Romance Book Review: Jacky Russell's A Pack of Two

Author: Jacky Russell

ISBN: 9781616504236

Genre: Paranormal/ Shifter/ Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase link

Breanna is a one of a kind earth witch in a world where witches aren't too popular and many times killed on site. Lucky for Breanna she's won the respect of a group of werewolves and a few vampires in the Bravo Unit. On a scouting mission, Breanna comes upon a wolf being attacked by black magic creatures. 

When Lucas opens his eyes the first thing he sees is an angel. The two have an instant attraction. the only problem is werewolves and witch don't match and worst of all a werewolf alpha cannot mate with a witch. 

Lucas has a bit of his own problems. His father wants him to be involved with a pack Lucas feels no connection with. The year before his brother who was to be alpha disappeared and feared dead. That leaves Lucas to take his place. Lucas isn't interested in being the pack alpha. He doesn't even like being around other werewolves. 

Can two misfits find their way together against all odds?

Wonderful characterization and world building in this novel length book. Lucas is a strong hero with lots of insecurity issues that work right along with Breanna's tough warrior persona.

Description: 

A WITCH AND A WEREWOLF. A PACK OF TWO.

Master Sergeant Breanna Welker loves hockey games, cheesy fries, and being second in command of the U.S. Army's Bravo Company. The fact that her commanding officer is a vampire and most of her fellow soldiers are werewolves doesn't slow her down a bit. Her colorful vocabulary and uncompromising loyalty have endeared her to her unit, who don't give a damn she's a shape-shifting witch. 

Lucas Benelli can't boast the same loyalty from the people close to him. His father is the Alpha of the largest known werewolf pack in the world--a pack Lucas is expected to be the leader of. But Lucas has spent most of his life avoiding contact with his father's pack and they don't seem to like him much either. 

Together, they forge a connection not even Lucas's dysfunctional pack or Breanna's meddling unit can break--and come face-to-face with the hardest choice either of them has ever had to make. 

CONTENT WARNING: Includes a horde of evil witches, and one deliciously wicked witch with Mother Nature at her beck and call. 

Romance Book Review: Aliyah Burke's Holiday Liaison

Author: Aliyah Burke
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Interracial/ Erotic Romance
Publisher: Whispers Publishing

Purchase Link

Sage decides to do something different this year and attend a singles ski weekend for Christmas. She leaves a little early to spend some time skiing and meets Conall.

Conall and his friends are off for a couple of weeks on the slopes and hope to meet some pretty women along the way. The minute Conall steps out of the car and sees Sage he knows she's the one he wants to spend his vacation with. 

Sexy, sweet romance, featuring a good cast of characters. A little slow moving at times, but a nice romantic holiday read.

Description: 

A Christmas getaway may be just the thing to fulfill your greatest desires.

Conall Lennox is trying something new this holiday, a single's gathering at a resort in Colorado. The woman he meets there is a breath of fresh air for him. It doesn't take long and he's envisioning a lot longer than the short time they have together.

Sage Addison comes to the Village Resort to avoid the stress of Christmas with her nagging family. Still, meeting tall, dark, and handsome makes her think of spending more than just Christmas with him.

After their time together is over will Conall and Sage learn that not all liaisons are meant to be brief but can be the beginning of something new, something wonderful? Miracles can and do happen in Wonderland.

Romance Book Review: Lora Leigh's Wizard Twins Series

Lora Leigh is finally getting back to her Wizard Twins series next month with her new book Twin Passions. The Wizard Twins series was first written in 2003 with Menage A Magick featuring a far away world where Wizards and Sorceresses rule the planet. For a thousand years Sorceresses and Wizards have stayed clear of each other, but now because they are losing their magick they must find their way to forming relationships again. 

The first connection is up to Princess Sorceress Brianna. She must become the consort of the Veraga Twins, however tales and rumors of how one set of twins tore a woman apart keep her afraid to go anywhere near them. Drago and Lasen must convince the young princess they mean no harm.

In book two, When Wizards Rule, released in 2005, the Sashtain Twins must convince Brianna's sister Marina that she should be their consort. They have heard stories that Marina has been attacked by males before and she isn't going to amenable to a connection with the twins, however Caise and Kai’el are not ones to give up on something they want. They plan to seduce Marina into combining her magick with theirs, however the Sashtains are not the only ones with a secret that could change their lives forever. 

The book ends at a cliff hanger with the possibility of the planet going to ruins and an evil doer on the verge of causing a war between the Wizards and Sorceresses. 

Book three, which will be released on Amazon on Dec. 11 and Ellora's Cave on Dec. 12, features a heroine that was only mentioned once in the second book Aster. The book will feature more deception and knowing Lora Leigh some incredible sexy scenes. 

Menage A Magick

ISBN: 1-84360-457-4
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Purchase From Amazon |  B&N | Borders | Purchase eBook

Description: 

She was to be the filling in a Wizard Sandwich. For a millennial, the Covenani Sorceresses of planet Sentmar have been separated from the Cauldaran Wizards, their natural mates. Deceit and blood have forced a reunion; destiny and passion have forced a bond.

Brianna, youngest of the Princesses of Covenani, will be a consort to two handsome, virile Wizards. Will the union be forged in desire and love, or will she deny the union, as well as the two men who are bound to her, hearts and souls?

When Wizards Rule

ISBN: 1-4199-0335-7
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Purchase From Amazon |  B&N | Borders | Purchase eBook

Description: 

Desperate to avoid a Joining with the wickedly handsome Sashtain Twins, Marina escapes them

at every turn. Relentless, they plague her days, and torment her dreams - wickedly erotic dreams that make her body pulse with the promise of dark desires revealed and a sexual heat that will send her up in flames.

But when the hated Seculars gain in strength, and dark magic weaves an insidious, invisible threat to all she holds dear, she discovers there is more to be gained by aligning her magick with the Sashtain Wizards than she thought.

Caise and Kai’el Sashtain, focused solely on convincing the innocent young Sorceress to bond with them, get a lot more than they anticipated when Marina unknowingly weaves her magick spell on them - a sensual spell that pulls them into a vortex of churning emotions, forcing them to decisions that could alter all their lives.

Dark magick is terrorizing the land, no one is safe, all become suspect, and trusting her Wizards with her heart, body and soul is a lesson Marina has to learn before all is lost.

Twin Passions

ISBN: 9781419943065 

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Purchase From Amazon |  B&N | Borders

Description:

Book three in the Wizard Twins series.

Astra Al’madere betrayed all. All she loved. All she swore to protect. And all for the Dark Wizards whose passion and heat she could not turn away from. A Sorceress can sense her Twins, the men destined to join her in her power to strengthen the planet of Sentmar, and there was one thing she’d sensed for a while—the Delmari were hers. She could not turn her back on them, deliver them to justice, even though they had turned from her many years ago. A pain that still ripped her heart in two.

Torran and Rhydan knew the road to claiming their Consortress would not be an easy one. After all, a painful lie had driven her away, causing her to believe they did not burn for her. Were not consumed by her. But when she chooses to save them rather than to honor her duty, these Wizards know they now have the chance to show her she has always been the only one whom they desire.

Romance Book Review: Lora Leigh's Jacob's Faith

Author: Lora Leigh
Series Connection: Breeds/ Wolf Breeds
ISBN: 978-1843607489
Genre: Science Fiction/ Futurist/ Erotic Romance/ Paranormal/ Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing 

Purchase Link

Haven't had my Breed fix lately, so I decided to pull up one of the old books from the popular Lora Leigh series. While these books are best read in order the older books are easy to keep up with, without having to read pervious editions. 

Jacob's Faith is the second in the wolf breed books. The story features Jacob, the pack's enforcer, and Faith Aiden's blood sister and the pack liaison Jacob and Faith were forced together in the labs when Faith was just 18 years old and Jacob was afraid he hurt her then, even though he was wildly attracted to her. Since years had passed and they began understanding such things, Jacob realizes now that Faith is his mate. He's done everything up until now to keep her comfortable, except for giving her himself. He has been waiting for her to stop being afraid of him.

Wolfe, her pack leader, has sent Faith on an infuriating mission. She is to find Jacob in South America and give him some information. She's been search for two months without finding him. When she finally does, she really isn't all that happy to see him. All she wants to do is give him the message and get back to her life and away from him. That isn't possible. Wolfe has his own plans and that is finally get the two together, or lose Faith all together. 

Now the two are forced to go through mating heat and get to know if they can make it together. That could be difficult especially if Faith doesn't get her coffee and beer fix. Jacob knows that both are the worst things she could have if they all are going to stay sane.

This book follows suit with all of Lora Leigh's very erotic books that she wrote under the Ellora's Cave name. Erotic is however one of her strong suits, so be prepared for a lot of sex and frolicking. Jacob's Faith goes into a lot more detail than the short Wolfe's Hope before hand and explores more of the mate issues involved in the series. Fans of the later books will enjoy meeting the earlier characters who are so fondly mentioned in the newer books. 

Description:

They are a new breed, a new race. Engineered rather than born, trained rather than raised, and their unique genetics have created more than one surprise…

Jacob left Faith six years before, unaware that the mark he left on her also left her in an agony of sexual heat that never dimmed. Now Jacob and Faith are together again, but surprises lurk around every corner and dangers as dark and deadly as their very creation surround them in more ways than one.

Romance Book Review: Mary Wehr's A Heart's Endeavor

Author: Mary Wehr
Digital ISBN: 9781937325428
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link

After the death of her very unsupportive husband, clinically depressed Melanie is finally coming out of her shell and getting on with the rest of her life. She's found a new job and she actually driving a car again after four years. It is at her new job that she meets a new man and now she must decide if she can start another relationship or if her depression will get in the way of the new life she can have.

Jack is a state trooper who is close to retirement and hoping the next stage in his life he can find the right woman. When he sees Melanie for the first time he's ready to go over and find out exactly who the new woman is. After meeting her it isn't long until he decides Mel is the one for him, but first he has to find out what that sadness is in her eyes and make her realize she's the one for him no matter what the problems are.

This book tackles one of the tough issues in life and adds a budding romance to the mix. A little on the clinical side when relating to the subject matter, however well written erotic scenes and a good romantic match with the lead characters make up for it.

Description:
There are times when it's best to allow your heart to overrule your head.

Being diagnosed with depression not only messed up Melanie Manning's life, but her marriage as well. Her husband made it very clear that he considered her "damaged goods" and he didn't have time to coddle a mentally ill wife. After his sudden death, Melanie knew she was destined to be alone. Loneliness sounded a hell of a lot better than exposing her illness to another man. Her self-esteem couldn't survive another blow.

When state trooper Jack Horan meets Melanie, the attraction is immediate. Her deep blue eyes make him weak in the knees, but those eyes also hold a hint of sadness. Jack is determined to wipe away her pain, but how can he do that when Melanie refuses to let him get close to her?

Can Melanie learn to face her fears and trust her heart in the hands of another man?

Content Warning: some strong language, spanking, and sex play with a piece of fruit wielded by a hot guy in uniform.

Romance Book Review: Judy Mariott's Paranoral Siting Richmond, England

Author: Judy Mariott
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Paranormal/ Romantic Suspense/ Mystery Suspense
Publisher: Whisper Publishing

Purchase Link

Lovelle has run into a bit of bad luck on her farm for the past couple of years and she has to consider if she can keep up with the farm or sell. Just as she is experience yet another left of sheep on her farm she gets a new boarder. Jacob is a sexy new traveler to the area that Lovelle finds she's thinking about more than her problems.

Jacob is more than Lovelle knows. He's been sent to clean up an area of rogues for the organization he works for. By taking care of his problems is it possible he can take care of Lovelle's as well. 

Quick easy read featuring a sweet romance and a well written story line. The story develops quickly and builds offering good description of scenery and background for the mystery. 

Description:

When Jacob, a werewolf and an American agent for the, ‘Centre for World Wide Paranormal Sightings,’ arrives in England to investigate an increase in werewolf activities, he rents a room in the farmhouse of the beautiful Lovelle. He is intensely attracted to her but he knows she is forbidden fruit.

Immediately, Lovelle knows that Jacob is the man for her. But he is just ‘passing through’ and she does not need any further complications in her life.

It’s lust at first sight but both Lovelle and Jacob know that their desires cannot be indulged; Jacob must destroy the negative forces in the area and she has to save her family inheritance.

Romance Review: Tara Chevrestt's Style Me Sexy

Author: Tara Chevrestt
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Sweet Romance
Publisher: Whispers Publishing

Purchase Link

Bridget has a blind date and she wants to look her best, even though she doesn't think she can every be really pretty. She goes to her favorite salon to find her normal stylist isn't available. She's dismayed to see the sexy stylist who is available to help her.

Javiar has seen Bridget come into the salon several times and can't stand the fact that the pretty woman doesn't realize just how attractive she is. If he does nothing this day he will make sure that Bridget leaves the salon seeing exactly how beautiful she is.

Short story featuring a sweet romance theme with a lesson in loving the person you are.

Description:

The Self-Conscious Lady

Meet Bridget. She's a sweetheart, but she's carrying some baggage: distrust of men and the fear that she's ugly. Can a male stylist help her in time for her big date?

Bridget isn't beautiful. At least she doesn't think so. Besides, her ex always told her she wasn't. And she believes him. So when an online romance leads to a blind date, she heads to the salon for a makeover stat.

She's dismayed to discover that her usual stylist isn't available, and she has no choice but to let a man do her hair. Nervousness turns into sexual awareness as the sexy Javier buries his fingers in her tresses.

Javier has been aware of the timid but kind woman for some time and vows to make her see that she's beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside. Will he succeed in keeping his own feelings at bay and style her sexy?

Romance Byte: Rebecca Joyce's Emma's Tresures

Author: Rebecca Joyce

ISBN: N/A

Genre: Erotic Romance/ Contemporary Romance/ Menage A Trois/Quatre/ Western Romance

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.

Available: Nov. 14, 2012

Purchase Link

Description: 

The darling girl of Treasure Cove, Emma McKenzie, wanted for nothing, except the love of three men. Days after her twenty-first birthday, she gets her wish. But one night of passion takes everything that she has ever known. Emma finds herself miles away with a secret that will change the lives of the people she left behind.

After a fire that rocks the town and takes the lives of two of their own, the town is left with unanswered questions.

Travis, Tucker, and Tate Quinn are hardworking ranchers and have made a life for themselves in the community. They never forgot the girl that got away. When she shows up several years later, she brings unanswered questions, danger, and a surprise. Together, the Quinn brothers must work to figure out the mystery of the past, save the girl they love, and protect all that they hold dear.

Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.

A Siren Erotic Romance

Romance Byte: Carly Phillips' Perfect Fit

Author: Carly Phillips

Series Connection: Serendipity's Finest

ISBN: 978-0425259719

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley

Available: Dec. 31, 2012

Purchase Link

Description:

In the picturesque town of Serendipity, New York, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity’s finest?

Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn’t known. But Michael’s independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he’s as lost and restless as ever, until he’s challenged by someone he never anticipated.

Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara’s boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore – and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara’s a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer’s blood in his veins.

Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

Amazon's Romance Book of the Year #1

Title: Bared to You

Author: Sylvia Day

Series Connection: A Crossfire Novel

ISBN: 978-0425263907

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Erotic Romance

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Purchase Link

Description:

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness...

He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily...

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...

Amazon's Romance Book of the Year #2

Title: Witnes

Author: Nora Roberts

ISBN: 978-0399159121

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Putnam Adult

Purchase Link

Description:

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security  systems—and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something—and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

Amazon's Romance Book of the Year #3

Title: The Recruit

Author: Monica McCarty

Series Connection: A Highland Guard Novel

ISBN: 978-0345528414

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Purchase Link

Description:

Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce's secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth's best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar's bed.

The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?

Amazon's Romance Book of the Year #4

Title: Gunmetal Magic

Author: Ilone Andrews

Series Connection: A novel in the world of Kate Daniels

ISBN: 978-0425256138

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Ace

Purchase Link

Description:

Some people have everything figured out—Andrea Nash is not one of those people

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is to try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate…and must work with Raphael. As Andrea’s search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, she knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a back seat to saving the world…