Romance Book Review: Clockworks and Corsets

Author: Regina Riley
ISBN: 978-1-61650-130-3
Genre: Erotica/ Steampunk
Publisher: Lyrical Press

[Excerpt]

I'm sure I've read Steampunk before but I had no idea what it really meant until I looked it up. After reading Clockworks and Corsets I'm now hooked. For those who haven't heard of it, according to Wikipedia "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction, frequently featuring elements of fantasy, that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used — usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England — but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date."

In Clockworks and Corsets, author Regina Riley takes her readers back to 1865. President Abraham Lincoln has just been assassinated and speculation has it rumored that an mad scientist is part to blame. But hungry for power Madame Ruby knows the truth. She also knows that the mad scientist has let an important item an island and she is desperate to get her hands on it.

Ruby hires Rose Madigan's airship and the crew of the Merry Widow to go to the island and retrieve the package. Ruby believes that she should never send a man to do women's work and the Merry Widow is an all woman's crew--well all women except for one delightful and very talented young cabin boy.

When the Merry Widow finally makes it to the island they face a lot of challenges and they find something on the island they never expected.

Clockworks and Corsets is a sometimes funny, sometimes sexy, sometimes over the top sexy and sometimes adventurous romance featuring a great cast of characters with fun dialog and an interesting story line. For those who aren't used to this era of historical and like regency adventure stories this is one to check out. For those who generally aren't interested in historicals, but like good erotic adventures this one is a good choice. I really appreciate a short novel that can be considered erotic, but can still fill its pages with more than sex.

Description:

Clockwork, steam and secrets power a passionate adventure in the skies.

Everybody's looking for something.

Captain Rose Madigan of the airship The Merry Widow is looking for a paying job for her all-female crew. Gabriella Upstairs, her newest recruit, is looking for a reason to be glad she's on board. And Madam Ruby of the Red House Bordello is looking for the secret laboratory of a missing mad scientist--and is willing to hire the airship. When they find the lab and its single occupant, Atom Loquacious, danger and passion start steaming up.

Everybody's got a secret.

Captain Rose is secretly too ethical to complete this job. Gabriella's secretly attracted to Atom. Madam Ruby's secretly hungry for power. And the secret Atom is hiding might just threaten the lives of everyone on board.

Romance Book Review: Moonlight Ménage

Author: Stephanie Julian
Series Connection: Lucani Lovers
ISBN: 9781419927485
Genre: Paranormal/ Pyschic/ Werewolves/ Witches/ Magic/ Ménage
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing

[Excerpt]

  

Since they were teens, Duke, Nic and Tira knew that they wanted to be together, but everything changes one day when Tira comes into her powers and sees Nic's future with just a touch. When all she can see is his death everytime she gets her hands on him, she breaks off Tira breaks off her relationship with Nic and Duke and for years they live apart.

Tira knows she's been a coward all these years. She has never been able to be with the two men she loves. When Nic is nearly killed she realizes that she needs to make a change so that she can be with them. If she renounces her power she can have the men she loves, but can she live with that decision?

This is the second story in the Lucani Lover's series. It would probably be a good idea to read the first in the series before this one, because the author creates a whole new world using a lot of names for different beings and creatures in the book. For example instead of using humans, she says Eteri which she describes as an Etruscan for foreigner, used to describe regular humans.

I found the book a little distracting because there were a lot of these words throughout the book. Other than that, the book's general theme was well versed. I loved the heroine and the two heros in the story, even if they do spend a lot of time getting their butts kicked. The bedroom scenes were hot. It will be interesting to see where Stephanie Julian goes with the next story in the series.

Description:
Book Two in the Lucani Lovers series.

For eight years, Etruscan witch Tira Belludi has longed to give herself, body and soul, to the two shifter men who hold her heart. But visions of death and fears for her sanity have forced her to keep her distance.

Nic Rocca and Duke Ducati are brothers in every way but blood and partners who have each other’s backs. They share a home, a job and had planned to share their life with Tira between them…until the night she saw their future and built a fortress around her heart.

Now danger and death stalk Nic and Duke. And Tira must make a choice—grab love while she has the chance, or watch Nic die from afar and lose Duke forever. 

Romance Byte: The Perfect Poison

Author: Amanda Quick
Series Connection: Arcane Society
ISBN: 978-0399155802
Genre: Paranormal/ Psychic
Publisher: Putnam Adult
First time in Paperback


Purchase this book here:
The Perfect Poison (Arcane Society, Book 6)

Description:
Plagued by rumors that she poisoned her fiancé, Lucinda Bromley manages to live on the fringes of polite society, tending her beloved plants—and occasionally consulting on a murder investigation. For the notorious botanist possesses a unique talent: she can detect almost any type of poison, especially ones that have their origins in the botanical kingdom.

But the death of a lord has shaken Lucinda to her core. At the murder scene, she picks up traces of a poison containing a very rare species of fern. So rare, in fact, that only one specimen exists in all of England—and it was stolen from her conservatory just last month. To keep her name out of the investigation and to find the murderer, Lucinda hires a fellow Arcane Society member. Caleb Jones runs a psychical investigation agency. A descendant of the founder of the Society, he is very good at protecting its secrets—and frighteningly good getting at the truth. Immediately, Lucinda senses both a raw power and undeniable intensity in the imposing man.

But as a nearly overwhelming desire blooms between Caleb and Lucinda, they are drawn into the dark heart of a deadly conspiracy that can be traced to the early days of the Arcane Society—and to a legacy of madness that could plunge Caleb into the depths of his own tortured soul...

Romance Book Review: Wolf Games

Author: Vivian Arend
Series Connection: Granite Lake Wolves
ISBN: 978-1-60504-968-7
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Werewolf
Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Mistreated by her previous pack, Maggie denies her wolf for seven years keeping in her human form and staying far away from any other wolf shifters. It isn't until she begins to feel ill that her sister, Missy, finally convinces Maggie to come and stay with her in Missy's new pack. When she meets Erik, Maggie knows that he is her mate, but can she give herself to him when all is not right in her world?

Erik is the beta of his pack and is considered the gentle giant. When he meets Maggie he is elated that he has finally met his mate. He knows Maggie has been through a lot and is willing to give her time, but when her name is picked at random for the "Wolf Games", along with his, he knows he needs to protect and help his mate where he can.

Wolf Games is a fun spin off of the Olympic Games. The participants take on several challenges and the readers get to go along on their journey. All along Maggie learns to trust the wolves around her and build on the inner strength she's always possessed. Although this is part of a series readers can enjoy the book without reading the other editions, but it sounds like the other books will let readers get to know other characters in the story.


Description: 
True love’s path never did run smooth.

After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt. Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Erik expected to meet Maggie in Whitehorse to escort her to the home of her sister, his pack’s Omega. Sheer chance puts him in the right place at the right time to catch her, but the realization that hits him with the force of a full body shot is no accident. She’s his mate. An even bigger shock? She wants no part of him—not until she resolves her issues.

She’ll have to work fast, because they’re both selected to represent the pack during the premier sporting event for wolves in the north. Not only will she have to work as a team with Erik, she’ll have to face down her fear of wolves. Let the Games begin.

Warning: Contains uber-sexy werewolves of Russian descent, reluctant mates and exotic travels through the Yukon wilderness. Includes sarcasm and hot nookie under the Midnight Sun.

Romance Book Review: All Lit Up

Author: Cathryn Fox
Series Connection: Pleasure Inn
ISBN 978-1-60504-969-4
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Paranormal/ Magic
Publisher: Samhain Publishing

 Helping to redecorate an Inn, Anna is surprised to see her old high school crush and next door neighbor coming to work at the site. Anna spent her high school years in love with Daniel but after overhearing a conversation he crushed dreams and made her lose all hope in romance and meeting Prince Charming.

Daniel left his small hometown vowing never to come back, but he always knew something was missing. He knew that if he didn't go back home and claim Anna, he would never find happiness. Now he's home and lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to get her attention.

But Anna is trying hard not to get involved again. She isn't quite sure if Daniel is sincere or just looking for a fling. Can Daniel convince her his feelings are real or lose the only woman he has ever loved?

I haven't read any of the previous Pleasure Inn books before, but it wasn't really necessary. While the stories are linked they are pretty individual. Anna and Daniel are perfect for each other. Daniel's sincere nervousness was well played through the story. This is a wonderful love story.

Description:
Rebuilding the fire—one kiss at a time.

When interior designer Anna Deveau is hired to create a room made for romance at a Victorian inn, she is thrilled—and a little wistful. A fairy-tale ending will never be hers, but perhaps tapping into abandoned dreams will fan the flames for someone else.

Then she learns the only bricklayer available to build the room's fireplace is Daniel Long. The sexy boy-next-door who filled her teen years with angst, broke her heart—and still colors her nights with red-hot fantasies.

Daniel never understood why Anna stopped talking to him a week before her sweet-sixteen party. Or why the wall between them remains a mile high. But now that he's back in town, he intends to figure it out once and for all. Pushing the limits of her seductive design, he sets out to prove he didn't burn her in the past.

Anna finds herself doing the one thing she swore she'd never do again: laying herself bare. Until the ghost of rumors past threatens to snuff out the fiery fantasy that, this time, Anna thought was real...

Warning: Years of sinful fantasies about the sexy boy-next-door lead to a night of wild indulgence. Be sure to keep a bevy of toys on hand when reading this tale, or better yet, get a boy-next-door of your own.

Romance Book Review: Taryn's Wolf

Author: Marisa Chenery
Series Connection: Wulf's Den
ISBN:  978-1-59578-474-2
Genre: Paranormal/ Shifter/ Werewolf
Publisher:  Liquid Silver Books

 

In her continuation to the Wulf's Den series, Marisa Chenery tells Beowulf's brother, Wade's, story. Wade has been living with Beowulf and Roxie for a while now and getting lonely thinking of his long life alone without a mate when he enter Wulf's Den and gets a whif of something sweet smelling. Following his instincts leads him to Taryn, the human that is to be his mate. Taryn has been to Wulf's Den to try to interest Beowulf in purchasing the wine she makes from her winery. Wade's first encounter with Taryn doesn't go too well, but that doesn't stop him from chasing after her back to her winery and convincing her that they are perfect for each other.

Taryn can't believe that someone as gorgeous as Wade would be interested in her, but she has other things to worry about. It is harvest season and for some reason suddenly she can't enough workers to help out at the winery. Not to mention that suddenly wild wolves have been hanging out around her property.

Taryn's Wolf is a nice second edition to the series. This is a series that the author recommends is read in order and so far I have to agree. In the first book readers are introduced to Roxie and her new found abilitites. This book Roxie is back and learning more about her skills as the one that the wolf prophecy says will unite all the wolf packs together. The next book in the series is called Seducing the Wolf.

Description:
Having inherited her uncle's winery, Taryn Davies goes to Wulf's Den hoping to sell her wines to Beowulf, the owner. While there, she meets Wade, Beowulf's brother. Even though she is instantly attracted to him, her past makes it hard for her to accept his advances.

Catching a whiff of Taryn's lingering scent inside Wulf's Den, Wade is determined to make her his. But when their first meeting doesn't go as he would have liked, Wade follows Taryn to her winery, The Pines.

As Wade tries to win Taryn over, he has to find a way to explain that he is a werewolf. Little does he know another werewolf has Taryn in his sights, one who means her no good.

Romance Byte: Beyond the Darkness

Author: Alexandra Ivy

Series Connection: Guardians of Eternity


ISBN: 978-1-4201-0298-7


Genre: Paranormal/ Werewolf

Pu
blisher: Zebra Paranormal

Click book title below to purchase this book:

Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Book 6)

Description:
Salvatore Giuliani is not a happy werewolf. It’s his duty as leader to track down the pureblood females who can keep his people from extinction. But the moment he catches scent of Harley, a pureblood held by a pack of mangy curs, his savage need for her obliterates all other instincts. And the only thing worse than being captured is finding that beautiful, independent Harley defiantly refuses to become his mate.

Harley has been taught to distrust all Weres, especially their arrogant king. She won’t be used for breeding or bonded against her will, not even to a man who makes every nerve tingle with awareness. Yet Salvatore is her key to saving the family she never knew she had—if she dares to succumb to his dark, predatory desire, and face a vicious enemy sworn to destroy them both…

Romance Book Review: Dangerous Lover

Author: Charlene Teglia
Series Connection: Take Me, Lover

ISBN: 978-1-60504-965-6

Genre: Erotic Romance

In the fourth book of Charlene Teglia's Take Me, Lover series readers meet waitress and soon to be CPA, Cherry. She's just been out on yet another date with Mr. Wrong and is wondering when she will stop getting her self mixed up with the wrong type of man. Making her decision to try to start dating Mr. Right, Cherry mets a nice normal fireman.

But does she really? Joe is everything she is looking for in Mr. Right. A dependable hero. The only problem is when he picks her up for their first date on his Harley and the tattoo on his arm point to the oh so Mr. Wrong. What can she do? Joe is so hot she can't think of letting him go just yet. Taking a chance Cherry hopes that Joe turns out to be the Mr. Right she's been looking for.

It isn't necessary to read the other books in this series to read this one. Each book is an individual story.  As a straight erotic romance, this book has it all. The author does attempt to write in a little more of a story line, but runs out of time before she can tell the story. This is nice novella that would be made even better if it were possible to here more of the back story. 

Description:

The heat is on…

Just a few more weeks and accounting student Cherry Harris will officially get her master’s degree and kiss her pink waitress uniform goodbye. 

There’s something else she’d like to make official, too—no more bad boys.Tired of getting burned, she’s determined that from now on, it’s nice guys or nothing. What could be nicer than a firefighter rescuing a kitten from a tree? 

Joe Deluca looks like the perfect way to break her romantic destructive pattern.

Perfect melts like ice cream on a hot day when Cherry finds out that when Joe’s not in uniform, he rides a motorcycle and wears a leather jacket over his tattoos. Is he a nice guy, a bad boy, or the man who’s just right for her?

The five-alarm passion Joe inspires proves an irresistible temptation, but Cherry’s determined to guard her heart if not her body. Until a firebug leads them both into danger and Cherry is forced to admit her heart’s been in jeopardy from the beginning…

Warning: Contains a sexy firefighter and burning-up-the-sheets sex scenes that use ALL the words. May induce Harley-Davidson motorcycle fantasies you should not attempt on a moving vehicle.

Lucy Monroe's Reader at Home Conference

For those of you, like me, who can't make it to the Romantic Times Conference next month but want a taste of the action, check out Lucy Monroe's blog for details on her solution. Lucy is working on a Reader at Home Conference.

She has worked out details with several other author and invited them to participate. For more details check out Lucy's blog.

Click her to view Lucy Monroe's Blog

Romance Byte: The Cowboy's Courtship

Author: Brenda Minton
ISBN: 9780373875863
Genre: Inspirational
Publisher: Steeple Hill--Love Inspired

Purchase a copy of this book here

Description:
Concert pianist Alyson Anderson comes to Dawson, Oklahoma, searching for a place to hide. She needs to escape the spotlight and come to terms with her fiancé's betrayal and a bombshell family secret. What she finds is her free-spirited grandmother and a host of kind strangers who give her a sense of belonging she's never known. And then there's Jason Bradshaw, a charming bull rider on the mend. At a crossroads in his own life, he's willing to teach Alyson about faith—and love—if she'll let him. But would opening her heart mean sacrificing her newfound freedom and independence?

Other books by Brenda Minton:
Jenna's Cowboy Hero
Former football player Adam Mackenzie arrives in small-town Oklahoma to fix up a camp for underprivileged kids. But the city slicker doesn't know horse tack from a touchdown. He's desperate for help—and the pretty rancher next door is the answer to his prayers. War vet Jenna is back home after a stint in Iraq, and she's got a five-year plan: raising her twin boys, running her ranch—and not falling in love. But she can't say no to gorgeous and kind Adam. Can he make her forget all her plans and open her heart to love?

Rekindled Hearts
All Lexi Harmon wants is to be married--to her ex-husband. When a tornado traps them together, she prays they have a chance at life AND love again. But embittered police officer Colt Ridgeway believes he can't give Lexi what she really wants--children and security. As they work side by side to rebuild High Plains, Lexi holds out hope that their marriage can be rebuilt, too, one piece at a time.

Romance Book Review: Born To Be Wild

Author: Christine Warren
Series Connection: The Others
ISBN: 978-0-312-35719-1
Genre: Paranormal/ Shapeshifter/ Romance/ Werelion
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

[Excerpt]

Click here to purchase this book

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In her latest installment of her Others Series, Christine Warren turns her series to the town of Stone Creek, Oregon where most of the town is made up of Others. Members of the local wolf pack are turning up sick. This is leaving Josie Barrett confused because she had always thought that nothing as simple as a virus could cause harm to the local werewolf community. When Sheriff Eli Pace, who is a were-lion, brings in an injured and ill wolf Josie realizes right away this isn't an ordinary wolf, but a shifter and one that is very ill. When the wolf's mate shows up it isn't too long before he turns out to be ill as well and an epidemic starts.

It is up to Eli and Josie to figure out what is going on with the wolves and to stop it before it spreads through the Lupine community.

This is the first book by Christine Warren that I've read and I'm hooked. Josie is a wonderful character filled with wit and charm. Her strong will, along with her sweet nature pulls the reader in to see what the Veterinarian will say next. Eli is the perfect partner for Josie. He is strong and sexy, which doesn't hurt during so very hot bedroom scenes. He is an alpha male, who can't deny Josie anything. Of course if she gets hurt, he going to beat her butt until it's red.

The mystery to the story keeps readers guessing to the end to see if they can identify the mad scientist who has created the deadly virus. It is not necessary to read the other Others books before reading this one, although when your done you may decide to read the other books by Christine Warren.

Description:
Josie Barrett brings out the animal in men. Literally. As the local veterinarian in a town that’s approximately seventy percent Others—mostly shapeshifters—Josie deals with beastly situations all the time. It’s practically part of her job description. But when the werewolves of Stone Creek, Oregon, start turning downright feral, Josie smells a rat—among other, more dangerous critter.

Teaming up with the ferociously sexy Eli Pace, a full-time sheriff and part-time were-lion, Josie tries to contain the shapeshifting problem before it spreads like a virus. But when more shifters get infected—and stuck in their animal forms—the fur really begins to fly. Josie and Eli have to find the cause, fast, before the whole town goes to the dogs. But first, they have to wrestle with a few animal urges of their own.

Romance Book Review: Kaydana and The Dragon Prince

Author: Nyki Blatchley
Series Connection: Kaydana
ISBN: 978-1-61650-133-4
Genre: Erotica/ Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Press

[Excerpt]

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To give readers a taste of what to expect when they open the pages of Nyki Blatchley's latest in her Kaydana series here is the description in the front of the book read: "This title contains the following: explicit sex - mf, ff, fff, graphic language, sub/dom, human/shapeshifter sex." All that is a short novella. Obviously if you enjoy quick read erotic romance this will be a book you'll enjoy.

The series features, Kaydana, a sorceress moving from place to place and coming into contact with a variety of people and situations. In Kaydana and the Dragon Prince, Kaydana is walking through a city one day when the people learn that their Princess has been kidnapped by a dragon. A fierce female warrior comes forward when all the other warrior refuse and says she will rescue the princess.

Teaming up with warrior, Kaydana goes on a journey to help find the missing princess. Finding the dragons who took the princess, Kaydana meets the dragon prince and falls in love with him, but can she stay with him and leave the human world?

For those looking for a fantasy erotic romance this book has a little of everything. Nyki Blatchley knows her craft and does a descent job putting a story together. I would have wished for a bit more embellishing on the plot and showing more of a relationship between the dragon price and Kaydana.

Description:
It takes a dragon to rescue a princess

After Princess Atto is kidnapped, the king offers her hand in marriage to the one who rescues her. Mercenary Tela needs the magical aid of sorceress Kaydana to help save her lover.

But when they find the dragon who kidnapped Atto, things take an unexpected turn. Kaydana is equal to most of the challenges she must face -- but how does she cope with being in love? l

About the Author from the back of her book:
I’ve enjoyed immensely writing this fourth story about Kaydana, and I’m sure that Kaydana
has enjoyed herself even more. When I started the series—it seems an impossibly long time ago now, although it’s only a couple of years—my idea was to write stories firmly within the sword & amp; sorcery tradition, but with the added element of thoroughly exploring the main character’s sexuality. In the early stories, it took Kaydana to some very dark places, but with this tale, as she gains more control of her desires, a lot more fun has crept in among the adventure and drama.


Kaydana and I hope you’ve had as much fun reading this book as we’ve had creating it.

Romance Book Review: I Love Rock N Roll

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Bodyguards in Love
ISBN: 978-0-85715-049-3
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Publisher: Total-E-Bound

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When rock star Keifer/Jimmy starts getting threatening letters from an obsessed fan, Archer is sent to be his bodyguard. Although Archer is attracted to Keifer, he keeps his distance because he's had experience with long distance relationship before. With both his and Keifer's jobs, Archer knows there isn't a chance. He knows himself well enough and he can't just jump into a relationship without giving his heart.

As a rock star Keifer has kept his sexuality a secret for 15 years. Now he's decided it is time the world knew who he really is. Opening himself up to his new life, he hopes that he can draw the attention of the one man he is attracted to--Archer. First he has to break past the wall Archer has put around himself.

I Love Rock N Roll is the third in the Bodyguards in Love series. (A spin off of the Men in Love series). In this series Carol Lynne has added a little bit of suspense and mystery to her m/m romance love stories. Carol Lynne continues to show her understanding of the gay world and write sensitive interesting stories on the subject.

Description:
Rock star, Keifer Zane’s homosexuality was leaked to the tabloids by ‘inside sources’. With the news of his sexual preference came threats and love-sick stalkers. In need of a bodyguard, Keifer’s manager hires Archer Adams, a man that is anything but a rock fan.

Archer enjoys the quiet life. Relaxing at his dessert home and listening to the blues are his idea of heaven. Traveling around the country on a bus, pretending to be a rock stars boy-toy, hell. Despite the loud music and long hours on the road, Archer actually likes Keifer. When disturbing gifts begin showing up in Keifer’s private spaces, Archer’s protective instincts kick in.

With their lives being played out in front of thousands of screaming fans, will the bodyguard and the rock star be able to see beyond the limelight to what is real?

Romance Byte: The Cost of Love

Author: Drue Allen
ISBN 13: 9781594148675
Genre: Romantic Thiller
Publisher: Five Star Expressions

Click here to purchase this book


Description:
National security comes at a price.

Dean Dreiser learned that lesson long ago. Now domestic terrorists are testing a biological weapon in southern New Mexico, and Dean is forced to take a new partner--Dr. Lucinda Brown. Lucy is the leading expert in molecular biology, but she has no field experience. Separately they don’t stand a chance against what dominates the night skies of Roswell, New Mexico. Together they can do more than survive. They can do their jobs in spite of the scariest thing to crawl out of Roswell since 1947.

The terrorists are willing to kill thousands in order to trigger the fall of the two party system and usher in a new political dawn. Lucy tracks the genetic print of the weapon while Dean hunts the insurgents. As fate hurtles them across the desert toward a final showdown, Dean will be forced to decide between national security and Lucinda Brown. He knows which he has to choose and curses himself for hesitating. Dean Dreiser can’t afford The Cost of Love.

Romance Book Review: The New Breed

Author: Jaden Sinclair
Series Connection: Shifter 6: The New Breed
ISBN: ISSN 1555 - 5488 Vol. 310-12SE
Genre: Paranormal/ Werewolf/ Shifter
Publisher: Midnight Showcase

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In her sixth installment to her Shifter series Jaden Sinclair tells the story of Kane and his mate Jada.

Kane and his twin sister Sasha spent their life being brutally tortured. Finally they are rescued by their parents and the other shifter from the previous series.

Now home and starting readjust to their new life, the siblings have kept away from their torturers for three years.

Jada has been on the run for three years. She helped in the rescue of Kane and Sasha, but before she left the lab where the siblings were being held, she took some valuable information that someone would kill for to get back.

Only trying to help and protect Jada , Kane's family brings her back to their home. Jada wasn't happy to have the help. In fact she spends much of the book telling everyone who will listen that she doesn't want to be with Kane and his family. When Kane realizes that Jada is his mate and claims her, Jada is even less happy. She spends much of her time trying to run away from Kane.

While the basic story line was pretty well done, I was not impressed with Jada's character. I realize she had a hard upbringing, and she felt the need to fight, but her fight went on too long as far as I could see.

For readers who like shifter series, this is a decent series in itself. The theme is on the dark side. In order to understand this book, it would be a good idea to see the rest of the series.

Description:
Kane is a one of a kind shifter. He’s more animal than man. Tortured all his life, beaten and experimented on. He has very little tolerance for anyone, except for his twin sister.

Jada Leonard is a woman who never followed anyone’s rules but her own, but those rules change when she is caught spying and taking information. To save her life she is forced into hiding and forced to follow rules.

Like a match to gas, these two ignite a fire of passion. Both are strong willed and both refuse to bend. Will Kane give in to his instincts and take what belongs to him? Or will Jada be the one to make the new breed bow down, showing him that he’s more than just an animal inside?

Romance Byte: The Hellion and the Highlander

Author: Lynsay Sands
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-134479-4
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Avon

Click here to purchase this book


Description from Publisher:
Once again, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynsay Sands displays another side of her extraordinary talent with The Hellion and the Highlander, a sensuous and wonderfully witty love story set in the breathtaking countryside of Scotland. The tremendously popular author of the Argeneau paranormal vampire romance series, Sands is equally adept at historical romance, as she demonstrates in her third Highland romp, perfect for fans of Julie Garwood, Jill Barnett, and Teresa Medieros—and a delightful companion to her own Devil of the Highlands and Taming the Highland Bride.

Book Description:
Only one man could set her heart ablaze . . .

Lady Averill Mortagne learned to control her fierce temper as a young girl. But if her father insists on parading her before one more English lord who looks askance at her flame-colored hair, she'll simply scream! Her only respite is the time she spends with Kade Stewart, the wounded Scot her brother brought home from the Crusades. Who could have imagined a Highland warrior would be the only gentleman around?

Lady Averill helped save his life, and for that Kade is truly grateful. She is also almost unbearably beautiful, but he could never subject such a sweet and gentle lady to the rough life of a Stewart laird's bride . . . or could he? When she braves an unexpected danger by his side, Averill will prove to Kade that her heart is as fiery as her hair . . . and that submitting to their scorching passion would be heaven indeed.

Romance Byte: Darker Than Love

Author: Kristina Lloyd
ISBN-13: 978-0352332790
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Virgin Black Lace

Click here to purchase a copy of this book


Description:
Set in Victorian England, the depraved and jealous Lord Marldon imprisons his fiancé and her Italian lover in his opulent London mansion. Young and beautiful Clarissa Longleigh is visiting London for the first time. She is eager to meet Lord Marldon, the man to whom she is promised.

Description from the Author's blog:
"Darker Than Love is my first erotic novel and one of Black Lace’s bestselling historicals. It’s set in Victorian London and is deliciously dark, gothic and kinky," Kristina Lloyd said.

Clarissa is set to marry Lord Marldon, the depraved and gleefully cruel earl to whom she’s been promised. When her friends try to scupper the proposed marriage, Clarissa, oblivious to their plan, falls in love with Gabriel, a beautiful Italian artist. Marldon hears of the blossoming relationship and kidnaps Clarissa, imprisoning her in his Piccadilly mansion and subjecting her to his darkest desires. When Gabriel attempts a rescue, he too is taken captive and the young lovers find themselves at the mercy of the debauched lord.

Excerpt
He touched his fingertips to her cheek, turning her gently to meet his gaze. She looked at him steadily. His lips were set in an arrogant half-sneer, and his black inky eyes glittered with callous joy. She saw in that expression how sure he was of his hold over her, of his ability to master her, body and soul.

‘You see, in your innocence you think love the greater force,’ he said softly. ‘And, true enough, it binds many couples. Although there are plenty who do not even have that. But as man and wife, Clarissa, you and I will be bound by something so much darker than love, so much stronger.’

Romance Byte: The Wild Marquis

Author: Miranda Neville
Series Connection: The Burgundy Club
ISBN-13: 978-0061808708
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Avon

Click here to purchase this book


[Excerpt]

Description:
The first book in the Burgundy Club series featuring Regency rare book collectors

The Marquis of Chase is not a reputable man.

He is notorious for his wretched morals and never received in respectable houses. The ladies of the ton would never allow him in their drawing rooms . . . though some of them have welcomed him into their bedchambers. Rejected from his father’s house at the age of sixteen, he now lives a life of wanton pleasure. So what could the Marquis of Chase possibly want with Juliana Merton, a lovely, perfectly upstanding shopkeeper with a mysterious past?

A moment’s indiscretion?

A night’s passion?

Or a lifetime of love?

Even the wildest rakes have their weaknesses . . .

Currently Reading

Check out Keta Diablo's Blog

Keta Diablo's blog "The Stuff of Myth and Men" is definitely a blog romance readers who like a whole lot of sexy men will want to check out.

Keta has the site filled with information about her books, excerpts and lots of details on how you can get a hold of a copy. Plus she has links to other sites that readers may find interesting.

http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com/

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Romance Byte: Secrets of a Scandalous Bride

Author: Sophia Nash
ISBN: 978-0061493300
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Avon

Click here to purchase this book

Description:
Elizabeth Ashburton lives behind a charming, happy façade in an effort to forget her former life. But when she is forced to confront the devil from her past, her friends in the dowager duchess’s widows club can not save her, and Elizabeth turns to the last man on earth willing to help her…

The extraordinarily powerful Rowland Manning has never pretended to be anything but a bastard, in every way imaginable. Through innate grit and determination, he built an astonishing empire and he’ll do anything and everything to save it. Yet, the one thing he secretly craves . . . something even he cannot name, can never be purchased with his kingdom of riches.

Each has something to win. Each has something to lose. Only love will determine if the price of redemption and sacrifice is too high.

About the Author from her Website:
ophia Nash was born in Switzerland, raised in France and the United States, but says her heart resides in Regency England. Her ancestor, an infamous French admiral who traded epic cannon fire with the British Royal Navy, is surely turning in his grave.

She is very sorry to say that she does not have a Master’s Degree in English literature, nor a PhD in English history, although she wishes she did. She has a mere Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, which is worthless when it comes to writing Historicals. Although she does admit, it helped tremendously when she was an award-winning Producer/Writer for PM Magazine and the CBS/WTVJ-Miami news division, and again when she produced live international programs for the European Division of Worldnet Television.

Her career-checkered past also includes a stint on Capitol Hill where she was a congressional speech writer, Press Secretary and later a congressional liaison for the United States Information Agency. And to completely confound readers of her resume, she was the Executive Director of the non-profit Washington International Horse Show for almost a decade, coming full circle with her childhood days of competing on the west coast junior equestrian circuit.

It came as little surprise to her family when she decided to focus on writing in 2000. An avid reader like her beloved father she was enchanted by the idea of a job that required reading and writing all day long. Plus there were added benefits: pajama dress code, ultimate authority over a make-believe world without being confined to a padded cell, and the ultimate “career” to trot out at almost any gathering, but alas, none of the millions à la J.K. Rowling.

Her first writing effort, A Secret Passion, was a finalist for a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. The final judge, an editor for Signet/Penguin Putnam purchased the manuscript and a new career was born.

Sophia Nash’s first three novels have won eight national awards including the prestigious RITA Award (A Passionate Endeavor) and a spot on the American Library Association/Booklist’s “Top Ten Romances of the Year” (Lord Will & Her Grace.) She is currently writing Regency-set Historicals for Avon/Harper Collins.

Romance Book Review: Lake Magic

Author: Kimberly Fisk
ISBN-13: 978-0425232026
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley

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In her debut novel, Lake Magic, Kimberly Fisk brings readers a sweet romance about two wonderful characters. Jenny is a young woman who is struggling to make a success of her dead fiancé's business dream and failing miserably. Jared enters her life and turns her world upside down. She never expected to like the arrogant man, much less, fall in love with him.

Jared has one goal in mind when he meets Jenny. He wants to get the money she and her fiancé borrowed off him to get their business started. He will do anything to get it. He knows she can get her hands on the money, she's just too stubborn to ask for it.

Throughout the story, readers get to learn about Jenny and Jared's lives and the traumas that have made them both weary of getting involved in each other's lives. As well as meet Jenny's family filled with over achievers. The third person story is told from Jenny, Jared and Jenny's sister Anna's point of view.

Kimberly Fisk has done a nice job at crafting her first published novel. Readers who enjoy sweet romance, who involves a story of family, arrogant men and nice a girl next door types this is a story to check out.

Description:
After the sudden loss of her fiancé, Steven, Jenny Beckinsale has more than a broken heart to deal with—she’s also facing too many financial surprises over Blue Sky, the fledgling seaplane service she and Steven built. Too late she’s discovered Steven was in over his head, and deeply in debt to his best friend and fellow Navy pilot Jared Worth. The sexy, cynical Top Gun demands his money back now. He doesn’t care what will happen to Jenny or her small town dreams of success.

But Jenny has a few surprises of her own, including a way out of her predicament—she’ll force this steel-eyed flyboy into service for Blue Sky. It’s the only way Jared will ever see a dime. But as the summer fades, these two lost souls will discover they’re saving more than a business…they’re saving each other.

Romance Book Review: Wulf's Den-Beowulf and Roxie

Author: Marisa Chenery
Series Connection: Wulf Den
ISBN: 978-1-59578-422-3
Genre: Werewolf/ Shapeshift/ Urban Legend/ Paranormal
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

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I'm on one of my series reading binges again. While reading Marisa Chenery's Jinx and Her Werewolf I started checking out Marisa's website (http://www.marisachenery.com) and found a series that looked interesting. The Wulf Den series features five books, plus one the author started as a spin off series.

After seeing Marisa's website I realized I actually purchased a couple of the books from the series a while back, but never got a chance to read the book. (Yes I do that a lot more than I should. I have a box and a computer full of books I haven't had a chance to read.) What originally sparked my interest in Beowulf and Roxie, the first book in the series, was the title and that the story held the theme of the 1,400 year old story of Beowulf and Grendel. Most will remember the story from high school readings. At the time I purchased Beowulf and Roxie my son was doing a report on the original story of Beowulf poem.

In this version of the ancient story, Marisa has created two long, and I mean long, time rivals. Beowulf and Gren. Both characters are immortal and have lived through the centuries evenly matched and hating each other. As in the original poem, Grendel hates Beowulf because Beowulf killed Grendel's mother. Aside from reveling that Beowulf and Grendel are one and the same from the original characters in the favorite poem, there really is no other similarities.

This Beowulf and Gren are werewolves. Beowulf owns a night club in San Francisco called Wulf Den. One night Beowulf's mortal mate steps into his club. Roxie is everything he wants in a mate and falls instantly in love with her. Gren sees this as a chance to get even with Beowulf and decides to go after Roxie. But Roxie has a few surprises of her own.

So far the first book has sparked my interest in this series. I liked both Roxie and Beowulf's characters. Roxie certainly shows she can be a kick butt, take no prisoners kind of girl.

The next book in the series is: Taryn's Wolf. I'll be getting to it shortly, but as usual there are other books I'm plugging my way through first.

Description:
When Roxie and her friend, Candice, decided on a girls' night out she didn't realize the Wulf's Den would be more than she had anticipated. But Roxie soon learned to expect anything. The presence of a super-abundance of super good looking men surprised her and when the best of the bunch stared at her as if he wanted to devour her, surprise turned to amazement.

Beouwlf recognized her as his mate the instant she crossed his path and her scent filled his lungs. But he had to overcome one hurdle. She was not one of his kind--a werewolf. He had waited for years to find his mate and he would claim her even if she was a mortal. He would soon teach her all about werewolves.

Roxie is caught up in strange events. Archaic markings appear on her wrist, and strong forces threaten to tear her away from her love as two other male werewolves try to claim her as their own. Would Roxie and Beowulf be able to keep the bond love had forged or would they lose each other forever?

Romance Byte: In Bed With The Duke

Author: Christina Dodd
ISBN: 978-0451229335
Genre: Historical/ Regency Romance
Publisher: Signet

Click Here To Purchase This Book


Description:
Demure lady's companion Emma Chegwidden never defies society’s rules. Until the night she runs straight into the arms of the mysterious and menacing Reaper . . . a man who rides the night-shadowed countryside and conceals his identity behind a mask. His goal is justice . . . or is it vengeance? Only one thing is certain: nothing will stop him from his dark purpose.

Michael Durant, long-lost heir to the duke of Nevitt, has a score to settle. Cynical, dangerous and ruthless, Michael is the last man on earth that sensible Emma should defy. But some challenges are too tempting to resist . . . and some passions too fierce to ignore. Soon Michael discovers in Emma the woman he has always longed for . . . a woman whose beauty and courage reach through to his tortured soul . . . and he will defy anything, even fate itself, to claim her . .

About Christina Dodd from her Website:
Readers become writers, and Christina Dodd has always been a reader. As she was growing up, she read everything, but discovered, because she liked humor, that she liked romance best. In romance, the relationship between one man and one woman holds center stage, and that’s always good for a laugh.

A woman wants things like world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants things like a Craftsman router with attachments, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will miraculously make his bald spot disappear.

So while Christina was working as a draftsman, she would read during the lunch hour, go back to work to design a sawmill, and plot the conclusion of the story in her mind. The book never ended like that, and she liked her endings better. When her first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to quit work and write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?

Quite a bit, it seemed. It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before her first novel, CANDLE IN THE WINDOW, was published.

Romance Byte: Love Under Cover

Author: Jessica Brody
ISBN: 978-0-312-38364-0
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Mystery/ Romantic Comedy
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

[Excerpt]

See the book trailer here

Purchase this book here

Description:
In her job, she's an expert on men.

In her own relationship, she doesn't have a clue...

Jennifer Hunter never saw herself as the relationship type. After all, she’d spent the last two years of her life as an undercover fidelity inspector, hired to test men’s faithfulness—not exactly the kind of job that lends itself to intimacy. But when Jamie Richards walked into her life, everything changed, and Jennifer vowed to trade in her undercover lifestyle for something more normal.

That’s why she formed the Hawthorne Agency: Five full-time fidelity inspectors, hired to carry out Jennifer’s mission while she manages the process from a safe (relationship-saving) distance. But a surprise proposal from Jamie leaves her wondering if the “normal” life is really meant for her. Can a former fidelity inspector who’s seen nothing but failed marriages ever come to terms with tying the knot herself? And when she receives a frantic phone call from one of her employees in trouble, she’s faced with a choice: fulfill her obligation to the client who needs her or honor her promise to the man she loves.

Antioch (CA) author releases first Christian romance

Here is an article I wrote about a local romance author last week on her new Christian romance release. For the Contra Costa Times

In 2000 a local pharmacist decided she wanted to write a historical romance that took place in her hometown.

"I wanted the story to take place in a small California town, and since I lived here and knew the area, I decided what better place to set my story around," Sundin said, a 17-year resident of Antioch.
Sundin's book is set during World War II. She said that she completed a lot of research by going to the library and taking out books on Antioch history, as well as reading old copies of the Antioch Daily Ledger.

Sundin said that the journey of writing her first novel was quite a learning experience. After initially coming up with the idea of writing the book that was at first an idea based loosely on her great-uncle's life as a B-17 pilot in World War II, she spent the first year just working on researching everything she could find out about the era.

"There was a lot of research going on and very little writing," she said.

Sundin first submitted her book to a publisher in 2003 after attending a writer's conference where she showed her book to two well-published authors. They encouraged her to send her book and her idea for a three-part series to a publisher and to get an agent. At the time she had only 12 chapters of the first book written and quickly found that publishers were only interested in finished manuscripts for first-time authors.

By 2004 she sent her completed manuscripts into publishers, but received several rejection letters because, she was told, her timing wasn't right.

It was very important to Sundin to write for the Christian audience and at the time the Christian novel market was inundated with historical romance and the industry was looking for fresh "chick-lit." Sundin's novel, even though it is written about a subject that is generally considered modern historical, was not close enough to fit the criteria of the modern women's lighthearted stories that comprise the "chick-lit" genre.

Sundin didn't give up on her idea though. While she was told it would be hard to find a publisher who would accept her historical genre at the time, she was also told her story had merit and to hold on until the market changed. It only took a couple of years for the historical novels to come back in vogue.

Sundin used her time wisely, completing research for the second and third novel in the series and writing the second to completion. By the time she signed her contract with Revell Books, a 125-year-old Christian publishing company out of Michigan, she was already working on the manuscript for the third book.

While Sundin might have been able to publish her book through a non-Christian publisher, she said she never considered the option.

"I've always wanted to keep my book in the Christian market," she said. "Other (markets) often write about despair and the Christian market has such a hopeful perspective."

While she is getting ready for her first book signing, Sundin lives a busy life, caring for her family, which includes transporting her three children to and from soccer and karate. She now works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school to fourth- and fifth-graders, as well as women's Bible studies at her church.

Her first book, "A Distant Memory," features a young woman from a wealthy family who meets a World War II pilot at a wedding just before he heads off to war. Throughout the book the two write letters back and forth as he spends time at a muddy bomber base in England and she in a mansion in an orange grove.

This Christian romance is part of a three-part series Sundin is calling "Wings of Glory." The series features three brothers, all of whom are B-17 bomber pilots with the U.S. 8th Air Force stationed in England during World War II.

Sundin said that her book will be available through Barnes & Noble in Antioch and online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Borders, Revell Books and many Christian book retailers.