The Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt

August 23, 2013 By 1 Comment

SANDS
The Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (331 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

In 19th Century England Caroline Verlaine, a young widow, travels to the Coast of Kent in search of her sister who disappeared while investigating some nearby ruins. She finds work at an old estate overlooking the shivering sands, powerful quicksands that have been known to swallow entire ships. Her employers are a strange, distrustful family, haunted by the past. Caroline nonetheless finds herself drawn to them and to the son, Napier Stacy, in particular. The further Caroline becomes involved with the family, the more she learns about their secrets and, even more shockingly, about what happened to her sister.

Victoria Holt’s The Shivering Sands is an absolute classic of the genre. The story is set in an isolated spot of England’s coast in the late nineteenth century. The host family is slightly aristocratic, but has seen tragedy. The son of the household is a dark character that insists he did not commit a terrible crime, but we are forced to wonder. The main character is a lovely, yet somewhat tragic figure herself. All of the key ‘classic’ points are there.

The main character, Caroline, is very much a character of her times. She’s clever, but careful, she’s investigating (and very motivated) but not a demanding or confrontational person. I found her believable. She’s suffered her own tragedies, but nothing like the Stacy family. She’s an enormously easy character to sympathize with, although the modern reader might wish for her to be a more take-charge woman.

Much of the story is revealed in conversation, and this is certainly an older ‘style.’ Modern readers might find the action a bit slow, and the discussions slightly unrealistic (phrasing meant to reflect the time). However, the writing is beautiful, and I find that the style helps create and maintain a haunting aura. Suspense builds as the story continues; both in the romantic sense, and in the sense of impending danger. We slowly grow more and more sure that there is a malevolent force out there…
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The intrigue is complex and very well done. One part, our initial motivation, is Caroline’s missing sister, Roma. Caroline wends her way into the Napier home in an effort to find Roma. There are family secrets, scandals, and a piece of coastline famed for shipwrecks. You have a sense that anything could happen and be covered up – and soon, we readers are worried for Caroline. Usually, romance readers worry that the romance will work out as hoped – in this case, we are hoping for survival really.

Holt was a true master though: There are points in the plot we are hoping for, while others, we cannot guess.

This is not a light romance with a hint of suspense, but truly an evocative (even eerie) page-turner with a strong sense of imminent danger.

If you haven’t read Victoria Holt before, this is truly a change of pace. If you are familiar with the author – then this might seem a touch ‘in the formula,’ yet it is still intriguing. The Shivering Sands is a great read.

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It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain

August 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

TANGLE
It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (338 pgs)
Heat Level: sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

He barely survived the war, but he’s ready to throw himself back into the ballroom’s line of fire
Though he lost the use of an arm in the Napoleonic Wars, Henry Middlebrook returns to London society and begins an ambitious courtship with the ton’s reigning beauty. When he experiences limited success, he decides to ask for assistance from the beauty’s companion, Frances Whittier. A soldier’s widow with a murky past, Frances admires Henry’s courage and sends him a secret letter. But he thinks the letter is from her mistress, and Frances must correct his mistake if she wants to engage his heart.

Frances, a widow, is acting as a companion to her cousin. Her cousin, Caroline, is also widowed but she has money. Add the money and her good looks together, and she has suitors from everywhere. Even Henry, home from the war, is trying to win her favor…

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The romance grows slowly and the dance the two characters do around their true feelings is a bit fretful. I just wanted to give them both a good shake and say follow your heart, you fools! It takes a lot of words and angry scenes before Frances admits what she has done. Henry has his own ghosts. He also has a lot of pride, as does Frances. When Henry ends up in a duel, Frances is afraid she has lost him. He only has his left arm left to shoot with; how can he win? And, even if he does, she’s afraid he won’t be back to see her.

The story was good. I think it could have been tightened up and made a shorter story and it wouldn’t have to wander so far before it got to the heart of the matter. I really liked the duel; the author totally solved that in a way that I would never have thought of. She did an excellent job with that. She also is well acquainted with that time period and the way of the ton and accurately portrayed the time period.

Why not settle in your favorite chair and begin to follow Henry’s journey to woo the right woman so the loss of use of his arm won’t fetter him or make it hard to be accepted by the ton again. Frances is the best thing that’s ever happened to Harry, but he has to learn it the hard way…

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Bad Nights by Rebecca York

August 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BAD
Bad Nights by Rebecca York
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (324 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

You Only Get a Second Chance…

Private operative and former Navy SEAL Jack Brandt barely escaped a disastrous undercover assignment, thanks to the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. When his enemies track him to her doorstep, he’ll do anything to protect Morgan from the danger closing in on them both…

If You Stay Alive…

Since her husband’s death, Morgan Rains has only been going through the motions. She didn’t think anything could shock her—until she finds a gorgeous man stumbling naked and injured through the woods behind her house. He’s mysterious, intimidating—and undeniably compelling.

Thrown together into a pressure cooker of danger and intrigue, Jack and Morgan are finding in each other a reason to live—if they can survive.

Terror, torture, and temptation play leading roles in Bad Nights. Both Morgan Rains and Jack Brandt are trying to get away. Jack is running from torture and impending death while Morgan has run to the pre-Civil War cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains to escape the sorrow and pain of her husband’s death.

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Morgan reluctantly drags the unconscious Jack in out of the snow to keep him from freezing and is not sure she did the right thing. When he comes to, he notes her lovely feminine attributes. But, most of all he notes her soft gentle touch. He is a tough, decisive, competent, action man that Morgan learns has a tender side that comforts her.

When the cabin is sprayed with bullets from assault rifles, he breaks protocol and tells Morgan who he is. She gets them out of the cabin in a most unusual way, but then must depend on his skills to keep them alive. The gun fire sets off his PTSD from his horrific experience in Afghanistan making Morgan wonder just who she had cast her lot with.

The plot is gripping. What kind of destruction does RAM have planned, who is financing it, what’s the motivation? Another thought is who in the government hired Rockfort Security to infiltrate RAM to gather information, what group or agency in the government is paying Rockfort Security?

Jack’s partners Shane and Max come to the rescue eager to be in the middle of the fray, while Morgan wishes she were anyplace rather than in the fray. When Wade Trainer’s group captures her, the nail biting time escalates to fever pitch. The daring, seemingly impossible rescue had me wide awake and reading like crazy to help save Morgan from being tortured by Wade Trainer. Her resourcefulness amazes. She is no pushover even in the most hopeless looking situations.

The love scenes so opposite the slash and kill cruelty makes one sigh at the ecstasy then the peace, the rightness of it. With her skills, Morgan helps Jack come to terms with his PTSD and he helps her find peace about the untimely death of her husband.

Rebecca York makes her characters work hard to get to their happy-ever-after. Bad Nights is a heart-in-throat thriller and a soul-satisfying romance—a fantastic read!

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True Spies by Shana Galen

August 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SPIES
True Spies by Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (346 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

He’s Getting Tired of Deception…

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him and his wife has given up on him…

She Wants to Try a Little Intrigue…

Lady Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive—quite the jealous type—and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew…

For fourteen years Elinor Keating had not been loved. Oh yes, she’d been well provided for, had given birth to two beautiful daughters, had an enviable social status, had servants that respected, admired and felt sorry for her.

Elinor married out of necessity, but loved Winslow (Winn) Keating with all her heart even though she never felt worthy of him. He was so handsome, charming and amusing. She was faithful and accepting of his not showing up for social events and of his rarely being at home. Then one evening after fourteen years of being “stood-up”, she declares, “I deserve better.” She changes from her elegant, matronly attire, puts on a stunning low-cut red gown and attends her friend’s garden party that she had helped organize. The Prince Regent (Prinny) was to attend.

Elinor comes out of her cocoon, different and alluring. Her new life full of danger and excitment make her feel alive, a part of something significant. Her efficiency, her eye for detail, her remarkable organizational skills make her good spy material—not the usual for a Lady of nineteenth-century London.

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Baron Winslow Keating lied to his wife for fourteen years. He’d been expected to marry and the young biddable Elinor suited his needs very well. Love did not enter into the equation as far as he was concerned. Spying was his love. All things had worked out well for him UNTIL…. The night Elinor put her red dress on—the night his all-consuming spy job took him to the same party to protect Prinny—the party he had promised to go to with his wife.

The reader sees a conflicted man whose world is about to spin out of control. He had not given Elinor a thought until he sees her dancing with a young rake that is smiling down at her and holding her too close. For the first time ever, jealousy roars to life in him as he truly sees his wife for the woman she is. She’s beautiful, desirable, and has a gorgeous body.

Winn, though a super spy with the Barbican group, fails monumentally as he tries to regain control of his wife, a woman he’d paid little attention to and had lied to with no sense of guilt. Not even his spy colleagues give him the backing he wants as he strives to cram Elinor back into her cocoon where he thinks she’s safe. But the “Butterfly” has flown. The cocoon no longer fits.

While these two strong characters sweep the reader along at breakneck speed, there are some interesting secondary characters that grab one’s attention. Blue intrigues me. He was more appealing to me than the hero. The other characters help move the plot along giving the reader a vicariously experience with Elinor as she deals with new challenges, learns about herself, and feels never-before-known excitement about new and often terrifying adventures that she loves being a part of.

As the plot unfolds, Winn seems weary of the spy business while Elinor bubbles with joy about being a part of it. Winn’s main interest is in his full-of-surprises wife who passes his test and sends his senses reeling. He is besotted with her and wants to make her happy. But to this reader, he has a long way to go to truly redeem himself after his long years of neglect.

The subtle humor that permeates scary scenes, love scenes, social scenes and more make True Spies a delight to read. Even better is the effort Winn puts forth that makes Elinor know she is irresistible and beautiful to him. She is cherished by him.

I look forward to seeing more of the “Baron” and the “Butterfly” in the next book of the Lord and Lady Spies series. And, of course, “Blue” too. Good reading!

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Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes by Gina Lamm

August 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DUKE
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes by Gina Lamm
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (305 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The Royal Treatment

All Leah wanted was a little gallantry. But in this day and age, chivalry was most definitely dead. If only there were a way to travel back in time and snag her very own duke…

Avery Russell was polishing some boots when a woman fell through the bedchamber mirror into his arms. All he could make out from her breathless babbling was some nonsense about “my one true love, Your Grace.” Clearly the chit was mad if she couldn’t tell a valet from a duke!

As much as Avery wanted to give in and give her a good tumble, he knew it wouldn’t be proper. No, he’d take as long as necessary to convince Leah that sometimes a duke just won’t do.

This is a cute story that proves keeping an open mind brings untold happiness but jumping to conclusions, assumptions and blinded by expectations will lead a person on a merry chase indeed.
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The story is basically about the heroine’s pursuit of her dream; the perfect guy, her perfect picture of happiness and her illusion of how easy it’s going to be to obtain. Thing is, it’s based on what someone else has, it’s based on a fantasy version of how she imagines the courting will occur and she’s cocky enough to believe it’s going to be smooth sailing. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Leah gets a crash course on what it’s like to be a servant when she gets thrust back in time to find her hero, the eventual love of her life. The author went into great detail on how miserable and oppressive and frustrating being a servant in a nobleman’s household can be. For avid historical romance fans who thrive on realism to make a story come alive, this book has the details to back up the heroine’s sudden confusion and resultant culture shock. I found it a bit overwhelming and dare I say, depressing. Reading about Leah’s exploits, seeing how she has to deal with prejudice and strict moral codes, not to mention how moronically easy it was back then for a female to lose her good reputation, was very maddening and it made me very glad I’m living in the here and now.

Avery is a man of his time. He’s a likable hero who’s in a horrid fix. When he meets the heroine, he doesn’t know whether to kick her out or revel in her sheer unusualness. Eventually, as with all good heroes who encounter a modern woman out of her element, her differences enchant, amaze, astound and drive him up a wall to the point he finds himself doing, thinking and saying the craziest things. All the better to stir the plot and tease their relationship into a frenzied level of sensual frustration so a reader will enjoy every clandestine encounter.

I wasn’t enamored of the plot conflict between Avery and Prachett. While reading about the things that Avery had to endure, I felt like I was reading with a straightjacket on. It made me claustrophobic because every time the hero turned around, some puppet master was pulling his strings. His strength came from the fact that they never crushed his spirit and he remained a good man. I just had a real hard time seeing him as 100% hero when oftentimes he came across as a victim. I think Leah was a true heroine because in essence, she saved her man.

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes is a nice story with a complete happy ending. This novel is sugar and spice, a pinch of arsenic and some things not nice. It’s an appealing and well written summer read and an enjoyable way to pass the time.

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Gabriel by Grace Burrowes

August 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

GABRIEL
Gabriel by Grace Burrowes
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (310 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

After years in hiding, when Gabriel Wendover leaves behind the woman he loves to resume his place as Marquis of Hesketh, he finds the lady herself already ensconced his household, and the mysterious danger still stalking him. Gabriel loves Polonaise Hunt (Polly) and is both upset and thrilled to find that she’s been hired by his brother to paint the family portraits. He must keep himself, his brother and Polly safe, but there’s nothing he can do to safeguard his own heart…

As I read how Gabriel treats his horse Soldier, I remembered what an old cowboy once told me, just as I was starting to notice boys. He said, “Always pay attention to how a man takes care of his horses; that’s the way he’d take care of you.”

Secrets and betrayals govern Gabriel’s actions while he works at Three Springs as the estate’s steward. After several attempts on his life, he doesn’t know who to trust. But Polly, with concern for a fellow sufferer, tries to ease his hurts, both physical and emotional. On an unusual level, they find comfort in each other’s company and easy camaraderie that is without commitment or expectations. Then each of them moves on to the next stage of life, Gabriel back to his life at his family’s wealthy estate and Polly back to painting portraits that Tremaine has commissioned for her.

Gabriel, who, by birthright, is the Marques of Hasket, goes home where his brother Aaron is now the Marques since he had Gabriel declared dead. Imagine Gabriel’s surprise when he finds Polly there to paint portraits of Aaron and his wife Marjorie.

Gabriel’s protective nature demands that he send Polly away, since he has no idea if his would-be assassin is still pursuing him or not, but Polly too is precious to him to take the chance that she might be targeted for being associated with him. She had been his lifeline after he returned from Spain—distressed in body and soul. She helped him learn to be Gabriel not just the Marques of Hesket. He wants her safe out of harm’s way. However, telling her she has to go and her actually going or altogether two different things. How this works makes a compelling story with subtle humor and sizzling sexy scenes that rev up one’s senses and emotions—superb reading.
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Polly loves the “damnedly dear and dark” Gabriel, the man she knows as Mr. North, the workaholic steward of Three Springs. His size, intellect, taciturn way and irascible demeanor do not intimidate her even after she knows he is the Marques of Hesket. Like Gabriel, Polly is a survivor. She has a past that haunts her as she tries to do what she thinks is right for the welfare of the ones she loves; but what a tangled web she and her sister Sara have woven.

One of my favorite characters is smart, intuitive little Allie. She is supposed to remember and live so many lies. Her load is too heavy for a child and her heart is breaking. The way she trusts Gabriel reaches in and grips one’s heart. With his assurance and encouragement to speak her mind, Allie, though scared, is determined to do just that. One of the most poignant scenes in the story happens when she finally asks, “Why don’t you want to be my mother?” My heart broke for her.

The secondary characters like the distant cousin George, the steward at Hesketh and Lady Hartle, Marjorie’s mother, and Tremaine, wield lots of power in the unfolding of events even though the reader doesn’t see them very often. They furnish some tense and surprising moments that keeps one turning pages. Of course, Aaron and Marjorie who stand to gain the most if Gabriel is dead are intriguing characters with a tangled story all their own.

Some of the love scenes take the breath away, sends the heart pounding, and heats the blood, while others are tender, precious treasures to keep in one’s heart. Gabriel and Polly, whose worlds are so far apart, share a unique connect that Grace Burrowes reveals in so many subtle ways. It is like a soul-mate connection that transcends social mores and barriers that declares it taboo.

Grace Burrowes, a master story teller, manages many, many characters with skill. The reader is wise to read carefully early on to get the characters sorted because the action and emotions build up speed and sweep these characters along to do their good and bad deeds apace. With her exquisite writing style, Ms. Burrowes makes Gabriel a riveting historical tale and an amazing love story.

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The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray

August 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

OFFICER
The Officer and the Secret by Jeanette Murray
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (345 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

If There’s One Thing He Hates, It’s a Secret…

Coming home after a rough deployment, Captain Dwayne Robertson wants some stability in his life, and finds it in the friendship he’s forged with Veronica Gibson while he was away. But her past is a well-guarded mystery, and Dwayne doesn’t know if he can deal with a woman who has something to hide…

And She’s Filled with Them…

Veronica Gibson doesn’t want anyone to know about her bizarre upbringing. She’s finally escaped her missionary parents and would be enjoying her independence if she didn’t feel so insecure about fitting in. She can easily envision a glorious future with Dwayne—but can she build a new life on a web of lies?

Don’t let the blurb make you think that the book is heavy with dark melodrama, angst and heavy conflict. It’s not. It’s actually a very nice story with some great introspection, humor, even some tenderness, and has a solid handle on what it’s like for a soldier to suffer PTSD. It’s well balanced and a wonderful, satisfying romance.
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The one thing that was made very clear, crystal clear to me, was that Dwayne was a BIG guy. Large shoulders, large … well, everything and that includes his Southern drawl. Another aspect of that hugeness is his capacity to love life, to feel, to have empathy and understanding for others. It’s apparent that he has great loyalty towards his friends and anyone who is family to them, is family to him. It’s those near and dear friendships that keep the hero from feeling too insecure when he starts experiencing symptoms of PTSD. I enjoyed how the author had the characters interact, both with dialogue and descriptions. I liked when he messed up, they let him know it and in turn, he accepted their razzing and when he could, would give it back. It was that give and take in his friendships that made him a well-rounded hero. When he met the heroine, I was happy that he could see beyond the missish clothing and suspected the passion she held inside. He was patient with the heroine but not like molasses, thank goodness.

Veronica is a butterfly just emerging from her chrysalis. She’s an extreme late-bloomer and the story follows her as she finds and explores what it means to be her. To claim that she was repressed is an understatement. I enjoyed reading about her reactions to Dwayne, and the progression from wariness to awareness, and tentative flirting to all out seducing her man. Veronica endured some changes on the way to make that seduction happen and it wasn’t smooth sailing because every now and again, the hero’s PTSD sort of got in the way. It’s through the hero and heroine’s interaction during those periods that proved the measure of the woman and the belief that their relationship was going to be solid, eventually.

There’s only one part that didn’t jive for me and that was the first consummation. Somehow, the hero should have either figured it out, something should have been said or the ‘evidence’ of her first time might have been noted. I can’t recall him ever being aware that he truly was her first. Considering some of the things that made him feel ‘caveman-ish’, I would have thought that it would have been a biggie. Considering how many times the heroine referred to it, I thought it would have been a momentous moment – or, something. It was a nonevent and that lack left me a bit perplexed.

Another thing that needs saying is that this is the third book in a trilogy about a trio of Marines who find love. I have not read the other two and did not suffer from the lack. This book was a good standalone and the only thing it managed to do was make me curious about reading the previous two. The first one sounds like it might have been really funny along with an interesting plot conflict. Certainly the premise grabbed my attention.

The Officer and the Secret delivers a solid romance. It’s filled with fun characters, a poignant and believable conflict from the hero and a delightful blossoming heroine. The story is well paced and delivered with an easy flowing storytelling voice. I’m totally pleased with the happy ever after, and highly recommend this book to other romance readers. Ms. Murray has a winner with this one.

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Wildcat by Cheryl Brooks

August 15, 2013 By 4 Comments

CAT
Wildcat by Cheryl Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (372 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Only One Woman Can Tame Him

When horse breeder Sara Shield encounters Jerden Morokovitz riding naked and bareback, she’s stunned by the magnificence of both man and stallion. But Sara came to Terra Minor hoping to get away from all the men.

If She Can Give Up Her Fear…

The murder of Jerden’s lover by a deranged woman has left this former star attraction of the Zetithian Palace brothel shattered in mind and body. Jerden is sure that Sara can heal his anguish—but not unless he can find the key to her heart.

Right in the first chapter, a reader is whomped over the head with a lust-inducing description when the heroine meets the hero for the first time. If that doesn’t hook a reader, maybe the wonderful scenes with the wild Andalusian horse, Danuban, might appeal. Or maybe the fact that the hero, Jerden, is shunned by the townspeople and suffers from debilitating nightmares, might appeal to a softhearted romance fan who enjoys seeing someone who feels unlovable and broken find happiness. And for others that prefer to read about a heroine who is feisty, independent and who can stand on her own two feet but discovers that loving and needing a man doesn’t mean she’s any less of a strong woman than before, this story delivers. In fact, she learns that her inner strength is more than she realized because of the lengths she’ll go to in defense of that love; well, that’s surely a strong hook as well. Wildcat embraces all these themes plus more in this latest adventure from the amazing mind of Ms. Brooks.
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What reached my emotions the strongest was getting to understand what haunted Jerden and the realization that his fears and phobia were grounded in reality The shocker came from who perpetrated it, and why. What also made me feel sad was the emotional fragility of the heroine, Sara. Eventually I found out why she is so distrustful and fearful on the inside, while showing a courageous face to the outside world. I appreciated how the author had Jerden learning about Sara, and how they both learned to trust each other. Eventually it allowed both of them to heal, at least enough to handle the villain.

I figured out who the villain might be because his character was so slimy. What I didn’t expect was what happened. That was a clever trick to play on a reader and certainly provided some intense drama and action to shake things up. And then to find out the absolutely crazy lengths he went through just to get his way? What a whack-job. The author did a great job of creating a dislikable character. Lest a reader thinks they figured everything out, there is a bit of a red herring just to confuse and distract, insuring that to really find out what was going on, you’d have to keep flipping those pages. And I did.

I’ve mentioned the drama, the emotion and the kinds of things that get a reader involved in the plot and conflict. What I need to explore is the fun, the sense of the ridiculous and the clever and witty ways in which Ms. Brooks has her characters speak, act and verbally play. Norludians are still quite entertaining in their own oddball way.

Then there are the scenes when Sara gets her first experiences as to why Zetithian men are so delicious and addicting. Using the word “hot” does not do those parts justice. What was refreshing to read was Jerden telling Sara exactly what she could do that would drive him absolutely wild. He was honest, and that barebones telling-it-like-it-is was very sexy. For a male character, he was comfortable in his own skin and didn’t worry about coming across as being in touch with his “female” side. He knew what he liked but he also knew he liked a woman knowing what she liked too and Jerden’s teaching Sara about that side of herself was powerful writing. I enjoyed every moment, especially when he begged her, “Bite me.” ::: fans self:: It was so erotic.

There is one thing I should mention for readers who don’t like men with long, flowing, sexy locks. I adored how Ms. Brooks described Jerden. I thought he was a great example of a virile male. I shared my enthusiasm with my sister and she wasn’t as enamored of Jerden as I was. In fact, her reaction was rather hilarious. My advice? Give him a chance. It’s his story and it’s powerful in its emotion. The writing will convince you, probably a whole lot better than my words to my sister. I would have been better off telling her to read the book.

Another element I enjoyed was the hint of paranormal when it came to Cria. I think the author was deliberately obtuse and sneaky with how she wrote those scenes. It’s left up to the reader to determine if it was real or imagined. Personally, I prefer to believe that it was real and did happen. It makes the whole experience that much richer.

Wildcat is out-of-this-world sexy and Ms. Brooks’ writing brings to life the eroticism that her Zetithian males are capable of, insuring romance fans the ultimate reading experience. Yes, there is light drama and serious conflict that the hero and heroine have to overcome. And there are the inner conflicts that they both need to face and defeat. But there is a pivotal moment in the story where a reader realizes that the author has touched upon every sense, brought the reader into their world so thoroughly that they don’t want to leave, don’t want the journey to end because once they reach the final paragraph, they are forced to say goodbye to new friends. That pretty much sums up how I felt at the end ofWildcat. Jerden and Sara were a wonderful couple whose story made me laugh, tear up a bit and had me reaching for a glass of ice water. It was a wonderful reading experience and I highly recommend it.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Surrender to Sultry by Macy Beckett

August 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SULTRY
Surrender to Sultry by Macy Beckett
A Sultry Springs Novel
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (312 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

Feeling the Heat

How do you stay under the sheriff’s radar in a town that prides itself on knowing everyone’s business? Leah’s not sure it’s possible, but she’s determined to avoid Colton Bea for as long as she can. Seeing him again would be too heartbreaking-and she knows from experience his bone-melting kisses are way too tempting.

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Colt reminds me of that kid that every school has that just never seems to grow up. Even thought he is the sheriff, you can still see the seventeen year old wild child in him. That is what first piqued my interest, because I knew at some point his lifetime party would have to end, and he would need to grow up. It took a lot for Colt to change, getting hit by a car, Leah returning, and more, but he eventually seems to come around to be the man I knew was trapped inside the man-child.

Leah at times I was completely behind and others I just had to shake my head in disappointment. She has had to make some tough decisions in her life, and some of them while I could understand I just could not agree with. Being the pastor’s daughter means she was brought up with a code of ethics that many just cannot challenge and makes her seem almost perfect. The problem with being virtually perfect is that when you fall it is from a mighty high pedestal that most people including Colt have place you on.

I have been following this series from the beginning, and was not disappointed in the least bit. This is certainly a story that I can say will wreak havoc on one’s emotions the way it did mine. It was one of the only romance stories that actually made me question if there was indeed going to be a happy ever after for the characters. While this story is part of a series it is definitely a story that can stand alone. Anyone can pick it up and immediately be transported to Sultry Springs with nice wholesome country girls and hot cowboys. I cannot wait to see the next installment.

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

Tall, Dark, and Vampire by Sara Humphreys

August 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

TALL
Tall, Dark, and Vampire by Sara Humphreys
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full length (320 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

She always knew Fate was cruel…

The last person Olivia expected to turn up at her club was her one true love. It would normally be great to see him, except he’s been dead for centuries. Olivia really thought she had moved on with her immortal life, but as soon as she sees Doug Paxton, she knows she’d rather die than lose him again.

And that’s a real problem… But this is beyond the pale…

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True love conquers all, or so the saying goes. In the case of Olivia Hollingsworth and Doug Paxton, not even death – and a bad case of vampirism – can keep them apart. Having died centuries ago, Doug’s sudden reappearance in Olivia’s life is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that he’s seemingly alive after all these years. The curse being one of her progeny is accused of murdering a patron in the club. Will true love triumph and bring them together, or will events force them apart yet again?

Olivia Hollingsworth isn’t your average club owner, she’s also a vampire. She’s quite an interesting vampire as well. After having lost the love of her life several centuries before, she decides that no other man will ever suffice so she instead throws herself into her work. Amazingly enough, she (usually) isn’t bitter about her choices. It does get to her sometimes, seeing those around her pairing off and getting married, but she always manages to pull through it. I was happy to see her find her mate again after so long.

Doug Paxton is just your average cop… one with a fiery, redheaded vixen of a dream lover, that is. When he meets his dream woman face-to-face, he’s both astounded and curious. I really liked Doug’s character. He’s adaptable, smart, and gorgeous. In other words, he’s perfect for a woman like Olivia, who is often full of surprises, not all of which are true. He has his moments of insanity though, mostly as things are being revealed to him, but he handles the shock of a lifetime rather well, considering.

Tall, Dark, and Vampire is an enjoyable romance that brings laughter, action and a steamy love story together in one novel. The author’s style is easy to read and her voice is light and humorous. I look forward to delving into the next Dead in the City installment to see what Ms. Humphreys has in store for Olivia, Doug, and the rest of their crew.

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