Photograph by Tanith Davenport

August 1, 2014 By 4 Comments

PHOTOGRAPH
Photograph by Tanith Davenport
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (198 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Spanking, masturbation
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

She wanted him. Her sister married him.

Tara Thornton hasn’t spoken to her sister in two years, ever since Azure married the man of Tara’s dreams. Tired of the rift, Azure invites her to take a Mediterranean cruise on a friend’s yacht and, bowing to family pressure, Tara accepts.

Forced to be in close proximity with the man she still desires, Tara is thrown into confusion. The presence of celebrity theme park owner Liam Wilder and the reality of his marriage to Azure send Tara into a tailspin and, in an attempt to regain control, she responds to the advances of hot fellow guest Ryan Hyde, while determined to feel no affection for him.

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A hard won happy ever after is the reward for reading Photograph and it’s worth experiencing Tara’s growing pains. It’s not often a heroine is the one having to navigate territory that usually is a male’s purview.

Ms. Davenport had quite the challenge facing her when dealing with Tara. A reader is first introduced to the heroine when she is at her most uptight, obsessive, illogical, controlling and nasty as well as stubborn beyond belief. In short, she’s not likeable. Her internal dialogue gives a reader a clear indication of her obsession. It’s not healthy. Who can reach a person that mentally closed off?

Her sister, Azure. I loved the name Azure; it’s so pretty. Tara’s sister is the one who orchestrates an unusual scenario that forces their issues to break open. It’s clever, elaborate and effective. It’s not without its downside but I admit to being pleasantly surprised at one of the twists. In fact, once one of the dramatic and suspenseful incidents happened, the book exhibited a tighter handling of plot focus and intensity. It’s when this book started to shine and I found myself completely engaged and totally enjoying myself.

The style of writing in the first half of the novel is split between Tara’s point of view and Azure’s POV. A reader gets to understand why Azure pushes so hard and what demons plague Tara. In the early stages of the plot, the head hopping hurt my brain. The little snippets of going back in time to relive some moments that lead up the current situation between the two sisters, although commendable in their inclusion, made me want to facepalm – it broke up the flow of the story and it didn’t work for me.

One thing the head hopping and switches of POV accomplished was to help me understand that Tara’s imagination created a picture of a person that had no bearing on reality. The object of her obsession was revealed through Azure as being a person totally and completely unsuited to Tara’s personality, yet that person fits Azure like a glove. And that is also where I saw the slow change and dawning awareness in Tara that nothing was as she believed. She couldn’t handle it so she did what guys normally do which is another clue to her personality. After that moment, the crack in Tara’s shield started to spread and I got to see some amazing shifts as told through internal dialogue and the heroine’s own actions. And readers need to pay attention to her choice of words, they’re very telling. Once that started happening, I was able to see the evidence as to why Azure did not want to give up on Tara, why she pushed so hard and I started to see glimpses of what made their relationship so special before it all went to pot. Tara is redeemable and worth saving.

As for the sex, readers will get their fix. It doesn’t happen only for Tara, Azure gets some too. And believe it or not, sex is important in this tale which was a pleasant surprise. I’m serious too. Usually sex is about titillation or a celebration of a couple coming together in a romance. In Photograph sex is a barometer of emotion and discovery and a key component to Tara’s redemption and I truly got the biggest kick out of that. Way cool.

Initially, Photograph is a hard book to get into because of Tara’s personality and some of the issues I mentioned above. Stick with it because it’s so very worth it. The heroine’s character growth is significant and powerful, the drama and excitement that the author infused at certain key points in the story were well written and gripping and set fire to the plot movement. The growing attraction between Ryan and Tara was a complex love dance that ultimately culminated in a soon to be HEA. I won’t clarify that statement; a reader will have to find out for one’s self. The intimate encounters were varied and always well placed, not to mention delightfully hot. The happily ever after is intricate and substantial and it tied up some loose ends making it a wonderful way to end the story. It’s not a fairy tale ending; it’s the perfect ending for both Tara and Azure. If readers like character driven plots then this book fits the bill. If readers like challenging and strong female protagonists, then this is the novel to choose. Photograph has a lot to offer; pick up your own copy and see for yourself.

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

How to Handle a Heartbreaker by Marie Harte

July 31, 2014 By 1 Comment

HANDLE
How to Handle a Heartbreaker by Marie Harte
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (361 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It’s lust-at-first-sight when Brody Singer first sees Abby Dunn. Abby looks a lot like a woman he once knew, one who died years ago. But Abby’s definitely different—shyer but sexier.

Abby’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.

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I thought The Troublemaker Next Door was a good read but this was even better. I enjoyed How to Handle a Heartbreaker immensely because it had a greater depth of emotion and characterization that pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. In fact there is a wonderful richness to the storytelling; add in the sexy and hot scenes with Brody and Abby and a reader has the sweetest of frostings on their romance cake. It was highly entertaining.

Brody was just a jokester in the last book so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was a man with incredibly complex and complicated layers. The horrid childhood he endured was hard to read about. How it affected him in his relationship with Abby made my heart sore. What that means is that Ms. Harte has created a fantastic character for a reader to get to know and fall in love with. He made me laugh, blush, sigh and even sniffle. I didn’t outright cry but I came close when Brody and Flynn were having a very open and serious talk. I think those pages were some of the best, most profound writing of the whole book. I was very impressed.

Abby is sort of how I thought she would be but better. She alternated between being funny, insightful or just plain sweet. Hidden in all of that is a serious backbone made of steel. She showed it when dealing with one of her sisters, and she showed it when she had to deal with Brody. Consider it tough love. I didn’t think she had it in her but when it really counted, Abby held firm. She was independent enough to stand on her own two feet but woman enough to want a worthy man to walk by her side. Getting to that point made for fascinating reading and I enjoyed myself every step of the way.

Mutt is back and he’s so cute. Big, but cute. As for other secondary characters, it was nice to see Flynn and Maddie again. But there’s something brewing with other family members and it looks like there could be a rocky road ahead. And there was a surprise from Brody’s past; I’ll call it a good thing/bad thing sort of situation. Even though it started out bad, it’s another example of a very poignant and powerful bit of writing that raised this story up to a higher level of enjoyment. Ms. Harte really put my emotions through the wringer with this one, and I loved every moment.

And that is what made this novel so compelling. The last one had a lot of sex and although it was well done, How to Handle a Heartbreaker has more heart and feeling and emotion connecting the characters. I cared about them, worried about them and was concerned for them. It had tenderness, raunchy fun, sentimental romance and men being men and acting like rambunctious boys. The dialogue was integral to the plot movement and romance development and I enjoyed all the interaction. It’s a well written book.

How to Handle a Heartbreaker is a keeper. I don’t know how Ms. Harte is going to top this one when it comes to Cam’s story but I can’t wait to find out. This one completely won me over and I’m thrilled to have read it. It’s definitely a standalone read and a great choice for summer reading fun. Abby and Brody are awesome together. Pick up your own copy and see for yourself.

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

Someday My Prince by Christina Dodd

July 30, 2014 By Leave a Comment

PRINCE
Someday My Prince by Christina Dodd
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (358 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The Princess Must Marry

Princess Laurentia leads a fairy-tale life, attending glittering balls and wearing beautiful gowns. But after the ball is over, Laurentia finds herself getting into bed…alone. She dutifully agrees to choose a husband, but when she casts her eyes over her sea of suitors, she doesn’t see a single man worthy enough to claim her.

But Who Will She Choose?
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Then suddenly, she is swept off her feet by Prince Dominick, soldier of fortune, black sheep of his family…and the man hired to protect her. He’s brazen enough to steal her kisses, yet tender enough to soothe her with one touch. He makes no promises, speaks no vows of forever…yet Laurentia can’t help but hope that her prince has finally arrived.

Talk about second chances. Someday My Prince succeeds in doing the impossible.

If a reader has already tackled The Runaway Princess they’ll have an idea by now as to why I mentioned ‘impossible’. Dom wasn’t exactly a nice guy in the previous book. He was a villainous character but what he really was and is, is an anti-hero. I saw hints of personality quirks that hinted at something that could be redeemed. In Someday My Prince Ms. Dodd took those little flickers of goodness and used some rather impressive bellows to fan the flames of decency, creating a hero worth checking out in this novel.

It’s hard to banish the past, either from a reader’s mind or even from Dom’s own point of view. Yet Ms. Dodd presented enough proof for me to believe the hero could be a better man, a happier man, with the right incentive. That incentive comes in the form of Princess Laurentia. She’s got teeth, an attitude and a lot of secrets. She alternates from being feisty, temperamental, innocent, brave, conniving, trusting and adventurous. Basically, she’s the kind of woman who wouldn’t bore a man like Dom but keep him on his toes and wouldn’t let him run roughshod over her. He tries because after all he’s a mercenary, and like he tells everyone, a bastard. Acts like it at times too. I appreciated the fact that he didn’t completely act like a total loser – he has in inner code of honor- rusted to be sure but it’s there. The odd thing is his tenacity and his ability to rationalize errant behavior with honor. I’m not sure if I would buy that story if it were me instead of Laurentia. I’m almost sure I would have used the gun in a different manner. The heroine is made of sterner backbone than me.

The plot was interesting and I liked seeing two kingdoms duking it out. I figured out who the traitor might be only because of the extreme stiffness of the character. It was like watching a prune with legs. As for the top villain, a reader is told he’s bad and there are brief glimpses that lend credence to the claim but nothing that made me gasp or shiver or worry. Dom is such a wounded bear anyway so I knew he was going to trounce someone at some point. As for resolving the overall conflict, it was a bit too simple for any reader who thrives on details and suspense to appreciate. The story used the background conflict to further the romance between Dom and Laurentia and caused bumps, trials and tribulations for them to navigate so readers could see their relationship grow. It was entertaining but nothing spectacular.

The happy ever after was satisfactory. The true heroes and heroines of the kingdom were recognized and it was nice to see. Laurentia and Dom’s finally coming together isn’t sweet, sappy or boring. It’s fraught with emotional passion right up until the end, which is on par for those two. I believe they will be happy and Dom will finally know peace and acceptance. After reading the book, it’s a beautiful hope and I felt good about that.

Someday My Prince is a nice sequel and it tied up all its loose ends completely. I think the heroine was the right type of woman for the hero and their relationship sure wasn’t dull. This novel entertained me and I felt it worth my time. It’s not quite as frenetic as the previous book but it’s meaty just the same. I think it has much to offer readers, especially those who like to see bad boys finding their redemption. Dom isn’t cured of being bad, but now he’s bad for all the right reasons. That’s good enough for me.

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

Before the Dawn by Emma Weylin

July 29, 2014 By 1 Comment

DAWN
Before the Dawn by Emma Weylin
Secret Blood Book 2
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (95 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Samantha Moore doesn’t know she’s a werewolf. For years she believed she was a monster until a hot stranger walks into her father’s bar. With the promise of a better life and freedom from a cage, she decides to trust her animal instincts.
Nicodemus Wolcott works for the shape-shifter Tribunal. When he goes to investigate a report of a distressed shifter, he doesn’t expect to find his mate. He can teach his she wolf how to be a werewolf, but his one chance at love could be lost when nothing turns out as it seemed.

Before the Dawn is a sexy short shot of romance, paranormal drama and wolfish delight. It’s a fast paced novella that covers the gamut of what I look for in a book without being too heavy handed on any of its conflicts.
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Samantha is the heroine who has the most adjustment to make in this tale. She’s been living a lie and what I really liked about getting to follow her on her journey was that nothing was as it first appeared. I was surprised, which is a credit to the author’s talent. Samantha has a great capacity for forgiveness despite what she’s gone through. I credit that to her mostly normal upbringing when she was her littlest.

Nicodemus has his hands full. He’s the man who has to juggle all the issues and problems Samantha unknowingly carries with her and I liked that the hero was written in a strong manner. Admittedly he comes across as an alpha jerk too. But for all his heavy handedness, I appreciated that he liked Samantha standing up to him and refusing to take any of his guff. When they butt heads it is fun and entertaining reading. I got to see Nicodemus at his wolfie best and that was fun too.

When Samantha and Nicodemus finally culminate their hot passion it was well done and nicely balanced within the action of the tale. I liked their dialogue, their push/pull relationship and the way the author had them work it all out.

Granted, it being a short story means things happen fast. Some jumps occur that seems way too convenient and improbable; but having the protagonists plod their way through logic and strict reality would have bogged down the story and stalled the fast pace. I guess something had to give. Who needs pesky logic when the story is so fun?

The villains were delightfully treacherous and nasty and I enjoyed how the author lead me through the dawning realization of just how insidious were their plans. It made the final confrontation satisfying.

I give Before the Dawn high marks for entertainment value. It is totally a standalone read with only minor references to the previous book, Dark Forest. This story is wholly focused on Samantha and Nicodemus with a few interesting secondary characters to spice things up. It’s a one sitting read due to the author’s talent of making each chapter even more interesting or revealing than the last. I think paranormal romance readers are going to like this one, especially if they enjoyed Dark Forest. Ms. Weylin knows how to weave a fun tale.

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

Spirited: A Tidewater Novel by Mary Behre

January 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SPIRITTED
Spirited: A Tidewater Novel by Mary Behre
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (294 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

She’s running from who she is…

All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life—preferably one that doesn’t include ghosts. Jules’s talent for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her…

He’ll do whatever it takes to catch her.

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Ever read a book that was so suspenseful it left you shivery, so exciting that it left you hyperventilating? That can partly describe this amazing story called Spirited. One thing is for sure, I was blown away. Ms. Behre has an amazing capacity to draw in a reader with her characters and deliver an intensely entertaining and eye-popping read. I am in awe.

Spirited is the first book I’ve ever read by this author but I was so impressed by my reading experience, I will not only look forward to the next book in the series, Guarded but I’m going be looking for any previous books. If this is a sample of her usual style, I want more. Understand something. I don’t think I’ve had a book take over me like the way this has done in a LONG time. Yes, I’ve enjoyed books, some immensely so, but to have a physical effect on my breathing and dry eyes from trying not to blink so I won’t miss a second of the action, the jumpy feeling of wanting to know what happens next yet maybe afraid of finding out, but the burning obsession of having to know – to do all that to me? Now that is writing talent.

There are a lot of stories out there about so called ‘ghost whisperers’ and psychics and whatnot, but the author took a common paranormal theme and made it her own. I adored how she lead Jules, the heroine, from ignoring her gift to embracing it and using it to perform a miracle. That growth of personal acceptance was phenomenal. Ms. Behre imbued her characters with warmth, humor, honor, and distinct and interesting personalities. Every single person, dead or alive, played a key role in helping solve a mystery that seemed to get messier, more mysterious and intriguing as each chapter lead Jules to find her true love while solving the crime.

Finding true love while keeping a secret is hard. Keeping that secret when your true love might end up being a cop is almost a recipe for disaster. Seth is the hero and he really defines the word because he has some wonderful, romantic qualities. He’s not perfect and he makes mistakes but he does a lot of things right and one of those is falling in love with the heroine. The journey is bumpy and is never ever boring. I got the biggest laughs right in the beginning when they first met. When Jules got an eyeful of Seth’s sleeping attire I could not contain my mirth. That. Was. Hysterical! And little zingers kept popping up here and there throughout the story so it was a nice touch. Clever, actually.

Let’s talk sensuality. The pages steamed from it. I adore a story with a sexy build up. The teases, the glimpses of heat, the yearning, the ‘almost’ moments that bring that passion to a fever pitch only to have life or a cold wind blow to pop the moment – that is the kind of romantic tale that makes reading fun. The anticipation builds not just for the characters but for the reader as well. Jules and Seth weren’t the only ones happy when they finally did the deed. It was great!

Another thing that was powerful was the suspense of solving a mystery. The clues, the deaths, the race against the clock – it was gripping. Here’s another thing about Spirited that I appreciated – the writing style. Every chapter ended with a plot twist, a cliff hanger, a surprise reveal, just something that hooked me and kept me wanting to know what happens next, who was going to learn what and would Jules ever trust Seth enough to tell him her big secret? How was that going to look like? Sound like? How was he going to take it? And is the good guy really a good guy? Oh man, there was one scene when I almost came off of my chair because I thought Jules had just trusted the wrong guy. It’s writing like that which impresses me no end and Ms. Behre makes it look so easy.

Spirited is a must read book for fans of romantic suspense. I can’t come up with one complaint or wish that something could have been done different. I consider it one of the most perfect books I’ve read in a long time. Its characters, dialogue, plot, editing, method of delivery and mastery of descriptions were everything I could wish for in any book, not just a romance. For readers willing to give this book a try, leave yourself plenty of time to read it because if you’re like me, you might not want to put it down. This is the kind of book that if I could drive and read at the same time, or walk and read or work and read , this is the book that I’d do it with. I took a chance on a new author and I consider it one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. I’m a happy reader.

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