Book Reviews by Crystal

Bound by Night -- Amanda Ashley

2011-05-10T10:41:00.003-04:00

Bound by Night by Amanda Ashley

Life with Elena's Uncle, Tavian, had just went from bad to worse. She knew he was a vile man that forced himself upon his own daughter, and was just biding his time until he could do the same with her. After the sudden disappearance of her cousin Jenica, her Uncle proposed marriage and a threat that he would have her. Scared for her life, she ran away to the dark mysterious castle on the hill. Wolfram Castle.

Drake Sherrad has lived many years alone, certainly he has been with many women. But once he laid eyes on Elena lying on his sofa, he knew life would never be the same. Lust, longing, and love were all new emotions for him. And he would do whatever it took to make her happy, even denying his Sire. Punishment would be miserable, but he would do it all for her. He would sacrifice himself and his happiness just to make sure she would never be harmed. All this he knew before she even discovered what he was.

Vampire or Rapist, those were the only two decisions she had. Stay with a Vampire and risk death by Drake draining her dry; or go back home to her psychotic Uncle who would rape her and make her life unbearable? Drake truly loved her and never meant her any harm, but there are so many uncertainties... so many reasons they should not be together, but as you well know the heart wants what it will. Too bad there are always bad people in the world that don't want to share in that happiness but make it worse, and let me tell you this is no easy little love story for Drake, and Elena. Especially when something happens that proves to be fatal for Elena.

Bound by Night, written by Amanda Ashley is absolutely captivating! It was addictive, dramatic, and best of all, focused on a true love story. I would tell myself that it was time to go to bed, and after just one more chapter, I would put it down until tomorrow... 5 or 6 chapters later I'd finally resign and put it down. But the next morning it was right back in my hands. I was so glad to see that there will be another book following this one. Amanda Ashley is an exceptional writer, her stories only get better with each new book she puts out. I always recommend her books, and you won't be disappointed with Bound by Night. 5 Hearts

To be released Aug. 2011

www.AmandaAshley.com

Leave me a comment or note and I'll get back to you!

2010-12-21T21:41:00.001-05:00

* NOT ACCEPTING BOOKS FOR REVIEW>> > TAKING A LOT OF TIME OFF>>> SORRY!!

Sorry, I can not accept EBOOKS anymore. Life as we know it is just not cooperating. Sorry guys!!

Everlasting Desire by Amanda Ashley

2010-08-01T18:26:00.002-04:00

Everlasting Desire by Amanda Ashley

When it comes to matters of the heart, Rhys Costain is not a member of that group. He is one of the oldest of his kind, a vampire that has lived over five hundred years.
In that time he has known love, has known the beds of many women, and how much can change in such a long lifetime. If you want to call it life, from what I understand, Rhys has not really truly been living. Only when he strolled into Shore's, a men's department store, catching the eye of a beautiful sales lady did he realize what he has been missing over the years. She comes into his life so quickly, and turns his heart into a beating, living organ once again. She doesn't know what Rhys is hiding, or what he is for that matter, but Rhys is afraid when she finds out, he will lose her after waiting all this time. He can't change being a vampire, and has regret has never crossed his mind... until now.

Megan DeLacey knew from the moment that he walked in, he was dangerous. Her body thrummed with excitement and fear as he began to show up at Shore's every night after midnight. Megan knew in her head to stay away from him, but her heart says otherwise. After Rhys saved her from a couple of burglars, she thought it only right to have dinner with him. Dinners progressed into other dates, and eventually she discovers what Rhys is, and she is more frightened than ever.

Dealing with a woman who no longer wants him, or dealing with himself for trying to stay away from temptation, the world around Rhys is looking pretty rough. From one coast to the other, a vampire, a very old and vengeful vampire is leaving bodies drained of blood in his wake. Rhys is about to come face to face with Tomas Villagrande, a vampire he doesn't know if he can beat, but as Master of all the West Coast vampires, he must either defend his territory, or leave. One of those choice could kill him, the other will only wound his pride. But what about the love of his woman? Tragedy strikes, leaving little to no decision for Megan... what happens next?

There is yet one more key point in the story, but I will not divulge that just yet. There has to be a little bit of mystery, but it also makes a lot of sense as to why Megan sees vampires as monsters.

Everlasting Desire by Amanda Ashley is a little different from her usual style of writing, the characters fall in love and between the sheets faster than normal. Usually the women in her stories are pure, untouched, but Megan has been intimate with men before. Mrs. Ashley has really ramped up the heat between Rhys and Megan, and I'm here to tell you the scene's were scorching!! Everlasting Desire is a more in depth story of the love that could or could not be. It's really up in the air for a while; will Megan go willingly to Rhys knowing what he is, or stay repulsed by a monster? Everything from emotions, action, and desire are strongly described, and you can't help but be pulled into the story, it was almost impossible to put down. Everlasting Desire was a great read, and Mrs. Ashley continues to write better with each book she pens. Addictive love stories (vampire included) are what I expect from her, and she always delivers. 5 Hearts

www.amandaashley.com

The Dragon's Secret by Donna MacQuigg

2010-05-04T16:22:00.002-04:00

The Dragon's Secret by Donna MacQuigg

Sayrid has spent the last several years hiding in the woods from the horrible King Aswyn; he sought to make her his slave and whore but Sayrid escaped. Living in fear that he will soon find her again, she hears that he was killed in war. Now she thinks there is even more reason to fear the new King of Dragon's Head, Kyran, he is a Norseman, and Sayrid refuses to see anyone but a Welsh take the throne. The fate of her people are now in Kyran's hands, and soon she will come face to face with this fierce warrior, and instead of killing him as planned she becomes his healer.

Kyran knows there is something special and magical about this forest witch that seems to come to him only at night to heal his wounds. He is thankful for the healing mud that Sayrid uses to clean the arrow wound, but wishes she would stop appearing and disappearing at will. There is an emotional and physical connection between this two that has been set in motion since they were children. A childhood life-mate ceremony that ended in tragedy, the two young lovers reunite; although they don't find out until later that they are part of a prophecy that must be fulfilled... a prophecy that means someone will have to die.

Along with these two main characters, there are several magical and lively, strong, and wicked characters that build up the story to keep you engaged the whole way through. For example, an old witch that knows more about Sayrid than even Sayrid herself, a sorceress scorned that can shift to a bird at will, the spirit of the old dragon who died many years ago forming Dragon's head, and many more.

As a reader and fan of Donna MacQuigg, I think she has really jumped out of her usual western genre into a historical, magical land that really seems to work for her. Ms. MacQuigg nails the art of enchantment, creating a very real world with a touch of sparkle here and there. I have to say that I enjoyed reading, The Dragon's Secret very much and I am truly hoping to hear more of the on goings at the Castle. There were a few strong characters and an open ending that Ms. MacQuigg should really think about making a series... that would be amazing and of course I'd be right in line to get that next book! 5 Hearts

One Snowy Knight by Deborah MacGillivray

2009-10-18T22:11:00.000-04:00

One Snowy Knight by Deborah MacGillivray

Scotland- 1296 Winter has come early this year and with the drought in summer, Craigendan Keep’s food supply is extremely low. Lady Skena MacIain is a widower with two small children, managing the whole keep since her husband’s death. While she may be strong, and can take on many a burden, she is still a woman in need of love and a man’s presence to take control and replenish what the people of Cragendan need. Born of Ogilvie blood, she is blessed with the kenning, but it has never been strong enough to amount to anything until now; when the children’s Yuletide wish comes true.

Noel de Servian, had lost both of his parents at a young age, and was taken in by the Challon’s, he grew up alongside some of the strongest warriors that he has ever known; yet he’s never known real true love. While he may not be blood, he was still considered a Dragon of Challon. After his service to King Edward, he was awarded Craigendan Keep and the title of Baron. Noel had no idea that fate has big plans for him. After waking to a woman standing before him wielding a sword against a hungry wolf, Skena MacIain was all he could think about. While Noel and Skena have a special bond that forms very quickly, he has a secret that may upset Skena enough to leave this Dragon out in the cold licking his wounds.

The past is haunting to Skena, around every bend she sees her dead husband Angus, and someone is out to hurt her. She may very well be fully head over heels smitten with the beautiful Norman-English man in her bed, but she has worked much too hard to give up Craigendan. Two lives can come together as one, but the truth MUST be revealed, and it’s going to hurt.

Deborah MacGillivray never disappoints with her Historical Romances. I fall so in love with the characters and am always left wanting more. The next books in her series’ are not on the shelf fast enough. Beautifully detailed, warm, and inviting, I could cozy up with Ms. MacGillivray’s books no matter the season, this one just happens to be perfect for winter. I can’t say anything more than, thank you Deborah for creating such a magical and perfect world that you share with your readers. 5 Hearts

www.deborahmacgillivray.co.uk

Everlasting Kiss by Amanda Ashley

2009-10-12T15:45:00.003-04:00

Everlasting Kiss by Amanda Ashley

Daisy O'Donnell has been born into a family of vampire hunters and blood thieves. Although her brothers usually do the dirtiest part of the job, Daisy makes her living by seeking out vampire lairs in the daytime while they're at rest, and stealing a pint or so of their blood. As you know, vampire blood is very powerful and can give you a high like no other if you taste just a small amount, but if you over indulge it can kill you. A blood thief can make pretty good money by selling the blood online, the older the vamp, the more money she rakes in. Daisy is about to become very popular, she has taken the blood of the wrong vampire and slain another... and now the Master of the City, Rhys Costain is out for blood... her blood.

Erik Delacourt has become attached to his little flower, he found out the hard way of what Daisy does for a living when she tried to sneak into his lair and steal his blood. Erik surprised Daisy to say the least, when he showed her that he was the one thing she was taught to kill all of her life, vampire. You would think that she would be afraid, try to run even, well that's even kind of hard when the vampire of your affections will not let you leave. Especially when he knows his friend is out to kill her. Daisy and Erik have a lot that needs to be discussed, lines have been drawn, but lines often get smudged when love becomes a factor.

A betrayal, broken hearts, many nights of tears, and a life path that takes an unexpected turn. Everlasting Kiss is bittersweet, you must take the good with the bad. Amanda Ashley has mastered the art of story telling with her love and passion for the Undead, as well as the purity of her female characters that love with all that is in their being, no matter the consequences. The cover art for Everlasting Kiss is the best so far in my opinion, and the words between the covers pass by much too quickly, I can not wait for the next book! Enchanted as always, Ms. Ashley has really nailed it with this paranormal romance! 5 Hearts

Release date: Feb. 2010
ISBN# 978-1-4201-0443-1
www.amandaashley.com

Pelican Point by Douglas Quinn

2009-09-09T14:57:00.002-04:00

Pelican Point: A Webb Sawyer Mystery by Douglas Quinn

Pelican Point brings you back to Blue Heron Marsh, the home of Webb Sawyer. If you’ve read the previous two books in the series, then you’re already quite familiar with how Webb gets into ‘sticky situations’, and if you have yet to read them, then you have to start with the first book or you’ll be completely lost. Now get ready for a lot of fishing, friends, and of course Grolsch.

Pelican Point of course has the usual list of characters from past books, but Webb’s son, Preston, plays a much more prominent role in this novel. He is a suspect in a murder case when after one night of studying, he sees Jacques Girvan, a college professor, dead in his office. Preston decides to dig into the murder, in turn he finds himself in a much more delicate situation than he, Webb, or his girlfriend, Sunshine, ever expect. I’ll say this, like father, like son… even though Preston would never admit it.

A run in with a Columbian punk, knocked on the back of the head, assassination attempts, and disturbing secrets, make Pelican Point the most explosive novel in the series. There may even be a girl for Webb… is it Nan, his on again off again bed buddy?

While Douglas Quinn focuses on Webb’s military experience more in this book than any of the others, it makes Webb seem more 3D, more real. I also liked his twist, although it may be distasteful to some, it is much more graphically explained and possibly something that really does happen in the world. Intrigued? Read Pelican Point to find out what I mean.
I do have to say, toward the middle and mostly at the end, there were grammatical/editorial errors that I caught, they were not huge errors but enough to make me re-read the sentence a few times. Other than that, another great mystery in the life of Mr. Webb Sawyer. 4.5 Hearts

www.douglasquinn.com

L.A. Heat by P.A. Brown

2009-08-16T11:16:00.000-04:00

L.A. Heat by P.A. Brown

LAPD Homicide Detective, David Laine has been investigating a string murder cases that follows the path of a serial killer, but it is about to get a lot more personal. David is still “in the closet” hiding his sexual preference from everyone, his co-workers, family, and even his partner, Martinez. When he begins following leads on this murder case, all fingers seem to point to Chris Bellamere, but David can not help being attracted to him, no matter how wrong it is if he’s a suspect, and it could be the undoing to the cover he’s tried so hard to keep.

The complete opposite of David, Chris Bellamere is clearly and openly gay. He goes from one night stand to the next with dark haired good looking men, and is not ready to commit to just one man. A recent turn of events makes him a suspect for murder, and he begins to get closer to the leading Detective; closer than either of them anticipates. And he finds himself getting closer to the real murderer…

L.A. Heat by P.A. Brown is a male/male suspense with a little, I wouldn’t call it romance but well, heat. I’m not usually a fan of m/m novels, but this one wasn’t too overly detailed for me. The story takes a while to really get into, and the capitalized first couple of words in each chapter are distracting, I can’t figure out why those words are in caps. Otherwise, I can tell Ms. Brown has really done her homework when it comes to the Detective work and background. Her characters are very life like and I could feel the emotion behind them, especially when David finally can be himself. 4 Hearts

www.pabrown.ca

Secrets of a Christmas Box

2009-08-06T21:57:00.004-04:00

Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby

Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby is a cute little Christmas story starting with the ornaments that come to life, also known as the 'Tree Dwellers'. It's almost Christmas and all of the ornaments come to life to celebrate with their friends from years past, suck on pine needles, and await the arrival of Santa Claus.

This year will be different from all the others, Larry, a snowman can not find his brother Terrance, so along with his girlfriend Debbie, his pet Tinsel, and new friend, Splint, they're hatching a plan to leave the Christmas tree to search inside the Christmas box for him. Many trials lay ahead for the three small ornaments, and someone or somethings, will be watching their every move.

Secrets of a Christmas Box is a cute young adult story, maybe suitable for ages 10-13. I was very much enjoying the story and planning on reading it my son this year, but once I got to the cat attack, I thought it might be too violent for anyone under the age of 5. Detailed characters bring this story to life, there were a few tense problems and at times the story line was overly detailed, but besides that, it was a Christmas story with a twist that I actually liked. 4 Hearts

www.secretsofachristmasbox.com

Tall, Dark, & Fangsome by Michelle Rowen

2009-08-01T21:49:00.002-04:00

Tall , Dark, & Fangsome by Michelle Rowen

Sarah Dearly is back and with a dark side screaming to be let out. Sarah Dearly the newly turned vamp and kind hearted as she can be, is fighting her nightwalker side for all it’s worth. She has been cursed to such an evil fate, but she’s also being blackmailed by Gideon Chase; the presumed dead vampire hunter. If she doesn’t turn Gideon into a vampire by midnight in 3 days, all her friends and family will die.

Gideon is burned and scarred from hellfire, and the hellfire is still strong within him. The pain is unbearable most days, but it’s Sarah’s blood that makes him feel differently, more alive. The sad thing is the nightwalker part of Sarah is extremely attracted to Gideon while her innocent side is madly in love with Thierry; they’re supposed to be broken up, but they are still secretly together.

A young albeit very powerful teenage wizard called The Darkness knows how to cure Sarah of the nightwalker curse, but he tells her that it will erase the last 6 months of her life. Not ready for that, she goes on to sire Gideon because there really is no other way out of this mess. But the young wizard comes into play again, his dark magic may actually be of some help… but who to?

Tall, Dark, & Fangsome by Michelle Rowan is the fifth book and final book in her Immortality Bites series. I am so sad about that because this is a series that I love and has rocked from the first book I’ve read. Ms. Rowan weaves a spell with such amazing characters, and it’s just all around magical. Truly an amazing ending to such a great series, but I’m still sad to see it end. 5 Hearts

Grand Central Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-446-50585-7
Release: September 2009

2009-07-30T20:17:00.002-04:00

Show No Fear by Marliss Melton

Lucy Donovan has been on paper work duty for the last 10 months due to her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, being a captive and tortured in Venezuela was not on the list of highlights in her career as a CIA agent. That day changed her life for a number of reasons, one of which was her savior, James Atwater, her ex-boyfriend; now a Navy SEAL.

James Atwater now goes by Gus, he is a Navy SEAL Lieutenant, and has always kept tabs on where and what Lucy was doing. Now he and Lucy will be put on a mission together, but keeping tabs will be just as hard because Lucy is not used to teamwork, and Gus will do whatever it takes to complete the mission and keep his “wife” safe. The Columbians and the FARC are smarter than they appear, but not smart enough to try and kill a SEAL and a CIA agent that were sent undercover to retrieve 2 agents that were held captive.

Lucy must learn to trust Gus with her life, and with her heart. Gus never gives up and lets Lucy know that he has never stopped loving her. When the two come together in lust, it will evolve into something that scares the daylights out of Lucy… she may be strong, but is she strong enough to let herself be free?

Show No Fear by Marliss Melton is another in her SEAL series, I think this is #7 in the series but don’t hold me to that, this is the first of her books that I’ve had the pleasure to read. It was extremely well written, detailed, and very real. I can tell that a lot of research was put into this book. I do think that reading Show No Fear, before any of the others would be a mistake, yes it could stand alone in a Lucy and Gus sort of way, but the terminology sometimes makes me feel lost. Like I’ve missed too much in the books to completely connect. A glossary of the abbreviations would have been nice to have, or I could just start back on her first book in the series. 4 Hearts

Grand Central Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-446-50927-5
Release: Sept. 2009

Remembering Ashby by Heather Long

2009-07-28T12:13:00.001-04:00

Remembering Ashby by Heather Long

Adam Fraser has been chosen by The Fraser to go to Ashby Crossing for the May Day celebration. A young lad with quite a strong brogue, is smitten the moment he locks eyes with one of the priestesses that he is supposed to safely escort to Ashby Crossing. The priestesses are supposed to perform a service/pay homage to the Goddess of the Hunt, the lands, and the people of the mountains.

The maidens are not to have personal contact with the Blackborn, but when Adam suggests it would be much quicker for the ladies to ride upon the horses with his clansmen, the spark of desire hits him hard. Adam did not come to Ashby Crossing to look for a woman, but now no matter how much it is forbidden for him to so much as desire her, it is too late to stop his heart from falling in love very quickly.

Melanie has been preparing to honor the Goddess for such a long time now, but she can not help the feelings that are building inside for Adam. Over hearing a conversation between the Sorcerer Orywen, Melanie must do something to put the order back in motion. She is afraid of what Orywen has planned, and switches her mask with another of the priestesses. During the celebration horrible things happen to the girl, but Melanie is safe in the arms of Adam. Upon returning to the camp, she is assaulted by the Sorcerer, and is forced into submission and taken away from Adam. Melanie wants to be with her beloved and run away from Orywen, but since she is under his spell, she must trust that Adam will find her, and take her away.

Remembering Ashby by Heather Long is a story that makes you wonder what it would be like to be in Melanie's shoes. Chosen to serve the Goddess, or to follow your heart in love. The hero of the story has a very strong brogue to his voice and sometimes it gets hard to follow. Besides that, it was a beautifully written story, and I liked it very much, Ms. Long is an exceptional storyteller. 4 Hearts

Website: www.heatherlong.net

A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing by Debora MacGillivray

2009-07-25T18:14:00.002-04:00

A Wolf in Wolf’s Clothing by Deborah MacGillivray

Trevelyn Sinclair Mershan blames the Montgomerie family for what happened to his family when he was a child. Now he is out for revenge, and is going straight to Raven Montgomerie. A wolf on the prowl, and little red riding hood in his sights, Trev always gets what he wants. Although this time will be different, he’ll lose a piece of himself… to her.

Raven Montgomerie is a wealthy woman in name, but she lives in a thatched roof cabin on the Colford lands. She has hidden herself from the world because the man she married and now divorced ruined her self esteem, and the only way to protect herself is to stay hidden within her cottage, painting. When she is confronted by her ex Alec, at the auction, Trev pretends to be her date. Raven was bedazzled by the man and his eyes, and since she had hidden away for five years, it was time to throw caution to the wind and accept the wolf into her bed.

A gift from her sister, a Gypsy fortune teller, will change Raven and Trev’s life forever. She may be a beautifully carved game of sorts, but there is more to her than meets the eye. Auld souls, searching for the happy ending that should have been, will try and make it full circle this time around. Trev Mershan will have to make some major changes in his very expensive life, and allow Raven into his heart. Or else history will repeat itself and Annie and Tashian will meet an undesirable fate.

Deborah MacGillivray’s third book in the Sisters of Colford Hall series, A Wolf in Wolf’s Clothing, is nothing short of spectacular! I loved her use of animal characters, the cats, the miniature pony, and especially her one legged pelican, Atticus. Every time I read one of Ms. MacGillivray’s books I am filled with a sense of love, and complete connection with the hero and heroine. Once I read that very last page, I instantly want more and know that there are more books to come. My review can not do this book justice. I didn’t even speak of the Gypsy family that visits Colford, the vampire hunter/Gypsy Brishen, and the complete change in both Raven and Trev. Those my dears, are something you must find out for yourself. 5 Hearts

http://deborahmacgillivray.co.uk

Betraying the Prince by Debra Kayn

2009-07-23T14:25:00.001-04:00

Betraying the Prince by Debra Kayn

Antaka Princess, Celina Rodriguez has been told a story about the death of her mother for as long as she can remember. Since no one else would speak about what happened between her mother and the Prince, she had no choice but to believe that her mother was stoned to death for betraying the Prince by falling in love, and getting pregnant by an American. She vowed to NEVER follow those same footsteps, but when her father, the Prince sends her off to America to enrich her life, she does not want to go. Her hatred for American men and the betrayal of her mother is so strong that Celina says she will find a way back to her real home.

Drake Randall is the son of the man that brought Celina to California to live as an American woman. It’s an almost love at first site type of story, what really put him over the edge was her fishing in the nude. Drake had never seen a more beautiful creature, and tried very hard to keep his hand and mind off of her, but that didn’t work for long. He also felt he was deceiving her, he knew a secret that would change her life. But, Celina ran away back to her homeland, before he could tell her. Once she arrived bad things happened, Drake had never been more scared in his life when Celina was kidnapped.

Debra Kayn’s novel, Betraying the Prince is a sensual love story that keeps you on your toes. Always wondering what will happen next, or what happened to her mother, you just can’t stop reading. I did find an inconsistency, at one point in the story it said Celina wore silver bracelets, and then another part said they were plain gold. Besides that, Betraying the Prince was an awesome beachy read. 4 Hearts

www.debrakayn.blogspot.com

I Can See You by Karen Rose

2009-07-23T14:24:00.002-04:00

I Can See You by Karen Rose

Homicide Detective Noah Webster is a part of the Hat Squad in Minneapolis. His past is a dark demon always on his back, but his future has finally started to look promising after over ten years. A killer is on the loose, killing single women, dressing them in red dresses, high heels, gluing their eyes open, and leaving them hanging from the ceiling. Noah’s partner Jack hasn’t been of much help lately since they were featured in a magazine, but now Noah needs him more than ever.

Eve Wilson also has quite a horrible past. She has died twice and still has the scars to prove it. While the scars may only be skin deep, she has major issues in the trust department, and is not willing to give the good Detective any sort of hope for a relationship. She does agree to work with him and the Hat Squad to help solve the murders, the murders that are hanging over her head. Shadowland was her idea, a virtual world where people who didn’t interact with the outside world so well, could be who they wanted to be, and hopefully build up the confidence in the real world. Now a serial killer is picking his victims from Shadowland. And Eve could be next.

I Can See You by Karen Rose is a suspense novel that you will be addicted to from page one. It was a page turner for sure! Everything seemed so real, as if I were reading case reports from real life. The story is immaculately detailed, and explained well enough so that those that are not computer savvy will easily understand. I can tell a lot of research was needed for I Can See You, and Ms. Rose has done an amazing job. She’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine to read. 5 Hearts

www.karenrosebooks.com

Grand Central Publishing
ISBN# 0-446-53834-5
Release Date: Aug. 5, 2009

Keeper of the Way by Shirin Dubbin

2009-07-20T23:07:00.003-04:00

Keeper of the Way by Shirin Dubbin

Shirin Dubbin brings so many fantasy creatures to life in this short novella. Pixie's, mixed creatures, and even D'fly bikes. While the story is very fast paced and so impeccably detailed, I found that it would be much easier to follow if there was a description guide of some of the words used. Her world is painted with many colors, a work of art, and it was a nice change of pace for me to read.

Nia'Mora is an Amaranthine elf, and her job in the mortal world is to be an aftermath cleaner of crime scenes before the police arrive on scene. She wears sunglasses to protect her eyes from her bond-mate. She feels she is just not ready to be bonded to another, so she hides behind the glasses. But there is one man or actually two men that she can not hide from for very long. Severin and Zan both seem to have the hots for her, but only one man will be her bond-mate... on the night she is to die.

Severin is a unique mix of lion and unicorn, his appearance could mean the birth of a sage, or immanent death. The night he meets Nia'Mora at the birthing, he is there because she is going to die. But once her glasses are removed and they're bonded, he will do whatever it takes to get her assassin. He sees something going on between Zan and Nia'Mora, he doesn't know that she sees him as an enemy but can't keep herself away. Zan holds a power within himself that needs to be freed back to the Fae and other fantasy peoples; he is imprisoning... The Way.

4.5 Hearts

www.shirindubbin.com

Sarah's Summer Short Story #1 by Lisa Pietsch

2009-07-19T18:42:00.002-04:00

Sarah's Summer: Task Force 125 Short Story #1 - Follow the Path to Freedom by Lisa Pietsch

Sarah's Summer by Lisa Pietsch is going to be a collection of short stories that have the mystery, suspense, and action vibe. It will be based on her time in between their missions. In this first short story, Sarah is on a trip with a few other team members in Cabo, Mexico just enjoying the vacation and the view. In the meantime, Vince and Will are in Moscow following a deal.

Task Force 125 sounds promising, and Sarah sounds like she is the kind of girl who knows what she wants and will do whatever it takes to get it. In this instance it sounds like Vince is on her agenda, even though he may be her boss.

Lisa Pietsch has an easy flowing writing style, and with her short stories all fully written, I think it would make it pretty far. As I've only read the one story, I can't give you much on the details of what has happened, or is going to happen, I suggest reading more than one short story at a time, because they are so short that by the next time another chapter/short story is released, you may have already forgotten what happened and will have to re-read it. Other than that, I think Lisa's got the right idea with Sarah's Summer.
4.5 Hearts

www.sapphirebluepublishing.com

The Vampire Survival Guide by Scott Bowen & Illustrations by Adam Bozarth

2009-07-12T09:26:00.003-04:00

The Vampire Survival Guide: How to Fight, and Win, Against the Undead by Scott Bowen & Illustrated by Adam Bozarth

The Vampire Survival Guide is a book that I could easily picture in one of those vampire survival kits complete with stakes and holy water. While the book includes vampire fact boxes, random questions, and humorous illustrations, it is actually informative and quite believable. What would you do if you fell in love with a vampire, or if your friend became one of the undead? Well, you’ll find out if you read this book.

This is a quote from the book that I have to put in. “ My ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend isn’t a vampire, but I’m paying a vampire to turn him into one so I can shoot him. Is that wrong?” – Random Question
You’ll find the answer to this question and many more, for example how to care for the afflicted, signs that someone is turning into a vampire, weaknesses, powers, physical features, and of course how to kill them. And, did you know that if there was a vampire outbreak that politics play a large role?

Scott Bowen has a different writing style that is much appreciated by this reviewer, the book read quite easily and quickly. It was the illustrations and the layout of the book that really made it enjoyable. I liked the research that was put in the vampire fact boxes, and the many chapters on what to do, and how to do it. The downside to The Vampire Survival Guide is that it’s considered “Humor”. Well, the writing didn’t make me laugh, it was more about the illustrations that sometimes elicited a giggle or snort. I believe that this book is only for enjoyment, and not an actual survival guide because “real” vampires do not exist, but it was still a different type of novel for me to read. So Scott Bowen receives 3.5 Hearts.

The Cost of Love by Drue Allen

2009-06-26T09:19:00.001-04:00

The Cost of Love by Drue Allen

In Roswell, New Mexico, a deadly bioagent is being released via UFO’s. Well, they’re not really the little green alien kind of UFO’s, rather a military hybrid aircraft. The reason why the bioagent that kills quite quickly from the inside out, is being used on the citizens of Roswell is still unknown to me. But when you put together a team of two unthinkably incompatible agents together on this mission, you’re bound to see the sparks fly.

Dean Dreiser is called in to find out who is behind these sick and demented murders. One girl found in the dessert turns into a town of over thirty being dead. Dean must work with a new partner, Dr. Lucinda Brown, and when he glimpses the young girl at the airport, he is floored and a little bit mad, he is a seasoned field agent, and this girl must be a rookie. So why pair the two together? Lucy is a specialist in biohazard weapons, and will prove to Dean, she’s more than just a pretty face with brains.

Going undercover as a bartender and waitress at E.T’s bar, Dean and Lucy quickly see some things that are just not right. When the UAV’s have finally released the deadly bio-weapon on the Roswell’s senior population, Dean and Lucy have to work together to save everyone… and they may be closer to death than either will ever know. Lucy may have the second sight, but even she didn’t see what all this is going to come down to. She most especially didn’t see herself falling in love with the Falcon.

The Cost of Love by Drue Allen is a Romantic Suspense filled with action, love, and emotion. While it had an explosive, yet tear jerker ending, the beginning really didn’t suck me in. But once the action started picking up, I was hooked. Drue Allen’s debut novel is well written, has a great story line, and believable characters. One thing I am missing though, is the motive, why would someone want to release this bioagent, and why on Roswell? BUT, that is my thinking and my opinion, and Drue really has done an amazing job for this to be her first novel, I look forward to the sequel. 4 Hearts

Release Date: March 2010
ISBN# 9781594148590
www.drueallen.com

More by Tracy Mellor

2009-06-04T21:24:00.002-04:00

More by Tracy Mellor

More, by Tracy Mellor, is a well put together compilation of her poetry. This selection of poems are much more dark than her previous book, Walk Backwards in Your Mind. She expresses her feelings openly about what I assume are men that hurt her in her life, the way her life has gone thus far at times, and in a way her expectations of life and relationships. Also, her poems are all in lower case, could that be how she felt as she wrote these poems, small and kind of disconnected? I’m not a psychiatrist so I won’t assume that one, but you also get that Ms. Mellor is a strong and victorious woman after reading these words.

Tracy has created a book that I can picture someone reading on a stage, maybe a café of some type, while the audience sits awed at what they’re hearing. More is quite a bit lengthier than her previous book of poetry, so you get more depth and that really made reading More, more enjoyable. 4.5 Hearts

Immortal Sinsby Amanda Ashley

2009-06-03T10:10:00.002-04:00

Immortal Sins by Amanda Ashley

Jason Rourke has been trapped inside of a painting for 300 years after 30 minutes of satisfying his carnal desires with a wizard’s daughter. The wizard Vilnius was livid to see a vampire sleeping with his only child, so he cast them both inside paintings as a form of punishment. The only way to break the spell is for a mortal to express the desire to have Rourke free from his prison. So far it has been three centuries, and to no avail he is still trapped with no way out, but as soon as he escapes he will exact his revenge on the old wizard, as well as take back the sword that once belonged to his father.

Karinna Adams is a woman that lives a pretty mundane and dull life, all that is about to change. The painting draws her closer, the man seems to move each day, but Kari thinks she must be going insane. Time passes and she actually believes that there is a man that needs to escape, so she wishes him free. A woman that really has never known love will fall for the sexy blonde vampire type, whether she saw it coming or not, a life without Rourke is not an option. She helps him free the wizards daughter from her painted prison, helps him catch up to the 21st century, and shows him what love could be like. Still in a small part of her mind she feared the vampire, but wanted the man with an unending passion. When the evil wizard puts Kari in a prison of her own, Rourke must find a way to free her… or condemn himself to that hell once again.

As a long time fan of Amanda Ashley’s I think Immortal Sins is more supernaturally involved, and I liked it! She added in a wizard, people trapped in paintings, as well as quite a bit of history on Transylvania that she normally wouldn’t put in her books. I think this was a nice shake up for her stories, but she still had the devastatingly handsome vampire, and the woman that was perfect for him, along with a happily ever after that will make you feel complete once you finish that last page. Perfection and flawless as always, Ms. Ashley is still in my top five favorite authors! And, the cover art is smokin’ hot!!
5 Hearts

How To Tame A Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist

2009-05-26T20:53:00.003-04:00

How To Tame A Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist

A daring and truly heartwarming love story brought on by a delusional eighty four year old woman, a woman that is extremely safe and organized, and a man that loves his rakish ways with women, are all wrapped up and packed into this novel.

When Ally Giordano’s, Granny Donny, seems to have had a mini stroke and slipped into the year 1812 and a romance novel, Ally is about to leave the safe life behind. The daringly beautiful Duke Whatthehell, aka Sam Carson, sees Ally as a challenge and much much more… but was he ready for all this. Wooing and rejection all in one?

Ally is very much holding onto the past, especially her parent’s mistakes. Her mother ran off with the rogue-ish gambling type of man leaving her behind, ten years ago, and now Ally can not follow in those same footsteps, throwing her life away for a man that probably doesn’t even know what true love is. A life changing experience is right ahead for the Duke and the Princess. Both have darkened pasts, but there has to be a light at the end of the tunnel. A wicked and wanton light : )

Diana Holquist has already made a name for herself in the literary world, but with this novel, How To Tame A Modern Rogue, she has completely outdone herself with this compelling tale of Contemporary Romance. I loved every little minute of it because it married my two favorite genre’s, historical and romance. 5 Hearts

Grand Central Publishing
ISBN#978-0-446-19705-2
Release Date: Aug. 2009

To Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

2009-05-23T12:05:00.002-04:00

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Helen Halifax is astonished at the black looking castle looming before her. She has no choice but to go on with her plans, to turn back and go home to London is not an option for her or her two children. Hiding out in Scotland could be just what she needs; posing as a housekeeper sent by Lady Vale, Helen has no idea what lies in wait inside the dark castle. The man that answered the door is enough to send her running, scarred from being tortured in Spinners Falls, Sir Alistair Munroe, is to be her new master.

Alistair has no idea what to do with this woman, he tries to send her away, only to find she had been shopping in the town for supplies as well as hired servants. Being reclusive is what Sir Alistair is used to, but he soon finds himself attracted to the beauty posing as a housekeeper. His scars are not only on his face and hand, but he has built up a wall around his heart, a wall that is slowly crumbling. Even the children begin to make him feel as though all of this is right… but his stubbornness sets in and he believes he is not destined for a happy future with such a beauty for he only sees the scarred beast.

Helen must confess to Alistair her past, and Alistair must learn that he is more than what he believes himself to be.

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt is a beautifully written Romantic Historical that will keep you turning the pages well into the night. I love her descriptions of the characters, the scenery, and the story of the Truth Teller. Also, I loved the fact that her male character, Alistair, wasn’t perfect… he was scarred and missing some fingers, but had a heart and persona that any woman would fall in love with. Ms. Hoyt is a very talented lady, that is for sure. 5 Hearts

Bood Bar by Norm Applegate

2009-05-18T23:16:00.002-04:00

Blood Bar by Norm Applegate

Kim Bennett is about to discover a world that humans do not know exist, and she is not even so sure she believes what she is destined to be a part of. When an old friend, Rose, calls to tell Kim about a murder and that she is needed to help find out who killed Rose’s lover, Kim will find more things out about her ancestry and her future in a very short amount of time. Dodging being killed herself, and trying to find all the pieces to The Black Testament in order to understand her fate, she falls in love with the most powerful vampire in the city.

Always on the run, Kim has to stop running and face the facts. A blood thirsty blood doll is ready to jump in for the kill, and a Native American detective that sees “things”, wants to make a deal with the big man in charge; and the saddest part of all, a good friend is forced to kill someone she loves. But Nicolai does something sort of sadistic, in hopes of finding out the truth about Jack the Ripper, The Black Testament, and Kim Bennett.

Blood Bar by Norm Applegate is a paranormal thriller that will keep you intrigued from the start. It holds a lot of mystery and unknowns that eventually reveal themselves. A strong heroine that is used to “roughing it” in the world of S&M finally understands the reason why she is the way she is. Role playing vampires, or do vampires really exist? Dive in to the world and mind of Norm Applegate as he paints vivid pictures of blood, gore, and sex, in Blood Bar. 4.5 Hearts

It's Never Too Late by Donna MacQuigg

2009-05-13T14:14:00.002-04:00

It’s Never Too Late by Donna MacQuigg

Kathryne Sheldon has just divorced her cheating husband Douglas after over twenty five years of marriage. Always one for planning, and having her life just so, Kathryne decides it’s time for a change; and reconnecting with her father seems like a good place as any to start. A trip to Taos, New Mexico turns out to be much more than she ever dreamed. Her Grandfather’s old cabin is up for sale, and Kathryne decides it’s time to leave the city life behind and find herself again. She’s sworn off men and relationships, but Taos has more to offer than back home, the good looking half Navajo named John Hawkins is making her rustic stay well worth it!

John Hawkins has to do something to make six thousand dollars, and fast, or they’re going to foreclose on his home. The home he shared with Ellie, his late wife, a place that holds a world full of memories to him. When an offer that he couldn’t refuse came along, with the help of his brother in law, Norman, he had no choice but to accept. Little did he know that Kathryne was the daughter to his good friend. John was instantly smitten, and as the days went buy, a love quickly bloomed between the two. Where Kathryne was guarded, John was the proverbial open book ready to accept what came his way.

Along the road, there are many new experiences for Kathryne, as well as new feelings she didn’t know could exist between a man and woman. A forty four year old woman is about to have the love of a life time, and a small miracle… yeah, she’s pretty lucky!

It’s Never Too Late by Donna MacQuigg, has to be my favorite novel written by her. It was a spectacular love story with all the trimmings, where her female character had been hardened by her ex, the hero of the story is soft and caring. A perfect match. I very much enjoyed reading Ms. MacQuigg’s novel, it was quite endearing. 5 Hearts

So Into You by Sandra Hill

2009-05-13T14:09:00.001-04:00

So Into You by Sandra Hill

Angel Sabato and Grace O’Brien have been friends for a long time. Angel knew Grace as a strong beautiful woman who has had quite a strange life, nun, poker player, treasure hunter, and now a healer. One night he professed his love and offered marriage, Grace was quick to tell Angel no, because of her past… but he didn’t know that. All he knew was that he was heartbroken and could no longer be just her friend, so he went to Germany in search for a treasure and found another wife on the way… but that didn’t last too long either because there was only one woman for him.

Grace has had an interesting and painful past, and it looks like the past is about to meet her head-on. While she has been studying under the ninety something healer Tante Lulu, who is crazy as they come, she truly has not yet discovered herself. When Angel is back in the picture to help Tante Lulu and the Duval kids (hurricane Katrina survivors), Louisiana is going to get a lot more spicy than just the Cajun food they’re serving up. Sparks fly between Grace and Angel, but Grace is too afraid that her secret will make people see her in the wrong light. It’s about time to find out what people are going to think…

A lady that is as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, believes with all her heart that St. Jude is on her side, and match-making is all part of her existence on Earth. She also has a heart of gold, starting a foundation for the families that desperately need the help after the Hurricanes, and healing those that need it, Tante Lulu is almost a saint herself… almost *grins*. So what if she’s named a dingbat, the woman will keep you laughing throughout the novel!

Sandra Hill has written an extremely heart-touching novel with, So Into You. It was one of those books that never seem to last long enough, but you feel all warm and tingly after you’ve finished reading. A happily ever after story that most people will love. The romance and sparks, as well as the humor make, So Into You, a joy and a pleasure to read. My review did not give it justice, so go ahead and grab a copy for yourself! 5 Hearts

Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory

2009-05-07T13:05:00.001-04:00

Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory

Before her wedding Lady Catherine needed a moment of freedom, a young Knight helped her achieve that single moment of happiness that she frequently remembered in her mind. The day after, she was wed to a man named Rayburn that constantly abused her. She only knew of one way to rid the man from her life, she betrayed him, anonymously sending letters to Prince Harry. Rayburn is killed for his betrayal, and now when Lady Catherine thinks her life with her son will finally be peaceful, she finds out differently when a man shows up to claim her for his wife.

William FitzAlan has gone from Knight to Lord overnight. After the death of Rayburn he is offered Ross Castle, and Lady Catherine. The young lass from his past is now to be his wife, he couldn’t be more happy. But there is an air of distrust that constantly lingers, a trusted friend of William’s that is not to be trusted, and a kidnapping that was actually arranged. William has fallen in love with Catherine but it seems she always has some bad news for him, or she is angry with him, or he finds her in a compromising situation. But love is love, and he will go to the ends of the earth to rescue her.

There will be bloodshed… but who’s?

Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory is a great Historical Romance set in England in the 1400’s. I loved the severity of her characters, they were both passionate and fierce. The novel was expertly written, and a great amount of research into the past, really shows in Knight of Desire. A love story gone right in my opinion! 4 Hearts

Grand Central Publishing
Release Date July 2009
Isbn# 978-0-446-55339-1

Bound to Please by Lilli Feisty

2009-04-27T12:09:00.003-04:00

Bound to Please by Lilli Feisty

Ruby Scott is about to have her secret fantasies come to life, she’s no stranger to being the one in control, but that is all about to change. Ruby wants a stable life, a man that’s ready to commit, and is always going to be there for her; secretly she wishes for a man that will tie her up, whip her, and make her feel… truly feel what it’s like to be dominated.

Mark St. Crow is a musician that has always been in control, and from the moment he laid eyes on Ruby, his male anatomy immediately called out to her. A one night stand is all that he can offer, but this time will be different. Not one to be addicted to drugs, Ruby will soon become Mark’s fix. He may be a rocker, have women throwing themselves at him all the time, but he wants one woman, and he wants to show her that fantasies can come true. Leather could be better than diamonds in this case… a girl’s best friend.

It’s not all heated BDSM, when both start getting too attached and fall into unfamiliar territory. Feelings will be hurt, hearts close to broken, and decisions that both Ruby and Mark will have to make. Will one of these two have to give up control, or is there a way to make it work?

Lilli Feisty is much deserving of her last name by the way she has put a lot of Feistiness into her character Ruby. Bound to Please is highly erotic, totally deserving of the warning label on the back, and extremely powerful. Seriously, if you’re one that is curious or has a fetish of your own about BDSM, why don’t you check out Bound to Please… you may be the surprised how sexy it can be to be powerless. 5 Hearts

Grand Central Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-446-54192-3

The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock

2009-04-27T12:09:00.001-04:00

The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock

I would love to start this out as once upon a time, two people met and fell in love, end of story. But I can’t! There is so much to The Moon Looked Down, and I would say it was just perfect! Ms. Garlock is well known as a US Today’s Best Selling Author and after reading this novel, I completely understand why. Her characters are so real, they are not perfect, but they do find the perfect love. They suffer discrimination, a deformity, and guilt. I can’t say that there was a time that I wanted to put this book down, not once!

Sophie Heller is a German girl living in Victory, IL with her family, the story is set during the war, and there are 3 boys in town that are trying to run her family off. They even go so far as to burn down the family barn and physically hurt Sophie’s father. One day at the diner, Sophie meets Cole Ambrose after he protects her from the men after Sophie confronts them openly. From that moment on Cole knew he was in love.

Cole is back in Victory after living in Chicago because he was offered a teaching position and he felt it was his time to return home. Cole suffers from clubfoot, making it difficult to walk, and also not letting him fight in the war; this makes him quite angry that he can not fight for his country. His relationship with his father is almost non-existent, but he is close with his brother Jason that has been drafted; their mother died when he was a child and he feels it was all his fault.

Cole and Sophie both face hardships during the novel, but it is their innocence, blossoming love, and the protection that Cole has for her that makes you warm all over. There were a few times that tears actually came to my eyes. I have to say I loved, The Moon Looked Down… it was perfect! 5 Hearts

Release July 2009
Hachette Book Group

One Scream Away by Kate Brady

2009-04-27T12:07:00.000-04:00

One Scream Away by Kate Brady

Beth Denison has a deep dark secret that will come back seven years later to haunt her. She had no idea that Chevy Bankes was released from prison nearly a year ago and has been watching her, waiting, and plotting ever since to have his sweet yet psychotic revenge. Beth will do whatever it takes to keep her daughter Abby safe. Besides being in excellent shape, pretty good with a gun, and well off without a man in her life, Beth finds herself needing the help of Neil Sheridan when Chevy gets a little too close to home.

Neil Sheridan is an ex-FED with a pretty heartbreaking past of his own. When he is asked to take a look at the murder cases that seem like those of a man from the past, Neil begins wondering if he shot and accused the wrong man. Neil and Beth will have to work together and the truth must finally be told… only then will they discover what is going on inside the madman’s head. Chevy is more messed up than you think… and his past is just strange to say the least!

One Scream Away written by Kate Brady is a page turner for sure! I love mysteries with romance, and Ms. Brady has done an exceptional job at blending the two. She gives depth to her characters, as well as adding twists and turns the reader doesn’t expect. I hope this is not the end of Beth and Neil… but we’ll see! 5 Hearts

To Your Own Self Be True by Ray Melnik

2009-04-21T22:13:00.000-04:00

To Your Own Self Be True by Ray Melnik is a continuation of his previous novel, The Room. In The Room, the story was about Harry Ladd and his very odd experience in his Mothers room; a rift in the universe was born in that room. His daughters were also mentioned, and in To Your Own Self Be True, you’ll learn what came of Kaela and Lainey.

Kaela Ladd is a 23 year old physicist that believes in Science with a passion. Kaela is a loner of sorts, she has no boyfriend, very few close friends or co-workers at SciLab, and is feeling very alone after the death of her father. She has yet to find her “it” in life that is to fill that empty void inside of her.

Working at SciLab she is about to be a part of a special experiment called Stasis that will give her the answers she seeks about The Room, as well as a second chance to speak with her father. Along her journey, she meets Rael and sees so much of her father in him, she decides to help him and his family out by getting Rael a job at SciLab and letting them rent her Grandmother’s house. Rael turns out to be more than Kaela was looking for, and with the last words her father gave her, she may find that one thing to fill the emptiness in her life.

Ray Melnik details the day to day life of Kaela as she works at SciLab, interacts with Adam, and learns about herself. At times the story would get a little slow and hard to follow with all of the scientific terms. Mr. Melnik has really done his research and thinks much like I would expect a rocket scientist would think. There are a few secondary characters that lead to the developing storyline that were well placed as well as purposeful. If you are looking for a futuristic novel without the sci-fi aliens and such, you might enjoy the mysteries of To Your Own Self Be True. 4 Hearts

Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott

2009-04-13T14:57:00.003-04:00

Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott

Tamed by a Laird, skillfully written by Amanda Scott is one of those Scottish Historical Romances that make you feel as if you’re experiencing first hand the days of old. With her strong female character, and the hunky hero that can be fearful or putty in her hands, I have come to be a true fan of Ms. Scott.

Lady Jenny Easdale has accepted the betrothal to Reid Doulas, although she is not in love or even likes the man one bit. The night of their betrothal dinner, she talks her maidservant into taking her along to visit the minstrels that performed at Annandale that night. Jenny finds herself comforted and excepted by the minstrels and decides she would see where the adventure would take her before she is married to the man she wishes to refuse.

Hugh Douglas is not on such good terms with his sister or brother Reid, but when Jenny is discovered missing he is the one chosen to find her. Once found, the two put on an act, and that act will soon be taken to another level… a level that is none of their doing.

Hugh has vowed never to marry again after the loss of his wife and child, but there is just something very attractive about Lady Easdale that keeps him from containing his feelings for her.

A whole mess of trouble is brewing, and lets not forget about the missing jewels; who is behind that mystery? And a perfect match made by a Joculator… who’d have thought that would happen? 4 hearts

A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

2009-03-27T14:06:00.001-04:00

A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

It has been eight years since Sophie’s husband, Garrett, left for the battle at Waterloo. He was claimed to be dead, and it took her 7 years to move on; although she still loved Garrett, she married his cousin and long time friend, Tristan. The three were playmates as children, but now the play and laughter is over… Garrett returns home and goes into a fit when he sees Sophie tied to the bed with Tristan making love to her.

Garrett had amnesia, and his comrade in war, Mr. Fisk, claimed to have found him and brought the Duke home. Mr. Fisk is a strange character, and Garrett is not the man he was when he left. He’s now more dark, cold, and quite distant; but he still rages inside for Sophie. Garrett and Tristan can not get along whatsoever now, Sophie is in love with both men and doesn’t want to hurt either. It seems she will not even have a choice because once the courts decide that her wedding to Tristan is nullified, she must stay with Garrett.

Behind the stories of the love triangle, there is someone that likes to torture, sabotage, and stick knives in the back of those that he was supposed to be friends with.

A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore started out with a love making scene that is quite vividly worded, a huge amount of emotion, and the way it would feel to be a woman torn between the two men she loved most. Historical Romances are sometimes along the same line, one woman, one man, possible scandal… but not this one, it was very different and had a lot of elements not normally added to make it a spectacular read. 4 Hearts

Forever
ISBN# 978-0-446-54029-2
Release June 2009

Madrigal: A Novel of Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera by Jennifer Linforth

2009-03-25T17:56:00.001-04:00

Madrigal: A Novel of Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera by Jennifer Linforth

“My story? I am a murderer. A murderer and a Maestro, a magician and a mastermind. There is nothing in this world I have not mastered, nothing unattainable beyond my grasp. I am a wealthy, powerful genius, with the voice of an angel and the soul of a madman…” --Jennifer Linforth’s Phantom

The above quote has got to be my favorite of all in the novel titled Madrigal. Madrigal is the story of the Phantom of the Opera years after Christine had left Erik for Raoul. Small packages of paper, figs, and ink have been left by an anonymous stranger for the Phantom, but who after all these years, and even after faking his own death, would want to reach out to him now?

A man still in love with a woman that wants nothing to do with him, finds love in a woman that is the exact opposite of Christine. Le Fantome, is forced to reappear when the managers of the Opera Garnier make plans for a con. With this con, there will come a lot of trouble, trouble only the real Phantom can control.

Anna knows the man beneath the mask, she knows there is a war raging inside of him, and to her, he is the only man she can see herself loving; even if she has to rate as second best. Anna shows Erik compassion, passion, and a love that she has never been shown herself. A young lady that has been pawned off by her deadbeat con of a father, Anna has suffered the life no lady should have to experience. When Erik reveals his disfigurement to her, Anna is taken aback but only for a moment, she knows the man with golden eyes, she knows his heart, and she will not see him for the monster everyone claims he was, she will see the man, the man Erik longs to be.

Madrigal: A Novel of Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera by Jennifer Linforth is magical, breathtaking, and went well beyond my expectations. I have to admit, I do not know Leroux’s novel, or much about the Phantom beyond his disfigurement and his love for Christine, but Ms. Linforth made me realize that I have truly missed a great story! A perfect read for anyone that would like to know what could have been. 5 Hearts

Find Jennifer and Madrigal at: www.Jenniferlinforth.com

Bondage and Discipline, Sadism and Masochism by Lusipher Parts 1 & 2

2009-03-25T17:50:00.000-04:00

Bondage and Discipline, Sadism and Masochism by Lusipher Parts 1 & 2

BDSM by Lusipher is going to probably be one of the most forward reviews I have written. I am pretty sure that the author is going to detest my review, but this is my opinion and my opinion alone. First off, the chapters were labeled as "scenes", is this supposed to be a play or something? Zack Simms and his wife go through the same old thing every night it seems, Zack being a lazy a**, while ordering his wife to bring him beer and she is always cooking fried chicken. Zack tries for a loan, gets denied, is unhappy being a cab driver, wants to find out more about this Sadie person he ran into at a drug store and from then on the books just keep going down hill for Zack. Sadie is Zack's mistress of sorts, she opens him up to a world of grossly described BDSM, while his wife Anna seems to be doing everything the way a good wife should in his mind; cleaning, cooking... I just don't know what more Zack could expect from her. He's an alcoholic, drug user, and a cheat.

It took me putting this book down several times, gritting my teeth the whole way, and a ton of patience to finish reading book one, and even more gritting to read book 2. Book 2 was strange to say the least, the really non-appearance of Sadie, and the way Ann kind of does a couple bondage things… but it just didn’t jive with me.

I got so tired of the way he treated women, the language about farts, and other explicit words that I will not use in my reviews. I can't imagine anyone really enjoying BDSM and giving it a 5 star review. There is absolutely no way that I will ever recommend this to anyone or share it with a friend. With that said, I do have some praise for Lusipher, he can actually write, that is put words on a page and make it make sense, but this style of writing for him is not good. Maybe a good fiction novel, sci-fi, or anything besides BDSM or sexually explicit material. I could not stand how he portrayed women, or how his character viewed them as nothing but maids and a whores.

I give BDSM a 1 Heart review, because there is no way any woman in this world can stomach to read these novels by Lusipher. Men, on the other hand, those that want to control women or have some sick fetish may very well love it. But this is not for me.

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

2009-03-20T15:42:00.002-04:00

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

Alexandrine Marit has just found out that her brother is pretty much back from the dead. She’s not seen Harsh in 10 years, all of the sudden he shows up with a very hunky, muscled, leather-clad biker that he says will stay and protect her. From the get-go Alexandrine and Xia don’t get along, but the more time and action they spend and face together, things start heating up. Xia can’t take his mind off the naughty things he wants to do to the little witch, but he’s a fiend, and has a total hatred of witches. There’s a first time for everything right?

Between fighting off the magehelds, running from her father that wants her Talisman, and her on again off again magic, Alexandrine is getting to know the good side of her protector. Her Talisman is very important, and Xia must do the only thing he knows how, to get rid of it. From that moment, things start to get a little strange; and Alexandrine sees Xia in his true form. Talons and all, she still gets all hot and bothered.

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel is a great paranormal romance novel. You can really get into the story… a definite page turner. There was so much action, heat, and bit of sarcastic banter, that made My Forbidden Desire an additive read. 4.5 Hearts

Release Date June 2009 by Forever
ISBN# 978-0-446-17824-2

How to Score by Robin Wells June 2009

2009-03-18T17:57:00.001-04:00

How to Score by Robin Wells

Chase Jones feels responsible for putting his brother in the wrong place at the wrong time, landing him in the Witness Protection program. Chase is an FBI agent, but has also agreed to take over Luke’s job as a life coach. One client in particular quickly rouses Chase’s suspicions, so he makes it a point to go running at 5am to meet her. From that very moment, it was love at first bite; Joe, Sammi’s boxer, has a thing for tanned leather and it would seem, good looking guys. But Sammi is a train wreck all in her own.

Sammi Matthews has a pretty bad track record with men, she injures them. A broken rib here, a black eye there, and let’s not forget the newest injury, a concussion. Sammi has enlisted the help of Luke/Chase to help her find out what is wrong with her, and why she keeps hurting men. Chase does a much more hands on job than his place, but he will risk loosing his heart and her trust if the truth doesn’t come out soon. But is Sammi really SCABHOG material?

Chase has the ideal woman in his mind and so comes the operation SCABHOG, you’ll have to read to find out the meaning. Chase is really starting to have feelings for Sammi, but he’s also got a job to do. A kidnapping, fired, almost killed, and broken hearted on both sides, an unsuspecting thing must happen to get these two back together. Oh, and there’s another character’s story entwined that gives How to Score a little more depth that I think you will enjoy.

Robin Wells is just remarkably talented! I fell in love with How to Score, it was a cute contemporary romance that had everything needed to make reading it enjoyable!
There was one scene in here that had me laughing out loud, it involved a leather belt and Joe the boxer, it was priceless! Seriously, How to Score was awesome! 5 Hearts

His Woman by Diana Cosby

2009-03-15T19:14:00.001-04:00

His Woman by Diana Cosby

It has been three years since Lady Isabel Adair was forced to leave the man she loved. Her betrothed Knight, Duncan MacGruder believed she had left him for a man of wealth, but only her family and the nasty Earl of Frasyer knew the truth of why she had to leave the only man she would ever love. Her father was so deep in gambling debts, the only way to save him was to become Frasyer’s mistress. She would always love Duncan, but now he thought her nothing more than a whore.

As a vow to Symon, Isabel’s brother, Duncan had to free Isabel from the Frasyer’s dungeon. The moment her saw her all the old feelings rushed back ten fold, he knew she was untouchable but his heart felt otherwise. After freeing Isabel, she refused to go with him until she found the one thing that could prove her father’s innocence, nearly risking their lives. During the days Isabel and Duncan spend together a little bit of truth leaks out about the past and why they were not wed, eventually all will come together… but it may be too late; especially when Frayser has Isabel back in his clutches. Love will conquer all things… right?

Diana Cosby is a master-mind when it comes to writing Scottish Historical Romances. I loved the liveliness of the characters, the sex scenes were tasteful, not overdone, and the story just seemed to pass by so quickly that I couldn’t believe I let a whole day go by! Ms. Cosby has just become an author that I will definitely look for in the future! 5 Hearts

Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione

2009-03-15T18:48:00.002-04:00

Passion Unleashed: A Demonica Novel by Larissa Ione

Wraith is the brother that has always been one to dance to the beat of a different drum. His dark side seemed to surface way more than both of his other brother’s combined, Wraith is finally about to feel what it is like to be on the loosing end. Although he is a Seminus Demon and a vampire, Wraith has just been infected with something that has no antidote and even with all the help from his brothers at their hospital UG, there is only one person that holds the key so to speak, that will save Wraith’s life. She must die so that he can live.

Serena Kelley is charmed, a fortune hunter, and a virgin. Why the virgin part? Well, she must stay celibate or she will die. A childhood illness will come back to haunt her if she is ever separated from the amulet around her neck. She meets Wraith as he goes under a different name, they fight off a few Demons together, things get hot and steamy, and believe it or not, Wraith is capable of feelings. But are his feelings strong enough to sacrifice himself for her? Oh, and let me mention that a fallen angel is after Serena so that he can pretty much bring Hell on Earth, literally. A lot is going on with Wraith, Serena, and the other brothers, and there will be more than just one couple heating up the scenes.

Passion Unleashed has got to be Larissa Ione’s best novel yet! It was hot, wickedly well written, and just amazing all ‘round! I can’t tell you how excited I was to read Wraith’s story, the bad boy of the brothers, and it was just phenomenal. Ms. Ione is on her way to the top! 5 Hearts

Forever
ISBN# 978-0-446-40105-0
Release Date: April 2009

Miss Match by Wendy Toliver

2009-03-12T16:57:00.002-04:00

Miss Match by Wendy Toliver

Sasha Finnegan has always been an excellent matchmaker, but now she has to turn her skills into a real life paying job. Sasha backed her Dad’s truck into her elderly neighbors car, and is now responsible for the damages; Miss Match is born. Sasha consults teenagers with crushes on how to get that date with the girl or boy they desire… and she’s pretty good too. One Miss Match case though, will make Sasha question if she’s doing the right thing, setting up the boy that she’s crushing on, with her sister Maddie.

Derek Urban is the new guy in school and really wants to take Maddie Finnegan to homecoming, he enlists the help of Miss Match, Sasha, to make his dream a reality. Derek and Sasha become good friends, but neither know what the other thinks about them. Until that night…

Miss Match by Wendy Toliver is a cute Young Adult novel that will knock your socks off. It is extremely well written for any age group, not just teens. I loved the realness of the characters, the emotions, and the every day scenarios that real teens face. Ms. Toliver has done an amazing job, yet again! 5 Hearts

Marked by Passion by Kate Perry

2009-03-12T16:53:00.001-04:00

Marked by Passion by Kate Perry

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you enthralled from page one, then Marked by Passion is exactly what you need. Kate Perry fires up this book in the Guardians of Destiny series. Enchanting, a little bit naughty and a perfect mixture of spice, Marked by Passion is breathtaking!

Gabrielle Sansouci Chin, aka Gabe has just inherited her destiny. She wanted no part of what her life is now going to be, just because she was marked by the Ancients didn’t mean she was the one that would be the best candidate for the scroll. All she wanted to do was work at the Pour House as a bartender, leading a normal life and paint. I mean she literally held the world in her hands. Being the carrier of the Earth scroll, she must do her best to keep it out of the wrong hands, and she must trust no one… not even those that she thought she knew.

Rhys Llewellyn shows up out of the blue, coincidence? I think not, he is after one thing and one thing alone; but once he learns more about Gabe, his plans will have to be altered. He is also a Guardian, and he’s a man who gets what he wants. Right now he wants two things, Gabe’s scroll and her heart. But one is just about as hard to get as the other, especially when he is not the only one trying to harness the ancient Chinese power. To tell the truth, Gabe doesn’t know how to control it either, or the spirit of her father that just happens to come with the territory of the scroll.

Love, needing, want, and deceit, all play vital rolls in this amazing paranormal romance penned by Kate Perry. One lesson taught shines through, within yourself, you have the power to change the world. Or at least her Heroine does. 5 Hearts

Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446541001

Driver #8 by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2009-03-12T16:50:00.001-04:00

Driver #8 by Dale Earnhardt, JR. with Jade Gurss

Driver #8 by Dale Earnhardt, JR. with Jade Gurss, is an inside look at the NASCAR scene and the behind the scenes that most fans don’t get to see or hear about. Dale tells the readers about his emotions, feelings, what it’s like to have screaming fans, and the hard times during his racing career.

I’m here to tell you, this book is so compelling. If you ever want to feel like you’re sitting in the room with an amazing race car driver, this is the book to give you that one on one experience. A rookie into the wildest ride of his life, Dale doesn’t see himself as living in his father’s shadow so to speak, he is very much his own man, with his own will and drive to win. While Dale Earnhardt, SR. was a huge part of Dale JR’s life, the book is not about all the warm fuzzy moments father and son shared. It is reality at its finest, and I have to say, go pick up a copy of this book and hold on for a high speed read. 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446612502

Hitman by Bret Hart

2009-03-12T16:46:00.003-04:00

Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling by Bret Hart

Growing up, I remember my Dad and Brother watching wrestling at night while we had dinner. Bret the Hitman Hart was one of my very favorites as a little girl, he was easy on the eyes and had that commanding personality that made him all the more attractive. Bret was one of those wrestlers that looked like he belonged in the ring, flipping, jumping, and most of all winning. Having the chance to review his biography, is a special treat for me.

Most of Bret Hart’s memories as a young child were seriously imprinted on his mind as he fought for his place in the family, fought with his brothers, and stuck by those that he formed an alliance with. Bret also talks about his father, Stu, that was “the man” of wrestling in that day and age. While Stu was a hard man, as I read on, I could tell how much Bret loved and looked up to him. Being the eight of twelve children, Bret was going to make it in the wrestling world… but it wouldn’t always come easy.

As life went on, Bret found his love for the wrestling lifestyle, but with the good comes the bad. He made life long friendships with some of the biggest names in his wrestling career, had an amazing family, and provided for his children. I’ll skip ahead now, after years of wrestling, Bret traveled the world and tells about his wild sex encounters, and how drugs are so openly available to those that are famous. He also talks about his rival, Shawn Michaels, and his open feelings toward Shawn’s rising fame.

Bret goes into major detail in everything, leaving not much out I’m sure. You can feel his emotions, the tragedies, and his memories of the years gone by seep into your skin. You’ll find yourself tearing up, smiling, and if it makes sense, you’ll feel close to the man I call a legend. Also, I want to mention the photo inserts, those really made you feel a connection to the Hart’s. I loved Bret’s biography, and I wish the best for him. 5 Hearts or should I say 5 Harts

Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446539724

Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan

2009-03-08T12:20:00.003-04:00

Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan

Daisy Drake, always up for an adventure and has a will to learn all she can about erotic Roman sculptures, is about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. When she has a run in with childhood playmate, Lucian Beaumont, Daisy Drake’s safe life will drastically change. A young woman innocent, and pure, will transform herself into a lady of experience; Blanche La Tour, courtesan. If Lucian will not have her as Daisy, then she would have him as Blanche.

Lucian Beaumont is on the trail of a buried Roman treasure, when he enlists the society of antiquities for help he is pretty much laughed out of the room. When Blanche insists upon being his partner in the search, Lucian can not refuse. Beaumont will get more than he has ever expected with beautiful courtesan. There is also treachery afoot, sadly it may mean death for some of those involved.

While death, treasure, seduction, and love are all in the mix, I’ll let you decide which one will win the war.

Emily Bryan’s historical romances are always amazing, I believe she has outdone herself with Vexing the Viscount. It was a phenomenal read, fast paced, and included strong willed characters, both male and female alike. Vexing the Viscount is that breath of fresh air when you’re looking for a relaxing read. 5 Hearts

One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon

2009-03-04T20:51:00.002-05:00

One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon

Edie Swann is back in town, it has been 20 years since she last looked upon the small town of Redbud. A family tragedy left her home unstable, and now Edie was back for some answers, and some revenge. She knew that her father would not just commit suicide, there had to be a reason that black angel stood menacing over his grave. She believed that when he was proven innocent, that the angel would show the world that her father was wronged.

The men Edie need information from seemed to be dying left and right. There were only 5 men on her list to confront, now most of the list is dead. Holt Drennen, the police chief is trying his best to prove Edie’s innocence, not just because he is infatuated with her, or because they’ve had some pretty hot moments… he truly wants her to be innocent. It is much harder for him to swallow after he finds out who she really is and begins to unravel her web of lies. Holt not one looking for love, finds major attraction to the new Dark Angel in Redbud, he’s also about to uncover more heartache.

One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon is a great romantic mystery. It has the ability to enthrall you from page one, and keep you guessing. You’ll never believe what happens next! Perfectly written, and an explosive story line will make you miss a few extra hours of sleep at night as you stay up reading to find out what happens next. I loved One Deadly Sin, I’ll be on the lookout for more works by the talented Ms. Solomon. 5 Hearts

Moon of the Falling Leaves by Diane Davis White

2009-03-03T14:27:00.002-05:00

Moon of the Falling Leaves by Diane Davis White

Moon of the Falling Leaves by Diane Davis White is a gripping tale of a Lakota Warrior and a newly widowed woman stranded in the Rocky Mountains in 1870. Swift Wind, the Lakota has a deep hatred for the white people after they destroyed his family when he was only a child. The Great Spirit has led him a vision that he must be the savior to the widow and her four children.

Jessica Maxwell is surly discomforted by Swift Eagle’s presence, but soon comes to lust and appreciate the man more than her late husband. A love that can never be is set aside, and Swift Eagle helps Jessica and her children survive the harsh winter only to lead her into town and forfeit the burning desire they both harbor. It is not until Jessica and the children are captured by a horrible man that plans to sell the family and person by person, that Swift Eagle realizes what path he must choose in life.

Will he reach the Maxwell’s soon enough, or will all hope be lost once he is discovered and shot? Swift Eagle must follow his heart.

Moon of the Falling Leaves is a historical romance that shows true love, desire, and protection for a family that does not even belong to the loner Lakota. Diane Davis White has done an amazing job with the details of her characters, at some points the story was a little slow leading up to the kidnapping but it was still very much enjoyable. 4 Hearts

How the Hart Breaks by Alysia Lyons

2009-03-01T17:15:00.001-05:00

How the Hart Breaks by Alysia Lyons

Pop singer, Isabel Hart just wants to be a normal girl for just a little while. Five years in the music industry has been a ride of evil tabloids, an obsessive ex-boyfriend, and couldn’t be any farther from normal for Isabel. Now, the 21 year old has enrolled in NYU as a regular college student named Isabel Sanders, hoping that she can just be out of the spotlight for a little while. Isabel is not looking for love, but when a boy named Jason in one of her classes is persistent on asking her out, she finally gives in; with the nudging of her friend Mackenzie.

Jason and Isabel seem to be doing well, but at one time Jason’s fan-boy side gets on Isabel’s last nerve and the two call it quits. One night could ruin the perfect life that Isabel thought she had or could ever have with Jason. After weeks of dwelling over her lost relationship, Mackenzie and Isabel hit a club and Isabel leaves finding herself watching a tall, gorgeous guy playing basketball. From the moment the words left her mouth the two bickered. All it took was a few hours and life as Isabel Hart knew it, would be turned upside down. Then Jason calls….

How the Hart Breaks by Alysia Lyons is a great contemporary love and lose ‘em kind of story. Ms. Lyons portrays the 21 year old character quite well, and her attention to detail is impeccable. This is a cute read for pretty much any age group starting at young adult. I read this one in a day and a half, it gets addicting right in the middle and you just can’t stop!
4 Hearts

Druid Quest by Cornelia Amiri

2009-02-27T21:54:00.002-05:00

Druid Quest by Cornelia Amiri

Oak Seer, Sulwen has just witnessed the massacre of her friends, teachers, and homeland. Barely surviving the Roman attack, she is given the message from the Goddess Andraste, to search for Queen Boudica, and aid her in the battle against the Romans. When Sulwen begins her quest for Londinium, the area in which Queen Boudica is waiting, she is soon accompanied by four spearmen from other tribes in hopes of keeping her safe during this journey.

Once she reaches the Queen, she is reunited with her mate, Rhys, the Arch druid. And yeah, they gotta make a little ‘sex magic’. On with the journey, Rhys and Sulwen butt heads, but they are both so head over heels for each other it’s obvious. Rhys has a fear that he is reluctant to tell Sulwen about… he may be fated for death.

Druid Quest by Cornelia Amiri is a look into the mind of someone that has done her research and has a love for the Celts and Druids. For me, the story was a little too step by step and I didn’t really feel like the characters were clearly pictureable. I wanted to love Druid Quest, but it was just a little hard getting me captivated. There were times when the action picked up, and I liked the thought and ideas put into making this novel, but it was hard to keep my attention during the down-time. I hope in the future that Ms. Amiri will put more emotion and description into her main characters. 3 Hearts

Drowned Sorrow by Vaness Morgan

2009-02-24T22:57:00.002-05:00

Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan

Once you enter Moonlight Creek, you might as well say goodbye to the life you used to know. Moonlight Creek has its secrets, dark, foreboding secrets that could reach out and snatch you whenever the mood strikes. The lake is filled with bodies that are bound to the small village, bodies that have either made a choice, or the choice had been made for them. A vacation for ex-television journalist, Megan Blackwood and her daughter, Jenna, turns into a nightmare.

Megan had just lost her son seven months ago, divorced soon after, and now she quit her job as a journalist to spend more time with her daughter. Suffocation can be too much for a teenage girl. Moonlight Creek was supposed to be a relaxing bonding trip for the two of them, but it seems someone you never suspect has been watching, waiting for the moment to show Megan that there are others in the world… and they want her!!!

Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan is a gripping horror novel that young adults can enjoy along with any other horror fan. Not too detailed, or bloody-gory. If this makes any sense it was actually a clean horror read that was quite entertaining. I’d read another Vanessa Morgan novel : ) 4 Hearts

All of Me by Lori Wilde

2009-02-23T13:30:00.002-05:00

All of Me by Lori Wilde

All of Me by Lori Wilde is a breath of fresh air. Her characters come off cold and stubborn but gradually warm up to each other, Lori’s books are like a breath of fresh air. So much denial when it comes to the heart. The heart says, YES I’m in love but the mind is too stubborn to agree with it.

Jillian Samuels was a hard core prosecuting attorney that knew how to do her job, and to do it well. When he mentor passed away, the man named his successor was a total jerk to Jillian. Alex and Jillian had an affair in the past, she had no idea he was a married man until she showed up at his doorstep one night clad in only a duster and cowboy boots, it was a major blow to the ego when Alex’s wife answered the door. Jillian never had a track record so to speak with men, living an unpleasant childhood, never feeling loved hurt her to the core. She wouldn’t dare let any man get close to her again, Jillian didn’t believe in true love… especially not for her. So the day she quit her job, she made a wish on the magic wedding veil passed down from her friends. That wish was about to come true, all too soon. Picking up and moving from Houston, Tx to Salvation, CO could be a great thing, or it could only bring trouble…

Tucker Manning aka the Magic Man of Manhattan moved to Salvation shortly before his wife passed away. He had lost his Magic touch once Aimee passed away, two years later he was still grieving and bitter. When he was in a drunken stupor out on the lake on the 2nd anniversary of her death, he fell in, resulting in his brother in law making him take a vision quest. In that quest, he saw a temptress seduce him. Little did he know he was about to come face to face with the woman in his vision and she was going to turn his world upside down; and even try to kick him out of his OWN house. He just had to prove the house was really his… kind of hard to do with a missing deed.

Life as Jillian and Tuck knew it was about to go all up in smoke. Two lonely hearts desperate for love but too scared to succumb, come together in a flurry of sheets, sweat and a blizzard outside. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and come along for the ride.

Lori Wilde’s Wedding Veil Wishes series is a sultry and sweet mixture of everything naughty and nice. All of Me is the 4th book in the series, it’s one of those books that you can read nonstop and not feel guilty eating chocolate the whole way through with. There were a few minor inconsistencies, but they hardly detracted from the storyline, it was a great read with great passion. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446502057

Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

2009-02-23T13:29:00.002-05:00

Desire Unchained: A Demonica Novel by Larissa Ione

The last thing Shade remembered was climbing in the ambulance with his sister, and then all went black. Upon waking he found himself in a dungeon, chained to wall, but there was someone else in the room… someone he thought he disconnected himself with nearly a year earlier. Oh and it looked like she was about to rip him to shreds, it wasn’t his fault she caught him with two other females in bed.

Runa wanted revenge on Shade, not for screwing around on her, but for what she was now. Once a human, now a werewolf, Runa had been working with the military and was on a mission to discover more about the demon hospital UG. She had to make a stop to exact her revenge and was captured. Oh man was Shade going to pay. Ummm, not so much, you see the brother Roag that was supposed to be dead, was back in singed flesh and bone and had a pretty nasty plan. A plan that is about to backfire and heat up the blood in both Shade and Runa.

Shade is cursed, he can not love another woman. If he does for instance fall in love, he will fade away into a life of torture. When Roag messes with Shade and Runa’s minds, Shade thinks killing Runa will save him from the curse. But what will save his heart from falling in love with the woman that wanted to kill him?

Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione rocked! It was the hottest book that I’ve read so far this year! I’m usually not into the BDSM but if it makes sense, Ms. Ione made it tasteful and highly erotic. I loved the teaser at the end, and will make sure to read the next book in the Seminus brothers series. 5 Hearts

Stakes and Stiletto's by Michelle Rowan

2009-02-17T09:28:00.002-05:00

Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowen

Sarah Dearly is still a newly made vamp at 10 weeks, and she is still a recipe for disaster! Now with the blood of two ancients, Sarah is more sought after than she could ever dream. Not everyone is out for her blood, although most are, there is still the matter of the scorned witch that Sarah managed to tick off about ten years ago. And the reappearance of the Red Devil who was said to have vanished about a hundred years ago, well, now he’s back and he saves Sarah from being killed… she still managed to get staked after all.

Ok, so I mentioned the scorned witch, but I didn’t mention the curse she thrust upon Sarah. Sarah is more dangerous now than ever, she is a nightwalker and with that comes some pretty nasty repercussions… all except the mind control; that kinda rocks. In Stakes and Stilettos her pushing 700 year old vampire boyfriend Thierry begins showing his dark side after her curse, the even worse part is he’s obviously in love with Sarah but he’s still married! The Red Devil wants more than just to save Sarah, and he does something to force Sarah into submission, but what does he want in return for saving her life?

Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowan is out of sight and totally addictive. Her character, Sarah is not a drama queen, but a drama magnet it just seems to follow her everywhere! Stakes and Stilettos is the fourth novel in the series and it leaves you mouth wide open disappointed BECAUSE I really wanted to know what happened next. I guess I’ll have to wait until September 2009 to find out. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446505846

Monster's Proof by Richard Lewis

2009-02-15T18:15:00.001-05:00

Monster’s Proof by Richard Lewis is about a ten year old math genius that gets himself into a bit of trouble when his old childhood imaginary friend, Bob, is called for to save his life. Darby Ell was about to unleash something unexplainable into his world, and this creature made up of numbers, manifesting as a human will wreak havoc all over the place. The creature that Darby conjured up believes in symmetry, elegance and balance… but he is not always good, as you will soon find out.

Darby, his sister Livey, and a couple of strange withdrawn characters must come together to put Bob back into his non-existent form. A story of monsters, evil and light, what will come of the world once Bob throws Darby’s book into Hilbert space? Darby’s crazy Aunt was once working so hard to keep this equation a secret, now she may be part of the key to help Darby put Bob back in his place.

Richard Lewis’ novel is a young adult type story that I would put out there for those between 10-16. Within the pages you’ll find monsters, mathematicians, a cult that worships the Spirit of Numbers, a little lesson in, be careful what you wish for, and a lot of MATH!! See that’s enough to scare anyone right there. I did read an ARC so I’m not sure that all of the spelling errors, grammar, and inconsistencies will be corrected so my review is based on the ARC. While this was an adventure to read, at times it did hit low points where I wanted to skip ahead and see the outcome before finishing the pages I was on. All in all, kids will enjoy it… adults maybe not as much. 3 Hearts

Dogging Truth by Kevin Hughes

2009-02-11T19:00:00.002-05:00

Dogging Truth by Kevin Hughes

Dogging Truth by Kevin Hughes is like taking a look right inside a private eye’s thought process from beginning to end. This particular story is about solving a murder mystery that has more than just one facet to it. The hard part will be discovering hidden pasts, sniffing out the truth, and learning to not think like a cop for TJ Jenkins. He is enlisted by his ex-wife to help prove Robert Weborg’s innocence in the case of murdering his wife.

TJ wanted nothing to do with the case when Elizabeth first presented it to him, it was with the encouragement of TJ’s soon to be adopted son, Billy, that he took on the difficult task. A secret past of Tina Weborg throws a monkey wrench into the scenario as TJ tries to put the pieces of this very messed up puzzle together.

Robert Weborg was an ex-cop and also had some training as a SWAT sniper, so it would seem like he would be the perfect one to blame here, especially when all the evidence pointed to him. Just when TJ was onto Tina Weborg’s estranged love life, pieces of the puzzle started clicking together. Now, the hard part is, should TJ believe what his gut is telling him, or will his helping hurt more when it comes to solving this tangled mess of a case?

Kevin Hughes penned Dogging Truth not only for men to enjoy but females as well. With his portrayal of a strong female character and well thought out story line, this was a catchy suspense novel to read. I enjoyed the many facets of the novel, and I suspected someone the whole way through, only to find out I was wrong. Sometimes I have to admit, the story did kind of hit a slow point leading up to the major finds, but nonetheless, it was well written and detailed well. There were a few touchy editing details in the ARC, but I know Mr. Hughes will have it perfect before it goes to print. 4 Hearts

No Escape by Shannon K. Butcher

2009-02-10T21:04:00.002-05:00

No Escape by Shannon K. Butcher

Grant Kent out of the blue receives a call from a woman he has not seen in fourteen years. Panic in her voice makes him nervous, so he drives to Springfield Missouri, a place he said he would never return to after his horrible past. Killing a man didn’t exactly put you in everyone’s good-graces, even if the man was a pedophile, child rapist, and a foster father. Grant saved Isabelle Carson, but he couldn’t save those that were already molested. A dark past better left in the dark, but one bright shining moment he’ll never forget is the day he met Isabelle.

Isabelle Carson knows that people are being murdered, they’re not simply committing suicide like the police and papers are saying. Someone is killing her friends, people she knew from foster care. Does it seem at all coincidental that these recent “suicides” were all residents of the same foster family she was from fourteen years ago? It would seem that Edgar Lavine is killing from the underworld, but with not much evidence it is hard to prove a murderer is on the loose and out for revenge.

Isabelle has always had feelings for Grant, and Grant for Isabelle. Time and distance will make the heart grow fonder, and an explosion of drama and danger will bring these two star characters together in an unforgettable way. Isabelle has grown up to be a lovely woman, Grant has spent his stint in the military now he’s a security consultant. When Dale, Isabelle’s foster son is taken by his newly paroled father, all hell is about to break loose. While Isabelle tries not to be killed, by accident, poison, or by someone she trusts, Grant is trying to prove his innocence and find out who is killing these people and trying to get Dale back before something horrible happens to him. A flurry of unfathomable events is about to take place, come along for the ride?

Shannon K. Butcher is a brand new author for me, but I very much enjoyed her work. Exquisite detailing, believable characters, and love so true and pure it could overcome any boundary, Ms. Butcher is simply bewitching. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446510289

Kill for Me by Karen Rose

2009-02-06T11:39:00.002-05:00

Kill for Me by Karen Rose

Let me start off by saying this is probably going to be one of the shortest reviews I have ever written… in a good way! I am afraid if I go into too much detail that it would be a spoiler to those that have read the other books in the series.

Karen Rose is the author of Die for Me, and Scream for Me, a New York Times Best Seller. I can see why she made the best seller list!! Having not read her two previous books in this trilogy, I did at times feel like I had missed out on some major crucial details in Kill for Me, but every single moment of this book was engaging, and suspenseful to the max!

Susannah Vartanian was one of the girls raped thirteen years ago by a group of young rich boys, and has yet to be able to live a normal life. With the help of Agent Luke Papadopoulos and the whole PD and FBI Dept’s in Dutton, Georgia and a few other states, Susannah may finally get some insight to her past, and find out what her brother Simon had going on in his sick head. Susannah is about to discover that her whole life has been something other than what she has known, she will have to do something she has never done before. Lean on Luke to help her through this, that may prove to be more difficult that either could have ever expected.

Nothing is as it seems in Kill for Me, there are so many dark buried secrets, a huge cast of characters, and a whole lot of danger. Explosive, cunning, and purely magnificent, I have no other choice but to pick up the other two novels I haven’t read. Karen Rose has got the skill it takes to enthrall a reader. In the beginning I was overwhelmed because as I said I think I missed a lot of history from not reading Die for Me and Scream for Me, this shouldn’t be a stand alone book… but somehow it kind of works. 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446510300

Once Bitten by Kalayna Price

2009-02-01T16:27:00.002-05:00

Once Bitten by Kalayna Price

Kita of the Nekai cat-shifter clan, has been on the run from her destiny for five years. She would use her shifter ability to become a lonely starving house cat, moving from place to place until, she ends up in Haven and her whole life changes. Kita’s clan has strong shifters such as lions and tigers, a small calico kitty has no place in ruling those that will always be much larger than her. Kita will discover, she has much bigger fish to fry and turn from the hunted to the hunter, and in a way the hunted again.

Nathanial saved her life by killing her, he made her a vampire and now she’s a vampire with claws that refuses to feed. Waking up from being drugged, Kita has no idea what to expect from the crazy lady Mama Neda or the man she refers to as Hermit. To make matters worse, her old friend from the Firth is in Haven to take Kita back home, and there is a judge that just put a death sentence on Kita, Nathanial, and Bobby’s lives. Kita is accused of making a rogue shifter that is murdering girls left and right, Kita and her companions have 2 days to catch the shifter or the demons will come to collect their souls.

Once Bitten by Kalayna Price is a Vampire/Shifter Paranormal Fantasy novel that I think would appeal to mostly Young Adults. While it was a nice read, it seemed a little sluggish at times during the search, like all the walking and such. I did find a few inconsistencies to the story as well as some spelling errors, and I will have to check with the author on her feelings of vampires and reflections. This is the first book in the Haven series, and I think with the more Ms. Price writes, the better she will become. Young Adult girls will swoon over the strong male characters and try to be just like Kita. 4 Hearts

Belle Bridge Books
ISBN# 978-0-9802453-9-4

Seducing A Scottish Bride by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

2009-01-29T15:58:00.001-05:00

Seducing a Scottish Bride by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Lady Gelis MacKenzie, daughter of the Black Stag, is wild, adventurous, and ready for marriage. The only problem was, her father would not let her marry. The day Gelis’ second sight made itself known, she was well on her way to being betrothed. Her father, a man of honor, would not sully his name or reputation, but would give his daughter to the Raven. A man, well, a family that has been cursed into darkness throughout the ages. When an old friend of the Black Stag’s calls to claim his price for a debt to be paid, Duncan Mackenzie has no choice to accept the betrothal.

The MacRuari have been cursed, it is said that Maldred the Dire was the reason Castle Dare and its surrounding area must live in darkness. The Raven, Ronan MacRuari had planned not to take another bride after his past two met early deaths. He would not force his curse upon another innocent woman. He did not know that Lady Gelis was a spit-fire and would do everything in her power to make him see that they truly belonged together. To halves of a whole being forced separate by Ronan’s stubborn will, but Lady Gelis on the other hand knew that he needed her, that Dare needed her to bring the light into the land and into the Raven’s heart.

An age old search for the Raven’s Stone brings out the Holders, a band of old wizards that seek to claim back the sacred artifact. With Gelis’ second sight, the past is brought forward and it is not as it has been seen for many years. Where everyone scorned Maldred’s name, there was one who gave him the benefit of the doubt, that alone is almost enough to break the curse… almost.

Sue-Ellen Welfonder is magically triumphant in writing Seducing A Scottish Bride. I love historical romances, especially Celtic ones, and Ms. Welfonder has mingled fantasy and romance together impeccably. There were hints of supernatural elements that took the novel to new heights, Seducing A Scottish Bride is one of those books that as soon as you’ve read the last few words you hold to your chest and sigh. Yeah, it really is that good. 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN#0446195294

Trouble in High Heels by Leanne Banks

2009-01-29T15:56:00.003-05:00

Trouble in High Heels by Leanne Banks

Jackson James had a troubled, less than perfect child hood, so in his adult years he made the best out of himself by working hard and accomplishing his goals. At the moment he had his CPA license, worked for a well mentionable accounting firm, and has just landed a promotion, corner office and one of the top five cases the company had. With all of this came a hitch, he had to take on the Lori Granger case, Lori Granger could make grown men drool, and do exactly what she wanted. But Jackson had big plans for his future, he wasn’t about to let some rich spoiled brat walk all over him, he was given a job to control her finances and he would do just that. Nothing more… or so he thought.

Lori Jean Granger had a heart of gold and it was huge! She may have been the daughter of a wealthy oil baron, but she felt guilty having all of this newly inherited money while others that really needed assistance had none. Most of the inheritance was given to very worthy charities, others not so worthy but Lori had the best of intentions. While she did spend a small fortune on clothes and dog grooming, she wanted to make a change. She had all of this money so why not do something good with it? If she were throwing it down the drain it would be a different story.

Lori and Jackson clashed from day one, but she had to find a way to get control of her inheritance. Since the newest will had come to surface, her funds were on hold. There was an out, if she married someone then she could access the money, and when she turned 30 they’d divorce, he’d get a good portion, and she could have the rest of the money to do with what she wanted. The thing is, a personal friend really needed some help and Jackson wasn’t about to let loose of the purse strings. Slowly the strings binding his heart closed began to unravel, then she asked him to marry her.

Trouble in High Heels by Leanne Banks is the perfect title for this shining contemporary romance. It was just the perfect book to cuddle under a blanket with to read. Warm, inviting, and moving Banks has really hit the nail on the head. I loved Trouble in High Heels from the very beginning. 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446611743

Flirting with Temptation by Kelley St. John

2009-01-26T21:59:00.002-05:00

Flirting with Temptation by Kelley St. John

Babette Robinson has never been able to commit to anything, not relationships, not jobs, nothing. She has had 23 jobs so far, and she was only in her thirties! After getting fired from her most recent job for causing a wheel chair fight among 2 senior citizens, with some help from her Granny Gert, she started the Love Doctor business. Not matchmaking, but mending broken relationships or helping someone find out the answer to the “what if” question. After 6 months, Babette was so proud of herself; until she is commissioned by socialite, Kitty Carelle.

Kitty Carelle was once engaged to Jeff Eubanks, and left him about a month before their wedding with another man. After realizing that she had made a huge mistake, she made the Love Dr. a proposition she couldn’t refuse. The problem here was, this was NOT going to be an easy task. Jeff was Babette’s ex, the man she still fantasized about, the man that made her break her 3 date rule, the last man she’d been with… a year ago. Babette knew this was a bad idea, she also wanted to see Jeff again and prove to him that she could actually commit to something. Jeff had other plans, he issued Babette a challenge that he knew she would have a hard time completing; no flirting for two weeks, then he would talk to Kitty and she could keep all that money that Ms. Carelle paid her. Too bad that both Jeff and Babette were battling feelings that would NOT be denied.

I just want to throw this in as well, Gert, Babette’s grandmother, along with other elderly ladies and gents in Destin, also wanted to get in on this Love Dr. business, and Babette may have just struck out by falling in love with the clients man, but she would make sure that everyone got what they wished for. Including her, even if it cost her, her 100% satisfaction rating.

Kelly St. John is a new author to me, and with her novel, Flirting with Temptation, I will be on the lookout for more of her books. Witty, touching, and fun loving, there was not a dull moment or any down time at all! I have to admit that it only took a day and a half to read this engaging work of literature, and it was well worth letting the laundry slide for that time! An absolute great beachy contemporary romance for anyone. 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 044661923X

2009-01-22T18:38:00.000-05:00

I like you: hospitality under the influence by Amy Sedaris

You may know the name Amy Sedaris from Strangers With Candy on Comedy Central. In her cookbook/party guide she gives you several useful recipes, hints and ideas for each and every party or get together imaginable. Like her comedy act on TV she brings her wit and snarky attitude to the table in, I Like You.

More than one recipe caught my eye, and I plan on making a few of them for the Holidays. There was one recipe that I found so funny, I have to share it with you. Now, keep in mind they are not all like this, most are standardly written and the hilarity is either in the explanation of how this recipe came about or in which situation to use it.

Gypsy Skirt Steak
Steal some skirt steaks.
Slice thin and rub outside with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.
Place on open fire, turning occasionally. Cook long enough for desired temperature. You will need tongs for this.

Amy tells you how to be the perfect hostess, how to make some simple crafts, and amazing appetizers, dinners, desserts, and drinks that will make your guests want to come to any party that you plan in the future. And she actually tells you the correct way to put on pantyhose. I’m telling you this book has so many things going on, the drawings, the humor, and some “female” advice that you wouldn’t expect to find in this book. I don’t think this would be the best cook book to give to your 70 year old grandmother, because there is a lot of foul language.
After Note: I do recommend to NOT try the pineapple upside down cake recipe, it boiled over the pan I was advised to use and caused a HUGE smoke fire in my oven. 3 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN#0446696773

Blonde Ambition: The Untold Story Behind Anna Nicole Smith’s Death by Rita Crosby

2009-01-19T13:12:00.002-05:00

Blonde Ambition by Rita Crosby is novel, written by an ex-NBC journalist, and Emmy Award winning journalist. I don’t think this book is even close to winning an Emmy. It was written as if I were reading a much too long, drawn out story in the newspaper. It lacked emotion, and was pretty much finger pointing the whole way through. Now, I’m not saying I’m a Howard Stern fan by any means because I’m not, but I can truly see Ms. Crosby’s distaste for the man. The book in the beginning even toward the middle and fizzling off at the end was mostly about him.

Yes, Ms. Crosby did mention Anna’s son’s Death, and the circumstances leading to what really happened the day Anna died. But it also spoke too much about the “goodie bag” of medication that Stern carried around, him disposing of evidence, and his feelings about what was or had happened with Anna… he was very flaky. If you want the honest truth, cut the book by 240 pages, publish it in the National Enquirer and maybe someone would buy it. For me, this novel is a mercy book that someone used, although a lot of searching and interviewing performed, nonetheless, it was a way to expose ones thoughts and feelings toward Howard Stern. If it was just about Smith’s death, that would be a different story… not this book. A definite change of title is needed! 2 Hearts

Where There's Smoke, There's Flavor by Richard W. Langer

2009-01-17T22:22:00.002-05:00

Where There’s Smoke There’s Flavor: Real Barbecue The Tastier Alternative To Grilling by Richard W. Langer

Richard W. Langer is a genius and my idol. I am a huge BBQ lover, and would do just about anything for a great rack of BBQ ribs. With his novel, Where There’s Smoke There’s Flavor, he includes the right way to make your barbequed meat and even vegetables the most delicious and most decadent possible. I had no idea when smoking that if you put in a pan of water, it would keep the meat moist and tender… that could be my problem.

This is a great book for the man or woman in your life that lives to grill! I can’t tell you how many recipes in here that I am going to try out as soon as I get to the grocery store! Well, I’ll try one out a week because I love the variety that Mr. Langer offers; sweet, savory, spicy. I’m telling you this man has done his research, tried and true. This would be the perfect birthday gift, holiday gift, or the perfect book to add to your cook book collection. The recipes and directions are very easy to follow, and the story behind how the recipes were discovered were entertaining as well… roasting over an open spit and when it begins to snow, they take turns on turning the meat and he hoped the ash would fertilize their ground… well it made for a tasty dinner but not such good fertilizer.

I praise Richard W. Langer, he is now my new best friend with his tasty renditions of the all American BBQ food that is very near and dear to my heart err stomach. You won’t be disappointed. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0316513377

Seeing Red by Susan Crandall

2009-01-17T22:15:00.002-05:00

Seeing Red by Susan Crandall

Ellis Greene had lived with the fear of darkness for 15 years now, after her cousin was brutally murdered when Ellis was 14, her life had changed drastically. The man she saw the night of Laura’s murder, was the man she put in prison for 30 years. Hollis Alexander, issued Ellis a threat, “You’ll Pay” and from that day on she lived to a very tight schedule. The boy Nate Vance, was her friend and also a suspect in Laura’s murder, almost everyone believed it was Nate… but it was Ellis’ confession that put Hollis away.

Hollis Alexander is out on parole and is out for vengeance. Nate Vance is back in town after 15 years. Ellis can’t help the rush of feelings she has for Nate and try as he might he can’t disguise his feelings either. Rory, Ellis’ ex-boyfriend is green with envy. And there has been another murder. Ellis and Nate have to work together to get Hollis back behind bars, but there is another factor in the mix…

Nate and Ellis know that the years apart have changed one another, Nate has to keep his life a secret from Ellis no matter how badly she wants to know. Someone is out to hurt Ellis and Nate will risk all that he is to make sure she’s safe. It will kill him when he has to leave this time, but hopefully he can at least tell her good bye before breaking her heart again.

Seeing Red by Susan Crandall is an intriguing Romantic Suspense that will keep you on your toes and turning the pages. There were many references to the past, but sometimes Ms. Crandall would say 15 years then 16 years and I’d soon get aggravated at the timeline, also there was one scene in particular that the electricity was out in the Plantation house, but somehow they ate scrambled eggs by candlelight and the next morning it was said the electricity was back on. Little indifferences like that really catch my eye when reviewing. But besides that it was a great story and the closer to the end you get the more suspenseful it is. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446178578

Confetti Cakes for Kids by Elisa Strauss

2009-01-10T12:37:00.002-05:00

Confetti Cakes for Kids by Elisa Strauss with Christie Matheson

Confetti Cakes for Kids is a great manual for those that are already experienced cake decorators, and it even has a few tips for those new to the art. I really liked the layout of Confetti Cakes for Kids because it gave you step by step instructions, told you what kind of utensils and ingredients you needed before getting started, as well as a few simple recipes for icing and cookies, and even templates.

I thought this was a cookbook that I could use when baking with my son as he continues to grow, but really it’s not. The only thing he could really help do is mix, and decorate a tiny bit. Some of the cakes are very detailed, like the train cake for example. No matter the directions there is NO way I could do this cake at all. On the other hand, the sugar cookie recipe, icings, and a brownie recipe are about as far as I can get with Confetti Cakes for Kids.

I get that the book is ideas for kids’ cakes, but I was expecting a book with easy fun recipes that you could do WITH your kids, this was definitely not that. I did learn what tips to use and how to do a process called flooding with royal icing and sugar cookies that will come in handy. I think, as I said before, this book is for those that already are decorators or those that have a very good imagination and love to create. Elisa Strauss is very good at what she does, and with these recipes it shows off her talent. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 031611829x

Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine

2009-01-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine

Rebecca Covington was well known for her gossip column in Chicago’s Daily Mail newspaper. All seemed right in her world, designer clothes, the single life dating much younger men, and having the best job in the world. That is until someone else bought the newspaper and wanted to put a more “reality TV” type spin on it. She had been replaced by the younger girl, Shannon, and was given the choice to either except termination or work in the Home and Food department writing 2 recipes a week. Deciding that she would do whatever it took while trying to get her ‘real’ job back, she was about to find out how much work this new position actually was.

David Sumner is now the new CEO and from the moment he laid eyes on Rebecca Covington he felt sparks shimmer between them. He has been mourning his late wife for years and fears that Rebecca is the one that can get him out of this funk. She is witty, bright, and dead sexy for someone in her mid forties. But he’s her boss and has no business mixing in pleasure. David can’t help his feelings… there is more to Rebecca than meets the eye.

Rebecca and Shannon are not the best of friends or even friends at all, it is a cut throat business being a journalist and Rebecca is going to have to work double hard to prove she’s just as good as her younger competition. Rebecca has not had such an easy life, and when it seems that Shannon keeps leaking secrets or the public finds out more about her personal life that the readers will think differently about her, she remains her fabulous self and adding her own flair to the recipes. Her heart is on the line, and that is not something she’d give away to just anyone. But David Sumner is drop dead gorgeous… but soooo off limits! Or could he be the man that will hurt her so deeply that she has to let go of any fleeting thoughts of love?

Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine is a great read for the 35 and up crowd, it is fun, lively, and dramatic. For me, as a 25 year old I felt the book was written for the more sophisticated palate, for those women that have worked their butts off only to be replaced by someone younger. Sherrill Bodine portrays her character as a lady who knows what she wants and do whatever it takes to get what she deserves. Strong women, lies, and love… Talk of the Town, it’s on a book shelf near you. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446618588

No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever by Aviva Yael, P. M. Chen

2009-01-06T22:11:00.000-05:00

No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever by Aviva Yael, P. M. Chen

No Regrets by Aviva Yael and P.M. Chen is an album of sorts, showcasing the best, worst, and most ridiculous tattoo’s ever hence the title. Aviva and P.M. say they had traveled the world looking for tattoo’s that they could put into a book after discussing the idea one night. I’m not sure if they actually traveled the world because the picture quality is not consistent, either they didn’t use the same digital camera more than twice, used disposable cameras, or maybe used a camera phone. I’m not going to say “I know for a fact,” because really, I wasn’t there and can’t judge that.

Now, the captions beneath the tattoo’s for the most part were hilarious. More than once I laughed out loud, I have a strange sense of humor, but my husband didn’t seem so amused after I showed him the picture and caption that tickled my funny bone. No Regrets, is a book that will only appeal to those that are tattooed and may even have a bad tattoo themselves. Yep, I’m one of those people that has a bad tattoo, not filthy or anything like that, just something I had gotten as a kid that I now totally regret. Do I think that I would pull this book off the shelf again to look at? No, I highly doubt it. Would I give this to a tattooed friend? Only if they have a weird sense of humor, besides that then, no I wouldn’t.

No Regrets, is hard to give praise to the authors because there is only a foreword, and just a little basic description about how the book came to be. The rest is made up of pictures and snarky comments, not really a whole lot of work in that, especially if they really didn’t take all of the pictures themselves. I give this book a 3 out of 5.

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446582077

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

2009-01-02T21:27:00.002-05:00

For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

Zoey Addler had just finished shoveling her parking space when her neighbor, Lips of Sin, aka Dante Torelli, a very sexy FBI Agent, whips in claiming it for his own. He was supposed to be guarding Zoey’s so called sister and her boyfriend from the mob. When Dante made no motion to move, Zoey was mad as all get out, then she saw a strange man running from their apartment building with her little niece, Pete stuck under his arm. Without thinking twice she jumped in Dante’s Beemer and was about to get the ride of her life. Car chases, getting shot at, and falling in love were definitely not on Zoey or Dante’s list of things to do that day. But fate is funny like that!

With the story of Zoey and Dante, there are also other characters that play a pretty significant role. There are two elderly Indian sister in laws that have no sense of direction and their eye on opening their restaurant. What they didn’t expect was to find two babies in the back of the Hummer that they stole. Ok, so this has to do with the same kidnapper of Pete, earlier that week Neil stole Savita and Pratima’s grade A saffron, and they were staking him out, they even stole his Hummer without realizing that Pete and Neil’s little boy were in the truck. These little old ladies have no idea what they’ve messed up and mixed up, but in a way have saved little Pete’s life.

Dante and Zoey were as opposite as day and night. Zoey with her silly multi-colored reindeer hat and Dante with his super neat clothes and demeanor. Zoey and Dante must stick together and find Pete before Tony the Rose or one of his mobster goons gets a hold of her, because if Pete falls into the wrong hands, bad bad things will happen. It’s bad enough that someone has set Dante up and he is being laid blame for all of this mess, someone on the inside has betrayed the FBI and Dante is truly fighting for both his and Zoey’s life.

Julia Harper writes a cute contemporary romance novel that is easy to follow and lose track of time when reading it. Julia also writes historical romances under the name Elizabeth Hoyt. It is kind of like a breath of fresh air when reading her contemporary’s but in all honesty I’m a huge fan of her historicals that are much more detailed. If you’re looking for a cute flirty read with lively characters, you may really enjoy For the Love of Pete. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN#0446619183

Crystal and Lady Vampire's Christmas Contest!!!

2009-01-01T12:17:00.000-05:00

Crystal and Lady Vampire’s Christmas Contest!!!!

My good friend Lady V. and I have decided to do a contest for Christmas, she’s such a great gal and I’m glad she agreed to do this with me! So here’s the details: The contest will run from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 and winners will be announced Monday. YES, I said WINNERS!! Lady V. is giving away 3 print books, and I am giving away 5 Ebooks that I purchased from Total E-bound for this contest. The books are:

Lady V’s Goodies:
PRINT-"I'm Dreaming of some White Chocolate" by Rhea
PRINT-"The Knight Before Christmas" by Jackie Ivie
PRINT-"If Only in My Dreams" by Wendy Markham

Crystal’s Goodies: PDF’s
Bad Boy Cowboy by Carol Lynne
Fantasy Man by Summer Jordan
Hunting Diablo by Ellie Tremayne
Secret Santa by Jamie Hill
Vows of a Vampire by Ann Cory

See anything you like? WELL, to be entered to win all you have to do is answer this question: If money were no object what would you buy for yourself or someone else for Christmas this year?

If you don’t answer the question you’re not eligible to win. NOW, for extra entries, you can visit Lady Vampire’s blog at: http://www.blogger.com/www.ladyvampire2u.blogspot.com%20 and follow the directions there, then visit her myspace page for another entry: www.myspace.com/ladyvampireslair, and my blog will also have another place for comments http://www.bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/ . See right there are 4 ways to get your name in the hat! Lady V. will pick her winners and I will do the same on Sunday evening and announce the winners the following Monday. EASY EASY EASY! All you have to do is answer the question on the myspace page or blog and that’s it! From Lady Vampire and myself, we wish you a wonderful Holiday and hope you enjoy our first collaborative contest!

Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale

2008-12-31T11:23:00.002-05:00

Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale

Adele Matin grew up with a mother that seemed to always smother her, take away things that she felt did not need to be in Adele’s possession, and forbid her to see her Aunt; among other things. At the age of 17 Adele left her mother Marge, in search of bigger and better things. She found herself in New York working as a manager in an Art Gallery, but truth be told she had hidden herself away… even so much as going to change her name to hide her past. When she ended up in bed with the wrong man and her perfect life came crashing down, she had no choice but to go back to Pennsylvania. The cottage was exactly what she believed her mother would have loved, but there was always this unspoken rage that Adele felt for her mother.

Knowing that this was a last resort, with some good neighbors, and a lifetime of hidden secrets, and not to mention the good looking artist Hermit Jay, it may be time for Adele to grow up and see what Notch Lane has to offer. Jay was a diamond in the rough, so much like Adele. She wanted no strings attached, like she had always had, but with Jay she became unraveled and started to feel for the first time in her life. With the good comes the bad, digging into a past that was better left buried, Adele has no idea what to do or how to handle the uncovered truth that Marge and her Aunt Christine tried to keep hidden. All she can do is take it day by day, learning how to love, trust, and mentor a young teenager; all-the-while trying to win the war raging within herself.

Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale is a Contemporary Romance novel that you can curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and get completely lost in. I loved the hardness and determination of Adele, and how she struggled with showing her emotions. Ms. Dale writes with a great emotion, and wondrous detail. 4.5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446406899

Flames of Gold Anthology

2008-12-29T08:31:00.003-05:00

Flames of Gold: Romance Anthology by Leanne Burroughs, Amy Blizzard, Patty Howell, Judith Leigh and Amber Dawn Bell

Flames of Gold, is an amazing, heart-warming romance anthology that should be stuffed in every woman’s stocking this year! It was perfect, kind of like the way hot chocolate feels when you come in from the cold. Every author brings something warm and inviting to the story you’re reading at the time. There may have been hardships in the character’s pasts, but with a little hope, love, and faith, anything can happen. Hearts that have been hardened against love, will blossom and accept true happiness.

A New Tradition by Leanne Burroughs is a historical Christmas tale, with a love at first sight romance. Abigail at one time loved Morgan, then was infuriated that he just left her in Saratoga Springs without so much as a goodbye, loved him again when he saved her life from a wayward carriage, hated him again when she thought he had a mistress…. And then she loved him again. Oh and don’t forget the peppermint pig! I loved Ms. Burroughs ideas of how life used to be; she paints the perfect picture of simple times and honest to goodness true love.

The Snowflake Ball by Amy Blizzard is a real tear jerker! This is the story of Chloe and Woody, an ER Doctor without any Christmas spirit and a Fireman that lives to celebrate and spread Christmas cheer. Chloe sees Christmas as the day of her brothers death, and does not really acknowledge the holiday. It is not until she meets Woody in the ER, turns him down for a date, then sees how wonderful of a man he is, that she realizes that the world does not have to stop, and she can still enjoy the magic of Christmas. Ms. Blizzard had me from the get-go with her lively characters and I enjoyed every moment!

Entertaining Angels by Patty Howell made me fall in love with her writing style, she writes with her emotions and I love that! Ms. Howell makes you cry, but in a good way. In this short story, Gwen finds out that the man she is currently seeing is in the witness protection program, but he does have a very handsome brother that comes to her rescue on that snowy winter night. Branson knew there was something special about Gwen from the moment she laid into him about why he was picking her up from work and not Danson. In the mix, they come across a child that is alone and much to young to be on the streets by herself, this little girl brings joy, love, and hope to Gwen and Branson. She is also taught there is a God, and if she believed with all her heart, good things would happen and her daddy would get well from the accident. While in Gwen and Branson’s care, the little girl Nicky, brings their feelings to light.

Chance for a Merry Christmas by Judith Leigh is a story about loss and love that hits close to home. I think Ms. Leigh has done an impeccable job with this story because with love sometimes comes the fear of the unknown. Sue had just lost her mother, and was not ready to lose someone else she loved so soon. Chance said that being out of the Air Force was not an option so now what could these two do to be together? Let me tell you, distance can make the heart grow fonder, and would it really be so bad to be a military wife? Sue has to make that jump, is her love for the man she has only known a short time, enough to make her throw caution to the wind? Ms. Leigh is just begging you gals to find a military man that is sensitive and caring with this one!

A Christmas Flame by Amber Dawn Bell is a story you’ll have to have a box of tissues nearby for. Angel blamed herself for the death of her husband and baby daughter 3 years ago because she had to be stubborn and leave the tree lights on, on Christmas Eve. Jacob was the fireman on duty that night, and he couldn’t save them. He lived with that guilt every day, and he had finally had enough, he had to deal with the pain. After running into Angel, there was no turning back. He had to tell her everything, how he felt, how badly he wished he could save her family, and he also had to get off his chest the horrors of his past. He should have been the one to die when he was 12 years old, not his sister and his family made sure he knew that. Time and a little girl, healed his wounds and now he was off to hopefully fill the void and pain within Angel. Ms. Bell pours passion into each and every word of this short story, it made a perfect ending to an amazing anthology!

5 Hearts Without a Doubt!!

Cave of Terror by Amber Dawn Bell

2008-12-28T17:04:00.002-05:00

Cave of Terror by Amber Dawn Bell

Sixteen year old Cheyenne Wilde has just been thrown into a new life… of sorts. She thought the most exciting thing about being sweet 16 was getting her drivers license, little did she know that becoming a vampire would be just as exciting but maybe not as cool as she thought. She was a straight A student, a pretty good gymnast, and a creature of the night. Umm not exactly a creature of the night, she could still walk in the daylight, eat regular food, and fall in love. Doesn’t seem so bad does it? How about getting stalked and bitten by an evil vampire Prince? Ok, so you see Cheyenne is the first vampire-evil hunter, aka Vanator born in the last 500 years and the vampire Prince, Constantine, wants her for himself.

As a teenager that has never been kissed she thought it totally lucky that a totally hot guy was into her. But he also seemed into the schools preppy cheerleader. A girl that has never so much as had a crush has had her world upturned by the good-looking new kid at school, Ryan. There are instant sparks, but only time would tell the truth of what and who Ryan is. Cheyenne is the protector of her clica ( group of vampire/panther shifters) and has no idea how to access her powers, when she is forced to make a life altering decision, all becomes clear.

Cave of Terror by Amber Dawn Bell is the perfect Young Adult read for those girls that enjoy a little bit of chick-lit with a hint of paranormal romance. Ms. Bell weaves her words perfectly entwining real teen emotions, thoughts, and feelings; all-the-while keeping it clean and enjoyable. I would absolutely read another book penned by the talented Amber Dawn Bell. 5 Hearts

www.amberdawnbell.com

Border Moonlight by Amanda Scott

2008-12-27T17:50:00.001-05:00

Border Moonlight by Amanda Scott

Lady Sibylla Cavers is about to meet the man she had scorned three years earlier by leaving him standing at the alter. He was not the first man she had turned down, you see Lady Sibylla was a very independent young lady and at the tender age of 15 she was not yet ready to wed. The promise her betrothed shouted that day rings fast in her mind when she is rescued three years later from the River Tweed by that same man. Sibylla had to save the drowning child, and she was after all a strong swimmer… thank goodness Simon Laird of Elishaw was there to save them both.

Simon Murray new right away who this lass was, and he knew exactly what to do to exact his revenge. A childish vow was made, and now he is quickly falling under Sibylla’s spell. The woman infuriates him to no end, doesn’t listen to a word, and makes his blood boil! But he can not keep from looking at her, or even joining in bantering. He knew she wanted to marry no man, and he didn’t want her either… at first.

Many things are about to happen, fate has a way of working things out. Neither wanted or looked for love, especially in each other… but you never know what the heart truly wants until you find yourself knee deep in love and lust.

Border Moonlight by Amanda Scott is bewitching, and in a way quite timid. The action was a little lighter in this novel than that of her others, but it was still a fascinating read. I have long been a fan of Scott’s historical romances and never pass up one of her ‘Borders’ books. This is the book after Border Wedding, so make sure to read and find out what happened to Amalie… I love sequels when I have the chance to follow them all! 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446541354

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens

2008-12-20T11:09:00.002-05:00

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens

The Merlin’s are a group of orphans that were trained for years, by the best of the best to be stealth thieves, killers, and in a way the word Detective seems to fit. Sophia knows nothing of her family, save the locket she has bearing the portrait of a lady that shares some of the same features. She is most skilled in all the arts to be a trained assassin as well as those arts needed to be a lady to easily fit in with Polite Society. Sophia has no last name, and probably doesn’t remember the name she used to go by on the streets, all she knows is that she is a Merlin, and as a Merlin she will have to earn her wings by going undercover to solve the mystery of the key she holds in her possession. But the task will not be so simple, she must keep a hardened heart even though Lord Deverill Osborne is quite the flatterer and something she can see as a distraction… Dangerous.

Deverill Osborne had a reputation for knowing everyone in town as well as being quite the ladies’ man. When asked by a trusted friend to show the widow, Sophia, into Polite Society, he accepted the task he just had no idea how difficult it was going to be. He did not expect to be left with such a spitfire who had such a mysterious demeanor with immeasurable beauty. A man that has never professed love is now matched with a woman that tries all of his senses, as well as his heart. Once he finds out that Sophia is up to something and trying to hide things, not to mention fighting off a couple of men in the alleyway, and being his match, he can’t help falling under the Contessa’s spell. He must find out the hidden truths before it is too late, and Sophia meets her death for digging too deep.

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens is the third novel in the Merlin Spies series as I call it, having not read the first two novels I feel like I have missed a lot that I need to back track up on. Based on The Scarlet Spy alone, it was a well written historical romance with twists, turns, and flare. The beginning was a little slow for me to get into, but after the first few chapters the adventure quickly peaked holding my attention the rest of the way through. Pickens does an impeccable job in portraying her characters and the time period. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446618012

The Ice Princess- For the Love of Pete

2008-12-16T16:18:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader,

The secret is out! USA Today bestselling historical romance writer Elizabeth Hoyt also writes madcap contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper.

As a gift to her fans, Elizabeth is writing an all-new, never-before-published, FREE, short story called THE ICE PRINCESS (this story features Coral, a beloved secondary character from The Prince trilogy--The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, The Serpent Prince).

Fans can find the first chapter of THE ICE PRINCESS--along with a preview of the first chapter of Julia Harper’s FOR THE LOVE OF PETE (1/09) together in this Open Book widget.

Please click here to view: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/publishing_forever.aspx

We hope you’ll enjoy the sneak peek at FOR THE LOVE OF PETE and THE ICE PRINCESS, and share the widget with your friends.

Here’s the code to add to your site:

src="http://datapipe.libredigital.com/eol?UtsWtc5nLqBaFFJNBFSQOU%2FmfxetzDFIGdciPdyGCGrl%2Fx9ewFnPC2L%2FBjY9Nbcm" width="215" height="275"
frameborder="0" scrolling="no">

Subsequent chapters of THE ICE PRINCESS short story will be available for FREE on the author’s websites: www.juliaharper.com and www.elizabethhoyt.com.

Happy Holidays!

NOMINATED!!!

2008-12-14T21:35:00.002-05:00

My good friend Lady Vampire nominated little ol me for the Kreative Blogger Award!! Thank you so much lady v. I am beyond honored my friend! Now, here are my nomiations:

6 values in others that are important to me:Honesty
Loyalty
Kindness
Willingness to help others
Ability to truly listen
To be the better person in any situation

6 things that I do not support:Abuse- mental, physical, or emotional
Abortion
Public Anger
Rudeness to others
Thinking you are better than someone else
Drug Abuse

Now for my 6 friends to share this with:

Best Reader Review Blog:Anna’s Book Blog

Best Sexy Saturday Blog:WIP’s and Chains Heidi Betts

Best Vampire Blog:Bitten by Books

Best Paranormal Promo and Review Blog:Vampire Wire

Best Gothic & Supernatural Blog: Amberkatze’s Book Review Blog

Best Interviews and Excerpts Blog:Midnight Moon Café

The rules are:Mention the blog that gave it to you. Comment on her blog to let her know you have posted the award.Share 6 values that are important to you.Share 6 things you do not support.Share the love with six other wonderful blogging friends.

Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron

2008-12-12T21:43:00.001-05:00

Insatiable Desire by Rita Herron

Born part demon, Vincent Valtrez was abused by his father Zion, a Dark Lord. As a child at the age of 10 he witnessed his father burn his mother alive in the Black Forest, that was also the night he killed his father, and awoke with no memory of what happened that night. Now 20 years later, his father is set to rise and take over as the new Lord of Hell, and he wants his son by his side. Vincent has grown up to be an FBI agent, to track down the killers in the world, he also holds an insatiable desire for sex… it is part of his curse. He knows that he can never love, let alone sleep with the same woman twice. The evil inside of him is brooding and getting stronger, how much longer can he fight it?

Clarissa King communes with the dead as her mother and grandmother before her had. In Eerie, Tennessee a string of murders has begun to happen and the spirits of the girls visit Clarissa in hopes of being able to cross over to the other side. The demon that has inhabited the body of a person well trusted, is using the girls’ phobias against them, deciding how each will be murdered. Pan, the God of fear is trying to get on Vincent’s fathers good side by soul collecting, and if he can get Vincent to give up his soul for Clarissa, that is sure to score some major points with the soon to be new ruler of Hell. Pan tortures Clarissa with the pleas and cries of the dead, can she fight through this or will she end up hanged as her mother did?

Vincent and Clarissa go way back, both outcasts as children. Each tried to protect the other, and even 20 years later that electricity between them sparks each time they touch. Vincent has no heart to give, and Clarissa has more than enough for the both of them… can he keep turning her away and fighting the lust that is burning him inside? Can this Demonborn know what love truly is, or will the darkness take over?

Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron is magical, electric, and enthralling, I was hooked from the Prologue. paranormal romance and mystery are perfectly woven together by Ms. Heron in a way that can either give you spine tingling chills or warm your heart with her tenderness. Hopefully this is the beginning of a series, a series that I will have a set of for sure! 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446199478

Blackness by Jade Eckert

2008-12-10T21:08:00.001-05:00

Blackness by Jade Eckert

Truly engaging and spine tingling, Jade Eckert is a prime example of an up and coming horror author that is going to make it big if she keeps writing novels like Blackness. Eckert puts you in the mindset of a battered and abused woman, a psychotic husband hell-bent on superiority, and she also puts you into the minds of the victims. You know how each and every character is feeling, it’s almost as if you’re one of the ghosts, watching, hoping to help right all the wrongs.

Sarah was used to the abuse her husband Jesse inflicted upon her for every little thing. One day things would go too far, he would beat her so severely she would lose the baby she was carrying, landing her in the hospital. It may not seem like it, but Jesse opened up new doors for Sarah when he did that awful thing. Sarah met a man named Nick that saved her the night she lay bleeding in her home, he stayed with her in the hospital and both shared their stories of their not so pleasant pasts. Building a quick friendship and feelings toward one another, they never expected Jesse to show up in the diner… that is the day all hell broke loose.

Jesse was now a murderer, one was an accident of sorts but he still felt the need to cover up the little boy’s body that he ran over. He was a police officer so he knew to get rid of every trace of evidence. Worried mostly about Sarah telling anyone about his abuse, he got his rocks off making other people miserable and murdering someone else. Jesse was about to get everything he deserved, especially when the dead came back to make sure he paid for all he had done wrong. Little Jimmy was a huge help to Sarah, and she would do what was needed to help him… someone needed to dig up the floor in Jesse’s shed. Only then could little Jimmy rest in peace. One more thing, Jesse was an evil man, does he deserve to live, or will some otherworldly presence help bring an end to all of this?

5 Hearts

*My After-thought* Abuse is a serious thing, be it mental, emotional, or physical. There are places that will help, first and foremost call the police and remove yourself from the residence. I can’t stress this enough, TELL SOMEBODY!! GET HELP, GET OUT OF THERE, you never know, it could just save your life.

Contact Jade: www.myspace.com/jadeeckert

Addicted to Love by Lori Wilde

2008-12-08T22:19:00.002-05:00

Valentine, Texas is the place you want to go to when you’re in the mood for love and romance. Well maybe not everyone comes to Valentine for love, Rachael Henderson came for revenge. Revenge on a local landmark, and a town that professed love at every turn. Rachael had just been left at the alter, again, and was on a mission to prove that love is not all sparkles, glitter and fairy tales. In the middle of her graffiti work, the local sheriff pulls up and is ready to take her in as his prisoner. Rachael remembers this man from her childhood, he was the first man to ever break her heart at the tender age of seven, and then his family moved away. That all too familiar tingly feeling shot right through her, but she was tired of these so called loves… she wanted the great love. And Brody didn’t give it to her back then, but things change right? Only he didn’t want to fall in love either.

Brody Carlton, was injured in Iraq, now an amputee with his new mechanical knee he found himself climbing 40 feet up in the air to drag down the grown-up Rachael Henderson. From the moment he laid eyes on her it was magic, but he was still torn up over his divorce over two years ago and has been pretty much celibate ever since. He knew what Rachael needed, he just didn’t think he could give her all she desired. But he could give her a good romp in the hay so to speak. It seemed that the moment Rachael rolled into town she brought out the worst in the people in Valentine, but she also started an origination called Romanceaholics Anonymous, helped in the politics and not to mention she was offered a pretty exciting job writing a column for a well known magazine. With the good comes the bad… but with Brody by her side and always in her thoughts she could make it through anything. No matter how badly she didn’t want to love this man, she couldn’t help it… they both needed a little intervention and the Judge would see to that.

Addicted to Love by Lori Wilde is candy coated, pink fuzzies, and all that other girly mushy love stuff. It was a phenomenal read with real characteristics, loveable characters and that touch of something special that every woman wants when she reads a romance novel. Lori Wilde has done a spectacular job with Addicted to Love, she shows that no matter how badly you’re hurt, that it is always possible to find that once in a lifetime great love. If you’re into Happily Ever After’s, then you’ll fall in love with this book. 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
Isbn# 0446502049

Demon's Hunger by Eve Silver

2008-12-05T11:50:00.002-05:00

Dr. Vivien Cairn is an anthropologist currently on a sabbatical. Right now things are a little difficult for Vivien, she is losing time, blacking out for 12 hours with no recollection of what she did while in her trance. She did know though, that she was always so hungry; but not always for food. Vivien had major trust issues, everyone had always left her, her father when she was 2, her mother came to visit less than a handful of times during the year, her one and only love passed away in a car accident… all she had was her good friend Amy that she met in college. Until now, until Dain Hawkins shows up on her doorstep looking for answers.

Dain Hawkins is a sorcerer, one of the Compact of Sorcerers, a brotherhood that is used to keep demons and hybrids at bay. Dain had discovered something strange going on that involved little red velvet gris-gris bags with bits of human hair, skin, and bone inside. The hybrids were collecting these little bags, but for what? Dain had lost his wife and daughter to the demons many years ago, so now he is hell bent on getting revenge by killing every one of them. When he meets Vivien, it is instant attraction and sexual heat, something he has never felt since his wife’s death and this feeling could actually be stronger. As the days pass and she is in his care, he begins falling for her as well as finding out something is very wrong. The woman that his hardened heart is beginning to love could be something more sinister that he may have to destroy. Could he really destroy the creature that has stolen his heart? The worst part is… she doesn’t even know what she is.

Eve Silver has rocked it out with this novel, Demon’s Hunger. It took me until about chapter 4 to get really riveted, but once I was pulled in, I couldn’t put it down. It was explosive, heated, and had just the right amount of romance and sex added to become astounding! As a stand alone book it could make it, but I have this urge now to go and add the series to my wish list, you should do the same. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group

ISBN# 0446618934

To Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

2008-11-30T12:06:00.002-05:00

Melisande Fleming had watched Jasper Renshaw- Lord Vale for six years. Watched him take other women to his bed as she blended in all too well, so well, he did not give her much notice at all; let alone remember her name. Melisande saw an opportunity before her to have the man her heart desired, and with all that was holy she took that opportunity with a vow to make him love her, as well as keep the secret from her past buried.

Lord Vale had ghosts of his own past that haunted him nightly. A witness and tortured at the Spinner’s Falls massacre, Vale was damaged on the inside while all of his friends had to bear scars on the outside of their bodies. He too had a secret, a shameful one that he hoped no one would ever discover. In his search for the traitor of Spinner’s Falls, he can not help falling for his new lady wife. It was she that proposed to him, and every day it seemed she beheld something new and intriguing; he knew he could never give himself fully to her, but he would take all that he could get from her.

Pent up sexual frustrations of a new bride, a man unsure of himself, and blossoming love mixed with secrets and betrayal make To Seduce A Sinner extremely pleasant to read. What two secrets do these lovers both possess that fear could make the other not love them at all? Historical Romance with an erotic flare sends little shivers up your spine. an extremely well written novel, Ms. Elizabeth Hoyt truly shines with this one! 5 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
Isbn# 0446406929

Bitten & Smitten by Michelle Rowan

2008-11-25T14:03:00.002-05:00

Sarah Dearly is a hot mess, she is a good looking woman but she is such a disaster. I mean what would you think about Ms. Dearly if you learned that on her first date, she was bitten by a very old vampire, was almost buried alive, turned into a vamp, watched her sire die, was almost killed herself, and then ended up being saved by a 600 year old vamp that was trying to commit suicide by falling off a bridge? Yep, see HOT MESS!

Let me tell you this story just goes on and on, in a good way! She gets picked up by a vampire hunter, Quinn, then saves his life once he’s turned against his will. Falls in love with the psychotic Thierry de Bennicoeur who has a WIFE. Is looking for the cure for vampirism with her hunter friend Quinn, while trying to stay ummm… alive? All the while she has to attend her cousin’s wedding with a vampire hunter officiate that tries to kill her after the ceremony. Bitten & Smitten is chock full of action and humor, I loved every minute of it.

Michelle Rowan has put so much spunk into her characters that you can’t help but like them and want to continue reading the story to see what’ll happen next. Bitten & Smitten was strangely amusing, up-beat, and witty. I am now a fan of Ms. Rowan’s work, and if I were you, I’d pick up a copy of Bitten & Smitten, it is a book that will definitely keep you intrigued. 5 Hearts

Isbn#0446617008
Hachette Book Group

Getting Naked at the Hilton by Dee Dawning

2008-11-25T14:02:00.001-05:00

Getting Naked at the Hilton by Dee Dawning is an erotic contemporary novel that will melt ice in winter. The sex scenes between Rachel and Scott are so hot, it makes you feel like you’re in on the action with them. I’ve read good erotic books, and this one is quite exceptional. I mean it is not only erotic, it’s romantic and it’s challenging.

I mean what would you do if you were challenged to be totally naked in a room ALL night with a super hot guy… but you couldn’t give in to your feelings? Go crazy? Give in and surrender? What do Rachel and Scott do… or maybe the question is where do they NOT do it?

Dee Dawning’s novel Getting Naked at the Hilton is fantastic, and man o man is it hot! I think being male, he described perfectly his female characters actions, emotions, and feelings. I sometimes find it hard to read an erotic novel written by a male, but this one was super easy and I finished it so fast, it was really difficult to stop reading once I started. The story line is easy to follow and well detailed, and it is a heart thumping read! 4 Hearts

Border Lass by Amanda Scott

2008-11-21T20:39:00.002-05:00

Border Lass by Amanda Scott *Hachette Book Group*

Isbn: 9780446197991

Amalie Murray has vowed time and time again that she will not wed. Her brother Simon seems adamant that she should, and he has seemed to have found the man for her. But Amalie, a maiden to Princess Isabel has discovered the right to refuse marriage even though she is still not of age. On Coronation Day at Scone Abby, Amalie meets Sir Garth Napier he infuriates her to no end, but she finds solace in him and a companion in which she can speak freely. She still plans to not to marry, especially that Harald Boyd her family has pretty much thrust upon her, but now she is beginning to feel very different in the presence of her knight. When he catches her listening in on a private conversation possibly about murder, he must find out all that she knows.

Sir Garth Napier is on a mission to discover the truth about who killed James and Will, he has an idea that Fife, the Governor had his hands in the muck. He has recently been appointed to join Princess Isabel’s security staff, and finds himself growing quite fond of the saucy lady Amalie. He first met her after striking down her brother Simon after he was chastising Amalie in public. Then, he catches her listening in on a private conversation possibly about murder, he makes it a point to find get her to open up and tell him the secret. Also not in the mindset to wed, he can’t help taking the pleasure of the lady’s kiss. And as you know, a single kiss always leads to more…

Will her strong willed and stubborn family force her into a marriage that she does not want? Can she stop these feelings for the man sent to protect the Princess? Or does she really want to quell those feelings? She must also learn that not even her brothers can be trusted.

Border Lass by Amanda Scott is a phenomenal Historical Scottish Romance. The reader connects with the characters and is in a way brought into the story experiencing it first hand. I loved the detail, the blossoming love, and the stubbornness of the hero and heroine. Amanda Scott has been a favorite of mine to read for a while, and as she continues to produce her historical romances, they get better and better each time. 5 Hearts

Social Disease by Lisa Cavalear

2008-11-21T20:38:00.001-05:00

Social Disease by Lisa Cavalear is a peculiar look into the lives of a couple of girls that have been used, pushed aside, threatened, and are now planning the death of club owner Nicholas St. Vincent. After receiving a letter in the mail from the board of health, both girls must go get tested for STD’s, and now the lives of an aspiring model and hopeful DJ are now in jeopardy.

Social Disease for me, was not that engrossing. While there were some engaging points and drama, it felt more like reading a how to manual. I mean everything was laid out step by step, it lacked detail, and in the very beginning when switching from Steenie to Stephanie’s perspective I sometimes got confused on who was who and doing what. I think for a debut novel, it was ok but I hope that if Ms. Cavalear continues to write, that she will put forth more detail into her characters making them more picturable and watch the number of run on sentences. I would say this is in the young adult category, but may also appear to people in their mid 30’s. 3 Hearts

Vestiges of the Mind by C.E. Gerl

2008-11-21T20:37:00.002-05:00

Vestiges of the Mind by C.E. Gerl is a collection of poetry that features Reality and Fantasy. The harsh realities of the world, thoughts, feelings, love, and dreams are expressed vividly in the Reality section. And in the Fantasy, much of the same emotions shine through it is difficult for a lot of people to get the best of both worlds or have that special fantasy place of solace… but C.E. Gerl seems to have found a way to balance both.

I really enjoyed reading Vestiges of the Mind. Ms. Gerl’s poetry about love appealed to me the most, she seemed to exude such passion in those in particular. The cover art is also very well done and detailed. One thing that bothers me is, the authors name is not on the front cover or binding so it would be hard to find it when placed on book shelves it was more of a personal annoyance but it very well may not bother you, the reader, in the least. 4 Hearts

Contact C.E. Gerl: www.myspace.com/servanttolust

Down Home Ever Lovin' Mule Blues by Jacquie Rogers

2008-11-16T13:43:00.001-05:00

Socrates the mule, yes one of those hairy donkey creatures has a plan for his human Brody Alexander. He wants to see his human happy, I guess you could say that Socrates, Guinevere the skunk, Perseus and Beauty, the ever watchful companions are Brody’s fairy god watchers. The will do everything in their power to bring together not just one couple but two.

Rita Markum a retired barrel rider, now corporate city girl has returned to Grasmere, Idaho to care for her mother after surgery. She didn’t expect to lay eyes on the man she fell in love with ten years ago, and have the feelings rush back at her. She also had to keep an eye on the old busted up cowboy Luke that seemed to have more than friendly feelings for Rita’s mother Judy. After Rita approached Brody all those years ago, laying her body on the line for him only to get rejected, her heart still did that pitter patter beat when Brody was around.

Brody Alexander had a secret, he is one of the richest men around and is the CEO of a company that Rita desperately needed approval from. Everyone knew Brody as the bullfighter/rodeo clown, he loved the thrill and could not imagine being in a stuffy business suit and office for the rest of his life. But if it came down to it to keep Rita, he’d sacrifice anything. But hopefully it wouldn’t come to that, maybe Rita would come back to her roots and settle for the bullfighter that stole her heart all those years ago… she has no idea she’s had his heart for just as long. But stubborn is as stubborn does, and no I’m not talking about Socrates, I’m talking about LOVE.

Jacquie Rogers, author of Faery Special Romances has really outdone herself with Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues. I could not help laughing at Socrates’ plans and antics, I was love struck by the way her characters truly wanted each other, and I admit that I loved this 10 fold more than Faery Special Romances. It was so touching, heartwarming, and very well written that I could not put it down, I read the book in two days. Jacquie Rogers has a way of writing fantasy romances that puts the city girl with the cowboy in a most spectacular way with this novel. 5 Hearts

Contact Jacquie: www.jacquierogers.com

Watched by Tom Tancin

2008-11-13T14:58:00.000-05:00

Lindsey Scott was the best there was in her field of work. She was amazing at solving the crimes that others could not figure the answers out to. But with being the best, she grew apart from her now ex-husband and children, Tyler and Ryann. Knowing that she must do something, she asked for 6 months leave from work in hopes of mending the bond with her teenagers.

Murders began happening here in there, in different states with the same ‘watched’ theme at every crime scene. Lindsey was called by her boss, but declined the job. After seeing there were more deaths she had no choice but to go back to work, breaking the promise to her children. A blood red eye, and butchered bodies in different areas made Lindsey thin that there were more than one killer, possibly a group of people. Finally there is a break, and Lindsey is very close to solving the mystery and bringing down the killers that found their victims on youarebeingwatched.net. But she must save her son before it is too late, he too was being ‘watched.’

Watched by Tom Tancin is another Detective Lindsey Scott mystery and thriller. You get really involved with trying to figure out who the murder is, I was suspicious of everyone… except the ones that were guilty. Watched is an all too real possibility, kids and adults could be being “watched” right at this very moment. Tancin had me entranced while reading, I am also curious if the website in the book is real… are you brave enough to find out? Ever have the feeling you’re being watched? 4 Hearts

Contact Tom: www.tomtancin.com

Dreamwatcher by Sylvia Shults

2008-11-11T15:02:00.000-05:00

Dreamwatcher by Sylvia Shults is amazing! It is one of those stories that will keep you awake at night and too scared to get out of bed to go to the restroom in fear that someone or something with a bloody knife is waiting beneath the bed to grab you.

When moving to a new house is usually an exciting thing for most people, for Ryan and Stephanie it is a nightmare… literally! Strange things begin happening, evil things. They say that twins have a strong almost telepathic bond, well the bond between brother and sister will definitely be tried and tested. I want to tell you so much about this book, the butcher knife, the strange ghostly apparitions, and the all too real fear.

Sylvia Shults has a way of dragging you into her book. I mean you can’t just read a chapter and put it down, you have to keep reading. As I stated before, this is a thrilling and horrifying read… not for the nighttime! I actually kept to reading during the daylight hours! I hope you will give Ms. Shults a chance and pick up a copy of Dreamwatcher. 4 Hearts

Contact Sylvia: www.sylviashults.com

Vampire Resurrection by Carlotta G. Holton

2008-11-11T12:05:00.004-05:00

In 1587 a new colony was settling on Roanoke Island in Virginia. Things began happening, people began to disappear, and then a year later the whole population vanished without any reasons left behind. Many had their own theories, and then only a couple knew the truth.

Vampires, breeding-making more of their kind… one very old French vampire has been resurrected by the frat boy Ben that found the hidden containment area of Count Jean Phillipe Roget. The Count uses Ben to find out information and has him under a zombie like trance. Roget is out to fill his lust for blood that he has been denied for so long. Once he sees the re-enactment of 1587 he knows what he must do… destroy!

Native American Legend says that Jumlin, or The Dark One possessed a tribe chief when he begged for his wife to become with child. From that moment on Jumlin created those of his kind, vampires, and spread throughout the world. One man Jay Silver knows what must be done, his ancestors were the ones to contain Jean Phillipe Roget and now he must find a way to rid the world of this evil.

Vampire Resurrection by Carlotta G. Holton is a paranormal fiction book that has a lot going on. There are a lot of characters and sometimes it does get overwhelming, then at times there was too much focus on the small details instead of moving along with the story. The book was well written, and had a nice story line, and of course I’m a huge vampire fan so I loved reading Ms. Holton’s take on the paranormal genre that is close to my heart. This is easily readable for all ages from Young Adult and up, this novel is not bad, but there were so many secondary characters that I got distracted. 3.5 Hearts

Purchase info: http://www.8thcrowbooks.com/
http://www.sterlinghousepublisher.com/

Tango's Edge by Carole Bellacera

2008-11-09T15:09:00.000-05:00

Tango’s Edge by Carole Bellacera is a fanastic read that will warm you up on these cold winter nights. Her sexy erotic scenes, lustful thoughts and actions are hot enough to melt the ice on which the characters skate. Carole has done an amazing job weildnig her pen with this novel, I mean to tell you it is like a hot cup of chocolate on Christmas, it will warm you inside… and out!

Ice skater Kerry Niles wants to retire after this last show, although no one else knows it; even her partner, Adam, that is quite enamored with her. Kerry has lost interest in him and decides it’s time to cut ties, but she does have an interest in the competion, Mikhail Kozlov. But Elena, Mikhail’s partner is not happy about the way they look at each other… nope not happy at all!

With any good novel, there is action, secrets, love and lust… this one is no acception. The above mix makes Tango’s Edge dramatic and so worth reading! Kerry and Mikhail will have to overcome some obstacles to be together… but will something try and drive them apart? You can bet on it! 4 Hearts

Contact Carole: http://www.carolebellacera.com/

The Chosen One by Alan J. Garner

2008-11-07T22:31:00.001-05:00

The Chosen One by Alan J. Garner

The Chosen One by Alan J. Garner is traumatic, dramatic, and enjoyable to read. The story starts out in tragedy, and continues that path, although there are a good mix of adventure, and excitement thrown in for good measure.

Bronte, the future matriarch of the Thunderfoot herd was born with a disfigurement. Some called her ugly, while others saw what was inside and truly accepted her, flaws and all. Her grandmother seemed to be the hardest on her since her mother died while she was a little more than a hatchling. Bronte was forbidden to see her friend, had an arranged mating, and then the weight of her future was also added to her shoulders. Will she ever live up to her strict grandmother’s wishes?

As I said there was a lot of adventure in The Chosen One, and I loved that the dinosaurs had a voice. In my opinion, this is the perfect novel for young adults to enjoy, it is very clearly worded, the very detailed science fiction pulls you into this fantasy world dated sixty five million years into the Earth’s past. It was also readable, in the beginning Mr. Garner tells you that the dino’s names have been changed so that they are more pronounceable, but he also includes a glossary with the correct terminology. I have only good things to say about his novel, I would have loved to have it in print instead of an eBook so I hope that is a possibility for the future. 4 Hearts

Contact Alan: www.myspace.com/kwikfoot

Contest

2008-11-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.comWe are giving away a Brand new in the box Flip Video Camera $150 Value.Technical DetailsSimple to use, pocket-sized camcorder with one-touch recording and digital zoomHolds 60 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 2GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards requiredConvenient USB arm plugs directly into your computer for easy viewing and sharingBuilt-in software lets you easily e-mail videos, upload to YouTube and AOL, and capture still photos from videoWatch videos instantly on TV with included cableTO ENTER:1. You must be registered for our Message Boards (register on the right hand side)2. You must be a subscriber to our blog (subscribe on the right hand side)3. You must post 2 Deals on our message board that have not been posted. Deals can be freebies,grocery deals,frugal tips,clearance shopping etc.4. Post this contest on the internet some where and post the link here to exactly where you posted it at so its easy to find.5. Do the above and then Post Here that you want to enter using your member name that you registered with.*** Bonus***Earn 5 extra entries.Make a Frugal Tip or Shopping Trip or maybe why you like ConsumerQueen.com Video,mention ConsumerQueen.Com and Upload it to your You Tube Account and post your link here! www.youtube.comDETAILS:Winner will be picked by a random number generator. Your Number will be the number in which you post here.If you enter the Bonus Round you will make 5 seperate replys for your extra numbers.Winner will be announced on this blog and will have 5 days to claim their prize!After 5 days we will choose a winner!If you have questions please ask. 1 Entry per household Please!

Lord of the Dark by Dawn Thompson

2008-11-06T21:59:00.001-05:00

Lord of the Dark by Dawn Thompson

Gideon, Lord of the Dark, Prince of the Air, winged arch angel that had fallen from grace because of his lust, was now cursed. Cursed to be eternally aroused, the slightest touch to his wings would about make him mad with need, a need to sink himself deep within a woman. That was also part of his curse, he was allowed no women in which to relieve himself, and the lightening bearing watchers/harpies of the gods made sure of that, striking him down if he even came close. A fallen angel, alone in the world without his soul mate but constantly aroused is about to pull one over on the gods…

Rhiannon was unwillingly on her way to meet her betrothed when their ship crashed because of the angry sirens song. Shipwrecked in the ocean and not a strong swimmer, Rhiannon did all that she could think of; pray to the gods. Washing ashore, she found a small cave and entered taking the liberties of a bath only to be surprised by this beautiful winged man. He was amazingly gorgeous, even when he tried to frighten her away, it awakened cravings neither had ever known before. Rhiannon still an innocent and virgin, Gideon Lord of the Dark, frenzied with need… the watchers hadn’t seen her, so could he keep her? After that first kiss, he knew he could never let her go, but there are other powers and entities out there that must be overcome. Fate can be a cruel and evil thing.

Lord of the Dark by Dawn Thompson is an enthralling erotic historical that will awaken the need in every woman! I’m telling you this book was on FIRE! The sexual scenes were intense but tasteful, there was not a moment that went by that Rhiannon was not getting into trouble, strong willed, or falling deeper in love with Gideon. I can not express how enamored I am with Dawn Thompson’s Lord of the Dark. I know there are more books in the series, this was the second. I have to have those other books! I know Dawn is not her with us, but her words will continue to live on. I really loved this book! 5 Hearts

Purchase any of Dawn Thompson’s books on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or at your local bookstore.

A Shadow in the Flames by Michael G. Munz

2008-11-05T14:10:00.001-05:00

A Shadow in the Flames by Michael G. Munz is a futuristic, sci-fi novel cram packed with action, adventure and mystery. When Michael Flynn thought things couldn’t get worse than being an unemployed security guard, down to his last few bucks, they did. He shared an apartment with his friend and now mentor Diomedes, well until it was blown up by the arsonist.

This is where the story begins. Diomedes connects with an old acquaintance after being approached by an unknown man with the information to help find out who blew up their home. Michael is now Romulus, and the year is 2051 and they’re out to get the man known as Wraith. But there are some things that Michael/Romulus didn’t know about his friend Diomedes… but he will soon discover more than he could ever hope to know.

From there the book speeds by, it was such a fast read while following Romulus, Felix, and Diomedes in their search. I should put this in as well, it kind of pulls the story together. Within the moon, something is buried and there are those sent to recover/ discover the foreign item. But they would be doing more than just digging, they will be watching and waiting! Then there are a few other secondary characters throughout the novel that you have to keep an eye on. I know it sounds like there is a ton of things going on at once, and there are but it is so well blended together you don’t get lost!

Everything was so detailed, and in my opinion the technology and timeline was well laid out. The characters were three dimensional in a way, showing compassion, worry, fear, and just easy to connect with. Munz has me wondering if a second book is to come, if it is be prepared for the sci-fi book of the season. 5 Hearts

Contact Michael: www.myspace.com/michaelgmunz

The Turtle Moves! Discworld's Story Unauthorized by Lawrence Watt-Evans

2008-11-03T23:00:00.000-05:00

The Turtle Moves! Discworld’s Story Unauthorized by Lawrence Watt-Evans is in my opinion one mans obsession. He introduces himself, as well as does two separate introductions for those that have and have not read Terry Pratchett’s books. He is looking for a way to make a book series in the way that Pratchett has, I mean who wouldn’t want 31 books and possibly counting in a series?

Lawrence Watt-Evans, goes into detail explaining his theories and thoughts on Pratchett’s stories, a series that is about four elephants carrying a flat Earth while on the back of a turtle moving through space. His book is more for those that have read Pratchett’s work, than those that know nothing about it. I felt like when I was reading his explanations, that I had missed some very vital details that only reading the books myself would solve. I can’t say that I am going to rush right out and get one of Mr. Pratchett’s books, but I do have to say that Mr. Watt-Evans has done an excellent job writing and researching for those that do follow the Discworld series.

Mr. Watt-Evans, I’m sure has made Terry Pratchett proud with his explanations, all of his hard work doing the research, as well as getting it all written up and published. I have to admit that I very much enjoyed the footnotes, they were humorous at times as well as informative. As I said I didn’t have any idea of what the Discworld series was until I read this book, but now I have a pretty good understanding, so Mr. Watt-Evans’ book was a success! 4 Hearts

Contact Lawrence: www.watt-evans.com

Scarlet Rose by Julia Madeleine

2008-11-01T23:51:00.001-04:00

Scarlet Rose in her day was a beauty, but now years later she is not the burlesque dancer that most men would remember. She is now selfish, uncaring, and making her daughter take her place and perform on stage as she once did. Fiona is not particularly happy with this idea, but she knows she must do something to bring in some money.

Fiona is approached by Charlie, her father, and from then on things will never be the same. A jealous mother in my opinion is trying to ruin the only true happiness her daughter ever had. Forcing her to grow up too quickly, do things against her will, and keeping her away from her father are all things a good mother should not do.

Now come the secrets, lies, and murder. Charlie has been killed, there are a number of people that could have committed this crime but who? There is also some money on the line and it seems everyone wants to get their hands on it. Like I said, secrets... there is also another male in the picture that no one ever mentioned to Fiona. A web of deceit woven around a twisted family saga, makes for an exciting and tantalizing read.

I love the way Julia Madeleine pulls you into the story, her characters have an air about them that is just dark and gloomy and that really emanates from the pages. Dark secrets and hidden pasts make for a drama well worth reading. Ms. Madeleine's debut novel, Scarlet Rose is definitely one of those books that you should have on your book shelf. 4 Hearts

Contact Julia: www.juliabadeleine.com

HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY!

2008-10-30T23:42:00.000-04:00

GOOD STUFF GO TO MY MYSPACE TO FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS, WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CRYSTALJO722 AND CHECK OUT THE HALLOWEEN BLOG POST ;p

Key Lime Squeeze by Ronald Adams

2008-10-30T22:17:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a new captivating mystery/suspense series. This is my first time reading a Joe Banks Novel written by the very talented Ronald W. Adams and I admit that it was enjoyable the whole way through. Something was always going so there was no reason to be bored at all while reading Key Lime Squeeze.

After Robert Boothby has up and disappeared, leaving his wife Angela Cantolino high and dry to meet another woman in the Keys, Joe Banks, Private Investigator is contacted by the Cantolino’s in hopes of tracking him down to find out what he did with the missing money. This is only the tip of the iceberg, the two criminals mentioned early on are now free and lurking around Joe’s home with his wife left to “run them off.”

Spiraling and digging deeper into the Cantolino’s affairs proves to be much more than what Joe ever expected or even knows what to do with. He has to make everything right, and he must get home as quickly as he can, but it always seems someone is hindering the case… will the missing money ever be recovered? What will happen to Robert Boothby and his Keys fling? Oh and the biggie, who else is looking for the hidden stash of money that Robert has? It’s blackmail time!!!

Key Lime Squeeze by Ronald W. Adams is one of those mysteries that keeps you wide eyed and on the edge of your seat. It was full of action, adventure and intrigue. This is the second Joe Bank’s Novel, but I wouldn’t have ever known it… it is a perfect stand alone book and I look forward to the Joe Bank’s novels to come. 4 Hearts

The Cage by Jason Brannon

2008-10-30T22:11:00.001-04:00

The Cage by Jason Brannon is a brutal shocking horror story that entwines fantasy, fiction, and a whole lot of fear together to make an amazing read. Brannon’s descriptions and details of his characters is like watching a movie. I can clearly picture all that is going on, and I have to say my favorite part is Sister Mary when she “goes along for the ride,” with Teddy. There were a few minor typo’s but that didn’t deter me from reading this great story, and let me tell you I really loved Jason’s view of these creatures.

Captain Jack Omaha and his Cryptozoological Fair and Freak Show is out to mess up the lives of an uncountable amount of people. Jack himself had experienced such trauma when tracking a creature that was unknown to existence, that he sought out people who were looking for the thrill of the hunt to feed his own sick ego. After meeting 5 rich office type hunters, Jack unleashed the Sasquatch for the men to hunt down; unbeknownst to the men, he also let loose a second creature, The Dragon of Bone Island.

Grant Peters is trying to piece together his relationship with his wife and kids. They are now at The Preserve trying to have a nice family weekend. Jack Omaha has once again unleashed his creatures into the world, The Dragon of Bone Island tracked him down, releasing some of the most dangerous creatures in the world. The Windego, The Beast of Exmoor, and The Chupacabra are all wondering around in the zoo, maiming and eating whatever or whoever they can get a hold of. Now Grant’s daughter, Crissy has been snatched up by one of the creatures and he’s playing games with her… dangerous games.

All the while Teddy is trying to be a hero, he was one out of the group of guys that actually survived The Dragon and was now out to make this all come to an end. He must take down The Dragon, as well as the rest of Omaha’s creatures. But he does have a little help, the ex-nun Sister Mary is along for the ride, providing him with the info he needs… only she is riding along in his brain. Curious? Get a copy and find out what I’m not telling you!

4.5 Hearts

Contact Jason: www.myspace.com/darkgrafitti