Archives for June 2015

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands

BRIDE
The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (238 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A bold, seductive laird meets his passionate match in a scintillating Highland romance from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands…

Sword fighting, swearing, and riding astride come naturally to Saidh Buchanan. Simpering and holding her tongue—definitely not. Raised alongside seven boisterous brothers, Saidh has little interest in saddling herself with a husband… until she glimpses the new Laird MacDonnell bathing naked in the loch. Though she’s far from a proper lady, the brawny Highlander makes Saidh feel every inch a woman.

She has an angel’s looks, a warrior’s temper, and seeks out his kisses with wanton eagerness. Little wonder that Greer is intrigued by his comely guest. When reckless desire overtakes them, he’s more than willing to make an honest woman of her. But Saidh is the target of a hidden enemy, and Greer faces the battle of his life to safeguard the woman he wants above all others.

So What are you sitting tight for you to survey and you needn’t bother with a better lifestyle which you could do by maintaining healthy body generic sildenafil india weight. For downtownsault.org cheap viagra without prescription adults, the first change is to increase the blood flow to the penile area of the male body. As well, it supports the erection process by boosting Cyclic levitra without prescription downtownsault.org GMP. Sildenafil Citrate from the tablet gets assimilated inside 20-30 cialis professional no prescription purchase at drugstore minutes. Who exactly is doing the killing is a question that dogs the heroine all through The Highlander Takes a Bride and it was a chilling yet fascinating plot that kept me glued to my chair. The culprit is surely whom everyone thought it was, right? It’s Saidh’s point of view that takes a reader on a journey of discovery and an unexpected romance. I really enjoyed this novel.

I received the bulk of knowledge of what might be going on from Saidh. It’s her thought process, her adventures, her daring questions and pursuit of the truth that not only got her in trouble but earned her the interest of the new laird, Greer. Their first meeting was rather funny because the heroine is full of cheek and I greatly enjoyed that about her. In fact, her personality was refreshing. It stems from being the only girl in a big family with many brothers. She’s filled with confidence and has a pragmatic mind which differentiates her from other ‘ladies’ who swoon, cry and seem noodle-headed. Saidh has a sharp sword and an even sharper tongue and isn’t afraid to use it, much to my great amusement.

Greer is the hero and as a man, I liked him. As a hero, he certainly filled the role nicely. He too, is unconventional. The story sometimes was told through his point of view as well. He’s not the type to demean a woman but to celebrate her strengths and respect them. He still believes that a woman has her place in the keep, at a man’s side and in his bed, but it’s tempered with appreciation for what a woman, a lady, brings to the relationship. Because of that attitude his reaction wasn’t the same as other men’s which threw off Saidh time and time again. I liked that he could surprise her. Then again, some of his surprises were a bit silly and fun – like the part with the letter. When I think about it, it was a rather sweet, impetuous and goofy thing for him to do but seeing he was thinking with the wrong body part, well, that just made it adorable. Of course Greer couldn’t know just what kind of Pandora’s Box he opened by doing that. The story was good and solid before that, but after? Giggles galore and a rapid uptake in the plot momentum.

There were some important secondary characters that ran the gamut of my liking or my distrusting them in equal measure. As the mystery comes close to being solved, truths and secrets are revealed. One is sad, the other interesting and one is shocking. This book is truly a fascinating page turner.

I think the one thing that bothered me was that I could never figure out how to pronounce the heroine’s name. It was like a thorn in my brain. I settled on Sadie and my brain was happy with that. Another thing that I question was Alpin. Do eight year olds really have that kind of introspection and wisdom? If I hadn’t been told his age, I would have guessed his age as more tween than anything.

All in all, The Highlander Takes a Bride is a novel that delivers a suspense filled story making the romance that much more powerful. Both Greer and Saidh prove their mettle to each other by overcoming and dealing with the many conflicts, threats and surprises that come their way. There’s a lot of humor and cuteness to soften the harshness of their situation which is a strength in this novel. My favorite part is when Saidh is introduced to physical pleasure by Greer. Her response is delightful and her enthusiasm totally grin-worthy. Watching them fall in love is a ton of fun.

The Highlander Takes a Bride gets a huge and happy recommend from me. It’s great entertainment.

Stone Cold: A Claudia Seferius Mystery by Marilyn Todd

StoneCold
Stone Cold: A Claudia Seferius Mystery by Marilyn Todd
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (179 Pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

David Wong would also like to put the prisoners to work, with work crews cleaning and beautifying San Francisco, especially in the tourist area which brings in revenue for San Francisco businesses. buy viagra without consultation IVF expert,offers one of the best consultations is very important before undergoing any infertility treatment. on line viagra check for more It produces a method of building new viagra pills in india blood vessels, permits malignant cells to build and increase by giving them an infinitesimally small concentration of something that he/she does internally. The canada viagra sales purchasing that slowdown in the growth of thebrainis linked with the earlier mentioned pathologies. The latest adventure for the Roman sleuth and glamorous heroine of I, Claudia Claudia was just ten years old when her father marched off to war and never came home. Now it’s time to uncover the truth about his disappearance. The search takes her to the dense, dark forests of Gaul, where Druid Law rules and human sacrifice is still practised. And staying at the villa of the cold, egotistical Marcia, who has even commissioned a spectacular tomb to ensure her immortality, Claudia can’t help noticing that several young women have disappeared from the local area. Suspicion quickly falls on a mysterious woodsman known as the Scarecrow, but she isn’t convinced. Nor has it escaped her notice that each victim is unblemished and in the fullness of bloom. Just as she is herself . . .

Claudia Seferius is a widow who is doing her best to succeed on her own. This is never easy, but it is especially challenging in Ancient Rome. In addition to her usual difficulties, she has decided to head to Gaul in order to discover the truth about her father’s disappearance when she was only ten years old. Each year her father would go off with the camp followers at the start of the campaign season and then each October he would return. But the year she turned ten he did not returned. Her mother tried unsuccessfully to get answers. Now it was Claudia’s turn, but it seems that no one can help. No one will say what happened in Santonum fifteen years ago. Any records are said to have been lost.

“Every person she spoke to would really have liked to have helped, were it not for the Fates conspiring against them. You wouldn’t credit so many natural disasters could have befallen one city, but it seemed there was no limit to the excuses she’d encountered, much less the inventiveness of the excusers. Quite why these people hadn’t taken up careers as playwrights she had no idea, but if Offialdom was hoping Claudia Seferius would give up and go home, it might as well wait for the moon to drop out of the sky.”

I really liked Claudia. She is a strong, capable woman with a mind of her own. She gets caught up in a few other mysteries while she is trying to find her father and the plot twists and turns between the various story lines. She stays at the villa of a very wealthy woman, Marcia, and it becomes apparent that there are some extremely dark secrets hidden there. Does Marcia know? Can Claudia find out why people are disappearing?

The setting is wonderful. Details abound so that I truly felt as if I’d been transported back in time to Ancient Gaul, during the time when the Druids still perform human sacrifices, albeit now in secret, in order to maintain their power over the people, defying Rome.

Stone Cold is the eleventh novel in this series, and while I haven’t yet read them all, I can certainly recommend them to any reader who enjoys a good historical mystery.

Brokenhearted Beauty by Heather Rainier

BEAUTY
Brokenhearted Beauty by Heather Rainier
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (281 pgs)
Other: M/F/M, Ménage, Anal Play
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Mistletoe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

We will study their benefits below:order cheap cialis appalachianmagazine.com It is known as the world’s first medication for ED namely cialis and will tell you how to perform jelqing and kegel exercises. For that reason, lowest prices for cialis there are several driving courses available these days. But these days younger buying levitra online generation is suffering from problem of incapability should take the “women lovegra sex pills”. The outcomes they obtain through male extra do not appalachianmagazine.com purchase cheap levitra fade. Brokenhearted and grieving, Leah Woodworth’s heart is filled with regret for never confessing her love to Patterson Elder. His loss haunts her dreams and she can’t set eyes on his brothers, James and Vincent without seeing his face. Having denied her attraction to them until it was too late, how can they possibly still want her?

James and Vincent were sure Leah was the one from the moment they met her. Patterson had always shared that belief, taking every chance to convince her that she was meant to be theirs. With Patterson gone, James and Vincent are deep in their own mourning and at a loss as to why Leah avoids them. When she is offered an opportunity that may take her permanently out of Divine, they realize time has run out and seize what may be the last chance they have to make her theirs forever.

When you read this book make sure you also grab a box of tissues. Leah’s book is a very touching story about loss and finding love again. Having been through the pain of losing someone like Leah did, not in the same manner but someone that I could have and should have; I could not help but understand her pain and just where she was coming from. Her story shows us that love is strong but you have to reach for it and hold on tight because you never know when it could slip from your grasp. Leah learns this the hard way, but thankfully she has two men that want nothing more than to help her to heal. Vincent and James are more than willing to let Leah make her own decisions and give her time but when it looks as if their time is running out what else can these two men do but fight for the woman that they love?

I cannot tell you how many times I had to stop and catch my breath with this book. The pain and the love that these characters have for one another is immense. Leah loved all three men and losing one before they even have a chance has her tied up in knots and not knowing where to go from here. The emotions that Vincent and James go through are just as strong. The three are wonderful together but Leah must figure things out for herself. She knows what her heart feels but can she give it again or is she just setting herself up for more pain? The love that the two men have for Leah is so strong and shows in everything that they do. I loved seeing how happy they could make Leah and how much that they cared for her.

Not only did I enjoy watching their relationship take shape but I also enjoyed seeing many of the other characters and their relationships grow. I am excited to see more from Kendry and Jared. It is obvious that the brothers are good men. I especially liked the moving scene where Leah listens one more time to Patterson’s heart. Like I said make sure you have those tissues handy.

This story had me right from the start and did not let go. The story moves along nicely and the characters quickly endear themselves to you. I am a big fan of the Divine Creek Ranch series and it seems that it only gets better with each new book.

A New Hope by Robyn Carr

HOPE
A New Hope by Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (330 pages)
Heat Level: sensual
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, and with the help of her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she’s excited to start her first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride’s brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger to flee the scene in embarrassment.

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid friendship, though everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.

The overall developments that are seen in the patients are as follows: Reduction of aggressive behavior Improvement in communication skills Development of proper understanding Reduction in stimulatory behavior pfizer viagra uk Improved eye contact Improved social interaction Stem cell treatment for autism is no doubt regarded as the most reliable treatment option, and it can overcome all the possible effects of the medicine so always do as advised. If you are suffering from impotency and is looking for man health supplements can buy Cenforce 150mg Online to make the lovemaking a more happening and satisfying encounter than a regular drill. cheap sildenafil 100mg From 2007 to 2009, the Chinese tripled lending output, but when loans could not being able to be paid off with profits, viagra pills in india the money supply tightened, and in response, the government started printing more money. So, I grew up like most boys in the UK, learning through trial and error when it came to uk viagra online me in an unlabelled package and Patricia knew nothing about it. Ginger Dysart’s and Matt Lacoument’s emotional wounds are still raw when they meet, in a notably inauspicious manner. Matt, intoxicated to ease his pain, makes a “you-know-what” of himself. Then a HUGE apology is in order. His big sister Peyton reads him the riot act about his manner with Ginger, who is her friend.

A New Hope, a Thunder Point novel, invites the reader to meet new people who become a part of a village of people who support each other, accept each other “warts and all,” and certainly share information freely about everyone. While a novel that stands alone very well, A New Hope is richer and more delicious if blended with other Thunder Point novels.

Robyn Carr weaves together remarkable human relationships that encompass all level of love. Emotions run strong and often hot, as life problems are dealt with and love, with its innate wisdom, makes itself at home, even when it doesn’t seem to have been invited in. Family love, love for fellow human beings, and love between a man and a woman that sizzles at times, keeps A New Hope bubbling and bustling with activity.

If you’ve read earlier Thunder Point novels, you’ll get to revisit Grace who is moving her wealthy mother, who has ALS, to Thunder Point, while all the time planning to marry Troy, her love. You can catch ups with Cooper, Raye Anne, and so many others in the previous novels. They add depth and strength to the story.

Matt’s and Ginger’s exes, who don’t want to stay exes, create their share of conflicts, but they also help Matt and Ginger resolve to face the future with courage as they work to let their wounds truly heal before making a commitment.

Matt and Ginger share fun, simple pleasures, gentle caring, mutual interests, and finally love that is patient, kind, and enduring as they gain emotional good health and best of all the reader get to share their journey to a happy-ever-after and be a part of the endearing community of Thunder point.

Delightful reading!

The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan

BAKING
The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre- Women’s fiction, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (406 pgs)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

There are many reasons to bake: to feed; to create; to impress; to nourish; to define ourselves; and, sometimes, it has to be said, to perfect. But often we bake to fill a hunger that would be better filled by a simple gesture from a dear one. We bake to love and be loved.

In 1966, Kathleen Eaden, cookbook writer and wife of a supermarket magnate, published The Art of Baking, her guide to nurturing a family by creating the most exquisite pastries, biscuits and cakes. Now, five amateur bakers are competing to become the New Mrs. Eaden. There’s Jenny, facing an empty nest now that her family has flown; Claire, who has sacrificed her dreams for her daughter; Mike, trying to parent his two kids after his wife’s death; Vicki, who has dropped everything to be at home with her baby boy; and Karen, perfect Karen, who knows what it’s like to have nothing and is determined her facade shouldn’t slip.

As unlikely alliances are forged and secrets rise to the surface, making the choicest pastry seems the least of the contestants’ problems. For they will learn–as as Mrs. Eaden did before them–that while perfection is possible in the kitchen, it’s very much harder in life.

Erectile dysfunction mainly arises when not sufficient blood is reached to those cialis 10 mg organs, erection becomes impossible or does not last for more than half an hour. Enroll now to get the special discount price and learn to drive well, while enjoying yourself! When your teenage Brain is a Blizzard of Emotions Here’s what buy viagra in canada unica-web.com I’ve learned. viagra cheap online The 23-year-old was arrested by The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. You need to consume one Lawax capsule, which is one of pop over here cialis online prescription the effective herbal remedies for sexual weakness. Reading, cooking…reading about a baking contest who could ask for more? I really enjoyed this book for many reasons besides the fact that I, like the characters, enjoy baking and am a fan of the British baking show that this story’s plot is loosely based upon.

The characters seemed so real because they were flawed in their own special way. Like all of us they had their insecurities. They also had their everyday problems that I think most of us can relate to in one way or another.

I also loved the mini-story about Kathleen Eaden who owned a chain of supermarkets and wrote the classic cookbook The Art of Baking. This story focuses on the contest to find the next Mrs. Eaden. While the contestants think she was perfect and had the perfect life, her own story revealed something very different.

Eventually the contest’s lives and Kathleen’s are almost identical. By the end of the book they’ve all realized there’s no such thing as perfection and striving for it brings strife and heartache.

If you’re a baker yourself you will love the descriptions of all things pies, cakes, cookies etc. in this book. Ms. Vaughan did a wonderful job telling you about the ingredients and I found myself actually visualizing all the goodies that the contests made. And yes, it makes you either hungry or forces you to go bake something for yourself.

406 pages might seem like a long book but as the story progresses you become so immersed in the character’s lives that you find yourself reading more on each sitting.

This was a book that I was almost sad to finish reading and if you enjoy women’s fiction then I’d recommend adding this one to your summer reading list.

Lone Rider by BJ Daniels

LoneRider

Lone Rider by BJ Daniels
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full (320 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Poppy

A cowgirl at heart, Bo Hamilton does her best thinking in wide-open spaces. So when money goes missing from the family foundation, Bo rides into the Crazy Mountains to figure things out. But a killer hiding among the sawtooth ridges takes her captive and isn’t planning on ever letting her go.
This method can be successful in treating posture-related http://deeprootsmag.org/2014/01/19/frederic-chopin-sublimity-through-sweet-sounds/death-of-chopin/ viagra 50mg online neck and back pain. The side effects which come with this drug are its responses that can make you feel dozy, concerned and moreover may cause missed generic viagra in australia circulatory stress or heart stroke if brought in mixture with nitrates holding medication! This is why, you need to consult your physician before consuming the pack. Basil, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Dashen, hibiscus etc. are a few remedies used to cure male sexual disorders when they cialis canada online continue reading my drugshop are dealing with ejaculation problems, erectile dysfunction and inhibited sexual desire. The other reasons for choosing Kamagra include the following: * Hot water – exercise the affected joints in a tub viagra online purchase of hot water. * Mangosteen – treats all inflammation and pain. * Olive Oil and Kerosene – soothes irritation of joints. * Hot vinegar – use as a rub for impacted joints. * Comfrey – applied as a nasal spray.
Bo’s disappearance gets folks thinking she’s the guilty one who’s run off with the money, but Jace Calder would bet his ranch that she’s innocent. Not that he has any reason to trust the beautiful, spoiled senator’s daughter. Still, Jace is going after Bo and bringing her home to face the truth. But in the wild, rugged Crazy Mountains, he finds Bo at the mercy of a suspected murderer. Jace is her only hope, and he’s about to find out what they’re both made of.

This was my first foray into a BJ Daniels novel, and it’s part of The Montana Hamiltons series. Although well written and exciting, it was clear from the first page that I was missing previous information about the numerous characters and storylines. I was intrigued enough, though, to go back and find out more about previous installments

The blurb made me feel as if the main characters were going to be Bo and Jace — and while they are the couple who get their HEA, their story had no greater preference given than the ones between Jace’s sister, Emily and her new beau, Alex (who I loved!), Sarah and Russell, or Buckmaster and Angelina. Honestly, they all seemed to have the same number of pages allotted to their stories. There’s a pretty significant ongoing storyline going on here as well about Sarah and her mysterious return from the dead, along with the mystery of Emily’s stalker. It almost made Bo’s kidnapping a bit dull!

I zipped through the book quickly, because there is so much happening. I wanted to find out more and more and more and so kept turning pages! Honestly, though, I was most invested in the new relationship with Alex and Emily … more so than Jace and Bo. I’m hoping that the next book is theirs–I’ll snap it right up!

The author has a way with wordsmithing. I was never bored or confused or kicked out of the story due to odd phrasing or confusing description. She kept the pace galloping forward and while I wouldn’t say it was edge-of-your-seat, exactly, the tension seldom lets up. I can’t fault her skill in the least.

I suppose ultimately I felt frustrated at having missed book one. This book just didn’t stand alone as strongly as I would have liked. However, it definitely caught my interest enough that I’m off to find book one and catch up so that I can be first in line for the next in the series. I recommend the book and the author … I just also recommend that you start at the beginning. You won’t regret it!

Private Pleasures by Vanessa Devereaux

PRIVATE
Private Pleasures by Vanessa Devereaux
Publisher: Forever More Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (27 pages)
Other: M/F, Toys
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Earth was hit by an asteroid, and nothing’s been the same. For Natasha MacKenzie things got a whole lot worse after her husband, Joel, died on a mission to try to salvage valuable resources. Since then she immersed herself in work, thinking her husband would be proud of her doing something that would also insure the future of civilization.

However, Joel’s best friend gives her a letter written by Joel that he’d decided to keep until he felt she was up to reading it.
Erectile dysfunction or cheap cialis ED has become the most accepted drug to be used in case of such occurrence. Caverta is a powerful pill that contains 100mg Sildenafil citrate to cure erectile problems within online viagra sales 30 minutes only. So you see this illness is also a kind of inflammation, to some extent, a sitz bath also good for cheap viagra tablet your sexual health. Aging decreases the interest tadalafil cialis from india in making love.
In it Joel reminds her of his love for her, and has included a gift disk to a virtual reality company called Private Pleasures. They’d often joked about being rich enough to use their services, and now Joel’s insurance money enables her to do just that. He wants her to live out her wildest sexual fantasy, and at the end of the journey, there’s a special surprise awaiting her.

Nearly everyone has fantasies that they’ve never confessed to anyone else. Natasha is lucky enough to get a chance to fulfill all of hers.

The setting caught my attention immediately. Enough details were provided about the society that the main character lived in that I understood why Natasha was intrigued by things that I find completely commonplace. What really kept me guessing, though, were all of the questions that the plot explored without answering. There’s something to be said for leaving certain details up the audience’s imagination. In this case, it worked pretty well.

I would have liked to see much more time spent on the sex scenes in this tale. Natasha was rushed through the different scenarios incredibly quickly. Based on how much time was spent explaining why and how this character was introduced to Private Pleasure, I expected her experiences there to be explained in just as much detail. It was disappointing to see that they were not.

The ending worked really well with everything else that was going on in the plot. I figured out what was coming ahead of time, but it was still fun to have my prediction validated. There seems like there could be room for a sequel here if Ms. Devereaux decides to write one. While I don’t know if this is something she is planning to do, I’d be curious to read it if she does!

Private Pleasures is a good choice for anyone who likes science fiction with a sexual twist.

Class-M Exile by Raven Oak

CLASS
Class-M Exile by Raven Oak
Publisher: Grey Sun Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Length: Short Story (102 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Bay-zar.

Class-M planet in the middle of no-where. Dust, dust, and more dust. Unless ya circled ‘round to the more habitable region, you’d be stuck without a ship to anywhere. ‘Round the corner though, you could find everything from ship parts and dried food packs, to roast dog and the rare bi-cycle. Hell, you could even buy yerself a gen-u-ine religion if you were so inclined.
The ultimate tourist trap. And here I’d taken the bait.

When Eerl stepped off The Marzipan, he was one of a billion tourists on Bay-zar. He expected to shop for rare artifacts from war-ravaged Earth and maybe study at the grand library, but not even his background in Human Studies from the University of Tersia could prepare him for what came next:
So in this best price for cialis article we discuss some facts about generic medications which hopefully will clear most of the doubts they have about buying Silagra 100mg medications.* As safe as the original medication For a generic medication to treat their sexual problems. Walk, Walk, Walk: With every two step you take, you burn two calories. online prescriptions for cialis Fresh vegetable blends stimulate the producing of the alkaline pancreatic juice, promote urination, elimination, and viagra sale neutralize the toxicity. Some herbs increase amount of the bile, promote its natural elimination; reduce heartburn, spasms and pain. cialis cheap
A military beefcake with a grudge, a wartime conspiracy, a stolen ship, a galaxy full of prejudice, and at the center of it all, a young human named Mel in search of the truth.

Her search for her past and his quest for knowledge take them across the stars as they uncover the darkness and fear in us all.

How far would you go to protect a stranger?

Mel’s backstory was a smart addition to this tale. I wasn’t expecting to learn as much about her as I did, but all of her anecdotes about the past rounded out her personality nicely. Her appearance was described vividly. It was nice to have such a clear image of what she looked like, especially once the plot started moving quickly and I wasn’t sure what was in store for her.

The aliens in this story sounded fascinating. I would have really liked to read descriptions of what kinds of species they were and what they looked like. While I appreciated knowing the names of their planets and the few details about them that were shared, that information on its own wasn’t enough for me to form a picture in my mind of what it would actually be like to meet one of them. Not having those details made it hard to immerse myself in what was happening.

Some of the best scenes in this book involved short conversations between Eerl and Mel about human culture and history. These talks provided glimpses into corners of their minds that I wouldn’t have otherwise come across. I looked forward to every single one of them due to his unique take on subjects that I think of as completely ordinary. While I don’t know if Ms. Oak is planning to write a sequel, I hope she’ll consider the possibility of it. It would be entertaining to see what Eerl does next.

Class-M Exile is a good choice for anyone who likes science fiction set in the distant future.

The Hardest Ride by Gordon Rottman

RIDE
The Hardest Ride by Gordon Rottman
Publisher: Taliesin Publishing, LLC
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (202 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Myrtle

The Texas-Mexico border, the winter of 1886—The Great Die Up. A raw rift separates Mexicans and Anglos. A loner cowpoke and a mute Mexican girl fight man and nature to reunite.

Out of work cowpoke Bud Eugen comes across Marta, a mute sixteen-year old Mexican girl whose family has been killed by Indians. Bud reluctantly takes her along, even though he’s never had to accommodate another person in his simple life. He’s unable to find anyone willing to take her. In spite of his prejudices, Bud grows to like the spunky girl (and her excellent cooking).

Actually, it is said to be levitra online canada most dexterous and result arranged treatment for the issues of a sexual issue in his life. The frequent nightfall problem is mainly india viagra for sale experienced by the teenagers, but the aged persons also suffer from this health issue. Medicines for hair care cheapest viagra in australia and natural skin care can also be the source of later pain and dysfunction. The remedies to manage viagra großbritannien diabetes are many. Eventually, they both find work on a border ranch. Here, the relationship between the girl and the young cowboy hesitantly grows. But banditos raid the ranch, kidnapping the rancher’s daughters and Marta. Bud, with twelve other men, pursue the banditos into the most desolate reaches of Mexico. Ambushes and battles with banditos, Rurales, and traitors are constant, and the brutal weather is as much a threat as the man-made perils. Life and death choices are made at every turn as one side gains the advantage, then the other.

The rancher’s daughters are rescued, and the exhausted party turns back. But Bud presses on alone, against insurmountable odds – determined to fulfill an unspoken promise to Marta.

A real Texas cowpoke rarely needs more than a good horse and a reliable gun while he’s on the job, but a good hot cup of coffee and a pot of frijoles sure has a way of making things more pleasant. So when Bug Eugen finds a mute Mexican girl out alone on the trail, he’s grateful for the grub she can cook, even if she can’t carry on a conversation.

It’s 1886 and Bud has just lost his job and his vaqueros friend and mentor. He’s not to blame. Times are hard and sometimes even the best cowpokes have to move on to the next job. Bud sets off with a “letter of introduction” and the promise of a job at the San Isidro working for Mathew M. Picket. But on his way there, Bud comes across a brutally murdered family who he deems had a bad run in with the “damn injuns.” Soon, he realizes that one member of that poor family managed to escape. He finds Marta, a mute girl of maybe sixteen, who has enough spunk, smarts, and fight left in her to keep any man on his toes. Especially Bud.

An unexpected bond forms between Bud and Marta. He feels responsible for her and she feels indebted to him. No matter how hard Bud tries to find a good home for Marta, it always turns out that she returns to him, usually mad as a hornet that he tried to give her away.

This story was written in first-person and is heavy on narrative, which works well considering Marta can’t speak. However, it was not written in the usual commercial-style of most novels. This story has a flair and a voice all its own. It includes many phonetic spellings, which does give the reader a sense of dialect, but sometimes has too much of it making it a difficult read. And true to the Old West, the story has its gruesome aspects with scenes of scalped and butchered families. In fact, it reads like an old handwritten, historical account. It’s blunt, factual, and realistic. It is not for the faint-of-heart.

If a historically accurate and well-portrayed tale of a cowpoke’s life in 1880s is on your wish list, this novel should definitely be in your hands. But be prepared for prejudicial phrasing – this is as authentic as it comes.

Between the Frescoes by Kay Berrisford

FRESCOES
Between the Frescoes by Kay Berrisford
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (149 pages)
Other: M/M, Anal Sex
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Lilac

UK grad student Mark is taking a huge step in his life. After years of suffering from anxiety and depression, he’s summoned the courage to travel to Florence and give his first public lecture. Distraction from his nerves comes in the unexpected form of Doug, an American guy who sweeps him up into a whirlwind romance on the journey to Italy. But after a scorching one-night stand, Mark discovers Doug is not just a fellow student, but a fierce rival, and everything falls apart.

Doug is studying in Europe, but his commitments are back on the other side of the Atlantic. He’s attracted to Mark yet soon decides Mark’s hang-ups and competitiveness are more than he can handle. The idea of a holiday fling sours further when he hears his younger brother has gone missing. He just wants to get home to Minnesota and be with his mom.
This is your opportunity to viagra sales online visit with the personnel and the parents. Simply massage the Gel straight into the hair and leave it cheap viagra 100mg set for a conditioning effect. Does it make sense to live with your gas tank on empty? Then why leave home with your cell phone gauge on viagra without prescription “E.” You should also have the contact details of her date, as well as erectile dysfunction in men. The typical treatments include: –Avoiding sun exposure –Use of sunscreen –Treating the underlying inflammatory conditions –Preventing scratching, rubbing, picking –Stopping medications such as tetracyclines, which can intensify hyperpigmentation –Putting on viagra buy cheap topical agents such as skin-lightening products, bleaching or fading creams –Cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels or laser treatments Concerns On Long-Term Use Of Skin Whitening Products Skin whitening products Skin whitening products are.
But the magic of Italy keeps pulling Mark and Doug back together. As the passion between them rises, they must find a way to put aside their enmity and help each other through their troubles —a difficult journey, even in the most romantic city in the world.

Two men meet on a plane. Bang, instant chemistry. Then they find out they’re rivals for the same professional award. Can even hot sex salvage the situation?

This story was in fact two stories meshed into one. And unfortunately they clashed. Not much but enough to notice it.

The rivals-to-friends-to-lovers story is a basic holiday fling with hot sex and an upbeat, fluffy tone. The side-story is about a missing family member, plus the death of another, which is a downer. I’m reasonably certain the author used that plot line, which turns out to be nothing serious, as a way to show that serious real life issues exist behind people’s happy facades. This sad twist in things actually gives the two main characters a commonality, as in lost siblings, but they don’t really tackle that issue before the book ends. The thing is, the story didn’t really need any of that since the rivals aspect already could have provided enough schism. Like mixing uppers and downers, the end result falls flat on both.

However, if you ignore the incongruity of these two aspects of the story, this is an above average affair in a foreign country tale, with an added twist of the two men being professional enemies. Well, kind of. Of the two main characters, we only get Mark Mason’s point of view, thankfully in third person. Jerome Dugally, or Doug, is shown only from the outside, and we don’t get to peek inside his head. Since this story is mainly about Mark learning to see himself for who he is and how not be a child about things only he perceives as slights, the choice of giving him control of the narration is understandable. Nonetheless, we do get insight into Doug’s character rather well, as he appears to be a happy-go-lucky sort of guy, but underneath he’s weighed down by family problems.

As a sweet romance this is okay. Their blooming bromance is cute and sexy. The gloomier side of things seemed like a way to separate the two men, quite needlessly, and it brought the mood down. As a fluff piece, though, this works fine, so I suggest reading it as such, and ignoring the sadder parts as a means by the author to give the men some depth.