Endure by Laura Diamond

December 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ENDURE
Endure by Laura Diamond
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA
Length: Full Length (319 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Hollyhock

Seventeen-year-old Justin’s anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

To most of the immortal Vie, his blood is a scourge: untouchable and useless. To some Vie, his blood is a drug. To Justin, it’s something that gets him in a lot of trouble. Being poisoned by a Vie is just one example. His sister getting kidnapped is another. Whether it’s being coerced by a deluded cult leader, or negotiating with Alex—an Vie scientist addicted to Anemie blood—Justin struggles to keep every mutated drop of blood he’s got.

His fight for survival gets more complicated when he meets Alex’s slave, Cara. Despite coming from different worlds, they’re both prisoners, at risk of being drained by a hungry Vie any moment. When she risks her own neck to help Justin find his sister, he’s left with a terrifying choice.
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Saving what’s left of humanity.
Saving his sister. Saving the girl he loves.
Or sticking a stake in Alex’s chest.
Justin can’t decide which option will get him killed first.

When your mortal enemy swears to protect you, should you trust him? Or run for your life?

Endure is a dystopian adventure that tells the story of Justin, an Anemie trying to survive in a world where he faces both extinction and exploitation. When Justin and his little sister encounter Alex, a Vie ordered to kill them, their world turns upside down. Justin must figure out whether Alex is really trying to help them, as he says, or whether he’s just another immortal Vie bent on exterminating Anemies.

With so much YA aimed at female audiences, it’s refreshing to read a story told from a male protagonist’s point of view. Justin is a likable character, and the reader has no difficulty understanding his struggles to keep his sister and himself safe in a world gone horribly wrong. It’s easy to sympathize with his fear and agony as he tries to decide who is trustworthy, who is an enemy masquerading as a friend, and what course of action will involve hurting the fewest people close to him. I also like that the author brought an element of romance to the story as Justin befriends Cara, a human girl who is a slave to the Vie.

Although I enjoyed the story, I think I would have liked it more if the author had provided enough world building for me to fully understand what is at stake. I struggled to grasp not only the dynamic between the Vie and the Anemies, but who or what they are. Or why, since their blood is a drug to them, the Vie are trying to exterminate the Anemies. Part of the problem might be that the writing tended toward the elaborate, which often stretched out scenes and made the story feel as if it was dragging. Better world building could have made Endure more understandable, and a less-is-more approach to the writing could have improved the flow and made for a more involving read.

Overall, though, I think the author has created an interesting world and left the door open for intriguing sequels. I think any young reader who enjoys dystopian fiction will be interested in Endure.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Dragon Ugly by Selena Illyria

December 10, 2013 By 3 Comments

UGLY
Dragon Ugly by Selena Illyria
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (240 pages)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

Can a dragon shifter give more than just hot sex?

After Brent’s New Year’s fling with his friends Fletcher and Tor—and Tor’s mate Louisa—Brent is determined to find his own mate. His dragon wants him to find their mate, too, and if Brent doesn’t find a way to locate her soon, his dragon will take matters into his own talons. And that could spell trouble.

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Giving in to his dragon saps Brent of his focus and energy. Things are turning ugly—dragon ugly. How can he bond with his mate when his dragon only wants sex?

A dragon and a wolf walk into a bar… sounds like the start to a great paranormal joke but it’s a great plot for this book. I loved the idea of a town for paranormals where they can be safe to be who they really are.

I loved Brent, the dragon shifter. He’s compassionate, sexy and ready and willing to do anything for his mate, even wait to mate her, even if waiting is killing him.

Carissa is a wolf shifter, who is definitely a lone wolf when it comes to her life. All she has time for her is her shop, Scentify, and building it up. So watching her be thrown off track by her instant attraction to Brent was highly entertaining.

Brent and Carissa are meant for each other and the chemistry is off the charts. Brent brings out all the crazy repressed sexual feelings that Carissa has been hiding for so long. There is even a scene with one of Brent’s friends that is very sexy and worked for the story.

I definitely recommend this story for fans of unique shifter stories that are definitely on high end of the sex-o-meter.

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

Purr-fect Love by Heather M. Sharpe

December 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

PUSSY
Purr-fect Love by Heather M. Sharpe
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (115 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Hollyhock

With time running out, there’s no pussyfooting around…

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Cursed by a scorned lover for all eternity, Scottish clansman Morgan Felix resigns himself to living eleven months each year as a cat. Now, nearly a millennium later, he’s trapped in a cage at the animal shelter with no hope in sight. He has to escape before the first day of spring, when he’ll change back into his human form and find himself in a very tight squeeze. So when the pixie-like woman stops just outside the cage, he takes the situation into his own paws and reaches out to touch her hand…

Anyone might open her home to a stray cat, right? But extending that same courtesy to a stray (naked!) man? That might give any woman pause. Luckily for readers of Purr-fect Love, when Mahri Lassler is faced with that question, she never hesitates, and that generosity makes for a charming romance in Heather M. Sharpe’s enjoyable novella.

After a bad breakup, Mahri is looking for a little feline companionship in the local animal shelter, when a black cat grabs her hand and her heart. Smitten, she takes him home only to find he’s a much more challenging companion than she could have imagined. Mahri is an easy character to like. She’s emotionally wounded, but her kindness toward Morgan shows she hasn’t given up on life or men, despite her ex-fiancé’s betrayal. I must admit I found her generosity a little naive at times—it’s one thing to open your home to a down-on-his-luck stranger, but to let him live with you and not even balk when he wants to watch you get out of the shower? That goes a little beyond generosity in my book, but overall, it worked for the story and the situation.

Morgan Felix, the shifter at the heart of the story, is also an easy character to like. When he chooses his clan over his Scottish lover, she curses him to a feline existence for eleven months of the year, which he seems to accept with a fair amount of serenity (or perhaps after a thousand years of it, he’s just learned to cope). His determination to protect Mahri from his crazy life, as well as from anyone who might threaten her, is commendable and makes him a satisfying hero to read about. Their romance develops quickly, but it is never less than involving and believable.

If I found the writing a touch clunky at times and thought that, in such a short novella, the focus could have been a little tighter, it never took away from my enjoyment of this sweet story. I would especially recommend it for any cat lovers who like their stories with an element of the paranormal.

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

The Vanished Knight by M. Gerrick

November 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

KNIGHT
The Vanished Knight by M. Gerrick
The War of Six Crowns Book One
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA
Length: Full Length (310 Pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Since the death of her parents, Callan Blair has been shunted from one foster family to another, her dangerous secret forcing the move each time. Her latest foster family quickly ships her off to an exclusive boarding school in the Cumbrian countryside. While her foster-brother James makes it his mission to get Callan expelled, a nearby ancient castle holds the secret doorway to another land…

When Callan is forced through the doorway, she finds herself in the magical continent of Tardith, where she’s shocked to learn her schoolmates Gawain and Darrion are respected soldiers in service to the king of Nordaine, one of Tardith’s realms. More than that, the two are potential heirs to the Black Knight—Nordaine’s crown prince.
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But when the Black Knight fails to return from a mysterious trip, the realm teeters on the brink of war. Darrion and Gawain set out to find him, while Callan discovers there is more to her family history than she thought. The elves are claiming she is their princess.

Now with Darrion growing ever more antagonistic and her friendship with Gawain blossoming, Callan must decide whether to stay in Nordaine—where her secret grows ever more threatening—or go to the elves and uncover the truth about her family before war sets the realms afire.

Callan Blair’s parents died when she was eleven and since then, she has been shunted from one foster home to another, because of her dangerous secret. Her latest foster family ships her off to a boarding school in Cumbria, where her foster-brother, James, does his best to get her expelled. Before she knows it, she is forced through a doorway which lands her in another world, the magical continent of Tardith, where she finds her fellow classmates, Gawain and Darrion. They are soldiers in service to the aging king of Nordaine, one of the kingdoms in Tardith.

M. Gerrick has written a fast-paced action story with plenty of intrigue and suspense. Callan discovers a bit about her heritage and she wants to know more. Darrion doesn’t trust her, but Gawain has fallen for her. And meanwhile, there is her dangerous secret which forces Callan to keep her distance from anyone she might care about.

The characters in this novel are fully developed and I really liked Callan. She is in a strange world with a lot of unanswered questions, but she still holds her own and even helps the very people who distrust her. Most of the novel takes place in Tardith, and I couldn’t help wondering whether or not she would ever get back to school, but I was definitely pulled into all the intrigue surrounding the aging king and his possible heirs. This novel is very hard to put down and the pages turn themselves.

Whenever an author creates another world, the author must be sure to describe it in enough detail so that the reader is drawn into it, and Gerrick truly succeeds with this. The world of Tardith and the realm of Nordaine seem just as real as the Cumbrian countryside and the boarding school.

This is the first novel in a series, and I cannot wait for the next as this one ends with a lot to be discovered. Readers of fantasy are sure to enjoy following Callan on her quest to learn about her parents and to discover how to handle her secret.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Party Crasher by April Angel

November 11, 2013 By 1 Comment

PARTY
Party Crasher by April Angel
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (101 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Fetish, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

She crashed his party and became his prize…

According to one annoying Drex Callum, Chris is a “nosy reporter.” And maybe she is. She’s heard of the super secretive event known as the Seduction Party, and she won’t be content until she finds a way in. The last thing she expects to find is that Drex is the host. She’ll never get an invitation from her nemesis—unless she finds a way to get one herself. And breaking into his house is nothing if it means getting the scoop. But what she gets instead is an eye-full of the man himself, half-naked and more than she’d ever dreamed he could be in all her teenage fantasies.

Drex has been fantasizing about Chris forever, and now that she’s a grown woman, he still has a hard time treating her like one. So when she shows up at the Seduction Party—on the auction chair!—he’s got no other choice but to teach that nosey woman a lesson. He never dreamed sex could be like this, with Chris in his room, tied to a bed, asking him for stuff that blows his mind…

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As a girl, I had an older brother who brought friends home. This novella is all my young fantasies come true! I used to have crushes on his friends… some of those crushes lasted until adulthood. In this fast paced novella, we meet Chris who is a persistent journalist and Drex who is her fantasy as well as her brother’s best friend and business partner. The way the author describes Drex makes it easy to see why Chris was so totally in lust with him.

At the heart of the story is her determination to be invited (or to crash) The Seduction Party. These parties are very exclusive and only the holder of a black invitation may attend. She is dying to know what happens at these parties so she can blow the lid on them. The antics Chris goes through to get her story are a little too much. At times, I thought she might have been a little immature.

Thankfully, Drex is just as attracted and protective of Chris. He intervenes at the “auction” to ensure he will be the winner. This sets up the plot for a seduction that leaves them both amazed. This was an enjoyable read although some of the incidents were a little far-fetched.

Regardless, the story moves at a quick pace and was fun to read. This appears to be the first book by Ms. Angel and it shows potential. She leaves room for a follow up story that is sure to be just as hot if it’s centered around the same party scene. Readers who want it hot, fast and uncomplicated will likely enjoy Party Crashers.

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

At Drogan’s Command by Selena Illyria

October 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DROGAN
At Drogan’s Command by Selena Illyria
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short story (111 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Forced Seduction, Fetish, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism, Masturbation
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

He commands her body…but can he win her heart?

Who knew one little disc could cause so much trouble? Certainly not Rena, until the disc in question—the one in which she lives out every sexual fantasy she’s ever had, including a few inspired by her crush, Captain Drogan Carter—falls into the wrong hands. Drogan’s. Rena is desperate to get it back—she can’t let him know all her darkest, dirtiest secrets…

When Drogan finds the disc and watches the very private contents, his first feeling is guilt. But that guilt soon turns to a raw, sexual need to have the wanton, carefree Rena in his bed. He knows she’ll never come to him willingly, but once he gets her, he’ll have plenty of time to win her over, and to prove to her that reality can be so much better than fantasy. But first he needs a plan, a way to get her right where he wants her: at his command.

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There is a very solid reason why they can’t reveal the truth. Both Drogan and Rena are sticklers for the rules and regulations of their jobs. That causes no end of issues. They both respect each other, and are very very careful not to do or say anything that might be misconstrued. Because they are so good at what they do, neither of them knows that the other feels the same way. The author used their circumstances to effectively drive up the sexual tension to amazing levels. The way Ms. Illyria uses her imagination is so hot, she should have a neon warning sign somewhere over her head in a thought bubble with a caution statement about spontaneous combustion.

This author knows her way around writing a sex scene and in At Drogan’s Command, a reader has plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wishes and fantasies of both Drogan and Rena. Although it’s mentioned and hinted about more than two people having fun, the actual action remains just with the two of them. That was fine for me.

As well written and numerous as the physical scenes are, and most erotic romance readers will gobble up this book, I prefer more actual hero to heroine sex versus wishful thinking. Well, in Rena’s case, and this being a science fiction erotic fantasy, she has more than imagination to work with, which was quite interesting. I just felt those particular types of scenes rob the characters of emotional growth when there’s more alone time satisfaction versus a man and a woman actually doing the touching and exploring of each other. I sort of wished more time was actually spent with them together in reality. As it was, when they did finally reveal all and come together, the author wasted no time in making sure a reader was satisfied with their ultimate joining. The quality of writing is never in question.

There weren’t too many secondary characters of note except Jason. He was a plot instigator. The dialogue got the job done and it was through the characters internal dialogue that I was provided with most of the insight I gleaned about the main characters’ feelings for themselves and their circumstances.

On the whole, At Drogan’s Command is a sexy yarn that delivers a sensual tale with a satisfying happy ever after. If a reader is looking for a story that sizzles and pops, this book has the scenes to provide it. It’s light on drama but big on fun.

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

The Mortality of Nathan Quinn by W.J. McCabe

October 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MORTALITY
The Mortality of Nathan Quinn by W.J. McCabe
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (67 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Can an act of self-destruction be the key to redemption?

Nathan Quinn despises nearly all of humanity, but he hates one person even more—himself. On the verge of taking his own life, Nathan is introduced to a mysterious figure, a Mortality Dealer, who congratulates Nathan on his impending suicide. What’s more, he seeks to recruit Nathan as a purveyor of death. Nathan’s choice is simple: he can either accept the MD’s offer and learn if he has what it takes to deal out mortality, or he can take a chance on what may—or may not—await him after death…

Second chances offer no guarantee that they will work out. Everything that caused Nathan to attempt suicide is still with him. Will he be able to take advantage of the opportunity the mysterious stranger offers, or will his past keep him from making better decisions?
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Nathan is an easy guy to hate. He’s selfish, misanthropic, and believes the world revolves around his life. The way he reacts to the unusual proposition offered to him by a stranger made me wonder if there was more to him than I had originally assumed. Not every protagonist needs to be likeable, and this author created a troubled, cynical character I soon grew to appreciate because of his rough edges instead of in spite of them.

Setting up the backstory and propelling Nathan into the next chapter of his life absorbed the first third of the plot. In a longer novella or full length novel this would have been the perfect introduction, but a piece this length spending so much time setting up the rules of Nathan’s new life lead to pacing problems. As interested as I was in the premise I had trouble concentrating on these scenes because they slowed things down so much.

I was also concerned by the assertion that suicide is a selfish act. Only someone in an excruciating amount of emotional or physical pain would seriously attempt to end their lives. People who are thinking clearly don’t resort to drastic measures like these. Nathan’s selfishness is clearly evident in other decisions he makes. His suicide attempt is tragic, but it’s related to his dangerously poor state of mental health at the time instead of an indictment of his character.

Once everything was explained I quickly became engrossed in the rest of the story. The unsettling climax left me yearning for more. While all of the important questions were answered satisfactorily, the author leaves ample room for this world to be revisited in the future. The small, completely believable changes in Nathan’s personality alone are reason enough for me to hope there is a sequel in the works.

The Mortality of Nathan Quinn was full of surprises. This is a good choice for readers who like gritty science fiction with a twist.

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

The Chieftain’s Daughter by Leia Rice

October 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

CHEIFTAN
The Chieftain’s Daughter by Leia Rice
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (128 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Forced Seduction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Verbena

Sex slave to the tribe’s sworn enemy…

When Ishara, daughter of the mighty Oolani chieftain, is captured by an enemy tribe, she becomes a coveted war prize—a slave for the victorious Manahotchi chieftain, Mechan. She’s immediately drawn to his troubled past and to his large, strong body, and as his golden-skinned women prepare her for him, she’s introduced to pleasures she’s never known. But she refuses to submit to the man who destroyed her people. Even though he makes her burn with desire. Even though her body belongs to him.

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Is she a slave to the man or a slave to her own passions? That is the question Ishara must ask herself as each day she’s held captive, her feelings begin to change from hatred to sympathy and finally, adoration for the Manahotchi chief.

Ishara is used to the plush life of being the Oolani chieftain’s daughter. Her people love and respect her, and wait on her every need. Having been sheltered from the cruelty of war and slavery, she’s completely out of her element when she becomes the unwilling captive and sex slave of the Manahotchi tribe’s chief, Mechan. He’s an enemy to her people, and more specifically, her father. Ishara knows she should hate Mechan with every fiber of her being. And yet, despite his coarse treatment and moodiness, she begins to see a deep rooted pain in him the people of his own tribe don’t perceive. This proud chieftain carried a sorrow so deep, it had robbed him of his zest for life. Ishara struggles with wanting to rekindle the fire in his heart, but knows to even ponder such is a slight to her father and her tribe.

Mechan has no care for the spoils of war. But when his son presents him with the daughter of his enemy, he finds a long lost interest suddenly piqued. Painted gold, her naked and supple body moved with the grace and agility of a she-cat. With her long hair knotted in dreadlocks and her strange eye-color, Mechan finds himself drawn to this girl in ways he cares not to admit. She’s willful, stubborn, argumentative and questions him about things he doesn’t want to discuss. Yet, at the same time, her persistence, gentleness, and honesty begin to break through his stony heart.

The Chieftain’s Daughter initially starts out with a passive voice and not the bang I’d hoped for. I struggled for the first page or so as I attempted to overlook this and give the story a chance. Removing the repetitive use of “was” in favor of a more active tone would improve the beginning tremendously. However, the storyline itself intrigued me enough to continue reading. Maybe I’m just a sap for stories with women kidnapped by gorgeous ruffians bent on seduction, but I found myself eagerly reading this book, despite some of its flaws. There were places where the wrong form of words were used (hear vs. here); sex scenes that felt unnecessary, seemed uncharacteristic of the character, or just didn’t make much sense; and situations with inconsistencies. Things like this really stood out as I read, and yet I felt compelled to continue. This was one of those stories where I found myself thinking, “This is good. If only the author could tweak it a bit, it would be great.” If you like these sorts of stories, this is a good one and I can honestly say I enjoyed it.

There are scenes of forced seduction, domination, and attempted rape, so prospective readers should take note as those situations may be offensive to some. Ms. Rice does a nice job with character development and setting. I saw both Mechan and Ishara become better people because of their relationship with each other and their surrounding circumstances. The author does not overpitch secondary characters to the point that they hog the show. They interact and create just the right amount of tension and excitement to move the plot along and make it interesting. The ending is surprising and adds a nice touch to the fantasy aspect. With some improvement in passive vs. active writing and a little more editing, Ms. Rice could surely be an author to watch.

Complex characters that carry deep emotional scars in need of healing and an enjoyable plot line that invokes a gamut of reactions makes The Chieftain’s Daughter a worthwhile read.

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Blood of Isis by Elizabeth Otto

September 20, 2013 By 1 Comment

ISIS
Blood of Isis by Elizabeth Otto
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (352 pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Daisy

When a designer drug rocks the small town of New Brighton and makes junkies spontaneously combust, Paramedic Jayda Swenson suspects the super-methamphetamine her husband created before his death has resurfaced. She’s worked hard to create a safe, tidy life and put her meth-ravaged past behind her. Jayda has a secret to keep and her new life is the perfect cover. But when tourists start disappearing and charred body remains crop up, Jayda learns the hard way that this drug doesn’t just fry people’s minds—it also fuels demons.

Luckily, the sexy new medic, Ben Tierney, is a demon-hunter in disguise, except his demon-busting powers don’t work so well anymore. Until he realizes Jayda’s touch can refuel the energy he’s lost—a touch she’s not so willing to dish out. Now Jayda finds herself wedged between an ancient demon that knows her past and her secret, and Ben, who has plenty of secrets of his own. Fighting to hold onto her carefully controlled life, Jayda must decide if she’ll let Ben help her defeat the demons who threaten to infect the town by the 4th of July—even if it means exposing her true self and losing everything. Again.

How did EMTs and the supernatural get mixed up? This is only the start of a series of surprises in Elizabeth Otto’s novel. Four times, I thought I had the plot fixed in my head and everything worked out…then I was proved wrong. It’s hard for authors to do this continually without the surprises becoming predictable or unrealistic but Otto manages this balance perfectly.
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Jayda is introduced to a new world slowly and only learns a little at a time but the reader knows far more about Ben and his background. We are lead to believe we know everything and yet, multiple times, are mislead. Even the evil character in this book surprises. Otto uses different techniques to achieve this – foreshadowing and not mentioning certain things and people among them. What is really great to see is how invisible this craft is, hiding the warning subtly rather than framing it with bookends. I often didn’t realise something big and new was coming until it did.

In addition, the surprises work around a hot romance. Jayda and Ben have initial hiccoughs but the bedroom activity made me sweat with their passion. They are a hot headed couple who often get angry and argue but they work it out and this interchange leaves me more than a little boneless as I read. Their romance is not one for those who can’t take the pressure of frequent (and descriptive) sex but it is great if you like lust and broken emotional barriers.

There is the odd typo here and there but this does not detract from the reading. The only thing holding me back from giving this book a full rating is the speed of plot progression in the last scenes. The connections and explanations of the surprises sprung on the reader are hastily drawn together with little time to dwell on each new piece of information. I also thought Jayda’s final climatic decision during the last face off with evil was badly thought through by her and therefore uncharacteristic of her usually methodical character.

However, Otto’s book holds together and shows a wealth of information and detail about the medical profession. There is brilliant description of both hospitals and the medical life as well as the slum, druggy life and its effects. The novel contains a passion for humankind – their sorrows and regrets, at all ages, with no judgement as to which one is worse- which stands out. There is a message to be had here in that we can all be changed to good as well as find new love, no matter how deep our sorrows and pain.

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Secret Desire by Susan D. Taylor

September 13, 2013 By 2 Comments

DESIRE
Secret Desire by Susan D. Taylor
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (141 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

The problem with twins is that they look so much alike…

By day, Claire Robertson is a staff writer for a small publication in Seattle. But when the lights go down, she writes sizzling and oh-so-naughty erotica. She keeps these stories safely tucked away, hiding her secret fantasies of her hero, Dustin Murray. The man who stole her heart six years ago before becoming involved with her sister, Fran.

Dustin never forgot Claire or the extent that he hurt her. Nor has he forgotten that her sister’s threats have kept him silent for six years and cost him the woman he loved. Now that Claire’s returned home, Dustin isn’t about to lose her again. But it’ll be another thing to convince Claire he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to win her back.

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Sibling rivalry at its worst can be more than cause to break the heart. When your twin sister goes after your boyfriend and takes him as her own, you would say that would be unforgivable.

Claire has lived all these years under Fran’s shadow. She has survived so far by staying as far away as possible from her sister. Claire lives in Seattle and Fran in New York. Personality wise, they could not be more different. Regardless, they are both identical twins and that can definitely dampen individualism between the sisters.

Now that their parents have died in a car accident, it is up to the sisters to sort out the estate. They must go back home and face not only the loss of their parents, but all the buried emotions they have both dreaded to face.

I found Dustin (the boyfriend from high school) endearing and adorable. He is a successful businessman now and has finally grown to realize the missed opportunity for a life-long love with Claire. What ensues is a battle of wills to clear the past, claim his love and secure his future happiness.

The beginning of the book, I found a little confusing. After reading the first few chapters, I was able to figure out what was going on. From that point on, the story developed nicely. It has a happily ever after and that is a fitting end for our lovers.

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