666 Angel Lane by Lori Green

(Please Be Aware That SR has 2 Reviews for this Title by 2 different reviewers )
Story: 10
Presentation: 10
Total: 20
Publisher: Lyrical
Paranormal Romance
To Purchase

Blurb: Hell never looked so good.

 

Reality television is the newest battleground for God and Satan. Caught in the middle is Kate Thomas, an ordinary woman stuck between flaming Archangels and scorching hot War demons. When her heart is captured by Demon Michael, Kate has to face the hardest choice any woman can make: the fate of her soul versus the future of her heart.

Review: As a professional reader, in my dream world at least) and a writer I have to say 666 Angel Lane was a great story. It revolves around Kate, a human who finds herself trapped in a reality show with demons and angels as they vie for ownership of Limbo. The characters were engaging and likable. I could really visualize the heroine, Kate. The story is fast paced and although it ended clean I would love to see a sequel. Maybe Ms. Green could expand on Kate 's relationship with her demon lover and even throw in a few "heavenly" glitches. The only thing I would have liked to see added to the story, and again the plot is solid enough as it stands, is this; I would have liked the hot angel to have made an obvious play for Kate so that maybe there was a little, "who will she chose" going on. The book eludes to the TV audience feeling this way but as I reader I didn't see it. Again this is just my opinion. The story works as it stands.

One word review: Fantastic.

Two word review: Loved it.

Three word review: So much fun.

Rachel Dahlrumple by Shea McMaster

Story: 7

Presentation: 8

Total: 15

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Romantic Suspense

To Purchase

Blurb: Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.

Rachel's humiliation over the discovery of her late husband's affairs turns to fear when one of his mistresses sends her a poisoned bouquet. But finding the source of the killer flowers is only one step on her path to solving the mystery her husband left behind.

Deputy Dan Weston is with Rachel when the bouquet arrives, and he's at her side as she deals with so many of the secrets that come to light after her husband's death. Dan has carried a torch for Rachel since puberty and he's not going to let her dead husband's vindictive girlfriends or his psychotic mother come between them now. But that means finding out who is sending snakes and poisoned posies before one kills Rachel.

Review: Rachel's marriage has been on the rocks for awhile. She knows this, but that's just one thing she does know against so many things she doesn't. There will be time to learn that of course when her husband turns up dead.

I wasn't completely sure how I felt about Rachel in the beginning of the book. She almost seemed emotionless. My opinion changed later, however. The story started out slow, but picked up after a few chapters, and I was really getting into the mystery.

Rachel Dahlrumple is a great romantic mystery and it's also a story of starting over, and second chances. I enjoyed reading it and seeing the changes in Rachel as time went on.

A Winter Tale: With Marshmallows by Stephanie Beck

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Paranormal Shapeshifter
To Purchase

Blurb: No winter night is complete without marshmallows.

Pregnant and on the run, Mona Renalds is a werewolf with trouble nipping at her heals. She wants a new life for herself and the twins she’s carrying. Embracing the future can’t happen until she finds an alpha male strong enough to take on her former pack leader.

Chris Meyters is alpha of Haven Pack. Mild mannered and progressive, he tries to reverse the archaic methods of his pack’s previous leaders. When Mona comes into his diner requesting sanctuary, his primitive instinct to claim her nearly consumes him, but he fights himself to give her the choices she was denied in her former pack.

Surrounded by the Pennsylvania winter of snow, sledding parties and creamy cups of hot chocolate, Chris and Mona are prepared to do whatever it takes in order to maintain the domestic bliss they’ve found with each other.

Review: This is a sweet and charming werewolf story…but with amazing depth, action, risk, treachery, and love. Ms. Beck knows how to develop a character. Mona is strong, skilled, a survivalist…who knows when to seek help. Chris is devoted, patient, and everything an Alpha of a pack of werewolves should be. But when it comes to Mona, he’d risk everything to protect his mate.

The story unfolds without lagging sections. The book is enjoyable. The woman in jeopardy storyline was well done then add in that she’s pregnant, and the stakes were raised. There isn’t any graphic content in this book, yet it’s ripe with sexual tension so readers of paranormal are going to enjoy this story. It’s smooth just like hot chocolate with just enough sweetness to make you want another cup.

666 Angel Lane by Lori Green

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Lyrical
Paranormal
To Purchase

Blurb: Hell never looked so good.

Reality television is the newest battleground for God and Satan. Caught in the middle is Kate Thomas, an ordinary woman stuck between flaming Archangels and scorching hot War demons. When her heart is captured by Demon Michael, Kate has to face the hardest choice any woman can make: the fate of her soul versus the future of her heart.

Review: Holy CRAP-NICKLES!!!!!!! I cried! This was a really good read.

Don’t get me wrong, there were times when I wanted to slap the ever-living sh*t out of more than one of the characters. Strangle them within an inch of their lives….or existence, but I couldn’t put it down!!! I didn’t stop reading once. Opened and finished in the same sitting and I would do it again tomorrow!!!

Now, I am a faith filled woman. I live the best I can and strive to be the best Christian I can so that HE is proud of me. When I read stories that contain characters from below, for me there is a fine line that should not be crossed….but you aren’t here to hear about my morals and beliefs are you? Nope, so let me say that this story didn’t cross those lines for me and I plan on keeping it in my keeper pile for a future read.

Moving Target by Rosalie Stanton

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Erotic Romantic Suspense
To Purchase

Blurb: An innocent woman. An assassin with a conscience. A deadly attraction.


Although Anna Winter doesn’t fit the profile, Nathanial ‘Wolf' Thornton can’t be sure she isn’t the woman he’s supposed to assassinate without getting a closer look.

Once he discovers his cover’s been blown, his options are limited: walk away or watch an innocent woman suffer the consequences.

A slave to his conscience, Wolf decides to take Anna along for the ride of her life…all the while battling his desire for her.

Content warning, explicit sex, language, exhibitionism.

Review: This story was filled with passion and excitement. The hero is quintessential hot! He’s strong, dominant and oh so bad. He’s serious sex appeal with a dangerous edge. Anna was sweet, yet strong and Wolf knows just how to bring out her wild side.

The story starts with a bang. And in such a short story, Ms. Stanton was able to perfectly blend action, suspense and sexual tension. This is sizzling little story to heat up your afternoon. Keep a cool beverage close by because the sex is smoking. But the story is even better. I loved it and it’s definitely a keeper.

Cross the Line by Wendy Ely

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

Blurb: Leslie thought she had it all, until Chris showed her the rest.


Another move and a bigger paycheck are all Leslie Teague depends on. Living the ‘no strings’ attached lifestyle has always worked for her…until she arrives in Phoenix.

She doesn’t like bad boy types of men, so why can’t she keep her hands off Chris Matthews, who also just happens to be her new neighbor?

Content warning, this book contains a fulfilled fantasy, adult language, and a life saved.

Review: Perfect. From the first words scrawled across the page, I was hooked. I loved the set up. Chris doesn’t come off as charming or even likeable, but damn he’s hot and I melted right along with Leslie. But first impressions aren’t always accurate. Chris is total hero material. He’s solid, sexy and honorable. Leslie is strong and independent and isn’t inclined to ask for help from anyone. I loved her spirit and tenacity. The chemistry between Chris and Leslie is intense and intoxicating. I was just as drunk on lust. The story is engaging from the beginning. The pace is fast and furious and the sex is scorching. Once the final page was turned, I wanted more. The story just continued to develop, more depth and understanding of the characters. The pivotal moment was surprising and the conclusion was touching. This is a story to savor as it’s revealed. Enjoy. I certainly did.

Lost and Found by Gwenna Sebastian

Story: 7.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 16.5
Publisher: Lyrical Press
M/M Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Sometimes even a hero needs someone to save him.


Mark Connor doesn't feel like a hero even though he served two tours in Vietnam and survived a vicious ambush that took the lives of all but a handful of men. But he lost his best friend and lover, and now he refuses to be close to anyone. That makes his instant attraction to Josh a real problem.

Josh Myers hires on with Mark to help him with a remodeling job. A survivor himself of a Beirut bombing, he embraces life with open arms. But he can't get his new flame to take an interest in love, in life, or in himself.

Alone in the northern Outer Banks in January, Mark clings desperately to his past, even as Josh offers him a future he doesn't think he deserves.

Review: Wow, what can I say, I loved this story. Mark is broken. He exists but hasn’t lived in forty years. He carries with him emotional baggage and masks his pain with alcohol. He’s abrasive and inconsiderate but Josh sees beneath the gruff exterior to the man. Josh has endured some of the same war stress as Mark. Only he’s been able to laugh through his pain. He’s charming and sexy and he desperately wants to get through to Mark. Maybe there could be something special between them.

From the opening pages, the sexual tension simmers on the page. However, this story, while erotic in tone, isn’t overly graphic. There are moments where the writing is poignant and emotional. My heart would break and then I’d hope that either Mark or Josh would make a move only to watch Mark pull away. It’s crushing. By the end of the story, I was in tears. I felt every gut-wrenching emotion.

However, there were a few bumps along the way for me which is why the score is slightly lower. In the opening scene together, Josh declares his status and Mark begins to call him cupcake in a derogatory type of way. They don’t know each other enough for it to be friendly bantering. I thought this was over the top for two people who just met. Immediately the “endearments” are used repeatedly in dialog and they became distracting. Dogface, Jarhead, cupcake became like reading speed bumps. I understood that Mark was an alcoholic, however with the copious amounts of beer consumed, I don’t see how he could be functioning. He’s taken on a huge project of remodeling a home, yet, he’s destructive to the home. Also Mark has been celibate for almost 40 years and that seems a bit over the top as well. Even with these minor blips, the story is still solid. The writing is good and I would have loved the story to continue. This is one worth reading and reading again.