Siren’s Call by Jayne Castle

September 7, 2015 By Leave a Comment

CALL
Siren’s Call by Jayne Castle
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Action/Adventure Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (246 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

In the mysterious world of Harmony, there are places filled with unexplored marvels. But Rainshadow Island isn’t about to give up its secrets…

In the alien catacombs of Rainshadow, there are creatures whose compelling songs lure the unwary to their death. That’s why Rafe Coppersmith, hired to clear out the catacombs for exploration, needs a music talent. He’s knows the perfect one, but she probably doesn’t want anything do with him…

Ella Morgan had once fallen hard and fast for Rafe, but then he disappeared for months…and he’s not about to tell her why. Ella, too, has secrets that only her dust bunny knows. She’s not just a music talent, she’s a Siren: a paranormal singer capable of singing men to sleep—or to their deaths.

But once on Rainshadow, Rafe and Ella will learn that surrendering to passion doesn’t come without risks—and fighting fire with fire only adds to the flame…

The dust bunny in Siren’s Call cracked me up. She dragged that wedding veil everywhere! I love their attachments to bling. Dust bunnies never cease to amaze and amuse which only enhance the stories they are found in. In this adventure, Ella and Rafe are two unlikely people who meet under the weirdest and dangerous of situations. Lorelei, the dust bunny, is a fluffy heroine from the get-go. She and her new partner, Ella, become a vital team especially once the heroine, Ella, finds herself in a pickle where only a dust bunny’s alien talents can save the day. Even big, hunky, alpha, chip-on-his-shoulder Rafe had to agree.

I always enjoy my visits to Ms. Castle’s planet Harmony because it’s always so unusual and surprising. Each book takes place where a discovery of alien influence occurs and this one is no exception. What was surprising were the dinosaurs. I actually felt bad for them once Ella figures out what is going on, and what had happened in the past. But that didn’t stop them from being significant reasons for fear, drama and action.

Another thing I enjoy about Ms. Castle’s stories is how she weaves villains in, leaving red herrings to distract a reader while drawing us closer and closer to the real plot conflict and motivation behind the criminal activity. There’s always someone who is so villainous, they’d be eligible to join the “injustice league” but Superman can’t be found here on Rainshadow. Only Rafe and his fevered dreams, which, incidentally, turn out to be sort of like a superpower. It took Ella’s faith and confidence in him to stop fighting it and embrace what he feared. Once he does, the hero works wonders. I adore the scenario of a hero or heroine being supported by the ones who love them to such a degree that they accomplish feats unimaginable to them prior. Ella does that for Rafe. I’d call that a superpower too.

Humorous dust bunny antics aside, the story does have its moments of seriousness and mystery. There’s action, suspense, and donuts. Yes, donuts are a serious business but only by reading the book will a reader understand why. You could have knocked me down with a feather.

I greatly enjoyed it when Rafe and Ella finally got together. I also found it amusing as to how hard it was for Rafe to give in to his falling in love with Ella. The more they fight it, the harder they fall and that applies to the hero. Entertaining reading, for sure.

Siren’s Call is another excellent adventure on Rainshadow Island and not to be missed by fans of the series. I think this could be read as a standalone because it does focus primarily on Ella and Rafe with only vague references of past stories of the supporting cast.

Ms. Castle has another winner on her hands with this one and I definitely recommend it. A fan’s bookshelf would not be complete without a copy of Siren’s Call added to it. I have it on mine.

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

Innocent Next Door by Shelley Munro

September 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment

DOOR
Innocent Next Door by Shelley Munro
Military Men 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (178 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Adventure is Summer William’s mission!

Life in a small town is comfortable, but living with her loving and overprotective family means it lacks adventure. And forget romance with two interfering army brothers around. It’s time to leave the cozy nest. Her grandiose plans come to a grinding halt when she becomes innocently involved with a crime boss, then she bumps heads and lips with her uncle’s sexy but very bossy neighbor.

Special Air Services soldier Nikolai Tarei owes his neighbor a favor, but looking out for his twenty-two year old niece is stretching friendship too far. She’s a virgin and her sex appeal, sassiness and brazen disregard for safety have Nikolai scrambling to protect both her and his battered heart.

Summer is a librarian who’s a whiz at research. Now she’s ready to try out the sex toys and sexual positions she’s researched. The woman is tying Nikolai in sensual knots and driving him crazy—in and out of bed. But he’s enjoying the journey, and suddenly he’s thinking about making his Summer babysitting assignment a full time commitment—if only he can persuade her to see things his way.

It’s said that if you take the sex out of a book and you still have a good story then it’s well written. Add the sex back in and the story potentially becomes even better, depending on how those scenes are delivered. Ms. Munro presents readers with a sure pleaser on every level because this novel rocks with the sex or without – the romantic suspense in Innocent Next Door is gripping and intense but when Nikolai and Summer finally succumb to their passions it’s as hot and spicy as an erotic reader could wish. I really enjoyed myself and loved the whole concept behind their romance.

What stood out for me besides the well written protagonists, excellent descriptions of environment and the setting of the stage for the conflict was how Ms. Munro addressed the violence and threats that Summer and Nikolai had to face. The hero and his buddies, as well as Summer’s two brothers, are military, SAS soldiers. That stands for Special Air Service; I had to look it up. In this book, there were no shootings or guns tipping the scales one way or the other. After reading about those soldiers, it’s completely believable to me that Nikolai and the rest are lethal weapons themselves and they don’t need hardware to take the bad guys down. I was very impressed with the SAS I read about in real life and I completely agree with Ms. Munro’s choice to highlight how perfect these men are as heroes. They are on par with the US’s Navy SEALS. After meeting Jake and Louie, Josh and Dillon, I can’t wait to read more in the world of the Military Men series the author has created. After seeing them in action in Innocent Next Door I’m honestly fascinated and eager for more.

That being said, the heroine, Summer, might be young but she’s not entirely innocent. She has a protective family that trained her in the basics, and she takes self-defense classes, but it’s her way with books that charmed me. I liked her sass, her confidence and her willingness to own her own actions, even when she messes up, and boy, does she ever. Her decision making process is influenced by her youth but another admirable aspect is her determination to take responsibility when it needs doing, she just has a tendency to not wait for ‘expert opinions’. She wants to stand on her own two feet, and that’s a commendable trait, but not when she gets in over her head, which she does. That is her role in the conflict and she navigates it well because she has help, eventually.

Nikolai is a yummy hero. Even injured, he’s a take charge kind of guy with a noble heart. That nobility is put to the test when in the presence of a tantalizing and nubile Summer as she wreaks havoc with all his good intentions. That man/woman conflict makes for some excellent reading and many opportunities for laughter and giggles. Until, it turns sultry and giggles turn to moans. That is good too.

I think many readers will find this book totally and completely perfect but my rating is a result of my personal preference on not liking dream sequences that give extremely detailed descriptions of a sexual encounter that isn’t real. The fireworks between Summer and Nikolai are flammable and intriguing enough that I prefer to read about things when they really happen to them. On the upside, it was actually short and the author does handle it well, I just don’t like them.

What I did like were the lighthearted moments. I usually don’t have a reason to laugh about condoms in a romance story but I sure giggled a lot in Innocent Next Door because of what Summer says and does regarding them. Poor Nikolai. And there I go, grinning again. There’s a great sense of humor woven in this tale too and it’s showcased through dialogue and actions. It was very entertaining.

Innocent Next Door has to be one of the best examples of Ms. Munro’s talent. It has everything an erotic romantic suspense reader could want. The plot is exciting, the characters are awesome and all I wanted at the end of the book was more. I enthusiastically recommend Innocent Next Door to all readers who like action, excitement, a well-developed romance and a happy ever after that leaves a booklover satisfied. This is a winner.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Shadows Strike by Dianne Duvall

August 31, 2015 By 1 Comment

STRIKE
Shadows Strike by Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra Books/ Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (411 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The Immortal Guardians protect the innocent in secret. Sometimes the secret gets out…

U.S. law enforcement agent Heather Lane can read minds. But not the future. The dream of battle and blood that recurs every night must be a fluke, some obscure terror from her own mind. What its significance might be, she can’t guess: an attack from seven psychotic vampires at once, only separated from nightmare by an eighth very different immortal. A handsome, brave man fighting at her side, a man she misses when she wakes.

Then the dream comes true. Heather is flung into a war between predators and protectors of humanity, the man from her dreams beside her again. Except now that she’s awake, she isn’t sure she can trust Ethan, or the shadow organization he represents. The U.S. military doesn’t trust either of them. But against an onslaught of evil like the one that’s coming, it will take everything they have just to survive…

Ms. Duvall is the mistress of page flipping excitement. You have no idea how many breath stealing, heart pounding, nail biting chapters fill this latest book in her Immortal Guardian series. Shadows Strike is beyond the classic ‘must read’ recommendation. It’s so much better! Each chapter created an addiction for more, and the most wonderful part of that, is that Ms. Duvall delivered and satisfied that craving. This novel rocked!

The story starts with Heather’s premonition of her meeting Ethan. Right off the bat, the author creates an unusual way for a heroine and hero to meet. It makes an indelible impression but it’s only the beginning. The revelations, the action, the worries, the fears, the determination to survive and protect, the wonder, the beauty, the sword fights, and the camaraderie that populate most chapters simply astound a reader. All those things and more provide depth and breadth to the plot and characters that are on stage. Shadows Strike is a big book, a busy book but time ceases to have meaning when a reader is immersed is this extremely well written and awesome novel. Please give yourself plenty of time to sit and enjoy because if you’re anything like me, you won’t want to stop; you won’t be able to, it’s that remarkable.

I honestly have no negatives to convey. This book is perfect. The dialogue, the descriptions and most of all, the surprises, totally and completely worked. Not all the surprises were good, some were downright deadly. Some took the main characters completely unaware and they fought for their lives, more than once. One completely floored me and greatly affected Heather and her relationship to Ethan. I never saw it coming.

The most adorable moments came from a tiny baby. I simply adored those scenes because Adira was the bright spot that brought charm and levity in an otherwise serious story. Her little character showed that no matter how gruff, tough and deadly the immortals are, they are also capable of tenderness, affection, gentleness and love and it was proved every time they held her, or protected her. For such a wee thing, she had a strong presence.

Heather and Ethan as a couple are wonderful together. I enjoyed their dynamics, their dialogue and how they fell in love. When they finally succumb to their physical passions, it was hot, delightful and well written. I was very happy to see Ethan finally in love.

Secondary characters abound and most are from the previous books. I’m really feeling sad for Aiden. I hope he gets his happy ever after soon. He’s such a good guy, he deserves it. Then again, so does Seth. But what kind of woman would be his equal? I hope someday to find out. As it is, every single character, including Zach and Lisette, play pivotal supporting roles that help support and foster Ethan and Heather’s growing relationship.

Shadows Strike proves once again that Ms. Duvall is a masterful storyteller. Its drama and suspense kept me on edge but the romance made me melt. I can’t get enough of this world that Ms. Duvall has created. When I am reading her books, I feel like I’m right there, and it’s exactly where I want to be.

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

When a Beta Roars by Eve Langlais

August 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

TBETA
When a Beta Roars by Eve Langlais
A Lion’s Pride #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (144 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

How degrading. Stuck babysitting a woman because his alpha said so. As Pride Beta, he has better things to do with his time, like washing his impressive mane, hunting down thugs for fun, and chasing tail—sometimes his own if his lion is feeling playful.

But his babysitting job takes an unexpected turn when the woman he’s assigned guard duty over turns out to be his mate.

A female threatened by an outside wolf pack.

A woman he wants to call his own.

A mate who doesn’t fall for his charm.

Usually Beta’s leave the roaring to the Pride’s alpha, but in this case given his level of frustration, he might have to make an exception. And if anyone doesn’t like it, they can kiss his furry tail.
Rawr!

Since when do the words, ‘sad meow’ and ‘rawr!’ make me giggle? When I read stories by Ms. Langlais, that’s when. The author intersperses clever kitty witticisms throughout the novelette that charmed me. I enjoy that her characters are human but their other self is just as prominent and causes no end of consternation for the main protagonists and fun times for a reader. Hayder’s feline self is very impatient, but the author mated him to Arabella, a woman who tests his patience mightily. The reason why is what gives this story depth, meaning and the urge to never stop reading until the very end.

The conflict in the story is serious but the author never let it get dark or scary – it’s just enough for the hero to be a hero, and enough for the heroine to finally stand up for herself and be the woman she always was meant to be.

Hayder comes across as a bit of a laidback slacker initially but he seriously gets his act together when it counts and I was very impressed. He’s no slouch in the protection department and when he loves, it’s all out. Arabella is one lucky wolf.

Secondary characters provide a nice sense of community, occasions for humor and hilarity, and support for Hayder and Arabella when they need it most.

My favorite dilemma between the hero and heroine is her being allergic to him. Her sneezes were the perfect comic foil. I liked the uniqueness of that and laughed many times.

When a Beta Roars is a wonderful romantic comedy with a sexy, dramatic edge. It’s a perfect book to spend an afternoon with when in the mood for lighthearted entertainment with just a hint of darkness to spice up the action. Hayder and Arabella are wonderful together and I enjoyed every moment I spent with them. In a nutshell, When a Beta Roars is pure fun.

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

Dinner for Three by Camille Anthony

August 24, 2015 By Leave a Comment

THREE
Dinner for Three by Camille Anthony
(Agency of Extraordinary Mates)
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (97 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Ménage
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Locked out of her office by her business partners, an overworked and rundown Michelle Rios accepts a vacation to Chimera Island to escape unwanted mothering. She’s not looking for love, though she’d love a taste of the two hunky chefs she used to watch on the gourmet channel. Rumor has it they’ve retired to the mysterious island.

Twin brothers Jonathan and Jason Corelli run Chimera Island’s best restaurant. Naturally, they’re not human. One a Vampire, the other a Werewolf, they’ve been cursed by a meddlesome Sorcerer. According to the Sorcerer, the woman who completes them is soon to arrive on Chimera. She alone can help them break the sorcerer’s curse.

The Corelli twins come as a package deal. For some women, that might be a problem, but Michelle’s up to the challenge. She’s willing to let them wine and dine her for two weeks, tempting her with a sensual feast of prime loin, and whetting her hunger for a double-decker sandwich ala Corelli, but is this workaholic ready to give up the “Real World” she left behind for two extraordinary men?

In this tale things are not as they appear and not as believed which made for some interesting reading. Jonathan is the vampire and Jason is the werewolf, or are they? Ms. Anthony presented an interesting twist on twins and I found it fascinating.

A reader will find a plethora of paranormal surprises as the mystery of the curse that plagues the two heroes is eventually resolved. The dilemma that the heroine, Chelle, faces isn’t solely about being able to love the two men at the same time. No, the author has another more dire decision for her to make and it becomes clear upon meeting her mysterious potential mother-in-law. Personally, I didn’t like the heroes’ mom at all. At first she seemed alright, until she started with her story – then I found her rather selfish. I’m glad Chelle had a few choice words for her; I felt the same.
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The editing was fine in this tale and the descriptions of the island’s environs sounded beautiful and a place I’d love to visit. Dialogue kept the pace of the story going smoothly and it got quite heated when Chelle, Jon and Jason finally commit to the physical tango. Erotic romance readers should find enough to enjoy because the author provided a lot of threesome action. Perhaps the author waxed a bit poetic with some of the descriptions, and was a bit enthusiastic with all the dialogue during the sex or loving which felt a bit overdone but they were still fun to read.

The one area that I should perhaps give a heads up about is only a few paragraphs but some readers might appreciate knowing. Chelle has to accept both men in all their facets and that includes time spent with a furry Jason – wolf and woman. Ms. Anthony made sure to inject emotion and sympathy for Jason’s plight so when the reality of them coming together happened it was more erotic than it otherwise would have been. Here too, the author was creatively and enthusiastically descriptive.

As with any good romance, there’s a happy ever after, but the author was clever and kept me dangling for a bit. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen so I was especially intrigued and fascinated. I’m happy with the outcome and thought the last sentence cute and clever. Dinner for Three was an entertaining short story, and a nice way to relax for an afternoon especially with an ice cold beverage, extra on the ice.

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

Armored Hearts by Angela Knight

August 20, 2015 By 2 Comments

HEARTS
Armored Hearts by Angela Knight
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (94 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Forced Seduction, Fetish, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Captivity makes the heart grow kinkier…

When interstellar mercenary Captain Nick Rand rescues a beautiful enemy from his own men, he thinks she’s the answer to his vampire prayers. On the verge of starvation thanks to the destruction of his hemosynther, he’s in desperate need of a female blood donor.

Lieutenant Zara Tahir needs Nick Rand as badly as he needs her. Without Nick’s blood, Zara’s overactive immune system will kill her.

But Zara has no intention of embracing captivity. While she’s willing to exchange blood for blood, maybe even play a kinky game or two with the handsome vampire dominant, he’s still the enemy. She can’t allow herself to see him as anything more.

Then Rand’s enemies make things a lot more complicated…

I give high marks for the stunningly imaginative sex scene that Ms. Knight created in Armored Hearts. Because this is science fiction, the author was able to let her imagination run wild and what she came up with was sexy, titillating, exciting and completely unique. If I could have an experience like that just once, I’m pretty sure I’d probably end up speaking gibberish because the afterglow would be so overwhelming, if I could speak at all. The description was mind blowing. The story is really good but this scene is the brightest gem in the treasure chest.

Zara and Rand are on opposite sides of a conflict. The author created the sense of otherworldliness by word usage and references to objects that are common place to her characters but are pure science fiction fantasy and it was a lot of fun seeing what Ms. Knight came up with. Yet, the war that Zara is fighting in and the villains she’s fighting against parallel our own earthly struggles. It was easy to connect and relate to the heroine’s devotion to fight. Rand, on the other hand, isn’t on the villain’s side because he believes in the cause, but because he’s a paid fighter. He has a brain and a stronger moral fiber than the minions around him. As such, the hero comes to the decision that money isn’t everything. Sometimes a person has to take a stand against injustice and vicious tyranny but it becomes even easier when you have something beyond yourself to fight for. In this case, love. Tara’s ‘it’ for him, but they’re surrounded by the bad guys, so how is he going to get them both out alive? The hero has a plan. That was fun reading.

Except for a few missing word blips in the editing, this short story is flawless. Ms. Knight manages to give a reader a meaty plot, a noble cause, exciting shoot ‘em ups and examples of vampire fighting prowess. The author also gives erotic romance readers plenty of eroticism to enjoy and be entertained by, and they were placed within the story where they played a role in developing the relationship between Rand and Zara. Whenever I read a book written by Ms. Knight, I am always satisfied on so many levels. She gives her characters heart, she gives readers a reason to care, and love is always the greatest reward.

If a reader is seeking a short story that has the taste and feel of a full novel, but takes a fraction of the time to read and enjoy, then pick up a copy of Armored Hearts. It’s a sure pleaser.

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

The Vampire’s Bat by Tigertalez

August 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment

BAT
The Vampire’s Bat by Tigertalez
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (130 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

When the mystery visitor he has been scenting for just over a week suddenly appears in his infirmary, wearing only his shirt, Seamus’s bonding instinct slams into him hard. But Maysa has been an experimental test subject and has developed a fear of needles so severe she cannot get past his fangs, and this delays their bonding. The delay sends him into a coma, and his only possible salvation is the blood of his beloved, who is still afraid of his fangs.

Maysa’s shifter scenting ability is off, so she can’t be sure Seamus is really her mate. Still, with other shifters, including her family, stuck in the hell she escaped from, and a perverted, sick and twisted hunter after her, she reaches out to Seamus. Placing her trust in his hands, she learns two very important things: don’t let your fear hold you back, and when it comes to her, Seamus is no mild mannered medic. He’s a force to be reckoned with.

The title snagged me but the story kept me. It’s a very busy yet fascinating book that brings together many elements of what makes a tale entertaining. Action, suspense, heroic actions and two diverse people coming together to fall in love amidst trying times are just some of the highlights that I enjoyed.

Seamus and Maysa are two vastly different kinds of people, literally. Yet, they have a lot in common, not just that they are destined mates but because of the fields they worked in. It made sense and in came in handy when the plot crisis hit.

I believe this book is smack dab in the middle of a series yet I didn’t feel lost. In fact, I thought the way the author caught me up to speed was clever. It almost came across like an info dump but in essence it was getting Maysa up to speed and her reaction and mine were the same, Wow! What was different is that it made Maysa feel guilty for adding to the pack’s challenges, while I was left with the feeling I should really read the back stories. They sounded exciting!

I enjoyed meeting all the people that were in Seamus’ world and found them pleasing and personable. I liked the feeling of support, camaraderie, caring and love that seemed to abound on various levels. These were people that were survivors, and they had a lot of love to give others. That was more than apparent when the group pulled together to perform a daring rescue. What they found was horrible, tragic and what amounts to a declaration of war. I like how everything was handled but there certainly were a lot of people to keep track of.

The point of view was mainly between the main protagonists, Seamus and Maysa. It was their growing relationship that was the focus of the story but there were a few sub-plots in there too. This book was better than a soap opera because I got closure on quite a few of them. There was even a short bit from Max’s POV, but I think that was a possible lead in to a future story. Sure sounded like it would be interesting.

The dialogue fit the characters, the writing was perfect and the villain was wonderfully evil and unrepentant. If he’s a symptom of the greater evil, then this series has the capacity to turn dark really fast. I hope that doesn’t happen because I found this story well balanced with a focus more on love than hate, and I prefer that.

When the hero and heroine finally are able to consummate their love, it was well done. Just enough description to show how well matched they were and how hot their passion burned. I enjoyed all that biting.

The title of The Vampire’s Bat may sound silly and comedic but it’s not. This novella takes the romance very seriously. The plot is meaty and the story is fascinating. This is a great choice for paranormal romantic suspense readers who like their books with a sexy edge.

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

Deception Cove by Jayne Castle

July 31, 2015 By Leave a Comment

CASTLE
Deception Cove by Jayne Castle
Publisher: Jove Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (254 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

In the world of Harmony, Rainshadow Island is home to a mysterious preserve, secrets that have been kept for centuries, and a treasure worth killing for…

As a light-talent, Alice North has the rare ability to make things disappear, including herself—a gift that comes in handy during her magic act with her dust bunny Houdini.

Business mogul Drake Sebastian is day-blind, since his sight was nearly destroyed in a lab accident. But he’s the one man who can see Alice when she disappears—and he needs her.

On Rainshadow Island, two dangerous Old World crystals are missing, igniting a paranormal storm. Drake thinks Alice is the key to finding them, and proposes they head there, but only after a Marriage of Convenience.

Alice’s honeymoon on Rainshadow is guaranteed to be memorable, as the island—and the passion between her and Drake—is about to explode…

Houdini is the best name for a dust bunny. Those little fluff balls are my favorite characters in all of the Rainshadow and Harmony novels. Deception Cove has been out for a while and I know I’ve read it before, but, I forgot and bought it again. It took me until I was half way through the book before I remembered parts of the story and the light bulb went off. The book was as fascinating and surprising as the first time around so I can claim unequivocally that this book has awesome re-readability.

One thing I simply did not remember was the revelation of the origin of the dust bunnies that inhabit the whole planet. I’m glad I forgot the first time because I got to relive the wonder, amazement and astonishment at what I learned. How Drake figured out how to unlock the secrets was page turning. In fact, this whole book is a page turner. Every chapter brought with it clues as to what it might be that is messing with the water, causing ginormous cockroaches to appear and who ultimately is behind the chaos. Once the body appeared, then things really got interesting. Who wants Alice dead? Why? She’s an orphan, what could she possible know? The heroine finds out part of the truth early on but the rest is shared with readers later and it’s a humdinger.

Drake is like most of Ms. Castle’s heroes – dominant, commanding, icy, and so passionately sexy once they focus on the women they fall in love with, readers might get hot flashes. Unlike some of the heroes in past books, Drake is less overbearing and annoying and more like a partner and protector of Alice. His feelings for her are clear by his actions and how he responds to people about her, then anything he actually says to the heroine. When it comes to her, his body language is very convincing. What a yummy guy.

Another thing that kept the pages turning was the cast of characters. There’s someone that doesn’t ring true, some that do, the kids and their games with the dust bunnies, and then there’s the almost mother-in-law from looney land who has a lot of money and a lot of hate. I thought for sure things would wrap up with her being the culprit but there’s a clever twist. She’s involved but not. You have to read the novel to figure out that kink.

My favorite part about these novels is the happy ever after. Just when you think it’s about to wrap up, the author slides in that extra oomph that makes a reader’s jaw drop and only then does the happy ever after get finished. It’s like eating the last of the best cereal in the world and you’re sad, until you find the secret toy at the bottom. It’s all good but the best is saved for last. That’s what it’s like for me reading a Jayne Castle book. I can count on a great story with a lot of action, suspense, drama, humor, fascinating references to aliens, a different culture and weapons and animal names. And the one other thing that is a constant is the wonderfully sensual, sexy romance that blossoms between, in this case, Drake and Alice. Deception Cove delivers to readers the high standard and quality of writing Ms. Castle is known for. I’m a happy reader and am thrilled to recommend to any fans of Ms. Castle’s who might have missed it the first time around. And, for those that have never read a book in the series, they’re in for a treat because it’s a standalone. So, pick up a copy of Deception Cove and fall in love too.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Wanting a Mate by Celia Kyle and Mina Carter

July 31, 2015 By Leave a Comment

WANTING
Wanting a Mate by Celia Kyle and Mina Carter
Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (35 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Sometimes a gal’s gotta admit defeat and decide how many cats she’s gonna have when she’s old and crazy…

Chloe Hall has tried every dating website out there and continues to connect with duds. Then her mother signs her up for a new dating—mating—service. Human or shifter, everyone is welcome as long as they’re looking for love and not their next bang. Chloe doesn’t care if her mate roars and sheds or howls and smells like wet dog. He’ll be hers. It’s not until she meets Holt—a massive, muscular, totally gorgeous werecougar—that she realizes she really will become a cat lady, and he absolutely drives her crazy.

Werecougar Holt Moore’s animal is restless and craves things that scare the shit outta him: a mate, cubs, and a white picket fence. It doesn’t seem to remember that cougars are solitary animals in the wild, which also applies to his human half. His cat is too dominant to tolerate other shifters and when he’s on two legs, he towers over every human he meets. He’s big and mean and that’s how he likes it. Then he meets Chloe—curvy, luscious, human Chloe—and realizes he needs to add “possessive” and “biggest asshole on the planet” to his list of traits. Well, not all relationships are smooth sailing.

Need a little amusement in your life? Looking for a quick romance to swoon over? Enjoy mothers embarrassing their daughters? How about families that love each other so much they go overboard and cause problems by pulling off over the top stunts in pursuit of protection of their loved ones? Readers get all that in more in this little gem by Ms. Kyle and Ms. Carter. Yes, Wanting a Mate has some sexy hotness within its pages but this story is just plain fun to read. I practically had a smile plastered on my face throughout most of the book. It made me happy.

First I laughed at the term, Mr. Buick, then I giggled at the antics of Chloe’s mom, and just adored the way the heroine was open and accepting of everything about the hero, Holt. I liked that he was a big, bad, scary dude that no one messed with except Chloe. She had no fear of him. It’s that openness and enthusiasm for life that I found charming about their relationship. Holt loved her for who she was, and she him. There were no preconceptions or miscommunications. I think some of that might have been Chloe’s mom’s influence. She wanted grandbabies in the worst way and her support of her daughter’s willingness to mate with a shifter might have made the heroine more open to the possibility than most. Her mom reminded me of a 60s love guru – peace, love, and all that. To top it all off, her mom showed up in the most unexpected places and it gave me fits of giggles. I’ve read many a story about a manipulative parent but Choe’s mom broke the mold.

Wanting a Mate is a crowd pleaser; it really is. It’s quirky, lighthearted, and optimistic, and the sexy shenanigans between Holt and Chloe were well written and entertaining scenes. Mating is a growly, sweaty and sensual business but the authors still managed to imbue those passion filled moments with humor and charm. This is such an awesome story even though it moves at a fast clip. It’s not deep, but it’s huge on appeal and the relationship between the hero and heroine is engaging. I’m a satisfied reader.

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

Victoria and the Alien Doctor by Jessica Coulter Smith

July 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment

ALIEN
Victoria and the Alien Doctor by Jessica Coulter Smith
Intergalactic Brides 2
Publisher: Changeling Press, LLC
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (84 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Doctor. Hero. Alien.

Time is running out. Victoria Mathers has tried everything. Her daughter has a rare cancer that hasn’t responded to any of the treatments human medicine has to offer. If she can’t convince the sexy alien doctor to help her, she knows she’ll watch her child die. Victoria will do anything to save her daughter, even if it means bonding with an alien for the rest of her life.

Per Earth’s rules, Xonos isn’t allowed to treat humans, unless they’re one of the new human-alien pairs. However, looking at the small human child who is obviously suffering tears at his heart. It’s been his life’s work to save people, and he isn’t sure he can stand by and watch an innocent child die when he might be able to help.

What starts as a simple arrangement quickly turns into something more as Xonos and Victoria grow closer. It isn’t long before she realizes that she yearns for his touch and she wants so much more from him than he may be willing to give. Love was never mentioned when they struck their bargain, but now she’ll settle for nothing less.

This is a melt-your-heart kind of story because the impetus for the plot is a mother’s passionate pursuit of trying to find a cure for her little girl. The author invested a lot of time into showing a reader just how precious and special the heroine’s daughter, Evie, is. It presented the perfect platform for two total strangers coming together to form a family. The depth of emotions between mother and child was well documented and well written.

That being the case, it’s not a huge surprise that the alien doctor, Xonos sees that past the pain of a desperate woman and instead realizes that the person he has before him is a woman of strength, courage and who possesses a deep capacity for love. But, can she love an alien? That is the question.

I really enjoyed this short story because it touched my emotions and made me feel. Granted, Xonos was almost too perfect in what he was willing to do and what he did do for the two new females in his life. Every obstacle was steamrolled over and in a way, the hero came off as an alien knight in shining armor – the conquering hero who doesn’t use a sword but a stethoscope and science to save the day. Once I realized that, I just relaxed and allowed myself to be entertained by a book that embodies the best of romance. The focus is on the people – their trials, their sacrifices, their hopes and dreams and the hope of a better tomorrow. It all works.

My favorite part is when Victoria sort of had to teach Xonos how to do a few things. I found that really sexy and a turn-on. She might have started off blushing but ended up screaming with delight. More than once. For a change, I was really happy when the hero and heroine burnt up the sheets. It wasn’t all thrusting lust, but fireworks of love.

Victoria and the Alien Doctor was incredibly romantic. It’s a story that makes a reader feel good. If you are having a rough day and need a break from stress and the frenetic demands of life, then this is a sweet book to take a short break with. I’m happy I read it.

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