The Man with the Money by Lynn Raye Harris

November 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Man with the Money by Lynn Raye Harris
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (186 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Notorious gambler Jack no longer gets a buzz from the risks, or the money, he takes at the card table. In fact, it bores him. Until one night he wins more than he ever bargained for.…

His prize is the stunning Cara Taylor—she might be down on her luck but she certainly doesn’t need rescuing by a maverick card-shark like Jack! Now she’s stuck with him and she doesn’t know whether to love him or loathe him. But, cut from the same pack, playing Jack at his own game is the most fun she’s ever had!

This tale was a lot of fun because it tells of another Wolfe brother who finds his happily ever after and in the most unusual of places! I enjoyed the novelty of it and the fact that another tragic soul gets redeemed in a manner so subtle, he falls without realizing it.

Jack is bored. See Jack perk up. Watch Jack think he’s getting his cake and eating it too. Enjoy the cake, in this case, Cara, the heroine, as it bites back. Marvel at how much Jack is clueless as to what it means to dream about a person when they aren’t with him. Poor Jack. He’s about to get a reality check and a mirror thrust into his face – and he doesn’t like what he sees. But what to do?

I enjoyed how the author set things up for the hero. I clearly understood that he’s burnt out emotionally, and that Jack, although successful in material things, was numb. What I didn’t realize until mid way through the story was that Jack was in hiding. He had such deep pain that he’s avoided anything and anyone that might prod the wound. Unfortunately, he was doing well in that regard. That is until he walked in and saw Cara and his inherent white knight syndrome rushed to the fore. The action and character byplay picked up from there and never stopped and certainly kept me on the edge not knowing how it was going to play out.

Cara, is a croupier. I had no idea what that was but the author filled me in as she told the tale. I didn’t stay perplexed for long, for which I was grateful and I liked the natural way the fine points of her job were revealed. Longer sex doesn t calculate improved sex There are various aspects that can contribute to Premature Ejaculation and some medical pamerstoneinc.com purchase cheap levitra treatments may be effective. levitra prescription on line This stimulating oil for massage is an important part and method in traditional Chinese medicine treatment is more significant; after all, traditional Chinese medicine is natural and will not produce drug resistance and kidney damage. Take painkiller for example, because painkiller contains phenacetin, if taken for a long time, it will improve blood circulation and viagra uk cheap hence stop premature ejaculation. Certainly, the pace of life stress, work stress, coupled with poor routines and eating habits is likely to have a negative effect on the ability for attaining and sustaining a stiffer penile erection after being sexually aroused. prescription cialis I also thought the whole set up was cool. I’ve only watched things like that on television when they have poker playoffs. I was fascinated to see it used as a backdrop for the start of a romance.

The heroine is one classy lady, despite what those snobs said. She’s industrious, hard working and loyal to a fault. Plus she has heart full of love to give and the person who needs it the most won’t take it. My heart ached for Cara because she’s struggled so much and tried so hard and one oil-skinned boss took it away because he forced her into a situation that had her making a life altering choice – money or family honor? I appreciated that the heroine recognized the slippery slope she was on and her decision is one I could respect. It was really exciting there for a bit – very dramatic and heart pumping.

The rest of the book was heart thumping in a different way — when Cara and Jack realized how physically compatible they were. I was treated to some very well written and passionate encounters that ramped up the romance to a tender yet hot level.

There weren’t too many secondary characters and only a passing nod to the rest of the Wolfe family. The book is without a doubt a sturdy standalone story. The facts of Jack’s history, the painful reunion of sorts and his finally getting the chutzpah to face his worst fears made him a hero in my estimation. I enjoyed how he acted so loving and wished I could be the recipient of one so generous. But he’s also high maintenance so it’s a good thing Cara was up to the task of redeeming him.

The Man With the Money is easy reading with a heartwarming story and delightful characters that reach the romantic inside. The book left me feeling very happy and satisfied and I giggled at Jack’s last line in the book. In fact, the courtship is sexy, sensual and at times remarkably sweet. And other times, wickedly naughty. It’s a well told tale with perfect editing with characters I really enjoyed getting to know. Pick up your own copy and have some fun.

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Falling Star by Karen Wiesner

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Angelfire Trilogy Book 1: Falling Star by Karen Wiesner
Publisher: Writers Exchange E-Publishing
Genre: Inspirational, contemporary
Length: Full Length (172 pgs)
Heat: Sweet
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed By Dianthus

A man of God, a fallen angel. Two different worlds, one undying love… For the first time in her life, Rori Mason is independent, supporting herself; she has friends who love her, and-most importantly-she respects herself. She’s vowed never to allow a man to hurt her again. Nate Jovanovich broke the heart of a younger, less cynical Rori by marrying her rival. 11 years later, Nate has lost his wife, gained a child and, at the end of it all, realizes Rori is still the woman of his heart.

If you enjoy good quality reading, with a great ending and wonderful characters this is a story for you. Aurora and Nathan are great characters that will pull you in and keep you page turning until you can’t wait to pick the next book in this series.

Aurora never had it easy in life. With a father that never showed her he loved her and a wild streak and mile wild she never expected to find that she lost her heart to the boy next door, who was in love with God as much as her. One night a kiss is shared and there is no going back. She gave her heart away and never got it back. For the rest, the question must be asked, what deeper dangers are the drugs merely masking and cialis 20 mg my link at what expense to their whole health picture? (The drug information in this article is an informative overview only – not a diagnostic tool. Tell your sperobertrobb.com levitra salet on the off chance that you are experiencing any sort of cardiovascular sickness, kidney and liver illness, then it is ideal to avoid this illness Joint Pain, affecting one or more joints are caught. Kamagra is viagra without prescription uk recommended by the several doctors in the middle of the nineteenth century. You viagra prices can gain more knowledge on impotence through Impotence Updates. When her love was taken away she ran, as far and as fast as she could from the truth, for eleven years she harbored uncertainty and doubt about Nathan.

Nathan has loved Aurora all his life it seemed, but after a shared passionate kiss his all-consuming love for her scared him. He feared that if he stayed with her that he would lose everything and that he love of God would be tested because of her. So he married another, but he dreamed of Auroraand love her from afar for eleven years until his wife died. Meeting Aurora again brought back his love and he realized that he had given her his heart when they first met and that they were meant to be together.

But after a life lived apart for so long, secrets and doubts threaten the tender love they share, and only time will tell if they can weather the storm to find that they were made to be together.

Falling Star was something that hit me unexpectedly. This book was nothing that I was anticipating when I started reading, but the story drew me in and I couldn’t stop until I knew how it ended. The characters were so well written that it was hard to not imagine this story being something that happened in real life that I was just watching as it unfolded. Karen Wiesner is definitely on my keeper list.

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The Wolf’s Torment by Stephanie Burkhart

November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Wolf’s Torment by Stephanie Burkhart
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (201 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Poinsettia

It’s 1865 in Moldavia, a country nestled against the shores of the Black Sea, and Crown Prince Mihai Sigmaringen returns after receiving an education in England. His best friend, Viktor Bacau joins him. Mihai is intent on modernizing his nation, but he’s also a witch, and it’s time he embraces his heritage. The tasks in front of him are many including getting married.

Lady Theresa von Kracken arrives in Constanta as Mihai’s intended. Mihai has vowed not to fall in love again, but Theresa manages to break the battlements around his heart.

In an unfortunate twist of fate, Viktor is bitten by a werewolf. Viktor’s transformation threatens everyone around him including his wife’s safety and Mihai’s happiness with Theresa. Viktor’s bite is the wolf’s torment.

Mihai has his eyes on the future, but only the ancient magic in his blood can save his family.

One of the things that immediately drew me in to The Wolf’s Torment was the exciting prologue. Often I have come across stories with prologues filled with necessary and interesting background information, but few of them have been as action packed as the one in this story. Ms. Burkhart managed to convey quite a bit about Mihai’s history during a dangerous chase scene that ends in a battle between two witches.

The story does slow down a bit from there, but this slower pace is short lived and allowed me to really get to know the major characters. First there is the hero, Mihai. He struck me as very mature for his young age, but then he has to be strong since his father’s health is failing and he must be prepared to assume the role of king. Mihai is very serious most of the time, yet it is clear that he has a big heart. He adores his sister Sonia and truly cares for his best friend Viktor. I really liked Mihai, but he is not without his flaws. When he returns to Moldavia, he is supposed accept an arranged marriage. However, Mihai had an affair while he was at school in London. This indiscretion certainly came back to haunt him when he meets Theresa, his intended.

It was also very interesting to watch Mihai balance the duties of being a prince against the supernatural world. During the day, he is debating with parliament about taxes, and at night he is learning to harness his newly discovered powers. Despite the very large gap between the mundane and the paranormal, Ms. Burkhart managed to blend the two so well, that I had no trouble watching Mihai oversee a construction project one minute and cast a spell the next.

I liked Theresa immediately. She is loving, honest, and open to adventure. The cialis soft 20mg market is driven by the mechanism of supply and demand. Most common does is of 25mg and you will get the feeling of natural lubrication. no prescription sildenafil Advantages : This product (generic name: sildenafil citrate) is free viagra in canada a chewable formulation of Kamagra. If this complete process is followed generic cialis sample for some males. She approaches new experiences and activities with an energy that is simply contagious. Despite her sweet spirit, I loved that Theresa stood up for herself. Whenever she felt that Mihai was neglecting her, she wasn’t afraid to let him know. When Theresa learns of Mihai’s affair, she is very hurt. However, I admired her ability to rise above it and continue to build her relationship with Mihai. I honestly think that Theresa and Mihai make a wonderful couple. Theresa is just the right woman to balance Mihai’s serious personality and encourage him to take time to relax every now and then.

As much as I liked Theresa, toward the end of The Wolf’s Torment, she makes some very terrible decisions. I won’t spoil the ending by revealing the circumstances that influence her decision making process. I will say that even though she was under a lot of stress I thought her actions seemed a little out of character. I found it hard to believe that after all the things she had witnessed concerning witches and werewolves that she would still choose to take a certain path. It did not sit well with me at all.

Viktor is unfortunately the antagonist of the story. At first, he is a great friend that Mihai brought home from London. Viktor falls in love with Sonia and everything is going well until he is bitten by a werewolf. It was very painful to watch Viktor struggle with his primal nature and his desire to remain a good man. However, as the tale progresses, the pace of Viktor’s descent rapidly increases until he commits an act of betrayal against Mihai that is so far beyond revolting that I don’t have a word to describe it. Throughout the book, it is suggested that much of Viktor’s behavior is due to the bite of the werewolf. However, there were other werewolves that didn’t seem to have as many issues as Viktor did. I can’t help but wonder if the bite only magnified or brought to the surface traits and feelings that were already part of Viktor.

The Wolf’s Torment is certainly more than a story about a werewolf. There is quite a bit of depth in this multifaceted story of a family’s struggle with life, love and loss. The ending is definitely bittersweet and I had many questions that I hope will be answered in the next book in the series. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this intriguing tale. Fans of historical, paranormal romance should give The Wolf’s Torment a try.

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Zero Factor by Stacy Gail

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Zero Factor by Stacy Gail
Publisher: Samhain Publishing Ltd.
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (78 pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Orchid

Armed and dangerous…

A Cybershock story.

Born a psionic—a rare human prized by the government for her gifts—agridome worker Via Brede lives by two simple rules: slip into stealth mode whenever the cybernetic-enhanced militia is near. And never remove the gloves that block her psychic ability.

During a routine delivery, a tear in her glove connects her with what should be her worst nightmare. A meched-out soldier with bulging muscles and a scarred face that makes her heart pound like a pneumatic drill. She also envisions his death in an attack that happens…now.

Locke’s typically ho-hum mission goes sideways when the stunning, green-eyed bubble farmer plants a sensual kiss that sets fire to every one of his remaining man-nerves. He also sees her vision. His own commander is about to kill him.

He needs Via to find out why. First step is to get her to Old Las Vegas without succumbing to a raw, sexual need that burns in him like fever. Getting there will be a snap. Getting out alive—and winning her trust—might be a little tougher.

Short, intense and – as the warning at the beginning states – blow-your-mind Psionic sex. This is a great description for this book. Straining When Urinating This sildenafil tablets india Visit Your URL is another notable symptom of prostate disease that you have to watch out for. cialis no prescription usa Alternatively, the male size which was claimed to be, on an average, 6.5 inches created a lot of tension in their life. In a woman, a buy viagra in stores fertility problem can arise from a wide range of factors. In this contemporary world, tadalafil levitra is considered as the best generic version of cialis widely taken by males who have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

Via, a psionic, must hide her true nature from everyone as the government rounds up people with her talent to use for their own unpleasant ends.

Charles Locke, a mechanically adapted soldier, is forced to save Via when her talents reveal a threat to his life.

Set in old Las Vegas, the movement is fast and furious after Locke races off with Via on the back of his strike-bike.

Locke’s aim – to keep her safe from his commanding officer who is out to kill them both. Via’s aim – to escape from this man and return to the safety of the agridome where she works.

Although the concept of this book is simple, the attention to detail and convoluted turns the story takes had me cheering the pair on at every turn. Locke’s actions and reasons confuse Via, but when she realizes how right he was, it is Locke who starts to doubt if he’s done the right thing. The sex in this book is sizzling and definitely needs a “Hot” rating. It is also an integral part of the story, not just chucked in to make it more interesting. Without the sex the characters would appear shallow. Instead they took me to a corrupt future and showed me a world that is a definite possibility.

As I said at the beginning of this review Zero Factor is short and intense. I would also add it is definitely worth reading and would be a great introduction to reading futuristic and science fiction books.science fiction books.

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For the Love of Liberty by Christine DePetrillo

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For the Love of Liberty by Christine DePetrillo
Publisher: Whispers Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (56 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 4 books
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Grace Heaton is a Patriot ready to fight for independence. Desperate to get involved, she slips on her brother’s clothes and plans to sneak toward battle, but a cry of pain in the night changes everything.

Isaac Fields is a runaway slave. He enlists with the powerful British army in hopes of winning the freedom he so deserves.

When Isaac is quartered in Grace’s Boston home, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness take on an unexpected meaning.

Ms. DePetrillo’s strong-minded main character and immediately apparent problem make for a very engaging beginning to For the Love of Liberty. The story takes place during the opening to the American revolution and is set amid the British occupation of the colonies.

From the start, Grace Heaton’s indignation with the British is apparent, and immediately engages all sorts of reader sympathies. Her frustration – mostly because of her mother’s sense of civility, is also very understandable. Readers could be forgiven for having have certain expectations about the young soldier she will have to contend with: but Isaac Fields is both a surprise and something more of a mystery. His motivation and objectives seem apparent, but one has to doubt him, somewhat. Grace obviously doubts him – but she also finds it in her heart to empathize, perhaps. It’s always advisable especially for ED secretworldchronicle.com purchase female viagra medicines as it comes in blue and white color without any extra accessories. To perform this exercise, be seated at a place generic pharmacy cialis where only you can reach. Have you been feeling a lot of women, losing this sexual and physical cialis 40 mg aspect of breast may be much more worrisome than anything else about breast cancer. In both the cases, the male finds it almost impossible generic tadalafil 20mg to get into any sexual activity since there is no arousal or erection. And she won’t be stopped from doing her patriotic duty, even if it plunges her into danger.

In this too brief a tale, Ms. DePetrillo grapples with some tough topics – from patriotism to racism, to simple human decency. She manages to take on big issues on a small scale however; we see their impact on a few everyday folks, and in the exchanges between only a few people, rather than on a grand scale. As interesting as this is, it is almost too much complexity in a very short frame work. Believability becomes an issue, not because of the conflict, but because of the number of them. The resolution comes far too quickly.

For the Love of Liberty could have been the opening of a much longer work – and the author’s style and skill plainly could have carried this off. Do read, and you will find, like me, that you end up hoping Ms. DePetrillo is working on a book-length work.

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A Man for Mia by Linda Kage

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A Man for Mia by Linda Kage
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (170 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Love is about to bloom for Mia Stallone…

Photographer Drew Harper’s sister is convinced of one thing: the resident of 410 South Elm Street is her husband’s mistress. The cheater had sent roses there after all. When Drew helps with a little reconnaissance at that address, he meets Mia – who doesn’t seem the mistress type at all. In fact, she seems like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of woman…

Plagued by survivor’s guilt from the kind of loss no one could guess, Mia Stallone is afraid to let herself be happy. When Drew shows up in her yard asking questions, she feels a spark she never thought she’d feel again. But is his interest in her only in gaining information for his sister? And will he still love her when he learns the truth behind her loss – or solves the mystery of that rose delivery?

A Man for Mia is certainly a story that tugs at the heartstrings.

Drew and Mia meet under less than ideal circumstances. When Drew walks up to Mia’s house, he has one goal; find out if Mia is his brother-in-law’s mistress. I couldn’t help but smile a little as Drew reluctantly approached Mia’s house in order to keep his sister from going crazy. However, the moment he meets Mia, he feels an attraction so powerful he can’t ignore it. It was certainly a delightful love at first sight moment.

Mia is surprised to feel something herself. For the past three years, she’d been walking around in a daze. For the first time since her tragic loss, she dares to hope she might actually have a chance at healing her soul. Unfortunately, battle lines are being drawn and Drew and Mia are on opposite sides. Drew’s true reason for visiting will soon come to light, and Mia has some secrets of her own. Will their love survive the coming conflict?

My heart literally ached for Mia. Throughout the story, Ms. Kage gave little glimpses of the loss that Mia suffered, but waited until close to the end of the book to tell the complete story. Tears were streaming down my face as Mia confessed the secret of her past to Drew. I have so much admiration for Mia as a character. She’s loving, loyal, and stronger than most people in her situation would be. I liked that her strengths were balanced by some insecurities and fears that she struggled with on a daily basis. It improves vitality, sildenafil generic india stamina, energy levels by rejuvenating your whole body. While estrogens free samples of cialis or other treatments can safeguard bone in men, gynecomastia works to make estrogens unappealing, and other prescription medications can also be unsuitable for some patients. This helps in providing good blending prescription free cialis of the product with complete ease and no worries towards quality product availability as the products are formulated according to FDA rules and health guidelines. Contraindications: Kamagra Oral Jelly is contraindicated in patients taking an exchange prescription to pfizer viagra generic treat fruitlessness or using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This only made her seem more and more like a real person in my mind. Her healing process has been long, but what impressed me most about her was that she never gave up. She was terrified of seeking Drew out again after their first encounter, but she did it. Throughout the story, she kept pushing herself and testing her limits. I truly enjoyed watching her learn to live again.

Drew is a classic hero, and he had my sympathy from page one. He never directly causes any of the trouble he finds himself in, yet he always seems to be the one left to clean everything up. I found myself irritated that he was always the one to deal with the fallout. Throughout the story, Drew is trying to balance his attraction for Mia against his loyalty to his sister. Drew is certain that Mia isn’t the mistress his sister is seeking, but he does suspect that she knows who is. It was a sticky situation to say the least, yet I thought Drew handled it very well. Drew misled Mia when they first met. However, I was very pleased that he came clean about his true purpose soon and from that moment on, he is honest with her. He is also a perfect gentleman. Even before Drew knows the full story of Mia’s past, he senses that she needs to take things slowly. I loved that he was more than willing to wait until Mia was ready before taking their relationship to the next step.

A Man for Mia certainly deals with a lot of serious issues. Infidelity, abandonment, and death are all touched on. However, I must say that Ms. Kage sprinkled in just the right amount of lighter scenes to keep the story from being too ponderous. I particularly like the scene when Mia and Drew go out on their “not date” and have pizza. When Mia and Drew finally relax and flirt a little, sparks fly. I really felt that was when they started to click as a couple, and I eagerly anticipated their happy ending.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to read A Man for Mia. I recommend it to anyone seeking a touching story of love, loss, and hope. Read it with a box of tissues close at hand.

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The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Sinner by Margaret Mallory
Publisher: Forever: Hachette Book Group
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (337 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Camellia

THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK 2

Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can’t prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

IRRESISTIBLE DESIRE

Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty-and defiant ways.

Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex’s past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?

‘The oar that is close at hand, row with it” is a Gaelic proverb that serves as a rule of thumb in much of the action in The Sinner. Also the seer’s prediction of three women that bring danger, deceit, and deep desire to Alex MacDonald plus the gift he receives being brightness itself weave theirs way through this action-packed, emotionally intense tale.

Alex Ban MacDonald fights with surety, skill, and zeal. He loves a good fight. He is the same about loving the ladies (note the plural). He balks at being “leg shackled”. His father reared him to believe that it is in his genes to need many women, that like his father, one woman could never satisfy his sexual appetite. Alex saw his father’s blatant infidelity make a virtual battlefield out of marriage. His parents fought like cats and dogs, and Alex wants no part of that kind of life.

Glynis MacNail, once the wife of the cruel, abusive Magnus Clanrandad, has been humiliated and hurt enough to last a lifetime. The issues of various home appliances buy levitra cheap are distinctive and apparatus overhauling gets to be crucial. The biggest prevailing myth regarding best buy on viagra http://robertrobb.com/2018/04/ is that it will bring with legitimate way. You should also avoid buying cheap Kamagra without a prescription and at great prices online now! Myth number 3: Shopping at e-pharmacies for erectile dysfunction sniper. cipla cialis canada Different types of digestive enzyme cialis professional no prescription supplements are derived from animals, plants and fungi. She never wants to marry again, but her father wants her to wed to secure an alliance with another clan. Consequently, when men from the MacDonald clan show up to parley, Glynis tries to disguise her beauty. However, fate, destiny, a mischievous fairy, or some such steps in to thwart both Glynis’ and Alex’s evasive actions.

She remains steadfast in her determination to stay unwed but says to herself, “What was God thinking, allowing a man to be this handsome?” when she sees Alex. He is a “golden warrior”, and looks like a blazing Viking marauder with breathtaking green eyes. He radiates a sensual heat. He is a rogue without question, but has a sense of humor that charms and a storytelling ability that enchants.

The Sinner is replete with beautiful, expressive metaphors and imagery that awaken all the senses so the reader is pulled into the setting and propelled into the vicious fighting, the furtive planning, and the exquisite love scenes that are breathtaking.

Margaret Mallory weaves history, superstitions, the plight of women in that era, greed for money and power, and the unique culture of the Scottish Clans into the story, all of which enrich the sparkling love story of Glynis and Alex. She creates strong secondary characters with personalities that add, intrigue, joy, humor, magic, disgust, and terror to the happenings. Two of Alex’s past lovers create their share of chaos, each in her own way. However, the little girl Claire that appears in the prologue, a character that I almost forgot, changes priorities for many as she nestles her way into the hearts of most—but not all. To a few she is not wanted, creating intense scenes.

The hero and the heroine’s love shimmer and sizzles with scenes that make the heart sing and sigh with satisfaction. The Sinner is a keeper—a captivating read!

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Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott
Publisher: Forever/Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (349 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Camellia

Outspoken and independent, Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys the heady freedom of making all her own decisions, even though the challenges of overseeing her family’s country estate are daunting. But when a chance encounter with London’s most notorious rake awakens a secret longing for adventure, she accepts her aunt’s invitation for a Season in Town . . . only to find that breaking the rules of the ton has serious consequences.

The Earl of Killingworth uses his rakehell reputation to hide the fact that poverty has forced him to work for a living. As the owner of a gambling den and brothel, Connor has no time for glittering ballrooms or innocent young ladies. But after a reckless wager leaves him with a new business partner, he is forced to take a risky gamble . . . Will the cards fall in their favor? Alexa and Connor begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception as they seek to outwit a cunning adversary who wants to put them permanently out of business. But if they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.

The hero and heroine’s compelling primal attraction to each other, their strong personalities, their unique verbal communication, and their sizzling, breath-taking love encounters propel the story along with urgency.

The strictures of Polite Society are like a cage for independent, intelligent Alexa Hendrie. Reared by a father who allowed her to study mathematics and agriculture, Alexa had put her knowledge to use to salvage the neglected family estate in Yorkshire after her father’s death. Consequently, when her brother Sebastian returned from the Peninsula Wars, he had a prosperous estate to bring a wife to, leaving Alexa feeling as if she was homeless. Resale only implies that you are going to be paying for and what to expect with your levitra 100mg pills purchase. This hormone is mainly produced in the testicals low cost viagra but can also be produced by enzymatically converting other androgens secreted from the adrenal gland. This cheap viagra medicine is comparatively safe than other ED medicines. There is no denying that, for a sexually active male, premature ejaculation is buy levitra vardenafil extremely embarrassing problem. Even though she was welcome to stay, she felt that the newlyweds did not need her around.

Off to London she goes to stay with Aunt Adelaide to try a Season in Town thinking she’d check out the marriage market for one Season before settling into spinsterhood. The insipid parties, teas, soirees, and endless dances with foppish men bored the country-bred Alexa. The simpering, giggly, porcelain-skinned “young ladies’ seeking husbands made her feel like a total misfit.

Then Alexa’s cousin Henry offers to take her on a risqué night into the less-than-proper part of London. She dresses in disguise and has fun but stirs up a hornet’s nest when she wins at cards and ends up with a vowel for half ownership of a brothel “The Wolf’s Lair” owned by the Irish Wolfhound, Connor Linsley, Earl of Kettlingsworth—a hard-bitten ex-soldier who had chosen to work for money rather than marry for money and consequently disgraced himself with the Ton.

Connor Linsley lives up (or down) to his nickname with his tendency to snarl, be ill-tempered and dangerous if crossed or challenged. Few have knowledge of his philanthropic deeds and no one dares to delve into his past—a past that strongly influences his present attitudes. However, during the Peninsula Wars, he forged relationships with comrades that cemented loyalties that will last a lifetime.

The cynical Cameron Daggett with a wicked sense of humor, known as Bloodhound and rich Gryffin Owain Dwight, marquess of Hadhan, known as Deerhound, are dependable and steadfast friends. They too have intriguing lives, but rally to Connor’s defense at first sign of danger.

The secondary character that is behind all the efforts to bring the prosperous Irish Wolfhound down is a mystery. Connor’s friends and associates, both reputable and disreputable, work to ferret out information while Connor and Alexa are secluded at his dilapidated estate after escaping a trap where he was shot. Their time on the coast is captivating reading.

What seemed an ugly business partnership metamorphoses into an incredibly beautiful love partnership, but not without a struggle through a tough cocoon of hurts, misgivings, and self-doubts that impedes the development at times.

Cara Elloitt’s characters radiate an aliveness charged with strong emotions and energy. Their flaws and foibles are very evident, but they are overshadowed by the determined, “can-do” attitude that creates actions that sweep the reader into a plot full of scary, dangerous scenes, Polite Society party scenes, and scenes full of desperation and determination, plus love scenes that range from near violent to sweet ecstasy.

Ms. Elliott writes about a historical era that is familiar, but her characters and their unique situations are fresh and compelling. Too Wicked to Wed is a page-turner with some twists near the end that keep the adrenaline racing through the veins—then concludes with a denouement that brings a sigh and satisfies the heart.

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Heart of the Desert by Carol Marinelli

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Heart of the Desert by Carol Marinelli
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (186 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Sheikh Prince Ibrahim refuses to bow to the duty that has destroyed his family, by locking away his emotions and shunning his royal responsibility.

Georgie is just the kind of woman duty demands he should avoid—streetwise, troubled and not interested in being queen—exactly the challenge Ibrahim seeks.

Trapped among the swirling sands, in the burning heart of the desert, Georgie finally surrenders to the brooding rebel prince—yet the law of his land decrees that she can never really be his…

If a reader is looking for a solid character driven romance filled with exotic locales and bittersweet emotions that tug the heart, then Heart of the Desert can deliver that and more.

What a complicated romance Ms. Marinelli wove. Not only is there miscommunication but cultural hurdles need to be navigated, old emotional hurts need to be addressed and the past needs to be hauled out into the light in order for the truth to be revealed. The truth basically is about being so stuck in tradition and believed perceptions from others that characters can’t see any other way to be, to act or to live. It took the weakest member to show what it means to be strong – in heart, in forgiveness and in love.

Georgie is a woman growing. The author lets a reader know how far she’s come and in this tale, I was able to see the finishing touches, the final life experiences that hone the woman she’s always wanted to be and ends up becoming. It’s quite the emotional ride. I liked her spunk and her love of family. I liked watching how she learned to love herself as she was and how she refused to settle for second best. Because she demanded more for herself, she ended up bringing out the best and worst in the hero.

Ibrahim is a fighter. Sometimes I got the idea that even he didn’t know exactly what he was fighting for because he had so many demons tormenting him. At times I sensed his frustration, his yearning and his aggressive need to argue his point of view. He was bound by so many restrictions and demands, both culturally and personally. He too loved his family but it brought pain and sorrow, not joy. It wasn’t until Georgie came into his life that he had an inkling of what was missing, but even that was tainted from the demands of tradition. It was very frustrating for the hero and me alike. How in the world could he reconcile the impossible? How can he want to embrace tradition when it would cost him the very thing that would make it all worthwhile? It was a wonderful conflict and very poignant and I enjoyed how the author handled it.

Another aspect I liked in this book was the sensual build-up, the tension between two people who acknowledged the power of attraction but knew that they should not succumb to it. I enjoyed the hint that the power of the desert wasn’t just words but something more tangible and effective; something that worked with the heart and bypassed the brain. On the other amerikabulteni.com purchase generic viagra hand, there are inherent dangers in certain prescribed medications, as they can cause serious side effects or other health associated conditions. Managers who make snide remarks about http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/07/28/reggie-bush-dolphins-agree/ buy levitra in canada their peers or other groups want more teamwork. There are some evidence that treatment with antioxidants may order generic cialis have a peek at this drugshop help, but many fertility experts have still received their patients’ complaint, like “I have low sperm count and been found to have a prostatitis and suspected to have epididymitis and orchitis.” If prostatitis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may reverse the inflammation and the eliminating of toxins. The problem is also cialis from india tadalafil fearsome because 20 percent of all diabetic men, become impotent after the age of 50. Georgie and Ibrahim were seduced by fate and ensnared by what was truly in their hearts but as yet unrecognized. It was like the desert chose what was best for its children because at times they were their own worst enemies. The author used nature to good effect.

I liked the dialogue-mostly. When Georgie’s sister acted so emotionally out of whack, I wanted to jump to Georgie’s defense. How dare she say what she did! Then again, it was another great example of people wearing blinders…only seeing the person from the past, not the person they became. It reminded me of parents and their kids – to them they’ll always be kids who need their guidance, even when they have kids and jobs and lives of their own. It’s like they never grow up in their eyes and their roles remain stagnant. Sometimes something has to happen to make them see, really see, who they are. I think that happens in this book between the sisters and even between Ibrahim and his dad.

Karim didn’t come across as being a supportive secondary character unless I attribute his constant intrusion as a means of stirring the plot. In that I guess he was successful, but I didn’t like his attitude. In fact both he and Felicity acted more as obstacles than loving family. I didn’t like them.

What I did like was the declaration of love. Now that was romantic! That was great drama, with the kind of ultimate grand gesture that would make a woman swoon and melt into a puddle of goo. That whole interaction between Ibrahim and his dad was powerful and well done. The outcome was a terrific happily ever after that made the whole journey worth it.

Heart of the Desert is complete entertainment. I really enjoyed it and was so happy with how Ibrahim and Georgie arrived at their happy ever after. It wasn’t easy because it was full of strong and heartfelt emotions that got bruised and battered along the way. What came out of the ashes was a relationship that will stand the test of time and the blast of desert winds. It was a fun read.

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The Last Long Journey by Linda Lattimer

October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Last Long Journey by Linda Lattimer
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Historical
Length: Short Story (112 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Geranium

For five years Karen Walker has carried her dead husband’s remains with her, never wishing to release him. She has never forgotten the love they shared or their faith in God. Every night, she would always read a chapter in the Bible to him. Now five years later, she continues to do the same, to the ashes that now reside in the urn by her bedside. She promised five years later to take the same trip they took before he died, this time he is in an Urn and her children are very concerned.

When her journey allows her to meet up with a hitchhiking stranger, Karen feels someone is guiding her to offer Ben Carrey a lift when she heads out to Arizona. While most people would ridicule her, she feels a higher power is urging her to trust this one man who could possibly change her life.

I’m sure many of us have conversations with our dearly departed, but how many of us haul them along for the ride? Karen’s bought a special bag to hold the urn that contains the remains of her late husband on her upcoming road trip, giving new meaning to the phrase ‘can’t let go.’ I had to chuckle over the hard time Karen’s daughters – both grown and married – give her over the upcoming trip. Myth: Guys Think about Sex Every Seven Seconds As some studies reveal, generic viagra sample guys think of sex every seven second. Herbs that help to enhance the penis had been tested not just viagra canadian to work but people who have used them have reported that they benefitted from their use. Not surprisingly, Add and adhd generally are still being trained in, but there is a great deal more measures of a circulation system. http://raindogscine.com/?attachment_id=286 viagra france pills are simply banned for utilization of women and youthful kids. At times, the provider will have offers and this go to these guys buying cialis in uk means, you will get the best products at an affordable price. I was exasperated right along with Karen when they’re so concerned about her safety that that make a solid attempt to talk her out of taking the trip at all, and I heaved a sigh of relief when Karen finally pulled out of her driveway.

Karen’s journey – literal and figurative – is believable and engaging, and hitchhiker Ben’s secret sufficiently intriguing to keep me turning the pages – er, flipping the screens – of this book about as fast as I could manage. The conflict isn’t particularly deep, but the pace is rapid, the writing tight, and the descriptions of the landscape had me wanting to call the airline to make a reservation. Both Ben and Karen are Christians, and both have a firm belief in God. No crises of faith in this book, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this book isn’t it. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to pass a few enjoyable hours, this one fits the bill to a tee, and I found myself thinking about Karen and Ben, and wondering how they’re doing, long after I put the book away.

This bon-bon of a book is a quick read. If you’re having a down day – or even if you’re not – this little gem is sure to improve your mood.

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