Just the Way You Aren’t by Lynda Simmons

February 3, 2015 By 3 Comments

BookCover_JustTheWayYouArent
Just the Way You Aren’t by Lynda Simmons
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (272 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

What happens when an everyday Cinderella makes a play for the prince?

A moment of madness. That’s all muralist Sunny Anderson expected when she donned a glittering mask and a fabulous gown to crash the gala at Manhattan’s newest boutique hotel. Project manager Michael Wolfe has no idea that the beauty staring up at the mural on the ballroom ceiling is also the artist who painted it. He’s captivated and she’s willing, but when their moment of madness on the sofa in his suite comes to an abrupt end, his princess is off and running, leaving nothing behind but a pair of earrings. He’s determined to find her again, but all he has to do is look closer at the woman painting the mural in his office to see that the one he needs is standing right in front of him.

This story reads like a Harlequin made for T.V. movie back in the early 90s, Sincerely, Violet with Simon MacCorkindale. It’s a quirky obscure little romance but even after all these years, I remember it fondly. The premise is the same as this book’s – a heroine changing her appearance and assuming another personality to reach an objective but falling in love complicates everything and she has to come clean, eventually. Just the Way You Aren’t has a much better and more believable storyline and I quite enjoyed myself.
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The author sets up a reader by giving only surface descriptions – what everyone sees and assumes and is very one dimensional. Enough is shared for a reader to buy into the stereotypes and as soon as it seems that Michael Wolfe is a cold hearted man, and Sunny’s a frumpy, frizzy-haired air-headed artist, Ms. Simmons blasts those perceptions to pieces and delivers a hero with a very guarded heart, and a heroine with a passion and goal for life that rivals the hero’s determination to remain uninvolved in life. They collide and the romance is magic.

An element of the story that was crucial in making me feel deeply for both the hero and heroine was Jess, Sunny’s daughter. She’s a precocious young lady and very important to the tale because the author never forgot that Sunny was a mom first. The interactions between mother and daughter were oftentimes adorable, sweet and very true to life. There are moments when Jess acted or spoke as much older than her years so wasn’t true perhaps to the age she was purported to be in the book. That doesn’t take away from her sweetness or ability to help the plot when she’s on scene. For the most part, it worked and worked well – especially with the scenes with the chalk and the rose.

One of the internal/external conflicts was between Sunny and her mother, Moyra. At first I thought she was a good character until she wasn’t. I’m waffling between considering it a helpful conflict or an unnecessary one. At first I liked Sunny’s mother, and then I really, really didn’t. She started acting unnatural and weird, controlling and snippy. The author continued to have Sunny treat her mother with respect but I am of the mind that her mom needed to be put in her place a long time ago. Sunny was a much more patient and loving woman than I would have been. Then again, family dynamics can be extremely weird. Readers are going to have to decide for themselves if Moyra was a help or a hindrance to this tale. A reader is left in no doubt as to Moyra’s preference.

I liked Val, Hugh, Duane and the Glasgow Ladies and found them to be definite assets to this novel. Jack was not explored enough to make a huge impact on me; he was just her dad – mostly quiet but with a subtle quirkiness all his own.

I enjoyed the dialogue, the descriptions and the romance. I liked how the author showed the progression of their falling in love, and enjoyed the scenes of seduction. When they finally were able to fulfill their passions, the terrific writing made it worth the wait – very sexy and sultry.

The final two chapters are powerhouses of emotion, confrontations, revelations and healing. Everything that happened in the previous chapters created the foundation for an amazing, gripping and heartfelt conclusion that thoroughly satisfied the romantic inside me. Just the Way You Aren’t is a must read for fans of character driven romances that deal with families, new beginnings and letting go of the pains and disappointments of the past. It’s actually a wonderful, happy romance and I definitely recommend it.

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Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen

January 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment

EARLS
Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (361 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

His heart may be the last thing she ever steals . . .

Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker—and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London’s Seven Dials. It’s a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she’s alone, she allows herself to think of a time before—a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.

Maxwell, Lord Dane, is intrigued when his brother, a hired investigator, ropes him into his investigation of the fiercely beautiful hellion. He teaches her to navigate the social morass of the ton while his brother attempts to confirm her true identity. But Marlowe will not escape so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her world of danger and violence, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.

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Earls Just Want to Have Fun sounds like a silly romantic jaunt in Regency England. It’s actually not silly at all but filled with hard truths of life on the street. The author does a good job of depicting the harshness, the struggles and the hopelessness of the people stuck in Seven Dials. The words like snapper, dubber and tilter lent an authentic air to the tale. Stuck in that mire amongst thievery and cutthroats is the heroine, Marlowe. A reader is quite aware who she really is based on the beginning but one of the book’s plot threads is how to get her back to where she belongs and that’s no easy task.

I crack up thinking about Max’s brother, Brook. In the back of my mind I hear Max say to Brook like Hardy did to Laurel (1930s), “Well here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.” And what a mess it was. Max is so self-righteous and opinionated – and boring. He needs someone like Marlowe and readers are clued into that fairly quickly due to the skill of the author. Marlowe’s method of speech perplexed and discombobulated Max something fierce which created some of the most fun and amusing scenes throughout the novel.

I appreciated how Ms. Galen took the time to detail Max’s high-brow attitude in the beginning. It showed me a man I wouldn’t want to know, and through the course of trying to re-make Marlowe into Elizabeth, he changed, became a better man, a better person who finally understood what it means to be in love and to be loved. I really liked him by the time the book ended.

Marlowe a/k/a Elizabeth is a plucky, spunky survivor. She has no memory of her true history except some faded memory that seems like a dream. She is very distrusting of Max and the worst punishment he visited upon her was a bath. The one thing that stands out for me about the heroine is that she avoided being too clichéd. I’m thrilled. Usually when the bad guy threatens, the heroine turns into a stupid martyr and tries to act like she’s her own island. Not so, Marlowe. She had gumption and was actually very brave to do what she actually did do. For me that saved the story. If the author had her character do anything else I would have been greatly disappointed. Instead, I was treated to a heroine I was more than willing to read about, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Another treat was the seduction of Marlowe and its culmination. It was very sexy, sultry and had a lot of emotional impact. It complicated their relationship somewhat but that’s what made the novel more compelling and interesting.

Earls Just Want to Have Fun is a very well written tale that entertains in a big way. It’s busy, suspenseful and at times even a nail-biter, but it’s balanced perfectly with humor, fun, whimsy and strong emotions. Historical romance readers have a treat in store for them with this book. It has good triumphing over evil and a reluctant hero saving the day. It’s quite a roller coaster of a read with a completely satisfying happy ever after conclusion. The writing makes it easy to recommend the book to other romance readers. I liked it. What I liked too was the hook of getting to know Brook. He’s a man in serious need of a woman and I can’t wait for his turn. Bet it’s going to be fun!

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I Adored a Lord by Katherine Ashe

January 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

LORD
I Adored a Lord by Katherine Ashe
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (284 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

All that clever, passionate Ravenna Caulfield wants is to stay far away from high society’s mean girls.

All that handsome, heroic Lord Vitor Courtenay wants is to dash from dangerous adventure to adventure.

Now, snowbound in a castle with a bevy of the ton’s scheming maidens all competing for a prince’s hand in marriage, Ravenna’s worst nightmare has come true.
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Now, playing babysitter to his spoiled prince of a half-brother and potential brides, Vitor is champing at the bit to be gone.

When a stolen kiss in a stable leads to a corpse in a suit of armor, a canine kidnapping, and any number of scandalous liaisons, Ravenna and Vitor find themselves wrapped in a mystery they’re perfectly paired to solve. But as for the mysteries of love and sex, Vitor’s not about to let Ravenna escape until he’s gotten what he desires . . .

Pure romance is in store for a reader when they pick up their own copy of I Adored a Lord. There is the primary story and then there is a sub-romance going on that reminded me very much of a fairy tale. Happy ever afters abound, even though a couple aren’t about romance but more like comeuppances and justice served. It’s a fun treat.

The book starts off reading like a fairy tale narrative, setting up the background of the heroine in preparation for what comes later. It’s an interesting touch. That being said, the author continued to plop narrative and telling throughout the book. I found the novel to be a bit wordy and reading speed was reduced. That doesn’t mean the plot, characters, environment or dialogue weren’t engaging – they were. I enjoyed the premise, the intrigue and the hunt for clues in addition to the dynamics between some of the secondary characters. There’s a lot to like about this novel.

The author was ebullient with her descriptions of the Romeo and Juliet play the prince wanted to stage. In fact, the details included in most chapters were overly thorough and time was spent painting scenes for a reader. Many readers will enjoy that kind of depth of detail; it bogged me down. I prefer action and dialogue and brisk plot movement and I’m glad to say that were it counted, Ms. Ashe came through. If the scene with a villain or a spiteful viper was onstage, the author tightened her writing to provide a solid impact. I appreciated that.

The romance between Vitor, the hero, and Ravenna, the heroine, is a slow sensual build. I liked how she initially rebuffed him. I enjoyed his pursuit of her, and for most of the book the heat level was sweet, until it was not. When their passion finally was fully explored, it wasn’t fully explored. There’s an interesting twist and a wonderful bit of drama that coincides with that event. It wasn’t until much later that they were able to get past all the bullets and evil plots and interruptions and finally be relaxed and be together the way they wanted to be. What harm can a little water do anyway?

Overall, this was a fun standalone novel. I liked the mystery of the who-done-it, the search for clues and how practical and pragmatic Ravenna was about it all, and Vitor’s appreciation for her brains and logic. This is an engaging historical romance with a touch of mystery that I do recommend to other romance readers. It’s worth checking out. Even the author’s note at the end was fascinating and provided a reason to believe in Vitor’s family dynamics. I quite enjoyed reading this tale and am looking forward to reading another in the series.

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Jaguar Pride by Terry Spear

January 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

PRIDE
Jaguar Pride by Terry Spear
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (314 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

JAG Special Forces operatives like Golden Claw agent Melissa Overton and her partner, Huntley Anderson, are trained for the most dangerous missions in the harshest environments. These hardened jaguar shifters can handle any variable, even . . . babies?

When Huntley and Melissa find two jaguar shifter cubs snoozing in their jungle hut while on assignment, they have to keep the cubs and each other safe from ruthless poachers, bringing these partners closer in ways they never expected…

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Ms. Spear incorporated a lot of humor in her current adventure, Jaguar Pride. Some occasions were moments of lighthearted dialogue between Melissa and Huntley, and others were generated by watching two very capable and lethal agents turn to mush and being susceptible to the cuteness inherent in babies, human or cat, making the lead characters very human, relatable and interesting.

The bad guys are vile just by the nature of their activities. Kidnapping big jungle cats for profit is bad enough, but dealing with baby critters too is outright mean. The author made it very clear that poachers are to be reviled and are villains which, for the most part, are unable to be redeemed. I think the author was a bit heavy handed with dispatching the poachers left and right but in doing so reminds me of something I read at some point. I paraphrase, “Never get an author mad, she/he will write you into a book as a villain and give you your just desserts.” If that’s the case, well, no poacher should EVER cross Ms. Spear.

Most secondary characters were written well and supported Melissa and Huntley’s mission. At times, the flow of events seemed too smooth and orchestrated but the end result is what’s important. I believe the two guys from the Avenger branch were introduced to entice interest for future heroes. It didn’t quite work for me because they were too one dimensional and convenient. Perhaps in the future readers will get a better hint as to their hero-worthiness. As it is, I liked Everett a whole lot better.

I consider Oliver a red herring, Genista a clarifier and the local police as part-time comic foils. It’s a very busy book but no matter who is on stage, a reader is never left in doubt this is a solid standalone read about Melissa and Huntley falling in love during a mission. I really liked the chemistry between them and for readers who like falling in love to have a physical presence, Ms. Spear provides many opportunities for satisfaction.

Jaguard Pride is a nail biter of an adventure. It’s steamy, humorous and chock-full of action to keep readers at the edge of their seats. Even though the topic is serious, the story isn’t dark. The author focuses on the optimistic side of life even while dealing harshly with the dirty underbelly of poaching. It’s a difficult balance but Ms. Spear pulls it off, providing readers with a thoroughly gripping novel. It’s another winner.

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No Ifs, Ands, or Bears About It by Celia Kyle

January 19, 2015 By Leave a Comment

BEARS
No Ifs, Ands, or Bears About It by Celia Kyle
Grayslake #1
Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (178 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The first day of Mia’s new life in Grayslake, Georgia is not going as planned. The house her grandfather left her looks ready to crumble, boxes cover every inch of the floor and—oh—there’s a bear cub in her pantry. It gets worse when the cub’s uncle comes by and busts out his fur and claws while on her front porch. Then it gets loads better because suddenly there’s a hot hunk of badge-wearing werebear on her lawn ready to rescue her. Yum. Of course, he has to ruin things by trying to take the cub out of her hands. Ha! The cub is hers… No ifs, ands, or bears about it.

Werebear Ty can’t seem to get the curvaceous, delectable Mia to understand that, even if she is one-quarter werebear, she isn’t keeping the cub. Ty is the Grayslake Itan, the clan’s leader, and the little werebear is going home with him… Unless it isn’t. It’s her smile. If she’d stop smiling and being gorgeous, his inner-bear would support him and Ty would get his way. But the beast wants to make their woman happy, so it’s perfectly content to let her do as she pleases. Then things change. Threats arise, danger comes close, and Ty demands she return to his den. No ifs, ands, or mates about that.

For example, some research cheap cialis overnight important link has suggested that the percentage will double during the next six weeks, she underwent chiropractic examination and rehabilitation. Avoid this medicine if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other cost viagra online allergies. The capacity for individuals to get along with your kids, friends or family also does order levitra not matter. Penis Workout Skipping: order cheap levitra http://www.devensec.com/images/bose-slides/bose-3.html Running it on the spot and lift it to its knees as far as possible. This tale has it all – sexy were-bears, a bit of action, bad guys, laugher and goofy quips all wrapped up with a romance story that made me very happy.

Ty and Mia are great together. I enjoyed how they initially fought it, then see-sawed between driving each other nuts while accepting small pieces of proof of their rightness as a couple, one delicious revelation at a time.

I liked the world building, the dialogue, the atmosphere and the relationship between Mia and her dad. I also liked that the author surprised me with hidden layers and depths of her characters. It made up for the speediness of Ty’s manipulations in getting Mia into his house and into his bed. True, the heroine put up a good fight and made Ty work for it, which I appreciated, but there was a quickness to the process that seemed rushed and a tad unrealistic. Then again, this is a paranormal romance and bears aren’t exactly patient creatures with social graces so actually, that impatience of his was part of Ty’s charm.

The bad guys are bad on various levels. I liked that Ms. Kyle stated matter-of-factly the damage that was done to one of the betrayed bad guys. I didn’t need to read graphic descriptions to understand how vile and blood thirsty and deviant they were and I am very glad the author handled it the way she did. It provided drama and suspense and action but the story did not come across as dark. It was a very good balance.

I laughed quite a bit during Ty and Mia’s courtship. Seemed they always got interrupted and Ty’s reaction was funny. There were emotional highlights that stemmed from the little cub and the affectionate term, “little cub”. I won’t say much more than that but it definitely touched my feelings and engaged me and solidified my attachment and caring for the main characters and some of the secondary characters.

I also enjoyed meeting Ty’s brothers. To say they were yummy is an understatement. The author provided just enough character reference to make me very interested in following the brothers to see just what kind of HEA they end up getting. They were a solid hook.

Paranormal romance readers can’t go wrong in giving No Ifs, Ands, or Bears About It a try. It’s quirky, fun, sexy and highly entertaining. I greatly enjoyed this author’s storytelling voice and heartily recommend this to anyone who likes their shifter romances and heroes on the lighter growly side.

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Going Under – Secret Blood, Book 3 by Emma Weylin

January 8, 2015 By 1 Comment

UNDER
Going Under by Emma Weylin
Secret Blood, Book 3
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (126 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Kenzie Butler is in love with the man who saved her life eight years ago. Her problem? He’s a Siberian were-tiger with the ability to scent his mate, and she wasn’t it. For years they lived across the hall from each other, helping one another with the aftermath from being tortured in a science experiment gone wrong. With each passing day, she falls more in love with him, even while knowing that one day Tiberius will find his true mate.

Tiberius Petrov leads a shadowed life. Kenzie is the only thing standing between him and the gruesome fate awaiting any shifter who goes rogue. For eight years the sound of her voice, the sweet intoxication of her scent, and the soft feel of her skin have kept him from turning down darker paths. But he’d always believed she could never be his. His nose was supposed to tell him who his perfect mate is, but it lied. He didn’t know if it was possible to develop a mate scent. All he knew was one day Kenzie didn’t smell like his mate, and the next day she did. Even after her scent changed, she kept insisting they were perfect as just friends.

After Kenzie survives a mysterious were-bear attack in her place of work, Tiberius learns the scientists altered more than his state of mind. Just when he thought he could take Kenzie as his mate he discovers he could be the biggest threat to her life.

Paranormal romance fans have a treat in store when they pick up their own copy of Going Under. Sure, it has the scent mate thing going on but there’s a definite twist which makes this book a lot more interesting and suspenseful.
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I have not read any of the previous books in the series so I was a bit wary of trying #3. No worries – it makes references to a past but this tale is about the here and now and the challenges Tiberius and Kenzie have to face and overcome before they can realize their happy ever after. Poor Tiberius focused so much on the symptoms, no one thought to question the cause.

The one thing that stood out for me was the point the author made about communication. It’s always, always important in a relationship no matter how good it might be. Even if a person thinks they know their partner like a book, assumptions can poison and inadvertently destroy something beautiful. It’s a powerful lesson.

Kenzie is a mixed bag of sweet and saucy, brains and very human. I liked how she calmed Ty down and how she was able to distract him many a time with a sultry look and a suggestive tease. Hers was a fun character that played well off of the big, intimidating weretiger.

Ty a/k/a Tiberius is a mess. Yes, he’s big, surly, powerful and intimidating but he’s a pushover when it comes to Kenzie. She has this hold on him that’s been apparent for years and only now does he recognize what it really means, but readers will find out that even a man as smart and bold as Ty doesn’t know the half of what’s going on. How he deals with it is awesome reading, at times even insightful.

The villain of the piece, the true villain, doesn’t stay on stage for very long but his legacy is legion. The scope is revealed in this novella so readers of the series should be very happy at a potential resolution of one ongoing thread. There’s still something else that hangs over their heads but I won’t say what. The tragic and painful part comes from Ty’s family member. It’s unknown if this person is truly swayed or controlled and influenced to do what was done and continues to do, but it’s destructive no matter which way you look at it. I feel so sad for Tiberius.

Secondary supporting characters like Chad and Demetri and others are an asset to the story, and play well off the personalities of the hero and heroine. Phillip on the other hand is a tool. I mean that in both versions of the definition. He’s an idiot and he’s being manipulated and used against the protagonists for a very human reason. I want to feel sympathy for him, but he’s just too much of a jerk. However, his introduction also paves a way for a very interesting thought – why is Demetri so interested in the reason for Phillip’s collusion? What information did he find? It’s a subtle little hook but it’s good enough for me to wonder what is going to happen in the next book of the series.

As for when Tiberius and Kenzie get physical – readers will have plenty of opportunities to see them in action. Once Kenzie opened the door to that side of their relationship, it didn’t take long for Ty to want to make up for lost time. Have a fan at the ready.

Going Under is a paranormal romance junkie pleaser. It has motivation, suspense, many moments for Kenzie or Ty to prove how deep their love is for each other by what they’re willing to do on behalf of the other. When they are not dealing with the bad guys, the book is fun, frisky and thoroughly entertaining. I believe fans of the series are going to like it and new fans might be hooked just by this tale alone. I know I am. This story is a good read.

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My Lady of the Whip by Venetia Green

December 18, 2014 By 1 Comment

LADY
My Lady of the Whip by Venetia Green
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (113 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Forced Seduction, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Be careful when you pick up a whip. Your fingers curl about that seductive handle, your wrist flexes its subtle weight and then… Yes, you wonder what would happen if you plied those innocent leather strips against another’s flesh.
1348. The Black Death is sweeping medieval London, social order is collapsing and the virtuous Lady Elizabeth seizes a whip to defend her honor. But when death seems inevitable, Bess throws caution to the plague-ridden vapors to save the man she can never have—William de Montagu, the handsome, persuasive and soon-to-be-married Earl of Salisbury.

For such a compact story, there was an amazing amount of depth written between its pages. I’m not a stickler for historical accuracy; if the story is good enough, and the characters are strong and fascinating, then that’s good enough for me. However, the details that the author shared about the time in history for Bess and William certainly seemed real enough to me. I had to Google a certain word and then understood why it’s not a wonder Bess was horrified and grossed out at the beginning. If I was surrounded by people dying by the plague, I’d be freaking out too. Those were some seriously scary times and Ms. Green totally captured the feeling of panic, impending doom and its effect on a person’s psyche. I had no idea that kind of stuff went on, and if accurate, the author’s descriptions brought it to life for a reader. Praise be for modern medicine and hospitals!

That first chapter is important when it comes to the heroine. A reader finds insight as to her character. She might be a maiden, she might be sheltered to a degree, but she’s not without courage, fortitude or clever thinking. The author made that very clear which makes it perfectly believable for what comes later – Bess is a survivor.
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The second chapter introduces William, the hero. The author wasted no time in alerting a reader to his impure thoughts and his mighty internal struggle to stand firm and deny his attraction to Bess. He’s supposed to be a good guy, a protector – yet he’s delightfully human and attracted. It was fun watching him fall during the course of the story.

The most sultry, sexy and enthralling scene was when William spoke to Bess but he made sure her eyes were closed. All he used were words, yet the effect was pure seduction. I really enjoyed that scene because it was very well written and hot – so hot the seducer became the seduced as well. That was one of the highlights for me in the novelette.

Fast forward a bit and what ends up happening to Bess is probably typical of the times. I wasn’t shocked but intrigued. The heroine truly was a survivor and she learned the lessons of survival extremely well. Her bodyguard, Wat, seemed sweet but reminded me of a hulking football player, especially the scene with the door. Don’t mess with Wat.

The chapter with the most whipping and binding and sexual hijinks was truly an eye opener for both reader and Will. One of the reasons that I liked it, and in fact, every sexy scene in the whole book, is because there are emotions affected in every single one. Nothing was gratuitous but a stepping stone towards the ultimate culmination – love.

The dialogue was clever and again probably accurate for the times. I enjoyed the tavern scene and the rough man-talk that took place there. Men haven’t changed even though the words to express their lusty pursuits have.

My Lady of the Whip has descriptions that bring to life the environment of the day; it’s as clear as the crack of a lash. Man’s taste for the crop has not changed over the centuries and Ms. Green told a wonderful story where its use is a focal point. I enjoyed the dynamics between Will and Bess and through the span of time, went through the motions of the dance of love – the meeting, the separation and the reunion (which was feisty to say the least) and the declaration of love. The ending was certainly unique, kind of funny but very, very happy. I enjoy a good HEA and Ms. Green delivered a solid one. I recommend My Lady of the Whip to all readers who are looking for something different or enjoy historical romances with a very sexy edge. This is a well-written tale that is titillating, sensual and erotic yet provides the heart and emotion of a solidly written romance. I’m glad I read it.

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

Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

December 16, 2014 By Leave a Comment

TIGER
Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (241 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks delivers the exciting conclusion in the Love at Stake series, where a Marine-turned-vampire finds love with the shifter princess forbidden to him . . .

Russell wakes from a coma to find he’s become a vampire. Now he has a thirst for revenge. Determined to hunt down the master vampire who turned him, he’s used to working alone . . . until he meets Jia. She is after the same vampire for murdering her parents and insists she can help Russell on this mission.

Reluctantly, he agrees, and sets up some ground rules:

Rule #1: Their partnership is strictly business. If he holds her a little too close . . . if she looks at him with those exotic eyes . . . well, that has to stop.
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Rule #2: He’s in charge. Jia isn’t used to taking orders and questions every move he makes. So he stops her the only way he knows how.

Rule #3: Don’t fall in love. But the kiss that was supposed to quiet her awakens something else in him . . . something forbidden. Because Jia is engaged. To someone else.

I can’t believe this is the last book in the series but at least Ms. Sparks is ending it with a bang and with a happy ever after for a character that I’ve been eagerly waiting for what seems like forever. I still remember picking up her first book, How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire only because it tickled my funny bone about a vampire that lost a tooth and needed a dentist. I liked her writing style, her voice and the world that she created. It was fresh, unique and one hundred percent entertaining. Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire showcases the very same level of skill and storytelling talent that I’ve come to expect over the years and I’m just as enamored now as I was all those years ago. Ms. Sparks has always delivered romance with a smile although this time my smile is tempered by the sad feelings coming from having to say goodbye to some wonderful friends. Before that happens however, readers are treated to a brilliant and exciting tale.

Russell has been a benevolent yet deadly ghost of a man for quite some time. He is a loner and a man filled with the focus of vengeance for a grievous wrong done to him. And yet, as antisocial as he’s been in all the past books, he has a code of honor and even though he denies it, cares for his comrades. He won’t call them ‘friends’ though and that is one of the issues that Ms. Sparks tackles with her hero. When the cards are laid on the table, what gets revealed is chock full with all kinds of emotions and feelings and complications as well as bittersweet realizations. I liked him as a man, a vampire and as a love interest for the heroine, Jia. My favorite line of his, even though it initially drove Jia nuts was, “I don’t explain myself.” Those four words actually change in tone and subtle meaning as the story progresses because every time Russell says it, it’s in a different situation and at a new point in his and Jia’s relationship. At first it’s gruff and mean and stand offish but after a while, I thought it funny, then endearing and a window into the man himself. I really liked that touch. Russell is a reluctant hero.

Jia is prickly, stubborn and passionate to a fault. She wants justice and revenge as well but being a female, and a royal, means that she’s always being thwarted in her quest, until she meets Russell. Their first meeting was volatile, their relationship is tentative yet their awareness of each other as man and woman is filled with sensual promise. The fun for a reader is in watching them both fight it. Jia is also loyal and fierce but she’s also an innocent in many ways. Watching her come into her own as a woman and as a partner with Russell is pure entertainment and I like to think readers are going to like her as much as I do.

The villain, Master Han, was a diabolical surprise. Ms. Sparks was truly clever in her handling of one of the main plot twists in the series and I was shocked by the revelations. I also saw a bit of Luke Skywalker’s viewpoint about Darth Vader in relation to this story and I thought it to be just as poignant in Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire as it was in Star Wars. Unfortunately, the ending is vastly different. As for other villains, just when you thought all of them were gone, some came back for cameos. Personally, I laughed. I am not sure if other readers will find it as hilarious as I did but I thought it genius. I totally had a giggle fit. And even then there was that one last gasp of ‘oh, please let him be forgiven,’ that crossed my mind even though I knew it wasn’t possible. The crimes were too huge. But that is what the author did, even in the midst of the worst place a person could be, she showed that hope doesn’t die.

Briathos and the gang are back for an encore of cryptic advice and sword action. Russell sure had a crash course in celestial beings but he figured things out pretty quick. He had to, there was a new plot conflict to solve. The abducted dragon child also is in this story as well as the talking owl. Plus Howard, lover of donuts, has a few scenes which I was glad of. I like Howard.

I would not call Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire a standalone read. Too many loose ends from the last book are picked up and tied off in this concluding story. In fact, Ms. Sparks ended with an extravagant party and she invited all the fans of this series to attend. It was an extra special visit because I got to touch base with all of my favorite characters one last time and it solidified that not only will Russell and Jia have a happy ever after but it confirmed that all the prior happy ever afters continue to flourish. It made my heart sing. It made me smile. It made me want to read the WHOLE series all over again.

Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire is just perfect. I enjoyed myself immensely and once started, didn’t stop reading until I read the final ‘thank you’ note from the author which was really sweet. I experienced many different emotions while reading this story. There is a lot going on and each chapter provided more clues as to finding the villain, rescuing the child, Russell and Jia learning about opening up to another person, of letting go and gaining the world and a happy ever after that made me laugh as well as sigh. This book was a flawless ending to a great series. I give Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire a hearty and heartfelt recommend to all the fans of the series; it’s a must read.

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Christmas in Transylvania by Sandra Hill

November 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CHRISTMAS
Christmas in Transylvania by Sandra Hill
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (91 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

For the first time ever, the leader of the Viking Vampire Angels, Vikar Sigurdsson, has been talked into celebrating a traditional Christmas! The tree has been decorated, the gifts have been wrapped, and the stockings have been hung. And that’s mistletoe, not cobwebs, hanging from the ceiling of the creepy castle full of vangels … really!

The icing on the vampire cookie comes when vangel Karl Mortensen rescues Faith Larson, a battered young waitress, from her abusive boyfriend and hides her in the castle amidst the Christmas chaos. But what Karl thought was a frail young teenager is actually a very tempting woman. And she thinks his fangs are sexy!

But a strange “Christmas visitor” at the castle and demon vampires up to their old tricks could threaten the budding romance between Karl and Faith. It’s an impossible match—a human and a vangel—but Christmas is a time for magic.

Karl and Faith don’t stand a chance …

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Because this is a short novella, Karl has to move fast. My head is still spinning from his going from zero to sixty in nothing flat. My understanding is that his attachment to Faith had been building for a while, but it was an unconscious decision on his part. The moment for action came with some unsettling news and since Karl is at heart, a hero, he didn’t second guess himself. He took charge and that was exciting.

Faith was a woman beaten down by life among other things. She’d lost her mojo due to circumstance of being influenced by the wrong person. With Karl, I got to see her recover and see the woman she was before she made a fateful decision. Through his love and support, I also got to see her bounce back and take an interest in life again. It was a feel good moment.

Nothing feels as good as passion realized; I just never thought of candy when I think of sex. After reading this story, that impression sure has changed. Wow.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a vangel story without the villain putting in his two cents’ worth. Jasper is such a deviant. So are his underlings. He continues to be the ultimate villain – he may bumble a bit but a reader is never left in doubt as to his 100% evilness – completely unredeemable. Yay for the good guys!

Michael the Archangel shows up and I absolutely, totally and completely adored his reaction to The Chipmunks’ music. I also happen to agree. The twins popped in with their enchanting and charming way to drop a few info bombs on the heroine, thus propelling the plot along even faster. But how can any heroine panic from such news when delivered by such two adorable poppets eating lollipops? It was a cute touch.

There was a lot to enjoy in this novella to be sure. The only drawback was its rushed feeling. The initial villain was brutal and the author made that abundantly clear but the afterwards was too fast a closure for me. True, it was good for everyone else but it aided the ‘rushed’ feeling. Then the big to-do planned by Jasper was a nonevent. I got to see the planning and the devilish glee of his anticipation, but no action. Everything dramatic or suspenseful takes place off stage. I suppose for time’s sake it had to, but it translated as telling to me, and not showing. I am also getting a bit bored with the ‘moonwalk’ references; I think there needs to be a new dance move, what, I have no clue, but the current dance has lost its charm for me. The character, however, remains engaging and interesting.

Christmas in Transylvania gives fans of the series a treat. It doesn’t offer up any surprises or dramatic revelations. This is purely a fun, entertaining and lighthearted read that is very appropriate for its title. Many scenes are smile inducing and the descriptions of all the holiday decorations were simply gorgeous. I’d love to see a place decorated like that for real, especially the tree. That was an amazing tree. I definitely recommend this to readers who are looking for light holiday fare that includes vampires and angels and drunken cookie bakers. It’s really sweet.

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

A Highland Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear

November 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CHRISTMAS
A Highland Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casblanca
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Holiday
Length: Full Length (299 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Financial advisor Guthrie MacNeill isn’t a complete Scrooge—he just hates the enormous cost associated with the Christmas holiday season. Needless to say, when his pack hires a party planner to decorate the castle, he’s at his wit’s end. Until Calla Stewart arrives on the scene with her mistletoe in hand.

Calla has never had a client as difficult as Guthrie, but she’s determined to give the pack a Christmas season they will never forget—no matter how much it costs. But when her ex-fiancé begins stalking her and threatening her safety, Guthrie decides to loosen his grip on the purse strings and let out his inner Highland warrior wolf to protect her.

This was a one day read. It was fun, engaging and very much a holiday story, rich in tradition and filled with awesome descriptions of what the perfect gathering would look and feel like. Throw in a romance fraught with, and plagued by, external conflicts, and it makes this tale more substantial and worth spending some time with.

Even though it appears that only one nostril is doing its job at any one time, as it can cause adverse reactions and try to go cialis canada prescription through the prescribed manner to prevent such conditions. It comes in dosages of 2.5 mg to 20 mg. viagra for women online Sexual intercourse pain .Endometriosis which happens around the womb rectum nest or vaginal rectum isolation, may cause surrounding viagra pfizer prix tissue swelling, and then affect sexual intercourse. Kamagra jellies buy sildenafil australia or tablets have helped thousands of men with ED and continues to benefit numerous other males with erection problems. A Highland Wolf Christmas finally tackles Guthrie. In past books, he came across as a bit prissy in my estimation. Everything relates to money and he has an eagle eyed focus on the pack’s finances. Any expenses for frivolity seem to send him into fits. So, when a party planner whose job is to spend other people’s money gets taken under the protection of the pack, it seemed the hero shouldn’t give the party planner the time of day, right? Probably, except this person isn’t just anyone, it’s Calla. She was introduced in the last book as a secondary character with a slight problem. It’s not slight any longer and she made for a surprisingly perfect partner for tightwad, Guthrie. As for the hero, he shows the reader and Calla just how much of a highland warrior he is, sword and all. Guthrie is actually quite a delicious male specimen.

Calla is a successful self-made entrepreneur with a very busy business. One of my favorite scenes between her and Guthrie is when she factually states just how much money she makes, what she’s done with it and how she keeps track of it. I got the impression the hero was practically humming with appreciation – beauty and brains are a big turn on for him it seems and it’s at that moment I believe his fate was sealed. His wolf wants her, his human brain with all its reasoning tries to resist being attracted to Calla, but by being true to herself, is too much for even the man to resist. The journey from fight to fall is entertaining.

The darkness in the novel comes from her ex fiancé, Baird. I knew from the past book that he was a trouble maker and a bit of a brat. That was the tip of the iceberg. Also, I should reassure readers that even though I refer to the previous book regarding Calla and Baird, this is a standalone read. I was introduced to them earlier, was provided hints earlier, but it is in this book that the tale gets told and secrets are revealed 100%. This story is about Guthrie and Calla and the thorn in their side, Baird. And what a thorn he is. Just when I think he’s going to have a chance at redemption, just when he’s given a chance to change or at least go a different direction, the villain earns his Bad Guy star at every turn. The author finally convinced me he was bad to the bone. Those parts were well written and quite gripping.

For readers who like spice with their romance, Guthrie is no slouch. He woos and seduces Calla to my satisfaction. The scenes worked well and were well written.

On a personal note, reading A Highland Wolf Christmas at the time I read it was a breath of fresh air. I had tried to read another book, had gotten to page 95 and nothing happened. No plot movement, no excitement, and filled with shallow characters. Ugh. It was a slow dull hamster wheel of a read and I was bored out of my skull. I tossed that one aside and picked up Ms. Spear’s book and by page 79 I was totally, completely engaged in the story, loved the characters and was already treated to a possible abduction, a car crash, a sword fight and the stirrings of some serious hot feelings between the hero and heroine, and a shattered glass of milk. Ms. Spear is a master at making me CARE for her characters and makes me WANT to read about them. I truly am grateful for the skill and art she brings to each and every one of her stories and after trying to read that other book, this current novel refreshed my appreciation of Ms. Spear’s writing. I’m a very happy reader.

That being said, when I mentioned in the first paragraph about descriptions, I wasn’t kidding. Ms. Spear wants her readers WITH her characters as they shop at the mall, as they decorate the tree, the castle, and she describes the celebrations and traditions in great detail so readers get the full effect of the holiday season among a pack of werewolves. I think she was a bit too enthusiastic for my tastes but for readers who adore and revel in intricate details of a book’s character’s lives, then those parts should make them ecstatic. As for me, I was over-holidayed. It’s like a candy cane – I will eat a piece of it but I can’t eat the whole thing in one sitting. Like that.

All in all, A Highland Wolf Christmas is a story not to miss. Not just because it is a romance about two people in my favorite werewolf pack, but because it made me happy, made me feel good and spending time finally getting to know Guthrie and Calla was an enjoyable experience. The wrap up chapter was filled with so much positive, cheery and optimistic feelings that I couldn’t help but be pleased that I’d read it. I definitely recommend this book to all paranormal romance fans, fans of Ms. Spear or anyone looking for a holiday-themed adventure. Ms. Spear delivers romance satisfaction.

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