Level Up by Lena Austin

August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Level Up by Lena Austin
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Sci-fi/fantasy
Length: Short Story (32 pgs)
Other: M/M, M/M/M, F/M/M/M, anal sex, masturbation, voyeurism, menage, M/F
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Megan’s late again, and David is getting tired of waiting on her. However, Megan and her roommates Jared and Michael are going to make it up to David in a big way. They’re hoping he’ll level up his domestic situation and join them in a never-ending foursome.

Looking for a book about a a guy with a girlfriend who has two male roommates? Want sex in said story, too? Then you need to read Level Up. I’m glad I did.

When I get a book by Lena Austin, I know there will be lots of sweaty, hot sex. I wasn’t disappointed. I knew there would be lots of interaction, but holy crumb cakes, Batman. I didn’t realize there was so much four bodies could do. The words flowed from the pages and kept me right in my seat. I had to know what would happen next and how the characters would react to what occurred.

Lena Austin manages to paint a clear picture of her sci-fi world in a mere thirty-two pages. I felt like I was right there and man, I needed a cool drink.

If I had a complaint, it was really minor. I liked the characters and didn’t want the story to end. I wished Ms. Austin had it a tad longer, but this is a short story and I didn’t feel short changed. Rather, I was so involved I needed more. I have to say I was totally taken by Jared and Michael. This is very much Dave and Megan’s story as well as Dave’s journey, but I fell for Michael and Jared. They made me laugh and, whew are they hot…

If you want a short story that’s guaranteed to make you giggle, sweat, and sigh, then you need to read Level Up. It’s a good read.

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Mirror, Mirror: Mine for Keeps by Kate Hill

August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mirror, Mirror: Mine for Keeps by Kate Hill
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemp, Paranormal, Sci-fi/fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (24 pgs)
Other: M/M, anal sex
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Ricky, a modern-day vampire, visits the singles resort on the anniversary of his meeting with his deceased lover, Simon. The elevator mirror shows him a medieval landscape with a handsome knight riding toward him from the distance. Overcome by the surprise of seeing his lover again, he tumbles through the mirror and into the past where he and Simon share a night of exquisite sex. Ricky has the chance to prevent his lover from entering an affair with the insane vampire who eventually destroys him, but will Simon choose a gentle school teacher over a vampire warrior?

Can you get a second chance at a first, fulfilling love? With the Mirror, anything is possible.

This is my first read by Kate Hill. It won’t be the last. I was drawn to the characters from the first page. I needed to know what would happen next and how Ms. Hill would handle it. I wasn’t disappointed. The words literally flowed and snagged me at the same time. I had to know more.

The story is told from Ricky’s point of view, but I got a pretty good idea of Simon the man. And I liked what I read. Ricky is…he’s difficult to understand at first. He might not be the most attractive, well-built, or even strongest man, but he’s got a heart the size of Texas. I could understand his timidness and why he felt that way. Ms. Hill wrote him, not as a victim, but as a survior and that was really important. Sure, there were times when I thought he acted a little too sad and unsure, but as the story went on I rooted for him. I wanted to see him get his heart’s desire.

If you’re looking for a quick, hot read, then you need to read Mirror, Mirror: Mine for Keeps.. It’s a good read.

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Wrong by Shelby Morgen

August 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Wrong by Shelby Morgen
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (21 pgs)
Other: M/F, Toys, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Cherries
Reviewed by Xerathemum

Katie’s got her eye on tall, dark, and hunky, wrapped in black leather and jeans.

Problem. He’s so sinfully sexy, she can’t get a word out in his presence. Not to mention the fact that he looks like he’s barely legal, at best. She needs to get him out of her system.

Michael’s got other ideas. He’s set his sights on improving Katie’s theory of the Big Bang — in more ways than one.

Wrong is the kind of story that can make a reader smile, laugh and reach for an ice cube all at the same time.

Ms. Morgen did a wonderful job of marking the passage of time, giving the relationship more depth and meaning while exploring the main characters’ burgeoning attraction for each other. I liked how Katie was all shy and blushing. Her personality was adorable because she hid a very adventurous sensual person inside. She wasn’t sure how to get around her initial inhibitions. Thank goodness for secondary characters. Once they did their job, it opened up the door for Katie to put into action all the little fantasies she’d been having.

Michael isn’t who or what Katie thought at all. That was a delightful surprise. In fact, it made him even yummier, if that were possible. I enjoyed Ms. Morgen’s use of turnabout is fair play in the hero’s choice of job to payoff off some loans. He’s a man who makes the most of an opportunity and he certainly knew a good thing when he saw it. And like his ex-profession, he intended to maximize all options to obtain his ultimate goal – Katie. I love it when a plan comes together – even if it’s on the fly.

The buildup was sexy and well written. The delivery was satisfying, easy to read and totally fun. I know I had a sappy smile on my face when Michael and Katie role played a bit because it was amusing, exciting and inventive, especially when the hero found some of Katie’s jewelry. The dialogue that went with it was like icing on a cake – it made it the perfect finished product.

The ending seemed more happily for now but I got the sense the Michael intends to enjoy convincing Katie of his sincerity for the long haul. I also get the impression that Katie is going to eventually welcome that idea. How could she not? He’s perfect for her.

Wrong is the right kind of book for readers who enjoy short, sexy and romantic stories that are upbeat, entertaining and sigh inducing. The editing was great, the dialogue enjoyable to read and the characters were easy to like. Short stories can only give a reader so much in plot, characterization and action, but what there was in Wrong definitely delivers what erotic romance enthusiasts look for. It’s time well spent.

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Black Swan by Willa Okati

August 8, 2011 By 5 Comments

Black Swan by Willa Okati
Publisher: Changling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (51 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Nightshade

A tattoo artist who seeks beauty in all things, Paulian has had his fill of man’s inhumanity to man, and to the world. In the wake of an Atlantic oil spill, he wishes with all his heart that he could save one. Just one.

And then he meets Adek.

A stranger in a strange land, Adek is a black swan that has lost his wings. Before he can fly again, he needs to find one good man who’ll finish the tattoo of his wings on his back. Though he’s searched for the right one, he hasn’t found him yet.

And then Adek meets Paulian.

Paulian knows that Adek is the one he can save. But if he finishes tattooing the wings of the exotic man he’s fallen in love with, Adek will fly away. All he can hope is that Adek will return to him.

Wild things are not meant to be caged, but swans mate for life…

Purely masterful in every way, Black Swan wraps around the reader until he or she almost feels the words leap from the page. In this short story the reader is introduced to a touch of magic as we follow Paulian and Adek as they discover a passion that is unique to the writing style of Willa Okati. Paulian, a tattoo artist, has a gift. He can “see” with his hands even though he still has his sight, he has a super sensitivity to touch. He uses this gift and the teachings of his wise-woman grandmother to discover Adek’s secret.

In Black Swan Willa Okati uses descriptive terms almost like a caress. There were a few places that can be felt more than read. It’s an odd and wonderful talent that can make the reader feel a touch that isn’t there. Magical descriptions aside this story is soft ebbing and flowing with its own rhythm until you sink into the author’s world. The unique style of the author gives the reader a fresh take on such a beautiful subject.

The purity of the writing makes Black Swan one of my new favorites. This is perfection at its best and I can’t wait to see more works from this author. I can honestly say this is the first time I can’t find a single fault with a book. That and the book itself blows my mind. Come and experience Black Swan and get caught up in the magic.

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Wolf Hunt by Marie Treanor

August 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Wolf Hunt by Marie Treanor
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (238 pgs)
Other: M/F, Sex toys
Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Myrtle

Who’s hunting whom?

A man wakes up naked and alone in a city doorway — with no memory of how he got there or who he is. For journalist Rose Winter, a wolf story begins to converge with the sexy naked man she’s trying to help. And a chain of events is set in motion that may change Earth’s future…

Human-wolf hybrids, created by a top secret government project, have been released into the world to find and destroy alien infiltrators. But once these soldiers begin to think for themselves, their missions are complicated by attraction, sex and divided loyalties.

When I came face to face with wolfs, aliens, and an android, I found myself on one wild ride into a world that included DNA tampering, government cover ups, and alien invasion. Wow! I walked into a high action conspiracy that left me spellbound and in love with the heroes and heroines from this book.

Wolf Hunt 1: Urban Wolf

Fishing for a story, Rose Winter soon finds one when she comes across a stark naked man with all “his tackle on show for anyone who cared to look.” Defending the Earth can go haywire if the government has their hand in it. Jon Mayhand, major of Earth Force, and Rose, (alien known as a Gardenian) soon find themselves in love, and stuck in the middle of interplanetary politics.

Both characters will win you over as you watch them fall in love and work together to understand what the government has done and how to stop them. The legend of how werewolves were created and their reason for being takes on a whole new aspect as you watch Ms. Treanor’s electrifying tale unfold.

Wolf Hunt 2: Forest Wolf

Aliens and werewolves have something in common, and that is government interference, and their overreaction to things they do not understand.

Linnet Lewis is in season and remembers nothing about her own identity; only that she is on the hunt for something her wolf does not like and wants to kill. When she comes face to face with Louis, an android who is more human than machine, she knows he is not a walking vibrator but she can’t help but want him.

As the story unfolded I fell hard for Louis and his magnetic personality. Like Linnet, it was not hard to over look that he was made up of wires and circuit boards. The laughter began when I read the sentence– “Shit, I’ve been rejected by a robot” which made me feel bad for Linnet and her over stimulated hormones.

One of the biggest things I enjoyed after reading the second story in this book was that it was off the beaten path from the everyday werewolf story which made it unique. I like the unknown and unpredictable twist from the standard werewolf theory.

Holiday Howlz: Cry for the Moon

Cry for the Moon was a short interruption to the government cover up and alien invasion. As one of the military men used in the DNA tampering finds his way home to his wife Ruth on Christmas night; it made me form a stronger bond to all the characters I have met so far. Short it was, but it caused me to fall deeper in love with the storyline leaving me wanting more and wondering how it would all end.

Wolf Hunt 3: Galactic Wolf

Cereza, a senator of Gardenian has been sent to invade earth. She is captured by a Pirate who has no memories of life before waking up on a space ship two months prior. The only thing he knows is he hates Gardenians with a passion, until his path crosses with Cereza. After they spend time together, Yuri and Cereza has no desire to carry out their assigned mission. Can a Pirate and a Politician save Earth?

Truths are revealed, Earth wolves are freed, and alien invasion all comes to a head in the last story of the collection, Galactic Wolf. Each story could be read as a stand-alone and still be enjoyable. However, it was nice to have a book where they were all together as a group, and Wolf Hunt is now a wonderful addition to my growing eBook library.

I am looking forward to seeing what else Ms. Treanor has out and maybe picking up a few more of her stories.

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LKF: CE2 – Trapped Lover by Zenobia Renquist

July 31, 2011 By 8 Comments

Trapped Lover
Caveat Emptor, Book 2
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-638-6
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal/Fantasy, Interracial, Vampires

Is Ryver up to the challenge of a charmed and deliciously dangerous lover?

Ryver knows she can never go home again. That’s fine by her, since she’s with Theron, the vampire she loves. Now living in vampire territory, she’s learning more about Theron, and not all of it is good. The more she sees, the more she’s convinced that the man she fell in love with, the man who can make her body sing with a single touch, might not be the man she thought he was.

Caveat Emptor — Let the Buyer Beware.

3 Little Known Facts About Caveat Emptor 2: Trapped Lover

#1 – It took six weeks from my initial submission of Charmed Lover for me to partially plot the entire Caveat Emptor series and finish Trapped Lover for submission. It would have taken less time, but I felt the need to write the fifth book in the series before the second.

#2 – Because the first book in the series was only a 10,110 words, I tried to keep the second book (as well as all of the books that follow) in the same ten thousand word range. Trapped Lover hit 11,320 words. Suffice to say, I failed that little challenge and keep failing it. Each book demands more space.

#3 – I had to look up millionaire homes in Greece (where Theron lives) to get some ideas for the look and feel of Theron’s home. While I would like to link to the home that I found, it was listed on a realty site that has since removed the home from its listings. I can only assume the home was purchased. It was a beautiful home, and I’m glad I caught it when I did.

Zenobia Renquist
Discover Different and Unique Romance
Website: http://zenobiarenquist.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreneebagby
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Author.DRBagby.ZRenquist
Newsletter: http://ymlp.com/signup.php?id=geusujygmgj

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LKF: Rite Men For Maya by Zenobia Renquist

July 31, 2011 By 7 Comments

Rite Men for Maya
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-535-8
Genre: Erotic Romance, Interracial, Menage (m/m/f), Shapeshifter

Maya is a half human, half merman who has decided to attend the fertility-virility rite and learn more about her merman heritage. The rite is meant to help mermen find their perfect mates, but Maya is only interested in using it as research.

Tam and Kessen are participants who are searching for their third. They are drawn to Maya and she to them. But she refuses to acknowledge the bond and runs. Tam and Kessen must pursue her through her dreams if they hope to make their love a reality and prove they are the right men for Maya.

5 Little Known Facts About Rite Men for Maya

#1 – The entire merman society featured in Rite Men for Maya is based off of the observed behaviors of dolphins. Despite how cute they look in movies and on TV, dolphins are known for being bullies out in the wild. They tend to tease and torment other weaker animals (and other dolphins) for the fun of it. For that reason, I made bullying/teasing a “national pastime”/spectator sport in the merman society I created.

#2 – I wrote Rite Men for Maya back in July 2008 as part of a challenge issued to me by Stephanie Burke (known to most as Flash). She showed me “this” picture and told me to write a story based off of it. While I had every intention of ignoring the challenge, my muse had other plans. I pushed aside (reluctantly) my other writing obligations and finished this novella a little over a month after the challenge was issued.

#3 – As stated in #2, I finished Rite Men for Maya back in 2008. It wasn’t published until 2011. That would be because I sat on it. Once I finished the novella, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with it — by “do with it” I mean to which publisher I should send it. I let it sit on my computer until July 2010 when I submitted it to Changeling Press, its current home.

#4 – Maya originally had a sister, an identical twin sister, that got chopped in the pre-submission editing process. The original draft set up the groundwork for a sequel featuring Maya’s sister. I changed my mind. I decided the story worked better without the sister and removed her completely. I left Maya’s little brother, however.

#5 – Speaking of sequels, Rite Men for Maya has a sequel. I had thought it would be out by now, but other novellas decided they wanted to be written first (I’ll talk about those in later posts). The sequel will shed more light on the merman society and how they view a marriage such as the one Maya has. As it turns out, it’s not at all how she thought it would be.

Zenobia Renquist
Discover Different and Unique Romance
Website: http://zenobiarenquist.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreneebagby
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Author.DRBagby.ZRenquist
Newsletter: http://ymlp.com/signup.php?id=geusujygmgj

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Molten by Kira Stone

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Molten by Kira Stone
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (65 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Convicted of fraud and condemned to serve as an indentured miner on a backwater way station, intergalactic translator Dolan knows more about Molten, the liquid metal that fuels the Parkeet station, than most. So when he’s ordered to mate with a being that on first contact looks like a pool of the stuff he’s been mining, he’s less than enthusiastic. But his alternative is death.

Xzavia’n has been searching the universe for Molten embryos that were lost when their solar system underwent a catastrophic event. His hunt leads him to Parkeet Station, where he plans to negotiate — or just plain steal — his babies back.

From Xzavia’n, Dolan learns more about Molten with each passing moment. Dolan’s first priority is to keep his newfound information from the station researchers. The second is to help Xzavia’n get his embryos off the station and back to the new Molten homeworld. But once Xzavia’n’s escape is secured, Dolan must choose — return to the only life he’s ever known, or follow his heart — and Xzavia’n…

This book blew me away with its novel and intriguing look at relationships between humanoid and alien. The concept is really cool and very erotic. Ms. Stone sure has a vivid imagination!

The main hero is Dolan Exeter. He’s on this prison planet working his life away without hope or opportunity to escape. One day he is taken to meet this alien thing and told to ‘procreate’. That’s a tall order for a man and a … giant blob of something. And that’s the start of a beautiful, convoluted and amazing relationship. What a marvelous plot and conflict this book has. Dolan is not human, but he’s humanoid. He is adventurous, pragmatic and not afraid to do what has to be done to survive. What he never expected was to have feelings for something he didn’t fully understand. That growth of emotion and the tender sentiments he feels made this story stand out. When he admits to himself how much Zian means to him is when the action picks up, both in activity and feelings.

Zian isn’t anything like I’ve experienced before. I am astounded at the unique qualities Ms. Stone has imbued her alien with. Zian is smart, cunning and loyal – good qualities for a hero. He’s also on a mission to save his race. What a noble and worthwhile conflict. As for calling him yummy, I can’t. I’m not even sure if I can describe what he is. The closest thing I can think of is that liquid silver bad guy in the Terminator movies. Zian is very flexible which makes for interesting reading.

The best part about this whole book is Dolan teaching Zian the difference between sex and love. Zian doesn’t understand the concept of love initially but that all changes by the end of the tale. The things that stood out for me were the various ways Ms. Stone had Zian and Dolan making love. The descriptions were unique, well thought out and well written. It was extremely erotic and sensual and the idea that between the two, they could possibly have little moltens was enchanting. The idea of Dolan being a daddy was adorable.

The conflict was rather solid but the bad guys were sort of…mysterious. That’s one thing I noticed – Ms. Stone really didn’t give the rat faced guy much of a well-rounded badness. Perhaps that was on purpose because she chose to focus on the romance and I certainly can’t fault that. But I’m used to seeing a bit more substance to the villain in most books. I didn’t fear him as much as be disgusted and annoyed by him.

I also noticed how the author started off the story with a tone of despair, of resignation and acceptance to a substandard way of life. As the plot moved forward, hope and anticipation filtered through culminating in determination, hope, and joy. It was a wonderful journey and I had a ball watching Zian and Dolan fall in love.

Molten is not your every day hum-drum romance. This tale has imagination and kept me fascinated throughout the whole book. I loved Ms. Stone’s mind – it’s so creative and fresh. The editing was terrific, the dialogue was entertaining and interesting and the world building effective. Science Fiction romance readers are in for a real treat when they get their hands on Molten. It’s a breath of fresh air.

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Her Dragon Lords by Cynthia Sax

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Her Dragon Lords by Cynthia Sax
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (40 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Voyeurism
Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Peony

Lady Guinevere dreams of frolicking naked with twin warriors. She knows these dreams cannot come true, and she must choose only one warrior to wed. She selects the stoic elder brother, bidding a regret-filled farewell to her other laughing lord.

Except her wedding night isn’t the end of their relationship, but a new beginning. The brothers share everything, and Guinevere is about to live out her deepest, darkest fantasies. Will she be woman enough to tame her two wild dragon lords?

Cynthia Sax has another winner on her hands with Her Dragon Lords. I’m a fan and was expecting her usual wit, short sharp prose, and gift for world building that effortlessly takes me out of my present and into her fantasy. She didn’t disappoint me.

The only problem is that Her Dragon Lords is too dang short. It’s a good story but it would have been great if there had been more time to explore the male leads and their back-story. These are truly unique fellows and I wanted more of their world.

There’s also some head-hopping but it was easy to figure out what was what in this intriguing world. Did I use the word imaginative already? Ms. Sax has created a fascinating world and I loved every minute I spent in it. The book starts with an inventive and hot dream sequence that grabbed my attention, and never let go. The sense of belonging and contentment the heroine eventually experiences was sigh-inducing and terrific.

Despite the book’s short length, the villian wasn’t one-dimensional and was redeemable. Mindless evil’s easy to write. Evil with layers isn’t, and I tip my hat to Ms. Sax.

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Mirror, Mirror: Gladiator by Alice Gaines

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mirror, Mirror: Gladiator by Alice Gaines
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (22 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Spanking
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Salome Jones has been sent on a forced vacation by her overworked staff. Canticus has been exiled because he won’t play nice with the women administrators who oversee the games on his planet. When the two of them end up stuck in the same hotel suite, sparks fly. So do clothes and limbs. Can the two arrive at a solution that will allow them to continue their sexual explorations?

This tale makes no apologies for its exploration of man versus woman and the sheer sexual fun and gleeful exuberance found within.

And what is it with a caveman approach that turns otherwise sophisticated women into frenzied cats in heat? Granted, Ms. Gaines description of Canticus is positively drool-worthy. I mean, a woman has to be half asleep not to appreciate the visual the author paints with her words. And I have no idea why I get the giggles with heroes who used grunted one word possessive speech while at the same time, shiver with great anticipation. The hero did all that to me and more.

Salome is a woman in charge. She’s so over the top that her employees mutinied. There’s no one to rein her in, to make her stop and smell the roses or enjoy the very basics that life has to offer. She’s so driven; I think she forgot how to be a woman. Canticus is going to change all that with style and sexy precision. Erotic readers are going to get a kick out his taming her.

In fact that is what this reminds me of: a sexier version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Except I don’t think Mr. Shakespeare ever thought of doing it the way Canticus did. Well, maybe he did, but he certainly couldn’t write about it. I’m so glad I live in the times that I do because I’d be missing out on a lot of fun.

Some readers might be put off by how fast Salome lets Canticus do his manly thing but keep in mind, this is a short story and things have to move fast. This is a great little tale for readers who need a quick fix of passion and unbridled satisfaction without a lot of emotional angst and baggage to drag it down.

So that it’s not too fluffy a read, the author does have both Canticus and Salome both learning a lesson and finding what they need from and in the other. The hero and heroine both get their ways in a mutual and satisfactory arrangement.

Mirror, Mirror: Gladiator is so cute and magical. It’s lighthearted, positive and exactly what I was in the mood for. Sometimes, all I want to do is kick back and just read just for the sake of entertainment and pleasure. This book delivered exactly what I wanted, like a pinch of sugar mixed with chili peppers – sweet and hot all at the same time.

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