Romance Book Review: Claimed by Pleasure

Author: Jaymie Holland
Series Connection: Wonderland
ISBN: 978-0312386672
Genre: Paranormal/ Sci-Fi/ BDSM/ Erotic Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Purchase this book here

In this re-release of a Cheyenne McCray, writing now as Jaymie Holland, short novel, Claimed by Pleasure, Alexi is kidnapped from her home on earth to a foreign plan where men are kings and turn into tigers and wolves. When she meets handsome Darronn she is told that he is her mate and she must be trained to learn her place. As a strong willed woman calling a man master goes against all she is, but she isn't above playing a little with a handsome stranger.

All good fun must come to an end, however, because Alexi has to get back home and find her twin sister who has been missing for a year. Can she leave this strong handsome shapeshifter king to go back to her world, or can she learn to trust that this man will help her and remain in his world?

Not usually into BDSM book, I tend to gravitate towards those that are filled with strong deviant women who know how to hold their own. Alexi is just that woman. The king in these books might be dominants, but he's met his match when it comes to Alexi and he knows it, which makes his character all the more appealing.

Definitely a page turner for those who enjoy a little bondage and a fun tale in the world of the King of Spades.

Description:
Formerly titled Wonderland: King of Spades (under the pen name Cheyenne McCray)

Alexi O'Brien is pissed and will stop at nothing to locate her missing twin. When she's abducted into a beautiful and highly sexual world, Alexi is determined to escape and resume her search—even though the dark and dangerous man who captured her excites her in unimaginable ways.

King Darronn prefers his women submissive...his future queen is anything but. Whatever it takes, Darronn intends to convince the fiery and spirited Alexi that her body, heart, and soul belong to him.

Romance Book Review: Tail on the Moon

Author: Sandra Sookoo
Series Connection: Crystal Fall
Genre: Romance/ Paranormal
Digital ISBN: 9781616503260
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Sandra Sookoo brings readers back to Crystal Falls where things are just not right. With the mysterious Mrs. Wiggins gone and the world finding out about the town special residents strange occurrences start happening. A group of thugs is terrorizing the town and keeping people inside.

Rosemary wants to find her magic, but can't seem to figure out what it is. Luke wants to deny he has any magic worried that what he becomes is more than he can live with. When the two meet it is instant attraction, but Luke can't bring himself to take a mate in fear of what he might do to her.

Can the two save the town before Halloween or will Crystal Falls lose its magic?

I'm liking this series more and more and can't wait to meet more of the residents. Rosemary and Luke characters and work well together within the series.

Description:
Finding herself is harder than she expected.

Rosemary Nickles is stressed out. She has no knack for magic, and lives in Crystal Falls, where that just won't do. It's not easy being a plain old human in a town full of magic makers, especially when her sister is incredibly talented in the paranormal department.

Part-time firefighter, full-time hottie Luke Nolin harbors a secret. Every month he turns furry and howls at the full moon. Even living and working in Crystal Falls, he's not comfortable being a werewolf. Years earlier he nearly killed someone, so devotes his energy to hiding his inner lycanthrope.

If Luke can learn to embrace his true self, then Rosemary might just discover there is more to her than even she knows about. Their path to true love isn’t easy—the town is a mess, the resident witch and order-keeper is gone, and a gang of thugs has taken over Halloween. But this is Crystal Falls, where through acceptance and love anything is possible...just remember to watch out for things that go bump in the night.

Romance Book Scene: The Mating

Author: Nicky Charles

ISBN: NA

Genre: Paranormal/ werewolf/ Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Smashboards

5 Hearts

Free reading through Bluefire Reader Application

The new reading devises out there there are a lot of ereader applications available. Looking around on the ipad I found a program called Bluefire Reader. The program offers a place for authors to have their works viewed, some for free. 

One section on the program is called Feedbooks. This is one place where authors upload whole books, parts of books and sneak peaks. The collection is eclectic to say the least. That is not to say there aren't some good choices.

One choice was The Mating by Nicky Charles. It was a really great find. Written in 2010, this book is the first in a small werewolf/shifter series and not bad.

It tells the story of Elise, the daughter of an Alpha who is sent to mate with a Alpha of a neighboring pack, Kane.

Both Kane and Elise know that their mating is for the good of both packs and do what their duty. While Elise isn't excited about the prospect she decides to go along without complaint and learns to accept her new life. But all is not right in Kane's pack and soon she realizes that Kane is blind to some of his pack's actions. 

This is a nice surprise read and a great idea for authors to encourage people to read their works. I've read a few of Nicky Charles books in the past. She's a descent author and this book shows some good work. 

Description:

Elise had no idea when she came home that day that she'd end up mated to a complete stranger. A new Alpha and the need for an alliance between packs have made her a pawn Excerpt: She lay beside him, staring blankly at the ceiling. The deed was done. They were mated. It didn't matter that she had no love for him nor he for her. Political alliances were more important than feelings... 




**** Having a little problem with my server today, so the fonts are off.

Romance Book Review: Beneath The Skin

Author: Amy Lee Burgess 
Digital ISBN: 9781616503239
Genre: Romance/ Paranormal/ Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Lyrical Press


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Written in the first person, Beneath the Skin is the story of two shapeshifters who lost their bond mates and are ready to find happiness again.

Constance is an American shifter who is in Paris attending a big pack meeting. It has been two years since her bond mates were killed in a car accident where she was driving. When she was the only one left behind, her small pack blamed Constance for the accident and kicked her out of their pack. As an outcast now she is attending the great pack meeting in hopes of finding a new bond mate and a new pack.

Liam's is from a pack in Ireland. His bond mate was killed in an accident while pregnant with their child three years ago. His pack is pushing him to find a new bond mate and take his position again as pack alpha. He's gone to Paris to try to see if he can get his life back, but he doesn't believe he can. He knows he will never love anyone but his dead bond mate.

Constance and Liam are thrown together with another pack member is killed. Now they are bonded and set on an mysterious trek.

Amy Lee Burgess spends a great deal of time setting the scene throughout the first few chapters so read carefully because there are some important clues to solving the mystery in this romance. I liked the way she explains the background about the shifter world in her story. There are a lot of twists and turns and great emotional depth throughout the story.

Description:
If you could shift into a wolf, what would you discover about yourself?

Two years after the deaths of her bond mates, Constance Newcastle is ready to start over. The problem? The rest of the Great Pack, gathered in Paris to shift into wolves together, is not so sure she deserves the chance. Although the Great Council ruled the car crash an accident, even Constance blames herself. She was driving, after all.

Treated like a pariah by those she longs to rejoin, Constance reunites with an old lover. Everything looks promising until he mysteriously dies. Accused of his murder and desperate to clear her name, Constance joins forces with handsome, confident Liam Murphy, a former Alpha pack leader with a past as tragic and troubled as her own. Guided by the mysterious Councilor Jason Allerton, Constance and Liam discover they are not alone-- throughout the Great Pack, people are dying. Can all the deaths be accidents, or is something more sinister going on?

CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations

Romance Book Review: Secret Weapon

Author: Opal Carew
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-67460-1
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Purchase this book here

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Janine is not at a loss for a date or a night of hot sex. She's testing her boundaries and going as far as she can. Nothing is going to stop her, not even the man she ran from LA to get away from. She's always had a thing for Sloan, but she's not the one-on-one time and she set to prove that to Sloan.

Sloan knows he pushed Janine away once, but he isn't about to lose her again. If she wants to live on the wild side, he'll go there with her, but can he really stand back and watch or has he lost her for good.

Okay first of all let me say, if you read this book, I hope you like reading a lot of sex with multiple partners. Opal Carew knows how to write a great erotic romance, but I find this one lacking a little in the romance department and really don't see any chemistry between Sloan and Janine. But if one is really looking for a fun erotic romance with lots of position and fun place this is a fairly quick read with lots of imagination.

Description:
There’s only one thing hotter than a man in uniform…when he takes it off.

Threesomes and men of the law have always been two of Janine’s biggest turn-ons. So when her boyfriend offers to invite one of his buddies from the police force into their bedroom, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. But when the extra man shows up, the last thing she expects is for it to be Sloan Granger—a man from her past.

Janine is the one woman who Sloan’s never been able to forget, and now that their worlds have collided, he has a second chance to win her back. Even though she refuses to let him back into her life, he’s determined to change her mind—no matter what the cost. His love for her has always been his greatest weakness, but this time, it’s also his most powerful weapon…

Romance Book Review: Still Taking Chances

Author: Roz Lee
ISBN: 9781603107235
Category: Contemporary/ BDSM/ Erotic Romance
Publisher: Red Sage

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Not always a real big fan of BDSM I have to say this one will make one of my favorites in that category this year. It wasn't so much the erotic scenes as the depth of emotion between the characters. Both DEA agent Elgin Huddleston and his new neighbor, Mary Beth Winters, have a past they are trying to hide from. Mary Beth knows an injuried soul when she one and she wants so much to help Elgin even if it means her own heart.

Elgin doesn't want to give in to his demons and let Mary Beth help him, but he can't seem to stay away. Using everything she's learned as a Dominatrix Mary Beth works her magic on him, knowing that he will leave as soon as he's healed.

Those who enjoy BDSM books will like this this story line and the features of that world, those who haven't read BDSM but have been wondering about it might want to give this one a try.


Description:
After a mission in a South American jungle goes wrong, DEA Agent Elgin ‘Hud’ Huddleston returns to his boyhood home to lick his wounds. Despite his better judgment, Hud is drawn to the woman across the street, a petite Dominatrix with a freeze your balls off name.

Mary Beth Winters packed away her toys and put the BDSM lifestyle behind her years ago when she realized the men she dominated didn’t need her as much as she needed them. But when a troubled bad-boy, Elgin ‘Hud’ Huddleston, moves in across the street, she dusts off her toy box and risks her heart to help him heal.

Reader Alert!: Bad-boy Elgin Huddleston can’t stay away from the sweet looking Dominatrix who lives across the street; even though Mary Beth Winters is doing everything she can to break him. You’ll want to break out the fan, because things are heating up on Sycamore Street!

Romance Byte: Prowl the Night

Author: Crystal Jordan
ISBN: 978-0758261557
Genre: Paranormal/ Shifter
Publisher: Aphrodisia

Description:
They are Panthers, sleek and sultry shapeshifters who survive by banding together and mating for life. Theirs is a world of unmatched power and uncontrollable passion…

Crave Me

As newly appointed heir to his Pride, Tomas Montoya struggles with both his new duties and his new mate. He craves the dark and dangerous pleasure he finds with Ciri but wonders if he can ever satisfy her need for more…

Want Me

Teresa Garcia has seen how loving and losing a mate can drive someone mad and she has no interest in experiencing that herself. But when she meets Rafael Santiago, she wants him like no other. Driven by desire, she hungers for his body with a fierce and feral passion…

Romance Byte: Sexiest Vampire Alive!

Author: Kerrylyn Sparks
Series Connection: Love at Stake book #11
ISBN# 978-0061958052
Genre: Vampire/ Paranormal

PURCHASE THIS BOOK HERE

Description:
Finally, it’s Gregori’s turn!

He was both a playboy and a vampire…and impossible to resist.

At the end of Vampire Mine, a terrible thing happened—a video was released that proved the existence of vampires. Now Vamps fear the worst, the Vampire Apocalypse! Will mortals start hunting vampires down and staking them in their death-sleep? At an emergency meeting, Coven Masters from around the world decide how to proceed. They need an emissary to open negotiations with the President of the United States. They want their emissary to be modern, safe, and harmless. A Vamp who has never bitten a mortal. A Vamp who has been entirely bottle-fed. Their choice—Gregori!

Now Gregori has the fate of the entire Vamp population on his shoulders. He’s given a special assignment that involves taking the president’s daughter on a dangerous mission. Will he succeed and save his friends? Or will he succumb to his playboy ways and doom them all?

Romance Book Review: Castle's Fortress

Author: Rhonda Lee Carver
Digital ISBN: 9781616503178
Genre: Romance/ Paranormal/ Mystery/ Suspense
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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As children they were always together until death tore them apart. Now Fall Winters needs Jake Castle's help once again to find he sister who disappeared. Fall knew that she and Jake always had a strong connection between them. Not only was there the strong friendship the felt, but also a strong connection to the ghosts that lived in the old house in the woods. To find her sister Fall is going to need to be as strong as she can.

Jake does not want to go back to his old home town, but when Fall seeks him out for the help he can only provide, he goes to her aide. He'll do almost anything for her, except go to the old haunted house where he and Fall saw their first ghost.

Castle's Fortress brings together two people who get a second chance while working on finding the answers to a ghost story mystery. Good storyline, strong characters and an interesting plot keep the reader interested. Some of the highlights include the chilling effects the ghosts leave upon Fall when they are communicating with her.

Description:
One hundred years ago, a little girl died mysteriously. Twenty years ago, another followed. Today, Fall Winters has to find out why.

The last person Jake Castle expects to see again is Fall Winters. Twenty years ago, they were been best friends, until her father killed his sister. He left her and his sleepy hometown--and all the memories in it. He didn’t want a stroll down memory lane, especially with her.

Fall has never believed her father was guilty. He was responsible for a lot of things, but not kidnapping and killing a teenage girl. Now, Fall’s own sister is missing under similar
circumstances. It looks like she was right. She must find her sister alive and prove the connection between the cases, not to mention her father's innocence. Fall turns to the only person she can trust--Jake.

Jake agrees to help Fall on one condition: They never step foot in the ramshackle haunted house that almost left Fall dead when she was ten. Jake wants to believe the ghost they saw that night was a figment of his imagination. But as they delve further into the mystery surrounding the kidnappings, Jake begins to realize there is a connection to the house, and a stronger one with Fall. He knows it’s time to face his fears--and the feelings inside his heart that lead him straight to Fall.

Romance Book Review: Soul Dancer

Author: Aurora Rose Lynn
Genre(s): Science Fiction Romance/ Interracial Romance
Digital ISBN: 9781937325077
Publisher: Beachwalk Press

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Quick read novella featuring a little reverse discrimination. On a planet far in the future, Kierra is a white slave girl who has always loved her black friend Jamar. The only problem is loving Jamar is expressly forbidden and if Kierra is caught she will be killed.


Jamar dreams life would be different. He knows that his rich society will not allow him to love a white slave like Kierra, but he is willing to do anything to make her his.

The classic love dynamics in reverse with a message that it doesn't matter if roles are reversed in the dynamics of black and white relationship, but the outcome is still the same. Very graphic love scenes and a sweet romantic story.

Description:
Forbidden love between a slave and her master could lead to deadly consequences.

On the planet of Manitee-a in 2975, sex and love is forbidden between the black-skinned Jaquill ruling class and the white-skinned kattanee slaves. Kierra, a slave, knows she could face the death penalty if she makes love to Jamar, but he is persistent and persuasive, and she’s so tempted.

The one time in her life that Kierra is allowed to choose, she’s forced to make a life-or-death decision…walk away from Jamar and true love or give him the passionate nights they both want.

Content Warning: graphic sex

Romance Book Review: Chocolate Temptation

Author: a.c. Mason
Series Connection: Wolf-Spirit Series
ISBN: 9781616503192
Genre: Romance/ Paranormal/ Multicultural

Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Taking place in the 1940s Europe, Alexia and Cathen find themselves on the run from Gestapo werewolves who believe they need Alexia's blood. Cathen has sworn to his alpha that he will protect Alexia, the alpha's mate, at all cost.

Cathen has loved Alexia since the day he first met her. He always believed she was meant to be his mate, but his alpha claims her instead. Now, as they run from the Gestapo and make their way back to the pack, who is now in mourning for their alpha, Cathen must keep a promise he has made to Alexia and save the pack.

The 1940s, WWII setting is an interesting change to this paranormal theme. I would have loved to see it in a full novel version and give the author a chance to create more scenes and background of the war torn countries and the war around them. As far as the romance in the story goes, I thought that the couple worked well together, but definitely needed more romantic alone time to build their relationship. Of course that goes back to having this be a full novel instead of just a novella.

Description:
His by pack law, and he wants more than her body. Will she be able to surrender her heart?

Switzerland, the winter of 1940. Alexia, a wolf-shifter, is mate to the Alpha of a powerful clan. Her life, the pack’s future and the lives of countless children the pack smuggles out of Europe are in jeopardy. The Gestapo want her blood to breed an unstoppable regiment endowed with her gifts. Cathen, the pack’s Epsilon-Beta, is charged with protecting her. When Alexia’s beloved mate is killed, Cathen becomes Alpha and by pack law, she is his new mate.

On the run from the Gestapo’s werewolves with Cathen, Alexia has no time to mourn. Can she resist what she’s beginning to feel for her protector, despite her aching loss? Should she try? If she rejects him–not so easy to do–he will die and the future of the pack she loves as family will be in danger. Cathen and Alexia’s destinies are bound together, and to find peace and love amid the horror of war, she must accept her fate and heal her new mate.

WARNING: This book contains a sexy Alpha with a sense of old world honor, a pack that shares more than just communal living, and no lack of hot Betas to follow. Graphic sex and M/M, M/F, F/F/F/F encounters.

Romance Book Review: Teaching Ms. Riggs

Author: Stephanie Beck
Digital ISBN: 9781616503154
Genre: Romance/ Contemporary/ Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.

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Benfi "Ben" Riggs didn't have any idea the man she was married to and adored was really a criminal and drug dealer. To make matters worse, he is murdered by his mistress who then sets her sights on Ben. Moving away from the city back to her hometown she begins a new life, but little does she know her stalker isn't finished with her yet and she doesn't care who gets in the way.

At nearly 40, Mark Dougstat is busy working his farm and taking care of his niece and nephew. When he meets Ben, his nephew's chemistry teacher, he falls hard. Knowing she's been through a lot, Mark shows her how patient he can be.

Teaching Ms. Riggs is a slow moving in some parts, and at other times pulls the reader in. Mark is a great character. He's loving and strong, working hard to take care of everyone around him. Ben could have let her past keep her from ever finding love again, but that wasn't what she wanted and Mark wasn't about to let her. Their romance and their connecting relationship with Mark's niece and nephew is a wonderful basis for a story.

The suspense angle and views of Ben's stalker pull the who story together.

Description: 
It'll take a special man to teach her to live again.

Benfri Riggs has come home to Flatthead Falls, Missouri to heal. After her husband's murder, secrets behind the peaceful, successful life she thought they'd shared emerge to leave her deep in debt, infertile, and afraid for her life. Teaching chemistry in her old hometown is her shout of independence, even though she wants to crawl under her bed in fear when the terrorizing phone calls begin.

Mark Dougstat works the land, makes things grow, and isn't ashamed of the occasional mess his shoes cause. Busy making his farm pay enough to support his niece and nephew, he hasn't found the time or inclination to make the time, to find a good woman. Ben Riggs's humor and compassion change that fast.

But they're going to have a battle on their hands. Ben's stalker won't quit. What is between Ben and Mark grows and they push forward in their relationship, learning more secrets along the way. Before they can settle into life together, the stalker will strike again. Blood will be shed and lives changed forever in the blink of an eye. Can they trust each other enough to get them through?

No chickens were harmed in the writing of this book.

Chasing Paradise

Author: Sondrae Bennett
Series Connection:  Alpine Woods Shifters
ISBN: 9781616502973
Genre: Paranormal/ Shifter
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here

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In the second book from the Alpine Woods Shifters, readers get to hear brother, Ethan's, story. Ethan has vowed to get away from the woman in his town who are looking for a mate. He goes to a shifter resort and of course runs right into his mate...otter shifter Gwen.

Gwen is excited after spending the night with her shifter mate, but then she over hears his opinion of her and then is heartbroken. Taking off seems to be the right thing to do, until her mate chases after her and she winds up mated anyway.

This is a well written romantic series featuring strong heroes bringing them together with the best heroines for them. If you like shifter love stories, you'll want to check out this one.

Description:
He'll do whatever it takes to win back her trust.

A vacation is exactly what Ethan needs to escape the mate hungry females in his pack. Determined to have fun, he can’t think of a better way to start than sampling all the different flavors the shifter only resort has to offer, and not the food variety. But after he meets Gwen, no one else holds any interest for him. Ethan came on vacation to avoid mating. There’s no way he’s going to give up his freedom without a fight.

Gwen is devastated when she hears her mate denying everything they are to each other. She can’t sit by, watching him fool around with other girls at the resort. Or worse, crawl back, unable to resist the mating pull but not really wanting her. She needs to get away and her own vacation sounds like the perfect plan. But she should have remembered what her mother always taught her, never run from a predator unless you want them to chase you. The hunt is on…