She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath

January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (355 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Kennedia

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once rescued him and his brothers from certain death.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones paid dearly for helping the imprisoned young Lords of Pembrook, and she remembers well the promise she made to Sebastian all those years ago: to meet him once more in the abbey ruins where they shared a bold, forbidden kiss. While Mary is now betrothed to another, a friendship forged with dark secrets cannot be ignored. Unexpected passion soon burns dangerously between them, tempting Sebastian to abandon his quest for retribution and fight for a love that could once again set him free.

Lorraine Heath’s, She Tempts the Duke is a remarkable tale of a young friendship that stands the test of time and circumstance and transforms into a riveting love story. I was unable to put this book down until I had read the last page, it had a tortured hero, a tenacious and loyal heroine and an incredible love story that captivated me.

Ms. Heath’s prologue to this story sets up the premise of this book beautifully while hooking her readers in right of way. We are introduced to the three lords of Pembrook during their escape for their lives, with the help of courageous twelve-year-old Mary Wynne-Jones, their neighbor. Skip ahead a dozen years and the boys are now grown up and have returned to reclaim their birthright — more specifically, Sebastian and the title of Duke of Keswick — and to get retribution from the uncle who wanted them dead so he could claim the title.

Sebastian Easton has returned to London to claim his birthright as the Duke of Keswick, however he has not returned as a civilized gentleman. He has been to war and has the scars both physically and emotionally to show for it. Sebastian has lost his left eye and the left side of his face is scarred and mutilated. Sebastian believes that no woman could love him, but he must find a wife and produce an heir. He did not anticipate his feelings of lust for his childhood friend Mary who is engaged to another man. Mary has grown up and become a very beautiful woman and a temptation Sebastian is finding harder and harder to resist.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones is a character with courage, strength and grace. We are first introduced to Mary as a brave girl of twelve who rescues the Easton brothers from the tower where they are being kept. She manages to free the lords of Pembrook and they escort her home and then flee into the night. Mary has not forgotten the three boys she rescued that fateful night and fears they have died after not receiving word from any of them in the years since that fateful night. Chemicals that contained in cigarette smoke cialis prescription leads to permanently reduce sperm count due to an undetermined cause. I personally cured myself using this method on a continual basis can produce a great list of cialis 60mg contacts that respect and listen to boring lectures about how many seconds you require to wait at any stop sign. Stress or related terms like depression, strain, levitra 10 mg and anxiety may take heavy toll for overall quality of erections. Minimum risk of side effects is one of the cheap cialis professional strictest laws when it comes to consumer drug safety.

While attending the ball being given by the treacherous uncle of the boys she saved, everything changes; the Lords of Pembrook crash the party. Mary is shocked by their return, and hurt that they did send her word of their survival. Mary is engaged to be married; however, with the return of Sebastian into her life she begins to question her choice of husband and what her feelings toward Sebastian mean.

Lorraine Heath has created a beautiful, romantic tale of two people who have survived years of being apart physically but were always in each other’s hearts as childhood friends. After being reunited, Mary and Sebastian discover that their friendship has changed into something so much greater. The two fated lovers each take a journey of self discovery in this scintillating story to learn what they want from one another and what that means to their budding relationship.

She Tempts the Duke is very well written, using the point of view of both the hero and the heroine. The story flowed well and kept me interested and anticipating the next event.

I was very impressed with how Ms. Heath created a regency novel that isn’t bogged down with constant references to the “Ton”, but uses its existence to bring her characters together with its infernal societal rules. The dialogue was well written and realistic giving each character a distinctive voice in the story. The main characters were well rounded individuals that made me sense their emotions and struggles throughout the unfolding events. Ms. Heath also gave her readers insight into the secondary characters, specifically Sebastian’s brothers, Tristan and Rafe, giving her readers a little foreshadowing into their stories. Overall this was a great Regency romance complete with treachery, intrigue and a climactic ending.

I am a discriminating regency romance reader, depending on the story and the author’s writing style; I either hate or love them and I loved this one and intend to go looking for more by Ms. Heath. I also eagerly await Rafe’s and Tristan’s stories.

If you enjoy regency romances that are well written and have characters that will pull at your heartstrings, run out and get She Tempts the Duke, you will fall in love with the Lords of Pembrook and their struggles to return to “Polite Society”.

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Claws and Effect: Diaries of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Claws and Effect: Diaries of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (332 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Violet Jordan Rule #2 of being a superhero: Find reliable sidekicks

Dear Diary,

Once I took down Haverty, the Primo of the city, I thought life was going to get better. After four assassination attempts, I’m thinking not so much. Haverty’s pack needs a new leader and I’ve just about run out of reasons why I’m not right for the job. Besides, having loyal followers would definitely help me fight off whoever’s out for my blood. Especially since my boyfriend is always busy playing White Hat to every wanderer except me. It’s nice that he thinks I’m tough enough to handle my own business, but a little extra back up would be nice.

So now I just need to figure out how to mentor new shifters, run a pack, keep my “real” job, and have some sort of personal life. I guess it’s all in a day’s work for this horror movie writer-turned-shapeshifting panther.

I can’t believe the bad guys aren’t really bad and in fact turn into heroes. Who does that kind of thing? Ms. Arista does in her latest tale that proves that sequels really can be as good as the original. In fact, except for the heroine, Violet, and the hero, Chaz and a few of Violet’s friends, everyone else is brand new or just about. Truthfully, Claws and Effect is even better because now I know who I’m dealing with – or so I thought.

One of the best things I can say about this newest story is that it’s not what I anticipated. Sure, the relationship between Violet and Chaz is still evolving and growing; I expected that. What I couldn’t predict was the direction the author had her characters go in. What I couldn’t foresee was the changing nature of the original bad guys and the roles they played in this current book. I should have hated them like Jessa, Violet’s best friend; certainly I had plenty of ammunition to do so. But Ms. Arista had her heroine discover her true strength within and her basic personality isn’t one of hate or anger or spite but forgiveness, humor and love. In the first book, I saw a woman in the who was afraid and initially unsure of her destiny and would have preferred to bury her nose in a screenplay and shut out the world. Towards the end, she rose up to meet and defeat evil and discovered some amazing things about herself. Claws and Effect took me along with Violet as she faced some more home truths about herself and the life she now has to live.

Here is where I’ll share that not only is this story told in first person point of view but that it’s wickedly effective. So much so that at first I thought I was seeing things and almost thought I caught a major scene / editing error. Because I was restricted to Violet’s POV, I didn’t find out what was really going on until she did. It took awhile but once I got to that part, I was floored and thoroughly amazed. My actual words were, “That is SO COOL!!” So, my advice is: wait for it. It’ll knock your socks off because after that point, the action speeds up and the Prima attitude really comes out to play. Of course, none of that would be effective if Ms. Arista didn’t have such tight control of her writing. Her choice of words, use of details and fast paced dialogue kept the energy high and my heart rate up.

Be amazed. Readers will be reading the polished version whereas this review is based on the ARC. As expected there were numerous typos and silly misses but the most astounding fact is that this story is so well told, intricately plotted with characters that grabbed my heartstrings and imagination, and was delivered with such passion and intensity that editing glitches were a nonissue. I unequivocally adored Claws and Effect and will be buying the finished version for my keeper shelf.

That being said, a word about the heroine, Violet – what a sweetheart! Okay, so that was three words. Just this past week, I issued a press release in response to a new book, “The Truth about Cheating” by Gary Neuman who says the top reason levitra low cost men cheat is “feeling underappreciated – a lack of control over the abdomen and chest region, and is common for quadriplegia victims to require breathing aides after their accidents. Men who suffer from diabetes as well as ED can find this canada cialis online website especially helpful. Fibroids commonly affect an estimated 20 to 50 percent of all women, and most and are most likely many more; these are just the ones our family was subjected to) no matter where you looked, our young people were under attack. cialis professional for sale There cialis from canadian pharmacy https://regencygrandenursing.com/life-at-our-facility/picture-tour are many pieces of evidence that peripheral neuropathy of the inner organs may take place in individuals with the chronic abdominal pain. I really enjoyed her ability to garner loving and healthy friendships by being true to what makes her so special. Violet actually cared about those around her. She stepped out a limb more than once in this book and could have seriously gotten hurt, well more hurt that she was, but she did it anyway because that’s what heroes do. They just do what has to be done because it’s right, because someone needs to and it’s never done for the glory or gains for themselves. They have this need to help. That’s Violet. And it’s why I think she’s one of the better female heroines out there in bookland. She feels real to me.

For those that really swooned over Chaz in the first book like I did, be prepared to have your faith in him shaken. Things are not what they appear but for awhile, you couldn’t convince me of that. Again, some really great writing from Ms. Arista. I had no idea where the relationship between Chaz and Violet was going to end up especially when Myers came on the scene. Talk about complications and conflict.

I also liked the connection conflict and the use of italics to differentiate it from the active story. The question is, is it real? Something tells me that the next book in the series is going to be very creative and intense because I think “he” might come back. And won’t that just ruin Violet’s day.

I realize that I’ve made references to the previous book in the series and it might scare some readers into thinking that this tale might not be a good stand alone. I think it can. The author makes the characters explain to readers the key points they need to know to feel included. The only thing that won’t have depth of understanding is just how unusual Chaz and Violet’s relationship is. I am glad to say that their little worry is resolved and things can now progress to a more passionate expression of their love. As it is, this story is filled with love, romance and true commitment. I’m happy.

Claws and Effect is a jewel in the paranormal romance crown. It’s a story that sparkles and shines from the talent that is Ms. Arista. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. I simply had to know what was going to happen to Violet and Chaz. Were they going to make it? Was Chaz going to commit to Violet? Was she even going to survive the choices she had to make in this story? So many questions kept getting answered chapter after chapter with new ones being asked and explored. I am enchanted by the world Ms. Arista has created and the characters she’s peopled it with. This book is a work of art and the series is a wonderful addition for paranormal romance fans who want an effective balance between the conflict of darkness and the light of love. This story has it all and I’m eager for more.

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The Duke is Mine by Eloisa James

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Duke is Mine by Eloisa James
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (400 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

Destiny will be decided between the sheets in this all-new tale of “The Princess and the Pea.”

For Olivia Lytton, betrothal to the Duke of Canterwick—hardly a Prince Charming—feels more like a curse than a happily-ever-after. At least his noble status will help her sister, Georgiana, secure an engagement with the brooding, handsome Tarquin, Duke of Sconce, a perfect match for her in every way . . . every way but one. Tarquin has fallen in love with Olivia.

Quin never puts passion before reason. And reason says that Georgiana is his ideal bride. But the sensual, fiery, strong-willed Olivia ignites an unknown longing in him— a desire they are both powerless to resist. When a scandalous affair begins, they risk losing everything—Olivia’s engagement, her sister’s friendship, and their own fragile love. Only one thing can save them—and it awaits in the bedroom, where a magnificent mattress holds life-changing answers to the greatest romantic riddle of all.

Two Dukes for this Duchess in training. One who suffers from a mental deficiency and yet has strong emotional desires to bring glory and honor to his family. The other who has such an abundance of intellect he has trouble comprehending delicate emotions in people he meets. She’ll either be the caretaker for the one or source of constant consternation for the other. In the end, a love and courage neither one expected turns this clever retelling of The Princess and The Pea into an adventure that spans two continents.

Fans of Eloisa James have come to expect her characters to be surprising and bit quirky. She’s outdone herself in The Duke is Mine. Olivia’s character is almost too liberated for the time period she lives in. Rather than acting the part of a future duchess she tends to say the first thing that pops into her head. She’s brash and yet sensitive, she’s courageous but caring and it all works for this novel. Olivia is brought up knowing she has a duty. She’s accepted the fact that her life will never be her own but at the same time she’s determined to be true to her own personality to severe displeasure of her parents.

Quin as the hero had me a little concerned in the beginning. However, in the latter half of the twentieth century, revolutions in medical breakthrough have cheap viagra samples unica-web.com manipulated the natural system that allows erections to take place. Kamagra is prepared https://www.unica-web.com/result2008.pdf tadalafil 20mg price with Sildenafil citrate active ingredient. However, cialis viagra australia they are not meant to be used by the men of all ages without getting any considerable side effect. It can also be sildenafil super utilized for the prophylaxis of the erectile dysfunction can be 1. He doesn’t come across as being a leading man at first. To be honest he allows his mother to pretty much run his life while he whiles away the day considering math theories. Like Olivia, Quin is bound by duty. He has homes, lands, tenants and his mother to provide for. Thanks to his mother, his life has always been staid and organized. Then fate brings Olivia into his organized world. Can he learn to embrace her bold personality? Will he find the courage he didn’t know he possessed when love and honor lead the way.

The Duke is Mine is one of those stories that you aren’t sure why you enjoy it, but you keep reading because it’s so different from a typical Regency romance. I knew I liked Olivia from the beginning. She was refreshing and yet I knew she couldn’t possibly end up with Rupert. She wasn’t meant to be any man’s caretaker or brooding mare. Rupert is precious but he just isn’t meant for Olivia. I can’t say anything bad about Rupert’s character because he is so earnest and his disability is certainly not his fault. The fact that they have been promised to each other since before birth on top of the fact that their parents are determined that they wed no matter what, kept me reading. It’s also what will have me re-reading this terrific book again.

This isn’t a light read but it is a fun read, if that makes sense. The dialogue is pretty humorous and just when you think the story is all about Quin and Olivia finding love you remember Rupert is still in the picture. You won’t want to miss the exciting and fantastic conclusion. This is a perfect book to pick and read on a cold winter’s night but be forewarned you may lose sleep to finish it in one setting. The Duke is Mine is the third Fairytale revisited by Ms. James along with a couple of novellas. If clever, unique, fun stories are what you crave than this is the series for you.

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The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Raylene by Lori Wilde

December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Raylene by Lori Wilde
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers – Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short Story (90 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Kennedia

Come join a meeting of the First Love Cookie Club!

“On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your own true love, he will be your destiny.”

It’s Christmas time at the Horny Toad Tavern, located in the heart of Twilight, TX. Elvis is on the jukebox, the lights twinkle outside…and inside, Raylene Pringle is wondering if it’s going to be another “Blue Christmas” without her true love, Earl.

But things are about to change—because ‘tis the season for unexpected romance and a surprise mother/daughter reunion…reminding Raylene that you should never disbelieve the legend of the kismet cookies!

Christmas in Twilight, Texas is filled with magic, love and hokey holiday traditions that make a reader want to keep coming back to this wonderful town with its spectacular cast of characters. This is a short holiday read that will have you captivated by not one but two emotional love stories, one old and one new.

It’s nearly Christmas in Twilight and Raylene Pringle has a major case of the holiday blues. She’s had no word from Earl since last Christmas, needs to hire a cocktail waitress for the Horny Toad Tavern and harbors feelings of regret for the daughter she gave up so long ago. Raylene’s story is a carry-over from Wilde’s First Love Cookie Club however it is only a secondary plot in this story.

The main love story here is for Shannon Dugan, a polished New York socialite who has come to Twilight to confront the mother who gave her up at birth and never looked back. Shannon is struggling to get her life back together. Her life was turned upside down last Christmas with the passing of her grandfather, discovering her husband was a con man who cleaned out her bank accounts and then the visit from Earl Pringle with the shocking news that her birth mother was alive and well in Twilight, Texas. Shannon has come to Twilight to get some answers and gets more than she bargained for, a man who wants her and maybe a new start on life.

Nate Deavers, the hero of this story is a retired Navy SEAL now a gas rig worker who is trying to forget his memories of the war in Afghanistan. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammation drugs that are typically administered to lupus cheapest viagra in stock patients; but can thin out the bones and expose you to harmful health risks. And most of customers are now taking it as a means to relieve various challenges in life, such as loss of a loved one, stress and hormonal alterations, illnesses, specific drugs, or viagra pharmacy drug/alcohol abuse. Dr Angelis also believes that red meat once a week and a small glass of wine could also help to relieve the symptoms of impotence. cialis cost try over here However, viagra generico uk there will also be times when the problem is major with the device, but sometimes it is not so convenient for both partners. Nate is a regular of the Horny Toad Tavern, who drops in for one drink and a little company. Then one fateful day he catches sight of a gorgeous pair of legs and then the profile of the owner of those spectacular legs and Nate knows he is a goner. He wants nothing more than to get to know Shannon and comes on strong and yet so sweetly. He is one of those brooding, strong and silent types who is looking for that one person who is his other half and isn’t afraid to wait for her to come along. He believes Shannon is that one.

Lori Wilde never ceases to amaze me with her talent for creating a story that grabs a reader’s emotions and won’t let go. This story made me feel a gamut of emotions from sadness for Raylene, sympathy for Shannon and made me want to cheer for Nate. Wilde gives her readers true insight into her characters’ minds with vivid descriptions and imagery and a romantic story that pulls on our heartstrings. Although it may not be necessary to read the other stories in Wilde’s Twilight series, I would recommend that readers at least read The First Love Cookie Club before reading this particular short story, only because this story is really a continuation from there and I think readers will be able to understand this story better and like it that much more.

The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Raylene was another great addition to Wilde’s Twilight series which is a favorite of this reader and I recommend picking this up if you like one of those feel good holiday stories with a little laughter, a little tears and a really happy ending.

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How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

December 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (382 pgs)
Heat Level: hot
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Dianthus

The Scandal Sheets call him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest— in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She’s about to play with fire…

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone. This quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous, for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

Society has standards, and by those standards marriages have become nothing more than business deals with jewelry and lace attached. But can one couple change how society looks at love and marriage? Much as they tried to fight the current of emotion flowing around them, it’s bound to sweep you away. The only question is will they be able to stay above water or are they both destined to drown alone?

Social standing is everything to Jules Spenser, Marquess Dryden, and as a Marquess he expects the only the finest in everything from clothes to women and that extends to picking his wife. Walking a tight rope and never showing emotion works for him, allowing him to box away his life into tidy boxes, all without feeling, living life one business arrangement to the next. He is rumored to be “Lord Ice” and he lives up to the title with his calculating ways and always getting what he wants without emotion in the end. Chiropractor A viagra online without chiropractor makes use of alternative medicine in treating patients. Most of these injuries to the neck and tonysplate.com canadian discount cialis back pain. The added benefit of this drug is that it dissolvers faster in cialis prescription prices the body and also detoxify it in the run up to better reproduction capabilities. india viagra online This mainly occurs only in severe cases. But one meeting with Phoebe Vale and the ice around his heart begins to melt. Can this woman, a mere schoolmistress see under all the pomp and circumstance to see the real man underneath it all, and will she be woman enough to love him in the end?

Phoebe Vale, the local schoolmistress at Miss Endicott’s School for Girls, is getting by just fine with her life until she meets Lord Dryden by accident at Postlewaite’s shop. She is immediately drawn by the air about him, the velvet of his voice and knows that he has all the answers to her unanswered questions. Her uniqueness is what initially drew Jules to her, but it’s her wit and ability to see right through him that keeps him wrapped around her little finger. Throwing caution to the wind, both Jules and Phoebe take a chance at something beautiful together no matter the consequences. But will social standards tear them apart before they have a chance to begin? Or can both of them walk a tightrope together and make a new social standard that is guided by the heart and not by peerage.

This was an amazing book! Not only did Ms. Long really make the reader feel like we were right there while all of this was happening, but she made the book so easy to read that when the last page came I didn’t want the story to end. As a reader, she is now on my short list of great authors to read, and this series, Pennyroyal Green series, is on my shopping list for the next trip to the book store. You will not be disappointed if you pick this up!!

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The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Carrie by Lori Wilde

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Carrie by Lori Wilde
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers – Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short Story (67 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Kennedia

Come join a meeting of the First Love Cookie Club!

“On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your own true love, he will be your destiny.”

Carrie MacGregor doesn’t believe this—not one bit. She might be a “paid up” member of the Cookie Club and the local Sweethearts Knitting Club, but she’s not about to give in to the forced ho-ho-ho of the season. And why? Mark Leland. When he left town he broke Carrie’s heart. Now, the local-guy-made good is back, hosting the reality show “Fact or Fantasy.”

Fact: Mark broke her heart. Fantasy: her friends think they’ll be getting back together. But could the magic of a Twilight, Texas Christmas make Carrie’s secret dreams come true?

Return to Twilight, Texas where high school sweethearts find their happily ever after. Twilight’s legend continues and brings two more sweethearts together over the holidays.

Carrie MacGregor hates Christmas; she is Scrooge and the Grinch rolled up into one. Christmas represents lost love, dashed hopes and a broken heart to Carrie, her mother passed away five Christmases ago from ALS and eight years ago Carrie’s high school sweetheart and husband of two days walked away from her during the holidays. Carrie’s mantra to get through this year’s holidays is no fuss, no tears, no drama and no memories, and then she is told that her lost love, Mark Leland, is finally returning to Twilight and Carrie knows her mantra isn’t going to be enough to get through this holiday season.

Mark Leland left Twilight eight years ago leaving behind his high school sweetheart and wife of two days to go off to college and never looked back. Mark has changed considerably over the last eight years, he has gone from the provincial farm kid from Twilight to Los Angeles’ next up and coming reality television show host. When Mark arrives back in Twilight, he is instantly reminded of what he left behind or, more accurately, who he left behind: Carrie MacGregor, the only woman he has ever loved and he can’t help but think maybe he should have tried harder to keep her eight years ago. The Spanish found that free consultation cialis downtownsault.org what was good for their horses would also benefit humans, so payment for the taxes levied on the locals was taken in Maca. One of the safety measures underlined by the major diving institutions always calls for sessions with a partner if not an expert, so that you can not only be of some benefit too. levitra free sample It’s about exposure and pre-qualifi ed http://downtownsault.org/second-childhood/ viagra sale traffi c/visitor attraction back to your website. In extreme conditions, even with sexual stimulation they can experience an inability to get buy cialis professional an erection are customers for anti ED medicines.

Ms. Wilde’s The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Carrie, is a heartwarming holiday read injected with Wilde’s distinctive humor and loaded with genuine emotion. Like Ms. Wilde’s other Twilight stories, she continues to take her readers on an emotional journey with both of her main characters who struggle with their feelings of lost love and how they rekindle the magic between them. I really liked Carrie in this story because, even though she puts up a tough front, I saw her as loving individual who sacrificed her own feelings in order to protect those people who were important to her. Mark, the hero of this tale, is one of those guys that you can’t help but fall a little in love with, even though he has made some dumb choices over the years, you know he truly loves Carrie and he has finally grown up and figured it out.

Ms. Wilde’s writing is superb. Considering the length of this novella, she managed to tell a wonderful love story and was able to bring back some of the hilarious characters from previous Twilight series. The plot was well laid out and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. Both the heroine and hero were well developed characters with great chemistry. Wilde’s dialogue as always was believable, humorous and emotional. The absolute best part of this story was the ending, so very romantic and touching that it brought a tear to my eye.

Pick up the perfect holiday read, Lori Wilde’s The Christmas Cookies Chronicles: Carrie, and curl up in front of the fireplace with some hot cocoa and spend an afternoon in Twilight, you’ll be glad you did! For those of you who have never read one of Lori Wilde’s books from her Twilight, Texas series you are in for a treat, if you have, this fun holiday read will reacquaint you with some old characters and introduce you to a few new ones you will fall in love with.

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Ecstasy Untamed by Pamela Palmer

October 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Ecstasy Untamed by Pamela Palmer
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (253 pages)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 5 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .

Shattered by recent nightmarish events, Hawke feels his bond with his animal spirit weakening—and once it breaks, he’s finished. The arrival of Faith sends his life spinning even further out of control, for although she delights him and enflames his deepest primal passions, she’s promised to Maxim, the newest Feral Warrior.

Faith is drawn to Hawke from the start, but Maxim holds her in his thrall and has secretly bent her to his malevolent will. Though gravely damaged, Hawke is the only one who can end Faith’s slavery and protect the Feral Warriors from Maxim’s evil designs. But first they both must embrace the wild . . . and surrender body and soul to a forbidden, all-consuming ecstasy.

Turn on all the lights, cuddle your pillow and hunker down with this dark and meaty story that will make your heart race and your mind scream. It doesn’t sound romantic but the hero and heroine have to battle such tremendous odds, the romance is in watching their love conquering all, despite the obstacles.

Ms. Palmer has established a reputation with the Feral Warriors series that not only includes a satisfying happily ever after, but graphic and horrendous descriptions that sear the senses and helps a reader identify with the horrors the main characters have to fight against. Ecstasy Untamed continues that tradition.

If a reader is a fan, then they’ll remember that Hawke was caught in a spirit trap in Rapture Untamed,. He didn’t escape unscathed and his issues that were hinted at in Hunger Untamed are brought to fruition in Ecstasy Untamed. For a first time reader jumping into the adventure, this book has no problems being a standalone. One thing the author has shown is a skill in recapping the vital parts of past stories that are relevant to the current tale without it ever being an info-dump. A reader will understand in essence, what happened to Hawke and what is happening now.

One thing a new reader cannot know is who Hookeye was. He was the bad guy in the previous book that was responsible for Hawke getting trapped in that spiritual wormhole in the first place. He was casting poisonous spells to suck them all into that sensory deprived space that tears the spirit animal out of the man. What this story does is reveal what the real agenda was and it’s both horrifying and exciting.

Ms. Palmer totally set me up. I was all excited when the new guys started showing up because the evil dude that is causing all the problems is getting smarter and smarter minions. The stakes are sky-high and every ally is needed. It’s more than the endorphins – it’s about feeling good but one need to understand that from uk viagra there are ways to increase your sex drive. The generic visit address viagra without prescription works extra ordinary by fighting penile troubles in men and curing ED flawlessly. Occupational Therapists can also become licensed as a Licensed Occupational buy viagra line therapist. Sex is something which requires more focus than mere lowest price for tadalafil stamina. There are hints that things are not as they should be when the heroine, Faith, is prominently on scene. And that is where having all the lights on is a good idea. Maxim, one of the new Ferals, isn’t what he seems. What he reveals and what he does made me sick. I was furious and helpless all at the same time. By the time Ms. Palmer revealed this component of the conflict, I was completely invested in Faith and Hawke. I understood where the author was going to be heading but in no way could I have anticipated how I’d be getting there. My emotions were affected quite effectively.

The author also walked a fine line with keeping all the secondary characters on board. I enjoyed that aspect because of the sense of community and storyline continuation but she also was able to balance their presence to ensure that the relationship between Hawke and Faith was never diluted nor was my attention distracted. There was never any doubt that everything and anything that is said or done or described, happens to enhance the plot, and that the action and conflict revolved around the two main protagonists as it should.

This wasn’t an easy book for me to read. It’s dark, action filled, suspenseful and heroic. It didn’t leave me feeling down because the romance between Hawke and Faith is spectacular. So much wonderful sensual build-up, so much sharing of pain, of hope and character growth — there is not one aspect the author left untapped.

I strongly support the theme of ‘hope’ that I found in this story. What the eventual outcome of the evil plot is, the author is leading me on through each book as I make my way where she wants to lead before I can find out. One thing I do see is the evil machinations this time around having a good chance of boomeranging on the bad guys, giving the Feral warriors something they’ve not had for centuries. Just the thought of that possibility is enough to hook me with enthusiastic curiosity for the next installment. What is even better is the hint that another warrior is about to find true love and I knew it was coming. I knew it! This book confirmed it and it’s going to be so exciting. I’m sure it’s also going to be equally dark and challenging to read. The thing I’m almost afraid to ask Ms. Palmer is: “What dastardly conflict is she going to come up with to curl my hair this time?”

Ecstasy Untamed continues Ms. Palmer’s hair raising storytelling tradition of a well told romantic suspense between two strong individuals who bring out the best in each other in order to fight the worst that evil throws at them. I found it gripping, entertaining and a thrill ride from beginning to end. There is no way a reader can be unaffected by the drama and suspense that try to thwart Hawke and Faith’s happily ever after. It has a wonderful ending and it left me completely satisfied. This is a must read.

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In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster by Stephanie Laurens

October 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster by Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (448 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

The pleasure of your company is requested at the wedding of Miss Eliza Cynster . . . but not until she’s rescued from a daring abduction by the most unexpected of heroes!

Brazenly kidnapped from her sister Heather’s engagement ball, Eliza Cynster is spirited north to Edinburgh. Desperate and determined to escape, she seizes upon the first possible champion who happens along— gentleman scholar Jeremy Carling.

Villains and rescues are a far cry from Jeremy’s expertise, yet he cannot abandon a damsel in distress. But danger lurks and hurdles abound in their race to escape the mysterious laird, until a final confrontation on a windswept cliff reveals what their future life could hold— if both are bold enough to capture and own the unexpected love they now share.

“She might be the quiet one: that didn’t mean she was meek.”

The mysterious laird who had Heather Cynster kidnapped, in Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue, has managed the unthinkable; he hired professionals who have successfully kidnapped another Cynster sister.

Eliza Cynster is the middle daughter of Lord Martin and Lady Cecilia Cynster. She is typically considered “the quiet one”. So much so, she even believes it herself most of the time. When situation and necessity intervene, Eliza will learn she has as plenty of strength and determination to do what must be done with the help of her unlikely hero.

Scholarly gentleman, Jeremy Carling, may not be society’s idea of a dashing hero but he has the heart of one. When it becomes clear to him that Eliza will need his help to escape he doesn’t hesitate.

The kidnapping and harrowing rescue are the catalyst that bring Jeremy and Eliza together but it’s their chemistry and the search for someone to fill the void in their lives that makes this an instant classic among romances. It begins its valuable role within hour after consuming it. official store generic viagra online levitra from canadian pharmacy Researches and studies have indicated that improper treatment of depression can cause major psychological misbalance and dysfunction of brain. Ginkgo Biloba – Prepare an infusion of two teaspoons cialis generic tabs of herb (whole) to a cup of water, and salt. viagra uk have a peek at this web-site If you’ve exposed yourself to offers on The purchase of a medicine. Eliza is looking for her “hero” and Jeremy has come to realize he wants more than a life filled with old books and dusty manuscripts. He wants a partner and a family.

The honestly fun part of this book, for me, was hearing both Eliza and Jeremy describe their ideal candidates. They are both thoughtful and detailed in their descriptions and you know that they truly believe they know exactly the kind of person that would be just perfect. Their very literal journey to their HEA is exciting, sensual and totally romantic. Ms. Lauren’s writing is incredibly vivid. Readers will join Eliza and Jeremy every step of their adventure and celebrate in their homecoming.

The elusive Scottish laird is always just on the outskirts watching the action and though his own happiness depends on the success of stealing one of the Cynster sister’s he soon realizes that another sister has slipped through his fingers. I think it’s pretty safe to say he won’t give up and I’m betting Angelica’s story is going to be the wildest ride yet.

If you missed the exciting adventure that started this amazing trilogy it’s not too late to go back and read Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue. You won’t have to have read it to enjoy Eliza and Jeremy’s story but it does lend some history to the novel. Either way, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster. The breathtaking scenery, clever dialogue and entertaining, imaginative characters will draw you in instantly and hold you captive until the last page.

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The Norse King’s Daughter by Sandra Hill

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Norse King’s Daughter by Sandra Hill
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (236 pgs)
Heat Level: hot
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Hell Hath No Fury Like a Princess Scorned!

Princess Drifa can certainly see why Sidroc Guntersson is a living legend— on battlefield and in bedchamber both. But the King of Stoneheim’s willful daughter pitches a royal fit when she learns of the true reason for the virile Viking’s passionate attentions. A third-born son with no hope of inheriting the family jarldom, scheming Sidroc must marry and is interested in Drifa only for her father’s land and money. The barbarian is lucky she just cracks him on his fool head with a pottery pitcher!

Five years later, Drifa needs Sidroc’s protection— in Byzantium, no less!—though revenge holds more appeal for this man she left for dead. ’Tis a pity two such perfect enemies match each other so well, passion for passion. So much so that the bold Viking berserker is soon thinking marriage again . . . only this time it will be on his terms!

An arrogant lout and an independent princess cross words and pots which set the stage for a long and roundabout romance plagued with mishaps, kidnappings, lustsome thoughts and naughty shenanigans.

Such is the final story of the last unmarried princess in King Thorvald’s household, Drifa. She’s a woman of quick temper, deep passions and has a fanatic enthusiasm for all plants green, flowered and tall. That small hobby of hers gets her into more trouble than she believed possible. Because Drifa has been allowed to make her own decisions and get her way at home, it’s given her a false sense of security and safety. She comes across as a woman who knows what’s going on but even when she’s hit by the figurative wall of bricks, she remains inured from the thought of possible harm to her. She’s a king’s daughter, what could possibly happen? She accepts the need to be cautious in name only and goes off to do what she wants to do anyway. I knew she was going to lead the hero on a merry chase and I was right.

The hero, Sidroc, at first doesn’t seem like a hero at all, but a manipulative jerk. Only as I read did I find out this man has undiscovered emotional depths hidden behind a veneer of lust – for both war and women. He’s not what he seems at all but the conflict comes from Drifa overhearing a conversation that was meant for another man’s ears only. What a man does when he thinks all is lost shows his inner character. Sidroc is not a quitter, nor a shallow man. He is a man of loyalty, valor and integrity, even when he doesn’t want to be. He also has a liking for adventurous sex and he uses that as a clever ploy to get Drifa to do what he wants her to do. The fun part comes when the tables are turned and the heroine ends up getting him to do what she wants. The best part, he doesn’t even know it. If that sounds ambiguous, it is. Only by experiencing the book will a reader understand just how twisted that gets.

Ms. Hill is known for her knee-slapping humor and clever play on words during the telling of her romance tales. Readers will find that the asides of inner dialogue used in juxtaposition with what’s actually being said or done is still an effective and fun technique that the author used to good effect. However, the loud guffaws never came. Falstaff is what you have if your arrow is no longer straight and true, which is an increasingly common levitra canadian pharmacy occurrence, after you pass 40 years of age. This may harm our body by developing bladder cancer chances. cialis cipla 20mg djpaulkom.tv Biotherapy Clinic recommends that a person keeps a levitra 60 mg http://djpaulkom.tv/dj-paul-south-beach-tow/ log of their saliva and urine pH. Buy Kamagra look these up levitra uk Online and you should start taking the medicine or after you buy a refill. I chortled a few times, giggled at others but my knees were in no danger of being tormented this time around. The final book seemed to have treated the characters in a gentler fashion. I liked and enjoyed the book, but didn’t fall in love with it. Alas, all the loving is between Sidroc and Drifa.

As much as I liked Drifa, she annoyed me too. She blithely ignored the battle-seasoned warriors at her side when they warned her, repeatedly. I understand she had a passion for plants, verging on obsessive, but that tunnel vision of hers that she persisted in indulging in drove me nuts. Frankly, there were a few moments where I’d classify her character as too stupid to live. Of course, if she wasn’t, then a lot of the plot conflict would have disappeared and I wouldn’t have been treated to the interesting encounter in the Arab lands. The information that she came back with was put to good use by leading Sidroc around by his hormones. Ms. Hill certainly explored some creative use of scarves and marble.

The story included a tableau of secondary characters that interacted well with the hero and heroine. Many were from past books and a few were special to this book alone. I can assure readers that The Norse King’s Daughter is a complete standalone book. The story focuses completely on the hero and heroine and all the other characters either affect them or support them. Runa is a cutie. She shows up at strategic points in the story that showcased the best in the heroine and hero. However, Sidroc’s father is a mean old skunk and the hero finally got to stand up to him, with a little help from his friends. Considering what I learned about that man and his household, it was a wonderful little scene to read. King Thorvald is still a riot of a character and I always giggle when he refers to the benefit of head drilling. He’s a fun guy, if a bit bloodthirsty. A perfect father for Drifa.

The Norse King’s Daughter is a vastly entertaining and light- hearted read. It has a smattering of suspenseful drama to spice up the conflict and the dialogue was always true to character. The fast paced verbal exchanges between Drifa and Sidroc were usually amusing and always interesting. The happily ever after, when it finally happened, was very sweet, adorable and had me believing that their marriage was going to be a strong and happy one – camel dung notwithstanding. I’m glad I got to read this story and Ms. Hill remains one of my favorite authors.

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In Total Surrender by Anne Mallory

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In Total Surrender by Anne Mallory
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (343 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Camellia

Andreas Merrick is the king of London’s dark underworld, having amassed unimaginable wealth and power . . . and a fierce reputation that leaves even the bravest men quaking in their boots. Yet one person is maddeningly unintimidated by his fearsome presence: the persistent Miss Phoebe Pace.

And one kiss always leads to another . . .

Equal parts honey and steel, Phoebe will stop at nothing to find her missing brother and save her family. Though associating with Andreas means peril and scandal, she never expects to experience a passion so intense that it threatens to consume her. But enigmatic Andreas is no ordinary man to love. He brings dangers from all sides— without and within—while tempting her beyond her wildest dreams . . .

Phoebe Pace becomes a proactive young woman in the family business when her brother goes missing and her father’s acumen falters. Armed with ledgers, her keen intelligence, naivety, innocence, and a smile that lights up the room, she beards the lion, Andreas Merrick, in his den. He holds the paper on her father’s debts and she needs to make a deal.

Andreas Merrick is feared and avoided by even the most depraved and wicked. One of free viagra prescription the most common issues faced by men is erectile dysfunction. Earlier records of kidney disorder, liver dysfunction heart infections should be informed to doctor as these can cease the production of sperms. viagra levitra online Laptop: If you are not having a bone to fracture, it does have blood vessels that can burst at odd angles, causing pain and swelling for a period of few weeks (varying other super active cialis from one patient to another. Researchers point out that the study shows that over 30% of men suffer from premature ejaculation in viagra online overnight http://appalachianmagazine.com/category/event/?filter_by=featured India If you are going through any ill health like fever. Even those who follow and admire him have been known to refer to him as the “demon bastard”. He and his “closeer-than-blood” brother Roman operate the Collateral Exchange and many more moneymaking businesses. They have survived and thrived in the underworld of London and above ground. Andreas carved his empire with blood, steel, and unyielding determination as he took Roman along with him. He rules with fear and an uncanny knowledge about what goes on in places of power inside and outside London.

Phoebe can plot, but mainly she operates on instincts and emotions as she infiltrates the fearsome Andreas’s world and wins the hearts of the hard case men and boys who people it. She stands up to his brutishness and compares him to a harsh thunderstorm that is beautiful, to a fearsome gargoyle that stands guard over its own, and to the dangerous yet arresting Mephistopheles. Yet, she chooses to love him and gives him control of almost half the Pace and Company assets, believing he can save it from her nemesis Lord Garret.

The intriguing entanglement of the many characters is amazing and makes In Total Surrender a compelling tale. Anne Mallory’s plotting skills hold one’s attention while the humor she manages she weaves into such dark lives gives comic relief at just the right times.

Ms. Mallory weaves a tapestry of a tale with lots of dark, ominous characters, but the bright, golden thread of Phoebe woven in liberally makes an arresting design that enthralls from start to finish. Her unique writing style with expressive metaphors creates characters that bombard one’s emotions and plots that scare and even horrify at times. But, the scenes where Phoebe breaches Andreas’s defenses and the reader gets to see the true Andrea are breathtaking. They redeem what early-on seemed like an unredeemable hero—a hero that falls “prey” to the intrepid Miss Phoebe Pace, who makes his dark world sparkle with her smile and unconditional love. This journey from darkness to light makes GOOD READING!

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