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.

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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Tales of the Djinn: The Double by Emma Holly

November 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

DOUBLE
Tales of the Djinn: The Double by Emma Holly
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (262 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Masturbation, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

What would you do if the man you loved had a double?

That’s the challenge Elyse faces when a flying carpet lands her and her new djinn lover in the glorious city he calls home. Cade’s people need help recovering from a curse, but this isn’t the only problem they’ll have to fix. Cade’s trip to Elyse’s world created a duplicate of himself, a not-quite carbon copy who firmly believes he’s Cade’s superior.

The most fascinating aspect of this second story of the Djinn is the argument of nature versus nurture, of exploring how experiences in life shape a person and change them from who they are to who they could be. I realize the focus of The Double is on the continued romance between, Elyse and Cade, and now, Arcadius, but I couldn’t stop being fascinated by the differences and similarities between the two men who used to be one man.

The crux of Elyse’s relationship with Cade is trying to resist being interested in Arcadius too. Personally, I couldn’t see how she could realistically expect to be unaffected by the man. He is as Cade was when she first met him. There was something about him then, so Arcadius is like a condensed, purer form of Cade’s former self. Sound confusing? Guess that means this isn’t a standalone read. A reader really needs to read the first book to understand not only what I’m talking about in this review but to also understand the ramifications of the guy with the black tattoos. Very cool stuff.

Joseph’s character, although secondary, is a strong and pivotal plot stirrer. He isn’t what he used to be but he’s much, much better in some aspects. That creates new problems for him that only in this book was I able to understand just what is now at stake for him. It will be very interesting to see what happens next. His sub-story is just as fascinating and complex as the primary plot. And yet, he compliments Elyse and Cade extremely well.

The problem of one or two men to the one woman notwithstanding, The Double also provides a reader with a devious villain with a suspenseful plot that is nasty in nature. In the process of the heroine and heroes trying to solve the mystery before more people die, I learned some more facts about Elyse’s childhood. That cousin of hers was a harridan in the making, a dastardly twisted and self-centered little snot even back then who only got worse as she grew up. How much of that was nature and how much was nurture? With the father she had I’m of the mind that she had the worst of both and, I’m thinking she was doomed to be a prideful, evil, depraved woman. I think she got what she deserved but only time and Ms. Holly knows for sure.

As for the sex in this book, Ms. Holly pulled out all the stops and let the lust fly. Erotic romance readers should be plenty satisfied with the scope, the titillating complexity and the amount of sexy encounters between Elyse, Cade and eventually Arcadius too. There are emotional landmines to navigate, some of which are very unique to this particular book because of the split man/men. It’s a fascinating scenario but plenty hot too.

I remember the cliff hanger from the first book with regards to Elyse’s dad. I’m glad that was explored and explained in this novel. I liked his character. I also find interesting the author’s twisting of faith and religion between a fantasy world and the contemporary world. A few sentences in this tale were a bit hard for me to swallow, but it is a fantasy and fiction so I can’t begrudge an author exploring alternative scenarios to fit her fantastical characters.

Yasmin and Balu were introduced in this tale and they added to the plot conflict on various levels. I suspect that readers will see more of them in a future story. As for this novel, the happy ever after for Elyse and her men is getting closer. There were definite steps taken to make me believe it will happen soon, but Ms. Holly is a masterful storyteller so I’ll wait and see what happens next. There are still some missing people that have to be accounted for, one of which is the insane female who caused the entire ruckus in the first place. This series is addictive.

The Double should not be missed by anyone who read the first book, The Guardian. If fans thought that one was exciting, this one bumped it up a notch. There is a pivotal scene with a special book that almost turns the tide in a different and expected direction. I was biting my nails at that part. But Ms. Holly knows her readers and I am thrilled she chose what she did as the outcome. I’m a happy reader. I would definitely recommend this novel to everyone who read The Guardian but caution new readers – there will be parts that won’t make sense unless the first book is read. It’s worth checking out so they can get the full WOW factor of this one.

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Vampire in Paradise: A Deadly Angels Book by Sandra Hill

November 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ANGEL
Vampire in Paradise: A Deadly Angels Book by Sandra Hill
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (247 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It’s been centuries since the Norseman Sigurd Sigurdsson was turned into a Vangel—a Viking Vampire Angel—as punishment for his sin of envy, but he’s still getting the hang of having fangs that get in the way when seducing women. Slaying demon vampires known as Lucipires and using his healing gifts as a cancer research doctor, Sigurd is sent to Florida’s Grand Keys Island as a resident physician . . . where he encounters a sinfully beautiful woman.

The only hope Marisa Lopez has of curing her five-year-old daughter is a pricey experimental procedure. When she meets the good-looking doctor, Marisa is speechless. Then Sigurd tells her he believes he can help her daughter. Could this too-hot-to-resist Viking doctor be an angel of some sort sent to bring a miracle for her daughter? Or is he just a vampire bent on breaking Marisa’s heart?

Prepare to be entertained in a way unique to the storytelling talents of Ms. Hill. Once again readers are treated to a Viking turned vampire angel who suffers from a grievous sin. This time around it’s envy. It’s interesting how the author interprets and chooses just the right scenario to explain why the sin’s excesses are so wrong and the cumulative bad choices that ensue. What makes Sigurd’s sin so hurtful is the fact that he won’t repent. Instead, he hides it deep inside because he’s so ashamed. The kicker is, he won’t face it, tell anyone or change his course of action to prevent further activities in the same envious vein. It’s his final decision in life that leads to his death and new life as a creature with fangs. In just that little first chapter, I found out about the key issues with Sigurd and my attention was captured and interest engaged. How would a Viking defeat the burden of envy? A lustful attraction, a little hot bout of sex and a taste of lemon will do it every time.

Fans of Ms. Hill know at some point a grin or a giggle is sure to erupt while reading her books and this novel is no exception. My first snicker came from the initial dialogue between Sigurd and a woman he has no idea is his intended target, Marisa. The discourse about mace, biting, and the reference to ‘baring his little fangs’ amongst other things best left to the reader just tickled my funny bone. It’s so much fun. Then again, all the internal, ‘should I or shouldn’t I?’ issues, the internal angst and repartee between the both of them kept the pages turning. I never knew what ridiculous thing the author would have spewing from Sigurd’s mouth. Almost all of it was entertaining. The times when it wasn’t is when the tone of the storytelling got serious because of the villain; the hero had to get serious about saving people from Jasper.

Yes, Jasper and his minions are back. I’m so glad Ms. Hill decided to tone down the examples of Jasper’s deviant proclivities and the resultant details. When the series started, I got an eyeful and I was satisfactorily grossed out and convinced he was evil. I only needed to be reminded that he is 100% evil and totally unredeemable without additional gross details. I’m more than aware that he continues to be the perfect foil for my favorite heroic vangels. I didn’t experience any drastic cringes while reading this time around. I was quite relieved.

Another thing to be assured of is that Vampire in Paradise is a standalone read. This novel focuses on Sigurd and Marisa and is a complete story with nothing popping up from the previous books to confuse a first time reader. It does have the other vangels and some of their wives showing up to assist in various ways but their presence enhances the story, the romance and the plot movement on behalf of the hero and heroine. It’s all good.

The premise was rife for sinning and being saved, of being tempted and succumbing and strong emotions and surprise twists all from being on an island getaway that was all about sex and the porn industry. It seems an unlikely place to fall in love for real with so many naughty distractions impeding the process but when it’s true love, it’s unstoppable.

I adore Michael, the archangel. I enjoy seeing his reluctant affection for the Vikings he’s tasked with saving, eventually. The last line he quips in the book had me in stitches. The one thing this series has done for me personally is to rethink some of my beliefs in that it makes me want to know more about the valiant heroes, saints and angels. In Kiss of Temptation I adored Tante Lulu and her vocal and active adoration of one of the saints; it seems a wonderful way to be. I want to be like her when I grow up.

For all the entertainment value, smiles and fascinating plot twists that Vampire in Paradise provides a reader, it isn’t a literary brain worm. There were some paragraphs I didn’t care for, for various reasons, but that’s me. Other fans will probably absorb every single sentence with absolute delight and rate it a higher score, and that’s perfectly fine. There really is a lot to enjoy and the book is worth taking the time to read – in fact I encourage you to. The dialogue coupled with Sigurd’s and Marisa’s personalities is priceless.

Vampire in Paradise is saucy, sexy fun. It is well paced, has a unique plot location and has some delightful surprises. I enjoyed Sigurd and Marisa’s story and find it a wonderful addition to the series. I think fans of the series are going to be happy with this one too. I am.

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The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts

November 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HOLLY
The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full Length (354 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

How Santa Gets His Christmas Spirit Back…

James Claussen has played Santa for years, but now that he’s a widower, he’s lost interest—in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She’s arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet…Brooke wants Dad to be happy, but she’s not ready to see someone else’s mommy kissing Santa Claus.

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge, too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas, and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can’t provide either one. What she’d like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman… But John’s girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls, and he’s going to propose.

Of course not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don’t expect!

The Lodge on Holly Road reads like a holiday soap opera with nothing but happy endings for the main protagonists. It’s a feel good read that fits in with the theme of the season.

Not that it’s all fluff and cotton candy. Human emotions, expectations and assumptions not to mention life’s dismal realities do tend to give this novel a depth and richness. Most of the heroes and heroines have to overcome issues in order to find the happiness they all hope for in some part of their hearts. It’s getting there and how Ms. Roberts navigates the tricky personalities of her characters that made this book an entertaining read.

Like with most soap operas, there are one or two main plots that are highlighted with some background mini plots filling out the tableau, and somehow, they are all interconnected because for a week’s time, everyone is together in a very close setting. Not one character remains untouched by what goes on at the lodge.

There are those that start out like Scrooge but in the end show that they are marshmallows inside – while denying it the entire time. There are single moms and dutiful sons, grief and loss and new beginnings. There are kids on the cusp of not believing in Santa and adults who desperately want what the message of the season inspires. There are rich and poor, both in money and in spirit. Ms. Roberts covered all the bases, making The Lodge on Holly Road a busy but thoroughly engaging read.

The one that stood out to me, and I think that was the point, was John Truman. Every single time he did a monologue about his girlfriend, I knew, just knew where it was heading. I also had hopes, which the author gave plenty of hints that it was not in vain, as to whom he’d eventually turn to. The fact that the other lodgers noticed his plight somehow became the glue that touched every other character in the novel in some way and bound them together. His tale may not have started the story right away, but once he was on stage, I could see most of the plot threads being influenced by his actions and his presence.

There are too many heroes and heroines to go through in a review but I’d say they were all well done. The only one I was least impressed with was the romance of Brooke and Eric. Yes, it was sweet and happy but it didn’t have the detail nor was it as fleshed out as it could have been to convince me of their falling in love. I think the author was all about the “feel good” aspect of the story and if that was her aim, she was on target. Nothing wrong with that.

If readers are in the mood for a book that embodies the warmth, love and heart of the holiday season, especially Christmas, then look no further than The Lodge on Holly Road. It reads like a yummy dessert, with a crunchy outside and delicious multilayered gooey goodness inside. It’s a treat that I recommend for all readers who want a simple but busy character driven romance. The theme might be Christmas but at heart is a universal love story.

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Snared by Saber by Shelley Munro

November 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SBRE
Snared by Saber by Shelley Munro
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (160 pgs)
Other: M/F, Masturbation, Anal Play, Spanking,
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

When a feline virus on Earth wipes out much of his race, Saber Mitchell moves his shifter family to the jungle planet of Tiraq. To provide an income—and keep the testosterone-fueled males from killing each other over the lack of mates—Saber opens Middlemarch Resort, specializing in women’s capture fantasies. Unbeknownst to the women, some captures will be more permanent than others.

Saber has no plans to find a mate himself…until a capture goes awry, landing both him and “kidnapped” guest Eva Henry on the other side of the huge island. Saber must face birds, beasts, hungry natives and Eva’s own penchant for escape to see her safely back to the resort.

Keeping his hands off her proves impossible…even after Saber learns mating Eva comes with bigger, more dangerous troubles than all their jungle perils combined.

This is a fun story about sexy were-cats in space. Seems Earth’s environment turned poisonous to the were-felines in Middlemarch of the future so they left this old rock and found a new home. The thing about new home planets, there are some creatures already residing there, and some aren’t too friendly. It’s a built-in conflict of survival. However, it’s not necessarily reserved for survival of life, it’s also of the mind. The guy cats are going nuts because they NEED some female cats and there’s none to be had. What do about it is the second conflict and the main one that provides all the entertainment for a reader.

Things are very science fiction-ish in this tale. Saber is operating a space resort – or trying to. The first few chapters is spent setting up the world building and introducing a reader to the lingo, the issues and challenges, and the main players that will initially surround and help or hinder the hero, Saber. That includes the heroine, Eva, who is not of Earth but another planet altogether. Her planet has its own challenges and amazingly enough, greed and dysfunctional family squabbles follow human nature even into space. The heroine’s issues present a third conflict for a reader to enjoy. There’s no shortage of adventures, suspense or drama in this novel. Saber has his hands full in trying to woo and win his reluctant mate.

I was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning because of all the unfamiliar terms. My reading time slowed considerably because I spent time digesting the newness of the words, their meaning and their effect on the main protagonists. Once that was out of the way, the author focused on what she does so well – her characters and the romance. Once Saber and Eva are alone in the uninhabited part of the island, the tale became about him and her and their growing relationship provides the most entertainment value. Saber may have teeth and claws at times but there’s something on the island that has talons 100% of the time and it’s scary. I liked that. There are a couple of other surprises too that I felt were a nice touch. One was blue and the other hot with vegetables. You’ll have to read it to find out what I’m talking about.

One aspect of books by Ms. Munro is the smoking hot sex that her characters experience between the pages. Readers will find many opportunities to use their personal fans as they follow the growth of Eva and Saber’s physical attraction and culmination – numerous times. Erotic fans should be very satisfied. Obviously not as replete as Saber and Eva however, especially with that scene in the hut. Whoa!

I know in the blurb it mentions how reluctant Eva is to stay with Saber. That’s an understatement. She makes some rather poor choices that I felt were totally stupid. What saves it is Saber. He let her know that they were stupid and then he chose action to express his viewpoint. It was very effective and another bit of hot writing. Ultimately, Eva regained my respect because she stepped back and realized something. She was CHOSEN. For her, that is absolutely huge and a pivotal moment. Readers will only understand how profound that is once they’ve read the story. I liked her best at that crucial scene. It made what came after real, hopeful and it justifies my belief in their happy ever after.

There are also plenty of humorous scenes, dialogue and interaction so the drama of survival is mitigated by the lighthearted banter and silly things Eva says. The author made me smile many times as I read the book.

Erotic romance readers should find a lot to like and enjoy in Snared by Saber. Ms. Munro consistently provides her fans with stories of love on the wild side, however this novel is a bit more wild than usual. I really liked it and would definitely recommend it to readers. I especially enjoyed the sci-fi aspect of it as it provided something refreshing and out of the ordinary for me. Sometimes, cats in space are a very good thing.

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

The Night Belongs to Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

October 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FIREMAN
The Night Belongs to Fireman by Jennifer Bernard
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (296 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Daring . . . Sexy . . . Irresistible . . .
They’re the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel

When fireman Fred Breen rescues a bachelorette party after a construction crane collapses onto their limo, the media labels him the “Bachelor Hero.” But all Fred can think about is the petite brunette with the sexy mane of dark curls who bolted away from him faster than a wildfire after he carried her to safety. And when he discovers she’s none other than Rachel Kessler, the daughter of a tech billionaire, the girl whose kidnapping riveted the nation, he intends to learn every intimate detail about this intriguing woman who sets his pulse on fire.

Rachel can’t deny the lean-muscled firefighter is smokin’ hot. But after having one too many drinks at the bar where she first meets him, Rachel knows she’s made a fool of herself. Yet when he rescues her from the limo, she feels safe for the first time since she was held for ransom as a child. Then her overprotective father insists Fred be her bodyguard—and his close presence kindles a burning desire that only he can extinguish.

I find nothing more romantic than a story about two people who love each other so much, they want the absolute best for the other person, even at their own expense. It’s a theme that has been done numerous times in the past but this time it’s special. The author put her own clever stamp on the storyline by making the hero a hunky fireman who doesn’t think he’s anything special, and a woman with a scary past who is so rich, she’s been stuffed behind a wall of protection all of her adult life. The basic outcome is eventually the hero finally understands he IS special, and worthy of the title ‘hero, and the heroine learns to stand up for herself and not let the terror of the past dictate her future. They each do things that benefit the other but as is the course of human nature when crisis is in the mix and emotions and passions run high, folks don’t always say or do the brightest things in those types of situations. Such is one of the conflicts in this story and Ms. Bernard navigated it well.

I really like Fred. I also find it unusual to have a hero named Fred. Initially, I thought of Fred from Scooby Doo but that didn’t last too long. Ms. Bernard’s Fred is intelligent, fit, and talented in Martial Arts and performs a job that has him run into danger and possible harm, not away. He has a few chips on his shoulder that he has to face during the course of the story. Leave it to Ms. Bernard to put her hero in the most dramatic and suspenseful of situations to get a reader’s blood pumping. Some of the scenes with Fred are full of action, written with tight descriptions that make the gritty drama and fast pace pop off the pages. He comes through at the end with heroic flair and I enjoyed every moment of it. Even his dialogue showcases his personality.

Rachel is not a typical heroine. Yes, she’s pampered by daddy, but there’s a reason. A very good reason. She’s sweet, earnest and has an adventurous, fun side that seems to come out only with Fred. She’s a little rebel too and her actions, though they sometime verge on the annoying, contribute to the plot conflict. Ultimately, she does find the strength within herself to face her greatest enemy and those scenes prove to be quite gripping.

The villain of the piece was two-fold. And the one person I thought all along it might be, was not. One was a total nutcase, of which there was a tiny hint but I didn’t catch it until Fred remembered it, and the other came out of left field. That villain truly freaked me out. What a great choice of character!

When Fred and Rachel finally have had enough of their simmering feelings and act on them, the only thing I can say is, it’s a good thing that Fred is a fireman. Those pages were smoking and their getting together was sexy.

One of the cutest parts was when all the firefighter’s wives gathered to give Rachel some advice. It was adorable and fun. In fact seeing Vader again, and quite a few of the other firefighters from past books, was a true treat. This is solidly a standalone read, but it was a wonderful touch to have the other guys help Fred out when some of the situations got sticky. That reporter needs to be gagged. She’s NOT a nice person.

The Night Belongs to Fireman is a terrific addition to the Bachelor Fireman Series because it keeps the tradition of a great story, a hero and heroine that are fun to read about and a nice and easy storytelling voice. This novel has a lot going for it, including a wonderful dog, Greta. The author’s descriptions of scenes with Greta painted a clear picture and it was a delightful addition to the tale. I definitely recommend this book for romance readers, especially those who enjoy a bit of mystery and suspense to spice it up. Ms. Bernard sure knows how to entertain a reader.

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Marriage, Las Vegas Style by Terry Spear

October 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment

VEGAS
Marriage, Las Vegas Style by Terry Spear
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (145 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Marcy Taylor wants a divorce, but she doesn’t want her husband to go after the family fortune, so she’s trying to do this the easy way, no fuss, no muss.

The only problem is Michael Lindquist doesn’t have a wife, and he’s sure she’s running a scam to try to get his family’s fortune!

It all began in Las Vegas when Marcy threw caution to the wind. Boy, was that a mistake. Twenty-five thousand dollars richer with a husband to boot and one powerful hangover, she’s got to right the wrong.

Now that Michael has a wife he doesn’t know he had, he’s not at all sure he wants to lose her. At least until he can unravel the mystery about her. And that’s how the roller coaster ride all began.

Mix a little alcohol with a mini rebellion, add in a Las Vegas preacher and poor decisions are a guarantee, right? Probably happens in many cases, but not in Marriage, Las Vegas Style. The heroine’s impulsive and drink induced moment of love at first sight makes for a real romance – too bad the hero can’t remember it.

The story has a few dilemmas to solve. First, have the hero remember his wife; second, help the hero’s father get a divorce; third, get the heroine’s father to see the light; fourth, and the biggie, fall in love all over again – sober. Talk about an ambitious book!

What the list doesn’t say is how much fun is in the process of fulfilling all four goals. There are quite a few moments of hilarity which made reading a treat. Brief appearances by Andy, Tomas and Rob enhance the story and a meeting of father and daughter ups the emotional suspense and introduces a pivotal moment of tension. There is even a surprise twist that makes things all work out. Imagine that!

I enjoyed the dynamics between Michael and Marcy. I liked watching them rediscover the very things that attracted both of them to each other initially but now they experience the courtship with clarity and assurance that the previous encounter surely didn’t have. The beginning of their relationship may have seemed like a fairy tale gone awry but their reality is much more convoluted, difficult and filled with unexpected hurdles. One of which is, Marcy decides she wants a divorce. Now how in the world is Michael going to deal with that just when he gets used to having a wife? I enjoyed the entire progression and I was greatly entertained. Ultimately, the happy ever after is reached and I liked the idea of the story coming full circle. Nice touch.

Most of the resolving of the dilemmas came about in a mostly logical process that I could accept. What I found hard to swallow was the 180 degree turn Marcy’s father took at the end. It was too convenient and rather anticlimactic. I mean, they meet and now everything is hunky dory, let bygones be bygones and no repercussions mentioned and no real apology issued? Seriously? And now it’s all okay? It was too saccharine for me to deal with. I’m happy for Marcy and Michael but that whole scene sort of fell flat for me. The other ‘mostly logical’ fix is in the form of using someone to make someone else see the light. I’m not too sure if a husband would be that completely clueless and the fact that the plan practically went off without a hitch, except for the unexpected escape, seems again, too perfect. I don’t think any human being can plan a devious solution quite like Marcy did and have it go their way. It just didn’t jive with me. The one good thing though, is that there were no loose ends. The author tied everything up in a nice little multihued bow.

Marriage, Las Vegas Style is a light, whimsical and enjoyable read. It’s not heavy or filled with too much angst so it’s the perfect book to read for a bit of romance and lighthearted fare. I think readers will enjoy the experience. There’s a lot to like and Marcy and Michael are actually very good together. Try it and see for yourself.

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Embrace the Night by Caris Roane

October 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Bella Media Management
Embrace the Night by Caris Roane
The Blood Rose Series: Five
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (122 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

He ignored his deepest needs for a hundred years…

Mastyr Vampire Jude has kept his distance from all women because he lost his wife and daughter to an enemy attack a hundred years ago. He won’t go through that kind of loss again. And he won’t jeopardize another woman’s life while the deadly Invictus wraith-pairs still pose a threat in the Nine Realms. But when Hannah saves his life by creating unexpected fire from the palms of her hands, he knows that something ‘very realm’ is going on with her and he can no longer ignore his long-suppressed desire for the beautiful owner of the Gold Rush bar. When his cravings for her blood and her body drive him to take her to bed and tap into her vein, his world shifts forever. But can Hannah make the adjustment to a life lived on the frontlines of an ongoing war? And if anything should happen to her, how could he ever live with himself?

There is something compelling about this series that keeps me coming back for more. Ms. Roane has created a world that mixes a drop of contemporary with a whole lot of ‘other’ and comes up with a new and fascinating twist for the vampire romance genre. So far, I’ve read every short and novelette that she’s written regarding the nine realms and none have let me down.

First, Embrace the Night is a standalone. There are some references to characters that I’ve met in the past but they show up like listening to a one-sided telephone conversation; they provide clues and information but don’t interfere with the main focus of the story: the romance between Mastyr Jude and Hannah.

The talent that Ms. Roane wields is formidable. Every story, no matter the length, always makes me feel like I got a full story, complete with emotional and sentimental undercurrents, action, drama, some humor, amazement and even some very sexy loving – emphasis on sexy. This tale is no different. The hero has experienced loss in the past that hurt him so bad, he’s adamant that he’ll never succumb to love again. The heroine is a woman who prides herself on her independence and is doing fine but finds herself wanting something that she should not, Jude. When they get together, passion simmers and pops until they succumb and something is unleashed that catches them both by surprise. What happens then is a journey. Jude and Hannah have to balance their newfound knowledge with finding acceptance in their new roles. What complicates the matter is the villain.

The villain and her horde are not explored too thoroughly here. That was done in Embrace the Mystery when the ‘who’ was finally revealed. In this story, enough is shared with a new reader to understand the danger without making a reader feel lost. The powerful fae sends a new kind of threat to attack Jude’s realm and the menace becomes personal when she targets Hannah. Jude has to make a choice, embrace his potential relationship with Hannah or lose her forever. Hannah has to decide how much her independence is really worth and what is she willing to lose to keep it. Both internal conflicts play nicely off of each other and provide a wonderful backdrop for an adventurous, romantic novelette.

The secondary characters that come to play are always interesting, helpful and give flavor to the storytelling. The one component that I believe the author relies heavily upon is Davido and his wife. They are nice people and interesting but they are a powerful couple who the author has used as a tool to get her main protagonists from point A to B. I believe that they are the glue or the facilitators that allow such short stories to flow in the cohesive manner I’ve come to expect. Not that it’s a bad thing, far from it, because it works. However, sometimes it comes across as too perfect or too helpful and I had a sense of that in this story. Then again, it’s also a way to keep the angst level low and the reading enjoyment high and smooth flowing. It’s a tricky balance.

Embrace the Night is a must read for vampire romance fans that are looking for something new, vibrant and fascinating. The concept of the Blood Rose is intriguing and the world Ms. Roane has created is full of nuances, fantasy folklore characters, vampires and lots of dire and interesting predicaments. Hannah and Jude made for a wonderful couple and their romance was delightful. If a reader hasn’t had the experience of reading this series before, this is a fun one to start off with. If anything, it might even intrigue a reader enough to read the previous books in the series. And that would be a great thing because a couple are even better than this one. Which is me saying – go forth and read. The Blood Rose series is pure entertainment and Embrace the Night is a great addition to the tales of the nine realms. I’m glad I read it.

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What to Do with a Bad Boy by Marie Harte

October 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment

BOY
What to Do with a Bad Boy by Marie Harte
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (366 pgs)
Other: M/F, Anal Play, Spanking
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Mike McCauley had his soul mate for a precious time before she died giving birth to their son. She left him with the best boy a guy could want, so why is everyone playing matchmaker? He’s sick of it . . . until he meets Delilah Webster.

For some reason, the foul-mouthed, tattooed mechanic sets his motor running. He sees the loving woman buried within. But the closer they get, the more the pain of past wounds throws a monkey wrench into a future he’s not sure he can handle…

After reading this novel, the hero wasn’t the only one needing a cold shower. This story has scenes so hot, I swear the pages scorched my eyebrows.

What to Do with a Bad Boy is finally giving me what I want, Mike’s story. For such a fussy and fastidious housekeeper and father of such a cute little rascal named Colin, I never dreamed he had such sexy and kinky depths hidden in that big hunky body of his. Guess it took a woman with a hint of “bad girl” to get the hero to open up which means Del is the perfect woman for him. Ms. Harte made sure of that.

The internal conflict that holds Mike back is the memory of his first wife. Yes, he loved her and still does but he needs to move on. Even he thinks so. But he’s got this ‘ideal’ that he believes he must have and having any feelings or lust for Del seems so wrong, it scares him. The interesting thing about lust is the power it can have. In this story, it slams into Mike so hard he can’t help but ponder, wonder and salivate over ‘what if?’ That is the chink in his armor that Del slips through and the fun begins.

Del is quite a mix of brash, confident, mouthy and hidden deep inside, sentimental and purely feminine. She’s definitely on the rough side but that works perfectly when she bounces that attitude of hers off of Mike. I also like the fact that she’s capable, smart and willing to step out of her comfort zone for friends. There is a lot for a reader to like about the heroine.

The basic plot is focused on Mike and Del getting over their hang-ups in order to fall in love. Mike’s path is onerous because he has to truly, finally and completely reconcile his past with his present. That pivotal moment was a gut punch. It was well written, dramatic and powerful because it was full of intense emotion and pain. What a great scene. Del has to learn to compromise and trust that for once, she has the real deal, true love, and Mike isn’t simply going to go ‘poof’. She has a hard time with that transition of expecting failure to expecting success instead.

One thing about this book is the hotness of it. Once Mike realizes that Del can take anything he can dish out, he taps into sexual yearnings he’s always had but buried deep. With Del, he can be himself and once he realizes that, readers are in for some heat inducing scenes. Seems he has this thing for tying Del up and giving her orders and even spanking her when she’s ‘bad’. For Del, a tough and suffers-no-fools kind of gal, giving Mike that kind of power over her is a heady trip and one that shocks her because she had no clue she wouldn’t mind a take charge kind of guy to that extent. Throughout all the amazing sex scenes, Ms. Harte did something fascinating. She incorporated dialogue, both internal and external, throughout their mating. The author wrote them in such a way that a reader can’t simply skim over them thinking, ‘oh, it’s just another sex scene’. If they do skim, they’ll miss the growth of Mike and Del’s relationship. It’s interwoven so tightly it gives meaning to the sex and makes every single moment thoroughly readable. No mistake though; have the ice handy for a few of them.

The one character I could have done without was Grace. I understood why she was included in this story, she was a conflict foil. Still, she annoyed me. The fact that Mike’s mom acted the way she did annoyed me too. I expected better from her for some reason and the fact she kept on her stubborn blinders about Del just got my goat.

Colin was his usually rascally self. I enjoyed how the author got into his head and allowed me to follow his reasoning as to why Del would be the perfect mom for him. What he did to try to orchestrate it was adorable. All through the series, he was a lovable character and Ms. Harte made him shine in this novel.

I think this book could be read as a standalone but I wouldn’t recommend it only because I believe that the reading of it is more powerful after reading the previous three. Ms. Harte has been slowly seducing readers about Mike and Del for quite some time. If a reader wants the full effect, read at least the previous two novels. They’ll be glad they did.

Reading What to Do with a Bad Boy is like the perfect summer vacation – everything that could make the experience the best it could be, a reader gets. Mike and Del’s story is a home run and closes the series with a winner of a story. The romance is wonderful, the sex is deliciously wicked and all the characters provide that family feeling of continuity and connection. I definitely recommend this book to romance readers, especially those that like their books extra sizzling.

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

Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan

October 14, 2014 By 1 Comment

MAYBE
Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full Length (251 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

This winter, ex-skiing champion, reformed heartbreaker and single dad Tyler O’Neil has only one mission—making sure his daughter, Jess, has the best Christmas ever. The fact that his best friend, Brenna, is also temporarily moving into his chalet at the overbooked Snow Crystal resort is a delicious distraction he’s simply going to have to ignore. Theirs is the one relationship he’s never ruined, and he’s not about to start now.

Ski pro Brenna Daniels knows all about the perils of unrequited love—she’s been in love with Tyler for years. But living with him is absolute torture…how can she concentrate on being his friend when he’s sleeping in the room next door? Then when Tyler kisses Brenna, suddenly the relationship she’s always dreamed of feels so close she could almost touch it. Could this be the Christmas her dreams of a happy-ever-after finally come true?

Maybe This Christmas is a holiday themed romance that reads like a warm hug, filled with love and devotion. It took a while for the hero to understand that the best holiday gift has been with him his whole life. This story follows Tyler as he discovers the courage to open his ‘present’ and his heart.

I’ve now read all three books and I have to say that Sleigh Bells in the Snow and Maybe This Christmas are the ones that should be made into Hallmark movies. All the elements are there to make readers feel like they are part of the family because their emotions are engaged completely by the time they finish reading the first chapter of either book. Ms. Morgan seems to know our secret desires of what a Christmas holiday romance should encompass and she delivers it flawlessly.

Truly, I put on holiday music as I wrote this review. I was inspired. The story creates a sense of joy and magic about snow storms, evergreens laden down with snow and the crisp mountain air of Vermont. The scenes about skiing, snowmobiling and trudging through the white drifts were well described and made me feel like I was there. It even almost made me look forward to winter again – almost.

Tyler was an interesting character. He was a man driven to excel, to succeed and to push himself to the limit in the skill of competitive skiing. In a few seconds, an accident on a ski run took it all away. This book explores the journey of the hero coming to terms with his new reality and Tyler isn’t taking it too well. Enter a pivotal secondary character – his daughter, Jess. Their relationship provided many moments of reflection, emotion, hilarity, tender words and love between father and daughter. It was heart warming, rocky, quirky and a work in progress. I enjoyed the scenes of them together.

The thing Tyler and Jess both agree on is how wonderful Brenna Daniels is, for obviously different reasons. Thing is, Brenna has loved Tyler all her life but he’s absolutely clueless. I liked how the heroine was depicted. She tried to live her life the best she could, resigning herself to unrequited love. Not only does she have to struggle to act like she doesn’t care but she has a strained relationship with her parents. When Ms. Morgan was ready to share it, imagine my surprise as to the reason. It was rather shocking. Not only did it make things so much clearer, it had its own happy ever after finale and I was very touched.

Even though most of the conflict is internal there is one external conflict that has been bubbling under the surface for a while. This is where Ms. Morgan shines – she takes a subject that has deep and possibly tragic lifetime repercussions and explores how a person can heal and rise above the pain. I speak of being bullied in school. The author handled the conflict with care and the scenes that dealt with it were examples of powerful writing. I couldn’t help but be emotionally engaged in the telling and the author showed just how heart wrenching it can be but also provided readers with a twist. The heroine realizes a shocking truth and it stunned me. Ms. Morgan, through her heroine, shows how empowering being able to forgive can be. I respected the heck out of Brenna at that moment.

No spicy romance would be complete without the hero and heroine finally succumbing to their built up passions. It doesn’t get any more romantic that this. Ms. Morgan certainly satisfies a reader on that score. Of course, Tyler initially bumbled it. That made great conflict because at that point he was still trying to reconcile the possibilities with his fears. Eventually, after an ultimatum that shocked him to his toes, Tyler does what he does best – focuses and lets nothing stop him from succeeding. The resulting scene practically melted my heart. This series ends with the ultimate in romantic settings and dialogue and scenes that made me say, “Awwww!”

Maybe This Christmas is filled with warmth, joy and love. This novel is filled with lessons learned, yearnings fulfilled and adorable dogs frolicking among its pages. It’s a story I’m adding to my keeper shelf to reread when I need a boost of “feel good’ to brighten my day. It’s that kind of book and worth recommending to romance readers everywhere. Get your smile on and read Maybe This Christmas.

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