Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Sexy is Never Ignored by Destiny Blaine



He is Sports and Entertainment World's Man of the Year. She is the woman lucky enough to marry the highest paid quarterback in the history of the Professional Football Confederacy, but Cassie Teller's luck doesn't stop there.

They are the Tellers and some believe they're untouchable. They enjoy a lavish lifestyle with all the perks to go along with it. This includes a discreet threesome.

But those living in the public eye seldom escape the press unscathed. When Cassie decides she wants one more man, a bitter ex-wife drives the press closer and closer to unveiling one very dark secret. Soon two professional football super-stars face the unthinkable--losing their careers.  

Sexy is Never Ignored by Destiny Blaine is an interesting tale. Perhaps I should start with the introduction provided above. “Soon two professional football super-stars face the unthinkable…” Ummm perhaps Destiny Blaine needs to write a better ending.

Okay to start with I will complain and then tell you what’s good because this book sort of irritated me. I’m complaining about the lack of story. This one you step into the middle of these people’s lives and then quickly gloss over the actual story and plotline and especially the conflict totally focus on the sex and then end the story. I feel like I was gypped of the actual story. Not to say that her writing is bad, it’s actually very good and especially the sex scenes, but the conflict was glossed over in a matter of paragraphs and then what, we’re left waiting for the actual plot to make sense. And instead we’re looking at the ending of the book. I was disappointed.

Okay, now that I’m done ranting; the sex scenes in this book were HOT! She’s very good at getting the reader into the moment and letting them enjoy themselves to her characters delight. This particular book was about Cassie’s desire for three men in her bed. She ‘loved’ them all. I put love in connotations because it feels like the character just wants what she wants and doesn’t take the time to think about any consequences. The men do not touch each other. All of their focus is on Cassie.

When I finished with this book I was grateful for the sex scenes and the distraction of the book but I felt like the plotline needed work and definitely needed expanded. I am going to rate this book 2.5 stars.

Publisher: Siren Publishing
ISBN: 1610345150
Price: $3.99 (Bookstrand.com)
www.destinyblaine.com

Monday, October 15, 2012

Finally all updated....

If you noticed the massive upload of reviews, that was just the reviews I've done earlier in the year. Now to look to new information and reviews. I've read a bunch since then but I haven't actually written a review on them. Everything from this point forward will be coming one or two a day. Not another massive one like this. Bear with me and this will work itself out. :)
Raylin

Wylder Magic by Camille Anthony




Eight Days…
Elias Wylder, that egotistical SOB, had the gall to trick Moriah into bonding with him during her Opening Ceremony! Now her year of hiding is almost up. Only eight days and she’ll be free. In eight days, Moriah can repudiate the bond with Wylder and claim her rightful place in Arcane Society. Until then, she dare not allow the powerful warlock to discover she still loves him, despite his trickery. She must keep her distance, no matter how close she wishes they could be.
But Wylder’s not the kind to take no for an answer.
Humbled by her loss, Elias will do anything to find Moriah, even begging the Council of Magick for help. Unfortunately, his year of futile searching is almost up. An Athame Warlock must present his lady to Council before the year passes, or lose her forever. Elias can’t allow that to happen. Moriah’s taken more than Wylder’s magick -- she’s stolen his heart. He’s got just eight days to find her, and win her back!

This story is about Morven Moriah Maganistus running away from Elias Ethan Winston Wylder. She is scared of him because he is powerful. More powerful than anyone else in the magical community and she is afraid that he’ll do something reckless that will hurt her. She runs away and hides. They’re mating ceremony is only half complete. In the year that she’s been hiding Wylder comes to terms with how much he cares for her and searches endlessly knowing that at the year mark he will lose her.
The world that these two live in is very similar to our world but it works differently. Almost like another dimension. Everybody can use magic but they have to go to school to learn properly. They mix science and magic and technology so there are things like the SWAT team, that hunts down people who change the weather.
Wylder does find her with only six days left. He discovers that she had a daughter (it’s his) and he claims her so that there is no way she will run again. It helps that she finally admits that she loves him too. The daughter thing is kind of funny. Morvan had hid from him by turning herself into a dog. Then she got stuck as a dog until she delivered and then she didn’t have enough magic to turn her daughter back from a puppy. So her daughter is almost a year old and still a puppy. It’s cute because Wylder was shocked to see his daughter that way.
I have one complaint about this story. The author is using a new world for her characters and she doesn’t take the time to explain the world. The world sounds neat and fascinating but it kinda leaves you floundering for details and some things take a while to figure out.
Overall this story is good. It’s short and it sort of feels like you step into a world you don’t know but the characters more than make up for the lost feeling. There are lots of details about the characters so even though you sort of feel lost you can just go with it and follow the story perfectly fine. I rate this book 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
ASIN: B006VJHM96
Price: $4.49 (Amazon Kindle)

Without a Word by E.C. Sheedy




I Would Live For You…
Deep in the wood, a runner takes long strides, satisfied that at last she’s on the right path. She’s done what she had to do, and she’ll make the best of her second chance. She’ll live by the motto on her t-shirt: life is good. Only when the surprise visitor with the familiar face steps from the cover of tall trees, does she learn something else: life is also short…
I Would Die For You…
Camryn Bruce can’t believe her best friend has been brutally murdered. Now Camryn is the guardian of her precious little girl, Kylie. To Camryn, Kylie is like a gift, the daughter she could never have. But other people want Kylie, too. And someone will do anything to get her – lie, cheat, steal, and worse. So much worse…
I Would Kill For You…
Dan Lambert may only have married Kylie’s mother to help her out, but that doesn’t change the love he feels for the little girl who has always called him “Daddy.” He won’t abandon Kylie, and if that means getting into Camryn’s life, so be it. He hadn’t counter on the hunger she’d awaken in him, a passion he never thought he’d find again – a happiness that could be short-lived. Someone is waiting, watching…wanting. Someone whose dark passions will not be denied. And Dan’s protections may not be enough to stop a twisted killer from getting close enough to kill…

Without A Word is a story with murder, mystery, intrigue, sex and love. Sounds confusing right? Actually it’s a very simple story that’s easy to read. The only real mystery was who killed Kylie’s mom, Holly. That is answered for the audience later but the characters don’t actually get that answer.
Let me run over the key elements and see if I can sum up the story. Murder = Holly gets killed and then there is a fight about who will get custody of Kylie; best friend Camryn, step-dad Dan, grandfather, or biological father. Mystery = Holly’s murderer is out there and someone shoots a gun into Camryn’s kitchen. Intrigue = biological father (Adam) slept with Holly, Gina, and Camryn (best friends) when they were younger and somehow they can’t seem to resist him. Sex = Camryn and Dan. Love = Camryn and Dan. Can you pick out the main characters yet? ;)
Alright the idea behind the story is good. It keeps the reader interested. Telling the truth, I read this book quickly. It’s easy to read and it keeps you interested to know who is doing what and for what reasons. There is a few subplots that is integral to the story but they seem to enhance rather than detract from the major plot going on.
The sex in this book is good. It’s downplayed so it’s not ‘erotic’ but it’s still more descriptive than something you would find in a generic romance novel. I refer to generic romance novels not in a derogatory way but that they are more about the romance and less about the sex. Not a bad thing, but when looking at the sex factor they seem to be lacking.
In the end I think this is a good book. I recommend renting it from the library (if you can get a hold of it). I don’t know if I would read it more than twice. Still it’s good enough for me to rate 3.25 stars.

Publisher: Brava Kensington Publisher
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-1561-1
Price: $14.00 (cover)
www.kensingtonbooks.com

Winter Hearts by Anny Cook




Unity Brooks can't believe her eyes when she discovers evidence of illegal transactions in the company books. She presents the evidence to her supervisor, who listens attentively and even provides her with a comforting cup of coffee. Imagine her embarrassment when she wakes half-naked and bound in the arms of Aquila Johnson, the accountant auditing the books .After spending a stunning night with Unity, Quill is puzzled when she drops out of sight. His employer sends him home to investigate a case nearby until the media finds other scandals to focus on. When the two cases collide and Unity's life is threatened, they learn that sharing secrets is the safest way to stay alive.

Reading the above, Winter Hearts by Anny Cook is something that I couldn’t wait to read. It just sounded really good. With regret, I have to inform you that my review is not going to be a good one.
At the beginning of the book I was a little disappointed that the ‘stunning night’ in the closet with Quill and Unity was just a teaser. Then later in the book they are about to have oral sex and then they are interrupted. They do finally have sex but it was so tamely described that the lead up overhyped it and made it disappointing.
The idea behind this book that Quill and his family are angels/shapeshifters is a good one. It’s unique and interesting enough to draw in readers with just the idea. However the follow through was disappointing. When I was reading the book it felt like there was information I was missing. Perhaps some of the information came from another book and didn’t translate into this one…no. I looked up Anny Cook’s website and this is the first book in the series. What happened to the information? Why am I guessing at who half of the people are?
Overall the book was disappointing. I was intrigued with the idea but the follow through was missing something. I felt half lost, like I was missing important background information on the characters. I really don’t like giving bad reviews and I’m hoping that perhaps I accidently got an unfinished manuscript on my Nook rather than that the story is that bad…I hope because it should have been a good idea. Still in the end I can only give my review based on the information I have. I rate this book 2 stars. L

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
ISBN: 9781419913723
Price: $1.49 (Kindle)

Wilde Thing by Janelle Denison




She Can’t Stop Thinking Of Him
Serious bad boy. That’s what Liz Adams thinks when she catches sight of dark, gorgeous Steve Wilde sitting at a table in her coffee house, giving her a look of bold, satisfying appraisal that has nothing to do with her espresso skills. Still, the man is the best P.I. in town, and the only person who might be able to help Liz track down her irresponsible, free-spirited cousin…if she can manage to spend more than two minutes in his company without surrendering to the wild fantasies dancing in her head.
He Can’t Stop Wanting Her
Oh, baby. That’s what Steve Wilde thinks every time he comes into Liz’s cafĂ© and catches sight of her sexy figure behind the counter. But a man can only pretend to be interested in the pastries for so long. Now that Liz has opened the door to him, Steve intends to storm right through it, along with her defenses, and show the aloof beauty what she’s been missing…and what he intends to do about it, slowly, deliberately, deliciously…
Now, There’s No Stopping Either Of Them
Now, in a cat-and-mouse game where the thrill of the forbidden is never quite enough, a business arrangement is about to yield to pleasure…and the temptations that can only be found when hearts run wild…

Wilde Thing is a story about Liz looking for her crazy cousin who up and disappears for two weeks. Liz hires Steve as her P.I. but she also gets hired at the phone sex company where her cousin was working. This leads to interesting nights of phone sex followed by nights of acting out the fantasies. In the end they have to finally acknowledge their relationship and it forces Liz to come to terms with the way she’s been living. Happy ending!
I was excited to read this book. I know that sexy motorcycle riding bad boys who really have a pure heart is something of a dream but I would love to meet one in real life. Perhaps I should convince my husband to act out my own fantasies…Yum! I think what intrigued me the most is that he could be real but probably not somebody I would meet.
The sex in this book is mouth-watering, keep a vibrator beside you and break it out multiple times while reading this book fantastic. There is role playing, fantasy realization and just plain good sex. I like the last sex scene because even though it is slow, it’s his way of showing her that he loves her and he proves it with every slow thrust. I could go on but instead I will suggest you go out and purchase this book. You can pick it up on Amazon kindle for just $4.30 or a used paperback copy for just $0.01. I know I’m raving but this was pussy clenching goodness.
I like the realness of the characters. They weren’t just bad boy and good girl. They were a smart P.I. who had a disastrous first marriage but loves his daughter who he doesn’t get to see and a coffee shop owner who is trying to make amends for letting down her aunt and uncle who raised her after her parents died by trying to be a better person. I like the ending where Liz had to decide to live for herself and not live for other people. She had a shit beginning but she can’t be happy by catering to other people’s whims, especially her cousin who turned into a wild child.
Overall I think this book is worth it. It’s a great thing to keep and read over and over again. I have to give this book a 4.75 rating because I think it’s that good. J

Publisher: Brava Kensington Publishing
ISBN: 0-7582-0359-4
Price: $14.00 (cover)

When Twilight Comes by B.J. Daniels




Phantom Lover…
He’d waited for this day – this woman – for forever it seemed. Harry Ballantine had been a prisoner of Fernhaven forest and now he found the key to his salvation in Jenna Dante. But would she surrender to him before she left the hidden hamlet?
Or Figment Of Her Imagination?
With an angry ex on her tail and rain pouring, the last thing Jenna Dante needed was car trouble and a cranky child. Her only option was to seek refuge in the desolate hotel on the hill in Fernhaven. But the restored walls seemed to hold more than memories. For Jenna they vibrated with life and an all-male seduction she could only see and feel I her mind. But when danger came to call, she would need flesh-and-blood protection – and maybe something more lethal…like transcending love.

When I originally picked up this story I thought it was going to be a cheesy romance novella that wouldn’t really satisfy my craving for a short story. Boy was I wrong. I’m glad I was too. This story is about Jenna fleeing her ex husband after she rescued her child and unknowingly took his duffel bag full of $500,000. The ex husband was the right hand man for the boss of a crime syndicate in Seattle, WA. He was using the 500k to leave the business and disappear. But he was a cruel man and was taking his daughter (kidnapping) when he left the country. Jenna re-kidnapped her daughter and fled. She ended up on some backwoods road two hours east of Seattle at Fernhaven. From there the story goes into how to find her, people finding out real identities of other people, helicopters rides gone wrong, lots of murder, and Jenna randomly falling into lust with a ghost at Fernhaven.
This was a good story. It may have been short, 250 pages paperback, but the content was so condensed that it took a lot longer to read than some other longer paged books I have read recently.
It’s part of the ‘Intrigue’ series by Harlequin. Number 876 October if I’m reading the cover correctly. I haven’t read much Harlequin in the last few years but I am fascinated by greatness of this book. The last time I read Harlequin the covers were in white and red. This cover, and the few I got at the flea market, is purple with pictures on the bottom half. Perhaps I will invest more into these short stories.
When Twilight Comes is really a horrible title for this book. I could understand it for a vampire novel or something that had to do with the twilight but this book really has nothing to do with that. It should have been named something like ‘Fernhaven’s Refuge.’ I know that Harlequin needs catchy titles for their books but this one is so far off the mark that it feels like they just drew a name from a hat.
Aside from the miswritten title, this book was good to read. I am ready and willing to rate it 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
ISBN: 0-373-22876-7
Price: $4.99 (cover)
www.bjdaniels.com
www.eHarlequin.com

Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks



After 499 years of existence, Connor Buchanan has arrived at the inescapable conclusion: he is a cold-hearted SOB. He’s been watching his friends – these poor romantic fools – plummet off the cliff into love like a dazed herd of sheep. But not Connor. He knows that love leads to nothing but heartache.
She is an angel cast down from heaven for disobedience. Trapped in mortal form, she finds a protector in Connor, a Scottish vampire haunted by a dark past. Marielle hopes to heal his broken heart and earn her way back home, but suddenly she has these…feelings. This strange yet pleasant physical yearning – for a vampire! Is this the work of a demon luring her into hell, or has this angel found heavenly bliss?

Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks is a story about a rebellious angel, Marielle Quadriduum, who has been banished to earth and found by Connor Buchanan. Connor is a vampire coming up on his 500th birthday. The best quote to describe the subplot/plot is: Since Roman Draganesti was the inventor of synthetic blood and the owner of Romatech where it was produced, he presented a tempting target for the Malcontents who considered synthetic blood an insult and threat to their murderous way of life. This sentence also hints that there are other books in this universe and other stories to read.
The story itself is fairly straight forward. Connor protects Marielle during her quest to earn her way back into heaven. During that time they fall in love but try to deny it. There are some cute things that happen. Connor gets his toes painted pink (while he’s asleep) and something called the Three Step Rule, which states that at any given time, sex is only three steps away in a man’s thoughts. This becomes a laughing point throughout the book because Marielle keeps referring to it when Connor has no clue what it means.
There are two parts that are particularly noteworthy and funny. From page 14: Connor rounded the monitor and discovered Stone in a passionate embrace with…his hairbrush. This was funny to read considering that the person in question was a news anchor who came across the television as stoic and manly. Another funny part was a conversation between Connor and Marielle. From page 48: “May I ask your name? [Marielle asked]” He glanced up at her, then straightened with a jerk. “Holy Christ Almighty.” She frowned. “No, I don’t believe you are.” What was funny about this was that she was not afraid of nudity and Connor got an eyeful before he covered her up.
There are a few things that the book mentions but doesn’t really go into so much. One of the side characters father was dying and the only way they could save him was to transform him into a vampire. The guy hated vampires but to save him they transformed him anyway. His story was never concluded so I don’t know if he ended up hating himself but they mention another character who got transformed and Roman was able to change her back to human. It’s sort of nice to know that even though they changed him against his will that there is a way that he can be changed back if he absolutely hates it. Most other stories do not really touch this subject.
Another thing that the book talks about more in reference to it than actually discussing it is the idea of free will and the application to other beings other than human. The demon could not take Marielle to hell against her will even if she was banished from heaven. The idea that Marielle was somehow destined to rebel even though angels are not supposed to be disobedient was an idea that has floated around and not really resolved. Kerrelyn Sparks resolves it by producing Gabriel who tells Marielle that it was God’s hope that she would act in the way she did to produce the end result even though he did not influence her decision in any way. It wrapped it up in a nice bow.
One more thing that the book references are the ability to “earn” the way back into heaven. There is the idea that once a person is on the list for hell that there can be no redemption but this book challenges that thought by being able to forgive Connor. Marielle does not earn her wings back. She has the chance to get them back but chooses love with Connor instead. It’s a sweet ending and definitely happy but the idea of earning redemption doesn’t seem like a good idea in the long run.
My overall thoughts of this book is that it is a simple romance with a religious factor that was part of the defining characteristic of the people but it didn’t preach about religion or the way people need to convert. It was nice because I grew up going to church but no longer follow religion as an adult so I can appreciate it. I should mention there is sex in the book but it is very tame. I would suggest reading the book but if you’re looking for erotic sex between an angel and a vampire then this is not the place. Good romance but not a focus on erotic sex. At the end I give this book three and a half stars.

Publisher: Harper Collins’ Avon Books line
ISBN: 978-0-06-195804-5
Cover Price: $7.99 US

Under Your Spell by Shiloh Walker




Nicholas Montgomery fell in love with a bewitching woman only months before his sworn obligation to marry another. His beloved’s fury cast a spell that lasted hundreds of years.
You will never love another like you love me. You will never know a moment’s peace for what you have done. Until you love me enough to forsake everything—your honor, your pride, your own soul—we cannot be together.
Reborn into the body of Sean Concannon, a powerful witch, he has finally found his beloved. Now he has a choice to make, and a sacrifice. One he may be unprepared to make.

In Under Your Spell by Shiloh Walker, Nicholas falls in love with Aislinn. But he feels he is bound by honor to marry a child-bride from Spain. In those days she not a child but still a 13 year old seems young. When Aislinn begs him to choose her instead and he does not, she goes crazy and outs herself to the community that she is a witch. (It was the middle ages) While they burn her at the stake she curses Nicholas. In the subsequent four lifetimes he searches for her until finally he finds her. She doesn’t remember him or her past lives but he discovers that her punishment has been to die by fire for her past lifetimes. He takes away her painful memories and decides to give up his magic for her. Only then can they be together.
Under Your Spell is a short story about love. Found, lost, found again and then sacrifice. It begs the question: What would you be willing to give up for love? The story is so compelling that the lack of character build-up is easily ignored. The set up of the story is well done and leads the reader to want a happy conclusion for these characters.
Over I find this to be a worthy read. I looked forward to the continuation of the story while reading it and was sort of sad to see it end. I rate this book 3.75 stars.

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 9781419927324
Price: $4.45 (Ellora’s cave)
www.ellorascave.com

The Man Means Business by Annette Broadrick




AN OUT-OF-THE-OFFICE AFFAIR TO REMEMBER
Inviting his dedicated secretary on a Hawaiian business trip seemed the perfect way to show Jodie Cameron his appreciation. But millionaire Dean Logan hadn't expected Jodie to need more than the tropical sunset to relax her. Yet what Jodie really craved was turning from the boardroom to the bedroom....
Soon, though, they had to return to their all-business relationship. But with memories of a passionate holiday in every corner of the office, could Dean deny that getting Jodie back into his bed was the only merger on his mind?

The Man Means Business is about Dean falling in love with his secretary. She is only his secretary for part of the book. Then she graduates from school and transfers to another part of the company. Jodie eventually realizes that she loves him and decides to leave rather than tell him and deal with it. He realized close to the same time and follows her.
This book is cute. There is some sex but it’s not erotic. It’s a great book to pass the time but I don’t think it’s one that I will keep. I hate to say that because I love books but I think this is one that I will never read again.
Overall I think this is not a bad book and that if you get it from the library then it would be perfect. I rate this book 2.5 stars.

Publisher: Silhouette Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-0373767014
Price: $3.52 (Kindle)

Tasty Treats Anthology: Volume 2




Back In Her Bed by Leah Brooke: Even though Emily misses Jack and his dominance over her body, she's not about to let him back in her bed again. Or is she?  
Back For More by Wendi Darlin: One irresistible woman, two headstrong men, and passions that can't be contained. Will both her cowboys come back for more?
Back In The Saddle by Sofia Hunt: What's cooking isn't necessarily in the kitchen when a former porn star turned rancher unknowingly hires his proper ex-girlfriend to cater his weekend party.

Volume 2 of the Tasty Treats Anthology was different and just as good as the first. The same as the first volume is that there is the running theme of frozen Italian, garlic bread, wine, and frozen waffles. This running theme doesn’t sound like a lot but it helps keep the stories feeling like they have something in common when they are drastically different.
In this volume Back in Her Bed and Back in the Saddle are just with a male and female couple. In Back for More there are two males with one female. This doesn’t change the dynamics of the story but it’s nice for those of us who are happily married and don’t want a third person in their bed.
The stories are great, the sex is great, and the overall feeling of happiness from reading the book is great. Overall I think this is a book worth reading. The stories are short enough that you don’t have to spend a lot of time invested in getting to the plot and conflict of the book and the sex scenes alone are enough to keep the reader invested. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1606014752
Price: $8.99 (Amazon)

Tasty Treats Anthology: Volume 1




RACHEL'S SEDUCTION by Jenny Penn.  In a reckless attempt to escape boredom, Rachel tumbles into a Cattleman's fantasy. Adam and Killian intend to keep her there.
RIDING LESSONS by Eve Adams.  When Cole brings Leah home for a night of passion, his brother Jesse joins and together they show Leah exactly how a country boy survives.
MACKENZIE'S MELTDOWN by Amber Carlton.  Computer crash. Backstabbing co-worker. Meddling mom. Dead battery. No chocolate. In the hands of two gorgeous hunks, Mackenzie's meltdown just changed directions.
THE ELIXIR by Dee S. Knight.  Barb Morrison's stuck centuries in the future where an elixir and two sexy guys set her afire. Can she get home? Does she want to?

Tasty Treats Anthology: Volume 1 is a really great collection of stories that reflect many women’s fantasies about taking two men home to have fun with. There is a lot of sex in these stories and I for one am very happy with that. There’s no good thing to take home than a good smut book. I like that the stories are short so that if you want to read one in a night then you can. For people who have long days at work and just want to read and relax, these are the perfect books.
All four stories have two things in common: the ‘tasty treats’ and the m/m/f couples. I know that in Tasty Treats Anthology: Volume 2 that the m/m/f coupling is not there but in this one there is. The ‘tasty treats’ are frozen waffles, some sort of Italian dinner, chocolate syrup, and wine, although it could refer to the delicious sex that the characters engage in.
Overall these books flow really well together. There is a sense of connection even though they really have nothing in common other than the two items mentioned above. Rachel’s Seduction and Riding Lessons are part of a series but they feel secure enough to stand on their own. This is good because you don’t have to know the other stories for this story to make sense. However if you have read the others then some things make more sense.
I would suggest reading these books. They are short so they don’t take up a whole lot of time. They are not difficult to follow so if you need to set the story aside for a few days before you come back then you won’t have a problem picking the story back up. The stories definitely satisfy the need for a good smut book and the romance is really good too. I give this collection 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1-60601-449-8
Price: $7.99 (Bookstrand e-book)

Syren Song by Blaze Ballantine




Welcome to Gypsy Cay, an archipelago of 200 islands inhabited by every paranormal being known to mankind. Humans are invited to visit Gypsy Cay by day, but for thrill seekers, the island comes alive at sunset. Designated areas of the archipelago are deemed unsafe for mainland (human) visitors. Strict rules for obeying the laws of each species are posted at the boundaries of individual territories. Remember, human customs are left behind on the mainland. Gypsy Cay is a paranormal community and, therefore, is ruled as such. Nightlife on Gypsy Cay is sometimes dangerous, always wild, and definitely for adults only. Enjoy your stay!

Nightlife on Gypsy Cay is sometimes dangerous, always wild, and definitely for adults only. Enjoy your stay!

Nightlife on Gypsy Cay is sometimes dangerous, always wild, and definitely for adults only.

The Syren is Enlora. She’s the singer down at Syren’s Song one of the bars on Gypsy Cay. She’s destined to be mated to Kai, one of the ocean guardians (a shark). A man (human) comes into the bar and needs her help. Enlora can’t help herself. She’s drawn to this man. Between Kai and the human, all of her needs are met.
Seriously this book is very strange and yet perfectly in harmony with itself. I love Blaze Ballantine’s idea that there is an island, or rather a string of islands, which is home to most of the world’s supernatural creatures. The creatures there are able to get along perfectly fine…as long as they follow the rules.
There is a lot of sex in this book and for being between a siren, shark, and human it’s pretty hot. There is a murder plot. While none of the characters actually kill the person, they are ultimately responsible. Then there is more sex.
Anal plays a big part in this book and if someone is new to anal then this book is worth reading. It describes a lot of the processes in which a person must or possibly should, go through in order to have a great anal sex experience. Plus I personally found it arousing.
In the end I give this book a 3.5. There are lots of good points but the actual plot seems to be lacking a little bit.

ASIN: B0028TXRII
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Price: $3.49 (Kindle)
www.blazeballantine.net

Sin by Sharon Page




            Venetia Hamilton is no stranger to erotic art – her father’s lush paintings are one of society’s secret pleasures. But Venetia has never experienced true desire. Not until she meets Marcus Wyndham, the Earl of Trent – a powerful man who holds her future in his hands and awakens her curiosity with one searing kiss. His expert touch is only the beginning of her carnal education, but something more dangerous than submission may be the price she pays for such unimaginable delight…

            Sin by Sharon Page is a book full of action, adventure, mystery, romance, and lots of erotic sex. There is black mailing, murder, mysterious accidents all happening at an orgy. Sharon page spins a delightful tale of a not-so-innocent innocent being introduced to the ways of sin. The setting is 1818. Smack dab in the Regency era. Sharon Page has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She is able to weave together so many genres that calling this book a simple romance book seems almost a shame.
            Sin was the first erotic novel that I read. I have read romance novels all of my life but it wasn’t until I bought this one that I was introduced to sexually explicit, make-my-pussy-throb smut. Since then I haven’t been able to get enough. I still enjoy a good romance novel but erotic novels are definitely my favorites.
            The basically plot of the story is that Venetia is being blackmailed by Lydia Harcourt. She has to ask Marcus (who is trying to save her from herself) to take her to an orgy, where Lydia is at, in an attempt to get out of paying Lydia. Marcus is a reformed rake but can’t seem to get away from the lust and desire that Venetia makes him feel. In the end, Lydia has been killed, everyone’s secrets are safe, and Marcus and Venetia are in love and talking about marriage.
            I was quite interested in the way that Sharon Page describes love. “Intimacy. Friendship. Something glorious that both hurts and enriches. And you know that if you lost it, you heart might never mend.” This view is quite different than what is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Still it is one of the best original descriptions I have heard.
            “I am well aware that reality does not sell books, my lord. After all, when is the hero of a romantic story ever balding, pot-bellied, and riddled with gout?” This line cracked me up because it’s true. How many romance stories have anyone but the tall, dark, and handsome be the heroes? Well there is the tall, blonde, and handsome too. J But the reality of is that most men do not look like that and yet we still fantasize about what is not real.
            The way that Sharon Page writes is one of the things that draw me into her book. Sin is packed full of witty lines that make it seem like the content is more intellectual than a romance novel ever gets. “Resolute, determined, honorable to the point of heroic madness, Marcus planned to stop Chartrand and his armed men.” The phrase ‘heroic madness’ definitely caught my attention because that’s what it was. Marcus was chasing after an enraged member of the ton who was set on murdering gypsies in the name of justice. Yet almost in contrast she has a funny line. “I’ve never seduced a woman that way before – in fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever buttered a woman’s bun.” This was in reference to Marcus putting butter on a roll for Venetia.
            The intellectual writing comes into play when the mystery of Lydia Harcourt’s death occurs. There are people who won’t admit where they were, people who are attempting to hide their identity and people who snuck into the orgy to become part of the fun. The play on the characters are interesting because each character has a different secret that they are trying to keep Lydia from telling and it plays into the way that the characters react to the situation.
            Marcus and Venetia are the ones who discover where Lydia kept her book and are threatened because of it. Venetia is attacked twice and Marcus comes to her rescue. It is interesting that a reformed rake had such a protective streak in him. I’m glad that Sharon Page didn’t have his character around a bunch of other women but still illustrates that his feeling are just for her.
            Alright, to come to the orgy…(giggle) Yes I know it’s a bad play on words. The orgy is basically the whole length of the book. There is a piece at the beginning and at the end where they are in London but the whole middle of the book is Venetia and Marcus at Lord Chartrand’s orgy in the countryside. Venetia has to hide who she is in order to save her family’s reputation so she wears a mask that covers most of her face and Marcus calls her Vixen or Vee. This makes for an interesting twist on the story because the other characters are very interested in knowing who she is.
            The sex in the book is great. There are lesbian scenes, gay scenes, mĂ©nage scenes and many, many more. In the orgy sequences the descriptions are so good that if you close your eyes that you can actually imagine yourself being there. I personally would love to be involved in the lesbian scene that involves Venetia with Marcus watching. That scene always makes me wet! In the scenes involving Marcus and Venetia most are oral or anal scenes but towards the end she loses her virginity and then they have sex in numerous ways.
            There is a really good anal scene. And Marcus’s fantasy is fascinating. I won’t tell you what it is because it’s definitely worth reading on your own. I had a lot of fun reading about the characters acting out the scenes from Venetia’s paintings. There were lots of scenes and it was fun to think about being involved in numerous ones.
            Overall I think that this book is worth reading. The mystery, intrigue, and the tons of sex are worth imagining. It will take a bit of time to read this book but it’s worth putting in the effort. There really is something in it for everyone. I rate this book 4.75 stars out of 5. (I think it’s that good)

Publisher: Aphrodisia: Kensington Publishing Corp.
ISBN: 0-7582-1470-7
Price: $12.95 (cover)
www.sharonpage.com

Riding Lesson by Eve Adams




When Cole brings Leah home for a night of passion, his brother Jesse joins and together they show Leah exactly how a country boy survives.

Riding Lesson by Eve Adams is the second in the Riding series. Surprising to me is that this book is only available in the Tasty Treats Anthology volume 1. That being said it is worth reading. Eve Adams has delivered a magnificent feast for your eyes.
Leah Davis meets Cole Henry in the grocery store when she stops in for supplies before finding a hotel. The chemistry is instant and she agrees to go home with Cole. She’s delighted to find that Cole has a brother, Jesse, that while older looks like he could be Cole’s twin. She agrees to a night of passion with the two and ends up spending the weekend with them.
For such a simple and uncomplicated plot there is a perfect story. The instant chemistry allows for a happy ending. There is a reference to other characters, which I assume is the first book in the Riding series, but it doesn’t interfere with this story. While short this book has a lot to keep the reader entertained.
Personally I was excited reading this book. I can admit that the sex scenes were getting me horny and my pussy wet. There may have been a moment of purple prose when she used the word pea but it was quickly overlooked when the characters catch you up in the steamy romance. In total I counted six fully developed sex scenes and I truly enjoyed each one.
Overall this book is a definite must read if you enjoy smutty romance. The sex scenes are great, the character development was good even if the story was short, and the love between the three characters came out even though it didn’t feel like it sometimes. I give this book 4.5 stars.

Publisher: Siren Publishing
ISBN: 1-60601-449-8
Price: $6.39 (Tasty Treats Anthology)

Rachel's Seduction by Jenny Penn




Bored with the monotony of her everyday life, Rachel Adams makes a reckless mistake that tumbles her into the middle of a Cattleman’s fantasy.
A wild night of devilish pleasure with Killian Kregor and Adam Whitman may be enough to satisfy Rachel’s carnal fantasies, but it only whets the deputies' appetite for more.

            Rachel’s Seduction by Jenny Penn is the second in the Cattleman’s Club series. The Cattleman’s Club really has nothing to do with the plot of the story other than being a connecting factor with the other two books, so far, in the series. Rachel Allen is a local reporter who thinks she’s hit on something big when she hears about a big party out at the Cattleman’s Club. When she tries to get away she’s caught by Killian Kregor and Adam Whitman who are running security for the night.
            That’s the beginning of the plot. From there Rachel finds herself totally outmatched by these men. It’s a good thing though because she likes the way they take control over her sexuality. I mean, what woman hasn’t fantasized over two men controlling her pleasure? However, Jenny Penn did an excellent job describing the different scenes and the way that they morphed between fantasy and reality.
            One part I did have a slight bit of trouble digesting was: “Don’t you want me?” The question, asked in her little girl lost voice, stilled him.  I really feel like this was playing dirty with the characters. Men can’t seem to resist the lost little girl voice. On the other hand it set up the character to really draw the men in when it could have turned the other way. I was pretty happy with it after thinking about it.
            Another scene that had me cracking up with laughter was: “Well you can only marry one of us,” Adam responded.
            “Marry?”
            “Whoever she doesn’t choose is the sidekick.”
            “I’m so going to love screwing your wife when this is all over,” Killian smirked.
            “And who says I’m going to marry him?” That shocked both of them. “You never know, Killian, I just might decide that marrying you would be the perfect punishment. Then I’ll name my first son Adam.”
            “You wouldn’t dare.”
            “Try me.”
This cracked me up because I can just imagine the look on Killian’s face when he realizes that she just might do exactly that. Jenny Penn doesn’t write weak characters. They might be swooning during sex but her characters are mischievous and devious. I love that about the characters.
            Overall I would say this is an excellent book to read. As part of the Cattleman’s Club series it is great. Jenny Penn is swiftly becoming a favorite so I suggest reading her material. On its own this book is great and holds up in character development even though it is short. I give this book 4 stars.

Publisher: Siren Publishing
ASIN: B004FV54LA
Price: $7.69 (Kindle)

The Princess and the Penis by RJ Silver



A beautiful, chaste, and completely naive princess encounters a strange lump in her mattress. The lump soon morphs into a shape familiar to everyone but her, triggering her curiosity and her father's greatest fears. He frantically tries to intervene, but having a large phantom phallus in a curious maiden's bed is never a good combination.

The Princess and the Penis by RJ Silver reads like a fairy tale. In a way it is a fairy tale but it’s much more geared towards adults than children. The story is about Amalia, the princess, who is now 18 getting ready to marry Prince Rupert of Arginy. The week before he’s due to arrive, she starts sleeping horribly caused by ‘a lump in the rump.’ As the week goes by she starts to embrace the ‘lump’ instead of trying to banish it like everyone else is trying to do. After Prince Rupert arrives she takes to her bed for naps which is unlike her. She decides to kiss the penis because she believes it is under some sort of spell. Prince Longwood of the ancient Kingdom of Schlongdia appears and becomes her suitor instead.
When reading this story I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the things happening. Like the princess declaring, “Whatever this thing is, it needn’t be a pain in my rear when it can instead be a pleasure on my front.” Then the queen faints. It’s silly but when 18 years spent protecting the princess from anything to do with men fails quite drastically what else was she supposed to do but faint.
Some of the word usage is quite funny. The Phantom Phallus and the Kingdom of Schlongdia with Prince Longwood is really something to smile at. It’s a cute story with a good moral. It reads like a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale.
Overall I think this story is a good read. It’s short so it doesn’t take a lot of time to invest in the characters. I would recommend reading this. I rate this book 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Smashwords
ISBN: unknown
Price: $1.49 (Smashwords.com)
www.rjsilver.com

The Price of Pleasure by Joan Elizabeth Lloyd

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

The Panther's Lair by Esmerelda Bishop




Sydney Chase may have sworn off relationships—but she still has needs. So she heads to the Panther's Lair in search of sex: no strings, no emotions. The club owner, dark, mysterious Raimond Decoudreau, is exactly what she's looking for—his French accent alone makes her hot. Fortunately, his mouth has other sinful talents, as well...
After just one night with Sydney, Raimond knows she's his. And when the time is right, when she loves him in return, he'll reveal his deepest secret. For now, he'll enjoy pleasuring her in the most intimate of ways.
But when Sydney's life is threatened, Raimond's instincts take control, and she gets a glimpse at the beast within...

The Pather’s Lair is the name of the club that Raimond owns. Sydney goes there to find someone to spend one night with. “Feelings and love no longer interested her. Men thought with their dicks; why couldn’t she think with her pussy? No strings, no emotions, just sex.” This sums up what Sydney was searching for when she went to the Panther’s Lair. Unbeknownst to her Raimond claims her and she feels drawn to him. It’s a great story of her trying to get away after one night but her car had a flat and Raimond finds a way to draw her back in.
Esmerelda Bishop is a great author. She knows how to fit in information so that you know what’s going on without disrupting the flow of the story. However there was one word that I stumbled over and couldn’t help but laugh at. In terms of purple prose…this is the gem…vajayjay. In the context of the story Sydney’s friend says it and it’s supposed to be comedic but it stands out so badly that it didn’t come out that funny. Still it doesn’t end the story just something to get past.
I like the play between Sydney and Raimond but I kind of wish the story was longer. There are questions that I would like to know about both characters, mostly about background.  Perhaps there is another book that gives more information about these two…
Overall this is a good book and worth reading. I was sad that the story ended so soon. I rate this book 3.25 stars.

Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN: 978-1-4268-9030-7
Price: $2.99 (Kindle)
www.carinapress.com

Never Enough by Joan Elizabeth Lloyd




Her Job Satisfaction…
A poor, short-term marriage to a selfish man convinced Tracy McBride of two things: men can’t be trusted and sex is a waste of time. Sure that she lacks any natural ability in bed, the college professor prefers to lose herself in her books and papers. She certainly couldn’t do what her free-spirited sister Kim does – name, teach “intimacy weekends at a beautiful upstate New York resort, where the participants are looking for someone to open the channels of sexual communication, liberate their secret desires, and inspire new erotic temptations. But when Kim’s pregnancy forces her to go on bed rest, she begs Tracy to help her out by running the winter workshop. Reluctantly, Tracy agrees, though she can’t imagine how she, an inhibited novice, can ever get people to open up about their most searing fantasies.
…Is More Than Skin Deep.
What the buttoned-up beauty needs is a refresher course herself…someone who can initiate her into the mysteries of pleasure…and there’s no one more qualified for the position than hotel manager Dave Markoff. He’s got a vested interest in keeping the weekends going at his resort – and an equally serious interest in seducing Tracy. Now, as the October leaves fall, so do Tracy’s inhibitions, as she discovers an ecstasy she never imagined possible…and a calling she can no longer deny.

Never Enough by Joan Elizabeth Lloyd is about Tracy building up her confidence and taking over a ‘Creative Loving Weekend’ seminar for her sister. The book seems to read in two different sections. The first section focuses on Tracy feeling down and eventually getting into a sexual relationship with Dave and she seems to come out of her shell. There are issues that Dave helps her get past. The second section focuses on the seminar she’s running. There are three different couple’s stories that you follow as well as Tracy’s because she accidently freaked Dave out with commitment issues. Even for being a little different in the way it reads, it’s a good book.
I seriously suggest this book if you’re new to sex or want to learn more. Joan Elizabeth Lloyd seems to take a text book about sex and turn it into a story that is interesting to read. She doesn’t really go into very specific things but she looks at ideas like ‘men should know how to seduce a woman’ and she asks ‘why? Why is it up to the man to know when some women don’t know themselves?’ This is a good question to ask and definitely brings into account the fallacy of a romance novel when compared to real life situations.
The sex in the book is varied but tame. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good book but if you’re looking for the make-my-panties wet feeling while reading this book then you’re looking in the wrong paperback. Sorry. However it does look at several problems behind sex and addresses them satisfactorily.
This book is definitely worth checking out. Even if you just read it once and pass it on to a friend it’s worth taking the time to think about the questions asked and ponder whether it would make a big difference in your own life. I’m not saying it’s something to live your life by but just something to take the time and ponder.
Overall I say this book deserves to be read. I rate it 3 stars.

Publisher: Kensington Fiction
ISBN: 0-7582-0109-5
Price: $14.00 (cover)
www.kensingtonbooks.com

The Matchmaker by Jamie Denton




You Can Run From Your Past
The dead always have a story to tell. All he has to do is wait for the truth to be revealed to him. The living trust him with their grief – and their dirty little secrets. Only then is he able to ensure that the dead are given the happy ending they’d been deprived of in life. Only then can he set about playing matchmaker, uniting the dead with their true soul mates…for all eternity…
But It Will Catch Up to You
Exhuming a body over a contested will is the last thing former FBI profiler Greer Lomax wants to do. Just the thought of it brings on the panic attacks she’s fought for two years. Now, as deputy sheriff, Greer Lomax is going to have to face her darkest fears. Because the body she’s exhumed isn’t alone. He’s joined by a young woman whose name is on a missing person’s list.
With A Vengeance
The one person Greer can call for help is FBI agent Ash Keller. Ash hasn’t forgotten the hot blonde with the too-sexy smile – the one who spent many sizzling nights in his bed – and he hasn’t forgiven her for leaving him behind when she quit the Bureau. But he’s not about to let her go solo on this one, not after last time. Working the case sparks the fiery attraction they’ve tried to deny for too long and unleashes a passion they can’t control – one that could blind them to the most dangerous mistakes of the past…

The overview is actually really good on this one. The only thing it doesn’t mention is that Ash and Greer are married. She had a too close call run in with a serial killer two years ago and hasn’t recovered. She’s survived and existed but she hasn’t lived. Ash thought he was helping by staying away but after finally seeing her he realizes that was a mistake. By the end of the book she is ready to start living again.
I am tentatively saying this is a romance novel…it’s a Brava book but in truth the romance is very minimal. This is a mystery novel. It’s good but the romantic aspect of it is played so low that it made me question whether it should count. There are two sex scenes but they are more or less glossed over the same way that a random generic romance novel does.
The mystery is pretty good. It’s an almost perfect murder. If it wasn’t for the exhumation of a body over a contested cause of death then the guy would have gotten away with it. They had a count of 45 missing people in 7 connecting counties but without digging up every body they could only nail the guy on three and two counts of attempted murder. I normally would not say jump into a mystery unless you really like them but I will suggest this one. It’s written differently than a normal romance but it still has elements of it that play well with the mystery.
Overall I think this is a good book to read. I don’t know about owning it but definitely get it from the library and treat yourself to something just a little bit different. In the end I’m rating this book 3 stars.

Publisher: Brava Kensington Publishing
ISBN: 0-7582-1012-4
Price: $14.00 (cover)
www.kensingtonbooks.com

Made For Sin by Celia May Hart




Two very different sisters with one thing in common – the good fortune to find men who’ll show them how heavenly sin can be…
Lucy Waverton’s wild escapades are the talk of the ton. Fleeing the notorious Earl of Radbourne’s carriage after a delicious seduction, she meets a solder whose hard body and rebellious streak stir her newly awakened desires. Sergeant Michael Hall may be lowborn, but his every caress takes her higher and higher, into a realm of pure carnal ecstasy…
Searching the country for her reckless younger sister, Caroline Waverton instead finds herself in the company of the rogue who reputedly ruined Lucy. Alex Radbourne is decadent, depraved, and devilishly skilled at uncovering Caroline’s secret, forbidden desires. The refined Miss Caroline has a thoroughly wanton side, and though each knows the affair is wrong, nothing could feel more right than surrendering to sinfully erotic abandon…

Made for Sin by Celia May Hart is a two stories that intertwine together to make a complete story. Lucy ran away and ends up with Michael and Caroline is searching and ends up with Radbourne. The intertwining story is interesting to read and is good for the audience to stretch their brains a little bit to keep up.
I will tell you now my biggest problem with the story. At the end, Caroline knows that Lucy doesn’t love Radbourne and wants to be with Michael but she thinks that Lucy needs to do the honorable thing. That may be a good idea for some but Caroline has been sleeping with Radbourne most of the trip. She knows that he wouldn’t be a good husband and definitely wouldn’t be faithful to Lucy. WHY MAKE LUCY MARRY HIM???? Okay, now I’ve got that off my chest. I just think that the character seems to be a little dumb in that respect but at least at in the end she lets Lucy run off with Michael so that she’s very happy. I understand the rest of the characters motivations and reasoning behind the way they act but that one little thing drove me up the wall reading it. Right before the happy resolution I even complained to my husband that they should just go their separate ways and everyone would be happy. I’m glad there was a happy conclusion.
Lucy was born into a higher class than Michael but it was nice to see her not complain even though she hurt and to suck it up and help with the band of traveling soldiers. Caroline on the other hand seemed to have a luxurious time in the book, riding in carriages and staying at inns. Even though the stories were very different it was nice to see the way the sisters both got their happy ending. Caroline ended up with the guy who ruined her sister but Caroline seemed happy to spend time with him. They got along great.
The sex in this book was worth reading. There were many different ways and the idea of privacy was not readily available in this book so the idea of having sex in front of people who were trying to pretend the others weren’t actually having sex was intriguing. There was an almost rape scene that was a little hard to read but it all worked out in the end. It sort of makes you think about how you would react in that situation.
Overall the book is a good read. It’s worth reading. Personally anything endorsed by Aphrodisia Publishing is worth reading (to me anyway). I rate this book 3.5 stars.

Publisher: Aphrodisia
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-1465-2
Price: $14.00 (cover)
www.kensingtonbooks.com

MacKenzie's Meltdown by Amber Carlton




Computer crash. Backstabbing co-worker. Meddling mom. Dead battery. No chocolate. In the hands of two gorgeous hunks, Mackenzie's meltdown just changed directions. 

Mackenzie’s Meltdown by Amber Carlton is about Mackenzie Dawson having a really bad day and while she’s at the grocery store she meets her two sanity saviors, Micky Dunham and Sean Anderson. They take her home and become part of her life.
            In the beginning of the book there is a comment about Mackenzie’s mother being interested in younger men and Mackenzie has ‘Mrs. Robinson’ as her mother’s ringtone. I don’t know if Amber Carlton is trying to say this tendency runs in the family, but it is a pretty funny/ironic and I was satisfied that there wasn’t some subtext that I was supposed to understand.
            “I like my heels. They make me taller, and I like the clicky noises they make. Besides, I feel more grown-up in heels.” This quote made me laugh when I read it because it really reflects my own personal view on heels. However my ability to wear heels is not very good. The reflection of the character wearing heels and being a power dressed corporate worker working her ass off for a promotion is something that a lot of working women can relate to. Especially the referenced man, Gary Marks, who is riding her coattails and attempting to steal the promotion from her.
            The conversation with ‘mom’ in the beginning of the book was funny. “‘I don’t know what is wrong with you, but you sound positively unhinged.’ ‘I am, Mom. Definitely unhinged. And you’re removing the last pin.’” This was funny because I’ve wanted to use this exact line before.
            Overall this book is short, maybe 50 pages. Still it is really good. The sex scenes are worth reading and the character development is good for such a short story. Overall I give this story 3 stars.

Publisher: Siren Publishing
ISBN: 1-60601-449-8 (Tasty Treats Anthology vol. 1)
Price: $7.99 (e-book on bookstrand.com)
www.ambercarlton.com

Hot Spell Anthology




Under Your Spell by Shiloh Walker 
The first time Nicholas Montgomery saw Aislinn, you could say she bewitched him… but not by any spell as they are both powerful witches in their own right. Unfortunate circumstances and tragic decisions doom the lovers, so when a reincarnated Sean Concannon finds his lost love, now called Rhiannon, after centuries of searching, he’s not about to let her go.
Wylder Magic by Camille Anthony
Elias Wylder has a problem -- not only has he lost a promising female apprentice, but he’s lost his true love. Morven’s on the run, and he needs to find her soon as she’s also the key to fixing his Warlock powers and saving the magical population from destruction. 
Harvest Magic by Jennifer Dunne
All Ally Nichols wants is to run the farm and help her sister and niece in peace. When she volunteers to hold a corn maze in efforts to save her niece’s school, Ally gets more than she bargained for – Matt Cantrell, a local businessman and former corn maze operator. Matt had planned on a marriage of convince with a friend of his, but becomes intrigued with Ally. How will he react when he finds out Ally is a witch? 

The Hot Spell Anthology is a good one. There is a connecting theme of witchcraft with each being vastly different in style and character development. I think it’s worth investing a little bit of time in this because the stories are worth reading. They are intriguing and yet simple. The stories aren’t long. Probably 50 to 75 pages each so they are easy to read in an hour or three. The witchcraft theme links them but doesn’t seem to limit them in any way.
The sex in this anthology is simple. They are not extremely explicit but they are more explicit than a generic romance novel. I think these make a good middle ground when you want something more erotic than a simple romance but don’t want to jump headlong into other extremely erotic romances.
Overall I think this anthology is worth investing a little bit of time in to. It’s easy to read and easy to set aside and come back too. Plus it’s got just enough that a person can share it with their partner. I give this anthology 4 stars.

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1-84360-920-7
www.ellorascave.com

Hot Silk by Sharon Page




Two years ago, with her reputation already in jeopardy, Miss Grace Hamilton gave herself to a powerful, compelling stranger in one night of delicious, quivering ecstasy. Wild, bold, and wickedly sensual, Devlin Sharpe is a highwayman and pirate – a scoundrel whose world is ruled solely by pleasure. And now he has returned to claim Grace again, vowing to make up for the time they’ve lost, to take her to the heights of carnal abandon and show her the exquisite bliss of exploring her darkest, most decadent fantasies…

Hot Silk by Sharon Page is the third book about Rodesson’s daughters or the Hamilton sisters. Technically it’s not a trilogy but it’s nice to know what happened to each one of the girls. This book is about Grace Hamilton, the youngest of the three.
In Hot Silk Grace Hamilton has sex with Lord Wesley. He promises marriage to get her to agree and then reneges immediately. As she’s running away she meets Devlin Sharpe. They spend a night together and then they spend two years apart. Devlin gets her back by kidnapping her on the King’s Highway. They have some adventures and then Devlin turns himself in in an attempt to make himself noble enough to have her. She breaks him out of jail and they leave the country.
This book is entertaining. Grace doesn’t want to admit that she loves being with Devlin and fights it for a while. Devlin knows that he has feelings for her but is hoping that if he spends time with her that he’ll get her out of his system. In the end they both realize that they love each other and are willing to make changes to make themselves better for the other person.
There are a few funny parts in this book that make it worth reading. The one I particularly like is when Devlin confronts Lord Wesley for his treatment of Grace.
“Lord Wesley attacked you? What did you do in return?”
“I took that stupid knife off of him, took him over my knee, and spanked him.”
“You didn’t! You couldn’t have possibly done so!”
He calmly peeled off his glove and winked. “I thought my hand might still be red. My palm is still stinging. I felt child-ish, bullying behavior deserved a child’s punishment. I would have used a belt on him, but the coward fled out into the gardens.”
It was so funny that something like that would happen in this book. In high society, British aristocracy, regency England and a full grown man gets spanked by his brother.
There was one part that disturbed me but it was integral to the play out of the story. Grace was constantly trying to go see her grandmother, the Countess of Warren. Devlin finally gives in and takes her to go see the woman. The Countess is rude, cutting, and just plain cruel. The point behind it was that Grace needed to learn that she had to accept herself and not constantly worry about waiting for society to accept her. Devlin had learned that lesson before and now Grace had to learn it. But at the same time it’s hard to read the grandmother being such an overwhelmingly hateful bitch. I know there was a reason but I didn’t enjoy reading that part.
In comparison to the other two books this one is different. It is on a different level and in truth should not be compared to Sin and Black Silk. It would be hard not to if you read them right in a row but the characters are similar but vastly different. I would go so far as to say that Hot Silk is a ‘sister’ book to the others.
Overall Hot Silk is a book about the characters coming to terms with growing up and the events in life that suck but have to happen. In the end I am rating this book 4 stars.

Publisher: Aphrodisia a Kensington Book
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-1491-1
Price: $12.95 (cover)
www.aphrodisiaauthors.com