Archive for the ‘Justine’ Category

WOW.  After I finished reading FANGBANGERS that’s all I could say.

This collection covers it all—vampires, weres of different breeds, fairies, vanilla sex, kinky/bondage sex, male/female, male/male, lesbian, sweet romance, suspense, a little horror/bizarre and apocalyptic futuristic vampire with a zombie chaser.  There were 14 novellas in all and I’ve chosen to review eight of them.

 

Forbidden Pleasures by Rebecca Leigh

 

As a vampire it’s certain death to couple with a shifter but Juliet Jackson stirs Marcus Valiant’s blood to an intensity he hasn’t felt in hundreds of years. Luckily for Marcus this Juliet is no Shakespearean damsel in distress.  This kitty has claws and Marcus welcomes their stroke.  Forbidden Pleasures is a scorcher and I loved it.   The characters are delightful and sexy.  This is an intense read that will curl your toes and leave you breathless for more.

 

The Creatures from Craigslist by Jeremy Wagner

A search on Craigslist to find sexual partners for a casual ménage is the premise behind Jeremy Wagner’s short tale.  Bored and sexually adventurous Nancy Monday’s reply to an e-mail seeking a woman for 2 brothers, introduces her to Romulus and Remus.  This reader new where this plot was going before it got there.  Though the author’s writing reads like an extended synopsis in places or at least an erotic documentary of sorts, I still enjoyed this tale of howling wolves and ménage action that gives bestiality a twist.

 

 

Shattered Resistance by Lucy Felthouse

 

“Shattered Resistance” is the third novella I’ve read by Ms. Felthouse.  I loved  “The Great Outdoors.”  “SR”is very different.  It has basic elements of your average vanilla romance — Girl (Suzy) meets boy (Dane).  Suzy likes Dane.  Suzy wants to be with Dane forever.  The crux — Dane is a vampire with a mind of his own and Suzy has to work hard to wear him down.  I had to suspend disbelief in a key scene where Suzy “sneaks” up on Dane but Ms. Felthouse’s writing and the fun of the moment still made this an enjoyable read for me.

 

Mate Run – Isabo Kelly

This was one of my favorite in the collection. There are so few women in Irina’s tribe that until she conceives, each season she must run as the prize for the strongest male in her tribe to catch and mate with.  Each month Max, the tiger were she loves has captured her.  But there is one among her tribe that won’t be denied and sooner or later either Max or he will die. This was a sexy, suspenseful and all too quick read.  I loved the chemistry between Max and Irina.  The author conveyed a lot of passion and suspense in such a short novella. By the time it ended I wanted more and found myself wishing it was a longer novel. Well done.

 

 

Girls’ Night Out – J.G. Flaherty

 

J.G. offers a fun romp where the usual seducer is seduced. Sofie is a straight vampire looking for some hot m/f interaction.  Instead she ends up taking a walk on the wild side with two lesbians, Cassie and Rain.  I loved the twist in the story where the vampire who is much stronger really turns out to be the most vulnerable.  This is a ménage story folks so there is plenty of girl on girl on girl action.  If this offends you move on, but if you do you’ll be missing one of the better stories in this collection.

 

 

Will Power – Cecilia Tan

Of all of the novellas, Will Power was my favorite.  A great writer can pull off a lot in a novella and Ms. Tan is one of the greatest erotica authors out there. Mara is a vampire dome who wants to make her human male submissive a vampire.  After the vampire council rejects her request, she is surprised when her former love and master, Favian, offers his influence over the council to change their position in trades for a single night with her as his submissive once more.  The history between Mara and Favian is one of betrayal and abandonment but the passion between them remains.  A passion that is complicated by Mara’s sub.  Will they both get their desires, but at what cost. This was a wonderfully erotic and sensual read with a twist of an ending that was simply sublime.  I’ll say no more because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone.

 

Good Boyfriend – Gina McQueen

There are only two characters in this incredibly short novella.  Jim and Sara Lee have a 20 year age difference which makes Sara a little reticence to get involved.  There’s not a line of sexual interaction in the entire story, but the last line of the story made it worth the read.  I actually laughed out loud at the end.  Read it again and did the same thing. Good Boyfriend was nexpected and funny.

 

The majority of the authors really knocked their entries out of the park.  Of the 14 only two left me cold.  They had more of a sci-fi/horror bent and they just didn’t appeal to this reader.  However, no matter where your preference lies in the “fang” universe I can definitely say, if you don’t find something to like in this anthology, there is something wrong with you. A few editing issues aside, I still have to give Fangbangers an A rating just for the shear diversity of its content.

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Book Description: FANG BANGERS collects 14 hot stories of fanged and clawed love and lust – Vampires loving shape shifters, werewolves lusting for fairies and every creature imaginable with the girl next door!

It’s a collection of the ultimate taboos.

Erotic super star Cecilia Tan gives us some Vampire BDSM, New York Times best-selling author Lois Gresh gives us a clawed creature of unique proportions and propensities, and Gina McQueen (New York Times best-selling author John Skipp in drag) shows us some new werewolf tricks.

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Length: 261 Pages (PDF)

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Buy Now At Ravenous Romance

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Source: Author

This is the third of Mr. Chin’s books I’ve read.  Of the three, this left me wishing for a different ending but, make no mistake; it is a wonderful book and well worth reading.

Cord Bridger’s long term relationship is falling apart and in the midst of that angst he learns of his grandmother’s death and must leave New York City to go home to Nevada to bury her and sell her farm.  This task is complicated by two unexpected revelations.  His grandmother’s lesbian lover refuses to leave the ranch and Cord discovers he has a son Kalin whose half brother Jem and he are soon left by Cord’s ex girlfriend in his care.  I thought I knew where this story was headed— father discovers long lost son, finds new love and everyone lives happily ever after.  I was only partially right.  While Cord is getting to know his son and the life his lead, he does discover love with Tomeo a gay-friend of his ex’s and her sons.  There is a definite metamorphosis for Cord as he transitions from his life of failed fulfillment and disappointment in New York City; to a life of purpose, happiness and love as he struggles to understand his ‘two’ sons.  But that metamorphosis isn’t an easy one.  There is pain, fear and violence that marks everyone and not everyone survives.  That is my only fault with this story.  One climatic scene of violence shook me.  How could Cord and Tomeo have allowed this to happen?  They knew the danger was still out there but they went on with their lives as if the evil that had crashed on their door step once before would just go away.  That type of evil that disdains law, damages and threatens lives for wealth and power, doesn’t just walk away.  However, even with that disappointment, Butterfly’s Child is a wonderful read.  I am in continual awe of Mr. Chin’s ability to create a myriad of diverse and complicated characters that linger within you long after the reading.  I eagerly anticipate his next book.

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Justine

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Book Description: While back in the West to attend his grandmother’s funeral, Cord Bridger uncovers two shocking revelations: his grandmother had a lesbian lover named Juanita, and he has a teenaged son named Kalin. Fate brings all three together, but to preserve his new family, Cord must leave his safe life in New York City behind to carve a living from the harsh ranch lands of Nevada.

To forge a life with Juanita and Kalin, Cord must first discover the dark secret burning a hole in Kalin’s heart. With the help of Tomeo, a handsome Japanese veterinarian, Cord travels a gut-wrenching road of triumphs and tragedies to insure his son will survive the sinister violence of his past. But as Tomeo becomes more than just a helpful friend to Cord, a new set of problems arise between Cord and Kalin that may threaten the happiness of them all.

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Length: 280 Pages (PDF)

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Buy Now At Dreamspinner

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Source: Publisher

This is an all too short tale in the spirit of Charles Dickens.  If you love hot kinky sexy, this is not the novella for you.  This is a tale of youthful affection between a young lord of the manor, Gerard Greville and an older but lesser born tenant, Matthias.  This is Victorian England with its strict social strata and even stricter sexual morals.  In the beginning I had to stretch my belief (or is it suspend my disbelief) that after only 2 meetings a year apart, two boys spend years secretly desiring the other until circumstances bring them together as men.  That’s why I think this story reminds me of so many Dickensian tales with its sentimentality and ending which was a little abrupt for my taste.  However, S. Blaise has a gifted writing style, the story flows and within a couple of chapters she made me a believer.  I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

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On a personal note, a Happy Holiday Season to the incomparable Ms. T, all the reviewers on ‘Reviews at EBook Addict’ and especially all the Readers who visit and spend some time with us.  I’m off for a much needed vacation, my first in about 5 years.  So until mid-January 2011 when my first review will be “Butterfly’s Child” by Alan Chin—–  Happy New Year Everyone!!!

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Justine

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Book Description: On Boxing Day, young Gerard Greville’s mother insists that he accompany her on her holiday visits to the servants and the less fortunate, as a lesson in charity. It’s then that Gerard briefly meets Matthias Dunn, a young boy of the servant class. But his short time with Mattie makes a huge impression, and ten years later, Gerard becomes determined to reconnect with him—despite the chasm between their social classes—and discover why Mattie has been so long in his thoughts.

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Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

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Source: Publisher

This Christmas offering by Amberly Smith has a little bit of everything—Mason Cartwright, an ‘out’ gay artist; Declan Matthews, a closeted seaman trying to become a Navy Seal with a secret special “gift” passed down from the males in the family, hinting at the paranormal.  There was plenty of opportunity for conflict and emotional upheaval in this story and it almost works.  I had to read it twice to figure out why it didn’t work for me.  When Mason and Declan first meet, sparks fly and there’s the potential that Declan may accidently ‘out’ himself in front of his superiors if he doesn’t get his libido in check.  By the time the two characters meet again, I was thrown by Mason’s subdued response to Declan’s aggressive overtures.  To the author’s credit, the reason for this is explained later in the story but overall the plot just seemed disjointed and didn’t jell for me.  Though Declan is concerned about falling for and dating an “out” gay male, the possible danger to his career if “outed” and the hardship of a long distance romance, it’s just internal wool gathering, not something the characters discuss and agonize over in the plot. The story would have been so much better for me if all of that conflict was addressed early on between the two characters and emphasized as the story progressed.  It just only seemed to come out in a torrent in the last couple of chapters—mentioned than neatly wrapped up.

What of Declan’s special gift?  It is the focal point in one major incident in the story, but it’s more a device to get from plot point A to B—explain Mason’s rejection of Declan and tying it to an earlier incident the reader discovers as Declan does.   “GI Joe Holiday” has a lot of potential.  The characterizations of Mason and Declan are good now as Ms. Smith has written them.  I think they’d have been even better in a longer story and the ending would have been even more satisfying.

J

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Book Description: Declan Mathews has two objectives after surviving Navy SEAL Hell Week: keep his secrets hidden and enjoy what may be his last Christmas with his family. But Deck’s holiday plans are shot to bits when his commanding officer orders him to sit for artist Mason Cartwright. How in blue blazes is Deck supposed to stay safely in the closet when there’s a gorgeous, funny man staring at his ass for hours on end? It will take a Christmas miracle.

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Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

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Source: Publisher

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Note: All 31 stories in the 2010 Advent Calendar Anthology are available as a whole or you can purchase each story separately.

There is pain, suffering but ultimately joy in Foster’s “Thyme.” I’ll be honest, the pain and suffering even as I read the happy ending, still lingers with me, a day later.    Yes this is a Christmas tale with magic but the beginning chapters are as emotionally heartfelt and painfully real as anything I’ve read.  Some of us have experienced a missed opportunity of loving a special someone, whether the result of bad timing or fear of rejection.  We don’t usually get an opportunity for a ‘do over’ and I desperately wanted these characters to have one.

For three years or more Julien Lafayette and Gregory Verne have been out of each other’s lives until the unthinkable happens.  Gregory is seriously injured in Afghanistan and Julien must rush to his friend’s side while he struggles to live.  The author’s use of the names Jules and Verne were a distraction in this novella that could have been avoided; but I quickly got pass it.  The relationship between Jules and Verne and the horrible circumstances that bring them back together were so emotional I had tears in my eyes as I read some passages.  Why did Julien and Verne stay apart for so long?  I read the story twice and the author never fully explains the event that took place to separate them though there was ample opportunity to do so.  Perhaps it was a good choice not to put the actual event in the story because if it was trivial it would have lessened the story’s impact.  That lack of knowledge is really a small thing to me and doesn’t detract from a wonderful story.  This novella was written “For the man and women who can’t be open about their love, even though they’re willing to die to protect my country.” Despite the front page realism of that dedication and the story within, magic permeates this story and the reader is left smiling.   It is the realism of “Thyme” that I remember and will remember for a long time.  I think it’s because the reality of our existence would dictate that such a happy ending could never happen.  But then again, I always did and still do believe in miracles.  “Thyme” is a story of a miracle in the true spirit of Christmas that is definitely worth reading.

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Book Description: Julien Lafayette and Gregory Verne, best friends since they were children, could have been more… but Julien was too afraid of destroying their friendship to act on his feelings. By the time he built up his courage, Verne had joined the Marines. Luckily for Julien, his Nana—the witchdoctor of New Orleans—always looks out for him, and for this holiday season, she’ll give him a chance to reclaim what he so foolishly passed up the first time around.

Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

Source: Publisher

Note: All 31 stories in the 2010 Advent Calendar Anthology are available as a whole or you can purchase each story separately.

The title doesn’t do this story justice. Winter’s Own, Winter’s Love or Eternally Winters seem better titles “but a rose by any other name” is still beautiful and this is a beautifully sweet story with a little heat.  Talvi the seasonal god of Winter has had enough of earthlings and their complaining of his coldness and danger. But just when Talvi is determined to leave earth once and for all, he remembers the young child he calls Flake that he saved a decade earlier.  Talvi looks forward to ‘seeing’ him each year, even if from a distance.  Flake is special.  He loves the winter season.  When the first snowfall arrives he welcomes it with open arms and talks to it like a loving friend.  How can Talvi leave this child, now the young man Blake, behind never to see him again?  Perhaps I should have seen how this story would unfold but I didn’t.  I loved the characters of Talvi and Blake.  Blake with his innocence and unerring belief that Winter was more than a season but something special.  The author nicely conveys Talvi’s emotions as he recognizes he doesn’t want to be without his ‘Flake’ and he’ll do what he must to have him. It was easy for me to get swept up into Blake’s innocence and Talvi’s emotional journey and fear of his love not being returned. I wish this was a longer read for it’s over far too quickly.   “Eternal Flakefall”, title aside, is a gem.  It’s a story of innocence and love that sparkles.

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Book Description: Tired of listening to the unappreciative complaints from Earth’s denizens, Talvi, the Weather God known as Winter, decides to sever all ties to the planet at the end of this season and hand it over to his three sister to rule. Let them make of the hopeless heap what they will. But when he leaves, he plans to take with him the only redeeming quality Earth possesses: Blake, the young man who loves and appreciates Winter for who he truly is.

Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

Source: Publisher

Note: All 31 stories in the 2010 Advent Calendar Anthology are available as a whole or you can purchase each story separately.

“Christmas Wish” is a magical tale combining sexual realism, a wonderful message and an ending of touching charm.  Harry Fielding is a man who doesn’t know how wonderful his life is until he’s forced to leave his job and is faced with the possibility of having lost his best friend, Cody, to another.

For nearly a year, Harry has loved, lusted for and damn near stalked Javier, a gorgeous leather man whose brief intense sexual flirtation with Harry has filled his dreams and heart ever since.  This Christmas Harry’s determined to get Javier to notice him, assured that once he does his love will be returned and they’ll live happily ever after.  Javier’s stint as Santa Claus at the local gay watering hole a week before Christmas is Harry’s chance to make his move.  However, things don’t work out as he hoped and his leather clad Santa is whisked out of his reach before he has a chance to perch on the chaps encased lap of the man he desires.  In anger, frustration and disappointment, Harry screams a wish that is literally life changing.

B.G. Thomas’ “Christmas Wish” is a delightful twist to Jimmy Stewart’s movie vehicle It’s a Wonderful Life. The message?  Well that would be spoiling a charming read.  I will say I didn’t find this Christmas tale preachy or heavy handed; and B.G. deftly pulled off his interesting twist on a classic when I wasn’t sure it could be done.  The heart of the story is Cody, a character you’ll love or at least will identify with.  I did.  My message to you is that “Christmas Wish” is a wonderful seasonal story that will leave you smiling.

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Book Description: Harry is desperately unhappy with his life.  He hates his job, his apartment, and most especially, he hates the way he looks. Despite this, once Harry hears that his fantasy man, Javier Torres, is playing Santa at the local gay bar, he can’t wait to get his picture taken sitting on Javier’s lap in hopes of finally catching the sexy man’s attention.  But it all goes wrong, and Harry ends up telling a different “Santa” exactly how his life could be made better… but he doesn’t expect his Christmas wish to come true!

Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

Source: Publisher

Note: All 31 stories in the 2010 Advent Calendar Anthology are available as a whole or you can purchase each story separately.

Despite their more than 20 year age difference, Stan Winston and Jeremy North have been friends for a decade or more after meeting on one of Stan’s outdoor adventures.  At 56, Stan is prosperous and settled in a lifestyle that financial security allows.  After 20 years as a career soldier, Jeremy North has left the army and visits Stan on a dual mission — to figure out what he’ll be doing with the next twenty years of his life and to come out to his friend.  Stan’s shrugged acceptance of Jeremy’s gay revelation lands him a crushing lip lock from his ‘old’ friend and much more.  The more is an instantaneous realization that Jeremy North is exactly what Stan’s been missing in his life.

The author never relates or implies that Stan has had any m/m sexual experiences or feelings, yet there is no angst, surprise or confusion at this dramatic change in this mature man’s life.   We only witness Stan’s excitement and immediate acceptance of his lifestyle change and, as time passes, his increasing awareness of the age difference and that his body is not the rock hard echo of his lovers.  Stan’s journey of self discovery is more cerebral than vocal.  Translated — he thinks in his head a lot and that’s how the author conveys to the reader this character’s feelings and notable events.  We learn of Stan coming out to his friends as if in a movie — it happens off camera (off page). Still, “The Next Twenty” is a loving tale of two men coming together after years of casual yet heartfelt friendship. Watching them grow in their love and acceptance of each other was worth the read.

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Book Description: Stan Winston is a late-middle-aged man who has spent his life being part King Midas and part

lounge lizard, happily increasing his wealth as he schmoozed women and lived his life large. He’s been drifting for a while, though, until buddy Jeremy North, just three days out of military service, appears on Stan’s doorstep with a couple of bombshells to drop: he’s gay, and he’s kissing Stan—right now. Between Stan’s first, defensive reaction and the moment that kiss ends, Stan realizes something very important: Jeremy might be what he’s been missing his entire life.

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Length: Nap-size Dream

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Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

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Source: Publisher

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Note: All 31 stories in the 2010 Advent Calendar Anthology are available as a whole or you can purchase each story separately.

“Twinkle, Twinkle” is a short novella that will bring a smile to your face and perhaps a surprise tear to your eye.  UK author, Josephine Myles renders a tale of former classmates who meet under unusual and serendipitous circumstances in a small English emergency room.  The British colloquialism peppered throughout the story added a delightfully different feeling to this story for me.

Dr. Tom Berriman returns to his small home town to continue practicing medicine after years in Manchester.   While lamenting his solo and closeted life, an electrical accident in his emergency ward brings him fact to face to Vincent Draper, the skinny kid who was bullied through school and was beaten my adolescent friends of Berriman right before Christmas many years early.  Gone is the insecure and fat kid of yesterday.  Vincent is Vince now and he is out, self-assured and not ruled by the events of the past, though Tom still feels guilt for his in action to stop the beating.  What follows is a tale of regret, love lost and honored, raucous humor, a breathless romp and a ‘fairy’ tale ending that will touch your heart.  I loved “Twinkle, Twinkle” so much I read it twice.  It’s hard to project realism in a story that ends on pure magic but Ms. Myles does it wonderfully!

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Book Description: Recently moved back to his home town alone, Dr. Tom Berriman isn’t looking forward to Christmas. The only decorations he appreciates are the attractive pair of legs belonging to the

electrician working on the emergency room ceiling. When the electrician comes crashing down and requires treatment for electric shock, Tom’s mortified to realize the legs belong to a guy he most definitely wasn’t friends with at school. But newly hunky widower Vince seems willing to bury the hatchet—and Tom starts to think maybe the holiday won’t be so lonely after all!

Length: Daydream

Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

Source: Publisher

Note: All 31 stories in the 2010 Advent Calendar Anthology are available as a whole or you can purchase each story separately.

In one way I wish I had read “The Afterword” of “The Innocent’s Progress” before venturing into reading.   In another way, I’m glad I didn’t because it really helped me to formulate in my mind what steampunk erotica is or should be.

Mr. Tupper offers the reader six novellas of erotica in the most recently hot steampunk genre.  What is steampunk?  For me it’s a literary phenomenon that combines romance and technology.  It is science fiction that shows the world as it could have been if we hadn’t embraced our present day technology based on carbon fuel emissions.  Harken back to the world of Jules Verne in “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”; or for you TV phobes the world of “Bristol County Junior”.  Man I loved that show.  But I digress.

This was my first foray into “steamkpunk erotica” in this format.  Mr. Tupper batted 50/50 with me.  His novella’s “The Innocent’s Progress”, “The Pretty Horsebreaker” and “The Spirit of the Future” (which revisits characters from the “The Innocent’s Progress”) left me wanting more sexual interaction between the characters.  These three renderings weaved tales of social expectations, artistic revolution in the theater and good old fashion intrigue through characters involved in the Commedia – a theatrical world based on the Italian commedia dell’arte – an improvisational theatre.  But on the whole what eroticism there were in the plots seemed interjected as an afterthought to the main story lines.  I don’t know how else to say it. I had flashbacks to “A Man With A Maid” and “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” (in some instances);  well known and praised works by many but I didn’t enjoy them either.

On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Tupper’s “The Slave”, “Delicate Work” and “The Impurity”.  All three of them contained the right combination of erotic escapades in an interesting alternative historical/steampunk setting.  “The Impurity” was a wonderful take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale of  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Mr. Hyde is bested by the very innocent he preys upon and there is a interesting and fun twist at the end by an appearance of a well known literary character.  “The Slave” is a classic tale of a curious innocent ripe to explore her sexuality.  In a unique social setting she learns a great deal about herself and the world literally at the hands of the common man and woman.  Of all of them, I liked “Delicate Work” the best.  The setting and characters captured me from the very beginning of the tale.  The ending was bittersweet for me but very satisfying as our heroine rises above her surrounding to find her freedom and she utilizes her wits and mechanical ability to survive.    I batted 50/50 with Mr. Tupper’s steampunk erotica.  I think it’s safe to say that an adventurous reader will find more than one sexy erotic tale in an alternative universe they’ll enjoy.

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Book Description: In a steampunk society where sex is ritualized and marriage is sacred, the slightest misstep can bring your world tumbling down. In this collection, Peter Tupper explores the many facets of a time that never was, and a society that is all too familiar. Rich in eroticism, and immersive in its detail, The Innocent’s Progress and Other Stories is a sterling example of what steampunk can be.

In an unnamed place, in a time that never was, sex is elevated as high as ritual, and can be had for the price of a theater ticket. In The Innocent’s Progress and Other Stories, Peter Tupper explores the many facets of a complicated, sensual, and, in many ways, rigidly conservative society. Here, we are given passes to a theater of fantasies; we are allowed into the labyrinthine world of steam-powered workhouses; and we are given glimpses into the minds and mettle of the kind of people who survive in such a world.

About the author: Peter Tupper’s first professional fiction sale was to Circlet Press’s S/M Futures anthology back in the mid-1990s. In addition to working as a journalist, he blogs about the history of BDSM at www.historyofbdsm.com, and co-founded Metro Vancouver Kink, a non-profit community organization.

Buy Now At Circlet Press

Source: Publisher

The tension and attraction between Elite Couriers’ owner Martin Johannson and Tiffany Winters, owner of “Tiffany’s Jewels”, is palpable from their very first encounter. Martin’s surprise visit to “Tiffany’s Jewels” is to assure his disgruntled client that her business is important to him.  But he also has an ulterior motive.  Martin has been curious to put a face to the voice he has spoken to over several months and will not be deterred from that task despite the last minute realization she works from her home and he has no way of knowing if a boyfriend or husband is in the picture to put a glitch in his plans.

Tiffany’s reaction to her unexpected visitor was believable and the author really delivers the heat right away, though I was a little put off by the familiar plot device of the heroine answering her door in a state of semi undress.  Even with that, I loved the sexual tension that ratcheted up quickly as a casual business meeting became intimate.  The atmosphere of seduction delivered by Ms. Kirk was wonderful and I liked the angst of the heroine not wanting to repeat past mistakes and fear of her lightning attraction for Martin stopped this story from too quickly becoming a boy meets girl, girl and boy like each other, hop into bed and then end of story novella.  My only problem with “Special Client” was that the ending was rushed.  Ms. Kirk gave this reader two interesting and hot characters I wanted to be with longer.  That being said “Special Client” delivers in more ways than one and I enjoyed the read.

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Book Description: Burned once before, Tiffany Winters made a promise to herself never to let another man dictate how she lives her life. But when her business obligations throw Martin Johansson in her path, the attraction is too strong to be ignored.

As their passion ignites, will the intimate moments shared in each other’s arms be enough for Tiffany to trust Martin with her heart?

Buy Now At Breathless Press

Source: Publisher

This is the third installment in Ms. James’ multicultural futuristic series set on earth 3050.  The first book is “You, Me & Dupree”, the second “Kidnapped.” Roman and Van from “Kidnapped” make an appearance in “Desire of Three” and the key male characters in it, Lucien and Alex,  originally met in  that work as well. The author does a good job setting up their story at the end of it “Kidnapped” but DO3 still can stand on its own.

DO3 is a story of instant attraction and a whodunit which is carried over from “Kidnapped.” Mysteries are my favorite types of books to read.  I especially love a mystery coupled with the drama of a new love, a growing love or a love denied relationship within a suspenseful or deadly setting.  All of these elements are easy to get across in a longer work but tricky to maneuver in a novella sized work.    Ms. James gives it her best shot and almost succeeds.  While deep in a case to find the person killing vampires, Alex must deal with his growing attraction for the vampire Lucien his partner working the case.  Ms. James most intense and most interesting scenes are when these two characters are front and center; especially Lucian.   Their passion and angst heat up the pages.  I loved them together. The heat continued when the character Lucian interacted with Alex’s fiancée Haley.  The mystery of finding the killer is really secondary to the story of Alex, his lover Haley and the struggle of their mutual attraction for Lucien as it should be– to a degree.   But there are no red herrings or clues to bring you to the discovery of the murderer.  The novella feels a little bit rushed.  I would have liked to have seen the mystery element developed a little bit more.  As it is, given the number of characters in the novella, it was fairly easy for me to determine the killer.

I wanted to see more of Alex, Lucien and Haley as a threesome in and out of bed; but especially in bed.  I liked “Desire of Three” but it could have been so much more.  So don’t choose “Desire of Three” for the mystery.  Choose it for the heat between Alex and Lucien; and between Lucien and Haley.  I just wish there was much more of it.

J

Teaser: Alex loves Haley with all of his heart. She’s everything he could ask for, but when he’s partnered with a vampire named Lucian to catch a killer, lust threatens to take over. Losing Haley isn’t an option, but can Alex make a threesome work?

Book Description: Alex loves Haley with all of his heart. She’s everything he could ask for, but when he’s partnered with a vampire named Lucian, visions of lust threaten to take over his common sense. To catch a killer, all three must work together, but with each passing day it becomes harder to deny his attraction to Lucian. Losing Haley isn’t an option, but can Alex make a threesome work forever?

Haley finally knows why Alex has been uptight. But she doesn’t quite know what to do when Alex tells her his feelings for Lucian. She’s even more unsure when Lucian approaches her about a threesome. She doesn’t intend to lose Alex, but could she ever love Lucian enough to make it work?

Lucian wants Alex, and it’s not long before he re realizes he wants Haley just as much. A few nights of sating his lust is what he thinks he needs, but unexpectedly Lucian begins to have feelings for both. Alex is stubborn about his feelings, but with the help of Haley, maybe together they can satisfy the Desire of Three.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/f).

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Buy Now At Loose Id.

Source: Publisher

Ms. Brown delivers a sweet romance of two women finding each other.  Tammy is a free spirit who has an immediate attraction for Lydia a regular within the same gym she frequents.  Lydia, on the other hand, is a disciplined and driven businesswoman who at 40 is 5 years Tammy’s senior and has reached the point in her career where she is content in her business life and now yearns to stop and smell the roses.  A chance conversation between Lydia and Tammy opens the door for the two women to connect in ways Tammy has dreamed.  There’s a little serendipity in Ms. Brown’s plot.  Until Tammy actually converses with her, she doesn’t even know if Lydia’s a lesbian, yet she’s altered her work out schedule to watch and lust after and just be around her.  It’s a plot choice that didn’t ruin the story for me.  I’ve known a few Tammy’s who admired from afar.  Some of them found happiness or at least a short term fling; others were sadly disappointed that the object of their affection was hetero to the max and not interested in them or out and out offended by their interest.  What I would have liked to have seen in this short tale was a little more character development and information.  Tammy says the more “she learned about the woman, the more she ached to hold her in her arms and make love to her.”  Wow that’s saying something!  It would have really added to the story for me if some of Lydia’s finer attributes were relayed to this reader.  A little more information about both characters would have added some depth and perhaps spice to a nice tale.  Not everyone wants angst in their romantic novellas, so if you’re a reader who likes a straight forward tale with no drama, but with some very very hot sexual interaction, “Loving Lydia” fits that bill to a ‘T’.

J

Book Description: Tammy’s sights are set and goals targeted. With one thing on her mind – Lydia – she will stop at nothing to satisfy every craving her body has for the seductive female, including showing up at the same gym for a chance encounter.
Lydia’s career is in her pocket. Successful, motivated, and driven, Lydia realizes she wants more out of life than just her job. Aware of Tammy’s intentions, Lydia decides to play along, at least until a cup of steaming hot coffee turns into a passionate night. Can she split her life between her career and Tammy?
Will Tammy be able to quench her thirst for Lydia with one night of hot sex, or will she be left wanting more?

Buy Now At Breathless Press

Also Available At 1 Place For Romance

Source: Publisher

Sable Grey has done it again.  “A Demon’s Kiss” is a wonderful read set in the Old West in the early to mid 19^th Century.  Patricia Weaver is a young woman who learns that Jack Avery, the local general store owner she’s been lusting for is a demon.  What’s a girl to do?  Should she run for the hills or accept the man in all of his personas?  The demonic premise of the story was very intriguing for me.  So much so I really wish this novella had been longer, not only because of Jack’s demonic purpose but also because of two nicely drawn characters.  I’m in awe of Ms. Grey’s ability to pack such an interesting premise with characters who deliver intense emotional impact and sexual heat in just a few short pages.  Though a short read “A Demon’s Kiss” is a very satisfying story and would please any reader whether they love the historical genre or not.  The magic of the paranormal is in “A Demon’s Kiss” and it should be on your list.

—–J

Teaser: Everything Patricia knew about Jack was pulled out from under her. Now she must decide if the heat between them can survive the demonic truth.

Book Description: Patricia Weaver has always loved Jack Avery, but when she finds out he’s a soul-collecting demon, everything changes. Drawn to him despite the darkness that surrounds who and what he is, Patricia finds herself swept away by his sexual heat but in the end must decide if she can accept and love him…talons and all.

Buy Now At Breathless Press

Source: Publisher

This is the second book I’ve read from Mr. Chin.  The first was “The Lonely War”, a novel so stunningly real and a poignant I feared “Match Maker” wouldn’t live up to my expectations.  I wasted my time worrying. In tennis vernacular, “Match Maker” is an ‘Ace’.

Jared Stoderling and Daniel Bottega are twin Icarus’ who fly close to the rays of tennis stardom only to burn and crash when an ill-advised sexual display destroys their fledgling tennis careers.  The tennis establishment is not ready for openly gay players.  They are shunned on the tour and brutalized by bad calls.  They’re existence spirals into living lives of mediocrity and alcoholism away from the limelight teaching others the game they love.  Could this happen in real life?  At first I thought no way, but then I realized I know of no openly gay professional tennis players.  Sure, I have a weak memory of transgender player Rene Richards and one or two females have “come out” after their careers were over but no one has dared admit their sexual orientation while actively on the tennis tour, giving credence to the novel’s premise.  That credence coupled with absolutely wonderful characters, the politics of tennis, electric descriptions of tennis play and glimpses into the psyche of tennis players had me so engrossed in the story I didn’t want to put this novel down.  For me, the best novels (TV shows and movies for that matter) entwine complementary story lines that emotionally or viscerally capture a reader’s mind and heart.  “Match Maker” does both.

Mr. Chin’s forte appears to be researching a subject matter well and weaving that knowledge into imaginative storylines with dynamite characterization.  “Match Maker” on one level is a great love story between two men who nearly hit rock bottom professionally and personally but rise from the ashes.  On another level it offers interesting insight into the Japanese culture through Connor Lin their young Japanese American protégé caught in the web of his father’s dreams of financial gain and his own life choice away from the net.  Mr. Chin is masterful in his ability to write characters one cares about.  Your heart breaks at their defeats and pain.  You soar with their triumphs and survival.

Mr. Chin gave this reader another true-life world full of a wonderful ensemble of characters that gave this story emotional layers that made for an exciting and thought provoking read.  I will revisit this world again and to be honest I already have.  “Match Maker” has made my keeper shelf.  Game, set and match Mr. Chin! Thanks for another great story; and for ‘the gardener’.  I grinned and thought….What if?

Justine

Book Description: In the four years since being forced off the professional tour for being gay, Daniel Bottega has taught tennis at a second-rate country club. He found a sanctuary to hide from an unkind world, while his lover, Jared Stoderling, fought a losing battle with alcohol addiction to cope with his  disappointment of not playing on the pro circuit.

Now Daniel has another chance at the tour by coaching tennis prodigy Connor Lin to a Grand Slam championship win. He shares his chance with Jared by convincing him to return to the pro circuit as Connor’s doubles partner.

Competing on the world tour is challenging enough, but Daniel and Jared also face major media attention, political fallout from the pro association, and a shocking amount of hate that threatens Connor’s career in tennis, Jared’s love for Daniel, and Daniel’s very life.

Buy Now At Dreamspinner Press

Source: Publisher

In “Slipping the Past” DL Jackson gives a sobering view of earth 50 years into the future.  It is a world where advanced technology allows mankind to harvest the souls of criminals into crystal spheres which can be used to power anything- for all eternity.   A side bonus of this capability is that once the souls are removed from a body, the soul from another dying or old body can be placed into it.  As a result, society goes from punishing ‘present day’ criminals to scanning and targeting newborns whose “souls” have committed crimes in a past life.  On their 18^th birthday “Reapers”, genetically and technically enhanced human lawman, are sent with warrants to separate these souls from their much desired bodies

This story literally hits the ground running, as we meet Jocelyn Miller and her brother Nate who’ve been hiding from Reapers for years.  Reaper Gabriel Solaris is just about to reap Jocelyn’s soul when she convinces him they have known each other in the past.  Gabriel is inexplicably drawn to her and believes her.  He gives her 5 days to prove her innocence, putting his own soul on the block for reaping.

I have to admit I really don’t like coincidences in my stories but I went with the premise put forth that souls who have known each other in past lives, are destined to reunite again and again over time.  Though the concept of harvesting soul really repulsed me it definitely drew me into the story.  Gabriel is an alpha male that heated the pages.   Jocelyn is appropriately spunky but still a damsel in distress. DL’s villain was particularly loathsome and the climatic scene was really too short for me.   Nate is the best written character with a surprise revelation at the end. I loved  the sexual tenstion between Jocelyn and Gabriel and Jocelyn’s emotional war – aching to consummate the lust she feels but wondering if that trust and vulnerability will ultimately be betrayed.  My only complaint with “Slipping the Past” is I just wanted to know more details about the times and how the “reaping” system developed.  No public outcry, just acceptance?   I had to really get passed that in the beginning to enjoy this tale.  That issue aside, DL’s setting and plot have me eagerly awaiting the next offering in this futuristic world of the Reapers.

Justine

Book Description: Some love affairs last a lifetime…others never end.

Fifty years into the future, if you’re one of the damned, you don’t run for your life, you run to save your soul. Jocelyn Miller is wanted for crimes she committed before she was born. Homeless, blind and out in the elements on one of the coldest nights of the year, her desperation results in a bad decision. When Jocelyn and her brother Nate rob a convenience store, Jocelyn comes face to face with her worst nightmare and greatest love, a reaper named Gabriel.

Gabriel Solaris is an Enforcer, a genetically enhanced psychic often referred to as a reaper for his ability to take souls, and he’s charged with collecting Jocelyn’s. When he finds Jocelyn outside the store, he’s sure she’s up to something illegal. Proving it isn’t necessary. He holds a warrant and it’s all he needs. But the closer Gabriel gets to Jocelyn, the more he begins to question his duty and why he believes her claims of innocence. When Jocelyn tells him she loved him once, Gabriel loses control and kisses her. Instead of taking her soul, he gives her a week to prove innocence in her past-life crimes, something he has no authority to grant.

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Source: Author

It’s funny how one’s attitude toward a book can sometimes change from bad to good or good to bad by the end of it.  My opinion of Ms. Sexton’s offering changed for the better.  At page 53 or so I was wondering if I’d be able to finish it.  By the end of the book I was glad I did.  I had to reread the first 40 – 50 pages to remind myself what initially bothered me about this novella.  The answer was twofold.  The beginning was slow for me and I couldn’t see these two characters taking the time to develop a relationship at all.  I couldn’t see them getting past the first blind date or second date.

Jonathan Kechter is a workaholic striving for that often allusive brass ring of corporate success.  Cole Fenton is a free spirit who can afford to come and go as he pleases and does – often.  Cole is in a sexual “drought” in Phoenix when we meet him and he jokes to a friend that he may have to “fly back to Paris just to get laid.”  Jonathan is attracted to gay men who aren’t effeminate, who love sports and work for a living.  He still thinks of his former lover that he broke up with 10 years ago as the one who got away.  Cole is rather effeminate and wouldn’t know a left tackle from a wide receiver and has available bed partners in a number of cities, the Phoenix drought aside.  So why did I initially not like the story?  It just didn’t seem plausible.  Jonathan’s embarrassed about how flamboyant Cole acts in public.  I believe Jonathan’s word at first sight of Cole was “flaming”.  Who would go out with a person they’re embarrassed by?  Who would continue to go out with a person who never called him by his name, just “Darling” or “Sweetie”?  Who would go out with a person who when asked about what he does for a living, is almost rude in his non reply; right after he finished asking the same question and received an honest answer.  Who would put up with that? Jonathan, that’s who.

Despite all of this, Jonathan finds himself attracted to Cole but aggravated by his behavior and attitude.  Jonathan admits they are great in bed, but complains constantly that out of bed Cole keeps his distance.  And even though the sex is great, when the sex is over Cole moves over to his side of the bed and distances himself physically, as well as emotionally.  I couldn’t understand why Jonathan kept coming back for more.  So when did my feelings about these characters and this book turn?  When Cole finally let down his guard a little and sought to be with Jonathan.  When Ms. Sexton finally got to the heart of Cole’s character, she revealed layers of Cole’s personality that explained everything.  As I learned more and more about Cole and the reasons for the walls he puts up around him, I began to understand him and like him.  I also began to realize that Jonathan needed a Cole in his life to break him out of his dull workaholic existence.  As Jonathan dealt with a severe job disappointment and began to open up to his father more, I liked him better too.  As the characters struggled with their own personal fears, past hurts and disappointments I wanted them to find happiness together.  “Strawberries for Dessert” started out slowly and nearly lost me; but in the end it captured me.  This is a dish that will satisfy a reader, once they get past the first course of initial chapters.  It satisfied me and left me with a smile.

Justine

Book Description: When Jonathan Kechter agrees to a blind date with Cole Fenton, he expects nothing more than dinner and a one-night stand… but he gets more than he bargained for in Cole. Cole is arrogant, flamboyant, and definitely not Jon’s type. Still, when Cole suggests an arrangement of getting together for casual sex whenever they’re both in town, Jon readily agrees.

Their arrangement may be casual, but Jonathan soon learns that when it comes to Cole Fenton, nothing is easy. Between Cole’s fear of intimacy and his wandering lifestyle, Jonathan wonders if their relationship may be doomed from the start—but the more Cole pushes him away, the more determined Jon is to make it work.

Buy Now at Dreampspinner Press

Source: Publisher

Set against the backdrop of the years surrounding WW II in the Pacific theater of action, “The Lonely War” is a book worthy of the attention of a director like John Ford, Otto Preminger or Stephen Spielberg.  The scope and breadth of this novel reminds me of three of my favorite movies, In Harms Way, Stalag 17 and Bridge Over the River Kwai.  Blame it on my dad.   Though female, I can appreciate those movies and this novel.  So there won’t be any doubt, I absolutely loved this novel!

In “The Lonely War” we’re privileged to follow the life of a young Chinese American — Andrew Waters from 18 to about 24 years of age.  I was surprised how much he experiences in so short of time in this novel but his journey echoes the trial of many young Americans before and after World War II.

“To experience love’s full bounty is life’s only purpose, so tread the moral path before you and sacrifice yourself to love.”  These are some of the last words of Andrew’s teacher a Buddhist monk as he says goodbye to Andrew on a Saigon dock as they escape the invading Japanese.  This entire novel is really about Andrew living those words as he comes to grips with understanding himself and his love for his superior officer Lt. Nathan Mitchell.

Mr. Chin does a wonderful job conveying the emotional upheaval of their growing relationship in the austere world of naval ship life where testosterone dominants and homosexuality is taboo.  “The Lonely War” is a compelling drama of love, survival and sacrifice on a grand scale.  I can’t expound enough upon the marvelous characters in this story.  Andrew and Nathan are the heart of the book and give it such heartrending emotional depth I hated to put the book down to deal with my everyday life.  However, it is the supporting cast that makes this book sing.  There are wonderful moments of cunning, laughter, joy and camaraderie between the characters.  I felt that I was with them.  I will remember Cocoa, Grady, Hudson, Clifford, Tottori, Father Moyer and others for a very long long time.

Is this an erotic novel?  There are definitely erotic elements and moments of passion; but it is so much more than that.  It is a fictional account of a historical time wrapped in a luscious tapestry of characters, emotions and events so well written you know this story could have happened and in some ways I hope it did.  “The Lonely War” is one of those novels that I will reread with great pleasure in the years ahead.  There is only one other book on my shelf besides the Bible I can say that about.  If this novel is never made into a movie it is cinema’s loss.  But we’re lucky.  We at least have an absolutely marvelous and inspiring book to read again and again.

Justine

Book Description: The key issue keeping the U.S. armed forces from going beyond Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to give gay servicemen equal rights is a blind fear of love relationships forming, not between enlisted soldiers but between officers and soldiers, which would undermine the chain of command. The Lonely War tackles this topic head on. Set in WWII, it tells the story of an enlisted sailor who falls in love with his executive officer. When the crew of the USS Pilgrim become POWs in Changi, a notoriously brutal prison camp, this sailor is elevated though hardship and love to discover his inner resources and extraordinary courage, allowing him to sacrifice himself to save the life of his beloved.

Like most war novels, The Lonely War envelops all that is unique to war, the horror of battle, overcoming fear, the cruelty of soldiers, the loyalty and camaraderie of men caught in a desperate situation. Yet, it stands alone in two important ways. First, it is a passionate story written about a tender love developing between an officer and an enlisted man, revealing a rare and dignified portrait of a couple struggling to satisfy desire within the confines of the military code of conduct. Even more importantly however, it describes the heart-wrenching measures of how much one man will sacrifice to save the life and reputation of the man he loves.

Buy The Lonely War Here

Source: Author

The two short stories offered in The Great Outdoors was a walk on the wild side or more accurately two hikes down a fun erotic path of adventurous sex. “A Birds Eye View” and “Fun in the Forest” are tales of eager and uninhibited heroines taking advantage of serendipitous events that afford them uniquely different sexual interludes. “A Bird’s Eye View” was a hot charge of adrenalin that ended on an embarrassingly funny note.  I could see this happening in reality. “Fun in the Forest” is the longer of the two works (though the entire offering is only about 12 pages long) and my favorite.  A Scottish gamekeeper helping a damsel in distress conjured erotic images of Gerard Butler and a mature Sean Connery for me. What can I say?  It’s that accent, yummy!  British colloquialism/verbiage “…a good seeing to” and “doodle” put me in the appropriate frame of mind and setting and I was in the thick of the adventures in no time. The Great Outdoors is a quick fun read I thoroughly enjoyed.  Rule Britannia, Ms. Felthouse!

Justine

Book Description: Whether you love or loathe the great outdoors – these stories will get you hot under the collar! In Bird’s Eye View – the main character gets more than she bargained for when she heads out for a walk. In Fun in the Forest, a dull team-building exercise suddenly takes a turn for the better for Anna.

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Ms. Grey’s “Her Laird, Her Lover” is a mini masterpiece of a novella in the tradition of the larger works of Kathleen Woodiwiss’ The Wolf and The Dove and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.  In case you’re not getting my vibe, let me make it clear, I absolutely loved this novella!  The characters, setting, plot were as near perfection as I’ve read.  Katie Stewart is a woman out of her time.  She’s articulate, feisty and gives as good as she gets.  Robert Shelley, the Laird of Dunham is a man of his times, use to commanding and being obeyed.  He’s never meant the like of Katie before and despite the ruse Katie and her ‘mother’ play on him, he can not take offense.  I was as captivated with both of these characters, as they were with each other.  I giggled at their cat and mouse games of one-upmanship, each determined to rule the other.  I grinned as each was captured by the willfulness, intelligence and sex of the other. By sex I mean that undefineable something that attracts a man to one woman and a woman to one particular man.  Their sexual romps left me a little breathless.  I smiled as they discovered the unexpected passion in each others arms.  There’s humor, sorrow, revenge and love in this little gem propelled by two wonderful main characters, a nice supporting case and the intrigue of war on the Scottish Highlands.  I feel sorry for you Ms. Grey.  Book 1 in your Scattered Series is going to be a hard act to follow.  Well done!

Justine

Teaser: When Scottish laird Robert Shelley seeks counsel from a woman rumored to have the gift of knowing, he gets much more than he pays for.

Book Description: Scottish border lord Robert Shelley doesn’t believe that the blind woman has the gift of knowing, and quickly learns that his suspicions are correct, but what he doesn’t expect is the searing lust she ignites inside him.

Katie Stewart has been swept back into medieval time and has adjusted the best way she knows how—by conning her way into enough coins to survive. She’s content with her life until a big Scotsman walks into her cottage and seizes her heart, making her want more than just his gifts and the occasional romp. Katie wants him—forever.

Buy at Breathless Press

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Source: Publisher

Dreams Come True hooked me with its opening paragraph.  I love the idea of individuals from different worlds overcoming obstacles to be together.  Jinsu and Tristan are men haunted by visions of the other.  Jinsu will risk everything, his home and his twin to be with the man of his dreams –his soul mate.  Tristan, on the other hand, questions his own sanity because of his obsession for the man who haunts his dreams and monopolizes his waking thoughts.  Why can Jinsu believe of an impossible improbable love and Tristan can not?  That is the interesting crux in Mr. Juris’ work.  Though I liked this short novella, there were a couple of moments that threw me out of the story.  An author’s muse takes him or her where it will, but the introduction of incest as a common practice on Jinsu’s world, the reveal of Jinsu’s participation and with whom, jarred my sensibilities.  The subject is mentioned briefly later in the story and could just as easily been eliminated all together.  Also, my believability scale tipped to zero when Tristan does what I think is absolutely incredulous after meeting the man, literally of his dreams.  Believe me, I want to tell you so badly but it’s a plot spoiler.  Those two comments aside, I liked Dreams Come True.  The author flirts at the possibility of a sequel and I hope he follows through.  Surely Jinsu’s twin has a tale to tell.

Justine

Teaser: Tristan knows that Jinsu is just a drawing…. A made-up, elaborate version of Tristan’s perfect man. All in Tristan’s head. Jinsu isn’t real. Or…is

Book Description: Driven by dreams of his soul mate Tristen, Jinsu steps through the portal to Earth, leaving all he has ever known behind. Little does he know that Tristan has had dreams too, but unlike Jinsu, Tristan doesn’t believe in them. When they meet, will they both discover that dreams really can come true?

Buy at Breathless Press

Buy at 1 Place For Romance

Source: Publisher

Phaze’s Heliotrope Series begins with two offerings by Stevie Woods—The Partners and The Guardian.  I think The Guardian could stand on its own, even though it includes characters and references from The Partners.

Anton, Bohdri and Rick are the main characters in book 1, the couple being the vampires—Anton and Bohdri.  Anton and Bohdri are two characters I wanted more of.  Originally from two different worlds, theirs is a relationship that should never have been.  In book 1, we learn about their seven-century long relationship in bits and pieces in the first two chapters, and then they don’t become front and center until the last two chapters. That was a shame.  When The Partners ended, I felt a little cheated.  No spoiler here, but let me just say that Anton and Bohdri “find each other” in a manner which this reader feels could have happened  any number of times over the seven centuries they knew each other.  I can’t say anything more than that.  I really wanted more of Anton and Bohdri acknowledging their new love—in or out of bed—at the story’s end.  It would have wrapped things up instead of leaving me wanting.

The Guardian is hampered by the same problem as The Partners but even more so.  There just wasn’t enough interaction between Rick and his love interest, David. It’s to the author’s credit that she created four interesting characters that left me wanting more.  I truly wish each novella was a chapter or two longer to really develop the story line and give the characters more interaction.

Justine

Book Description: The Heliotrope is a club run by two vampires, in a world that knows about their existence. The Partners: Rick, a young human, visits the Heliotrope because he’s curious about the accepted arrangement between vampires and humans where vampires receive blood in exchange for providing humans with sex. The Guardian: David’s a Guardian, a vampire who has taken on the duty of protecting the humans from the rogue vampires who hunt for blood rather than obtaining it in amicable exchange. David’s on his way to the Heliotrope when he discovers a young human, Rick, being attacked and saves him. David is drawn to the young man.

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Buy Binary Stars 5 at Phaze

Source: Publisher

The Wayfarer’s Road is the second entry in Janie Franz’s Bowdancer Saga.  The first “The Bowdancer” introduced Jan-nell.  I have not had the opportunity to read this first novella, but her second seems to stand alone with only brief references to the former work where the reader learns that Jan-nell’s husband left their home but never came back.  Ms. Franz’s latest novella offers three interesting characters –Jan-nell, her daughter Mira-nell and Khrin, the bard they meet during their journey.  I enjoyed learning about all three of them, though I think Khrin was my favorite.

I loved the entire concept of the Bowdancer… part healer, part historian, part spiritual guide.  I’m a pushover for strong women characters and Jan-nell is definitely one.  She has physical and emotional strength and is fiercely independent.  I easily empathize with Jan-nelle’s desire to pass her knowledge onto her daughter and protect her at all costs.  Her love for her daughter dictates everything she does, so her growing realization that life on the road is no place to raise a child is a burden that increases throughout the story.  The reader knows something has to give and I found myself thinking “What is she going to do? She can’t ply her healing trade from town to town forever.”  Though only a child, Mira-nell is creatively drawn by Ms. Franz.  She is old beyond her years and doesn’t see the worth of her mother’s ‘profession’.  Her quick sarcastic wit and emotionally insightful comments throughout the story kept it fresh and interesting.  Toward the later part of The Wayfarer’s Road however, it really is Khrin’s book.  The reader learns how he began his journey on the road and the turn of events that befell him.  It is he who directs the threesome on the final phase of their journey together despite initial opposition from Jan-nell.  This is not a tale of sex and passion; and that was okay for me.  This is a different story, one I’m will honestly stay I’m not use to reading.  This is a tale of the makings of a family.

There is richness to this story.  The richness of the tale is evident in the author’s detailed plant knowledge which is effectively displayed in almost every major scene in the story.  The richness of the tale is evident in the emotional journey of Jan-nelle and Khrin as they find that dream of happiness and home that everyone wants in life and they both want for Mira-nell.  It is a rich tale that I found satisfying and I think you will too.

Justine

Teaser: The Wayfarer’s Road continues The Bowdancer Saga. On the Wayfarer’s Road, Jan-nell and her daughter meet a bard with secrets who offers them the hope of belonging.

Book Description: The Bowdancer Saga continues in The Wayfarer’s Road. Jan-nell, now a woman traveling alone with her precocious young daughter on the Wayfarer’s Road, meets a handsome wandering bard. But he is carrying his own secrets along with the priceless chance at hope for her and her child to belong.

Buy The Wayfarer’s Road at Breathless Press.

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Source: Publisher

I usually don’t like plots where boy meets girl and after a few short minutes of their serendipitous meeting they’re having fast and furious sex.  However, the castle setting and the historic prop that is the center of this brief read captured my interest.  Though the dialogue is a little stilted in places, the author relates a sexual escapade with a twist of an ending that I didn’t see coming that definitely satisfied this reader. For a brief ‘historical’ romp and a harem girl to boot, “Ethereal Vixen” delivers.

Justine

Teaser: Aaron encounters a beautiful woman and a bizarre chair with sexual carvings, but sex in the chair comes with an unexpected twist!

Book Description: When Aaron discovers the weird chair carved with nude bodies in bizarre sexual positions he assumes it’s just another unusual part of visiting McDennessee Castle. He meets a blonde bombshell tourist, and not believing his luck, takes her up on her offer to test drive the chair. However, a vixen unlike any he’s ever encountered before has other designs.

Buy Ethereal Vixen at Breathless Press.

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The Sorcerer’s Songs is a tender paranormal romance I thoroughly enjoyed.  It is a tale of magic, first love, heartbreak, forgiveness and redemption.  I liked that the story is revealed through the eyes of the male lead – Adam – the sorcerer of the title.  At first I thought the story moved too slowly, but in retrospect the set up was needed for the reader to get the full impact of the life Adam is living after having walked away from his small town and first love, Stacey, 20 years earlier.  Adams frustration over his present life and regret over his past was palatable to this reader. Adam’s life of one night stands and endless travel as he sings for his living from one joint to another was poignantly rendered by Ms. Howell in the opening pages.  I felt Adam’s sorrow and regret, for crushing Stacey’s love for him by walking away with no explanation.  Adam’s memory of Stacey is a tune of longing that plays over and over in his mind.  He longs to return home and perhaps recapture what he lost and at this point in the story I was rooting for him to get going.  Life is full of magical moments.  We call it coincidence or serendipity.  Whether it’s serendipity or the magic of Adam’s music, Stacey has returned home as well but not to stay.  In the magic of the melody of Ms. Howell’s story it is believable.  Stacey is no longer the young girl with the battered heart, but an accomplished lawyer who wants answers.  I understood her desire to get even with the boy who had broken her heart.  Been there.  Her quick realization that her love for the boy flames still, kept me racing to read this story’s ending.  I liked the way Adam’s secret magical ability is revealed.  Stacey’s appalled reaction is authentic but her subsequent flight to Adam’s side is too. Yes, there is sex in this sweet offering that was totally fitting. There is only one misstep in the entire novella.  Of all things, the very last line of the story.  I wanted that last line to sing of the characters’ happiness, but it fell awkwardly flat.  However, despite this one false note, Ms. Howell’s novella still sang to me.  It will to you too.

Justine

Book Description:

If I knew then, what I know now

I’d like to think I’d choose a different way to go

But, my mistakes have paved the way

Down this dark and lonely, dead-end road

Poised on a stool in a corner of yet another bar, in front of a crowd of maybe fifty, the harmonies he played reached out to those around him. The rhythms in his head stirred his heart. For a man of magic, a sorcerer with powers he had never asked for, his musical talents were sung spells.  They were his weapon of defense against loneliness, bringing people to him like a siren’s song.  Yet, for the most part, he let his music haunt the deeper needs of those who listened—letting musical phrasings stir wants unnamed or purposely forgotten. Although he felt but a living and breathing jukebox, these strangers who came to see him play were the only lives he could touch. He reached out to them with his songs.

That is until one night one of Adam’s songs lures him back toward his hometown, and he calls out for Stacey, the one he was forced to leave behind all those years ago. Only this time she wants answers as to why he left, and maybe a bit of revenge for the heart he destroyed.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

I wrote The Sorcerer’s Songs using my husband’s song lyrics to create the plot. It was a lot of fun to write, and a great writing exercise! I think I was so inspired by his music that the story practically wrote itself.   The Senior Editor who accepted the story wrote these wonderful words about it… ”I also want to note that you write about magick with a heart and understanding that’s pretty rare.  There’s a ritual feel to the music performance in your story.” Click Here to listen to the song that inspired the story called “The Road” I am just so excited, and so grateful to my husband, Steven Howell, for letting me use his music!

Genres: Contemporary, Paranormal (Sorcerer), Sensual Romance

Adult Content Warnings: While this is a sweet romance, it is still intended for those over 18 years of age.

Buy The Sorcerer’s Song at Fido Publishing

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