Romance Book Review: Holley Trent's Calculated Exposure

Author: Holley Trent

Series Connection: Saint and Scholar

ISBN: 9781616504915

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase Link: Lyrical Press

Erica was looking for something when she visited Ireland but it wasn't a relationship with an Irishman even though one did catch her eye. Not finding the spark to make her photography better, she made her way back home to America. Since she'd been back she couldn't get her mind off of Curt, the Irishman, who just happened to live not far away from her. 

Curt didn't really need the distraction of the pretty girl he met in Ireland, but when she called him when he got back to America he couldn't resist seeing her and let her make good on the sexual promise she made him. 

One date turns into two and before they know it, the two are getting involved, but neither of them are ready for that even though they both begin to think they might want to be. In the meantime, Curt is dealing with all kinds of issues back home in Ireland and Erica is still trying to find the muse for her photography.

This story takes place a couple of years after Saints and Scholars and features Grant's former roommate Curt. Whenever Grant's roommates were brought up the stories were always about the wild and crazy antics of the three roommates. This story paints a picture of Curt as a ladies man, even though he is a bit of a nerd. So he's an unlikely hero to begin with, which just adds to his charm. 

Although she hasn't always been Erica is a spitfire that is a good match for Curt.

Description:

She went to Ireland looking for a muse, but found a mathematician instead.

Photojournalist Erica Desoto has spent five weeks in Western Europe hoping for inspiration, with just one decent photo to show for her effort. And that shot was accidental. As her sabbatical comes to a close, she’s ready to give up on her portfolio altogether.

Serial dater Curt Ryan isn’t looking for love…or even a distraction. With a PhD to finish and his family under intense scrutiny by the Irish press, he already has too much on his plate. But when his godchildren barrel into a pretty American who just happens to live a few hours from where he studies in North Carolina, a new distraction is exactly what he gets.

Back in the States, Erica and Curt initiate an incendiary no-strings-attached affair that inevitably has both questioning what they want…and what they’re willing to do to get it. Mathematician Curt risks emotion clouding his logic. For Erica, keeping her muse close may mean embracing the exact things she ran from as a young woman. Is exposing their hearts a calculated risk both are willing to take?

CONTENT WARNING: Contains Cubana snark, adult language, and explicit sex including back door loving.

Romance Book Review: Holley Trent's Saint and Scholar

Author: Holley Trent

ISBN: 9781616504687

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

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As his student eight years earlier, Carla stole his heart, even though she didn't really even know him. It was the worst time of her life right after losing her father. Grant wanted to take care of the lost girl, but knew as an assistant teacher he had to keep his hands off of her. Now he's heading back to Ireland and he can't help but take a chance and get to know her on a completely different level.

Carla barely remembers Grant, but she is sure she wants to get to know the sexy professor and acquire his help looking up her father's family tree. When Grant offers her a chance to go to Ireland and look up the information, she jumps at the chance, but can she accept everything that Grant has to offer, especially after she hears that he has been in love with her all these years?

Sweet emotional romance. Grant's behavior is a bit cooky at times and their relationship is a bit rushed, but worth the read.

Description:

He teaches about the Irish past. She worries about their Irish future.

Grant Fennell seems to lack the luck of the Irish. He’s had his nose broken three times, his dissertation advisor was a useless lump, he’s thirty-one and finishing his PhD, and he can’t find a teaching position in the US. Then he accepts a job in his native Ireland on the same day the stunning former student heís been intrigued by for nearly eight years shows a shred of interest. Finally, he catches a break: Carla Gill needs his expertise.

Carla is at a dead end on her late Irish-American father’s family tree project. Who better to assist than an expert on Irish history? Especially one with the face of an Adonis and a brogue that makes her want to shed her clothes. She’ll be his girlfriend, all right, in spite of her overprotective brothers and nay-saying friend.

But when Carla accompanies Grant to Ireland to conduct her research, he makes it clear he wants to put her on the fast track to matrimony. The professor wants to teach her something about ‘happily ever after.’ Does she really want her happy ending to start right now?

CONTENT WARNING: Contains swearing in two languages and scenes of explicit sensuality.

A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance

Romance Book Review: Sara Walter Ellwood's Heartstrings

Author: Sara Walter Ellwood

ISBN: 9781616504557

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Common themed story about a successful country music star who comes home to get to know his daughter that he's never met. The novel takes its own twists and turns telling the story of Country Music star Seth who returns home to his father's funeral and confronts his ex-best friend and the woman who had his baby. It has been 15 years since he left town believing the woman he loved, Abby, never really loved him. After finding out that she's married his best friend he stays away until now.

Seth isn't totally innocent in this matter. He knew that Abby was having his baby and knew his best friend was raising her, but now that he's back he wants to make a mends and spend some time with his daughter no matter how dead set against it her mother and the man his daughter calls "Daddy" is against it.

The last person Abby wanted to see was Seth. He'd abandoned her and her daughter years ago. She wanted him to go off and have his career but he said he would come back and never returned. Now she's divorced from her husband and raising her daughter. She's still friends with the man who raised her daughter and grateful that he stood by her side when she needed him, she's also happy he's married to someone who truly loves him. 

There are secrets from the past though that someone doesn't want to be told and he's willing to cause a scandal for Seth if Abby reveals the truth, not to mention she'll have to fess up to her daughter after all these years.

Well written love story, which gets points for good characters and a well placed bad guy in the mix.  

Description:

He’s determined to set things right, no matter the cost.

The last person Abby Crawford wants to face down is country music superstar Seth Kendall. Last time she did, she flat-out lied so he’d go to Nashville without her. She’s never understood why their mutual best friend proposed, but she went with it so her baby wouldn’t be fatherless. Now she’s a divorced mother of a teenager, and secretly Seth’s biggest fan.

Seth is home in McAllister, Texas for his father’s funeral…and a chance to meet the daughter he’s never known. He’s willing to face the music of his own making and admit he’s known about his little girl all along. For fifteen years he’s kept his distance because Abby told him to follow his dreams without her, insisting she didn’t’ love him. But now he won’t leave until he knows his daughter and she knows him, even if it means facing the woman who broke his heart for good.

Confessing she’s lied about her daughter’s paternity all these years won’t be easy for Abby, especially with her ex blackmailing her to keep the secret. And Seth doesn’t know the hardest truth of all: Every love song he plays on his guitar still plucks her heartstrings.

WARNING: Spicy sex.

Romance Book Review: Calisa Rhose's Risk Factors

Author: Calisa Rhose

ISBN: 9781616504496

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Sweet emotionally charred love story featuring Veterinarian Viv and EMT Conner. Viv meets Conner in a small Missouri town after taking over her uncle's Veterinarian hospital and he brings his daughter's pet skunk in to be checked out. 

The couple are immediately attracted to each other, but as a single father who has been hurt more than once in his life, Conner isn't sure he wants to get involved with anyone right now. But his attraction to Viv is strong and he can't let her go without wanting to see her again. 

Viv is happy with her new life. As usual not satisfying her parents, she has decided she can only make herself happy. When she meets Conner, she is at a time when she wants to settle down with a man she can love. She isn't looking for a one night stand and she's worried that is all Conner is really looking for. As the couple fight their own demons they grow closer, but can Viv break through Conner's tough barriers to get her happy ever after?

I like both characters and felt that although Viv had lots of reasons to step away from Conner, she kept in character being strong till the end. Those who like sweet, (translated very limited sex scenes), and hard working love stories will enjoy this book. 

Description:

Love, like life, is not without risk.

Veterinarian Vivian Dane has purchased her uncle’s practice in the tiny town of Wales, Missouri, where most residents still doubt her ability to treat their pets. But Viv is used to being considered less-worthy than her predecessors. After all, her parents are world-renowned wildlife vets, and most everyone is unimpressed she’s chosen to not follow directly in their footsteps. Now Connor, a patient’s owner, is hot for Viv, but clearly doesn’t think she’s dating material because he has a daughter…who he believes no woman is good enough for.

Being a perfect dad is EMT paramedic Connor’s life focus. He can’t seem to stay away from sexy Doctor Viv, but attraction is as far as he’ll ever let it go. His mother abandoned him, leaving him to be raised in the foster system, and then his wife abandoned both him and their daughter. He absolutely will not risk bringing another woman into his little girl’s life and having her feel the hurt of being left…again.

Forfeiting is easier than attempting and failing. So why does Viv feel compelled to prove she’s a sure bet for Connor and his daughter? Can Connor trust Viv–and himself–enough to play the possibilities?

WARNING: Happy-ever-after mixed with four-legged friends.

Romance Book Review: Constance Ruth Clark's Unexpected Destinies

Author: Constance Ruth Clark
ISBN: 9781616504106
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Fantasy/ Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here

When Nick and Jayne were in high school they fell in love. They should have spent their life together as soul mates, but instead circumstances come between them. 

Years later Nick is a police detective and Jayne is a supermodel when their paths meet again. As a top model Jayne maybe next in line for a serial killer's attention. Nick is on the case to find the killer before the killer gets a chance to set his sights on Jayne. 

In the meantime Jayne and Nick get to know each other again. Can Jayne trust Nick after all these years of not trusting men? Or will the same person who came between them in the past come between them again in the future? Or will the couple need a little intervention from a goddess to see their way to each other?

Feel good love story featuring a couple well suited for each other and light suspense feature as the police stumble around trying to find a serial killer taking out beautiful models. The emphasis on the story is more relationship based than police procedure.  

Description:

Can a sweet, meddling goddess unite soul mates? 

Does anyone ever truly forget their first love? When a chance encounter reunites top model Jayne Stapleton with her her high school sweetheart, she is torn between wishing she could forget the man who broke her heart 15 years ago and wishing she could have him back. Will she embrace the path destiny has opened for her or allow her fears to ride roughshod over her heart?

A killer is on the loose and Detective Nick Graham has made it his mission to prevent him from claiming another victim. When the trail leads to the one woman he's never forgotten, he's all the more determined to make her realize how much she needs him back in her life. Fate has given Nick another chance. Can he keep Jayne safe or will she run straight into the killer's arms?

Agatha, Goddess second division, Department of Love, is tasked with uniting soul mates. Of late, however, it seems like she's being sabotaged. Can she help Nick and Jayne find their destiny with each other, or has Cupid's arrow picked the wrong hearts?. 

A Lyrical Press Fantasy Romance

Romance Book Byte: Jenna Jaxon's Only Scandal Will Do

Author: Jenna Jaxon
ISBN: 9781616503796
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Purchase this book here

Description:

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she's a lady, but how can she be?

No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he'll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who'll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family's name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He's betting their future he'll capture her heart, but does he have what it 

takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

Romance Byte: Cari Silverwood's Rough Surrender

Author: Cari Silverwood 
Digital ISBN: 9781616503666
Genre: Romance/ Historical/ Erotica/ BDSM
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here 

Description:

One master, one woman who craves surrender, and a sky that will challenge them both. 

At a time when airplanes are as new-fangled and sensational as the telephone, Faith dares to fly. The one territory she has not explored is her own sexuality. In Leonhardt she discovers the man who can teach her how a woman surrenders her body and her mind. However, Leonhardt has a shadowed past and his own learning to do. He doesn't have the right to keep Faith from flying, even if he thinks airplanes are flimsy death-traps made of canvas, timber and their inventor's prayers. 

Faith has her limits, Leonhardt has his flaws, and sometimes the nicest people get murdered by unscrupulous bastards. Even if Leonhardt can save the woman he loves, the battle for Faith’s heart will be the hardest one of all. 

WARNING: BDSM, anal sex, orgasms galore, and a Dom who likes to claim his property with pen, ink and bondage.

Romance Byte: LK Below's This Blackened Night

Author: L. K. Below

Series Connection: The Order

ISBN: 9781616504069

Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here

Description: 

The Order Book Three

With murders cropping up all around, who should she trust?

After months of searching, Lori finally scrounges up a clue as to the whereabouts of the missing leader of her secret organization. But her vision isn't encouraging--it points to her vampire companion Terrence as the culprit.

Terrence is adamant that he isn't at fault. Even though she knows she might be walking into a trap, she follows his lead to a shabby island port. When her informants start turning up dead with puncture wounds in their necks, Lori wonders just how well she knows Terrence. And why does he act different during the search than in their hotel room?

Lori doesn't know who to trust anymore. She only hopes that she won't be the next victim.

Romance Book Review: Melisse Aires' Refugees On Urloon

4 Heart Review

Author: Melisse Aires
ISBN: 9781616503659
Genre: Romance/ Science Fiction
Publisher: Lyrical Press 

Purchase this book here 

Step into the world of Urloon where the locals live both in and out of the water. When a ship becomes disabled in space the crew must land on Urloon to survive. 

On the ship Svana couldn't even consider having a relationship with the captain. Now that she and Liam are moving on into a new life on Urloon she has had to keep her growing feelings for her former captain to herself.

That is until the night of the special fertility festival, now the possibilities are open because Svana isn't the only one who has kept their feelings to themselves. 

I liked the new world descriptive paragraphs and dialog. The story fills in a lot of detail on the world that might make a good future series.

Description:
Two weary refugees, two moons and a life-changing fertility festival. Watch out for a whole lot of sensuality. Under normal circumstances, Svana, non-military maintenance crew, and Captain Liam Ringel, a highly respected military instructor, would never have crossed paths. A sudden anomaly, however, thrusts them into deep space where they are rescued by the inhabitants of an exotic and isolated waterworld, Urloon.

With no rescue forthcoming, the refugees can choose between adapting to the sea or farming the land. Svana is saddened when her budding friendship with Liam changes due to their different choices. However, when they are invited to an alien fertility festival, the Moonfest, they are given the opportunity to create a memory that will impact and intertwine both their futures.

WARNING: Alien fertility festival, aurora lights, dancing alien beasts, body paints and hot pheromones. M/F Sensual.

Romance Book Scene: Candace Gold's Crazy Love

Author: Candace Gold
ISBN: 9781616503451
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Comedy/ Inter-racial Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Abby's life is consumed with her book store and her crazy family. She soon meets Charles, a new author hoping to find a place to host a book signing for his book.

Both feel attracted to each other, but each think that there is someone else. Eventually they work everything out and start dating. All along Abby is fearing the day that he wants to meet her family. When Charles proposes, Abby is quick to say yes, but when he wants to meet her family it is time to get creative.

This book is filled with wit and charm. I fell in love with both Abby and Charles and their families will leave the readers in stitches half the time. The hero and heroine are accompanied by an excellent supporting cast of misfits.


Description:
What would you do for love?

When Abby Minton agrees to host a book signing for Charles Greer in her bookstore, she doesn't expect she'll end up giving the man dating advice…or dating him herself! As she falls in love with Charles, she becomes more and more petrified that their relationship would be history if he ever met her dysfunctional family. Between her brother's failed bank heist interrupting Charles's book signing and roses from a persistent stalker making Charles think she's taken, their relationship is one mishap after another.

But when Charles finally proposes, Abby is faced with the most ridiculous prospect of all: introducing him to her crazy family. The only solution is to hire actors to portray her family members. But will that just set them on the road to unending lies?

Romance Book Review: Shea McMaster's Rachel Dahlrumple

Author: Shea McMaster
ISBN: 9781616503291
Genre: Romance/ Contemporary
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


It is 4th of July, 2009, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett have just died. Not only that, a famous football player has been found shot to death in the apartment of a woman who appears to have taken her own life. Everyone is watching the news to hear what celebrity news to see what will happen next.


Rachel can only feel sympathy for the families of those who have lost their loved ones, especially the football player's wife. She knows exactly how that woman must feel since she is now in the Myst of her own scandal after the death of her husband.

Rachel's husband was found dead while doing the nasty with another woman, and now Rachel is learning all kinds of things about her husband of 17 years she wished she didn't know. Not only that. it appears someone wants her dead and she has no idea who, only that it is someone related to her husband. Luckily she has handsome Deputy Dan to help her when she is attacked by poison plants and snakes and to help her over the heartbreak of her husband's deceptions.


This novel is written all in the first person and runs as an autobiography of the events that take place in Rachel Dahlrumple's life from the day before her husband's death until authoring the her thoughts of that time. At times the story seems to run a little slow, but readers get a chance to see the emotional ups and downs of Rachel's life as she and her friends try to decipher the mess her husband left behind.

There is a bit of a mystery to the story in trying to find out who the person is who is trying to poison Rachel.

Description:
Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.

Rachel's humiliation over the discovery of her late husband's affairs turns to fear when one of his mistresses sends her a poisoned bouquet. But finding the source of the killer flowers is only one step on her path to solving the mystery her husband left behind.

Deputy Dan Weston is with Rachel when the bouquet arrives, and he's at her side as she deals with so many of the secrets that come to light after her husband's death. Dan has carried a torch for Rachel since puberty and he's not going to let her dead husband's vindictive girlfriends or his psychotic mother come between them now. But that means finding out who is sending snakes and poisoned posies before one kills Rachel.

Romance Book Review: Seducing the Beast

Author: Jayne Fresina
Series Connection: Taming the Tudor Male in Three Easy Lessons
Digital ISBN: 9781616503024
Genre: Romance/ Historical
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book through Barnes and Noble
 
"Madolyn Carver had decided God must be female. Although shocking, subversive ideas were not uncommon in her head, this one she kept to herself, for once. And the reason for her outrageous
conclusion? Breasts.

Clearly, a man would have given himself breasts, since he was so fond of the objects and spent most of his life--from infancy to dotage--in their pursuit. However, not only was this habit
predictable among the male species, it was most propitious for Madolyn, who had a certain fellow to seduce today, and a bosom to assist her. Indeed she had an excess, about to be put to good use, if only it would temporarily behave itself."

This first paragraph immediately caught my eye and set the stage for the remainder of the book. Not normally a fan of historical romance, I found this book wonderfully delightful. Jayne Fresina writing style captivates her readers and keeps them interested in reading until the end.

The heroine, Madolyn, is a feisty to say the least. She lives in a time when women should be seen and not heard. The are expected to be docile creatures who only care about beauty and how they look. Madolyn is outspoken and at times down right rude. Add to that the hero, Griff, is very rough around the edges. He is known as the Beast and generally comes by his reputation because most people just don't care to spend anytime getting to know him.

He has a complete lack in trust of woman, and although is a married man and makes love to the virgin heroine while still married, the audience is well aware that he and his wife have not shared a bed in 18 years.

Madolyn isn't afraid to go after what she wants and right now she wants to free her cousin from unjust punishment. In order to do that she must seduce the Earl of Swafford, also known as the Beast. After a series of encounters, the Madolyn is mistakenly kidnapped and forced to unknowingly match wits with the Beast himself.

Description:
Some men are born to make dynasties and some women are born to make trouble.

Hellbent on arranging a pardon for her exiled cousin, Madolyn Carver will stop at nothing to achieve her aim, even if it means seducing the mysterious  Earl of Swafford. So what if he's known as "The Beast" and is immensely powerful? Plucky Maddy isn't frightened off easily.

Returned home after too long abroad, The Beast also has a mission. He must remove his younger brother and heir to the vast Swafford estate from the
clutches of a most unsuitable woman. When a misunderstanding leads him to mistake Maddy for his brother's cunning mistress, he takes her captive under the guise of The Beast's manservant. Now she can longer be a threat to his misguided brother's future, or so he thinks. And surely, The Beast's infamous iron will can resist the charms of one particularly disobedient, witty, intriguingly stubborn young woman.

But there is a far greater danger. A deadly assassin has come to the Swafford estate, and The Beast's fear of falling in love might just be his downfall. Maddy, the woman he won't trust, is the one innocent soul who can save his life--and his heart.

Romance Book Review: Winning Heart

Author: Laura Browning
Digital ISBN: 9781616502904
Genre: Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here through Amazon

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Wynter is on her last bit of change when she makes her way to a ranch looking for work. She's worked as a stable hand before, but she knew there would be no letter of reference coming from her previous employer.

When the owner decides to higher her for the job she works hard so she can get into Duke University and follow her dream.

When the owner of the ranch, Nelson, hears where she was previously employed he decides to hire her. When he sees what a hard worker she is he begins to fall in love with her. But Nelson has a lot of problems himself, problems that he money can take away.

Just a year before Nelson's family is killed in a car crash caused by Wynter's former employers and he will do everything he has to to get revenge. That includes Wynter, but can he really go through with it when he gets to know the brilliant young woman?

Meanwhile this story also tells about the love story between Wynter's mother Irene and her longtime friend Wythe. Wythe has just been waiting for Irene to realize that he is more than just a friend. For ten years Irene has relied on Wythe for friendship and companionship, but never crossing the line to lover.

Wythe can't wait anymore as he sets out to show Irene that he can be the man for her.

This story is ripe with well developed characters. Both Wynter and Nelson are stubborn and determined individuals set out to keep their plans in order and to make sure their goals are reached. At some point this story is dark and not for the faint of heart, so if your looking for a fun loving romance this won't be one. However, you will find this book filled with strong descriptive scenes and packed with drama.

Description:
Can love beat a lust for revenge?

Nelson Anderson is one of the richest men in America, but his life has become a quagmire of bitterness and the need for revenge. Wynter O’Reilly is a gutsy girl determined to make her life better--and she just may be the tool Nelson needs. All she needs is a little polish.

To his surprise, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks helps heal emotional scars that all the money in the world can’t fix. But just when Nelson realizes that, his own plot for revenge may cost him not only Wynter’s love but her very life.

Warning: contains explicit sex, language and violence.

Romance Book Review: Howl

Author: Silke Juppenlatz
Digital ISBN: 9781616502867
Genre: Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Digital Publication Date: Coming In June 2011

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Looking for one of his missing pack, Zalin finds himself stuck in a cave with a man with a shotgun and the man's daughter, Lucia,  who is trying to protect him. Escaping with his life, thanks to the girl he can't seem to forget her. When Zalin sees Lucia again she's again trying to protect one of his own. Zalin is torn because he wants to learn more about this woman, but he really shouldn't because he's a werewolf and she's human, plus as soon as he finds his packmate he's leaving the pack and never coming back.

Nicely written paranormal/shifter short story featuring a strong heroine and hero. It will be interesting to see if the author continues on to make this book into a series.

Description:
When life hands you wolves, howl.

The alpha wolf in Zalin's pack is slowing going insane, which is tough enough to contend with, but the guy is gunning for the woman Zalin loves--the rancher's daughter who saved his hide. He's torn between taking off to avoid a confrontation with the Alpha, and sticking around to protect Lucia. Opening his heart to her is not an option-- he's had enough rejection to last a lifetime.

Lucia is fascinated by the "wolf" she saved--at the time unaware he was more than a canine. Zalin seems out to save her from his Alpha, but she wants more than protection from him. When spilled family secrets make her doubt everything she knows, she turns to Zalin for stability, only to learn he's planning to leave.

Will Zalin desert the one he loves when she needs him most, or will he howl a challenge on her behalf?

Romance Book Review: Secrets of the Lotus

Author: Michelle Flye
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-169-3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sweet love story featuring a playboy billionaire who falls in love with a reporter.

Dan Mason isn't quite sure exactly what reporter Josie Stewart hears when she slips into his office during his birthday party, but he knows that she's beautiful and it would be no hardship to use her as a distraction until he can find out what she does and doesn't know.

That sounds like a good excuse, but Dan isn't too eager to stop seeing the pretty reporter just yet.

Josie is worried that Dan has some ulterior motive in seeing her, but she has one of her own, so it is hard for her to complain. Dan is just the man she needs to help her with a special project. Spending time with the handsome billionaire won't be hard as long as they keep everything stickly platonic.

Very nicely written contemporary romance. This is the first book I've read from this author and I'll definitely be checking out some of her future titles.

Description:
What would you trade for the story of a lifetime -- a lifetime of love?

Society reporter Josie Stewart is all too familiar with billionaire Dan Mason, who recently took over the reins of his ailing father's business. He has no intention of allowing anything, even his own conscience, to get in his way.

When Josie accidentally uncovers one of the family secrets, she glimpses a side of Dan that most people never get to see. Drawn to him, she puts her own career and reputation in jeopardy to keep his secrets. But some of those secrets are darker than she knew. Neither Dan nor Josie expects the danger lurking in their future -- or the passion.

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: 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 Byte: Unholy Promises

Author: Roxy Harte
Series Connection: Chronicles of Surrender Book Three
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-121-1
Print ISBN: 978-1-61650-162-4
Genre: Erotica/BDSM/Menage
Publisher: Lyrical Press

[Excerpt]

Description:
Of Lord Fyre's many secrets, the most dangerous might just be a old lover.

Lord Fyre's life is so secretive even his lovers know him only by an alias. An international agent, he's wanted in many countries - dead or alive. When his past catches up with him, Lewd Larry's BDSM Fetish Fantasy Night Club may no longer keep him safe.

With his twin brother is in danger, Lord Fyre must return to Paris to save him. But the cat and mouse intrigue he left behind isn't his only challenge. An past flame may be the greatest danger he's ever faced.

Romance Byte: Dark Tempest

Author: Manda Benson
ISBN: 978-1-61650-124-2
Genre: Romance/Science Fiction
Publisher: Lyrical Press

[Excerpt]

Description:
Hijacking a woman's spacecraft is definitely not the way to win her heart.

Gerald Wolff is a convict blackmailed into hijacking the ship belonging to Jed, a star Archer and descendant of one of the highest Blood lineages in the known galaxy, while he is but an outcast half Blood.

Jed has found Equilibrium by adhering to a strict code. Wolff’s intrusion into her ship and her life upsets the balance of her obsessively controlled world. His very presence confuses her, yet they must work together in order to discover why they are being hunted, and to stay one step ahead of their pursuers.

Content Warning:Violence, sex, foul language, science.

Romance Book Review: Dirty Sexy Murder

Author: Cathleen Ross
ISBN: 978-1-61650-122-8
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Paranormal
Publisher: Lyrical Press
E-book version available today. Print version (ISBN: 978-1-61650-165-5) available July 1, 2010

[Excerpt]

YYYYY

After an embarrassing mess up of a wedding day, Marina moves to the city to live with her best friend, Lizzy and Lizzy's brother, James. She takes on a job at a spa giving Brazilian body waxes. It isn't long before she starts getting these strange premonitions about her clients and they start being killed.

Now the police are starting to suspect that she and James are killing her clients and it is up to Marina to use her new found "gift" of premonition to save her clients, herself and those she loves most.

In Dirty Sexy Murder, Cathleen Ross puts together a novel that was a pure pleasure to read. I love mystery books which give the readers clues to solving the crime, but also adds a little bit of erotic fun to the story. James is the perfect hero type, trying to protect the two women in his life that he sincerely loves, but feels so out of his element.

At the end of her book Cathleen Ross explains that she worked to write scenes trying to describe how a person would feel when they were first experiencing the first true developments of their pyschic gifts.

"With my character Marina, I wanted to catch that stage when a psychic person thinks they could be going nuts because they know, see or hear things they think they shouldn’t," she wrote. She does a great job expressing Marina's confusion and emotions during what is sure to be a difficult time.

Gaining pyschic powers would be so out of character for someone like Marina it made her perfect for the part of the heroine. Definitely a 5-Heart read for someone who like sexy murder mysteries that dabbles in the psychic realm.

Description:
Can Marina learn to have faith in her powers in time to save the people she loves?

Marina's got it made with a new job giving Brazilian waxes in a fashionable salon in the big city of Sydney. Life seems to be looking up for her, that is, until she starts having visions, which come true. Her clients start dying, one by one. Then her roommate, James becomes a suspect, and suddenly she must fight for the man she cares for. While she tries to harness her powers, people close to her begin to disappear. More victims of the serial killer? This time she can’t see, and in the midst of terror, Marina must save the lives of people she's come to love, but in a twist of fate, save herself.

Content Warning:Explicit Sexual content. l