A Return Engagement by Stephanie Laurens

August 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ENGAGEMENT
A Return Engagement by Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (49 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Everyone’s eyes are on a royal couple, but there is more behind the scenes than they’ll ever know.

Lady Nell Daughtry is certain her sister will be a perfect princess, if only she gets the reluctant bride safely to the church to marry Prince Frederick of Lautenberg.
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But what she doesn’t know is that, in the wedding party, she’s been paired with her former fiancé, Robert Knightly … and now she’ll be face-to-face with the man who walked away.

A fairytale wedding between a duke’s daughter and the Prince of Lautenberg also brings two ex lovers together. Nell keeps watch on the bride, her sister, while trying to remain civil to Robert, best friend of the groom and the man from her past who she had hoped to marry. Robert is suspicious of Nell’s protective attitude and eventually discovers the truth, which provides a revelation about his past relationship with Nell.

Once again Stephanie Laurens has written a superb historical romance. A little touch of humor, a lot of tension, hidden meaning – these are all in this story and bring the characters to life. I was fascinated by how Nell’s absorption on her sister’s problem blinded her to her own past behavior. Robert tries to hide his fascination with Nell and his concern her family might be hiding something detrimental to his friend the Prince.

For a small novel, this is packed with emotion, suspense and tenderness. Add to this the nervousness of the bride and the concern of the groom and mix in the political overtones of the marriage. All together Ms Laurens provided me with an excellent read, something I read from start to finish in one go.

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How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan

July 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BRIDE
How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length:Full Length (221 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

He saved her life…

When Annalise Hadley is tossed over the side of her honeymoon barge, the newly-minted duchess knows she’s been left for dead — for her husband’s only interest is in her vast dowry, not her muddied lineage. However, she didn’t count on a savior. Especially not an honorable, sinfully intriguing earl who will tempt her to risk everything—again.

Now he will seduce her heart and soul
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A man with his own demons, Owen Crawford, the reclusive Earl of McDowell, is enchanted by the mysterious, courageous woman he rescued. He will help her heal, teach her to protect herself, and then send her away—so that she’ll never see he’s far from the hero she believes him to be.

But days and nights alone prove that some secrets are meant to be discovered…some desires are too powerful to resist…and some wounds can only be healed by love.

From the moment Owen Crawford finds Annalise Hadley washed up on shore and reluctantly saves her, he’s determined to get her well and on her way so he can face his own demons alone. Seeing the way Owen keeps trying to find someone else to save her, endeared him to me all the more. He’s a hero who doesn’t think he deserves to be a hero.

Annalise isn’t ready to trust easily after her husband of only hours threw her overboard to rid himself of his wife so he could keep her dowry. There is something about Owen though that calls to her to trust him. He isn’t sure he’s the hero type and she sees him as an honorable, attractive and sweet man, even if he doesn’t talk much and keeps avoiding her.

There were many supporting characters that made this story work, without the healers to help Annalise and convincing Owen into staying to help, this wouldn’t have been the story it is. This is a story of two broken people finding each other fighting their demons together all while falling in love. I loved this story and will gladly read other stories by this author in the future.

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The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens

June 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

RYDER
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon: Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (340 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Lady Mary has been waiting years for this opportunity. Not that her sister has thrown off her spinster ways and become betrothed, it’s finally Mary’s chance for true love. She knows exactly who she wants –and it’s not someone as wild, unmanageable, and sinfully seductive as Ryder Cavanaugh.

Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, had never met a woman who wouldn’t happily fall at his feet–or into his bed…until Lady Mary Cynster. But Ryder has made some decisiosn abotu his life and he’ll only succeed at being the man he wants to be with Mary by his side. And convincing her of that fact is just the kind of challenge he thrills at…

I just knew by the end of page one that this was going to be a fun read—it was and so much more.

The coming together of two strong personalities, the tussle for control with love quietly manipulating both of them, and outside forces plotting against them make this story a page-turner. Plus the eloquent writing style of Stephanie Laurens makes it a delight to read.

Mary Alice Cynster knows Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, has a will stronger than hers—not good husband material. She long ago determined to be in charge of her own life. Every Cynster male can vouch for her tenacity and bossiness even though she’s the youngest of the Cynster siblings. Now that she wears the Catriona necklace that has helped each of the other Cynster girls find their “true mate”, Mary is on the prowl for hers. She has her list of possibilities and the lion-like Ryder with the green/gold eyes, sinful smile, and sensual charm that oozes from his pores is NOT one of them. She has her sights set on his half-brother Randolph. He just might be the one.

Majority of renowned pharmacies having online drugs stores which tadalafil 10mg uk are facilitating customers with cheapest as well as effect treating alternatives then it is erection-enhancing medicines. Like in oral treatment this type of treatment is the humiliation. soft cialis http://respitecaresa.org/event/valero-texas-open-birdies-charity-2/ Men with erectile dysfunction are more likely to suffer from impotence at some point in their lives, but cheap cialis pills this condition can become a concern if it occurs frequently. lowest priced viagra And it’s aging, with it’s need to pay attention to what we are going that can give us the gift of living in the moment. Ryder knows Mary would scare young Randolph to death. Ryder’s always been protective of his half-siblings, so he thwarts Mary’s pursuit. His inner predator delights in the elemental battle as he quietly stalks her. She is “pure challenge”. When he sees her instincts tell her to flee rather than fight him, he watches her cast a wider net in her husband search. Now he is always close to protect her. Mary considers him a “pest”, but waltzing with him is magical

When the tables turn and death threatens Ryder, Mary protects him like a lioness. All her strong-willed ways and her years of training to manage a large household make her a formidable force that nobody questions.

Lavinia, Ryder’s step-mother, is a pain in the neck working her way down. Her mindset and determination as to how Ryder and her own children should fall in line and do as she wants creates untenable conditions. The back story of Ryder and his family is enthralling.

Mary’s family, so different from Ryder’s, gives one a feeling of permanency. Monarchs and politicians wax and wane but families go on forever as far as the Cynster clan is concerned.

The tone of the story changes when Mary disappears and Ryder has to face the horror of the possibilities of what has happened to her and what life would be without her. Fears make heart-pounding scenes as an all out search is made for her.

How Ms. Laurens weaves an intriguing plot with an undercurrent of malicious secret doings, while entertaining with the ebb and flow of the hero and heroine’s struggle for supremacy makes spellbinding reading and keeps the senses on full alert. How she leaves the reader feeling that both Mary and Ryder lose nothing and gain much in their coming together is remarkable.

The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh sparkles with humor, entices with nefarious doings, and enchants with love scenes that up the blood pressure and take one’s breath away. This is a spirit-lifting, beautifully written happy-ever-after love story to enjoy reading more than once.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

All Out of Love by Lori Wilde

June 12, 2013 By 1 Comment

LOVE
All Out of Love by Lori Wilde
Publisher: Avon: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (226 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Welcome to Cupid, where every wish for love comes true…

For years, a small group of women in Cupid, TX, led by Millie Greenway, have taken it upon themselves to keep the Cupid legend alive. Now Millie has roped her four disbelieving granddaughters into joining the cause.

Lace Bettingfield knows for a fact that the Cupid legend is bogus. As a shy sixteen-year-old, she left a letter at the statue and got nothing in return but heaps of embarassment when her letter ended up printed in the school newspaper. But now the boy she longed for is back in town and Lace can’t help wondering…what if?

Ah, yes! This one brings back memories of high school years and the emotional growing pains that went along with them.
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Lace Bettingfield well remembers the vicious teasing and trauma of falling in love with an ‘older’ boy, who was the football hero and sought after by all the girls. As time passes, she realizes her bad time in high school has an upside. It toughened her, made her strong and resilient. She’d conquered her stutter, lost weight and gained it back because she chose to. She is now healthy and knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. Moreover, she has earned a Ph.D. in plant science and is back in Cupid, Texas doing what she loves to do. She is in charge of the Botanical Gardens where the box for “Letters to Cupid” is located. She loves the arid Trans-Pecos area of Texas where it takes toughness for people and plants alike to survive.

When Pierce Hollister, the Cowboys quarterback who is sidelined with a broken leg, returns to Cupid to see his father and brother Malcolm, all the long-ago high school hoopla surfaces as Lace’s extended family and friends recall and elaborate on every painful moment Lace lived through back then.

Somewhere along the way from high school to becoming a pro, Pierce bought into his own press and now accepts the accolades and hero worship with equanimity. However, there is a niggling deep inside him that nags—will his leg ever heal so he can be at the top of his game like he had been before? He is Cupid’s local celebrity and his father’s favorite son; a fact that makes for strained feeling between Pierce and his younger brother Malcolm. Their relationship makes an attention-getting side story.

When Piece sees the grownup Lace, his old friend’s little sister that was off-limits to him in high school because of that unspoken male code of ‘don’t hit on your friend’s sister’. Now that the code no longer applies, he turns on the charm which Lace vows to ignore. As the ‘mating dance’ ebbs and flows with all the people of Cupid putting in their two cents, the reader gets quite an emotional rollercoaster ride.

I struggled a little with the over abundance of secondary characters, but the sparkling metaphors, analogies, etc. make the reading delightful. Expressions like: “spunk of a chipmunk”, “you can’t push a river”, ‘wants to devour him like a starving hawk moth caterpillar devours a tomato plant”, eyes like blue gas flames”, “lit her up like a match to gasoline” and so many more show the reader so much about the action, the emotions and the characters. Also, the threads of humor, fun, illness, and long-lasting emotional wounds, along with that strong, enduring thread of love that generates some super love scenes make the design of this tale captivating. Good entertainment!

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An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands

June 11, 2013 By 1 Comment

BRIDE
An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (234 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Annabel was about to take the veil to become a nun when her mother suddenly arrives at the Abbey to take her home… so that she can marry the Scottish laird who is betrothed to her runaway sister! She knows nothing about being a wife, nothing about how to run a household, and definitely nothing about the marriage bed!

But from the moment Ross MacKay sets eyes on Annabel, he is taken with his shy sweet bride… and the fact that she’s blessed with lush curves only makes him utter his own prayers of thanks. But when an enemy endangers her life, he’ll move the Highlands themselves to save her. For though Annabel’s not the bride he planned for, she’s the only woman he desires…

Captivating from page one, An English Bride in Scotland takes the reader on a vicarious experience from a nunnery to a castle in Scotland with a heroine that delights. This story sparkles with humor, pulsates with love, and abounds with loyalty, admiration and caring. It also has antagonists that create more than a little anxiety and ignite pure fury.

Never allowed to believe she lived up to expectations, Annabel was dumped at Elstow Abbey at age seven only to be snatched away fourteen years later to be used to fulfill a marriage contract. She is wed to Laird MacKay of Scotland in place of her older sister Kate who ran away with another man.

For fourteen years, Annabel’s only contact with anyone other than women has been Father Gerber, the abbey priest; so, to her, Ross MacKay is huge, a rough-looking wall of muscle with a spicy smell and a rumbling voice. Overwhelming!
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Ross, laird of the MacKay clan, has no great expectations about an English bride, but he will honor the contract made by his father years ago. He too is a little overwhelmed to see his bride-to-be is a five foot, curvy beauty with gorgeous teal eyes and midnight black, wavy hair. But he sees more than her beauty, he sees her anxiety, the fear in those beautiful eyes, and the tremble of her hands. Something deep inside him stirs and his protective mode kicks in.

Annabel’s uniqueness, curiosity, uncomplaining nature, and entertaining story telling endear her to the warriors traveling with Ross long before they reach MacKay Castle. Even though she does lots of foolish, outlandish things that create more than little trouble, these men are steadfast in their loyalty to her.

Other secondary characters like Seonag, the older woman at the castle who takes Annabel under her wing and gives her gentle care and guidance; Angus, the cook, that brings out a whole new facet of Annabel’s personality; and Jasper, the dog that had been Ross’s father’s are thankful for the new lady of the castle even if she doesn’t know what she is supposed to do.

Annabel’s family and how they figure into the story make shocking reading that whets one’s ire. Redeeming qualities seem to be altogether missing in them.

Best of all are the uninhibited love scenes. The humor, the caring, besotted but patient Ross, the untaught, responsive Annabel, and the breathtaking ecstasy, create euphoric wrinkles in time that make the mundane world and its worries fade away and let the lovers soar to their own ‘out-of-this-world’ place that is uniquely theirs.

An English Bride in Scotland is a ‘stay-up-late-to-finish’ story. Lynsay Sands is a fantastic teller of a tale with an easy writing style that lets the reader glide right along with the emotions and actions as if right there with the heroine and hero.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

June 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

HAPPENED
It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Avon: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (265 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

More than one beautiful woman’s hopes have been dashed on the rocky shoals of Jonathan Redmond’s heart. With his riveting good looks and Redmond wealth and power, the world is his oyster—until an ultimatum from his father and a chilling gypsy prophesy send him hurtling headlong toward a fate he’ll do anything to avoid: matrimony.

Intoxicating, elusive Thomasina de Ballesteros has the bloods of London at her feet. But none of them knows the real Tommy—the one with a shocking pedigree, a few too many secrets, and a healthy scorn for rakes like Jonathan.

She is everything Jonathan never wanted. But on one fateful midnight, he’s drawn into Tommy’s world of risk, danger…and a desire he’d never dreamed possible. And suddenly he’s re-thinking everything…including the possibility that succumbing to prophesy might just mean surrendering to love.

Colors are brighter and the champagne more effervescent when Thomasina de Ballisteros (Tommy) and Jonathan Redmond are together. Their joy when they are together, their rightness together, their unique understated way of communicating makes this hero and heroine scintillating companions to have a vicarious adventure with. They seem miles apart socially, but seem soul mates in inner needs. Jonathan has a rich family and position in London Society while Tommy has no one and survives by her instincts.
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Julie Anne Long describes the connection Jonathan and Tommy have with each other in exquisite style. It shines like a golden thread that enhances the complex tapestry of the story. Jonathan is the third son of the rich, but untitled Isaiah Redmond. Isaiah seems to feel he can manufacture happiness by bending his sons to do his dictates. The first two sons have disappointed so Jonathan feels the full impact of his father’s demand that he marriage appropriately by year’s end or be cut off completely from funds and family. Since Jonathan has the same acumen for business as his father, his ventures weave a muted but strong, secretive thread through the tapestry. Both his ordinary and extraordinary ventures add tension, humor at times, and hope to the story.

Jonathan’s unique personality emerges bit by piece as he does risky business with Klaus, a chromolithographer, and gets lured into Tommy’s clandestine dealings that deal with a segment of the dark side of life in London.

Pragmatic, resilient, indomitable, and wise to the exploitive ways of the elite Society of London Tommy uses her beauty and social skills to survive in Society and in the underbelly life of London. Her double life takes the reader into some situations that are heart-poundingly scary and some that are heartbreaking. The elite of Society exploit the disenfranchised poor , but every chance Tommy gets she exploits the wealthy, privileged of Society to help a cause she feels strongly about and often risks her life for. In spite of the edge she walks on most of the time, there is an undercurrent of humor that bubbles to the top quite often.

The Duke of Greyfolk and Isaiah Redmond are antagonists that unknowingly, in their hardness, help hone Tommy and Jonathan into strong, successful, socially conscious doers that make a difference for those who cannot help themselves. There are far too many secondary characters that help create remarkable side stories for me to mention them all, but Romulus Bean, the solicitor charged with selling Lancaster Cotton Mills is a winner as far as I’m concerned; Argosy, Jonathan’s friend and his influence with the betting that goes on at White’s is a delightful, worthwhile friend to have; Violet, Jonathan’s irrepressible sister shines in her ability to get the most out of life; “the-diamonds-of-the- first-water” that unknowingly help a unique business venture make Jonathan very rich represent a distinct and privileged part of London Society; all add a special facet to the story that make It Happened One Midnight a page turning, stay-up-late novel.

Ms. Long’s compelling writing is a joy to read. The figurative language, poignant symbolism, revealing metaphors, and sparkling humor bring the story to life. How she makes Tommy and Jonathan’s relationship evolve is riveting. The sizzling undercurrent that finally bubbles to the surface to create a love story about two equally strong personalities sends the heart racing. Ms. Long’s ability to weave in social issues, family tensions, fantastic love scenes, unconquerable humor is amazing. She builds a happy-ever-after not only for the hero and heroine, but also for many others. Most enjoyable reading!

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Sins of a Ruthless Rogue by Anna Randol

March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SINS

Sins of a Ruthless Rogue by Anna Randol
Publisher: Avon Publishing
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Tulip

Revenge never tasted so sweet…

When Clayton Campbell shows up on her doorstep, Olivia Swift is stunned. For long ago, Clayton was the boy who stole her heart. He’s also the man her betrayal had sent to the gallows. A man she believed dead, now standing before her, looking leaner, harder, more powerful than ever, his haunted eyes filled with a lust she had never seen—for vengeance…
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Or burned so hot…

He’s a Crown spy who once faced death and escaped unscathed. Yet Clayton Campbell cannot deny that the sight of Olivia rouses in him something more than a thirst for revenge. Or that the bold beauty would lure him once more into a dangerous game. Only this time, Clayton plans to be the victor—with the tempting Olivia in his bed as his prize. But once passion ignites between them, the hard-hearted agent will face his greatest battle yet—for his heart…

I love this wonderfully unique series that is quickly making Anna Randol one of my favorite Regency romance authors. The series is about the trials and tribulations of three infamous spies who are now retired and embarking on their new lives and finding love along the way. Each book is a thrill packed adventure for these three very unique leads. I was privileged to review the first book , Sins of a Virgin , and was impressed with the Ms. Randol’s writing style as well as her vibrant characters and clever dialogue. Sins of a Ruthless Rogue is Cipher’s story and this time the author takes the readers on an exciting journey to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Clayton Campbell is exactly what his country made of him. A ruthless man who will destroy anyone that gets in his way. Years ago, he was condemned as a traitor and sentenced to hang for another persons crime. Now he’s back and out for revenge against those who betrayed him. As a young girl , Olivia betrayed the boy she loved. By the sin of omission she let him be blamed for her own father’s crime. Just as Clayton is set to destroy all that she loves Olivia is mistaken for a spy and kidnapped by political zealots. Even though Clayton is angry at Olivia he wastes no time in racing to her rescue her from danger.

I liked the characters even more in this second book.The intriguing Clayton was dark and dangerous… the perfect hero. Olivia was a spunky heroine who owned her mistakes and tried to make up for them. This story was more action packed than the first one and seemed to move at a super fast pace. Readers who are paying extra attention may catch a glimpse of whats to come in the third and final book of this series. At least I hope so because I’m breathlessly awaiting the enigmatic Ian’s story. I’ll give this book four stars and gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a historical romance filled with suspense and intrigue.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Kiss of Temptation by Sandra Hill

March 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

KISS

Kiss of Temptation by Sandra Hill
Publisher: AVON Books/HarperCollins
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (229 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

IS IT LUST?

Ivak Sigurdsson is dead…well, sort of. Guilty of the sin of lust, he’s been given an unusual penance: spend eternity as a Viking Vampire Angel, or Vangel, fighting Lucipires, Satan’s vampire demons on earth. Now sequestered in Angola Prison as a “spiritual advisor,” Ivak is finding all these centuries of celibacy depressing, to say the least. But then, along comes southern belle Gabrielle Sonnier. Is she a reward for his good deeds, or a temptation sent to rattle his lustsome brain?

OR IS IT LOVE?

Gabrielle, a lawyer, begs Ivak to help get her brother out of prison. Aided by the Cajun LeDeux family and their chief looney bird, Tante Lulu, Ivak reluctantly agrees. And while he alternately tries to seduce and save Gabrielle before the Lucipires run rampant, they both begin to wonder if it’s really only lust, or something more.

What do you get when you mix a matchmaking Cajun ninety year old lady named Tante Lulu with a Viking vampire angel and a sex deprived lawyer? A very entertaining read and it’s all found in Ms. Hill’s latest masterpiece, Kiss of Temptation .

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The author set up the story by first giving a reader insight as to the worst possible outcome of unbridled lust. There are consequences and Ivak learned it the hard way. And he’s still learning. Although the hero tries to walk the straight and narrow, he has too much naughty humor and tactless quips to share that drive the warden of the prison nuts. He’s wise to the world and yet all his experience hasn’t taught him how to deal with real emotions, true feelings and the difference between love and lust. In this book, he figures it out. His journey is well worth reading.

Gabrielle is a woman on the edge of despair. She’s worked so hard to help her brother be released from prison. When I first met her in the story, I got the impression that she was starting to see enemies and liars in every corner, that everyone was a foe – which is the beginning of the end of hope. However, she made one last stab at trusting a person and that choice opened up whole new avenues and adventures. In fact, I think she not only ended up finding true love, but she found a family and a sense of belonging that totally filled the dark spaces in her heart that she didn’t know she had. The things that Ms. Hill had her do to realize both being in love and being loved is what made this novel so fun to read. One of the more amazing things is the heroine finding out that who she viewed as a person being profoundly against her ended up being one of her most fervent supporters – in a quiet sort of way. It was that tying up of an emotional loose end that made me appreciate Ms. Hill’s storytelling talent all over again. The author has the ability to throw something innocuous at a reader in the beginning without us ever knowing how large a role it would eventually play. Those are cool surprises.

Jasper, the villain and sexual sadist, is back. Hugs to Ms. Hill for giving me just enough detail and descriptions to make me squirm in discomfort, but not enough gross stuff to make me want to walk away from the book. The villain is not a redeemable character and that belief is reinforced in each book of the series. He’s vile, twisted and a major pain in the Vangels’ very delicious tushes. His minions are disgusting and equally perverse but rest assured, once again, good triumphs over evil. Mostly.

As much as I enjoyed and was entertained by the novel as a whole, there were a couple of parts that seemed rushed. There were some minor conflicts that came across as being too easily solved and Ivak’s path seemed smoothed over by the lack of detail and closure. It was like a narrator came in to hurry the characters along so readers could get to the good stuff – the romance. I’m not complaining because I really liked the ‘good stuff’, but, I did notice the change in storytelling. I can even understand the why of it because if the author delved too much into those scenes and let them lead her, I suppose the book would then have been more about the conflict itself than the romance between Ivak and Gabrielle. Another thing that struck me as ‘off’ was the guard. Ivak and his nose should have figured out long before what he was. Heck, even his brethren should have gotten a whiff. But none of them did. It allowed for a conflict to occur that I guess was integral to the story, but I don’t believe for one minute that they couldn’t have averted that particular situation. I think that was the only truly weak point in the whole book.

Once again, St. Michael the Archangel is on stage and I loved how Ms. Hill had him be …wrong. It reinforces the understanding that angels, even an Archangel, are messengers, helpers and interpreters of God. They are NOT God however because only He knows everything. Which means St. Michael got a shock of his own. Not only was it adorable but it provided another fascinating aspect of Vangel life. I have to wonder though, what’s next?

Secondary characters abound in this novel and they contribute flavor, ambiance, plot hilarity and surprises. All of them enhance the romance growing between Ivak and Gabrielle and it’s all good.

Don’t resist reading a Kiss of Temptation because if you do, you’ll be missing out on a fun adventure of romance and mayhem from the talented Ms. Hill. There is so much to like and enjoy that I could not cover it all in this review. I didn’t even get to cover the naughty dream sequences! Check out for yourself why I believe books by this author are worth spending time with. Bet they’ll make you smile.

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Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James

February 27, 2013 By 1 Comment

PIRATE

Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (136 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

Sir Griffin Barry leapt out of the bedchamber window at age seventeen after a very disappointing wedding night, drank a bit too much at the pub…and woke to find that he’d joined the crew of a pirate ship! Years later, he’s become one of the most feared pirates on the high seas, piloting the Flying Poppy, a ship he named after the wife whom he fondly (if vaguely) remembers.

What happens when a pirate decides to come home to his wife…if she is his wife, given that the marriage was never consummated? And what happens when that pirate strolls through his front door and is met by…

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A swashbuckling pirate has been forced into retirement. He could set up house in town or relax on an estate overlooking the ocean or he could go visit the wife he barely knows. That last option isn’t Sir Griffin Barry’s first choice but with his salty right hand man in tow he decides it’s the most practical. What could be better than a ready made household to simply walk into (or limp into in Griffin’s case, thanks to a well aimed bullet) and become a man of leisure? Self-sufficient Phoebe has more than one surprise in store for her wayward spouse. What ensues is fast paced and gave this reader reason to smile on more than one occasion.

Author Eloisa James earned herself a loyal reader many years ago with her easy writing style, well developed characters, clever dialogue and epic stories. I gobbled up every book I could get my hands on after my first taste. She has a lovely way of introducing future hero and/or heroines within a series so that readers wait with baited breath on each new book. We briefly met Sir Griffin in The Ugly Duchess. His story intrigued me immediately and then when I read the blurb for Seduced by a Pirate I knew I was in for a treat.

Part of the draw to read Griffin and Phoebe’s story, for me, was I wasn’t sure if I would like these characters. I have always fallen in love with Ms. James’ characters but these two felt different. That may sound strange but at first blush Griffin seemed very self-centered if not down right egotistical. He saw no problem with simply walking back into Phoebe’s life after abandoning her in a very abrupt and rude manner on their wedding night fourteen years ago. I had hopes that she would sic the dogs on him at the very least. It doesn’t quite happen that way.

Don’t get me wrong, tempers flare, words are said and the tension is palpable. Once the backstory starts coming out–and let me tell you there were more holes than a Swiss cheese factory–we learn what happened to Griffin on the fateful night of their wedding along with how he ended up on the high seas, much less a pirate captain, his side of the fantastical events began to make sense. Misunderstandings abound in this novella but it’s not all just one sided. One of the funnier ones revolves around how he came to name his ship. Also, I was fascinated to know just when and where Phoebe managed to acquire three children who very plainly refer to her as their mother with no hesitation.

I can’t say much more without giving away the story but as I mentioned this is fast paced little number. The transition from angry words to passion filled nights is quickly accomplished and the story is brought to a satisfying conclusion. For myself, it was a little abrupt but I think I’m simply not used to short stories by Mrs. James. There isn’t a lot of time to become vested in Griffin and Phoebe’s relationship but it was enjoyable none the less. If a quick spicy read is what you’re looking for on a cold night, pick up a copy of Seduced by a Pirate. It’s funny and hot with plenty of heart for any Eloisa James fan.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Vampires Gone Wild (Supernatural Underground) by Kerrelyn Sparks, Pamela Palmer, Amanda Arista and Kim Falconer

February 8, 2013 By 1 Comment

VAMPIRES

Vampires Gone Wild (Supernatural Underground) by Kerrelyn Sparks, Pamela Palmer, Amanda Arista and Kim Falconer
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (258 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

V is for VampWoman by Kerrelyn Sparks

Pamela decides to shed her prim and proper ways for spandex and a mask to help fight the Malcontents. Now if only she weren’t so distracted by the sexy vampire fighting by her side . . .

A Forever Love by Pamela Palmer

Trapped in Vamp City, Lukas has been unable to return to the beauty who stole his heart. But now that she’s stumbled into his world, it will take every ounce of cunning he possesses to keep her alive.

First Dates Are Hell by Amanda Arista

Valiance’s first date in a hundred years is going great . . . until they’re attacked in the parking lot and quiet, unassuming Esme turns out to be way more than she appears.

Blood and Water by Kim Falconer

Beneath the waves of San Francisco Bay lives a vampire race that wants nothing to do with the “landers” except to feed on them. But when Stellan sets eyes on Angelina, everything changes.

Readers are in for major fun and entertainment when they dive into this compilation of awesome stories by four very talented and creative authors. I expected to find at least one story that was hit or miss but every one showcased why these authors are at the top of their game.

V is for VampWoman by Kerrelyn Sparks

In the first few paragraphs there is this one sentence about the hero, Mikhail. “…one thing Mikhail valued, it was a life free from limitations.” That is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. What is the worst case scenario of a bona fide bachelor? The scary limits of being “in a relationship”, that’s what.

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In this short story, I was able to immerse myself in the fun world that Ms. Sparks has built while getting to see another terrific happily ever after come together in a fast but believable rate. It was completely entertaining. Lest a fan lament that the author wouldn’t be able to get in a few of her famous quips, she skillfully wove in a little gem. I enjoy Monty Python and this reference was cute in the movie but I loved how Ms. Sparks used the Holy Grenade of Antioch because it cracked me up on a whole new level. I never know when this author is going to pull a funny, and she’s so good at it too!!

A Forever Love by Pamela Palmer

This was a bittersweet happy sort of paranormal story with hope and tears. The author plunks a reader down into a most heartfelt and sad moment in the heroine’s life. She’s alone, lonely and missing the one man who makes her complete. Except, all is not as it appears. It’s only when she disappears that all becomes clear, sort of. Elizabeth, the heroine, finds out that Lukas, her beloved, has a violent side to him. Her initial shock was only the first of many reactions the heroine had to navigate as she discovered how very different her man, and her world, is from what she knew. She had to make some decisions, some emotional, very fast because this wasn’t a slow moving short story. It was over before I was ready for it to be done but the ground it covered was fascinating. Some anthologies manage to introduce readers to a new world they didn’t know was out there. That’s what happened to me with reading A Forever Love. It ends with a happy for now with the high potential to be so much more and I believe I’m going to have to buy the next story that picks up where this one leaves off. Elizabeth and Lukas’s story was engrossing and I know there is tons more that has to go on before they get their full happy ever after. As it was, for what I was given, this one was a very good read.

First Dates Are Hell (A Those Who Wander Story) by Amanda Arista

This story was cool. It has action, it was exciting, different, and is a crazy way to start an HEA.

Valiance is a man who gave up all he knew to back Violet, the new Prima. I love the Wanderers series so this was a treat for me to read. Valiance was a mystery to me before now. I almost wish his story could have been longer but he certainly was a character that deserved something good to happen to him. Odd that it took an invisible girl to make the hero see his true worth and make him believe that he had the right to be happy too. I mean, seriously, the most exciting action in his life at this current juncture was his shopping trip to buy sheets. Sounds so ordinary, right? Why is a man of action, a hero and wiz with swords doing something so boring? Love comes to those who aren’t looking, sometimes in the oddest of places – think Bed, Bath and Beyond. I think this story comes under the heading of ‘beyond’.

Even though this story is solidly focused on Valiance and Esme, the unlikely heroine, it was nice to be reminded why I liked Violet, the Prima, in the first place. It was her story that got the series rolling and it’s been a wonderful trip so far. This story is barely an appetizer of the whole scope of richness that Ms. Arista plays with in her bigger books. But, a reader catches a good glimpse of the kind of story telling this author is capable of. I wasn’t disappointed. I totally enjoyed this short and I recommend it highly.

Blood and Water by Kim Falconer

I have a whole new view of Mar-people (read: mermaid type folk) after reading this story. In fact, it’s almost as though the author mixed up two favorite genres and morphed them into one. It’s sort of freaky and unique. The Mar came across as inherently violent and callous. Stellan, the hero, obviously isn’t like his sister, Salila, and for that I was thankful. The sister made an effective villainess but the author also threw in a teaser that maybe she wasn’t always so twisted, and maybe in some future book, could be saved. At this point, I didn’t care for her, which was a great asset to the plot conflict.

Angelina is the human who has captured Stellan’s heart but dating a human comes with pitfalls as this story reveals. She’s a sweet lady but a bit of a rebel. Her openness and willingness to trust made their fast and furious courtship believable. The reason for the natural catastrophe that occurred was a nice paranormal twist to history. That impressed me.

What I found the most unique were the steps that had to be taken to make a human change into a water breather. That was a first for me and I applaud the originality of it. The duration made me sad because I understood the enormity of what Angelina was giving up but the hope for a happy ever after was worth the cost.

Blood and Water wasn’t a comfortable read for me because of what seems to be the inherent nature of the Mar but I cannot deny that this was a well told story with fascinating undercurrents. Excuse the pun. I just might look into more of this world that Ms. Falconer has created, it has the potential to be a new favorite series.

On the whole, Vampires Gone Wild is a wonderful montage of paranormal treats for old and new fans of these authors. All four stories are well written with tightly woven little plot conflicts that kept the reading pace intense and entertaining. These authors have infused these tasty niblets with the very essence that obviously makes their bigger novels such successes. I highly recommend this book to all paranormal romance fans. It’s a winner.

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