Romance Book Review: Taste of Passion

Author: Brenda Jackson
Series Connection: Madaris Family Series
ISBN: 978-0312940508
Genre: Romance

YYYYY

Funny, light hearted and highly sensual romance featuring members of Brenda's Madaris' series. The story is about an attorney, Mac Standfield, who has been burned at love and doesn't really want to have anything to do with the opposite sex. That is until she meets up, again, with Luke.

Mac is a strong, independent woman who decides it is time to change her life so she moves from her home in New Orleans to open a law firm with two of her best friends from college.

Luke is an injured rodeo star with a family that is just a little on the overbearing side. The story has some great secondary characters, which have been featured in other of Brenda's books. There are so very funny scenes with Mama Laverne that will just knock your socks off.

This is a great book to read when you are looking for something to lighten your mood and be very entertaining.

Description:
Attorney Mackenzie “Mac” Standfield swore off love when her heart was shattered into a million pieces. But there’s one man who has managed to tempt her beyond reason—rodeo star Luke Madaris. Although five years have passed, Mac discovers when she runs into Luke again that the sexual tension is just as charged as ever…
When Luke gets injured in a rodeo, he knows the only place where he can recuperate—without being smothered by his worried family—is at Mac’s place. After all, like Mac, he has no interest in any romantic entanglements….until being in such close quarters with Mac forces Luke to confront a desire he can no longer fight…
With each passing day, Mac and Luke come to realize that their smoldering attraction can be put out only if they surrender to it. But what Mac doesn’t realize is that once you give yourself to a Madaris man, there’s no turning back…

Romance Byte: Rapture

Author: Jacquelyn Frank
Series Connection: The Shadow Dwellers
ISBN: 978-1420104233
Genre: Paranormal

Description:
Magnus is a man of contradictions - a spiritual leader in a warrior's body. To him, laws are for enforcing and visions must be followed - even if that means freeing a beautiful slave and making her his reluctant handmaiden. Betrayed once before, Magnus can barely bring himself to trust another woman. Yet Daenaira's fiery innocence is drawing them both into a reckless inferno of desire. Daenaira grew up hearing tales of a fearsome priest who seemed more myth than reality. But Magnus is very real - every inch of him - and so is the treachery surrounding them. Beneath Sanctuary's calm surface, an enemy is scheming to unleash havoc on the Shadowdwellers, unless Magnus trusts in a union ordained by fate, and sealed by unending bliss.

Romance Book Review: Circe’s Recruits: Derrick

Author: Marie Harte
Series: Circe’s Recruits
ISBN: 978-1-59632-901-0
Genre: Multicultural / Shape-shifter / Paranormal

YYY

Book three of the Circe's Recruits series was very much like the first two as the the Recruits work to take down the rogues from the Pearson Labs experiments. This books takes place immediately after, Kelly from book two of the series is kidnapped and rescued by Sabrina Torrence from the Pearson Lab.

Looking for answers to why Sabrina rescued Kelly Derrick and Hale set out to find the woman. When they do a month later Derrick finds himself very attract to Sabrina but he doesn't trust her.

Sabrina has no idea that her former employer had secretly injected her with the virus that makes her Circ. Even worse she isn't a Circ like Derrick and the others, but one of the ones that will go rogue if Doc doesn't come up with some kind of cure to help her. Time is running out and in the meantime there is a lot going on at the Labs in the background.

As I've said before I really appreciate Marie Harte's writing style and the story line is really growing on me, but I had some issues with this book that I didn't find necessary in the story line. Some of the sex scenes in the story will a little more violent and too hard core for my taste. That said, I do think it is necessary to read this book to further understand the series as a whole. I'm really looking forward to Hale's story with the clues I've read so far.

Description:
In the three years since Project Dawn disbanded, Derrick continues to fight the good fight. Now civilians, his squad--Circe's Recruits--works for a private organization bent on cleaning up the mess left in the wake of Project Dawn's rebirth. Pearson Labs continues to create Circs, people who have been genetically changed. When needed, these Circs take on an altered form, one neither man nor animal, but something in between. But unlike the squad, the Circs coming out of Pearson Labs aren't sane.

Derrick doesn't trust Sabrina Torrence. She's an agent for the Project Protection Agency. Their mission in life is to kill and enslave Circs for Pearson Labs. No matter that she helped one of their own escape from the labs, or that she's given them vital information they'll need if they want to take down Elliot Pearl, the labs' founder. Derrick knows she's got her own agenda. If only she wasn't so damned attractive, then he might be able to keep his hands off her and his mind on the job. Then a stunning circumstance forces him to reevaluate all he once thought. But will this new insight be too late to save their growing love?

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

Check out author Shiloh Walker's blog at:
http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com/

From the author's Website:
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.

Romance Byte: Surpassing Pleasures

Author: Anny Cook
Series Connection: A stand-alone sequel to Winter Hearts
ISBN: 9781419922213
Genre: Shapeshifter

Description:
Special Agent Sebastian Spade has worked hard to convince Zipporah Jericho that he's her man. But every encounter ends with Zip dancing out of reach to protect a family secret. When they are brought together by a murder, Seb determines this time he will never let her go.

In the bedroom, on the road, in a secret cabin in the woods, he masters her body by daring to satisfy her deepest desires. As they explore the forbidden pleasures that await them with every touch, they discover trust is another word for love.

Romance Book Review: Object of Desire

Author: Calista Fox
ISBN: 9781603100038
Genre: Paranormal, Romance

YYYYY

Fast action, fast paced Indy Jones type story about a woman treasure hunter with a soft heart. Laurel Blackwood seeks out treasures and then uses the treasure or the money she makes off her finds for good. She is also a spy trying to right the wrongs of the world.

Devon Mallory is also a treasure hunter, but he hunts for the love of hunting and to keep the prize. In some ways these two adventurers couldn't be more different. The one thing that keeps them coming back together is their love and attraction for each other.

The whole spy angle added an extra something to the book that made it more exciting. The relationship between the hero and the heroine was funny at times and very sensual at others. I liked Laurel's independence and her compassion and I liked that Devon didn't feel he needed to step in and fight all of Laurel's battles.

Description:
When treasure hunter and spy Laurel Blackwood raids Victoria Peak in Belize to recover a rare Mexican fire opal rumored to evoke dark desires and passions, she unwittingly sets off a sequence of dangerous events--and finds herself in the midst of a battle between good and evil… and lust and love. Being chased through the Yucatan jungle is perilous enough, but Laurel must also keep the opal from falling into the hands of a deadly terrorist cell, a greedy Belizean dignitary, and one particularly hot and scandalous treasure hunter named Devon Mallory.

For ten years, Devon has had his eye on the thirty-million-dollar prized opal and his heart set on winning Laurel for keeps. But her web of secrecy and now her betrayal over recovering the legendary stone without him has Devon hell-bent on stealing the opal from her and collecting on the massive pay-out. Unfortunately for Devon, there is much more to Laurel Blackwood than she lets on. And soon, he’s caught in the eye of the storm—falling under her sensuous spell, willing to put his own life on the line to help her protect the mystical jewel.
But Devon will eventually have to decide which gem is his true object of desire…

Lucy Monroe publishes 45th book: Watch Over Me

Author: Lucy Monroe
ISBN: 978-0758229175
Series Connection: Book 4 in The Goddard Project series
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Description:
WATCH OVER ME is Lucy's 45th book.

MISSION: IRRESISTIBLE
Super spy Mykola Chernichenko comes from a family of geniuses, and though he's no idiot himself, he'd rather be where the action is than analyze it to death. That's why his vacation has just been cut short by a call to get two of his siblings out of some serious trouble—while protecting a nerdy scientist who's latest project could change the world...and get her killed.
The guy who'd rather act than think guarding an egghead in a lab coat? Myk would appreciate the irony more if he weren't so busy trying to figure out how, exactly, to get under said lab coat. Because Lana Ericson just happens to be the hottest thing working the scientific method since, well, ever. Myk has a feeling Lana's laser-like focus would translate to something equally intense in the bedroom. And if she's as curious about him, Myk might just be willing to donate his body to science—each and every night...

Romance Book Review: Circe's Recruits: Zack and Ace

Author: Marie Harte
Series: Circe’s Recruits
ISBN: 978-1-59632-245-5
Genre: Multicultural/Paranormal Shape-shifter/ Ménage

YYYY

Second book in Marie's Circe's Recruits. Not much new to say from the last review. This book read a little better than the first. A little more action and insight into story line. There was also a lot more character development, which helped make the story flow better.

Description:
In the three years since Project Dawn disbanded, Zack and Ace continue to fight the good fight. Now civilians, their squad--Circe's Recruits--works for a private organization bent on cleaning up the mess left in its wake. Pearson Labs continues to create Circs, people who have been genetically changed. When needed, these Circs take on an altered form neither man nor animal, but something in between. Unlike Zack and Ace's squad, the Circs coming out of Pearson Labs aren't sane.

Zack and Ace have been dancing around their "just friends" relationship for years. Being Circ means unavoidable intimacy when the mating heat strikes, and it's putting a strain on their friendship. They're finally nearing an understanding about what they truly mean to each other when they're stunned by Kelly, the woman they've been lusting after for years. Suddenly she's available to both in a way she's never been before. Lust and love confuse the issue, until wounded emotions pull the threesome apart and Kelly is captured by the enemy. Can Zack and Ace come to grips with their differences in time to save Kelly, or will their difficulties lose them the loves of their lives?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, domination, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/f/m), sex while in shifted form, violence.

Romance Book Review: Circe’s Recruits: Roane

Author: Marie Harte
Series Connection: Circe’s Recruits
ISBN: 978-1-59632-807-5
Genre: Shape-Shifter/Paranormal/ MFM / MM

YYYY

I've long been a fan of Marie Harte's work, but kind of lost touch with what she was writing for the past several months. I happened to run into a review on the Circe's Recruits and decided to give the series a try. So I started with Book 1 that was released in November of last year.

One thing that didn't disappoint me when reading this book was the quality of Marie's writing. She is just such a great writer that even when she proposes the ridiculous you want to believe everything she says and keep reading. Another thing is she writes the most appealing sex scenes and they seem to fit right in no matter what the situation. The characters are appealing and the love story fits well.

That said, the first book in the Circe's Recruits series, Roane, had me at times laughing out loud. The story line reminded me of the Incredible Hulk series in a lot of ways.

The first book gives readers a chance to learn about the elite group of men and it's new member Caitlyn. Caitlyn is sitting on the beach one day when two men try to abduct her. She has no idea who they are or what they want. She manages to get away from then and finds herself taken away instead by five other men. These men bring her to a Doctor who tells her that she has come into maturity of incredible powers and her life is about to change forever.

Although, the subject is a little "super heros" for me, I think I'll continue on with the series. As I said it may seem out of this world, but Marie is really a good writer and it will be interesting to see what she comes up with next in Zack and Ace's story.

Description:
In the three years since Project Dawn disbanded, Roane Weston and his men continue to fight the good fight. Now civilians, his squad--Circe's Recruits--works for a private organization bent on cleaning up the mess left in the wake of Project Dawn's rebirth. Run by Elliot Pearl, a ruthless millionaire, Pearson Labs continues to create Circs, people who have been genetically changed. When needed, these Circs take on an altered form, one neither man nor animal, but something in between. But unlike Roane and his squad, the Circs coming out of Pearson Labs aren't sane... Except for Caitlyn Chase, a female Roane can't get out of his mind.

As Caitlyn matures into the female Circ she was meant to be, she sets in motion a chain of events that will forever alter her future and those of Circe's Recruits. In the process, she'll fall in lust, in love with Roane, and in danger as she finally finds out who she really is. Only with Roane and her newfound friends can she hope to keep the PPA at bay while they crush an agenda that may spell the end of them all.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, domination, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/f/m), multiple partners, sex while in shifted form, violence.

Romance Book Review: Shared by Wolves

Author: Rena Marks
ISBN: 9781419917202
Genre: Paranormal/Werewolf/Menage a trois

YYYY

Shared by Wolves is a fast paced werewolf story. Alpha Duggan isn't used to being around humans so when it winds up he has a human mate, he doesn't quite know what to do. His brother, Jonathan, has lived in the human world for five years and has gotten to know Duggan's mate, Ellie, pretty well as a friend. While Duggan is a dominant alpha, Jonathan is sensitive and knows how to treat delicate human females. With the help of his brother, Duggan learns how to treat his mate.

While I liked the book all right, I would have liked the novella to have been longer. I would have like to have seen the characters more developed. Rena does a great job with the sex scene, which were hot and well written.

Description:
Ellis Rae Morgan is being married to the highest bidder. Life shouldn't be too bad with the one she's chosen. She'll be the pampered show-princess of a wealthy man who doesn't have a preference for females. Unfortunately, her new husband doesn't simply ignore women, he has a hidden perversion strong enough to harm them.

Ellie is unexplainably attracted to their powerfully built, gorgeous neighbor. Alpha wolf Duggan Baddeaux knows his neighbor's new bride is destined to be his pack mate. Duggan takes what he wants, no holds barred. And he wants Ellie.

Duggan struggles to control the violence within. Ellie is used to the pampered life, not constant sex and aggression. How can she possibly feel desire for the monster responsible for kidnapping her from her husband? Perhaps she needs to be initiated into his world slowly. His brother is a patient, more gentle teacher.

An apt pupil, Ellie will be shared by wolves.

Romance Book Review: Faking It

Author: Pam McKenna
ISBN: 9781419921957
Genre: Menage a trois or More / Contemporary / BDSM

YYYY

Nicely written erotic tale of an artist who tries to pass a fake painting to a millionaire and has the tables turned on her. After meeting sexy Garrett Harvey, Britt Munro thinks she is going to his house in the Hampton's to sell him a fake painting. When she arrives, Garrett introduces her to his friend who he says is and expert in art. When his friend Jack tells her that the painting is fake the two men tell her that they will turn her over the police if she doesn't go along with her plans. Little does Britt know, but Jack and Garrett aren't exactly what they say they are either.

Pam McKenna certainly knows how to write good erotic romance. Her scenes are imaginative and hot. Erotic fans will want to look for their own copy of Faking It.

Description:
Britt Munro faces seven days of sexual servitude at a swanky Hamptons beach house, being shared by the hottest two men she's ever met. It's either that or prison after she tries to sell millionaire art collector Garrett Harvey a fake nineteenth-century masterpiece she painted herself. Garrett's art-expert buddy Jack turns her weeklong punishment into a ménage à trois—his reward for spotting the forgery.

Both men are inventive, energetic lovers, but only one touches her heart. Only one makes her yearn for something…real, even after she discovers she's not the only one keeping secrets. When the week is up, she'll never see him again. Months later, Britt's past returns with a vengeance, testing both her courage and the depth of her ex-lover's feelings.

Romance Book Review: Hometown Courtship

Love Inspired Book of the Month
Author: Diann Hunt
ISBN: 9780373875399
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

YYYYY

Not one to like Christian books that quote a lot of scripture, I was pleased when I picked up Hometown Courtship. While I like Christian romance I like it better when an author takes the time to get creative to get the message across. That is just what Diann Hunt does in Hometown Courtship. Inside the pages of her novel she creates extraordinary characters wrestling with profound, yet all too common life issues.

Brad Sharp and his family have had a great loss. Brad's father and sister have both recently passed away. Brad's mother is experiencing severe depression. Brad, himself, is experiencing the guilt of not being there for his sister before she passed away like he promised his father he would be. Through it all his older brother has decided to matchmaker and send a woman Brad's way. It doesn't matter though because Brad is convinced he is leaving the country for his next missionary assignment as soon as it comes along.

Callie's life is a little disorganized. Now to make matters worse she has just been handed a sentence of community service from the local judge and all because she forgot to pay a parking ticket, or seven. Callie decides she can do just about anything, but go to work on a construction site. The very thought of the smell of sawdust reminded her of her father and the heartbreak of how he walked out on her years ago immediately following the death of her mother.

At times the courtship between Callie and Brad reminded me of an old fifty's movie with Doris Day and Rock Hudson. It was enjoyable going through the entire process with them.

Description:
His matchmaking brother is sending another single gal Brad Sharp's way. Under the guise of community service! The Make a Home project—building houses for the needy—is Brad's life. He fully expects hairstylist Callie Easton to show up for "work" with a pink hammer and not even use it. Hardly a match for him!

With a heart of gold and a talent for transformation, Callie works hard. Still, Brad won't notice her. His grief over a tragic loss has hardened his heart. Well, Callie knows all about loss. And thanks to Brad, she knows even more about making a home—for them.

Romance Book Review: The 39-Year-Old Virgin

Author: Marie Ferrarella
ISBN: 9780373654659
Genre: Silhouette/Contemporary Romance/Home and Family

YYYYY

Exceptionally written characters make up this Silhouette Special Edition about a former Dominican Sister who decides to leave the order when she suddenly realizes it just doesn't feel right anymore. She goes home to take care of her ailing mother and meets a man, whom as a boy she used to babysit.

This is a real crossroads story for Claire as she tries a assimilate with a world where she isn't quite sure God is standing by her side anymore. All has not changed for Claire though. Even now when she doesn't quite know where she fits into this new world she is creating for herself, she is lending a helping hand. When she sees that the boy she once knew is experiencing a world of hurt in his own right as a man, she steps in to help him.

Caleb is no longer the smiling face boy Claire remembered. An already hardened police, vice detective Caleb experienced a great loss when his wife was violently killed the year before. He makes it through the day only because of his son, Danny.

Claire knows that just surviving isn't working anymore for either Caleb or Danny and she pushes her way into their lives to make a difference.

One of the best part about Marie's writing is that she succeeds in producing believable, exciting characters. She has done her best work with both Claire and Caleb. Readers can feel the emotion sizzle not only between these two characters, but also when they are dealing separately with their own issues. I also like the fact that she doesn't try to fix all their hurts in just one week and suddenly the two are falling in love, but gives both characters time to adjust to the new world they've been thrown into and to come to terms with everything.

Note: While Claire is an ex-nun in this book, the religious aspect of the book remains very neutral. The story line is based on the individual characters and how they adjust to the world around them.

Description:
It was a big world out there…

But was ex-nun Claire Santaniello ready for it? Her yearning for a home and family had her shedding her habit and moving back to California. But her true calling definitely wasn't with sexy single dad Caleb McClain. Was it?

The stunning redhead seemed uncomfortable in the crowded bar. She was also tantalizingly familiar. Caleb couldn't believe the girl he'd once loved was now a teacher in their hometown. Soon after he rescued her from the dance floor, Claire made it her mission to bring out his softer side, arousing feelings Caleb couldn't ignore. Was it finally time for them to create the future together they both craved?