story still kicked ass by itself and is worth a read even if you have never read Ms glass before :)

*SNAPS* :)

Dave and Nancy’s Story by Kate Richards

Story: 6
Presentation: 8
Total: 14
Publisher: Solstice
Erotic Contemporary
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Blurb:What happens when a nice, engaged woman finds out that her conservative, lawyer fiancé is a member of the notorious Carnivore Club? She recreates herself and arrives at the club in full bondage attire, leather and lace from head to foot. And aware of desires she never knew she had. Dave is going to have to move fast if he wants to stay on Nancy’s radar.


Review: What would you do in the name of love? That is the question that Nancy asks herself in this one. CAUTION: there may be spoilers in this review!

It starts off super hot…then has a big middle with a makeover. She has discovered that her fiancé goes to a sex club once a week. She gets help from some of the women who are members and they do a makeover without Dave’s knowledge. She gets all ready and goes to the club and when she finds Dave (who doesn’t know she has discovered his “club” meeting are for a sex club) she gets pissed when he asks what she’s doing there. I think I would have gotten pissed long before that point….like maybe when I first discovered that the man I am about to marry goes to a sex club every week? I think I would have been plotting torture methods instead of buying a fetish outfit and getting a sexy makeover. But that’s just me.

So anyway she gets mad. He tries to explain but digs his hole a bit deeper. What he refers to as vanilla strikes me more as a bit kinky but not overly so if I can judge their sex life by the first sex scene. Then everything melts away and there is some more sex but for me the second sex scene was less kinky than the first even though all the cards were on the table by the second scene. I am just not sure that the story was fully realized. Several parts felt rushed, almost like a means to an end.

Eostre’s Hare by Arlene Webb

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 16.5
Publisher: Shadow Fire
Historic ménage erotic romance
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Blurb: Gwas can outrun a horse, knows how to hide and steal, but he's ignorant of the ways of men. The last thing he expects when he is rescued from a miserable existence by a blue eyed, blond haired angel is to be promised as a Druidic sacrifice to Eostre.


Maura knows Gareth is no angel but she adores him with a passion that time and loneliness can't dent. She opens her heart when Gareth brings her the abused orphan known only by his title, Gwas, meaning servant. The love between the three of them grows so strong Gareth will defy man and gods to embrace it.

The clash of old and new religions puts their lives in peril, but when hatred and murder confront enduring love, winter gives way to spring and a colorful myth is born.

Review: I admit, at the onset, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy Eostre’s Hare. I just had a hard time getting into the story. But that was a short feeling. I read on and am so glad I had the opportunity to read this story. There is depth and meaning in the simplest of actions. The love between Maura, Gareth and Harey is pure—but not easy.

Once I had a clear picture of what was happening and the characters involved, I was invested. They are all so tortured with what is expected and the fear of going after what they want. There was risk and redemption. Betrayal and self-sacrifice. Oh, it was all just so engaging. This is a story that is going back into my stack of TBR titles because I think the second time through I’m going to appreciate the strength of the foundation at the beginning. I can see that many aspects of the story might have been uncomfortable and hard for me to accept without the knowledge of where Maura, Gareth and Harey came from. The dynamics of their relationships grow through the story and what starts as a comforting and compassionate loves, blooms into a passionate and all-consuming need. This is one to pick up and read…then read again.

A Thin Line by Emma Hillman

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: eXcessica
Contemporary Rubenesque
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Blurb: Kate finds herself locked up in her apartment building’s laundry room. It’s the middle of the night and there’s a man with her. Which would be the great start of a horror movie, except this is real and thankfully the man isn’t that bad. Actually, he’s quite nice. Oh, and hot. He’s a neighbor she’s seen a few times, the playboy with the golden looks. And as they find themselves sitting increasingly closer in an effort not to freeze to death, hands bump into parts of her body that haven’t been touched in years.


It could have stopped at that: one night of pleasure, albeit in a weird location. Except it doesn’t. Even though she knows Jace has another girlfriend, she still opens her door to him every night. He is addictive. And sometimes, he’s even nice. But what happens when the drama finally takes its toll and she bars her door to him?

Review: Ms. Hillman writes sexy prose with humor and heat. Flawed characters that find themselves in naughty situations but make the best of the situation and for me, as I read I’m as turned on as the characters. Well, A Thin Line is no exception. The opening pages were smokin’. I loved Kate and thought Jace sounded like a dream in the dark.

But then Jace becomes a real prick and I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy the rest of the story. Kate tries to be strong and withstand his charms, but he keeps worming his way back into her bed.

Eventually she decides she won’t be used for sex anymore…and that’s when there began to be glimpses of chivalry in Jace. About the time I would have given up on him, he begins to realize what he’ll lose if he loses Kate. But there is risk in having the woman he wants. He might have to give up everything he’s worked hard to build in his career. Or maybe having the woman he loves will give him the confidence to succeed.

Ms. Hillman has a style and flavor to her writing that really appeals to me. The words slip off the page and sink right into my psyche. I feel her story as I read and that’s a gift she brings to her work. I’m a fan and await the next titillating tale.

His Dirty Little Secret by Stormy Glenn

Story 7.5
Presentation 7.5
Total: 15
Publisher: Noble Romance
M/M Contemporary Erotic
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Blurb: Graham Craig and Darren Sanford have been having an affair for nearly a year, a secret affair. Graham doesn't want anyone to know. When Darren's emotions become too deeply involved, Graham knows he has to break things off, even if it feels like he's cutting out his own heart.

When his self-imposed separation from Darren becomes more than he can stand, Graham goes back to beg for another chance. He sets out to prove what they have together is special. Then Graham learns some terrifying news that changes everything. Someone has put a hit out on him and everyone he loves is in danger. Graham knows what he has to do. As much as it pains him, Graham tells Darren they are over, again. He knows that this time, Darren will never give him another chance, but at least the man will be alive to hate him. Graham goes into protective custody, along with other members of the drug task force he works on, and his family.

But when well-meaning friends interfere, can Graham save the man he loves before an assassin's bullet gets him, or will he lose Darren before he has a chance to tell him—and the entire world—how much he loves the man?

Review: His Dirty Little Secret is more than just an emotionally charged gay contemporary romance. It’s action adventure, romantic suspense, family drama, thriller and even romantic comedy. It’s spicy with lots of flavors that tempt you to keep turning the pages of this tasty treat.

Darren is a great character. He has depth and compassion. There is an especially poignant section that shows the worst in him and the best in him. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but he takes on a responsibility in a truly selfless way. After Graham has torn him down, he receives a special gift that helps to build him up again. After that I fell in love with him all over again.

Graham has more issues. He’s really the dominant personality in the story, and at times he was almost unlikeable. When it comes to his sexuality and especially his feelings for Darren, his insecurities endeared me to him. He is definitely redeemed in the end. Their love connections is hot, sexy and a total turn on.

There were some issues in this story. At times the characters roles became fuzzy. Scenes that Darren became the “cop” and Graham seemed to flounder and not know what to do. Strange since Graham is on the drug task force and through most of the story he is a decision maker. But even in the moments when the story was confusing, it was still good writing. Dialog flowed, the pace was fast and the sex was hot.

I think Ms. Glenn is a wonderful voice in the gay romance genre. This was not my first taste and certainly won’t be my last. I look forward to reading more of her work.

The Outlaws Daughter by Sandi Hampton

Story: 7.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 16.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Historical Western
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Blurb: She was one step away from a hanging, not because of anything she'd done, but because of who she was.


He was one step closer to capturing the most notorious outlaw in Texas.

When U.S. Marshal Trey Thornton saves Charlotte "Charlie" Daughtry from a lynch mob, he plans to use her as bait to capture her father and brothers. One thing stood in his way, he fell in love with the outlaw's daughter.

Charlie felt stirrings deep in her heart for the handsome lawman. She wished he could look beyond the Daughtry name and see her for who she truly was - someone who desperately yearned to be loved by him. But could she love a man who wanted to send her father and brothers to the gallows?
Review: A cute little novella. I am a huge historical western fan. Been reading them for the better part of 20 years and just can’t seem to get enough of them. This story was a good one. Filled with tension, both romantic and moral. While I found some of the use of vernacular a bit wishy washy for Charlie (she would switch from fairly proper speak to slang in the same conversation) it wasn’t really that big of a deal.

A nice story with a good ending that was a fun read

Skateboarders by Kenn Dahll

Story: 7
Presentation: 7
Total: 14
Publisher: eXcessica
Gay Contemporary
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Blurb: "Sex, attractive young men, sex, skateboards, sex, and drugs.” These are the ingredients for this erotic chronicle of Andy, the voyeur, and the skaterbois.

Andy’s unique living arrangement, a one-bedroom loft apartment in a waterfront warehouse, allows him to spy on the three skateboarders at play. He quickly decides they are hot, attractive, young and athletic. They are also horny as he finds out when Slick, the oldest skaterboi and apparent leader of the trio, approaches him at the gate to his inner sanctum with a blatant sexual proposal.

In a couple of weeks Andy and the three boarders are regularly fooling around with each other in pairs, threesomes and all four together. Their sexual romps are dampened when Slick and Rico couple up and declare themselves to be in a monogamous relationship. Andy and Johnny, the youngest and wisest of the bois, continue a no-strings-attached relationship, fooling around with each other; and, individually or together, with any attractive male they can seduce into the loft.

Slick’s infidelity triggers Rico’s emotional and physical collapse. The Latino skateboarder descends into a hell of drug abuse and sexual depravity which leads him to offer his body to all takers until he collapses and is hospitalized. Slick, Andy and Johnny stage an intervention and, using the curative power of sex, rescue their friend and lover.

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, m/m sex including oral/anal contact, and sex with multiple partners.

Review: Yowza. This story is page after page of delicious manlove. Hot, sexy, sticky and oh so graphic. I love the dirty boys and Skateboarders is a smorgasbord of young hot bois ready for anything. There really wasn’t a plot to this book. This was more of a glimpse into young adults—with time on their hands—experimenting with sexuality. There were poignant moments toward the end and the characters became even more endearing.

However, while the story was titillating with copious amounts of hot sex, there were some issues. The main glitch for me was the switching between past tense and present tense. Even so, this was still an entertaining story.

Ian Gets a Treat by Nick Armbrister

Story: 5
Presentation: 8
Total: 13
Publisher: Written Expressions
Erotic Contemporary
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Blurb: Ian dated the youngest of four Catholic sisters in a small English town where nothing much happened since the hold up of the chip shop two boring years before. He'd dated Abby two years continuously and fucked her even longer; they got on well enough and were in love, saving up to marry one day. Just like some of Abs older siblings, how nice that would be, daydreamed the young girl, to be married and happy.


As she made love to Ian, he had other ideas - how to fuck Abby's other sisters, each and every one. He would love corrupting these nice quiet Catholic gals! Ian made love to Abs in the back of his old works van that he used a runabout. He was bare chested, his upper body glistening with sweat. Red fingernail marks ran down and across his bare skin where Abs had scratched him while he pumped her missionary style as fast and quickly as his body allowed. She squealed and moaned like a gal possessed.

An idea formed in his head.
 
Review: While there was no shortage of sex in this shorty, it just didn't work for me. Corny dialoge, propositions that seem to come out of nowhere greated with enthusiasm and vigor, I just found it hard to believe. Even for an erotica. Becasue of these issues the story  failed to titilate and left me wanting.
 
This is not to say that the author lacked the ability to craft a tale that flowed with good dialoge and descriptions, because that is not the case. I just found the actions less than sexually arousing.

Texas Blaze by Brenda Huber

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Historical
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Blurb: Devastated by her guardian's death, Hope Lewis must travel to West Texas to live with her closest relative, an uncle she’s never met. But a dark secret puts Hope in harm’s way as a brutal renegade targets Hope and vows to destroy her uncle and his protégé, Ethan Kincaid. And the dangerous raider is only half her problem as she battles her confusing attraction for Ethan.


After the murder of his fiancée, Ethan Kincaid is dedicated to revenge. He’s vowed never to love again, but Hope pushes his resolve and self-control to their limits. Can he risk his heart a second time, or are some wounds too deep to heal?

Review: I love historicals. But when I come across a historical like this, that has the ability to leave me breathless, pulls at my emotions and drives me to keep reading no matter what is happening IRL? Yeah, total winner.
 
I was smitten with the characters from the start, no doubt.But when I got to the first "kiss scene", OMG! HOT and they didn't even kiss :) Ms Huber has a gift with weaving emotions and building characters that made me feel like I was a part of. I wanted what they wanted. Felt what they felt. Their sorrow, anger, fear, torment.....
 
This is not a quick short read. This novel is over 300 pages but once I started I was driven to finish. I had too. I couldn't leave Hope and Ethan. Oh what a great story. Now I keep my fingers crossed that since this is to be the first in a series that I get to know Antonio better in the second book.
 
This is a series you can count on me following.
 
*SNAPS* Ms Huber, You made my day :)

Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Joesphson

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: SourceBooks
Historical Vampire
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Blurb: In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. But when her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she’s the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart—his (literal) undying love for her… A brilliant mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead.


Review: Nice :)  Mr Josephson has done a totally rocking job with this story. Definitely not your everyday vampire read and I have to say that I was happy that I am the one who got to read it :)
 
I was pleasantly surprised with this retelling, as so many before have just left me wanting. Mr Josephson put a definite spin and freshness to an old story and made it really pop for me. Wonderful job sir, my hats off to you :)

Owned by Rome by Katalina Leon

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Historical Erotic Romance
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Blurb: On the edge of the Roman Empire, Queen Boudica’s rebellion has ended. A time of great tragedy has passed. Atellus, a Roman magistrate living in Gaul, discovers he’s no longer sympathetic to Rome and must now question every facet of his life.


A cunning Celtic woman with golden-red hair arrives in the slave markets, defiant and angry—a danger to anyone foolish enough to purchase her. As punishment for her willfulness, she is to be offered as a sexual favor to Roman guests at a lavish feast and put to death for their entertainment.

For Atellus, it’s love at first sight. He wants to own her. They embark on an erotically turbulent journey through a lonely Celtic forest. He suspects his beautiful slave is harboring a painful secret and must never again speak her true name. She is Celtic royalty—the last of her kind.

In the heart of the forest, strong-willed lovers clash, fall in love and catch a glimpse of what the future can be if both can learn to trust and forgive.

Review: Owned by Rome is an epic tale of lust, love betrayal, and forgiveness. There were so many facets of the story, that as it unfolded, I forgot that I was supposed to be reading a romance and simply enjoyed the historical detail. The author does such a brilliant job of weaving fact, fiction and hypothesis, that I was swept into the story and believed every word I read. Some of the things I loved most about the story were also aspects that some readers might not enjoy as much as I did. The romance is often overshadowed by the historical details. But the historical details are interesting.

The first third of the book reveals most about Atellus. There is a lot of telling of events that had already occurred. There was a build up of a certain aspect of the story that wasn’t at all what I expected to happen. So lots of twists and turns in the plot. The history of Atellus was also interesting, but Owned By Rome at times, read more like literature and was harder to lose myself in the story. There is an abundant use of Latin in the story, but the use is not confusing because Ms. Leon weaves words with clarity and context.

Once the story really picks up, after Rutila is introduced, the romance of the story is bittersweet. They are both damaged souls and need each other. But the wounds inflicted during turbulent times fester in Rutila. Atellus is gentle and patient, but also has darker needs. Rutila must forgive herself for living before she can open herself to accept Atellus’ love. And Atellus has to free the one woman who fires his soul. She won’t be owned by a Roman. But if he lets her go, he may never have her again.

Reading Owned by Rome will take you on an emotional journey and in the end you’ll be glad you read the story.

Dominus by G.S. Wiley

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: eXcessica
M/M Historical Erotic
To Purchase

Blurb: Roman patrician Meridius is wealthy, refined, erudite. He has the ear of the Emperor and is the epitome of Roman class, and he likes nothing more than to be debased at the hands of the uncultured and barbaric General Gallus. When Gallus calls on Meridius to help influence the Emperor, Meridius has to decide whether Gallus is good for more than just a rough roll in the hay, and whether he is willing to risk the Roman Empire based on the general's word.


Warnings: This title contains explicit language, graphic male/male sex, rough sex and anal sex.

Review: Loved it! Loved the rough gritty sex. Loved the intrigue and suspense. The short story swept me in and held me. It’s very short and every word adds to the flavor. Not every aspect of the story is resolved, but those unanswered bits leave me intrigued. I hope we’ll see these two come together again. (because their coming together was just so intense.)

Boomerang by Judith Rochelle

Story: 9
Presentation: 10
Total: 19
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Suspense
To Purchase

Blurb: The Protectors

When Katja "Kat" Lombardo wakes up near the dead body of her partner with a gun in her hand and no memory of what happened, she calls on the only person she trusts to help her—Zak Delaney, the lover she abandoned two years ago. Now Zak must put aside his anger toward Kat in order to find the real killers before he once again loses the woman he loves...this time for good.

Review: The cover was eye-catching. Editing was good. The place descriptions were excellent. Being a native Texan, there is nothing more annoying to me than an author writing information that is incorrect. This story had no misinformation about the settings. I really enjoyed reading the accurate descriptions of places I have actually been.

I learned something new. When the story described a Taurus pistol as being made in South America, I thought "Wait a minute! " My husband has a Taurus and he is almost a fanatic about buying only American made goods. I asked him and he told me that the weapon is made in Brazil and imported legally only to Miami, Florida.

I wouldn't mind reading more by this author.

The characters are well developed. Kat, the heroine, is brave, is fearful, is smart and self assured, is foolish and makes, what she, herself, describes as stupid mistakes, is calm, and is irrational at times. Zak is a typical hero who saves the day. he is handsome, well built, successful and is very brave, The many other characters also have real personalities. There are good guys and bad guys and then there are the really horrible mean bad guys.

The opening pages are a real attention getter. She wakes up in a party dress, has a gun in her hand, sees the dead bloody body of her business partner on the floor and CAN'T REMEMBER A THING. She leaves her partner's home, running bare-footed, when she hears sirens approaching. Kat knows she will be a suspect in this crime. She can't find her car, so she calls Zak to come get her. Zak is her ex-fiance who has a security business. Of course they had a nasty parting of the ways two years ago, but he helps her anyway.

The excitement and intrigue continue building after that exciting beginner. When I was thinking, things can't get any more drastic, something even more exciting happened. Police who want a quick solving of this murder case, Texas Rangers, Homeland Security forces, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, Drug Enforcement Agency, local bad guys , money launderers, drug cartel members, Russians, and even terrorists play their parts in this action packed romance. The tension and suspense were constantly building and when my husband interrupted me to ask what was for supper, I wanted to tell him to "go away!" There are hints throughout about who the real enemies are, but the revealing of their identity was a surprise to me.

Red Ridin' by Milena Gomez

Story: 7
Presentation: 9
Total: 16
Publisher: Written Expressions
Erotic FairyTale
To Purchase

Blurb: Tomboy Priscilla, better known as Little Red, wants to break free. She's not so little anymore and she wants to experience pleasures unknown to her.


Matt Wolf wants one thing and one thing only. He wants Little Red in his bed and he knows how to get it, even though he'd failed to do so.

Jason Hunter knows that protecting Little Red is something he was born to do, even without Little Red's consent or her grandmother's endless plea to protect her, he would always do so. But when Little Red proves to have other plans for Wolf and him, things get complicated and Hunter cannot seem to say no to her advances.

One woman, two men. One hot tale of ridin' men.

Review: Read any retellings of classic fairytales? Dirty retellings? I have. I have actually read quite a few and I have to say that I enjoy most. Some more than others but I like to see authors put a fresh spin on the classic tale.

Ms Gomez has. there were a couple times when the story slowed, but the heat was HOT and the story sound. This fresh spin was a clean breath of air among so many red Riding Hood stories that seem to follow the same pattern.  It is worth a look :)

Mountain Romance by Richard R Jones

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: Eternal press
Historical Romance
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Blurb: A good deed never goes unpunished. Red Holden is a cowboy used to hard work and a lonely life. Mattie Sharp is a young woman who knows her mind and seldom lets anything get in her way. What will happen when the two meet on the desert floor? Can Red give up his lonely life for this strong willed woman? Or will Mattie have to accept the man is a drifter, and always will be?

Review: For me there just isn't much that gets better than a good western romance. I totally enjoyed this one. There just wasn't a word in this story that didn't jive for me :)

From beginning to end, I was captivated by the characters and really sucked in by the story. It rocked me :) In a good way :)  I really would like to read more stories like this from this author who had such a way of painting the picture for me. Loved it :)