Light It UP Blue for Autism!

People and places are joining Autism Speaks to shine a light on autism by raising awareness in communities across North America and the world. Here is San Francisco City Hall which has added blue lights to their building to support awareness for Autism.

For more pictures around the world click here.

Not romance but a very worthy cause.

Romance Book Review: Northern Exposure

Authors: Mari Carr and Jayne Rylon
Series Connection: Compass Brothers
ISBN: 978-1-60928-382-7
Genre: Contemporary/ Ménage/ Erotic Romance/ M-M-F
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

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Excited to see Mari Carr had a new series, I immediately dived right into Northern Exposure as soon as I heard. This series she is writing with fellow Jayne Rylon, but I can hear Mari's voice through the text.

Northern Exposure is the first book in the Compass Brothers' series. The first story features older brother Silas. When he was 18, Silas left home to avoid hurting the two people he loved the most. Gone 10 years, he falls into despair everyday he is gone. A terrible accident drags him home to his family and right into the arms of Lucy and Colby.

Now married Lucy and Colby are happy to have Silas back in their life and sharing the relationship they had always dreamed of.

As with most books this first novel was a chance to get introduced to the key characters of the series. Usually low on details in the first relationship developed, I expected there wouldn't be a chance to get more involved in the three lead characters. In this case I wish there had been more time. It would have been interesting to see the three of them pull a little more emotion out of their insecurities.

Each of the brothers will have their turn in the months to come. This is a series worth checking out, especially if you like hot love scenes, three way love scenes and dominant relationships.

Description:
All roads lead home when that’s where you’ve left your heart.

Compass Brothers, Book 1

Silas Compton always had his eye on Lucy, the veterinarian’s daughter. He was even content to wait for the girl of his dreams to grow up before getting anywhere near her with his family’s double-edged legacy.

Waiting around led to fooling around with his best friend—and an impulsive eruption of desire that Lucy’s innocent eyes weren’t meant to see. Figuring Compton Pass wasn’t big enough for either the three of them or the pain he’d caused, Silas let loose his tightly reined wanderlust and headed for Alaska.

Ten years later, when an oil rig accident sends him home, he braces himself for the reopening of old wounds. Instead he finds himself in the care—and welcoming arms—of Lucy and Colby, whose marriage has plenty of room for the man they both still love. And forgive with all their hearts.

As things start to unravel at Compass Ranch, Silas must dig deep for the strength to assume his rightful place in the Compton family…and lay the foundation for a future with his lovers. If he can forgive himself.

Product Warnings:
This book is overflowing with sexy cowboys who like to saddle up and ride each other as well as the woman of their dreams. The likelihood of becoming addicted to their ranch family is high. With three more stories yet to come, beware. You won’t be able to read just one!

Romance Book Review: The First Ghost

Author: Marguerite Butler
ISBN: 9781616502324
Genre: Paranormal/ Romance/ Contemporary/ Ghost
Publisher: Lyrical Press


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Quirky paranormal featuring a young woman, Portia, who at first believes she is different from all the other women in her family. The others have psychic abilities, but Portia had never discovered any abilities, until one day she get a bump on her head. When she wakes up in the hospital she meets the ghost of the girl who had just died in the bed next to her.

Portia hasn't missed not having the chance to have any psychic abilities and she certainly isn't excited about getting the chance to talk with ghost, seeing demons and watch reclaimers take souls over to the afterlife.

With no other choice, but be haunted for the rest of her days, Portia helps the girl, which leads to helping another ghost. While in the hospital she meet a doctor who takes an interest in her. She thinks he's Mister Perfect, except for one little problem, he's just a bit shorter than she is. At six foot, she realizes she's a bit tall, but he's five-six and just a bit short.

While Portia gets to know the doctor, she also goes off trying to solve the murders of the two women who are haunting her. There are bound to be any number of sequels to this story as we watch Portia develop her skills and move on with her life.

This is a fun well written book that sometime catches you off guard and into giggles. The supporting cast and Portia's dealings with the ghosts that she meets keep up the comic relief, especially Boris and the ghost who can't stop crying through dinner. The demons leave you hoping that isn't what really happens in the afterlife.

Description:
The dead have no respect for anyone trying to have a life.

Portia Mahaffey always liked that she was the only woman in her family without a psychic 'gift'. But a concussion awakens her latent ability to see ghosts. And one of those ghosts is prepared to haunt her until Portia agrees to convince the police her death was no accident.

With no choice but to help Corinne, Portia reluctantly uses her new gift and some good old-fashioned detection to track down the truth.

Seeing the dead is just the beginning. Portia's world becomes filled with hungry demons, mercenary shadow beings, vengeful poltergeists…and one very alive murderer willing rank her among the dead.

Who knew hanging with the dead could be so hazardous to the living?

Warning: contains mild sexual escapades, ghosts, demons, and flatulent pugs.

Romance Book Review: Mr. Rebound

Author: Michael Cain
ISBN: 978-1-61650-212-6
Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Publisher: Lyrical Press

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After falling apart when her groom leaves her at the alter, Susan is wisked away to her Cancun honeymoon by her best friend Kevin. Kevin as always loved Susan, but never stood a chance with her. He moves on with his life, but being in close quarters with her, and her turning to him to make things better sparks fly.

Now back in the real world Susan is trying to get her world back in order, but forget about the man who left her at the alter, it is Kevin she misses. Can she get him back in her life before it is too late.

The story of the bride being left at the alter is a common theme, but Michael Cain's story does have some great lines, and great supporting characters. Susan's friend Liz is fun and her spunky assistant adds a nice touch.

The author does have a way with descriptive love scenes that make them erotic and romantic at the same time.

Description:
Groom dumps you at the altar?  Fall in love with your hunky best friend.

When Susan is dumped at the altar—via cocktail napkin—it is up to her best friend Kevin to help her recover.  After a brief post-wedding-that-wasn’t coma, Susan finds herself in paradise, on her honeymoon, but with Kevin, not her groom.  After some crying, paragliding, frozen margaritas and bad advice from her other best friend Liz, Susan decides to seduce Kevin and get rid of her pain with a rebound fling.

Kevin has secretly loved Susan for years and finally giving into her cuts him deeper than he could have expected.

He leaves her and severs all contact with her until six months later, when they are both vying for the same account—designing Chicago’s new opera house.

Competition takes on a whole new meaning for Susan when Kevin shows up on the arm of her arch nemesis, the cougar Francesca Costa. She now must not only vie for the opera house...but for her best friend’s heart as well.    

Content warning; Racy language and sexual situations.

Romance Book Review: Written In Stone

Author: Viviane Brentanos
ISBN: 978-1-926931-26-5
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Erotica/ M-M/ M-F
Publisher: Muse It Up Publishing

Purchase this book here through: Amazon


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After being dumped by the groom, Cassie decides to go on her honeymoon anyway. Desponent about her situation she finds solice with a man who she meets on her stay. James is taking a break from his partner. He needs to decide if it is time to make a committment, but he isn't sure he really wants to. After he meets Cassie, he realizes that he has finally met his soulmate, but he still really loves his partner.

There is so much to this story. It is filled with so much emotion you feel for all those involved, even James' partner, who at times isn't really all that likable. Just when you think you know what James' decision will be, something happens to change his mind, again.

Very well written with a lot of twists.


Description:
Dumped five days before her wedding.

Cassandra Hall decides not to waste the honeymoon.  She sets off to London. What was supposed to be her dream week turns into a nightmare time of introspect, self-doubt. Then she meets James, literally falling at his feet in an attempt to save his Afghan hound from colliding head on with the traffic.

James is witty, charming, too good-looking and also--not available. Despite this, Cassie is captivated by him. What follows is a week of fun, companionship and a bonding that Cassie has never experienced.

James, sensing Cassie’s unhappiness, goes out of his way to make up for her jerk of a fiancé’s rejection.  He is drawn to her vulnerability--something he finds disturbing, threatening to shatter all he thought he knew about himself.  Cassie, he senses, is falling in love with him. He ought to back away but cannot. Cassie bravely makes her true feelings known and when he rejects her, he knows he has broken her heart. He is left confused, guilty because....James has a secret.


Warning: Adult Content:  Contains some love scenes, including strong references to homosexual practices and some strong language.

Romance Book Review: Green's Fees

Author: Jasmine Black
Series Connection: Irish Stories Collection
Digital ISBN: 9781616502409
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

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Birdie is going through a bad time in her life. She can't get over the past and it is affecting her golf game. She has made it to the Pro-Women's Golfing scene, but for some reason she has hit a slump. Her best friend and caddy convinces Birdie that she needs help. In walks Green. Green is a pro-Caddie who is having problems of his own. He sees working for Birdie as his chance to get back into the big leagues.

Once Birdie, her best friend and former caddy, Jeannie and Green hit the road sparks fly between the two, but Green is too worried about his future to mess with his boss.

I really liked the banter between Birdie and Green. The two make a great couple and the story line keeps readers interested even if they're not golf fans. If I had to have a complaint about this story it would be that Green takes up with Jeannie and while he's having sex with her thinks about Birdie. Call me a romantic, but that is kind of disturbing when reading this sort of romance.

Otherwise the book is filled with great sex scenes, a little voyeurism and watch out for a short scene of girl-on-girl action.

Description:
Who’s your caddy?

Pro-golfer, Mallory “Birdie” Bird is in a slump. Financially cut off by her father, she’s
desperate to increase her winnings. Living with the guilt over a two-year old tragic event, she’ll do
whatever it takes to iron out her game…even hire a new caddy.

Caddy Green Sloan’s the best in the business. He knows the game better than anyone, and
he’s never seen a green he couldn’t read. But he’s got a shady past he can’t shake, and no one’s
willing to take a chance on him. That is, until a wee bird enters his clubhouse.

But she’s snooty. And he’s arrogant. Together, they spar nonstop. Driven by necessity and
fueled by passion, they need each other on and off the course. But can they let go of the past and
learn to trust again?

Romance Book Review: The Demon He Knows

Author: RA Vaughn
ISBN: 978-1-61650-230-0
Genre: Paranormal/ Demons/ M-M
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase the book here through: Lyrical Press

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Ryan never thought of himself as anyone who believe in the occult or Demons and selling his soul, but when he finds out some bad news about his beloved sister, he'll do anything to save her. Even sell his soul to a Demon.

Zavier is a wish demon. He can trade a soul for a wish. When Ryan approaches him to trade his soul for saving his sister's live, Zavier does what he must and gets Ryan signature on the dotted line. Once the handshake is done, however, Zavier realizes that Ryan isn't just another soul, but something much more.

This short story packs a punch in a few pages. I really wish the readers had a chance to hear more about the world R.A. Vaughn has created in The Demon He Knows. The heros in the story prove that even Demons can live happily ever after.

Description:
He’ll do anything to protect the man he loves…even sacrifice himself.

Fifty years ago, Zavier became a Collections Demon in order to save his lover’s life. He hates his job, but once you make a deal with Corporate South, there’s no backing out. Answering a routine summons, he never expects to come face to face with his reincarnated lover.

Ryan Monroe is a desperate man searching for a way to save his dying sister. His attempt at summoning a soul collection demon to exchange his soul for his sister’s life finds him face to face with Zavier.

For the first time in years, Zavier’s life has purpose. Despite his employer’s disapproval, Zavier intends to rebuild his relationship with Ryan. Corporate South has other plans.

Can Zavier and Ryan find a way to break free of Corporate South and beat death?

Warning, this book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.

Romance Book Review: Stone Cold Kiss

Author: L.K. Below
ISBN: 9781616502539
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press


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Purchase this book here through: Amazon

Short romance about a woman who travels to Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone to sure up some charisma before a big meeting for a promotion. When she gets there she meets a hunky Irishman who just might screw up all her plans.

Quick read with a hero that any girl would fall in love with at first sight.

Description: 
Who knew kissing a stone would thaw Kelsey’s heart?

One Kiss…
Dangling over the parapet of a castle, Kelsey Donovan doubts her decisions as she battles
with her fear of heights. How will kissing the Blarney Stone change her life? But as the arms of a
sexy Irishman close around her, she begins to change her mind.

Can it lead to a lifetime?
When Seamus McKinley rescues a tourist gripping the Blarney Castle for dear life, he never
expected her to grab hold of his heart just as tightly. But the question is: can he convince her to
meet him halfway?

Romance Book Review: The Lianhan Shee

Author: Erin Grace
ISBN: 9781616502546
Genre: Holiday Romance/ Faerie
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

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March being the month of the Irish, Lyrical Press is publishing a series of Irish Stories to celebrate. In The Lianhan Shee, Evelyn is the love faerie who makes a bet with a leprechaun. In order to prove that she hasn't lost her magic against today's mortal men, she must seduce a human of the leprechaun's choice in a week. If it doesn't work, she must be his love slave for a hundred years.

Think that this would be an easy bet the faerie sets out to seduce her victim, but there is just one problem the human the leprechaun picks is blind and if he can't look in the Lianhan Shee's eyes he can't be seduced. And what happens if the tables are turned on this little Faerie and she is the one who become enamored?

Cute little fairy tale featuring the not so cute little leprechauns we all have heard about. Erin Grace brings her easy reading writing skills and brings a story of magic blending together two souls who thought they didn't have a heart and showing them exactly what love at first "sight" is.

Description:
Love is blind…seriously.

Once upon a time, the powerful Lianhan Shee—the Celtic Love Fairy--could capture a mortal man’s heart with a mere glance, trapping him into a life of misery and unrequited love until his death.

Nowadays, it is all she can do to get noticed.

Bored and wanting to prove her powers aren’t weakening in the modern Irish world, she accepts a dangerous wager, one that could see her kneel at the bidding of a scheming leprechaun.

But, the mortal chosen as her target isn’t all he seems…

As the battle begins for magic gold, immortality and the soul of a man who sees what others can’t, will love prove to be the most powerful weapon of all?

Romance Book Review: Wired

Author: Liz Maverick 
ISBN: 9781428510937
Genre: Action Romance/ Cyberpunk/ Sci-Fi
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

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Cyberpunk was a new genre on me, but apparently it isn't really new in the literature world. Wired was previously released in 2007 and re-released this month. At first the story line was a little confusing, but once it became obvious where the story was going it got better.

The novel starts with Roxanne running through the streets being pursued by two men she doesn't know. The men, Mason and Leo, seem to be fighting over her for no apparent reason. She manages to get away from them at first, but before she knows it her world is completely changed and she can't decide who to trust.

Mason, a friend she hasn't seen in years, is trying to tell her that she is going to write some simple code in the future and Leo wants it. He tells her she can't trust Leo at all. The problem is that she doesn't really know Mason all the well and when Leo tells her she can't trust Mason, she begins to wonder if she really can.

Now the chase is on, as the three cross cosmic lines, the three move from one time frame until the another with Mason and Leo fighting and Roxanne stuck in the middle not knowing what to do.

While the book starts off a little slow it gets much better toward the middle. The story line is complex and their is a lot to follow along with. Those who like action sci-fi will like this book.

Description: 
Pluck a second out of time, the consequences will change your life forever. Is the man you love really the man you think you know, or is there a version of your life in which he's your enemy?

Seconds aren't like pennies.  They can't be saved in a jar and spent later.  Fate seeps through cracks and shifts like fog.  Pluck a second out of time or slip an extra one in, the consequences will change your life forever.  Is the man you love really the man you think you know, or is there a version of your life in which he's your enemy?  If you didn't know who or what you were before, would you take a chance on becoming that person again?

L. Roxanne Zaborovsky is about to discover fate is comprised of an infinite number of wires, filaments that can be manipulated, and that she's not the one at the controls.  From the roguishly charming Mason Merrick-a shadow from her increasingly tenebrous past-to the dangerously seductive Leonardo Kaysar, she's barely holding on.  This isn't a game, and the pennies are rolling all over the floor.  Roxy just has to figure out which are the ones worth picking up.

Romance Book Review: Shotgun Bride

Author: BJ Daniels
Series Connection: Whitehorse Montana, The Corbetts Series, Book 1 of 5
ISBN# 0373693923
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Western Romance/ Category Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

Purchase this book through: Amazon

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Since this book was published in April 2009, some might wonder why I read it and am posting it now. Three reason, really: 1) I'm a Harlequin Ambassador and as such frequently Harlequin will ask me to read some of their books and then complete a survey. 2) is to remind people that even though this category romance is older, older books are still available on line for purchase and 3) After reading it I decided it was a really good book and those who like this line or just a good action story might want to pick this one up.

Sometimes the first books of a series can be complicated for some people. I like them that way. I like getting to know about all the characters you will meet in the future books. This one, as it goes, really isn't too complicated.

There are five brothers. Their father, wanting to see grandchildren before he dies, tells his son their mother had a dying wish that each of her sons would be married by the age of 35. The oldest is quickly turning that age. One other thing: the sons were raised in Texas, Mom was raised in Montana and Mom would like them to find a nice Montana cowgirl, like herself, to marry.

A big problem with first series is that while readers are getting to learn all about the other characters in the future novels it doesn't give a lot of time for the hero and heroine to fall in love and get to live happily ever after. This book was the same way. I would have liked to have seen more of the romance form between the two. The action scenes of this book are so good I don't really miss the emotional romance angle to the book.

Description:
Handsome as sin and wild as the western wind.

That's the Corbett brothers for you, and Shane's no exception. No way is he settling down just because of some ridiculous marriage pact especially not with a cowgirl from smalltown Whitehorse who seems so young and naive. At least that's what this hardened lawman keeps insisting.

But when Maddie Cavanaugh is kidnapped and drawn into a world of violent greed and despair, Shane jumps into action. While he has no trouble subduing her captors, resisting the force of Maddie's charm is harder than he could've imagined, and it seems as if stubborn Shane may be the first of the Corbett boys to surrender his bachelorhood.

Romance Book Scene: Management Skills

Author: January Rowe
eISBN: 9781426891304
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: Carina Press

Purchase this book here through: Amazon  

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To pay her way through college Allie worked in an adult club as a stripper. Now years later after accepting a new job as a project manager, her boss recognizes who she once was.


Back when he was visiting the Fetish Club where he first saw "Silver" for the first time, Grant spoon some wild fantasies about her. Now he has her all to himself as his employee, and he plans to own her.



While I generally liked the writing and story line of this book, I felt the conflict was weak. Each time the heroine says said she wasn't going to get involved with her boss she quickly said yes and got involved. It would have been nice if she at least put up more than lip service to make their relationship believable and the story line a lot better.


That said...his is a well written BDSM story. The sex scenes were hot and steamy and Grant certainly made a strong hero.

BDSM books are not for everyone and some readers may find this story hard to read.
 
Description:
When CEO Grant Edmonds meets with his new production manager, he immediately recognizes her as Silver, an exotic dancer who once mesmerized him at an exclusive fetish club. Though he was forbidden from pursuing her back then, there's nothing standing in his way now. He's not looking for an after-hours fling—he wants to own her. In every way.

As much as Allie Fairfax tries to deny her past, and the way her body responds to Grant, she soon finds herself having mind-blowing sex with the boss. Despite her own desire to surrender to Grant's sexual authority, she's not willing to risk her career. After all, she's been owned before, and it ended badly.

It's all or nothing for Grant. If Allie wants more of the fiercest orgasms she's ever experienced, she must consent to his rules...

Romance Book Review: Road Signs

Author: MJ Fredrick
eISBN: 9781426891335
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Carnia Press

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

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Willow and Cam have been best friends since they were eight years old. For some reason, Willow has never seen Cam as anything more than just her best friend, her rock. It isn't until she calls him to come to her rescue that she starts to realize she wished things were different.

For Cam it has always love. He knows that Willow loves him too, but she has watched her mother over and over again try to find a man to take care of her.

Just when Cam makes plans to give up on the two of them once and for all, Willow realizes she wants more. Now can the two of them find the right time for once and be together.

Nicely written novel featuring a contemporary romance theme. Good emotional conflict without going over the top. I liked Cam a lot. He's smart and knows what he's looking for. Willow seems to be a little slow if she hadn't realized all these years that Cam really loved her, but sometimes that makes for the best heroine characters. Willow is strong and commanding. She works hard to keep Cam motivated on his goal, even though she wishes things could be different.
     
Description:
Had she misread the signs?

Briefly captivated by the idea of romance and pretty, shiny weddings, Willow Hawkins agreed to meet her potential boyfriend's family and quickly realized she'd made a mistake. Stranded in small-town Nowhere, Willow calls her best friend, Cameron Trask, for an escape.

Even though he'll miss an important job interview, Cam comes to her rescue. When Willow starts to see Cam with new eyes, she wonders how she's never made the connection from best friend to best lover. Willow has one chance to help the man she loves—join him on a cross-country road trip to get to the interview on time. On the way they'll face a jealous puppy, an unreliable automobile and weather that threatens to trap them alone...together.

The biggest roadblock she'll come up against? If Cam gets his dream job, Willow may lose him for good.