Archives for October 2013

Little Black Dress by Scarlet Chastain

October 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DRESS
Little Black Dress by Scarlet Chastain
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (41 pgs)
Other: F/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Thistledown

Never underestimate the power of the little black dress…

Paris—the romance and fashion capital of the world. So what the hell makes Jamie Scotts, an IT geek from New York, think the city of lights holds the answers? Driven by need for change, she lies to her boss about her fluency in French and becomes the company’s first international sales person. Fluent? She can barely ask for directions to the ladies’ room.

This medication has turned into a great help for men fighting against prolonged erection problems and buy levitra mouthsofthesouth.com experiencing the worst time of their life. However we can see the HTA bodies starting to try and agree on a scientific viewpoint; something which could be cialis tabs 20mg achieved by sharing information early on in the process and having joint scientific advice. It cures the early discharge problem and helps to gain get harder erections without any fear of cialis 5mg tablets side effects. You cannot take cialis pills for sale 100mg as a daily dietary supplement. Jamie’s a duck out of water with her low maintenance style and New York accent. Her unsuccessful sales pitch almost sends her home, until she meets the epitome of elegance—Giselle Bianchi. An unlikely relationship blossoms as the dress designer takes Jamie under her wing. Giselle’s guidance not only reveals Jamie’s missing je ne sais quoi, but also unlocks repressed passion with the help of a little black dress.

Jamie Scotts is a woman on a mission. She is on her first foreign sales campaign in Paris and is hitting a brick wall. No one will talk to her. When she meets a woman by chance at a café, her trip makes a turn for the better. Giselle takes her in hand and shows her how to do business, dress and slowly but surely she loses her heart.

This short Romance on the Go title was a nice read for an afternoon. These days, with my busy schedule, I like snack size romance. This edible morsel was a delightful travel adventure about one woman helping another and a realization that their relationship went far more into personal waters than simple friendship.

Giselle is a sophisticated fashion designer that started at the bottom. She sees Jamie floundering and helps her. Her feelings deepen and when she sees Jamie in the arms of a man, she drops her like a hot potato. Therein lies the conflict of the story. Is Jamie ready to commit to another woman? Will Giselle answer her phone after leaving with no explanation? A taste of Paris, an almost romance and a final episode of self-discovery make this a fun and lively read.

The sensuality and low undercurrents of the book are appealing and the characters believable. Going to a new country as a salesperson would be a scary endeavor. Finding someone who shows you the ropes will bond anyone, but in this case, the two ladies involved find an enduring passion that was refreshing. The sex scene in the back of the book was tastefully done and left many possibilities yet untapped. I enjoyed the book and will look for more works by this author.

If you want a short lesbian erotic read, check out this Romance on the Go.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Don’t Want to Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell

October 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MISS
Don’t Want to Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (418 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephantois

Dexter Yates loves his fun, care-free London life; he has money, looks and girlfriends galore. But everything changes overnight when his sister dies, leaving him in charge of her eight-month-old daughter Delphi. How is he ever going to cope?

Comic-strip artist Molly Hayes lives in the beautiful Cotswold village of Briarwood. When it comes to relationships, she has a history of choosing all the wrong men. Leaving the city behind, Dex moves to Briarwood – a much better place to work on his parenting skills – and he and Molly become neighbours. There’s an undeniable connection between them. But if Dexter’s going to adapt, he first has a lot to learn about Molly, about other people’s secrets…and about himself.

In order to make firm erections a person will have to be facing proper flow side effects viagra of blood to their penis. Like vardenafil canadian pharmacy , every single ingredient of VigRX Plus is approved by FDA. Online viagra on line pharmacy deals with best relieving medicines like acarbose, aceon, cardizem, cazodex, lexapro, nizoral, paxil, Zoloft etc which plays the role of best relieving agent for different diseases. The pills should at least do justice and here order levitra online must treat the issue from the person so that it should not bother their personal life or professional life either. I always look forward to reading a Jill Mansell book, and this one was as entertaining as the previous ones.

Don’t Want To Miss A Thing is yet another story filled with delightful characters who you grow to love as the plot progresses. Dex is a character who draws you in because he goes from playboy to dotting uncle and sometimes he melts your heart, sometimes you’re frustrated with him.

And then there’s Molly, his next door neighbor who you know is perfect for him and that’s part of the fun of reading this story.

Along with these two main characters, there are the secondary ones who are just as fascinating, and with problems of their own which provide interesting sub-plots.

The setting is also great and Ms. Mansell makes the quaint English village come to life. Dialogue as always was realistic, and despite this being over four hundred pages long, it’s fast paced.

If you’re looking for something to add to your fall reading list, this might be one for you to try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Mitchell’s Run by Amy Gallow

October 24, 2013 By 1 Comment

RUN
Mitchell’s Run by Amy Gallow
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (220 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed By Daisy

Cynthia Sheldon is a modern young woman. She does not believe in ghosts. When Andrew Mitchell rescues her from a blizzard and shelters her in his mine, she knows there has to be a logical explanation. She finds it in Drew Mitchell, the current owner of Mitchell’s Run. Proving that she wasn’t fooled by any ghostly masquerade seemed quite simple in the beginning. Then her emotions got in the way…

This book demands time to decipher and dwell on its questions, both during and after reading, but the protagonist Cynthia is even more confused than we are. Cynthia has to discern whether Drew and Andrew are the same man, an elaborate hoax thought up for gold, or different men, which would mean she has walked into a ghost story.

Mankind has always been concerned about the buy viagra for cheap ability (or lack thereof) to get an erection. It promotes collagen production and eliminates wrinkles. commander viagra An active routine consumption of nitrate drugs also need a restriction from the use of this concerned drug over these situations has been monitored to be successful and worthy. cialis properien discover for more info Gokhru Fruit is very buying cialis from canada much beneficial to combat this awful situation. The atmosphere of this novel is an intense homage to the wild frontier and the gold digging days where any man could find his treasure and future in the outback. However this fuses with the modern in ways which make this genre new and titillating to read. It’s an adventurous romance with an old time man at dances and horse rides which is picturesque in its scenery and historical through modern gestures, a homage to the old and celebration of the new.

Andrew/Drew and Cynthia are well thought out with a witty repartee continuing between them throughout the novel. They fight to get the advantage of the other and understand them enough they are not five steps behind. Chess has been provided by Gallow as a good metaphor for this process.

These characters never become dull or predictable as the sheer force of their personalities keeps them on the road to the unique and unexpected. There were many times I had to change my mind over Andrew/Drew and his intentions and Cynthia had to change hers along with me. It is a debate of the mind from start to finish.

In addition, Ms. Gallow provides language like ‘awareness advanced and retreated like gentle waves on a beach’ which sets the scene but also feels classic. Much like a later description of Drew’s horse race, a historical scene is paired with a stark, atmospheric visual which draws the reader into the story and binds us with Cynthia and her questions.

Mitchell’s Run is a story I will not forget any time soon. Its visuals and characters whisper on my periphery and the love story seems to endure across the centuries. This is not a novel which stops with the last line. It’s one that continues beyond the horizon and the people of its making.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Children by Jonathan Janz

October 24, 2013 By 1 Comment

CHILDREN
The Children by Jonathan Janz
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Horror
Length: Short Story (96 pgs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Peaceful Valley is about to become a slaughterhouse!

Jesse thinks he’s caught a break when he, the girl of his dreams, and her friend are assigned by their newspaper to cover the opening weekend of the Peaceful Valley Nature Preserve, a sprawling, isolated state park. But the construction of the park has stirred an evil that has lain dormant for nearly a century, and the three young people—as well as every man, woman, and child unlucky enough to be attending the grand opening—are about to encounter the most horrific creatures to ever walk the earth. A species so ferocious that Peaceful Valley is about to be plunged into a nightmare of bloodshed and damnation.

As impotence is mostly observed due to erectile dysfunction, and to levitra generic cheap my link promote prostate health. Peyronie’s Disease (a bending in erect penis), Phimosis (a tight foreskin), a tight frenulum (a piece of skin, which joins the foreskin to the cialis prescription cost male sex organ). The drug will be delivered to sildenafil india wholesale you in short. The whiplash for chiropractic , joint dysfunction, or spinal manipulation includes short thrusts or gentle movements of the impaired area or joints in the restricted direction, done by the chiropractic doctor. 2.Muscle Stimulation or Relaxation This unique chiropractic treatment includes gentle tadalafil pharmacy online unica-web.com stretches of the muscle which has too much tension or repetitive contractions. In part one of the Savage Species series, Jesse, Emma and Colleen, a young group of newspaper writers were on site to write about the opening of the newly constructed Peaceful Vally Nature Preserve Park. While there interviewing the local residence they are invaded by inhuman monsters. Charly is at her wits end with her husband and then she finds one of the monsters has taken her son from his room.

Part two picks up with Jesse, Colleen and Professor Clevenger in a grisly fight for their lives. They’ve left the playground and found the creatures were even worse at the RV site. They load up the truck but can’t leave until they find Emma. Dead bodies are piling up. A war between humans and monsters is in full effect. Janz continues his awesome detailed description of the fight to get away from these mystery killer monsters.  For a bit, the shooting and killing seemed to go on forever, almost to the point of over doing it. Then finally they pack into a white Buick with monsters chasing behind them as they head to Red Elk’s place looking for a possible escape.

The story also continues with Sam and Charly both have made a plan to go look for Charly’s son. Eric Florence, Charly’s husband, sees Eric and Charly and decides to follow them.

Janz makes the reader feel as if they are actually in the middle of the terror. The second installment in the Savage Species series, The Children continues on to be a darkly intriguing mystery. It is a good read and Janz definitely has a talent for being creative and delivering an extremely visual setting, but I do have to point out a few things that I found irritating. In the mist of death, horror and running for their life they find time to discuss soft porn, and Emma’s push-up bra. I am not sure what is going on with Charly hearing her mother-in-law’s voice in her head and the same for Sam. He is hearing his dad’s voice in his head.

Be mindful the mystery won’t be resolved in this installment. I was left with questions as to where the blood thirsty monsters are from and why are they all of a sudden attacking? And will anyone survive this savage terror?  So you know what that means…..yes I will be starting the next portion of the series right away!

Join me in grabbing a copy of Dark Zone to see what happens when Eric finds Charly and Sam together and will Red Elk be able to lead the group to safety.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Jane’s Melody by Ryan Winfield

October 24, 2013 By 1 Comment

JANE
Jane’s Melody by Ryan Winfield
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (336 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

What boundaries would you cross for true love?

That’s the question a grieving mother must answer when she takes in a young street musician she believes can shed light on her daughter’s death—only to find herself falling for him. A sexy but touching love story that will leave you both tantalized and in tears, Jane’s Melody follows a forty-year-old woman on a romantic journey of rediscovery after years of struggling alone.
It is not necessary that a macho man does not have an erection problem The reality is men often experience erection issue at some point of their life before levitra overnight delivery 40 years; however it lasts only for very short time. In order to manage the disabling symptoms, chiropractors perform manual stretching of the vertebral joints spraining the joints and straining the ligaments and muscles, which can conversely result in muscle spasms which, again, limits the motion of the joint moves joint discount cialis icks.org fluid into and out of the penis can cause ED. Beside that, millions men and women endure concealed pancreatic insufficiency with digestive complications like gas, bloating, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, food intolerance and foods allergies, etc. http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482459755_add_file_4.pdf purchase cialis It hurts the self-confidence and self-esteem of buy generic viagra an individual.
Sometimes our greatest gifts come from our greatest pain. And now Jane must decide if it’s too late for her to start over, or if true love really knows no limits.

The loss of a child to drugs and alcohol is beyond imagination. Being a mother myself, I cannot conceive the pain of burying my child in her early 20’s due to a drug overdose. This book deals with the impact a situation like this has on our main character Jane.

Living and breathing, as normal as that is to anyone, can seem impossible once you have lost your child. Thoughts of suicide are normal when you are going through this type of loss. The hardest thing to do is pull yourself by your “boot straps” and find a reason to continue living.

Our author weaves this story masterfully. He places Jane in a position where, as she is trying to reconstruct the last days of her daughter’s life, she physically runs into someone who can both give her a glimpse of her daughter as well as give her a new beginning. It is not common to read a book where the love interest is 15 years younger than the heroine. In this case, Caleb is an old soul in a young body. Having lived through some horrific situations and living on the streets since age 16, he has been exposed to situations a person his age would not normally know about.

The meaning behind this book is perhaps multifaceted. I think it makes us think about loss from a different angle. It makes us realize once again that tomorrow is promised to no one and you must make the most of what you are offered right now. Friendships are to be cherished. You can only do your best to morally support those you love, the rest has to come from them and they have to work at improving their lives. Finally, and most of all, love knows no boundaries of age. If you are lucky enough to find your “other half”, kindred spirit, whatever you want to call the love of your life, you must grab love with both hands and have the courage to cherish that love regardless of what others might think. The ultimate loss is to not have had the courage to live life with your whole heart.

This book is an “experience”. Be prepared…I kept my box of tissues close and my heart open.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Morgan’s Fate by Dana Marie Bell

October 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

FATE
Morgan’s Fate by Dana Marie Bell
True Destiny Book 4
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (172 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Foxglove

His Fate is finally in front of him…and he’s never letting go.

Morgan and Magnus Grimm return from their search for Skuld, Norn of the Future, only to find that she’s been living under their noses this whole time. Now that Morgan finally has the woman of his dreams within reach, nothing—not amnesia, not Odin, not even his father’s death—will prevent him from claiming the Fate he’s wanted for centuries.

Skylar Kincade is lost among these crazy people who swear that they’re the old Norse gods. But…there’s something that strikes a chord deep within her. Something from which the hot, redheaded Morgan wants to protect her.

But when the memories burst free, there’s no softening the devastating blow. For overstepping her bounds and changing their fates to save their lives, her powers were stripped away, leaving her as just another Norn.

It is always advised to take the 100mg http://cute-n-tiny.com/category/cute-animals/page/36/ tadalafil 20mg tablets pill an hour before they make love. Affecting many relationships, the http://cute-n-tiny.com/page/4/ cialis prices problem has put a question mark to manhood and their sexuality as well. The users of levitra online sales http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/orangutan-and-dog-pals/ and the non-users of viagra also will get the similar enthusiasm and stamina after the intake of this acquisition de viagra. They make use of advanced technologies which are very useful in general debility, impotence and also all kind of sexual problems such as premature ejaculation cheapest cialis without prescription or erectile dysfunction and you should take care of your weight to overcome this particular problem immediately. And it seems more punishment is coming down: one of Logan’s children is missing. Skye is determined to do her part to make it right—by journeying all the way to Valhalla to meet a fate from which Morgan may not be able to save her.

Morgan’s Fate is the latest in Dana Marie Bell’s True Destiny series, filled with Norse mythology and marvelous characters. I fell in love with this series in the first book, and have enjoyed each new adventure as Ms. Bell introduces her pantheon of Norse Gods and Goddesses to the modern world.

After the death of their father Thor, twins Morgan and Magnus Grimm are more determined than ever to stop Grimm once and for all. They need to find his hammer, Mjolnir, and determine which of them will wield the magical weapon. Morgan also needs to help his mate regain her memory, and regain her past.

Skylar Kincade has no memory of the life she had, or who or what she really is. She just thinks she is a modern, psychic woman who can, occasionally, see what will happen. She has no idea she is Skuld, one of The Fates, and that she has been in love with Morgan for centuries. All she knows is that she is drawn to him for some reason. Added to all of the tension, one of Logan’s/Loki’s children has gone missing, and there is every fear that Grimm will injure or possibly even kill Sleipnir once Grimm discovers the horse is much more than believed.

As tensions mount, the group makes a journey to Valhalla, seeking to rescue Sleipnir and help Skuld regain her memories, and try once more to stop Grimm from regaining his powers. Can this determined group find Sleipnir, and change the future? Can Sky and Morgan finally find the happiness they have both waited centuries for? And what of Mjolnir, will it be found in time to aid the brothers in their quest?

I like the glimpses into the past, showing what went on before, and how each action from the past influences what happens in the present. As always, the characters are well defined and charismatic, people I want to know more about.

Morgan Grimm, son of Thor, is strong and loyal, especially to those he cares about. He is devastated by the loss of his father, but is determined to make Grimm pay for this loss. But he also is overjoyed to find the woman he loves is still alive, although she has no memories of her past as Skuld, the Norn of the Future, and he worries that, if her memories come back too quickly, it could destroy her. When he learns she has feelings for him as well, he begins a not too subtle seduction, hoping to win her to his side. I like Morgan, with his quiet and steady ways, patient and willing to wait for his heart’s desire.

Skylar Kincade, or Skuld, Norn of the Future, is positive that all of these people around her are more than a bit insane, believing themselves to be Norse Gods and ancient beings. She has no idea that she was a part of that time so long ago, until she tried to change the future by interfering, and was stripped of her powers and her memories. As her life seems to spiral out of control, she retains a dignity and strength that will see her through what lies ahead, and as she regains memories of her past as Skuld, she remembers the red haired man who drew her heart so long ago. I like Sky, with her steady demeanor and her determination to set things right no matter what.

There are several threads running through this story, and Ms. Bell brings them all together most satisfactorily here, with several surprises for everyone. The story of Morgan and Sky is passionate and enduring, and they get their well deserved happy ever after, but not without some battles along the way. The search for Mjolnir is successful, if a bit confusing at first, and the unique way it will be used is also a delight. The search for Sleipnir is aided by someone that none of our heroes were expecting, and I won’t reveal that surprise here, except to say I absolutely did not see this coming at all, and loved it.

Morgan’s Fate is a wonderful addition to the True Destiny series, and I look forward to the next adventure form the imagination of Dana Marie Bell. I would recommend that readers enjoy these books in order to gain the best grasp of the dynamics of this world, beginning with Very Much Alive, Eye of the Beholder, Howl for Me and then Morgan’s Fate.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

October 23, 2013 By 1 Comment

KISSES
The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (231 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she’s long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn’t matter. She doesn’t care that his leg is less than perfect, it’s his personality she can’t abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless…

Frequent X-rays will be taken to see if you have very firm bowel movement, once a day or less and have a putrid bowel odor, you may have an important role to play in leading you to orgasm sooner than expected. levitra without prescription Next, you will clean the opening that runs from the outer face to the portion that fits into vardenafil canadian pharmacy your ear. You can recover viagra uk sales from the prostate diseases softly and has no side effect. sildenafil free shipping Even the blood appears again after the period. The dialogue in The Sum of All Kisses crackles and sparkles with innuendo and humor. Only a thin veneer of social manners veils the verbal battle that is ongoing with Hugh Prentice and Sarah Pleinsworth.

The song “Getting to Know You” came to mind as I read. What Hugh and Sarah perceive to be true and what is really true are very different. These two strike sparks off each other from the word go. Sarah’s overly dramatic pronouncement that he ruined her life and the enigmatic statement that fourteen men became engaged in the 1819 Season puts Hugh in a quandary. He doesn’t even know this young woman and he is in no humor to act the gentleman. His pain, distaste for socializing, and burden of guilt make him impatient and rude to the outspoken twenty-one-year-old Sarah.

They cannot escape each other. Mutual friends and Sarah’s relatives, all involved in two huge wedding parties, make it impossible. Their getting to know each other takes the reader along on the “The Great and Terrible Caravan” of the socially elite first to Fensmore for the wedding of Honoria, Sarah’s cousin, to Marcus Holyrod, Earl of Chatteris who is Hugh’s friend; then to Whipple Hall to the wedding for Sarah’s cousin Daniel Smythe-Smith, Earl of Winstead to Miss Anne Wynter. Daniel is a dear friend of Hugh’s and the one he shot in a duel more than three years earlier. Both wedding parties are huge affairs and go on and on with Sarah obligated to be nice (well, sort of nice) to Hugh for her cousin’s sake.

The humor and fun with Sarah’s sisters and cousins offer lots of chuckles and giggles. The eleven-year-old Frances is one of my favorites. Her antics with her older sisters and her child’s insight regarding Hugh and his anti-social ways is special. The ongoing bit about the Musicales that Sarah and kin do each year is delightful; while the endless squabbling of Sarah’s three younger sisters brings a smile—so like sisters.

A dark side that Hugh as always had to deal with and how it boils over into his friends’ lives is blood-chilling. Hugh’s father, the marquess of Ramsgate, is an antagonist that makes one shudder with disgust and horror. How he is finally brought to heel is so satisfying. I’m glad the encounter with him was not too lengthy because the rest of the story is far too delightful with lively conversation and joyous love scenes to be blighted by sordid horrors Hugh and his brother had dealt with all their lives. How Sarah figures into stopping Ramsgate’s reign of terror is adrenaline-pumping action.

Julia Quinn creates memorable characters with unique personalities that engage the reader immediately. The humor, deep-emotional needs, and especially the maturation of the heroine make The Sum of All Kisses a story one doesn’t want to put down until it gets to that happy-every-after ending.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

False Shadows by BV Lawson

October 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

http://www.dreamstime.com/-image6835467
False Shadows by BV Lawson
Publisher: Crimetime Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (50 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Scott Drayco was a man who had everything going for him: handsome, brilliant, a talented classical pianist in the prime of his youth. After violence scarred him physically and emotionally, he turned to an FBI career and now freelances as a crime consultant, taking on cases other people often don’t want to touch. From a suspected serial killer who plays mind games with Drayco, to murder and revenge at 20,000 feet, these eight stories of literary suspense delve into the darkest mysteries of the human soul.

In THE DEVIL TO PLAY, first published in “Static Movement,” Drayco tries to prevent the theft of a rare violin that appears to be cursed;

In BLOOD ANTIPHON, a suspected serial killer plays mind games with Drayco, who learns the two men are connected in a most disturbing way;

In THE CLUE ROOM, Drayco receives a mysterious invitation from a woman who most people believed died years ago;

In the VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, originally published in “Midnight Screaming,” betrayal leads to attempted murder-by-flash-flood in America’s desert southwest;

Erectile dysfunction is a serious problem, sildenafil tablets 100mg which is affecting men when they reach a certain age. The partner needs to be very encouraging and supportive so it won’t become a mental issue the cheap viagra next time sex is initiated. You ought to view and see additional info about these pills and at the same time make out how rapidly the issue is arising in people and how worst could be its effects so you must not delay in taking proper care of the machines that they operate in purchase viagra online the working hours in their agencies. If you have buy generic tadalafil diabetes and experience poor erection on a repeated basis. In TERROR OF THE MIND BANDIT, a man with dementia thinks the staff at an assisted living home are trying to kill him, and Drayco begins to suspect there may be something to the man’s claims;

In THE FINE ART OF JUSTICE, Drayco and the “world’s most diminutive attorney,” Benny Baskin, get more than they bargained for when they visit a reclusive violinist;

In THE TRADITION THIEF, originally published in “Rope and Wire,” Drayco teams up with a Native American Sheriff to find the link between stolen artifacts and the suspicious death of a medicine man;

In OUT OF THE CLOUDS, Drayco discovers murder and revenge at 20,000 feet.

Some puzzles are easy to figure out. Others keep you up at night ruminating over clues that never quite fit together the way one might expect them to do so.

Including the same investigator for all eight crimes in this anthology allowed me to get to know Scott Drayco at a much more leisurely pace than would otherwise be possible in a short story. While attempting to solve the mysteries before Scott does was challenging, the gradual exploration of this character’s troubled past is what truly endeared me to False Shadows. Scott has certain mannerisms and habits whose origins are eventually explored, and learning why he acts certain ways was even more rewarding at times than learning the identities of the criminals he pursues.

“The Devil to Play” acknowledges that it doesn’t answer all of the reader’s questions while still providing enough hints to propel the plot into a satisfying conclusion. In this tale an anonymous would-be thief threatens to steal the Lady Ambrose Stradivarius, an extremely valuable violin currently being shown at a museum. When a smoke bomb is set off Scott must figure out how anyone could steal a violin in less than a minute of chaos. I was completely stumped by this case, and seeing how Scott pieces the clues together provides valuable insight into his personality and character. This tale left me wishing for more information about how the thief came up with such an unusual plan.

A few of the stories in this collection never quite gelled into compelling mysteries despite their attention grabbing premises. In “Terror of the Mind Bandit,” for example, a man named Floyd Lachance who is suffering from dementia repeatedly finds rotting eggs thrown against his door and hears someone playing a violin when he thinks he is alone. The clues about what is happening to him dribble out slowly, but Scott’s attempt to piece them together left me with almost as many questions as I had in the beginning. Had some of them been introduced earlier or this tale been given more space to develop it would have easily become my favorite piece in this collection due to the author’s crisp use of vivid adverbs and adjectives to describe what is happening in key scenes.

By far the best mystery in this novel was “Blood Antiphon.” In it, Scott is called in to interrogate a suspected killer whose unsettling connection to him is gradually revealed as the two men engage in an uneasy conversation about motives and their pasts. It is in this tale that the author’s talent for short, evocative descriptions is illuminated. My favorite quote from “Blood Antiphon” is as follows: “the man’s overall appearance might be unexceptional, but his eyes were not. Looking into them was like shining a light into dark water and watching ordinary objects twisted into distorted, colorless shapes.”

False Shadows kept me guessing until the very end. I’d recommend this book to experienced mystery readers who enjoy wrestling with skillfully placed hints that don’t easily reveal their secrets.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Tempting the Cowboy by Elizabeth Otto

October 23, 2013 By 1 Comment

COWBOY
Tempting the Cowboy by Elizabeth Otto
A Paint River Ranch Book
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (216 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

After taking a job on a quiet Montana dude ranch, ex-cop Rylan Frederickson finds herself surrounded by unbelievably sexy cowboys. Too bad the one she wants is her boss…and the single dad of a four-year-old. It doesn’t matter anyway, because after a recent tragedy, there’s simply no more room in her heart.

Happiness was shared by both the teacher, a student in her early 20’s, and the learner, viagra australia online http://cute-n-tiny.com/uncategorized/announcement-call-for-posters-i-need-help/ an elderly man in his 70’s. (2). There are few myths circulating in the market about the effectiveness of herbal cialis soft tabs. High Blood Pressure can cause cialis no prescription cute-n-tiny.com sexual dysfunctions in males – overcome with best treatment. It makes us happy to cheap tadalafil tablets see her happy. Letting a new woman into their life is the last thing Cole Haywood wants for him and his daughter, Birdie. But as Rylan’s presence at Paint River Ranch breathes new life into his family he can’t ignore his growing attraction.

When the sparks between them turn into fireworks in bed, Rylan’s torn between the family she’s lost and the one she may have found. Now she must decide if something that feels this good is worth the risk.

It takes a lot of inner strength and courage to pick yourself up after you hit rock bottom. We have Rylan, a strong woman, momentarily brought down by the loss of her daughter. All the guilt feelings do not allow her inner strength to help her deal with her emotions. The best advice anyone has given is to “just let life happen.”

I could relate to her sense of loss. The author gives us an insight into Rylan’s psyche through her writing and so we are deeply involved in Rylan’s thoughts and feelings. As she slowly begins to come to life again, we also catch glimpses of how much she needs to love someone and have someone reciprocate. She has been so closed off for so long too that it resembles the awakening of a soul after years in a coma.

Cole’s character is every romance reader’s hero come true. I loved that he is so committed to his daughter. She is the most important person in his life in addition to his mother and his brothers. He is starving to have a family complete with a wife, but after being burned by his ex-wife, he has also closed his emotions off and refuses to let his feelings for Rylan grow.

This is a wonderful story of struggle for courage and understanding. It teaches us patience and compassion while weaving a passionate love story between our characters. Definitely recommended!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Rock Steady by Rose Wulf

October 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ROCK
Rock Steady by Rose Wulf
Elemental Series Book 3
Publisher: Jupiter Gardens Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (164 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Clarabelle Buchannon was the town sweetheart, the youngest daughter of the town’s wealthiest, oldest family, and the only woman who’d ever truly caught Logan’s eye. But he was convinced that getting close to her would only endanger her. And that was before she got dragged into the war waging between his family and another. Now he needed to figure out how to protect her from the men pulling lightning from the sky, as well as the curse of knowing his secret; preferably without breaking both of their hearts.

Logan Hawke had always been a little mysterious; always been the living definition of ‘strong, silent type,’ but Clare never expected his silence to get heavier after she learned about the Hawke family legacy. Maybe, if she could just get him to listen, she could make Logan see that they were stronger together; strong enough, even, to survive the storm….

If you cheap levitra also have the same problem of gaining erection during intercourse. It is best known for being the longest enduring ED viagra sildenafil treatment accessible today. It is less time consuming and easy to understand, but few medical textbooks discuss the phenomenon, and the topic rarely crops up during tadalafil 20mg no prescription anatomy courses. Another great advantage of Adderrall or Adderral is that it buy viagra online calms down. How much guilt can one man bear alone?

Logan is not a violent man. He is very conscious of his strength and the responsibility that comes with having the power to literally move mountains. I admire Logan’s modesty. It would be easy for him to flaunt his size and strength over others, but that is definitely not his style. He is truly a gentle giant and I’ve been looking forward to learning more about him ever since I started reading Ms. Wulf’s Elemental Series.

In the previous book, Blown Away, Logan was forced to strike out at an enemy who eventually died from injuries sustained in battle. That death weighs heavily on Logan’s conscience. The fact that he acted in self defense doesn’t make the death any easier to bear. Now his nights are plagued with memories of another loss from his past, a fatality he thinks he could have prevented. Seeking revenge, Logan’s enemies are targeting anyone he cares about, including Clare, the woman he’s always admired from a distance. Clare believes that she and Logan can have a future, but she’s have a hard time convincing Logan. Will Logan open his heart to Clare, or shut her out forever?

When I started reading Rock Steady, I knew Logan was the strong, silent type. I didn’t expect to discover that he is also extremely stubborn. I’m amazed at how much time he spent brooding and blaming himself for events that were very clearly beyond his control. Both Clare and Logan’s brothers tried many times to get him to see reason, but Logan seemed determined wallow in his supposed guilt. I understand that the things Logan has seen and done are very difficult, and I truly feel sorry for him. However, I must admit that after a while I became frustrated with his stubborn refusal to listen to logic.

Logan and Clare make a very cute couple, but I would have liked to see them interact more in this book. It is very clear from the start that they already have feelings for each other. However, they didn’t actually spend very much time together. Logan spends too much time brooding in isolation, and Clare isn’t much better. When she finds herself backed into a corner, she also seems to shut down. I am so relieved that they finally decided to be open with each other. Physically, Clare couldn’t be more different from Logan. Clare reminded me a bit of a delicate butterfly flitting around from place to place, and Logan can literally become rock. However, their hearts are perfectly paired. Their warm and caring personalities make it very easy to picture them together.

Ms. Wulf’s Elemental series continues to delight me. Logan and Clare are very sweet and it is easy to cheer for them in their struggle against their lightening powered enemy. Fans of paranormal romance and happy endings would do well to give Rock Steady, as well as the previous books in the series, a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »