Out of Control by Desiree Holt

Story:8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher:Wild Rose Press
Erotic Suspense
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Blurb:  Twenty five years ago Carrie Nolan was the only victim to survive the killing spree of a pedophile. Her life has been frozen in time, and not even a move to a distant city and a name change has healed the wounds that left her emotionally and sexually scarred. Determined finally to reclaim her life, Carrie returns to High Ridge as multi-published crime novelist, Dana Moretti, in hope of asking the questions that would lay her nightmares to rest.

Sheriff Cole Landry, came to High Ridge to escape the horrors of Iraq and Afghanistan, but soon after the sexy author arrives and starts poking her nose into matters best forgotten, his town once again becomes the hunting ground of a ruthless killer. She's sure it's the same man, and he's not all that convinced she's wrong. Keeping Dana safe means keeping her close--very close--under his protection, under him.

Between her sexual need for Cole and the danger lurking behind every stranger's face, her world is spinning out of control.


Review: The cover art for this book is really good, really making you want to read what’s inside the cover. I will admit I do not read very many suspense books, but found right from the start I was hooked on this book. The subject matter could be daunting, but this is such a well written story-line that it really does make the book what it is.

The scenes are well written, with compassion and feeling. The sex scenes are descriptive yet leave enough to the imagination to make them believable. Carrie/Dana is such an amazingly well written character with depth, feeling and believability. With everything that she has been through and all the baggage that she carries around with her also gives her the lovability factor.

Cole is an amazing character always giving and supporting Dana through her time of self discovery allowing her to open up and live again. The twists and turns keep the reader captivated, while the characters make the reader feel everything that is happening. Put that with amazing writing and a great story-line and who wouldn’t want to read it.

All credit to Desiree I will definitely be checking out more of her work.

Lady Wicked by Delle Jacobs

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical
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Blurb: When the Ton's most infamous rake, Thomas Steynes, Viscount Savoury, is forced to retreat to his ancient, abandoned, family manor to redeem his wasted life, he comes upon a woman being tormented by village boys. Rushing to the rescue, he discovers his damsel in distress is instead the viper-tongued harpy who hates him more than anyone else on earth.

Cast aside by her violent husband, the last thing Davina, Lady Wyckham, needs is an irkingly handsome knight in tarnished armor hell bent to rescue her. After her brutal marriage, all she wants is to be left alone, to support herself raising herbs to sell to apothecaries. As if she weren't ruined enough, Savoury's attention can only bring more disaster.

Despite their intentions, true friendship and trust grow between them, and the attraction they had long denied begins to deepen. But behind their backs lurks a dark mystery that threatens them both. Only by uncovering and thwarting the sinister plot can they have a chance for survival and love.

Review: This was a really interesting story. Not only were the characters captivating but the attention to detail was wonderful.

Even though there were a couple parts that seemed to get a little long overall I really enjoyed the tale. Heartbreaking and heartwarming all in one. A really good story that I am glad I read.

Good Job Ms Jacobs. I can't wait to read more of your work :)

Rafe's Redemption by Jennifer Jakes

Story: 6.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 14.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Erotic Historical
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Blurb: He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.

For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependent woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.

She wanted freedom, not a lover.

Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.

But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?

Review: I was really excited when I saw this one. The blurb just grabbed me and I couldn't wait to dig in. Then I got the review copy.

I won't say that I didn't enjoy the story because it was enjoyable...there were just some issues that I had that made this one less than par for me. While I felt that the two main characters were a bit wishy washy, I did like them. Even though the sex scenes didn't really curl my toes they were detailed.

The writing style wasn't something I had ever read before so a big portion of my "ifiness" is becuase of that. Now don't get me wrong, I did finish the story and found parts of it amazing but as a whole I am not sure that I would read it again. I WOULD like to read more by this author because I really enjoyed her imagry and attention to deatil in the way she crafted her story. This particular one just wasn't a home run for me.

Wrong Number, Right Man by Darah Lace

Story 9
Presentation 8
Total 17
The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Erotic Romance

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After too much wine, Lori Duncan calls her ex and initiates phone sex to prove him wrong--she's not boring and predictable. Jack Hartwell answers his roommate's phone and goes along with his sexy next door neighbor's game until he realizes her fantasy includes him and not his roommate. Was her slip of tongue intentional or just part of the game?

Review: Naughty, flirty, teasing, erotic fun.

The story begins with, “Are you alone?”

And then the fun begin. The story is a slippery slide into taking chances and letting your true wants drive your actions. How playing teasing games can reveal intimate truths. This short story is a fast read. It’s deliciously naughty and yet emotionally driven. If you’ve ever wanted to pretend you were someone you weren’t or reveal your true feelings and yet remain anonymous, you’ll relate to Lori and Jack. It’s a feel good read that shows why Ms. Lace is a titillating voice in erotic romance.

All's Fair in Love and Law by K M Daughters

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Contemporary Suspense
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Blurb: The enchantress on stage at an amusement park review captivates new Chicago Police Department Captain Patrick Sullivan. Stunned to learn she’s the infamous defense attorney, Charlie Demarco, who substituted for her twin at the performance, Pat battles Charlie in and out of the courtroom. With CPD cutbacks and a serial murderer to apprehend, Pat struggles to uphold the law and his reputation, while Charlie seems determined to undermine him. Chained to her job to restore her family’s finances, Charlie has no choice but to defend the criminals Pat wants behind bars. Her biggest battle yet involves defending her heart against Patrick Sullivan.


Review: The cover definitely caught my eye. The old frame house with broken windows and a baseball bat at the bottom of the cover made me want to read the story to find out if it was kids mischief or.......

This is book four of a series and I usually don't like to start a series in the middle because I feel like I am missing some of the events that that would fill me in when things are mentioned that happened previously. I read the "Kudos for K M Daughters before I started reading the story and wondered if they were build-ups. When I finished reading the story, I went back to the "kudos" page and agreed with the descriptions there. Romantic Suspense, crisp dialogue, believable characters, hard to put down, balance of action and drama are some of the comments and I agree with all of them. It is a well written story.

The prologue sets the stage describing a man with big problems, Wow, is he a psycho or what?

Patrick Sullivan is a policeman who meets Charlie and is immediately attracted to her; the feeling is returned. Instant hot, filled with lust, attraction describes them. Then he finds out she is a defense attorney for the "most prestigious law firm in Illinois". Uh oh he's a cop and she is a defense attorney, they are on opposite sides in the courtroom. Overcoming their differences adds a lot of conflict to their relationship.

Italicized portions keep interrupting what is happening between Patrick and Charlie. These descriptions get more and more intense and sadistic. The serial killer likes baseball bats. You can read for yourself why he likes them. It makes me gag just to think about him and the bats. UGH. Oh, and talking about the ugh factor; the description of Charlie eating her rare hamburger "blood tinged, juices leaking onto her hands" totally grossed me out.

The descriptions in this story of food, of the Chicago scenes, and others made me feel like I was part of the story. Food descriptions made me ravenous (well not the hamburger description) I had to get up and go to the refrigerator and find a snack.

Other characters are described in almost as much detail as Pat and Charlie. Senator Morgan needs to have some manners slapped into him. Shirlee, the hooker who escapes the murderer, and her son Lincoln become more than victims, they are 'real' people, not just secondary characters in a story.

I am not a reader of this kind of suspense usually, but once I started, I just had to continue. I don't know that I would read All's Fair again, its violence is more graphic than I care for, especially as late night reading; but I do want to read the three earlier books in this series.

Flirting With the Fireman by Judy Jarvie

Story: 6
Presentation: 8
Total: 12
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sweet Contemporary
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Blurb: Felicity Truro's diary is filling up with problems. First there's the ugliest bridesmaid's dress in the world, then there's her sick aunt's serious secret. But it's Rod McAllister, the handsome firefighter best man with attitude, who's melting her willpower and frazzling her nerves the most.

Can Flick survive being a bridesmaid for the eleventh time whilst falling for the best man? And how will she cope when Rod needs a stand-in and she's promoted to top of the candidate list?

Review: The blurb really grabbed. I could have done without all the email, IM, voice mails and diary excerpts.

Really the idea for the story and the plot were cute. But for me, it was a bit…daunting. I don’t mind emails and such thrown in on occasion in a story. Hey, it’s the world we live in now, but I just got bogged down with the sheer number in this story. I would have enjoyed it much more without nearly as many.

Don’t get me wrong, the author did a good job with the writing. The way it was presented just wasn’t for me.

A Gift Beyond All Measure by Anna Kathryn Lanier

Story: 9.5
Presentation: 9.5
Total: 19
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Contemporary Cowboy
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Blurb: Arriving home for Christmas, the last thing Jacob Scott expects in his house is a sexy, shotgun-toting stranger. Worse, his attraction to her bothers him even more than the gun. Still reeling from the deception of his long-time girlfriend, he’s not looking for romance.


Tessa Jones has learned one hard lesson—when everyone in your life has failed you, the only one you can trust is yourself. Facing the whispers of the townsfolk and an arson charge, Tessa unexpectedly finds herself trusting Jacob with more than her legal troubles.

Struggling between the promise of the present and the hurts of the past, can these two lost souls overcome their pain long enough to discover a gift beyond all measure?


Review: The first few lines caught my attention. Jacob comes home unexpectedly early in the middle of the night and hears “a round chambered into a shotgun" and a challenge of trespassing. Well, I don't know if you have ever heard a shotgun or seen the destruction one can create, but, I have. Believe me I would freeze motionless (that is, if I didn't mess my britches).

Tessa is a cook who is being charged with arson in a local town. Jacob is an attorney who works for a big firm in the city. These two have many differences to overcome. She is living in his home. She seems to be a fire waiting to happen, hmmm is that an emotional fire or a logs burning type? He is nine years older, is that too much? Tessa has had many promises broken in the past, will Jacob add to the list? Tessa thinks she is reaching too high, he's an attorney and she is a cook. They have a huge gap in educations, law school and high school. And, of course, there are all kinds of misunderstandings to overcome. Even their childhood family lives were complete opposites.

I enjoyed reading this short story, only 110 pages. The main characters were well developed, through actions, dialogues, and through their thoughts. Other characters added much depth and interest to the story. Jacob's sister and her family lived nearby and his sister just had to be involved in helping their romance along. Tessa's estranged mother shows up after fourteen years and wants to make amends to her. Even Cyrus and his dad added a lot in the end when Tessa finds out that Cyrus was not being abused by his father, only a clumsy kid. Dialogue is great, some funny conversations made me laugh, others made me want to cry. So I would say, parts of this story were very emotionally involving.

Overall I liked, really enjoyed, this story. I wish it had been longer, one of those 250 page novels. I did not want to stop reading, and ended up staying up until after midnight because I just had to finish it.

Oh, and I really really enjoyed the recipes that followed. I can't wait to try the Better Than Sex Brownies.

After the Storm by Kimberly Lee

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 16.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical
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Blurb: When her father’s death leaves her in need of the protection of marriage, Miranda MacDonough travels from her home in Scotland to live in England with an aunt she hardly knows. There, she will learn everything necessary to make her into an acceptable society lady. The only problem is, the one man who makes her heart beat faster and her breath difficult to catch belongs to someone else.


Hugh Montgomery, the Duke of Thorpeton, has spent his life doing exactly what was expected of him, right down to the woman he is expected to marry, one chosen for him. What he hadn’t expected was to meet a woman such as Miranda, who will turn his world upside down and leave him torn between honoring his father’s dying wish or surrendering to his desire.
Review: Okay, so what started out as a little bit of a slow story for me soon raced along like a dog after a rabbit. Fast and furious in a crazy race to reach the end and the final prize.

This story was as good as I’d hoped when I read the blurb and requested to review it. As most of you know, I do not select a book for review unless it is one that I would be tempted to buy. This one totally rocked and I am so glad that I got to read it. The characters were well written and likeable…well, those that were supposed to be liked were and those who weren’t weren’t) Emotions ran rampant and were almost leaping from the pages.

While I wish that the Scottish burr had been a bit more consistent through the story, not over the top mind you but even just the consistent Scottish burr to a single word throughout would have kept me a bit more seated in my mind that she was Scot. As it is I got great lengths with no accent and a chunk of heavy burr spaced here and there. I understand why the author chose not to have the heavy accent present through the entire story, but I found my mind lending Randi an English accent more than the Scottish it should have been. So when I came across a section of dialogue where the accent was heavy I stumbled and suddenly in my mind she was speaking differently :) Made for an interesting movie in my mind…The actress changing accents throughout ;)

Other than that I really enjoyed this title and have to say that I would be happy to read more from this author in the future :)

Through Hell and High Water by Christle Gray

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9.5
Total: 18
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Fantasy
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Blurb: What if your life is nothing but a spell full of lies…?

When Melaina attends her friend’s Halloween party she never expects to be thrust into a surreal world. But she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a broad-shouldered stranger who somehow knows her name. When one of the guests disappears in flames, the sexy hunk whisks her away…and spins a fantastic tale.

Oren knows Melaina is a real-life water nymph under a faery’s memory spell. Melaina is his soul mate and their betrothal restored power to the naiad people--until a demon decided he'd rather have Melaina for himself. Now, the demon has tracked her down and Oren must find a way to restore Melaina's memory before it is too late.

Melaina is astonished. Naiads? Faeries? Demons? But she can't ignore her attraction to Oren--or the way his touch is making her body remember things her brain can't...

Review: If you like reading short romances full of water nymphs, demons, fairies, magic, creatures from hell, magical spells, hot sex, and lots of amusing fun reading; this is a story for you. This is the first story by Ms. Gray I have read and I don't know what I was expecting but this was an enjoyable reading adventure for me. I'm not really into fairies and demons, but this had enough humor in it to be fun reading.

Enjoy !

Convenient Coincidence by Renee Spencer

Story: 4
Presentation: 9
Total: 13
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sensual Historical Suspense
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Blurb: Lady Rosalind Parkhurst's passions lie more with her art than the glamour of society. When famed wax maker, Madame Tussaud, invites her to construct a model of the Prime Minister, Pitt the Younger, she relishes the prestigious opportunity. But her work hits a snag when she falls ill. Fortunately, she meets a handsome and infuriating physician who vows to help her.

Morgan de Gray, 8th Marquess of Esenden is physician-extraordinaire to King George. When the Prime Minister dies unexpectedly, His Majesty declares it murder and demands an autopsy. But his remains disappear. As Morgan begins his hunt for the body, Lady Parkhurst literally falls into his arms, and he discovers she is exhibiting the same curious symptoms as King George.

The stakes intensify as political enemies close in and Rosalind’s illness worsens. Keeping his promise to King George may end up costing Morgan more than his hard-earned job. He may lose Rosalind forever.

Review: The opening pages grabbed my attention with a male sneaking into the manor kitchen to put a white powder into a pot on the stove. And this mysterious figure shows up periodically during the story.

The plot is crammed full of mysterious figures and happenings. There are family rivalries between sister and brother, and between father and son. A main character and major political figures are being poisoned. Bodies disappear and reappear, only to disappear again. There are murders and government intrigues to keep the reader involved.

Personally, I did not enjoy this one. I had to go back and reread too many times to be able to understand what the writer's intent was. I had trouble keeping up with the plot because it seemed like parts were omitted. The historical figures were not in character with what I expected. I just could not "get into" the characters because I did not find them believable as people of this historical time.

I would recommend that you read this for yourself. You might really enjoy; as we all know "one person's cup of tea is not another's."

Flawless by Jana Richards

Story: 9.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 18.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Recent Historical
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Blurb: France, 1942. The world is at war. The Nazis have stolen the infamous blue diamond, Le Coeur Bleu, intending to barter it for weapons that will destroy the Allies. Jewel thief Hunter Smith is given a choice: help the French Resistance steal back the diamond and avenge the death of his best friend, or stay locked up in an English prison. He chooses revenge.


Resistance fighter Madeleine Bertrand’s husband died when he was betrayed by Hunter Smith. How can she now pretend to be married to the arrogant American? How can she betray Jean Philippe’s memory by her passionate response to Hunter’s kisses?

Neither is prepared for the maelstrom of attraction that erupts between them. To survive they must uncover the mysteries of the past and conquer the dangers of the present. But first Madeleine must decide whether her loyalties lie with her dead husband and the Resistance or with the greatest love of her life.
Review: I did not like the cover when I first looked at it. The shades of grey and black, the blurred top, and the swastika almost made me decide not to read this book. I'm glad I did because it proved the old adage; "You can't judge a book by its cover" was definitely true in this case.

When you get ready to start on this thrilling, action packed love story, make sure you have a comfy spot and all the snacks and other necessities you need; because when you start reading you won't want `to stop for anything.

Hunter is in a prison in London when the story starts. A man comes in and tells him if Hunter will agree to steal a diamond, He can have Hunter released. Of course Hunter agrees to steal the le Coeur Bleu which is over 30 carats and flawless. He will avenge his friend Jean Philippe's death also.

Hunter is dropped into Nazi occupied France in World War II. Madelaine, a member of the French Resistance, meets him. Jean Philippe was her husband and she blames Hunter for his death. With lots of sneaking around, lots of Nazi bad guys, dreary rainy weather, lots of night time meetings with other members of the French Resistance, and romance make this a book that will make you tell the hubby and kids to go away because you are busy. The bad guys are horrible vicious villains. And the good guys are true blue heroes. Of course, there had to be a fake diamond to add to the intrigue. A former lady friend who turned out to be a thief shows up with a not so nice man who wants to buy the Blue Diamond from the Nazi general who had it. The main man, Hunter is handsome and the main lady is beautiful, just like they should be in a love story. You will like the ending... both of the bad guys and the heroes.

All the elements of a really good story make this one a keeper. The plot was well developed with lots of twists and turns. The characters acted like real people, even the immoral vicious ones. The situations Hunter and Maddie found themselves in were believable. And from what I know from studying World War II, I think the actions and events were accurate.

So, in summary, put aside your book markers because you won't need them; turn off the phone because you won't want to be interrupted, lock the door, and ENJOY this one by Jana Richards.

Ellie's Song by Ginger Hanson

Story: 6
Presentation: 9
Total: 15
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sweet Contemporary
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Blurb: Take one heroine and hero gripped in relationship limbo. Stir in a possible media scandal. Sprinkle lightly with a three-year-old child. Add one potential mother-in-law, a former boyfriend, a celebrity reporter hot for a story break and a Hollywood starlet. Knead above ingredients. Cover and let rise in a warm place. Bake for 31 chapters. Yield: Ellie’s Song, the story of shy folk artist Ellie Kellson who loves country singer Lane Walker, but abhors the media attention he needs to be a successful singing artist.


Review: I wish I could give this story a higher rating. The plot had great possibilities, but Ms. Hanson just did not keep my attention. The opener is a tear-jerker with unwed mother, Ellie, seeing her baby's father's wedding announcement to another woman. Lane shows up and does not know about his daughter. At this point, I really expected a great story. This story could have been great, it had all the characters, all the relationships, all the necessary elements, but it just didn't do anything for me. The characters and their personalities were pretty well developed, but they just didn't leap off the page and come alive for me. The other man, Joshua, is a nice guy, but I found him to be wimpy. Ellie's mom was caring, but intrusive. Her younger sister is a star-struck teenager, sweet and nice, but just not "alive" for me. I guess that is what I could say about all the characters; they were nice, but just bland like mashed potatoes are nice but baked potatoes are better.

The three year old daughter is cute, but I had problems with her dialogue. I have a three year old granddaughter, and the difference in their vocabulary was striking. The section about the little girl being lost was terrifying for a mother to read. It makes us realize just how fast a little one can get out of sight and be lost.

I enjoyed the descriptions of food and the aromas, especially the cinnamon used in her bread. In fact, cinnamon was mentioned many times. That and the cardamon, hmmmm , were enough to almost make me drool. The references to food like chocolate pie, fried chicken, green beans sautéed with Roma tomatoes made me go to the fridge several times.

It is a good story, but, for me, it could have been great with more work. I would suggest you read it and decide for yourself. This story might really appeal to you. We all know that what one reader likes, another will not care for. Give it a chance, you might really like it.

Twice is not Enough by Emma Lai

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 8
Total: 16.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Erotic
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Blurb: After several disastrous engagements, Lady Minerva Peters is an expert at suppressing her own needs. Only in the darkness of night does she give in to her wanton desires with a fantasy lover.


In the middle of a crowded ballroom, she learns her father is not yet ready to let her fade into spinsterhood. Humiliated, she ducks into a dark alcove only to find out she's not alone. Her hiding spot is occupied by a captivating stranger. Before she can escape, the two become voyeurs to another couple’s sexual rendezvous. The atmosphere heats up and so does her body, especially with the tempting offers whispered in her ear.

Will Minerva deny her needs once again or will she embrace the anonymity of their seclusion and finally explore her basic impulses and the startling attraction to the compelling mystery man?
Review: WOW! Ms Lai has penned a wonderfully written story that just popped off the cyber pages. Well written and creative, I have to say that this little story went beyond my expectations.

I have read a lot of Regency stories lately, and this one was well worth the read. No doubt that Ms Lai has a knack for writing love scenes that are both titillating and sexy. I found myself riveted and wanting more when the story ended.

Dazzled by Jennifer Schmidlin

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Jewels of the Night Series


Magic? Death by fornication?

Josie Melbourne is not a superstitious woman, but when she is given a blue, heart-shaped hunk of glass from an eighty-two-year-old woman, her life drastically changes. Is it coincidental that moments after she receives the gift, she seduces the elderly woman's son? And in a bathroom of all places?

Travis Bramble has loved Josie for months, but she barely tolerates his presence. A prudish deameanor often accompanied her to the rest home during visiting hours, but the evening she rubs her cute little behind against his groin, things begin changing…for his benefit.
Review: Story opens with Josie visiting her mother and her roommate, Gerty, in a retirement home. Josie thinks Gerty's son is a snobbish, egoist who is self-centered, but probably not a criminal. Travis is 6 feet, with sexy good looks, who thinks Josie is a prude but nice looking.

Gerty is a very superstitious 82 year old who tells Josie there are 3 men lurking around who want to take her gem and men should never have possession of it or they would "fornicate themselves to death." She wants Josie to take the heart shaped, blue, glass looking, object because she doesn't want Travis to have it and have bad things happen to him.

Gerty puts the stone in Josie's pocket and the first time she and Travis see each other in the old ladies' room Josie and Travis can't keep their hands off each other. They had not liked each other before, but now they are, as Josie put it, "denim fucking". I had never heard this term before, but what do I know?

From then on, things get very active. Josie gets stuck in a snowstorm; they go to mutual friends' home. There the 3 men appear. There are break-ins, kidnappings, yes as in more than one kidnapping, wild escapes, beatings, harassing old Gerty, involvement by Travis's Aunt Mabel and his cousins, and lots of HOT sex scenes involving Josie and Travis. Like the one where she sprawls on the couch and throws one leg over the back of it or the scene where they are interrupted and when she goes to answer the door she turns to face him and fingers herself.

For a couple who couldn't stand each other for ten months, these two really get it on in such a hurry they don't even take time to use precautions.

Model fantasy by Abby Gordon

Story: 9.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 18.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Erotic BDSM
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Blurb: Supermodel Francine is the sexiest woman alive, and she just found her fiance cheating on her. A tipsy conversation about her erotic fantasies brings about the sexual encounter of her dreams.


Having withdrawn from society life, Grant seizes the chance to dominate the woman he's lusted after for years. But afterward, Grant must again deal with the spotlight when Francine's ex strikes back at her publicly. Can they overcome life's obstacles to make fantasy reality?
Review: HOLY CRAP!!!!

Yet another rip roaring, page scrolling, work of art from Ms Gordon. This one sucked me in, squeezed me tight, and left me breathless…literally! Hell, once I finished the story…and the “about the author” I sucked in a deep breath and felt the tension leave my chest…THAT’S HOW GOOD IT WAS 

Oy vey…If this is what readers can expect every time from Abby Gordon, I’m not sure I can handle more than a few of her books…every week  It has been a long time since I was THIS wrapped up in both characters and story. I can usually count on one or the other but when I get both, with ass kicking sex, written by an author with this much talent? All I can say is look out world. Abby Gordon is a must read for me but then I knew that after reading Beck and Call 

No doubt that I will be picking up EVERY work that she ever puts out from this day forward. ***SNAPS*** and then some. Ms Gordon is all that…and the potato chip factory 

Ring of Lies by Rachel Lynne

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Romantic Suspense
To Purchase

Blurb: Jewel of the Night Series


A café owner and an ex-cop must unravel the mystery surrounding a hot blue diamond in order to stop a cold blooded killer.

After a childhood lived on the road with a free-spirited aunt, all café owner Ivy Michaels wants is a normal and uneventful life, but when her aunt is found floating in the Savannah River, Ivy inherits an heirloom blue diamond and a killer bent on keeping the past buried.

Dom Riordan is an ex-cop obsessed with finding his mother's killer. A chance meeting, and a glimpse of evidence he's been seeking, convinces him that Ivy Michaels is the key to solving the crime. Dom devises a plan to date Ivy and ferret out the truth but he didn't count on losing his heart. As a ruthless killer closes in on Ivy, Dom will risk everything to keep her safe.
Review: This one kept me on the edge of my chair until I finished it; and I am not really 'into' mystery/suspense/romance stories. And that it is exactly what this tale is about.

Ring of Lies revolves around the huge blue diamond in a ring; who has worn it, who has owned it, who has stolen it, and to whom does it actually belong. These are the questions that Ivey and Dominick are trying to find answers for. Their meeting, romance, disagreements and mistrust and passion for each other all have to do with the blue diamond ring.

This is a story with many twists and turns. His mother Lorena, her aunt Fey, her godfather Jamie and Ivey herself are connected by this ring which the Gibbons family had buried along with other family valuables during the Civil War. Why were Dom's mother and Ivey's aunt murdered? Where has the ring been since its disappearance twenty years ago and how does it end up in Ivey's possession? How was it found and who found it?

This story makes for gripping reading. Godfather Jamie is running for a Congress position. Ivey is opening a new Cosmic Cafe. There are home break-ins, attempted muggings, chases into dark alleys, shootings and more action to make this a great action/mystery, romance story. The romance itself sometimes takes a back seat to the blue diamond ring intrigue. But Boy Howdy! They are a hot pair when they are speaking to each other.

I liked the action, I liked the romance, I really liked this book that I expected to be ho hum bored trying to slog through. Descriptions of the action like the scene where Ivey was chased into a dark alley made my heart pound. And with my high blood pressure, I don't need a racing heart.

I liked it! And I will probably read it again. Enjoy your reading of Ring of Lies.

Eight Second Ride by Desiree Holt

Story: 8

Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Erotic BDSM
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Blurb: Jessie Wade is a tough as nails sheriff until bull rider Kyle Mitchell ends up in her jail. With his bone-melting good looks and seductive voice, he knocks Jessie's defenses down one by one and awakens the sensuous woman she's hidden beneath her uniform. But Jessie can't afford to be soft. Or allow herself to fall for a cowboy who's never in one town longer than it takes to ride a bull.


Kyle never backs down from a challenge, but after a passionate night with Jessie, he realizes there's a hell of a woman behind the handcuffs and badge. Can Kyle convince Jessie he can take her for more than an eight-second ride?
Review: As a follower of Ms Holt’s work I have to say that I have come to expect certain things when I pick up one of her books. Hot men, rocking sex and emotion. This kinky little title had it all.

While I thought that the “I love you” can a bit fast, I was able to roll with it. These two characters each have a need and they were able to find someone who not only shared their desires but someone who they truly liked. Another good story from this author :)

An Inn Decent Proposal by Sharon Buchbinder

Story: 8.5
Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Contemporary
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Blurb: Recovering gambler Jim Rawlings returns to Summerville to take the biggest chance of his life--bidding at auction for the once-grand Summerville Inn. But to make the hotel a success, he needs a world class executive chef.

Chef Genie King attends the Summerville Inn auction with dreams of becoming executive chef in her own kitchen. Years ago, she worked at the Inn with Jim, but she never expected her Class of 85 heartthrob to bid at the sale also.

Together, Jim and Genie can purchase and rehab the Inn in time for their twenty-fifth high school reunion, but working together means Jim must share long-hidden secrets with the woman he still loves. Will Genie reject the man with a past? Or will she love the man he's become?

Review: I did like the intro page Praise for Sharon Buchbinder, which pretty well was a description of the main plot. "an out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire adventure for Genie and Jim when they buy the Summerville Inn to renovate." Both of these great characters have their own motive for wanting the Inn. But, another character wants it also, for his nefarious gambling casino plans. Tony, the bad guy (and boy is he bad!) causes all sorts of misadventures for Genie and Jim when they pool their money and outbid him. 'The Wolf" is an appropriate nickname for this “short dark hirsute with knuckles practically dragging the ground." Can't you just envision this man or should I say "thing' because I could not find anything to like about him.

Genie and Jim are familiar with the Inn because they went to school together in the town. They are both nice, likable people in their late 30s or early 40s. Both have had problems in the past but are working to control them. They give some great compliments for Alcohol Anonymous and Weight Watchers. They almost immediately turn their business partnership into something much more personal. It was romantic, but not overly sensual. I think that is the main reason I liked this story. Ms. Buchbinder spent more time developing the plot and its action and less sex to fill pages to make a quota.

Beth and Dick are the other people in this story, she is a realtor and he is chief of police who has ties to Tony, the former Mafia hit-man from New Jersey.

All five of these characters, good, bad, and not so bad are described in action and thought. This is one of those stories in which the participants seem to come alive and step off the page. Tony in particular was so vivid that I almost wanted to reach out and slap the gum wad out of his mouth.

There are some very heart-touching moments, like the scene where the stray black mama cat and her three kittens are rescued in their floating litter pan. It is real life descriptions like this one that make me really remember the book and want to read it again.

Montana Belle by Linda Morris

Story: 8
Presentation: 9
Total: 17
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Spicy Historical
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Blurb: Sent to Boston for a proper education after her mother's death, Augusta Springer loves her cultured life there, helping the headmistress and planning a teaching career. But when her brother dies unexpectedly, she is summoned home by her headstrong father and ordered to marry the only man for whom she has ever cared— Joshua Bradley.


Joshua has planned for years to win Augusta's heart. Building a life to share with her has been his ultimate goal, but she has learned to despise ranch life and all that goes with it. Can he persuade this independent woman to stay and share the dreams he has for both of them?


Review: You know…I love a good western historical. There is just something about them that sparks something deep in my soul. This story with its simple plot was really good. Though there were times when it felt a bit more like a regency set story than one taking place in the late 1800’s in Montana, I still enjoyed it.

The characters popped, the descriptions were vivid and the love was sparkling. A well done story no doubt and one that makes me want to see what else this author has to offer :)

A Perfect Bride for Christmas by Dyann Love Barr

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary
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Blurb: Alex King wants to follow the family tradition and marry his perfect bride on Christmas Eve. There’s one little hitch—Bianca dumps him at the altar. He wakes up in Vegas with a hangover, a ring on his finger, and in bed with his best friend,Zoe Hillman. She’s overweight and plain, nothing at all like his image of the perfect wife. So begins the shortest Vegas marriage in history.


Zoe loved Alex from the moment he walked through the law firm’s doors. He can charm the panties off any woman, but he’s never tried it with her. The chance to grab for the golden ring is within her reach until everything blows up in her face. Now, five years later she returns to Kansas City with triplets in tow and a brand new look. Catering Alex’ next wedding should prove interesting

Review: I laughed so hard I thought I was going to split my pants during the first chapter :) Total WOMAN POWER!!!! Damn does she put both those guys in their place :) I know you are wondering what in the hell I am yapping about but if the author sees this review…or anyone who has read this book, they will get it :) And you? Well, your just have to read it to see :)

Now, on with the review. So, after a kick ass first chapter and a rocking next several…during which time I wanted to slap the crap out of more than one person….the story just kept moving along. There was a lot of flip flopping back and forth on Alex’s part. Zoe wants to be happy but puts her girls first as most parents would, and the brothers? Well they have their own stories :)

While I figured the ending would all work out and there were parts that seemed a little out of place in the story, I enjoyed it. Yes, it’s a look at me now story…kind of, but it works. Alex, even though he is a bit of a “man-slut” is hot and really wants to be a dad though I think he put up with Sydney way longer than he should have. Consequences be damned.

Everything worked out and all is well and right in the world again. Thank you Ms Barr. I enjoyed this one :)