Category Archives: REVIEWS (ALL) – Reverse Chronological Order

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Buckle Down: Samantha Holt, C.V. Madison and J.T. Seate

BuckleDown_200[1]Indulge your Cowboy Fantasies!

Anthology of Erotic Cowboy Romances: Adult Read: F/M and M/M stories  

An anthology of three novellas, two contemporary and one set in the old West. All very different, but all guaranteed to get your blood pumping and heart pounding!

In Her Dream Cowboy, by Samantha Holt, Sophie is persuaded by her friend to accompany her on a special vacation to experience ranch life in Nevada. However, Sophie, from England, finds that her friend has pulled out and she arrives alone at the ranch. Not all is lost though, as her guide for the week turns out to be the sexiest cowboy imaginable and it promises to be an interesting week as Sophie resolves to let go of the past after a painful divorce……… Luke Harper has spent years turning his ranch into a successful holiday business, but has yet to find a woman who can accept the realities of dating a cowboy. Sophie is a temptation he cannot resist and he wonders if she will give him a chance, or if she is just looking for a dream cowboy?

I enjoyed this hot read! There is strong mutual attraction between the couple from the off and their relationship and their romance progresses quickly as the couple spend quality time together on the ride (wink, wink!). Luke, after vowing to himself not to mix business with pleasure, finds that he cannot resist Sophie and soon reveals to her the man he is! I liked that the couple soon got down to the business of exploring each other more fully (there are some pretty scorching and sweet love making scenes, which satisfied some of my secret fantasies), but also that their characters and their back stories were explained, which deepened my enjoyment of the read.

In The Layover, by C.V. Madison, security officer and city boy Reno Locke drops into The Meeting Place for a little loving to fill his off duty hours. Country boy Wilder Henderson swings through to blow off a little steam after winning a rodeo competition. Locke finally works up the nerve to hit on Wilder and Locke takes Wilder back to his room. He finds out this urban cowboy is just what he was looking for during The Layover.

This m/m tale was a blistering read! Whilst I don’t read many m/m romances, I enjoyed the contrasting characters of Reno and Wilder, who are polar opposites, but as we know opposites attract! The witty repartee between the couple in the bar is very entertaining, as they become acquaintanced and circle each other to find out if they both desire to spend a spot of time together that evening! There are some passionate clinches between them after they leave the bar for their hotel. Once there the scenes heat up as we learn more about their inner desires and how useful Wilder’s skills gained in the Rodeo circuit are – cue for some light bondage! Both men seem smitten with the other and they will have to decide if this was just a one off tryst or something more.

Faith, Hope and Charity, by J.T. Seate, is a read full of adventure, hot sex and tongue in cheek cowboy clichés! In it Faith, a young girl, meets Johnny, a sexy cowboy at a fiesta in a small New Mexico town. She’s different from any girl Johnny’s ever met, the kind of girl that makes him think of settling down. At a late night rendezvous, they reveal everything there is to know about each other…….. However, her daddy, a Territorial Marshall, doesn’t approve and is also after Johnny’s blood for taking advantage of his daughter. He will leave no stone unturned until retribution is his. The couple plan a rendezvous and a future life together, but Johnny must escape the wrath of the Marshall first. Will love conquer all?

This novella played out in my head like an old black and white cowboy film, but one that had the advantage of containing some very saucy scenes indeed – the heroine in particular knew what she wanted after falling in love at first sight and the hero was more than happy to rise to her expectations! There was romance and passionate love making, coupled with fast paced scenes of flight and pursuit. Throughout the tale there is much humour as the author references many cowboy clichés. Overall a hot and entertaining read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Publisher Jupiter Gardens Press

Cover art by Winterheart Design

Edited by EM Petrova

Amazon links:  Amazon UK  Amazon US

Find and connect with the authors:

Samantha Holt:

https://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction

http://www.samanthaholt.org.uk/

http://www.samanthaholtauthor.blogspot.co.uk/

C.V. Madison:

http://cvmadison.com/

J’T Seate:

https://www.facebook.com/JTSeate

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Her Savage Scot, Highland Warrior Chronicles #1, by Christina Phillips

hersavagescott_msrPolitical Intrigue, Innocent Deception and Blinding Passion

Erotic Historical Romance, with Paranormal Elements: Adult Read

OMG! If you thought that Christina Phillips’ Romans and Celts were hot in her Forbidden series, then check out her passionate Picts and sexy Scots in her Highland Warrior Chronicles. The author once again combines a spellbinding historical romance with a superb erotic read, which will keep you panting for more. She writes in a way that transports you to the time period and creates truly memorable heroes and heroines.

Three novels are planned: Her Savage Scot; Her Vengeful Scot and Her Defiant Scot, in which three Scots warriors of the Kingdom of Dal Riada, pledge to keep the peace in the wild Highlands of ninth century Pictland. Each is destined to fall in love with a Pictish princess –cousins who are determined to save their beloved land from the savage invaders. Instead they lose their hearts to their wild foreign warriors.

Book Blurb

In Her Savage Scot, when tough Scot warrior Connor MacKenzie rides into the barbaric lands of the Picts on a mission for his king, he never expects to be captivated by a beautiful Pictish widow. Drawn under her spell, yet unaware of her true identity, he risks everything for one passionate night in her arms.

Aila, princess of Pictland, swore long ago she would do anything within her power to help defeat the Vikings who invaded her land and murdered her husband. But after meeting Connor, her frozen heart thaws and once again she imagines a future filled with love and passion.

When Connor delivers the message from his king, Aila becomes a pawn in a deadly game of politics. Her heart belongs to Connor, but she must marry the prince of Dal Riada – Connor’s half-brother. But the fates have other plans for the star-crossed lovers as they fight their enemies and themselves to find true love.

Her Savage Scot involves a combustible mix of political intrigue and violence, innocent deception and blinding passion. The first part of the novel sees Aila innocently conceal her identity from the Scots Warrior Connor. She is assailed by a strong and unexplained visceral attraction and feelings that she has not experienced since her husband’s death nine years ago. Connor, mindful of her widowed status and despite their undeniable connection, decides not to pursue her. However, their mutual attraction is such that they engage in a slow sensual dance of seduction, before coming together in a maelstrom of fiery and erotic passion.

Once Aila’s true identity as Princess is revealed and her political role in marrying Fergus, Connor’s half-brother, becomes clear, their nascent love is sacrificed to the need for their two peoples to unite against a common enemy, the Vikings. The remainder of the plot contains misunderstanding between the lovers, tension, drama and treachery and deceit on the part of others and my heart was truly pounding as their safety and HEA hung in the balance!

Christina Phillips has a real skill for penning addictive storylines and creating credible and memorable characters. Aila and Connor are just so perfect for each other! Aila is a proud, yet vulnerable woman, with a traumatic past, who lives a reclusive life. For reasons which become clear in the novel, she has rejected the old pagan religion in favour of Cristianity, in a society where the old religion is still revered. However, as the attraction between her and Connor intensifies, the goddess Bride once again calls to her and she cannot ignore her true destiny.

Connor is a man that every red blooded woman would ache to possess. He is a strong alpha hero, with an innate sense of honour. He soon realises that Aila is his and wants no other and he does all he can to protect her from others and even from herself, as she becomes a political pawn at the mercy of others. The romantic scenes between the couple are truly beautiful and Christina Phillips combines sexual tension with scorching erotic love making scenes and a credible historical narrative with great finesse. She writes in such a way that the reader gets inside the characters’ heads and feels every nuance of their thoughts, feelings and sensations.

I enjoyed all the characters in the novel, the good guys and the bad guys, but particularly Cameron MacNeil and Ewan MacKinnon, the Scots warriors who will encounter their own Pictish princesses in the other two novels planned in this series, Her Vengeful Scot and Her Defiant Scot. I was also fascinated by the different cultures of the Picts and Scots. If like me you adored the author’s last historical erotic romance series, Forbidden, then you will also love Her Savage Scot. I also recommend it to readers who like their historical romances to sizzle with erotic love making scenes, alpha males, strong heroines and have a strong page turning plot and romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

A Romantica® historical erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.

ISBN: 9781419940446

Release date: 20th November 2013

Ellora’s Cave      Amazon    ARe    Nook    Amazon UK   Kobo

Goodreads

Christina Phillips’ website http://christinaphillips.com/

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/christinaphillips.author

For our reviews of TAINTED and BETRAYED click on the links below:
TAINTED   BETRAYED

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The Twelfth Night Wager, by Regan Walker – A Perfect Christmas Read!

715486[1]Has the Rake Met His Match?

Regency Romance: e-book 134 pages

The Twelfth Night Wager, by Regan Walker, is a classy Regency romance where a wager between friends has far reaching consequences for those it concerns – a dissolute rake and a respectable young widow. There is also a cleverly woven sub plot containing elements of danger and suspense, which added to my enjoyment and acted as a catalyst to the romance. I found it a love affirming and entertaining read, welcome at any time of year but especially heart warming at Christmastime!

In The Twelfth Night Wager, Christopher St Ives, Viscount Eustace, is a rake, who toys with women for fun. His friend, Hugh Redgrave, by contrast a happily married man, sets him a challenge in a wager, which is entered into the betting book at White’s and becomes the talk of London society:

‘LD Eustace has wagered LD Ormand 1000 pounds that by Twelfth Night he can seduce, bed and walk away from a certain lady understood between them.’

The ‘certain lady’ is Grace, Lady Leisterfield, a young widow with the reputation of being very proper. Her husband has been gone a year, and Grace, encouraged by her friends, decides to shed her mourning attire and embrace life. The plot thickens when Mary, Hugh’s wife and a friend of Grace, insists that Grace be informed that she is the object of the wager. Grace nevertheless decides to welcome the Viscount’s suit, with the intention of letting him down when he finally propositions her. For his part, Eustace finds Grace very attractive and foresees no problem in using his wiles to seduce her and win the wager. Throw in a great cast of supporting characters, not least Hugh and Mary (Lord and Lady Ormand) a matchmaking dowager countess and a sub plot involving blackmail, and the scene is set for a delightful and entertaining read!

I loved Grace, who although she has been married before and is in many ways innocent, she is totally aware of the danger rakes such as Eustace pose. She is surprised however, when she starts to discover the real man beneath the façade. It is this man whom she must guard her heart against, lest she succumbs, as he will, as per the wager, only walk away from her once he has bedded her!

Eustace is a fascinating character, whilst most certainly a loveable rogue, who has had his fair share of women, underneath he is a man of substance. As the plot progresses and he gets to know Grace, he becomes very protective of her and more and more enamoured, a state that he is not familiar with. I found some of the scenes where he struggles with his feelings and Grace’s actions very humorous, especially when provoked by his friend Hugh. The sexual tension between the couple sizzles throughout and they are well matched. However, the wager stands between them and casts doubt on Eustace’s intentions. Will Grace succumb to his charms and will Eustace win the wager and still get his girl or will he lose her forever?

I enjoyed meeting characters out of the author’s other books, which I have read, notably Hugh and Mary, whose love story begins in Racing With The Wind ,  book #1 in Regan Walker’s Agents of The Crown Trilogy (for my review click on the title). The tale also includes fictional and real-life Regency characters and makes reference to actual events, places and Christmas and New Year customs, which add to the authenticity of the read. The Twelfth Night Wager is a great addition to the author’s Regency romances and works perfectly as a standalone. I recommend it to romance lovers who enjoy a Regency tale where a rake may finally have met his match!

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

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Boroughs Publishing Group

Digital edition created by Maureen Cutajar www.gopublished.com

Amazon US          Amazon UK

Regan Walker’s website

4326416[1]If you like the sound of The Twelfth Night Wager you may want to check out The Holly and the Thistle, a short story which takes place at the same time and featuring how one of Grace’s friends, the widow Lady Emily Picton finds love after a case of mistaken identity with a handsome Scot

Amazon UK     Amazon US

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Lightpoints by Peter Kassan

Lightpoints_3Lightpoints is a magical, mesmerising and surreal sci-fi. It is also very spiritual and wondrous, with near-death experiences (NDE’s) and out-of-body experiences (OBE’s) being described in brilliant detail, allowing the reader to imagine even the smallest of details whilst the victim is in this state. Peter Kassan introduces the concept of the ‘lightpoints’ well, intriguing the reader from the very beginning and ultimately gripping the reader’s attention to the very last page.

Blurb:

What if you suddenly discovered you had a sense-and powers-that almost no one else in the world did? When Amanda Lindner Nichols, a 24-year-old graphic artist living with her husband in Queens, New York, is revived from a near-death experience, she discovers she perceives everyone around her as points of light-but not with her eyes. She soon learns she can not only perceive the life energy of others, but she can give and take it. With the help of others like her, she brings her husband Chris to the brink of death and back to bestow on him the same remarkable faculty, and they’re the happiest they’ve been. But not for long. All over the world, people who’ve been revived from their own near-death experience at just the right moment discover themselves with these same unusual powers. They find ways to use them-some for good and some for evil. When Amanda and Chris encounter a ruthless group of gangsters with the same faculty, tragedy follows-and Amanda faces the greatest challenge of her life.

The drama and tension begins as 24 year old, Amanda Lindner Nichols, is stabbed at Grand Central Station. Amanda experiences a near-death experience and doesn’t regain her consciousness until later in the hospital. The reader is then taken on a mesmerising journey with Amanda as, when she wakes up, she discovers that she has some unusual qualities – she can now see people’s lightpoints! All of their energy, along with their approximity and emotive state, is clear to her.

Although quite confusing and strange for Amanda she tries to keep her new sense to herself, without wanting to alarm her family. This did prove difficult, especially with her husband, Chris. I felt a little sorry for Chris as he is shut out a little from Amanda and during intimate moments she rarely kisses him. However, once he is aware of Amanda’s abilities he wants to be like her and have the sense himself.

Throughout Lightpoints, Peter Kassan tells the story of the nicer and the darker sides of being a sensitive. For example, when Amanda becomes acquainted with Lisa she realises that Lisa looks out for new sensitives and reaches out to them, allowing them to talk over their new senses and to not feel so alone. But the reader also discovers that some people use their new ability for evil by sucking the life from other sensitives, or even taking as much energy from them as necessary in order for the individual to carry out actions that they would never consent to, before giving them back their energy.

I really liked the style of writing and the tension when the darker side was mentioned, i.e. with the gangsters – as they were trying to reach any sensitive they could find ask them to work with them. If the approached sensitive refused then their end would be met.

Here is an example of the darker side of some sensitives and the tension Peter Kassan builds up. Inside a parking garage two gangsters are trying to convince another sensitive to join them. The guy is in his car, at the wheel ready to leave when they approach him. The guy shows no interest in their offer and so they know what they are expected to do. Besides, he’s not only turned them down but he is also a witness who could identify them:-

‘They heard footsteps, and they both dropped to the asphalt until the footsteps receded. When it was silent again, Stanley reached through the window with his gloved hand. He pushed the guy’s head back, pinched his nose and put his palm over his mouth.’

This is powerful, eerie and violent. Amanda’s experience and relationship with Lisa and John is a complete contrast to this darker side.

I loved following the story of Amanda, her husband, Chris, and Lisa and John (sensitives). I didn’t see how some of the other characters fitted in to the story, although there were some great examples of how the light could be used for evil purposes. As the story continued the reader begins to guess that Amanda was to come into contact with some of the other sensitives mentioned.

I found some areas of the story, in particular the process of Chris trying to become a sensitive, to be a little repetitive. I could understand why as it was used to build up momentum and tension, however once the first and certainly the second process was mentioned then shorter descriptions for the subsequent processes would have been sufficient in my opinion.

It also didn’t become obvious until a good way through the story that the good and evil were to encounter each other. This led to a small moment where I wondered what the point was of explaining the evil sides to the reader but it does become clear and the story finishes with a surprising dramatic end.

I enjoyed ‘Lightpoints’ with its captivating concept and storyline. I would be interested in reading a sequel, either with the same characters or even with fresh characters and maybe set in a different part of the world. There were some characters mentioned that didn’t seem to fit in to the main plot but used as examples of the darker side. Maybe these characters could be revisited in any follow-up novels so that the reader can follow their story.

Lightpoints is the first book of its kind that I have read and it really leaves an impact, making the reader think about mortality, the spirit world and what truly does happen when we meet our end. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

Lightpoints was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

You can find Peter Kassan’s ‘Lightpoints‘ on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

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Stilts (Tessa Dark Trilogy #1) by Tim O’Rourke

STILTS = ORIGINAL + FUN + FASCINATING

Stilts ResizedOh wow! Stilts has blown my mind!!! Such an original idea combined with the need to survive in this great dystopian adventure and not without the conflicts of character,  along with a sweet romantic element. Needless to say, I absolutely LOVED this story from beginning to end! Yes, Tim O’Rourke has done it again with his fascinating imagination for story and characters as well as his ability to keep the reader constantly surprised!

‘Stilts’ is the first book in a new dystopian trilogy by #1 bestselling author Tim O’Rourke.

While eighteen-year-old, Tessa Dark was serving her prison sentence for murder, the world beyond her cell walls changed forever. The thunder came and destroyed the world she had once known. 

Trapped inside the prison and faced with no future, Tessa’s only glimmer of hope is her friendship with fellow inmate Joe McBride. 

Despite Tessa’s fear, Joe decides to go beyond the prison walls to seek help. But when he fails to return, Tessa is determined to go and search for him. 

To gain her freedom, Tessa must first learn to walk, run, and fight on stilts if she is to survive the new and terrifying world on the other side of the prison walls.

When I looked at the words ‘Chapter One’ and read the first sentence “My elbow crunched into his face” it had me straight away. And that is a great example of Tim’s writing, direct, to the point and providing plenty of curiosity for the reader to want (and have) to read on!

The concept of the stilts is a very original idea. Before reading the book I was a little unsure of how this idea could be used in a believable way but I have to say it does work and it works brilliantly! The stilts are used to help the prisoners to survive. And the main focus of ‘Stilts’ is the need to survive for the sake of mankind. Trapped in a prison, it isn’t too long before supplies run out and in order to leave for more they need some way to try and avoid being attacked by Scorchers. Elements of the story early on reminded me a little of ‘The Walking Dead’ tv series. However, instead of zombies here we have Scorchers who have an easy ability to melt/scorch anything they touch.

The turning point is certainly when Joe leaves the prison in the hope of bringing back help. When he doesn’t return hope seems lost. The reader really experiences the rawness of  Tessa’s determination to be able to find Joe and help for all of the inmates. These are desperate times and Tessa will do anything for a chance to find Joe. During Tessa’s adventure the reader is not hidden from the destruction and horror in which the thunderstorm has created. Many of the scenes involving the Scorchers are edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting, excruciating excitement. All of the action scenes are intense, dramatic and gory at times.

Tessa is a great heroine and, for me, not too unlike Keira Hudson from Tim’s Keira Hudson series. Tessa is a strong, decisive, young woman who, when challenged in some pretty terrifying ordeals, she rises above with her head held high and gives it what she’s got. I love her energy, her practicality and her drive. However, unlike Keira, Tessa has been on the wrong side of the law and trouble has come to her. ‘Stilts’ is told from Tessa’s point of view and reads like a narrative, allowing the reader to always be with Tessa and understand all of her thoughts and feelings.

Joe is adorable. Although very much a character to keep himself to himself, especially after past experiences, he almost has no option but to try and fit in after realising there are only those within the prison walls that have been unaffected by the change of the world. It isn’t too long before he finds a friend in Tessa and as their relationship blossoms so do the romantic gestures and dialogue. The writing is truly beautiful, so sweet and heartwarming. It certainly pulls on the heartstrings and the reader could lose a tear or two!

An example of a romantic moment between Tessa and Joe is when Tessa realised Joe had been keeping a CD player in secret:-

‘“Why didn’t you show it to me sooner?” I asked, my face just inches from his.

“Because I preferred to listen to you hum,” he smiled, leaning in and kissing me gently on the cheek.

Closing my eyes, I kissed him back. We danced together cheek to cheek in the workshop while the music played softly all around us.’

One of my favourite areas of Tim’s writing is the describing of the scenery. Tim always makes it so intensifying and exciting, allowing the reader to understand where the characters are and how they deal with their surroundings and the weather. However, whilst some authors can be a little too descriptive Tim writes in such a way that it is incorporated with the characters and their actions, whilst allowing the reader to imagine it for themselves. In ‘Stilts’ the world as we know it becomes cracked, smoking, and even the sky is a constant shade of red. It is absolutely fascinating stuff!

Already ‘Stilts‘, being the first of a trilogy,  is making me a little sad to think that after the next two books it will be over. I didn’t want to stop reading about these characters. The only dislike I had was having to finish it. I’ll certainly be looking forward to the sequel, due for release in 2014!

A copy of ‘Stilts’ was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

‘Stilts’ is published by Hashtag Books and was released on the launch of the publishers, 1st December 2013, along with Alan Williams ‘Gentleman Traitor’ (soon to be reviewed) and Will Davis’ ‘Demonica’. Please check out our review of ‘Demonica‘ and enter your name for a chance to win an e-copy of the book!!!

‘Stilts’ is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

 Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Tim’s books are suitable for for young adults and over. To read our reviews of many of his other novels please click on the titles below:-

Vampire Shift (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 1)

Vampire Wake (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 2)

Vampire Hunt (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 3)

Vampire Breed (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 4)

Wolf House (Potter’s Story) (Kiera Hudson Series 1 Book 4.5) – novella

Vampire Hollows (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 5)

Dead Flesh (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 1)

Dead Night – Potter’s Secrets (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 1.5) – novella

Dead Angels (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 2)

Dead Statues (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 3)

Dead Seth (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 4)

Dead Wolf (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 5)

Dead Water (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 6)

Moonlight (The Moon Trilogy #1)

Moonbeam (The Moon Trilogy #2)

Vampire Seeker (Samantha Carter #1)

Witch (Sydney Hart #1)

Vampire Shift – The Graphic Novel (Volume One) (Keira Hudson Series One) –  illustrated by Craig Twyman

Unscathed (written with C.J. Pinard)

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Lightning Strike, by Beverly Ovalle

LightningStrike_MEDA Hot Little Number!

Erotic Fantasy Romance, for Adult Readers, circa 30 pages

If you have ever enjoyed or fantasized about the pleasures of lovemaking al fresco, this is the read for you! Lightning Strike is a short, hot read that just may short circuit your e-reader and put you in the mood for some serious lovin’. 🙂

Book Blurb: For generations Levi’s family had guarded a sacred glen in the mountains. Still  far from man this isolated area was a favorite spot of his grandfather. Levi  grew up listening to his tales and fell in love without ever having stepped foot there.

Now Levi’s family, led by his grandmother, wanted to sell the land. With only his grandfather and Levi against it, Levi has to prove to the  rest of the family why they needed to continue their guardianship. Believing in his grandfather’s tales despite himself, Levi went armed with his camera and his  well-known expertise behind the lens and headed out for proof.

Providing that proof and protecting the secrets of the glen from the world, Gaia needs to convince Levi to continue that protection. Daphnaie, the embodiment of his every dream, is sent to show him why, stealing his heart in the process to save her  world.

The tale opens with Levi attempting to capture the image of a flash of lighting generated by an unexpected storm in the glen. The lightning strikes a nearby tree, from which a figure falls. Levi immediately goes to give aid, his training from being an Army medic automatically kicking in. He finds a young, naked woman at the base of the tree. After making an emergency call, where he has no option but to leave a recorded message, he uses his experience to thouroughly check her over for injuries.

The young woman slowly awakens to his ministrations and  after a short time seems to wantonly invite him to explore her body more fully….  At first Levi is reluctant to do so, depite the attraction he has for her, fearing that she has been rendered confused by the fall. However, once she assures him that all is well and she knows her own mind, they embark on an erotic love fest, exploring and pleasuring each other most thoroughly. The author has certainly given her imagination free reign in the scenes which follow and what an imagination! It soon transpires that the girl, Daphnaie, a tree spirit, has been released from the laurel tree, in which Gaia, Mother Earth, had confined her, to persuade Levi to convince his family not to sell the sacred ground.

This is a short erotic read and as such there is little room for character and plot development. However, we do learn that Levi is a renowned photographer, seeking peace in capturing images of the natural world after his traumatic experiences in Iraq. Daphnaie is an incorrigable mix, whom I couldn’t help but admire for her bold and insatiable sexual appetite and imagination. She is made for loving and Levi is one lucky guy!

I enjoyed the tale and recommend it to readers who are in the mood for a short, hot and magical erotic read. To read our review of Beverly’s other book, Dragons’ Mate, a scorching dragon shifter seduction, an erotic romance/menage, click on the title.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of Lightning Strike was given to me by the author for the purpose of  a fair and honest review

Cover Artist: Dawne Dominique

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing     Amazon US      Amazon UK

Author Bio

Beverly Ovalle-001Beverly Ovalle lives in Wisconsin with her husband Edmond of 24 years and two Chinese Water Dragons. Having her own Dragons is expected as she is dragon crazy and anyone that walks in her house can tell. Her son Nicholas is in the US Marines.  Her daughter Susannah lives nearby and is a CNA.

Beverly has traveled around the world thanks to five years in the US Navy and has worked for the government in one capacity or another for the past 30 years. Beverly and her brothers have travelled most of the continental United States as children due to the station wagon from Hell.  Still active with veterans, she is adjutant for her local AMVETS.

Author Links:

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyOvalleAuthor

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

Website:  http://SSLYblog.wordpress.com

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101 Nights Series (#1 To Have and To Hold and #2 Reluctant Rapture), by Kellyann Zuzulo

101nights_tiny[1]Sassy and Sexy Marriage of Convenience!

To Have and To Hold 75 pages and Reluctant Rapture 102 pages

If you haven’t yet entered the world of Kellyann Zuzulo’s sexy and suspenseful tales of genies and the humans that fall in love with them, then you are in for a treat! The author’s The Zubis Chronicles, are a fantastic mix of paranormal romance and romantic suspense, (scroll down for links to our reviews). In the 101 Nights series, the tables are turned and the heroine is a genie and the hero a human, in a sassy and sexy marriage of convenience set in the New Jersey suburbs, with echoes of ‘Desperate Housewives.’ The first two instalments, To Have and To Hold  and Reluctant Rapture are full of sensuality and suspense, with the future of the human world and Jinnistan, home of the genies, at stake not to mention the hearts of hero and heroine.

In To Have and To Hold, hot-tempered ambassador Amani Zarin agrees to leave Jinnistan and marry the human scientist, Dr Jason Masters, in a last ditch attempt to save her beloved homeland. Energy is disappearing from Jinnistan, energy which enables the genies to thrive and survive. Without it they are doomed and many, including Amani’s own parents have already died. Dr Masters, who works for a large corporation called Covalink, headed by Warren Westcott, believes he has found a way of isolating and harvesting the energy released by genies, energy which can be captured and used to sustain their world. The more the couple touch and the more intimate they become, the more potent the energy…..

Of course all is not simple. Amani resents her marriage of convenience, in which her body is being used in this way and feels like a lab rat confined in their New Jersey home. Moreover, she harbours only revulsion and distrust of Covalink’s owner, Westcott, and suspects his motives, fearing that the energy harvested will be used for more sinister means. If her fears prove true, she has the power to call upon genies opposing this alliance with the humans, led by her an ex lover and rebel, Sumer, to call a halt to the proceedings and invade and lay waste to the human realm. Amani also has conniving board members, hostile ex-lovers and nosy suburban neighbors to contend with and an instant and intense reaction to Dr Masters she did not expect, which unsettles her especially as she thinks that he views her merely as a science experiment. Just what is a desperate genie to do when her heart and the future of her race are on the line?

After reading Kellyann Zuzulo’s The Zubis Chronicles, I wondered how this series was going to compare. The tale is very different, but I was drawn into it from the first few pages. I enjoyed learning more about Jinnistan and Amani is a fascinating character, a warrior, who sits on the Tribal Council of Jinnistan and who cares deeply for her people. She has lived for many millenia and experienced so much, some of her experiences leaving her vulnerable, although above all she is a strong individual. Jason is not the geeky scientist she imagined having to get intimate with – instead he is a real hottie and Amani knows that she must guard her heart against the attraction she feels for him, as he seems to view her merely as an object to be studied.

Jason is equally surprised at the pull Amani exerts over him and knows that it is best for the project if he keeps an emotional101nights_no2_reluctant-rapture[1] distance as he cannot risk falling in love. There are many misunderstandings between them. Jason is committed to his work and Amani is left in the house for many hours each day and due to her dislike of being cooped up and her natural curiosity decides to get out and about, which creates some interesting situations. At times I wanted to give them both a good shake, but especially Jason as I felt he was not as sensitive to Amani’s emotional needs as he perhaps should have been. However, like Amani, he certainly did not expect to find his heart involved in a science experiment!

There is plenty of sexual tension between the couple and many yummy sensual scenes, as Amani and Jason navigate their marriage of convenience. Although the series is above all a love story, with elements of suspense, I also adored the many humorous moments, as Amani struggles to come to terms with the human world and at one point in Reluctant Rapture I found myself laughing out loud at one scene! The villain of the piece, Westcott, is suitably slimy and I suspect that his true motives will be revealed as the series progresses.

I am very much looking forward to the remaining instalments of the 101 Nights Series series the next one being entitled The Ties That Bind, as well as the author’s future forays into the world of genies. I recommend this series to readers who like their romance to dabble in the paranormal and magical realm, with a fair bit of suspense.

A copy of Reluctant Rapture was provided by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Digital edition created by Maureen Cutajar http://www.gopublished.com

Kellyann Zuzulo’s post on ARR Blog entitled The Truth About Genies.

Our review of The Genie Ignites, #1 of The Zubis Chronicles

Our review of The Genie Smolders, #2 of The Zubis Chronicles

Kellyann Zuzulo’s blog http://kfzuzulo.com/

Boroughs Publishing Group   Amazon UK   Amazon US

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Demonica by Will Davis plus 2 free ebook GIVEAWAYS

Demonica_Cover_(Resized)

The dark, psychological, modern day fairy tale and horror ‘Demonica’ by Will Davis  is released today by Hashtag Books!

Already a renowned author, Will Davis is already published by Bloomsbury and a prize winning author for his debut novel ‘My Side of The Story’.

Check out the blurb for new novel ‘Demonica’ below followed by our review! SCROLL DOWN FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE E-COPY OF DEMONICA!!!

When spoilt eighteen year old Miranda suffers a terrible accident she survives, but her face is hideously scarred.

Unable to bear what has happened to her, she locks herself away. Her only companions are Veronica, her cruel and beautiful mother, and Nelly, the sympathetic housekeeper.

As time passes Veronica inflicts cruelty after cruelty on her disfigured daughter. Lonely and filled with despair, Miranda is astonished when Bernard, Veronica’s handsome younger boyfriend, takes an interest in her circumstances.

For Bernard believes there is an operation that can restore Miranda’s face. But it will involve committing an unspeakable crime. A decision that will haunt her for the rest of her life…

In the tradition of Angela Carter and Daphne du Maurier, Demonica is a terrifying modern fairy tale.

Caroline’s review:-

Will Davis’ Demonica has disturbed me like no other book! This sickening, twisted, dark psychological horror will certainly overhang your mind for weeks, if not months to come. It is a brilliant read for those that enjoy reading an uncertain trail of events as the storyline for the main character, Miranda, goes from bad to worse. It sure is a dark, dark read but I love the unpredictability and how stories like this feed my morbid curiosities.

The reader does not necessarily like or sympathise with Miranda initially as she is quite mean and cruel. She is the type of girl that uses her beauty to get what she wants and being left to her own devices she regularly finds herself in some sort of mischief. However, the reader is aware of the lack of attention paid to her by her parents and can begin to understand why Miranda is the way she is.

Will Davis wastes no time in reaching the beginning of the terror with the accident that is to change Miranda’s life forever. The description and account of the accident is a very powerful, dramatic and horrifying piece of writing which is a little bit too real at times, as well as being surreal. I think this is what makes it so chilling – that it is so realistic at times!

“I landed several metres away, my body twisting terribly as I hit the earth for a second time. Then the noise and light was joined by pain. Bright red was streaking out around my eyes and this time it wasn’t my hair. It was because my head was on fire. I couldn’t move to do anything about it. I couldn’t feel my legs. All I could feel was the white hot sensation of the flames.”

After the accident Miranda’s face is left severely scarred. This is extremely difficult for her to come to terms with and so she locks herself away at home. She not only has to deal with her physical and mental scars of the accident, but she has to suffer emotional abuse from her mother, Veronica, leaving her more than completely ruined. The reader is appalled at Veronica’s reaction to her daughter. Veronica truly is cruel, making her own daughter call her Veronica and indulging in beauty treatments and men right before Miranda’s eyes.

Hatred is probably the feeling the reader has for Veronica. Just like the feelings a little girl has for all of those step-mothers of princesses in traditional fairytales. Within the actual story, Demonica has been likened to Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. We’ve all come to learn the traditional fairytales where the role of the step-mother is to be jealous of their step-daughters and cause or plan to harm them. However, in this instance it is Miranda’s birth mother – which makes it even more bewildering for the reader to believe and this creates very dark, passionate feelings of hate towards Veronica. The reader feels Miranda’s pain and can easily sympathise with her at this point.

Miranda received her care and attention from their housekeeper, Nelly. I absolutely adored the character, Nelly. Nelly saw sense and was aware of the relationship that Miranda had with Veronica. Nelly, although always kind and caring, was also very matter-of-fact, and tried to encourage Miranda to make the most of what she had. Nelly was always very accepting of Miranda and made everything sound so practical. These moments lightened the mood a little and the reader is grateful for Nelly’s input as she is someone who sees sense and can hopefully give Miranda a nudge in the right direction.

However, to make matters worse still, Miranda begins to fall for one of Veronica’s male friends, Bernard. Apart from Nelly, he is the only one to take notice of her and not be horrified of her looks but accept her for who she is. Bernard provides hope for Miranda that one day she will look beautiful again with the help of a surgeon he is familiar with. To go ahead would mean that Miranda would have to carry out a twisted, immoral crime for her own selfish reasons. But will it work out? Will it be worth it?

Demonica surely provides the reader with many emotions, which are constantly changing from one extreme to another. Morals are certainly questioned and I found myself trying to empathise with Miranda’s situation. However, I’m sure many readers would agree that Miranda made a sickening choice, despite what she had been through prior to her decision, to go along with Bernard’s hint of a suggestion. This selfish decision surely did haunt Miranda forever and readers will question Miranda’s integrity!

I found it fascinating that there was not a true hero/heroine in Demonica. Nelly would be my heroine of the whole story even though she is more of a supporting character. I think, for me, that this is what makes Demonica quite realistic as many of the characters are flawed, just as many people are. It is not the fact that there are good and bad but the fact that we are all both. Only in Demonica, the bad is really bad, downright cruel and completely unforgiveable. As a reader, you’re mind will be scarred after experiencing Demonica. Be warned!

An Advanced Reader’s Copy was provided by Tim O’Rourke of Hashtag Books for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

Will Davis’ Demonica is now available on Amazon UK and Amazon US. For more information please check out Hashtag Books.

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE E-COPY OF DEMONICA PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! THE CLOSING DATE WILL BE FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2013!

The lucky winners will be randomly selected on this date! Good luck everyone!!!

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

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Pastels & Jingle Bells (a Heavenly Bites novella) by Christine S. Feldman

PastelsJingleBellsSEASONAL ROMANTIC FUN

Pastels & Jingle Bells (a Heavenly Bites novella #1) gripped me from the first few pages and the story grows very quickly in this short, beautiful, seasonal contemporary romantic novella.

Trish encounters her former school bully, Ian, at her bakery years after high school has finished.  He has absolutely no idea who she is and Trish decides to use this at her advantage and begins to plan her revenge. However, Trish becomes drawn into Ian’s life in ways she’d never imagine and during this time her plans for revenge diminish. After spending time with him and finding out more about him, i.e. his childhood and the man he is today, she begins to have feelings for him. The trouble she has now is explaining to Ian who she really is. Will she be able to tell him? If so, how will he react?

I loved the little comical opening with Trish cowering behind the counter of the bakery where she works, hiding from her High School devil. This scene immediately grabs the readers attention, making you curious and interested in finding out about this guys character and the history he has with Trish.

After initially hiding and wanting nothing to do with Ian, Trish then decides to use this opportunity on a game of revenge to teach him a lesson. However, it doesn’t quite go to plan. And as Trish’s situation snowballs the drama grows as does the feeling Trish and Ian have for each other, making the reader eagerly anticipate the outcome of this magical but tricky ride!

To lighten the drama there are some fun moments, especially when Trish is back at her bakery and there is some teasing between her and her friends about Ian. There are moments that made me laugh out loud and this was one of them:-

(Trish) “No. I’m just…confused.”

(Nadia) “About what? Which end of him to start nibbling on first?”

There are some comical moments in there which is a great way to add some light relief from the drama and tension!

Without elaborating (for fear of spoiling anything) I would have liked to have read more about how Trish helped Kelsey with her Dana situation, however the main focus on this short novella is the connection between Trish and Ian.

Pastels & Jingle Bells is beautifully written. It captures the festive season with the cold temperatures, snow, painting scenery on the window and christmas trees, plus the magical sparkle of romance. Everything you could want from a contemporary romance is packed into this short novella. The length of the novella is also perfect for this time of year – with people busy shopping and visiting. This story can be read easily within an hour or so. I certainly would like to read more of Christine S. Feldman’s work.

Pastels & Jingle Bells was received from the author, Christine S. Feldman, for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

You can check it out at Goodreads, Amazon UK (77p) and Amazon US ($1.25). Please note that prices are correct at the time of posting but may be subject to change.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

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A Handful of Blossoms, by Lara Biyuts

14759447[1]An Unorthodox Marriage – Historical Literary Fiction 

Contains paranormal elements

A Handful of Blossoms is a beautifully written, original and engaging work. The novel is not a standard romance book, although it contains significant reflection on the nature of love. It is also one of the most character driven and literary books that I have read in a long time.

It is written in the form of a diary, kept by Constance, a young European princess who in 1764, a year after the Seven Year’s War, has just joined in a dynastic marriage with a European Prince, Constantine, who is much older than her. He is a man who she finds worldly, intellectual and somewhat alluring, but a man who soon makes it clear that he has no interest in requiring her to fulfil her wifely duties as he prefers the favours of men.

Constance soon finds that she is banished from the main dwelling, a gothic like castle, to a small adjacent mansion, in which she is kept company by her maid and a cook. Her life revolves around trying to come to terms with her strange marriage, immersing herself in nature and the rich local folklore and attending the occasional audience with Constantine where the development of their unorthodox relationship drives the plot forward. Constantine maintains an all male household where he is free to indulge his sexuality, although there are no explicit homosexual love making scenes, much being left to the reader’s imagination. The novel does contain reference to one non consensual scene of a sexual nature, but this does not in itself directly involve Constance or Constantine in the act.

There are many references to tales of European folklore, recounted by various characters, and these are recorded by Constance in her diary alongside accounts of daily events and her emotional reaction to them. She also records her relationship with members of Constantine’s household, notably his steward. In addition, there is a mysterious man from Constantine’s past, who has a major part to play in the development of the plot which contains a number of paranormal and gothic inspired scenes, which are recounted in vivid detail.  The ending is pendent.

I found myself having much sympathy with the heroine, who finds herself in the position of being both attracted to and repelled by her husband. She is attracted to his persona and intellect, yet is disgusted by some of the actions that others attribute to him and is oftentimes upset by his attitude to her on account of her being a woman. She is a strong character despite her youth. Constantine is a fascinating character, not least due to his esoteric and intellectual interests, and I felt some degree of sympathy with him in that he felt compelled to enter into the dynastic marriage, despite his sexual preferences. However, I was not always convinced that he had his wife’s best interests at heart.

The language used in the novel is lush and intricate and reminded me of a rich tapestry which the viewer needs to take time to savour to appreciate fully. The descriptions of the natural environment are truly beautiful. I found the novel whimsical, literary and full of allegorical tales and narrations, at times it is almost didactic in style as the heroine learns the lessons life presents her with. Here is a quote which is indicative of the tone and content of the novel:

Misty morning outside the window. The shades of rosy and blue are wet with dew. The air is filled with silent stillness. Senses awake……….. I muse about the indifference of beautiful things and their perfection.”

I was completely drawn into the world described in the tale and recommend it to readers who like to explore the nature of love in all its forms, intellectual and esoteric pursuits and society’s expectations. The novel will also appeal to those who enjoy reading about paranormal events and European pagan folklore. The author’s latest novel, Silver Thread Spinner, also contains a paranormal character who appears in this novel.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of the novel was provided by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Self-published at Smashwords.com
Lara Biyuts – Author Bio

_av_edited2-2Translator and writer, living in Russia, I write in English. A self-published author of 8 books of fiction, 2 books of essays and 2 books of poetry.

“Every kingdom has three pillars: Poet, Sword and Law.” (Lara Biyuts)