February 13, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Naughty Hearts (Boxed Set), by the Naughty Literati

A Super Collection for Valentine’s Day

Erotic 18+/Adult Read

Whatever your reading preferences you are well advised to get hold of Naughty Hearts, another sizzling collection from The Naughty Literati, guaranteed to meet your needs this Valentine’s Day and beyond!

I adored all of the reads, my faves being: Valentime by Belle Scarlett; Two into One Goes Great, by Lynne Connolly; Under the Hood by Lainey-Jo Charles; 50 Shades of Valentine’s Day by Katherine Kingston and My Reaper’s Valentine by Charlotte Boyett-Compo. These tales tickled my fancy the most!

I was also delighted to see that although the central characters were new, a number of the stories (namely Nicole Austin’s My Valentine Lovers and Lainey Jones-Charles’ Under the Hood) took place in the worlds that the authors had created in the previous boxed set The Naughty List (click title for review).

Blurb

Twelve Naughty Valentine’s Short Reads including Contemporary, Dark Fantasy, Menage, M/M, M/M/F, M/F/M, New Adult, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Steampunk & Time Travel from Amazon bestselling authors.

NAUGHTY BALLS by Suz deMello ****

Two college basketball players find themselves alone on V-Day evening. M/F)

A hot and steamy read. I loved how Penny the heroine, who lacks confidence around men, found herself in exactly the right place at the right time to hook up with the man of her dreams. After losing a bet to him on the basketball court they wasted no time in getting down and dirty together!

LOVE POTION #69 by Alexa Silver *****

When Keith and Jenna accidentally fall under the spell of one of her Valentine’s Day love potions, lust is in the air!

An inspired and fun take on the friends to lovers trope! A wildly and carnal fantasy. Just what is the recipe for this potion?

MY VALENTINE LOVERS by Nicole Austin ****

All I want for Valentine’s Day is to get barbed by a feline shifter and act out a few of my naughty twin fantasies getting me hot and bothered.

Carson and Camden – just yummy! This tale had me perspiring greatly! The heroine is on lucky woman to have not one but two true mates. Trust is paramount and will they stay or will they stray is a moot point.

VALENTIME by Belle Scarlett *****
Valerie buys a South Carolina plantation and discovers a Valentine addressed to her from a previous owner who bids her to return to him in 1865.

I loved this hot and romantic time slip tale and with not just time but danger threatening I was willing the couple to find their HEA. Super read.

DELIA’S HEARTTHROB by Regina Kammer ****
Gadzooks! Valentine’s Day is fast approaching – what’s a scientist to do? Edward knows naught of romance. Can steam power prevail over chocolates to win Delia’s heart?

I am a Steampunk virgin no longer as this was my first foray into the genre! It’s a humorous and sexy read and also a comedy of manners as the scientist Edward finally admits to himself just how much Delia his assistant means to him. However, how can he demonstrate this to the object of his affection? Some very interesting Steampunk contraptions and characterisations make this read stand out.

TWO INTO ONE GOES GREAT by Lynne Connolly *****
A booker at a top model agency learns she’s anything but ordinary when two sexy photographers point their lenses—and more—at her.

Jordan and Cody show Mel exactly how much she means to them in this romantic and sizzling tale. A chocolate love fest!

UNDER THE HOOD by Lainey-Jo Charles *****
How do you choose between an online crush you’ve never met and a secret crush that you have? Maybe you don’t have to…

A clever contemporary tale of characters who are both torn between two potential lovers but who find out that fate moves in mysterious ways. I loved Russ the mechanic who is also an artist. Sweet and hot.

BUY ME A ROSE by Francesca Hawley ****
Jessica and Nathaniel Whitewolf celebrate their thirtieth anniversary as True Mates but they’ve lost their bond. Now a hot couples’ retreat will get it back.

A romantic tale of True Mates who rediscover their mo-jo! It’s a sizzling tale in parts but it also had me tearing up in a couple of places. Very clever.

CHOCOLATE-COATED REUNION by Berengaria Brown ****
Jake refuses to talk to Matt after he was very late on Christmas Eve. Matt’s determined to reconnect with Jake on Valentine’s Day.

A hot M/M story containing two hot men who are meant for each other who enjiy making up for lost time and misunderstandings.

CUPID’S CURIOUS CASE by Marianne Stephens *****
Alan’s last job as Cupid 84 involves neighbor Amy and a special box of candy. Both secretly desire the other. Can they find true love?

A lovely romantic and wildly erotic read. I loved how both the hero and the heroine, who had been let down in love, found each other with a little help from some vey special chocolates!

FIFTY SHADES OF VALENTINE’S DAY by Katherine Kingston *****
Dumped on Valentine’s Day! Melissa only thinks the day can’t get any worse. Until she damages her hot neighbor’s car, and he demands unexpected compensation.

A fun read, especially for fans of FSOG Jeff is one hot neighbour whose desire for retribution is maybe just what Melissa needs. For readers who revel in reading about dominant men.

THE REAPER’S VALENTINE by Charlotte Boyett-Compo *****
Sometimes a Reaper has to do what a Reaper does. It would be wise for a life-mate to remember that!

The pairing of a feisty female who is determined to evade her unexpected destiny as a Reaper’s life-mate makes for an explosive, highly entertaining and sexy read. Those familiar with this Chatlotte Boyett-Compo’s Reapers will know that for the heroine resistance is useless, but the journey she embarks on with her mate before she discovers this eternal truth is decidedly fun.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this anthology was given to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review

Buy Links

Amazon UK Amazon US

February 11, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-Up – February ’15

Hi readers, we hope that you are all well and looking forward to the arrival of Spring, as Tina and I are. We want to say goodbye to the cold and gloominess, the bugs and viruses, and welcome some clear, blue, sunny skies to wake up to and motivate us to get out and about. I’m sure if it wasn’t for certain responsibilities I would just hibernate with my books and laptop throughout the winter months!

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away I hope that you are all in the mood for love! We have been reading many great romance novels, whether they are contemporary, historical, paranormal, comedy or erotic, and so there are more than enough reads to bury your head into to prepare you for the weekend of love!!

Amongst our latest, thirteen reviews we have two thrillers and a non/fiction travel and food book – if you are planning to go away, or want to try something new to eat, this is a fab read of first-hand accounts with recipes at the end of each chapter!

We hope you enjoy our selection. And whatever your plans, have a lovely Valentine’s weekend! (As always, please click on the titles for our full review!)

Caroline & Tina ❤

Torment (Dark Alpha #1) and Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2) by Alisa Woods, paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Torment (Dark Alpha #1) – short story

New Adult Paranormal Romance serial

Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City.

Jak enjoys the female human population of Seattle as much as any wolf, but his heart belongs to a female shifter who’s already mated. Worse, she’s the mate of his alpha’s brother.

Arianna was captured from her pack when she was only twenty and mated to a wolf whose dark side takes full advantage of her unbreakable bond to him. Her nights belong to him, but her days are free to explore other things… including feelings for a wolf she can never have.

Is love stronger than magic? Or will breaking an unbreakable bond destroy them both?
Torment (Dark Alpha 1) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the first of six episodes in the Dark Alpha serial.
Adult content. Ages 18+.

Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2) – short story

Blurb: New Adult Paranormal Romance serial

Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City.

Jak and Arianna have found something special in each other’s arms… but is it something they can keep?

Is love stronger than magic? Or will breaking an unbreakable bond destroy them both?

Pleasure (Dark Alpha 2) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the second of six episodes in the Dark Alpha serial.

Adult content. Ages 18+.

Guildhall Guradian: Thamesian (Thamesians #1) by Aidan Ladsow, paranormal romance, mystery (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: SHE HAS JUST FOUND THE ADVENTURE SHE CRAVED FOR

Italian Art Graduate Gioia Di Terzi has left Rome for England, upsetting all her plans of a future as a Museum administrator. Now working as a civil servant, she settles into a British working-class routine which comes nowhere close to her dreams of English Gothic tales.
That’s before she discovers the Medieval Quarter of the city and steps into its Guildhall, a building which instantaneously fascinates her.
Little does she know she just crossed the supernatural underworld’s threshold…

AFTER CENTURIES AS A GUARDIAN HE MUST COME OUT AND FIGHT

In 1430, Roydon Thamesian made a pact with Vampires who saved his life and became the powerful Guildhall’s guardian.
Ruling the Medieval Quarter, he doesn’t know humanity anymore.
Until Gioia Di Terzi stumbles into his life and he becomes the target of unmistakable attacks from a Hunter…

Plea From a Stranger by Derek A Barrass, thriller, slight paranormal (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: A young woman’s casual visit to a garage accompanied by her young daughter; becomes her worst imaginable nightmare when the owner tricks her and locks them in his basement. June, who was once a nude model for lad’s magazines, is the dream-girl he believes has been sent by fate to be his. He is a psychopath who has killed his wife and the man she left him for. He also hides other crimes from his past which he believes he was entitled to do if anyone crossed him.

Songs of the Maniacs (novella) by Mickey J. Corrigan, new adult, psychological thriller, dark drama, urban crime, romantic suspense (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Who are we when we lose everything, including our personalities? From her office at a mental health institute in the tropics, a troubled young woman counsels deeply disturbed clients while coping with her own heightening concerns. These include frightening consciousness lapses, violent memories of a high school sexual relationship, a menacing stalker, and an annoyingly arousing visitor who may or may not be insane. All this on a single stormy day at a time when a new mental health disorder has become epidemic and is threatening to distort memory and identity, unmooring the validity of reality itself.

A seductive and chilling novella, Songs of the Maniacs takes readers on a fascinating descent into the abyss beneath the lush surfaces of contemporary American paradise.

Broken Dolls by Kitty Thomas, literary erotica 18+ (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Mina Calloway always finds herself in the hands of the wrong master: Gentle at first, then brutally sadistic and abusive. She no longer believes it’s possible to find a man who will be gentle with her. After seeing a kink-friendly therapist for months, the doctor makes her an illicit offer she isn’t yet smart enough to refuse: “Let me find you a good master.”

Brian Sloan is a borderline sociopath with a dark and brutal past. Only taking his sadistic urges out on the women at a submissive training house allows him to sleep through the night. When Brian sees Mina, she should be ripe for the picking, but her damage is too similar to his own. Can he fight past his demons to protect the one person he considers worth saving?

Note: This book happens in the same world as Guilty Pleasures with reoccurring settings and characters. However, it is not a direct sequel and it isn’t necessary to have read Guilty Pleasures first. If you enjoy this book, however, you may also enjoy Guilty Pleasures by Kitty Thomas.

Travel Bites by The Hungry Traveller, non-fiction, travel, food (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Travel Bites is a collection of short stories that criss-cross the globe. It is the first work by The Hungry Traveller who has combined his two great life passions: travelling and eating!

The Hungry Traveller has been travelling for the last fifteen years and, along the way, has experienced many different sights, tastes, smells and cultures. Central to his travel experiences has been the role of food. Through his unique and very personal style of storytelling, you too can share in the highs and the lows of his stories from around the world. At the end of each story is a recipe for a dish inspired by his adventure.

Travel Bites will capture your imagination and curiosity; and will leave you yearning to plan your next holiday, adventure or escape!

The Hungry Traveller is a travelling enthusiast who loves to eat! When travelling, he enjoys meeting new people and engaging with locals to learn about their culture, history and the food that they eat. He is ‘currently between trips’, saving money, but always has his passport on hand, ready for his next adventure! He always likes to hear about other peoples’ travel experiences and your thoughts on his book!

The Lady Smut Book of Dark Desires, erotic, paranormal, humour (reviewed by Tina)

The Immortal Longing of Brenna Bang by Liz Everly

When a vampire materializes through her computer, successful vampire-romance romance author Brenna Bang finds herself marked for inescapable passion with a tech savvy bloodsucker.

The Lying, the Witch & the Wardrobe by Margery Kempe

Jeanie tries to figure out how to unlock her grandmother’s wardrobe and uncover what happened all those years ago when the goblins came to offer their sensuous erotic fruits.

Sexsomnia by Madeline Iva

Jenny needs to unravel the mystery of what she does at night and who she does it with in order to subdue the sexual demon inside her.

Divine by Elizabeth Shore

Locked in an abandoned mental asylum, an ambitious filmmaker soon discovers she’s trapped with a Dionysian god. He offers her a glimpse of astounding future artistic success—but it will only come true if she’ll perform an erotic ritual to free him.

Concealment (The Cassano Series) by Scarlet Wolfe, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Victoria Hart is supposed to be the enemy. She is an undercover detective who infiltrated my hotel and casino as an employee to take down my illegal enterprise. What she doesn’t know is I am fully aware of it. The operation I’m orchestrating is monumental compared to anything her mind could envision.It’s the burning desire I feel when she’s near that I didn’t see coming. An unwavering draw to touch her, and the need to break down her walls is testing my restraint; however, nothing can stand in the way of my ultimate goal. She could destroy everything my brothers and I have worked toward to avenge our father’s death.To keep the upper hand, it is vital to know your enemy. How deeply can I go, peeling back her intriguing layers while still concealing the truth? How much of Victoria can I claim before she’s too close … too close for me to let her go? This novel ends in a cliffhanger and is for a mature audience due to harsh language and descriptive sexual scenes.

A Desperate Wager by Em Taylor, regency historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Nathaniel Spencer, the Fourteenth Duke of Kirkbourne wakes up with an almighty hangover and a wager note in his pocket stating he has agreed to marry the Earl of Brackingham’s daughter. And he can’t even remember ever meeting the chit. Clearly his drinking has got out of hand.

Lady Sarah Steele is horrified when her father announces that the Duke of Kirkbourne has agreed to marry her and even more horrified that her father wagered her hand in a game of cards. Not only that, but the earl has not told the duke of the riding accident that left Sarah paralysed when she was sixteen. But he’s dying and she knows he wants to see her settled before the inevitable happens.

Despite Nate’s drinking and Sarah’s possible complicity in the earl’s plan, they agree to marry. But when accidents start to happen, the newly-weds must deal not only with the fact they are practically strangers, but they must find out who is trying to kill one or both of them. Nate’s drink problem and Sarah’s disability are only a couple of the hurdles they must face to find lasting love.

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #1) by Tim O’Rourke, paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: When the entire population of Shade go missing, investigative reporter Mila Watson knows this could be the big break she has been waiting for. Setting off into the mountains to the village of Shade, Mila soon learns that the village isn’t as deserted as she first believed it to be and that creatures lurk in the shades…

Note: This ends in a cliff-hanger. Part Two will be released 13th February 2015 and is now available for pre-order.

For readers 16+

Strands of Sollus by Cheryl Suchacek, fantasy, erotic (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: A contract from the Order of Aurora sends Myst in pursuit of a stolen magic sword. The job soon finds her partnering with Lotus, the rightful owner of the sword, as well as two beings bound to each other, Tol and Grayoch.

In the course of their mission, the group uncovers that behind the theft are sinister forces bent on resurrecting the dark lord, Maridon, in order to overwhelm the forces of light and take over the world of Sollus.

Facing their enemies, Myst finds that not only does she have to contend with Maridon and his minions, she also has to deal with the growing complications of her relationship with Tol and Lotus.

Tequila & Tea Bags by Laura Barnard, contemporary, romantic comedy, chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Sent to live with her cousin Elsie in the Yorkshire countryside, Rose has only one thing on her mind; joining her friends as a club rep in Mexico.

When she hears about a council incentive offering the promise of free flights to the person who clocks the most volunteering hours at the local care home, she’s got her plan set.

But she doesn’t plan on bonding with the old ladies, going after the village bad boy and trying to persuade Elsie not to become a Nun.

Soon she’s questioning who her real friends are and whether her old life is one she wants to return to.

Can the village win her over and will she win the chance to leave it behind? Will she even want to?

February 11, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Tequila & Tea Bags by Laura Barnard

After thoroughly enjoying Laura Barnard‘s previous work with ‘The Debt & the Doormat’ series, I couldn’t wait to read her latest novel, Tequila & Tea Bags! Barnard’s writing style is full of humour and antics, whilst romance is also blooming for the main characters. The only trouble is, will their love survive these comedic, but sometimes troublesome, capers? If you like, quirkiness and cringe-worthy moments, packed with emotion and fun, then you will LOVE Laura Barnard’s work!

Blurb

Sent to live with her cousin Elsie in the Yorkshire countryside, Rose has only one thing on her mind; joining her friends as a club rep in Mexico.

When she hears about a council incentive offering the promise of free flights to the person who clocks the most volunteering hours at the local care home, she’s got her plan set.

But she doesn’t plan on bonding with the old ladies, going after the village bad boy and trying to persuade Elsie not to become a Nun.

Soon she’s questioning who her real friends are and whether her old life is one she wants to return to.

Can the village win her over and will she win the chance to leave it behind? Will she even want to?

REVIEW

Romantic comedy and chick-lit fans will LOVE Laura Barnard‘s work, and Tequila & Tea Bags is no exception! Poor Rose! She’s young and hasn’t a clue which direction to go in. With no real true friends, apart from Janey who is swanning off to Mexico for a good time, and no solid boyfriend, she spends her time living the high life, drinking and having sex! After her parents have had enough they decide to drive her up to a small village in Yorkshire where she can stay with her cousin Elsie who is preparing to become a nun!

As you can probably imagine, the idea of living somewhere so quiet and remote does not excite Rose one bit. It isn’t long before Rose, the new girl in the village, is becoming distracting and causing problems for many of the residents, although unintentionally.

Tequila & Tea Bags is a fun and emotional read. Rose is so easy to like and relate to – she even has elements of my younger self as she is impatient to have a good time and wanting to let herself go, and yet she has such a big heart that many don’t see because of her actions sometimes. As soon as people begin to see the good in her, they then find out about her latest capers and they get pulled away again!

Because of the connection I could make with Rose, I mean, she is so lovable but also flawed, it makes the story believable, down-to-earth and full of feeling. Mix this with humour and the magic of romance, which lifts the reader’s spirits, and it is a delightful read. I was so involved with the storyline that I found myself cringing at times as I could see another shenanigan unfold and Rose getting into deeper trouble.

There are also many loveable characters in Tequila & Tea Bags. Aside from the elderly residents in the care home – some of whom you’ll love dearly – there are also Will, James (the one Rose was warned to stay clear of), Riley (the vile ex of Rose’s love interest), her new friends in Megan and Lauren, as well as the elderly couple living next door who carry out sexual role play pretending to be The Black Eyed Peas!! Many of the locals have their own stories that Rose learns about and becomes involved with during her stay, however to go into too much detail about these characters now would spoil all the fun.

My final point on Laura Barnard‘s stories is that they are packed with solid characters and storylines for many of them, which really supports the main story. There is always something happening, even if the main character has a moment of solace. And the read truly is an emotional rollercoaster as you find yourself laughing out loud, cringing, telling the characters off and drawn to tears at times. I love Laura Barnard‘s books and can’t wait to read her next story!

A copy of Tequila & Tea Bags was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Tequila & Tea Bags by Laura Barnard is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Laura previous work includes The Debt & the Doormat and it’s sequel, The Baby and the Bride. Both books have been reviewed on this blog, and both received a brilliant 5* from us on Goodreads and Amazon! The Debt & the Doormat was one of my Top Reads of 2013! Check our reviews by clicking on the links below:-

The Debt & the Doormat

This first book is FREE on Amazon UK and Amazon US. Go grab a copy now!

The Baby & the Bride (incl. interview with Laura Barnard)

You can also find The Baby & the Bride on Amazon UK and Amazon US for a small price.

Contact info:

Laura would love you to check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks and while you’re visiting please give her a ‘like’!

Laura also has her own website at www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk and is available on Twitter: @BarnardLaura

February 9, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Strands of Sollus by Cheryl Suchacek

DEBUT novel ‘Strands of Sollus’ by Cheryl Suchacek is the first of a series. It is a mix of two different genres of high fantasy and erotica. Book 2 of the series is currently in the making. For more info and to check out some more fantastic artwork on the characters of Strands of Sollus you can check out the website www.strandsofsollus.com.

Author: Cheryl Suchacek

Title: Strands of Sollus

Genre: Fantasy, erotica

Release date: April 1st 2014

Released by: Dorrance Publishing Co.

Length: 248 pages

Facing their enemies, Myst finds that not only does she have to contend with Maridon and his minions, she also has to deal with the growing complications of her relationship with Tol and Lotus.

REVIEW

Strands of Sollus is a great introduction to this new and original series. Fans of fantasy, magic and erotica will love this combination of adventure, friendship, mystery and passion. It is recommended that the reader be of 18yrs+ due to the adult content.

Without her knowledge, Lotus’ father, Tobias, is having a magic sword made for her coming-of-age. En route to them, it is stolen and Tobias sends for help to locate and retrieve it. This is where Myst makes an appearance as she is the one that offers to help, and together, with Lotus, they both prepare to find the sword that is rightfully Lotus’s.

The most fascinating aspect of Strands of Sollus are the characters and the strong, passionate relationships that they have with each other. Lotus and Myst hit it off brilliantly, however their relationship is to reach a completely other level after Lotus is subject to an unfortunate ordeal on the night of her coming-of-age. The magic involved leaves her feeling lustful and needy most of the time and she needs help to control and/or abate her powerful feelings of desire.

Not only bound as friends now, but before their mission to retrieve the magic sword, Lotus and Myst agree to be bound with magic anklets, which help share both of their desires. Only, when they reach their peak and they need a release, it is inevitable that they must help each other through their times of need. Myst is incredibly admirable as she volunteers to help with no hesitance whatsoever, whilst there are moments Lotus feels guilty for Myst’s involvement. However, they are both selfless characters and prove themselves and their love for each other again and again. Their bond is like no other.

Circumstances are likely to become a little more awkward when either Myst or Lotus are attracted to the opposite sex and long to have a romantic affair with a man. As they both feel the strength of desire at the same time, it does mean that they would have to share a man and need that man to understand them and want them both. Otherwise, one of them would have to be left out and try to avoid feeling any resentment or jealousy:-

“Surely, you must know by now that what we share is a bonding of the soul,” Myst said softly. “We are kindred spirits moved by the gods. It is a form of love but, perhaps, not the love either of us was looking for. What concerns me is what will happen when you desire another. How will we deal with that if we become linked as these anklets will make us? If you desire him, I will as well. If I am right in my understanding of it, that will be the case, so do we share him if he is willing? I know of few men that would complain, but what if he refuses? Can I distance myself enough to seek another way to sate my own desire, or will I have to seek him out behind your back? A man taking on two mates is not frowned upon, nor is that unusual, but where will your desire end and mine begin, or will they be one and the same?…”

Tol and Grayoch also share a bond, albeit somewhat different. They can speak to each by using their minds. This can add some humour to the story as sometimes they share personal feelings and thoughts that was not intended for the other to hear. They are working together to track down the sword, ready for Lotus and Myst to retrieve it. However, during their search they also learn that a friend of theirs, Leeta, has been kidnapped by the group who took the sword. As they follow the trail, which later separates into two, Tol has the dilemma of choosing his mission over his kidnapped friend. But he is sworn to carry out his mission regardless, which leaves him feeling a great deal of guilt. Will they find Leeta as they continue with their official mission?

When Tol and Grayoch later meet with Myst and Lotus this is where the action takes hold the most as they are nearing the end of their mission and have to work together in the retrieving of the sword. The magic that holds Lotus, however, does have a hold on people around her and Tol feels the attraction and her desire at times, even though subtle initially. The mission is the main focus for him, but as the desires of Lotus and Myst grow it is difficult for him not to be pulled towards them.

The erotic scenes are sensual and written with care as they are woven into the story in a believable manner. However, I did feel at times that aside from the erotic scenes other areas were written in such a way that a younger audience could follow the story as it wasn’t a story that was difficult to follow, and had a slower pace in the middle sections. Towards the end the pace quickens as there is more action and the story pulls together.

The reader will be left curious to the quartet’s next adventure and just how their bonds will grow with each other. Will they find what they are seeking?

A copy of Strands of Sollus was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Strands of Sollus by Cheryl Suchacek is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK, as well as Barnes & Noble.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

February 3, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ A Desperate Wager, by Em Taylor

Sweet, Sensual and Unique

Regency Historical Romance

Blurb

Nathaniel Spencer, the Fourteenth Duke of Kirkbourne wakes up with an almighty hangover and a wager note in his pocket stating he has agreed to marry the Earl of Brackingham’s daughter. And he can’t even remember ever meeting the chit. Clearly his drinking has got out of hand.

My Review

Sweet, Sensual and Unique *****

Regency times were known for wagers between members of the aristocracy, fortunes being lost and won at cards and other games of chance. In this romance a father, knowing that he is not long for this world, wagers the hand of his daughter in a desperate attempt to ensure a secure future for her. The twist I loved in this tale is that Sarah, the lady concerned, does not have the use of her legs, as she broke her back in an accident as a teenager. Nathaniel, the lord who loses the wager but gains the girl is at first unaware that his bride to be has a disability, yet he is a man of honour and when he realises this he nevertheless goes ahead with the marriage.

I found what follows to be a beguiling romance where both partners are thrust into a marriage that neither of them expected, hardly a situation where you would expect love to bloom. Yet it not only blooms but sizzles! Nate tries hard to make things as easy as possible for Sarah with some amazingly thoughtful, sweet and at times romantic gestures, determined that she live life to the full and not hide herself away from society. I also loved how he treats her as the desirable woman she is and there is certainly no shortage of heat in this novel. Yet how can Nate fall for a woman who he suspects of deceit? Nate’s drink problem is also a factor in their relationship and a potential source of conflict.

The heroine Sarah does not want anyone’s pity and is surprised when Nate not only keeps to the terms of the wager but that he is prepared to make the marriage work. She is immediately attracted to him and wants to make him happy but fears that he will never be able to return her feelings due to her disability. I really liked her character as she is spirited and speaks her mind, which is what Nate needs to help him slay his own demons. However, not everyone is happy about their marriage and rumours abound. When danger threatens, Nate has his work cut out to safeguard the safety of this woman whom he is growing to love.

When it comes to the lovemaking scenes I admired how the author did not shy away of including all the little details that impacted upon their physical relationship due to Sarah’s disability. Indeed, I found the descriptions of the intimate details of their lovemaking made it a truly beautiful and unique novel.

A truly romantic an unique read for lovers of sensual historical romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK Amazon US

Connect with the Author

WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER

February 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2) short story by Alisa Woods

Released today is Alisa Woods’ PLEASURE (Dark Alpha #2) in her paranormal/shifter series. This is an exciting series of action, adventure and passion. Sparks fly, hearts throb and lives are in danger. Will Jak and Arianna (mated to Jak’s alpha’s brother unwillingly) have any chance to be together at all? I strongly recommend in order to follow Pleasure completely you must read episode 1, Torment (Dark Alpha #1). And, for more shifter pleasure, the first series, True Alpha, is also a desirable read!! (Please see below for review links.)

Title: Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2)

Author: Alisa Woods

Genre: New adult, paranormal romance

Date released: February 2, 2015

Publisher: Sworn Secrets Publishing

Length: 60 pages

Blurb: New Adult Paranormal Romance serial

Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City.

Jak and Arianna have found something special in each other’s arms… but is it something they can keep?

Is love stronger than magic? Or will breaking an unbreakable bond destroy them both?

Pleasure (Dark Alpha 2) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the second of six episodes in the Dark Alpha serial.

Adult content. Ages 18+.

REVIEW

After an attack, in Torment (Dark Alpha #1), leaves Jak and Arianna in each other’s affectionate and loving arms, Pleasure brings them both, in particular Arianna, back down to earth. She is mated, against her will, to Jak’s alpha’s brother, Mace. To say that he would tear Jak to pieces would most probably be an understatement. Despite her feelings towards Jak, and their recent passion together, Arianna must hold back her feelings and thoughts from Mace, as well as ensure that she washes off Jak’s scent.

Jak is furious about the attack, wanting to protect Arianna and his fellow shifters. He is on a mission to find out who was behind the attack, who exactly they were attacking and why. Were the attackers working for humans? Or is it possible a witch was involved? Either way, Jak will make sure they pay for threatening and attacking in such a way that could have led to one or both of their deaths.

While Jak has the attack on his mind, there is also his thoughts of Arianna. He will kill for her and go to lengths to ensure her safety and to make her his. As Pleasure unfolds the reader becomes aware of an opportunity Jak may have of ridding the bond between Mace and Arianna – either that or Mace would need to be killed in order to free Arianna!

With Arianna unable to leave Mace’s house it is difficult for Jak to meet her. But will Jak find a way?

Dark Alpha 2 is an exciting read as we follow Jak and Arianna’s strong feelings, the intensity and passion between them and the fear that Arianna feels of Mace finding out of her betrayal. Pleasure is another heart-pounding read that will keep you on your toes, dying to read episode 3 of the Dark Alpha series, which will be released on February 16th 2015!

A copy of Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2) is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

If you would like to check out the info and my reviews for Torment (Dark Alpha #1) and the first series, True Alpha, please click on each book below!

TORMENT (DARK ALPHA #1) – short story

Desired (True Alpha #1) – short story

Guarded (True Alpha #2) – short story

Hunted (True Alpha #3) – short story

Captured (True Alpha #4) – short story

Sacrificed (True Alpha #5) – short story

Claimed (True Alpha #6) – short story

A True Alpha Christmas – novella

All True Alpha short stories are available at Amazon UK and Amazon US individually. BUT, the TRUE ALPHA FULL SEASON is available to order!! (Please be aware that A True Alpha Christmas novella was released after the box set as a stand alone, and although carries on from the series is not a part of the main series, and NOT in the box set! It is available however as an individual novella at Amazon US and Amazon UK.)

AMAZON US link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

AMAZON UK link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

January 30, 2015 by Tina Williams

Concealment, by Scarlet Wolfe REVIEW AND TOUR (includes excerpts and giveaway)

This novel ends in a cliffhanger and is for a mature audience due to harsh language and descriptive sexual scenes.

Concealment by Scarlet Wolfe

Blog Tour

Hosted by Everything Marie Tours

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2015

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00057]

Victoria Hart is supposed to be the enemy. She is an undercover detective who infiltrated my hotel and casino as an employee to take down my illegal enterprise. What she doesn’t know is I am fully aware of it. The operation I’m orchestrating is monumental compared to anything her mind could envision.It’s the burning desire I feel when she’s near that I didn’t see coming. An unwavering draw to touch her, and the need to break down her walls is testing my restraint; however, nothing can stand in the way of my ultimate goal. She could destroy everything my brothers and I have worked toward to avenge our father’s death.To keep the upper hand, it is vital to know your enemy. How deeply can I go, peeling back her intriguing layers while still concealing the truth? How much of Victoria can I claim before she’s too close … too close for me to let her go? This novel ends in a cliffhanger and is for a mature audience due to harsh language and descriptive sexual scenes.

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Goodreads

Excerpt

Adrian’s POV:

“I’m Adrian Cassano, the owner of this hotel and casino. I was quite impressed with your moves, Ms. Victoria Stuart,” I say with a smirk.

“It’s Vicky, sir, and how did you see that already? I mean–thank you.”

“Can you explain what transpired?”

“He grabbed my ass, which I would’ve excused, but he refused to move his hand afterward, so I had to do it for him.”

I eye her intently. That wasn’t exactly the response I expected. “So, you’re OK with random men grabbing your ass?”

She scowls. “No, but for the sake of my job, I was willing to let it slide once.” She’s giving me attitude, and damn, she’s gorgeous. This will be more enjoyable than I anticipated.

“I see.” Staring into her striking, green eyes for several seconds, I find she’s determined to hold my gaze.

“I think it would be best to move you to an environment where the cliental will not be touching you without your permission. Although the asshole deserved it, I don’t need a lawsuit, and he would not be the last to grab your ass.”

She continues to scowl. At least her attitude suits her day job. Yes, I believe I’m going to enjoy every second of my time with Victoria. She will be easy to torment since she likely feels she has to keep her mouth shut around me. I have a suspicion that is not something she’s used to doing. I’m sure she doesn’t want to lose this job and blow her case. The investigation I’m fully aware of.

Excerpt #2

Victoria’s POV:

Reaching down, I zip up my black thigh high boot. I’d never tell my detective partner, Reggie, but I feel badass and sexy as the zipper tightens the shiny, black patent leather against my toned leg.

“It appears his mother, Denise, has been in and out of mental facilities his entire life,” I say. “His father, Alvin Cassano, died in the Twin Towers during 9/11. Adrian, his three brothers, and one sister were left with a hefty insurance policy, and he enlisted in the Marines after.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed Adrian Cassano to be ex-military,” Reggie says.

“Once discharged, he and his brothers moved to Vegas and built the hotel and casino.”

“Be careful, Victoria.” Reggie is leaning back against my bedroom door, conveying a stern look.

“Seriously? What is your deal over this job?” I ask as I zip up my second boot.

“Have you forgotten we’re partners? I can’t be in there with you, and it’s making me crazy.”

“I’m a cop. I earned this detective job because of my ability since they sure as hell don’t give it to women otherwise. I can take care of myself.”

He slides his hand through his curly, dark hair. “That’s what worries me. You think you’re invincible.”

Meet the Cast

About the Author

Scarlet Wolfe began writing in January of 2013 as a way to distract and heal from some of the grief she was dealing with after the death of her teenage son. She instantly fell in love with bringing characters to life. Releasing contemporary romance throughout 2013, she has branched out this year, releasing erotica and teen.When not writing, Scarlet enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves coffee, chocolate, wine, stories about possessive, hot alpha males, and other flavors of ice cream besides vanilla. She hopes her writing will encourage readers to feel more comfortable exploring their sexuality.

Contact Scarlet Wolfe

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google +

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review *****

Sexy and Suspenseful

Wow, what a sexy read! No one is what they appear to be in this fast-paced erotic romantic suspense: secrets are commonplace; passion sizzles and the stakes are high.

The heroine Victoria, a Police Officer, gets a job as a server at the Cassano hotel and casino. Her aim is to find evidence of criminal activity which she suspects plays a major role in the brothers’ business empire. What she didn’t bank on was being singled out by the boss, the sexy Adrian, and finding herself falling for him.

I just lurved the relationship between this couple! Adrian, an uber alpha male, breaks all the rules to seduce her, at first kidding himself that it is good practice to keep his enemy close, but then finding that he is developing ever stronger feelings for her as he gets to know her. He is wildly attracted to Victoria’s beauty, brains and bravado and wants to keep her safe. Adrian is torn between wanting to protect his family business and wanting to possess Victoria body and soul, the very woman who represents a significant threat to his activities.

Yet how far can a relationship go between a cop and a man who she suspects is part of an extensive crime ring? The scenes between Adrian and Victoria positively sizzle off the page and they are well matched and believable. The supporting characters too are all well-defined and I am looking forward o finding out more about them as the series progresses, especially the other Cassano brothers who also ooze major smex appeal!

When we first meet Victoria I was not sure that I would find her a likable heroine as she comes over as very kick ass. However, a few more pages into the story and I began to find out more about her realising that she hides a lot behind her hard exterior and that there is a lot more to her. Adrian in particular plays a key role in stripping her of her armour as he is keen to find the true woman underneath. He is fully aware that she is a cop and wonders if and when she will admit this fact to him. Victoria is attracted to Adrian unlike any other man yet can she trust him and is he the criminal she believed him to be?

The book ends in a cliff-hanger, which left me itching to read the next instalment. I recommend Concealment to readers who enjoy a sexy and suspenseful adult read with a drop-dead gorgeous alpha male who is torn between the girl of his dreams and the high stake activities of his family business.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

January 29, 2015 by Tina Williams

The Lady Smut Book of Dark Desires ~REVIEW,TOUR & AUTHOR POST

Temptation: The Lady Smut Book of Dark Desires

Adult/18+ read

A HUGE welcome today to The Lady Smut Book of Dark Desires. We are thrilled to be participating in the blog tour for this publication which includes erotic and sometimes chilling paranormal tales. I was fortunate to be given a review copy and you can read my review and find out more about the book and the Lady Smut blog by scrolling down. Before you do though over to one of the authors, Elizabeth Shore, to share her thoughts on a subject which is *cough* *cough* one of my secret fantasies – outdoor sex. Tina ❤

Welcome to A Reader’s Review Blog Elizabeth.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! Seeing as we’re still very early into the new year, many of us in the western hemisphere remain shivering from the cold and dreaming about the day when we can walk outside into gorgeous warm weather. So how about if we really crank up the heat factor and think about the delicious decadence known as outdoor sex. C’mon, I dare you.

Oftentimes when people fantasize about really hot sexual scenarios, the great outdoors factors into the equation. And why not, right? It’s such a free feeling to be outside. No walls to close us in, no rules that must be followed. Walk around a tranquil forest and it can feel like you’re the only person in the world. What better place, then, to share the seclusion with the one you love than by doing the lovin’ thang? Or so the thinking goes. But then reality hits.

Picture this: there you are in a dense thicket of trees, wrapped in your lover’s arms, thrilled by the illicit moment. Clothes are recklessly shed, lips and tongues feasting away on each other, soft breezes blowing over your naked skin. It’s sooooo sexy! Except . . . wait. Ow! What just bit you? You begin growing aware of the painful stab of tree bark digging into your back. And . . . shit. Is that a spider crawling toward your leg?! Suddenly the allure of the outdoors holds as much appeal as a tooth extraction and your formerly sexy thoughts turn dark and foul. Same scenario holds true if you’re on the beach. The sand sticks to your skin, covers your clothes, it’s even in the crack of your – ah, you know what I mean. Damn sand is everywhere. And talk about no hiding places on the beach, so be prepared to flaunt it if someone happens to come along. It’s at that moment that outdoor sex, you decide, is literally for the birds.

Of course, in my story Divine, in the Lady Smut Book of Dark Desires, outdoor sex is indeed the steamy treat we imagine. It’s a fictional story, after all, an escape from the harsh realities of everyday life. My female character has uber hot sex outdoors in a forest – and in a bed! Imagine that. 🙂

The thing is, having scorching outdoor sex in a romance novel means we authors can screen out bugs crawling up our characters’ tushes, or contracting a case of poison ivy, or – as a friend wisely pointed out – having the beady eyes of a squirrel staring down at you from the tree branch above your head. In books those issues aren’t issues at all. The heroine in my story gets seduced by a hot guy in an abandoned insane asylum, of all places. And before you start thinking that that’s the least sexy place you’ve ever heard of … well, just because it starts as an insane asylum doesn’t mean it stays that way …

I know that part of the appeal of outdoor sex for some folks is the same thing that makes others stay far far away: the possibility of getting caught. Sparks of interest light an exhibitionist’s eyes that someone might be watching him getting down and dirty. The bark and the bugs are of no concern if part of the experience’s allure is knowing that you might get caught.

The truth is, some people just like being naked outside. If you’re like-minded and couldn’t care less about staring squirrels or sand in your crack, be sure to check out my story Divine for sexy fun in the great outdoors

Hope you check out all our links below – come say ‘hi’ to us at LadySmut.com. And thanks again for having me on your blog.

The Lady Smut Book of Dark Desires

When a vampire materializes through her computer, successful vampire-romance romance author Brenna Bang finds herself marked for inescapable passion with a tech savvy bloodsucker. (THE IMMORTAL LONGING OF BRENNA BANG, by Liz Everly)

REVIEW: Tongue-in-cheek Vampire Erotica

I loved this sexy and humorous stake on vampires and writers of vampire romance! It is told in the first person POV, the narrator being Brenna Bang, a successful author of vampire erotic romance.

Brenna is shocked when it appears that one of her smexy vamps has taken shape. If this is the case how can this be so? At first she thinks he is a figment of her lurid dreams, but he soon ensures that she regards him as 100% real in some scorching scenes! The heroine is a sassy author and I enjoyed her being paired with a sexy and possessive vamp, who considers her his and educates her in the ways of vampires! The dialogue between Brenna and her vamp is entertaining and there are some yummy erotic scenes and an element of suspense.

Jeanie tries to figure out how to unlock her grandmother’s wardrobe and uncover what happened all those years ago when the goblins came to offer their sensuous erotic fruits. (THE LYING, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE by C. Margery Kempe)

REVIEW: Maelstrom of Magic and Desire

This is a very clever and well researched erotic read, which draws inspiration from Goblin Market, the Victorian poem by Christina Rossetti and the otherworldly art of Arthur Rackman.

In it Jeanie, a young woman, returns to her childhood home and is compelled to reveal the secrets of her family’s old oak wardrobe, which is securely locked and sealed. The tale is full of mystery, magic and burgeoning desire as Jeanie gets ever closer to her goal of opening the wardrobe and finding out its connection to the stories she heard as a child, telling of magic and goblins. The tale contains some sizzling scenes as Jeanie finally succumbs to curiousity, lust and temptation.

Jeanie feels little excitement in everyday mundane activities and comes from a long line of those skilled in magic. I loved how the author describes her reconnection to the magic that hums in her veins. The imagery used in the tale is powerful and I enjoyed the sexual awakening and liberation of the heroine. An original read.

Jenny needs to unravel the mystery of what she does at night and who she does it with in order to subdue the sexual demon inside her. (SEXSOMNIA by Madeline Iva)

REVIEW: Scarily Sexy!

This is the longest tale of the anthology and for me one of the most disturbing. Rest assured though it is also a very sexy and erotic tale with a satisfying conclusion.

In it the heroine Jenny, an academic, is suffering from severe sleep deprivation. A chance encounter with Nadia, who is researching sleep disorders, offers her a lifeline and a chance to get to the bottom of her lack of sleep which she is convinced is due to her sleepwalking. She is especially concerned about her activities whilst she is in this state. What follows is a tale which is erotic, romantic, sometimes humorous but also disturbing and downright menacing the closer that Jenny gets to the truth.

This tale sizzles and there is also the development of a romance between the shy and retiring Jenny and the outgoing Turner, who Jenny is attracted to but too shy to pursue. I loved the twist in their relationship and how it subsequently pans out, A really sexy and satisfying erotic read, with a hint of menace that added a delicious frisson of fear and excitement.

REVIEW: Destiny and Decadence

This read took me on a real adventure, from a creepy and abandoned mental asylum with some deliciously gothic scenes to the decadent and debauched court of the powerful and sexy god Dionysus. There are some spine chilling and scary moments and also a host of highly erotic scenes involving the heroine Faith, Dionysus who wants to claim her and others. All you would expect from the Greek god of merriment and madness!

I liked that Faith, did not immediately capitulate to Dionysus’ desires, I enjoyed the banter between them and I loved the sizzling erotic scenes, which satisfied some of my secret desires. In all it is a fabulous debauched read with a spunky heroine and a tasty immortal who needs her to free him.

Reviews are by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of the book was given to me for the purpose of fair and honest review.

About Lady Smut:

Lady Smut is a blog for intelligent women who like to read smut. On this blog we talk about our writing, the erotic romance industry, masculinity, femininity, sexuality, and whatever makes our pulses race.

Need to contact us?

Email ladysmutblog@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ladysmut.com

Twitter: @ladysmut1Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/32150304-lady-smut

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/LadySmut/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LadySmutBlog?ref=hl

Buy Links:

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lady-smut-book-of-dark-desires-liz-everly/1120377587?ean=9780007594504

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/the-lady-smut-book-of-dark-desires-an-anthology-harperimpulse-erotic-romance/fCtjgCGlmkC54QZGh9A1pg?MixID=fCtjgCGlmkC54QZGh9A1pg&PageNumber=1

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Smut-Book-Desires-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00NS9USNE

January 28, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Travel Bites by The Hungry Traveller

Title: Travel Bites

Author: The Hungry Traveller

Genre: Non-fiction, travel, food

Date released: February 2012

Published by: Wattle Publishing

Length: 224 pages

Travel Bites will capture your imagination and curiosity; and will leave you yearning to plan your next holiday, adventure or escape!

REVIEW

Reading Travel Bites is a journey in it’s own right! It is a relaxing and enjoying read, as well as being informative and entertaining. As the synopsis suggests, it is the diary of a traveller who shares many a thought on his experiences, most notably his experience on trying different food and drink. He provides a detailed account of each place and food/drink he has had the pleasure of tasting and remaking to recapture the essence of the country it is from. This book is a treat for anyone who enjoys travelling and/or cooking.

Each chapter is set at a different place, and there is a handy recipe at the end of each experience which is fantastic for the reader to experiment with and try out! (I am not much of a cook, but I will be encouraging my partner to try out some of these recipes!) From camel burgers to cheesesteaks, Thai green chicken curry to steak and Guinness pie, and Moroccan mint tea to The Hungry Traveller’s perfect capuccino and many, many more delicious dishes to try out in your very own kitchen! It would be an amazing experience to try the different foodstuffs from various places around the world.

The Hungry Traveller has travelled (and lived) in other countries for over fifteen years. He has ample experience to compare his trips, or at least compare the food he has tasted. The fantastic prologue explains it all:-

“… During the time I had been traveling, I had lacked the interest and self-discipline to keep a travel diary, so I jotted down all of the events that I could remember on a page. When I looked at the list that I had compiled, I found that, like the story of eating the camel burger, many of my memories and experiences were linked to food!”

The reader can also enjoy reading about the different cultures and people. You can liken some of the stories to history and geography lessons as we find out about historic buildings and events, and shifts in society – both socially and politically – in many different countries. It is certainly great for building up general knowledge as we learn about Rome, the “Death Railway” (known to many as Bridge on the River Kwai in Thailand), and Vietnam, to name but a few!

The author also adds a personal touch as there are some nostalgic and emotional moments, especially when mentioning his ‘nonno‘ (grandfather) in Italy making pasta from scratch! There are also moments of amusement, beauty and even fear. It is written so well and fluid-like, easy to follow and set at a nice pace. It is a pure gem!

Two beautiful and thoughtful scenes that really reached out to me were:-

“…, in a scene that has not changed for hundreds of years, dhows sailed gracefully past. These traditional sailing vessels have ploughed the established trading routes between East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent for centuries. It was not just the beauty of the sunset, but this feeling of witnessing a link in a long chain of human history, that so caught my imagination that evening.” (Zanzibar, Tanzania)

“It was a perfect evening to reminisce… The combination of the haze from the hot day and the sparse clouds in the sky produced a sunset with the most amazing colors. As the sun started to dip behind the horizon it gave off a deep red-orange light, complementing the darker red of the earth. The distant streaks of cloud turned a pink-red color while the sky directly above us turned purple. It was a perfect end to the day.

… I was… literally sleeping under the stars! I kept looking at the stars for as long as I could before falling asleep, wondering how long it would be until I would again be lying back gazing up at a night sky with so many stars?” (Eastern Africa)

There were a couple of moments that even reminded me of a Top Gear road trip. The setting off and finding campsites as he experiences The Highs and Lows of Bush Camping in Eastern Africa. This is just an example of the beginning of his journey from this chapter, but it does continue in the book as we read about the journey from Nairobi in Kenya to Harare in Zimbabwe. The vehicle used for transport was a 30yr+ red truck (with old bus seats for passengers) that creaked when it stopped!

“Once we had set off, cleared the traffic of Nairobi, and were on the open (empty) road, it became quite clear why we would spend so many nights bush camping. The truck had a top speed of around forty miles per hour, yet we would be traveling between towns, cities, and, more importantly, campsites that were many hundreds of miles apart. However, there was something quite mellowing about traveling at that speed. You could sit back, relax, and see the landscape gradually unfolding in front of you. And at that speed there was the opportunity, if you had keen eyesight, to spot wildlife, such as the occasional giraffe.” (Eastern Africa)

On approaching Harare events began to get a little scary as they drove into a riot!

“… people taking to the streets in response to high inflation and food shortages. At this stage the target was Robert Mugabe’s government as the cause of their problems… Although the truck was pelted with rocks and pieces of concrete, people jumped out the way of the truck once the driver floored the gas pedal.

… this attack was pretty unnerving… Foreigners being attacked and killed in campsites was not uncommon at that time in Africa.” (Eastern Africa)

Travel Bites is a very insightful first-hand account of knowledge and experience. You can feel the experiences that The Hungry Traveller has had through his words, and even provides some travel tips in there for good measure too! Travel Bites is not only a personal adventure of the author, but one that the reader can take too. The idea of adding the recipes of some fantastic and authentic food is a delicious side order of this brilliant read! It is more than fair to say that I enjoyed reading The Hungry Traveller’s stories very much.

Travel Bites was provided by Wattle Publishing for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Travel Bites by The Hungry Traveller is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

You can follow The Hungry Traveller on his blog at www.travelbitesbythehungrytraveler.com, or on Twitter at @travel_bites.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 24, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Songs of the Maniacs (novella) by Mickey J. Corrigan

When the real you is someone you don’t know, then you sing the songs of the maniacs.

Who are we when we lose everything, including our personalities? From her office at a mental health institute in the tropics, a troubled young woman counsels deeply disturbed clients while coping with her own heightening concerns. These include frightening consciousness lapses, violent memories of a high school sexual relationship, a menacing stalker, and an annoyingly arousing visitor who may or may not be insane. All this on a single stormy day at a time when a new mental health disorder has become epidemic and is threatening to distort memory and identity, unmooring the validity of reality itself.

A seductive and chilling novella, Songs of the Maniacs takes readers on a fascinating descent into the abyss beneath the lush surfaces of contemporary American paradise.

REVIEW

A novella that focuses on a young woman counselling different troubled characters. They tell their own stories whilst the reader is trying to work out the connection between them. As the novella continues it becomes clear that these individuals clearly have an affect on the young woman, who is also dealing with issues of her own.

Songs of the Maniacs is a dark psychological read that will bring the reader to question a great deal of the events. In order to feel the full impact of the story the reader needs to take in as much of the early characters and their stories as possible, in order to see how the plotline is bound together in such a clever way.

After the reader senses which direction the novella is going in it is a completely engrossing read, with the reader questioning more and more. As you delve deeper and deeper into the psychological elements it seems to unfold some dark areas, but in turn twists and turns to the point that the reader themselves will question their own dreams and sanity.

This novella certainly messes with your head and left me feeling empty and cold, but only because of the superb writing, the suspense that is built up and the shocking surprises that come to light. There are some brilliant twists and Songs of the Maniacs will definitely have an impact on the reader. As the read comes to an end the title seems more fitting than ever!

Song of the Maniacs (novella) is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker