Wednesday, November 26, 2014

5 out of 5: Riding the Storm by Sydney Croft

By Sydney Croft

Book Blurb:

A storm’s rage. A woman’s desire.
A man with the power to set them both free.

He can summon lightning at will. Emerge unscathed from the center of a tornado. Strip a woman down to her barest defenses through the sheer force of his sexuality. He’ s gorgeous, dangerous, and the target of parameteorologist Haley Holmes’s latest mission. Haley has been dispatched to the Louisiana bayous to investigate the phenomenon known as Remy Begnaud–a man with a gift he never wanted: the ability to control a storm’s fury. But even a woman trained in bizarre weather phenomena has no defense against the electrifying power of the ex—Navy SEAL...a power his enemies would kill to control.

With her agency monitoring their every move, Haley’s job is to seduce Remy, gain his trust–and help him harness his extraordinary gift. But who will protect her from this voracious lover who’s introducing her to a new world of erotic thrills—a man who grows increasingly insatiable with each new weather event? Haley knows a big storm is approaching—and with it will come unexpected delights. But so, too, will the storm unleash her greatest fears: an enemy bent on destroying Remy. And her worst fear of all—falling in love with this magnificent man, then having to betray him.



Review by Scarlett Roberts; rating 5 out of 5

I adored this book. I adored it so much I actually couldn’t stop reading and went ahead and read straight through the 2nd book in the series before taking a breather to write this review. First off, I love comic books and graphic novels, and I love my romances and erotica. This COMBINES those things, and it’s just freaking fantastic. It’s like X-men meets erotica with a great storyline all wrapped up in a neat little package (with a big red bow!) and placed under my Christmas tree just for me.

There is the main storyline going on between Remy and Haley, and there are also some other minor subplots featuring characters I can only assume we’ll be getting more involved with as the series progresses. I liked having these glimpses of what might possibly be in the future. Remy and Haley were great together. And HOT. So, so HOT. Remy is a great alpha-male type, ex-Navy Seal, rough around the edges but very loving in his own way. Haley was not a “damsel in distress” heroine. That girl knows how to take care of herself, and I really appreciate that in female characters.

This book as it all…A great ORIGINAL concept, fabulous writing, awesome characters. What else do you want? Go get it, read it, love it. My rating: 5 out of 5.

Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

5 out of 5: Karly's Wolf by Penny Alley

Karly's Wolf (Hollow Hills #1) 

By Penny Alley

Published: September 28, 2014
Book Blurb:

On the run from her abusive husband, Karly Whitaker flees across state lines and finally settles in an old mining town called Hollow Hills. Starting over has never been so scary. To make it worse, on her first night in a new place she hits a dog—the biggest, blackest, wolf-like creature she has ever seen. Although he appears more dazed than hurt, Karly takes him home. But while it’s comforting not to be alone, it’s hard to ignore the strange things happening around her. All she wants to do is hide from her husband, Fish and Game won't leave her alone, her gun-toting neighbor scares her to death, and every morning Puppy vanishes, leaving her to deal with Colton Laurens all on her own. Colton—the dark-haired, honey-eyed Game warden, whose gentlest touch makes her battered heart ache and whose hungry kisses burn her from the inside out. For the first time in her life, Karly knows what it's like to live unafraid, but with more than ghosts haunting her footsteps, she’s beginning to suspect not everything in Hollow Hills is what it seems… 



Reviewed by Phoenix Andrews, 5 out of 5

Don't be fooled by the rather barren cover of Karly's Wolf. This was one of the best books I've read in months. 

I loved Karly. She was forever at a disadvantage in a community inhabited by shifters but she didn't back down from what she wanted. Even knowing she didn't stand a chance of winning she refused to stay down. Sure, she got her ass handed to her multiple times but she kept getting up and refused to let the villains make her feel inferior. 

Colton...Colton was kind of a hot mess. He wants to do right by his clan and take a shifter bride but it's clear his heart is lost to Karly when they first meet. Colton is strong, caring and not afraid to get his hands dirty. 

If you're looking for a great story where the heroine is human with no knowledge of the supernatural and the hero is a shifter, Karly's Wolf is for you. 

Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews

Monday, November 24, 2014

2 out of 5: A New Beginning by Jennifer Mueller


By Jennifer Mueller

Published: October 23, 2014
Book Blurb:

Emma's life hasn't been easy, but when she got married nine years earlier it was supposed to get better. Then the Civil War happened leaving her alone with Charlie, Jacob's son and little else.

One year together in all that time before he announces they have a new home in Cimarron, New Mexico. What else should she expect but him leaving her in the house alone again the very day they arrive?

But when Jacob gets himself killed it starts a new beginning, if only they had a way to keep food on the table. And Matt Colton riding up with cattle solves more than one problem.

Is it possible to trust a man so good looking after what Jacob put her through? One part says yes, but the other doesn't have a chance to find out before Jacob's past is looking for her to pay his debts.

                             


Review by Scarlett Roberts, rating 2 out of 5
This story had a lot going for it. I'm a sucker for a hot cowboy (who isn't?). I enjoyed Emma as the heroine. She had been hurt by her husband but it didn't make her bitter. She was still willing to help people and open herself up when she didn't have to.  It was hard for her to trust another man again,  but Matt was a good man and eventually she saw that and accepted it. I think that's something a lot of women can relate to. 

Sometimes the writing didn't flow smoothly. There would be a conversation between two people then all of a sudden you're at a different location with different people...that made the reading sort of stop-and-go for me at times.  I also thought the relationship between Emma and her stepson was weird and maybe just not written well?  Half the time it seemed he was a good kid,  that Emma had done right by him. The other half of the time she was thinking he was going to be a good-for-nothing man just like his dad; and the side storyline of him getting a girl pregnant, running off and getting married. It didn't really fit in with the main storyline all that well,  kind of muddied the water. 

All in all, this was a good read. I think with a few characters cut out who didn't really contribute anything to the story,  and more time devoted to Emma and Matt,  this could be a really excellent read. My rating, 2 out of 5.

Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for Readers and Writers

Need a gift idea for an author or avid reader? Unless you want to get them a gift card for new books or have a few hundred to drop on an e-reader buying a gift for writers and readers can be daunting. Below you'll find some Christmas gift ideas I've cultivated that will please all the literati in your life.


$32









$17-$49










$14





$42



$20
Or you can create these yourself for a unique, free gift! 


















25 teabags individually tagged with literary quotes from the world over, 
made with the finest English Breakfast tea.
$14.95


$12



$18

Paddywax Candles Library Collection Edgar Allan Poe Soy Wax Candle, 6.5-Ounce (Cardamom, Absinthe, Sandalwood)









$35

Friday, November 21, 2014

3 out of 5: Assassin (Planet Alpha) by Nicola Cameron


By Nicola Cameron



Published: October 23, 2014
Novella, 97 pages, M/M/M
Book Blurb:

When raiders steal a desperately needed power cell from a refugee camp, Duncan Shea and other members of the New Black Watch set out on their trail. After a deadly ambush kills his fellow watchmen, Duncan vows to find the raiders and bring them to justice. His search leads him to a grounded shuttle carrying an Alphan warrior named Taric and a mysterious Xyran named Zhan. The handsome aliens agree to help Duncan, but he quickly learns they also have a plan of their own—to claim him as their mate. Forced to hide their bond from their respective governments, Taric and Zhan never expected to find their third bondmate on Earth, and definitely not in the middle of an unauthorized mission to stop a vicious Xyran slave-master. Neither of them can resist the urge to claim Duncan, but will their new mate help them catch their old foe, or turn them over to Earth—and Alphan—justice?




Reviewed by Scarlett Roberts, Rating: 3 out of 5

I can't say that I've read a book that featured a M/M/M erotic romance, and I can't say that I'd choose to read another one. Don't get me wrong, the erotic scenes were well done and I'd think if you enjoyed M/M sex scenes you would thoroughly enjoy this novella as well. I didn't NOT enjoy it, it just didn't get me all hot and bothered like I usually would be after reading erotica. 

I did enjoy the physical descriptions of the 2 different alien species. So many times I read a sci-fi and the aliens are basically super-smart humans. Really? What are the odds they would look EXACTLY like us?

The plot was there if maybe a little lacking. It is a shorter book so I think the author did a good job of letting you get to know the characters and the problems they face...A good job, but maybe could have done a little more.

Overall, an enjoyable and quick read. I think someone else more "into" the featured romance (M/M/M) would enjoy this novella even more. Either way, my rating : 3 out of 5.

Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Thursday, November 20, 2014

5 out of 5: St. Augustine's Silhouettes by Kate Hill


Kate Hill

Published October 23, 2014
Book Blurb:

A killer runs loose in a small American town. When free-spirited Katherine allies herself with a man dubbed Satan by the townsfolk, has she found the man of her dreams or has she fallen into the hands of a murderer?

St. Augustine's Silhouettes was previously published by Echelon Press. This is a revised and expanded version.



                                     



Reviewed by Scarlett Roberts, Rating: 5 out of 5



What a lovely little story! I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. The concept was something new and different, which (with the amount I read!) I greatly appreciate and I imagine is quite hard for an author to do nowadays.

The romance between the hero and heroine was sweet as well as steamy. The actual murderer was someone I had never suspected, and again, I thank the author for keeping me (pleasantly!) surprised.

Overall a very quick and enjoyable read. My rating: 5 out of 5


Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

4 out of 5: Goddess, Spellbound by Cate Masters

Goddess, Spellbound (Goddess Connection #3)

By Cate Masters

Published November 9, 2014
Book Blurb:

Ancient pyramid tomb doors. Mummified warriors. Artifacts appearing from nowhere. And that’s just Sandy Whitaker’s work as museum curator. When spells become curses, and the dead return for vengeance, her dream job turns into a living nightmare. 

The warrior Iker’s triumphed over difficult pharaohs and returned from battles victorious, but dealing with Sandy Whitaker is his hardest task yet. A descendant of Egyptian goddess Bastet, she’s headstrong, naïve and completely alluring. Can he convince her to perform the ritual spells to save the Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s eternal soul? More importantly, can he help her realize she doesn’t need to be descended from a goddess to be one herself? 

Sandy reluctantly embraces her heritage as Sanura, demi-goddess of cats. But even with her new powers, can she fulfill her destiny? If she can survive being kidnapped by a cobra shifter, she’ll do her best to perform the Pyramid Texts ritual spells so Hatshepsut can sail into the Afterlife at long last. But once the queen pharaoh is gone forever, will Iker leave her too? 


Reviewed by Phoenix Andrews, 4 out of 5


This book was a breath of fresh air. I loved the transformation from clumsy, shy heroine to strong and confident descendant of a goddess. Sandy/Sanura wasn't ready to take every crazy idea as fact but she didn't hang onto her denial past the point of common sense either. Iker, the hero, was magnificent. He had all the insecurities you would expect of someone transplanted from another time and place but none of the idiocy. 

The author did an excellent job of showing not telling. The paranormal element was well done and the ancient Egyptian pantheon integrated with present day in a believable way.

A ton of ancient Egyptian facts find their way into this book and there was one error I couldn't look past. There were many references to Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. Except...it was Mark Antony, not Anthony. I kept thinking J-Lo's ex husband somehow made his way into this book instead of the ancient lover of Cleopatra. Now, I took a course specifically concerning ancient Egypt while in college and the average reader probably won't know the difference but every time I saw "Anthony" instead of "Antony" I cringed. There were also some "tense" issues where the tense would slip from past to present. 

Despite the few issues listed above I thoroughly enjoyed reading Goddess, Spellbound and will be adding the previous two books in this series to my TBR list.  

Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Review: President or Playboy by Temple Madison



President or Playboy

Temple Madison

Published September 30, 2014
Book Blurb:


His days were filled with executive decisions, but his nights were filled with hot sex, whispered obscenities, and orgasms that flooded his soul! 

Around every corner were women who wanted a taste of his ten-inch power, and our lusty president was only too happy to give it to them. What he didn't know was, while he was fucking the hell out of the population, close by a powerful femme fatale was planning to steal the country’s secrets from under his sexy nose! 

By the time he learned her deadly secret, this Texas beauty with a gift for naughty sex already owned him body and soul. Now another executive decision had to be made. 

To stop this woman from walking off with the country’s secrets, he would have to decide if he was a president—or a playboy!




Reviewed by Scarlett Roberts, Rating: 1 out of 5



I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I had this and another one saved on my bookshelf, and after reading both blurbs, I went with this one. It sounded good. Politics and sex...right up my alley, but no. Just. No.

The whole story is absolutely ludicrous. Just everything about it. I understand books can bend reality to push the plot lines along, I have no problem with that. This just went above and beyond that though; so unrealistic it made me laugh at times. First, we have a young boy witnessing the horrific murder-suicide of his parents, all stemming from dear, old dad leaving his family for his red-headed mistress. Fast forward, boy has been taken under the wing of a wise old southern senator who has a gorgeous red-headed daughter. Tells boy he’ll put him in the White House and his daughter is going with him. Fast forward, boy is President, girl is First Lady, but alas, still a red-head. He treats his (beautiful) wife like absolute dog crap, all because she has red hair. Seriously? And I’m sure we’ve had some randy Presidents in our nation’s history, a lot worse than we can probably imagine…but this guy just sleeps with whoever, whenever, wherever. He gets caught (multiple, multiple! times) and doesn’t get in trouble? No impeachment proceedings? Where is Fox News in this story? The President gets shot (along with VP and speaker of the House) and the First Lady’s Dad speaks up and says “Hey, my daughter should be President now” and it actually happens? I’m pretty sure we’ve got contingency plans for leadership past 3 people. Then there’s a crazy, psycho woman who’s convinced she’s been reincarnated? Some of her past lives include Mina Harker, Circe, and Lucretia Borgia? She’s obsessed with the President, and I guess tries to make problems for him? The whole thing is so bizarre, it’s hard to tell sometimes what exactly the author was going for.


Maybe if there had been some super hot sex scenes, I could have overlooked SOME of the plot. But again, no. After waiting until I was 55% done with this book to get a legitimate sex scene, this is what I was forced to endure …“rigid piece of meat she wanted to worship like a pagan” and “his magical thrusts carried her upward, higher and higher in an erotic elevator”. Enough said, right? I’m (obviously) giving this book a 1 out of 5.


Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Monday, November 17, 2014

Review: Delivered Into His Hands by Charlotte Boyett-Compo


Delivered Into His Hands (WindWorld #17)

By Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Published June 20, 2014
Book Blurb:

He is the bastard son of the invading king, she the daughter of a baron. An ancient prophecy binds them long before birth. Love will be theirs despite the tremendous odds —he’s a Vampire and she’s human.

To Garrick Warwyck, Antonia Blackthorn is his world. Her body and soul belong to him. Antonia’s fire heats his blood. Her touch renders him helpless. Nothing will prevent him from branding her his own.

From the moment Antonia lays eyes on Garrick, she feels the pull of a woman for her Life-mate. He is all she’s ever dreamed—a living, breathing hero from the pages of her romance novels. Becoming his wife might be a wise political move for her family but to her, it’s a wish come true.

In the shadows another man bides his time. Alyxdair Clay has loved Antonia since childhood. Despite the prophecy and claim Warwyck makes upon her, Alyxdair will do everything in his power to tear them apart.



Reviewed by Phoenix Andrews, 4 out of 5



I read this book without reading any of the other books in this series. Though some of the plot points would have been clarified had I read previous books it worked as a standalone. The premise and setting were a dichotomy of futuristic mixed with historical and paranormal. The story spans so many years I'd almost call this a saga instead of a romance. 

The heroine was a bit naive for my taste but she wasn't weak and simpering. The hero...the hero, Garrick, almost had me rating this story lower than a 4. He almost wasn't redeemable. Garrick did some rather horrible things I just couldn't write off such as backhanding the heroine in a fit of rage. A few of these events were glossed over like the heroine simply forgot they had happened but I surely couldn't. I ended up feeling zero sympathy for the hero and very little for the heroine. 


Once I stopped thinking of this story as a romance and began reading it as a Sci-Fi saga, I loved it.  The writing style is flawless, inventive and intriguing. Overall, Delivered Into His Hands is a great read. 


Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews

Friday, November 14, 2014

Review: Tall, Silent and Lethal by R.L. Mathewson


By R.L. Mathewson

Reviewed by Phoenix Andrews, 5 out of 5

Tall, Silent and Lethal by R.L. Mathewson was a book worthy of the New York Times Best Selling Author caption on the cover. Christofer, the hero, had the tragic backstory, ripped abs and big heart required of the most elite book boyfriends. Cloe, the heroine, was smart and strong but not a Mary Sue character. Cloe is scarred and prone to panic attacks which fit her backstory perfectly. 

Though this book is part of a series it reads wonderfully as a standalone. This isn't a compilation of sex scenes strung together to form a barely there plot like we're seeing with a lot of romance books today. Tall, Silent and Lethal is a well-edited, fully developed book with evolving characters and a complete story arc. This isn't fluff or poorly camouflaged literary porn. This is a brave-the-bathtub-with-your-kindle and function on three hours of sleep the next day because you couldn't stop reading kind of book. 

The suspense and villain were perfectly balanced with the sexual chemistry of the main characters and the evolution of their romantic relationship. I've read other books by this author and R.L. Mathewson never disappoints. 

Reviewer, Phoenix Andrews

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Review: Blayde of Darkness by Charlotte Boyett-Compo



Blayde of Darkness

By Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Reviewed by Scarlett Roberts, Rating: 4.5 out of 5





This is the 2nd book I've read out of the WindWorld Realm, and I’m really digging it. I learned a lot more about the settings and supernatural beings after being more immersed in this universe.

This story was fabulous. Lots of intrigue, a murder mystery, horrid wrongful imprisonments, a mother reuniting with her son (previously thought dead), and a villain best compared to a black widow spider. Ambassador Ailbhe Cunneen is a BAD, BAD woman, but actually one of my favorite parts of this book (does that make me secretly evil?). She is a very well-written, strong, female villain, and I enjoyed her absolute and total evilness!

Blayde and Sage’s relationship, the backstory between Cunneen and Blayde’s mother and father, the plotting, and finally the victory for our hero & heroine…it all worked wonderfully together. This is categorized as a “futuristic erotic romance” which it was, and at the same time so much more than that. I would not expect such an in-depth plot from an “erotic romance”. This book is HOT and SMART at the same time…can you ask for much more? My rating 4.5 out of 5

Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Review: Haunting You by Viola Estrella

Haunting You (Bewitching Women #2)

by Viola Estrella


Review by Phoenix Andrews, 5 out of 5




Haunting You was a pleasant surprise. It was more of a sweet romance as opposed to steamy though there was plenty of sexual tension. Rachel, the heroine, is beautiful and comes from a wealthy family but she isn't perfect. She can see ghosts and the spirits who seek her out aren't content to wait patiently for her attention. 

August, the hero, is a handsome doctor who has recently inherited a house...and two teenage nephews. He has no idea how to manage two kids, a household, and a private practice in a small town. The house is dirty, the kids are surly, and he hasn't been laid in so long he might be losing his charm. 

I wanted to hate Rachel because she was so damn pretty and privileged.  Her overbearing mother, cold father, selfish sister and the sterile mansion she grew up in softened me towards her.  When she took on the task of cleaning August's house and didn't run screaming from the mess of two teenage boys and one man-child I decided I could like her.

The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the writing style. Haunting You had plenty of suspense and the chemistry between the characters kept me intrigued. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Bewitching Women series. 

Reviewed by Phoenix Andrews

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Review: Captive of Her Heart by Charlotte Boyett-Compo



By Charlotte Boyett-Compo



Reviewed by Scarlett Roberts, Rating: 3.5 out of 5








There were a lot of things to like about this book. The storyline was very intriguing and well-done. I really get into all that deadly, political maneuvering. Even though the setting for this book takes place far, far into the future, there were some aspects that reminded me of a historical romance…fighting Kings, Queens, and Emperors; and all the intrigues, spies, and betrayals that go along with them. There is a pretty large cast of characters (one named Lucius Severus Petronius…an homage to Harry Potter??) that really make this a well-developed plot.

Some things I did have a problem with…the vocabulary. I find it hard to believe that when 2 Alpha males are having a rather heated argument with each other (like they are about to fight to the death!) that they would call each other a “brat” or a “twat”. Also, I don’t know how many times Queen Sairin was referred to as a “whore” or a “slut” because she was forced by her brother at a young age to have sex with a powerful man and became pregnant. If this is supposed to be held 1,000 years from now, I hope and pray that our slut-shaming days are over. It was also confusing to me that our hero was a “Reaper”, could turn into an animal, and maybe had to drink blood…I just didn’t get the whole picture about some of the supernatural beings. I believe there are other books by this author set in the same "universe", so maybe that is explained earlier? As a stand-alone book though, I would have liked some more details.

All in all, I found this to be an enjoyable read. Rating 3.5 out of 5. I think with some of the under-developed sidelines cut out, and a little more backstory into the main characters, it would have been a 5 out of 5.


Reviewer, Scarlett Roberts

Monday, November 10, 2014

Review: Future Prospect by Lynn Rae

Future Prospect (Love Under a New Star #1)

by Lynn Rae


Reviewed by Phoenix Andrews, 4 out of 5






I'm always looking for a good sci-fi, alien world romance and I felt like I'd found and read all of them in existence until I came upon Lynn Rae's Future Prospect. I've been spoiled by the Brides of the Kindred series by Evangeline Anderson and the Cyborg Seduction series by Laurann Dohner so I'm hard to please when it comes to sci-fi romance. However, I really enjoyed Future Prospect by Lynn Rae.

Colan is a loner and spends his time mapping and surveying newly discovered planets. He's socially awkward and withdrawn and when I think of his character the word "curmudgeon" comes to mind. Somehow, despite his Scrooge McDuck personality, he manages to be sexy and attractive instead of petulant. He's a man, so he makes boneheaded decisions and acts like a jerk on occasion but I didn't find it a turn-off as much as realism.

Lia, the heroine, is strong but doesn't read as too good to be true or unattainable. I kind of want to be Lia when I grow up, LOL. She's in a bit of denial when it comes to her feelings but what character isn't? She's insecure at appropriate times but isn't afraid to stand up for herself which I liked about her.

There wasn't much I disliked about Future Prospect and we all know I'm not afraid to dislike anything. The only thing that had me growling was the villain of the story. How did no one suspect the culprit before the end? The security chief at the very least had to have had his suspicions and I would have liked to see him acknowledge this early on, even if only in the form of inner dialogue. I wanted to slide inside the book and knock some heads together and scream "It's so obvious! That's the person right there!"

The alien world and setting was well-developed without approaching overly described. The cover is hot and well-crafted. I found only a handful of editing errors and they were easily overlooked. All in all, I would definitely recommend Future Prospect and am looking forward to the next in series.