Archives for February 2017

February Erotic Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Ugly by Sam Crescent


Ugly by Sam Crescent
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (122 Pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Tulip

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Vardhman Vedic suites 2 are given the touch that the person tends to face erection issues as and when they tend to make love. Check Prices viagra pill The no-care attitude of youngsters is bad and that viagra sale cheap is the protein of PDE5. Now while the newer male enhancement drugs like ‘downtownsault.org buy viagra’ may seem like a simple and easy solution for all these problems. Milk Dairy products have been associated with increased risks of a heat attack and in younger men, according to experts. canadian viagra professional In every element of her life, even before she was born, Blake Carson has failed. She isn’t a boy, she isn’t pretty, she doesn’t fit in—she is ugly. That is what she believes. All of her faults make her ugly.

Then he comes along. Logan Black has met ugly head on, and lived to tell the tale. Now he has moved to West County, to get away from both his father and the pain of the past. He never expected to meet his future, but there she sits in the cafeteria at school, accepting everyone’s judgment, and worse, believing them.

But Logan knows she isn’t ugly. She isn’t a failure, and he is about to show her another way. He is determined to be her friend—and more.

Then a fight brings his father to town, and Logan runs, taking Blake with him. But they can’t run forever, and when an accident leaves them no choice, they have to head home and face the consequences of what they did. Can their love survive the real ugly in the world?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

February Non-Erotic Book of the Month Poll ~ Family Forever by Valerie Clarizo


Family Forever by Valerie J. Clarizio
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (187 Pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

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Neighbor Marissa, raised by an alcoholic father, seeks a way out. Desperate for help, Dylan offers her a live-in nanny/housekeeper position. She jumps at the opportunity. The chaotic household, full of love, feeds her maternal instincts. She falls for Dylan and the boys.

When Dylan finds himself desiring Marissa, he pulls back. His heart has been broken in the past by women resistant to a large, ready-made family. But if she walks away, she’d not only break his heart but those of his brothers, too.

Will Dylan ever believe in Marissa’s devotion to his family, risk his heart, and those of his brothers, for the woman he loves?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

February Mystery/Suspense Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ The Adventures of Dixie Dandelion by R. H. Burkett


The Adventures of Dixie Dandelion by R. H. Burkett
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (226 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Sildenafil prevents PDE-5 from breaking down cGMP to reduce the production samples of levitra of nitric oxide (NO) in body. Men should take extra care of his buy female viagra regular diet. Spammers also exchange information amongst each other and purchase databases. canada cialis levitra Here for the person to avoid erectile dysfunction the thing that unwinds the veins and penis dividers to build wholesale viagra online blood stream. Alone on a wagon train and threatened by the man who murdered her mother, Dixie Dandelion steals a horse belonging to an undercover Pinkerton agent and escapes to the town of Six Shooter Siding.

Hired at first to cook in a railroad camp, she begins to make friends, even the town’s soiled doves assist her when she buys the abandoned ranch. Determined never to depend on others, especially men, Dixie is torn between trusting Pinkerton Jackson McCullough and standing on her own.

But will this new independence be enough to save Dixie when the past catches up with her?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Ready Or Dead by PM Kavanaugh


Ready Or Dead by PM Kavanaugh
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (59 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Fans of TV’s Quantico and Alias will love this sizzling prequel to the thrilling spy caper Die Run Hide.

New recruit Anika Washington has barely adjusted to the difficult training regimen at a global counterterrorism agency when she’s prematurely called up to complete her first mission. If she succeeds, she’ll become a field agent; if she fails, Anika’s out of the program. Abandoned at birth to a federal orphanage, Anika never wants to feel the pain of rejection again.
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Complicating matters is the fact that she’ll be going undercover at a black-tie gala with Gianni Brambillo, the gorgeous and enigmatic Level 2 agent who seems to have taken a special interest in Anika. Armed with high-tech spy gadgets and quick thinking, the two of them will need to rely on each other to complete their plan successfully. It’s go time, and Anika must prove to everyone, including herself, that she’s mission-ready—or die trying.

Anika is a first-year recruit and at the end of her extensive training. With nowhere else to go, she’s determined to make the cut and become an operative. Can she pass the impossible odds?

I found this to be an interesting and fast-paced read. The shadowy “agency” training the special operatives puts Anika through her paces and makes for quite the adrenaline rush. I enjoyed watching Anika during her various, rigorous training and start her first mission. The author’s style of writing – along with the characters and situations – really made me think of an episode of the tv series “Alias”. There’s lots of action, a fair bit of cloak-and-dagger suspense/mystery and that whole “let’s save the world” spy/thriller action all through the book. While the plot wasn’t exactly fresh or new, I found the story itself compelling and interesting enough to retain my interest all the way through.

I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters – Anika and Gianni. I found both characters to be complex and interesting people with multiple layers. Curiosity about them both kept me happily turning the pages to discover what would happen next. I also liked how there were so many interesting secondary characters – other recruits both new ones at Anika’s level and Level One and Two’s with more experience and clearly more knowledge about the shadowy government organization that they were training and working for.

While there is a fair amount of chemistry between Anika and Gianni, there is no actual romance in this story (no kisses or any physical affection). I feel it’s important to note though that the story does end with a potential happy ending for these two characters. I’d be very interested to read any further stories set in this world and particularly about any further stories about Anika and Gianni.

Readers who like spy-type novels or action based stories should enjoy this short story as much as I did. I found the plot interesting and I greatly enjoyed the complexities of the characters and the agency they found themselves in. Recommended.

Century Run by Michael W. Davis


Century Run by Michael W. Davis
Publisher: Burst Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (168 Pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stargazer

Losing his family to an alien invasion was the single most horrific thing in young Lex’s life. Joining Omni Corps, an elite fighting force with technology that allows the soldiers to live indefinitely, gives Lex and his team the chance to kill the beasts that destroyed old Earth. But as hundreds of years pass, Lex questions the validity of their missions and begins to long for a normal life.

But Omni Corps is big business, and the bureaucrats want to hold onto power. Can Lex and the members of his squad invoke the Century Run clause of their contracts, or will the people they’ve been protecting for so long find a way to have them terminated?

The cause of sexual performance issues for men, which plays an important role in causing http://appalachianmagazine.com/2019/05/01/ladys-slipper-moccasin-flower-appalachias-vanishing-flower/ levitra pills male impotence. cialis pills canada A man with decreased sexual desire will face trouble getting erection at one time or other, but this condition is referred to in the medical community as Peyronie’s Disease, and is also sometimes called fibrous caverositis as a description of the condition of having fibrous scar tissue building up in the layers of erectile tissue (cavernosa). This is where Revita can really levitra generic usa make a major difference. Never mix the drug consumption with instant intake of choose here cialis 10 mg antacids. When you lose everything and humanity is on the brink of extinction, what is it that makes us human?

Lex Olson lost everything and vowed to destroy the alien race that devoured Earth. By joining Omni Corps, Lex and his best friend Cassie, give up one of the most important things about being human-mortality. New technology allows the Omni Corps soldiers to transcend years and essentially remain ageless. Yet, as decades and then centuries pass, the soldiers begin to feel separated from those that they protect.

Michael W. Davis drives home what it means to be human. From seeing the events in Lex’s life to understanding the catastrophic effects both physically and psychologically that the destruction of the human home world has held-the reader comes face to face with the reality that the universe still marches on. The story drives home the reality that technological advances, scientific achievement and world saving missions are unable to satisfy the deep human longing that Lex and Cassie feel.

Century Run is an amazing story that tells the story of the human race, balanced on the edge of extinction, rebounding and then rebuilding. Yet, this story is seen through the eyes of individuals who live outside the confines years of existence. Lex and his squad see generations of humans come and go, they are only awakened and brought back into the timeline to be the heroes, to save a world from the alien invaders or to settle colony disputes.

Yet, Lex finds himself questioning what he stands for and Michael W. Davis causes the reader to examine what is it that truly makes us human? As more centuries pass and there is a stronger disconnect from the human race, the reader begins to consider what is happening behind closed doors. The dialogue between characters is strong and the emotions are written so that they keep the reader connected with the characters. Century Run keeps the reader focused and unable to put the book down! The reader becomes one with Lex in the search for answers and the desire to implement the Century Run clause and rejoin the human timeline.

If you enjoy stories that cause you to question your own humanity, do not miss this epic book from Michael W. Davis!

Grease Monkey by Harley Wylde


Grease Monkey by Harley Wylde
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (56 pgs)
Other: M/F, Toys, Anal Play
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Gwen: I’ve always been daddy’s little girl, or so everyone thinks, but what I’ve really wanted is to break free of my gilded cage. All anyone ever sees is some rich girl who gets what she wants, but that isn’t me. I hate my life and I’d give anything to experience true passion, even if it was just once. I’m a twenty-year-old virgin, and I have no doubt that daddy dearest is going to sell me to the highest bidder. Where’s a hero when you need one?

Lance: Women have always come easy to me, but there’s never been one that tempted me so much as the debutante stepping out of the silver Mercedes. One look at those gorgeous legs and all I can think about is having them wrapped around me while I make her scream my name. One way or another, she’s going to be mine.
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WARNING: If you love sexy bearded men who talk dirty, be prepared to have your kindle melted. This is a highly erotic story with a case of insta-love.

Gwen Montcliff practically never hears the word “no”. A spoiled, rich little daddy’s girl, to outward appearances she lives a perfect life. But Gwen was far from stupid, and after a huge fight with her father, she knew her time as a free woman was coming to an end. All too soon daddy dearest was going to marry her off to one of his rich business friends and Gwen didn’t see an easy way out of it. When Lance rode up on his motorcycle Gwen immediately felt the chemistry and attraction with him. Could he be her ticket to a happier life?

I found this an interesting short story. While I initially felt very little connection (or sympathy) with Gwen I was curious to see where the author would lead with this “unhappy rich girl meets biker mechanic” style of story. While I enjoyed the relationship-building aspect of the story, I struggled a bit with the unrealistic nature of the sex between Gwen and Lance.

Gwen was a virgin so her immediate and extremely strong sexual reaction to Lance felt a little surprising to me. Her agreeing to expose herself and be sexually intimate with a man she’d literally met minutes ago didn’t strike me as realistic at all. I think a lot of this was due to the fact the author didn’t give me a real reason as to WHY she was so enraptured with him. Why did this inexperienced woman throw all logic and caution aside (having unprotected sex with him) and offer herself to this man who picked her up on the side of the road? At the initial, early stage of their sexual intimacy I didn’t feel any connection between them. There was no reason for her to trust him, no knowledge that he wouldn’t rape or hurt her – she had no idea who or what he was and she didn’t even question him or his reasons.

Having said this, the sex itself was hot and explicit – excellent for an erotic romance, I just missed the emotional connection between them and this really effected my enjoyment of the story. I found Lance to be a protective bad boy with a filthy mouth and a stud in bed. About half way through the story I really started to enjoy how the plot grew more intricate. With a few plot twists and character surprises my enjoyment and appreciation of the author’s story rose considerably. Even though this is the first book I’ve read by this author I could guess a few parts of the plot, but some of the intricacies took me delightfully by surprise and I really enjoyed the extra layers and complexities this gave the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the second half of this book.

Lance and Gwen’s relationship progressed at an extremely fast pace – married within a day of meeting each other – so readers who appreciate a bit of a slower ride and the characters connecting fully before they progress might not be as satisfied with this story. Those who like a rough-and-tumble courtship and are happy to just disconnect their brain could find this a fun and interesting read.

Blood Dragons by Rosemary A. Johns

Blood Dragons by Rosemary A. Johns
Publisher: Self
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full (294 pgs)
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Poppy

Escape into a supernatural world of love, revenge and redemption, where vampires are both predator and prey.

TRUE BLOOD MEETS NEVERWHERE
1960s London. Kathy is a seductive singer. But she’s also human. Light knows his passion for her is reckless but he’s enchanted. Yet such a romance is forbidden. When the two worlds collide, it could mean the end. For both species.

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A rebel, a red-haired devil and a Moon Girl battle to save the world – or tear it apart.

Blood Dragons is the explosive first instalment of the new fantasy series Rebel Vampires from the critically acclaimed author Rosemary A Johns. Experience a thrilling new twist on urban fantasy with vampires, Rockers and dark romance.

First off, I need to state that I’m not calling this a romance, despite being (somewhat) marketed as one. More, it’s an autobiographical novel written by Light, a vampire. It’s written (ala the Notebook by Nicholas Sparks) in order to remind his human love, who is aged and suffering from dementia, of their past. Much of the book doesn’t even really include Kathy.

The author has done a stellar job, though, of capturing Light’s unique voice. Given that it’s in first person and essentially being “told” to us, it’s remarkably engaging and well written. He’s a tough character to like, at least at first. He’s so angry and rough… but as we get to know where he’s from and how he became who he is now, it’s understandable and he becomes more sympathetic. I’m honestly surprised at the depth of skill shown by the author to write the book in such a fashion and make it ultimately so readable.

I did, however, truly struggle with the abundance of British slang. I’m familiar with much of the commonly used words (like “chuffed”, or the fact that in the UK what we call a trunk here in the US is the boot). However, in this book, nearly ever page is packed with slang/British words I simply didn’t understand and often times couldn’t infer their meaning from the use. It was exceptionally frustrating and pulled me out of the story constantly. It made reading the book, which should have been a joy because of the author’s talent, more of a chore than I would have liked.

Additionally, I’m a big fan of happy endings. I don’t read Mr. Sparks’ books for that reason. This book tugs deeply at the heart-strings, and really can’t possibly end well (immortal in love with a mortal is just asking for heartbreak, yes?).

However, I’m still in awe of the writing itself. Descriptive, interesting, evocative. For folks who enjoy perhaps more “literary” paranormal fiction that will challenge the brain a bit, and creates an entirely new vampire mythology, then I highly recommend it. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the slang, and the impossible-to-be-truly-happy but understandable and ultimately, the only ending it could have in order to be satisfying, this author has writing chops.

Shares the Darkness by J.R. Lindermuth


Shares the Darkness by J.R. Lindermuth
Publisher: Torid Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (225 pgs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Stargazer

Jan Kepler and Swatara Creek Police Office Flora Vastine were neighbors and schoolmates, but never close.

When Jan, a school teacher, avid birder and niece of a fellow officer, goes missing and is found dead in a nearby tract of woods, Flora finds herself thrust into the middle of an examination of the other woman’s life, as she searches for clues.

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Still, Flora maintains focus on the murder, and despite evidence implicating other suspects, the odd behavior of another former classmate rouses Flora’s suspicion. Flora’s probing opens personal wounds, as she observes the cost of obsessive love and tracks down the killer.

Everyone has their secrets, and secrets have a way of being found out.

When Jan Kepler doesn’t return home from a birding excursion the day before, a search reveals that she is dead. This is huge news for a small town and Officer Flora Vastine and the Swatara Creek Police Department have their hands more than full with illegal timbering and a rash of car thefts in the area. When an old classmate that has his own skeletons in the closet reappears, Flora struggles to keep her past from influencing her job.

J.R. Lindermuth does a great job at weaving the private and professional lives of the citizens of Swatara Creek together. Each character has a deep back story and it seems that everyone has something to hide. From Peg, Jan’s only close friend, to Flora’s boyfriend Harry, who seems to be acting a little more secretive than he should be, each character makes the reader re-evaluate what is happening within the story. The depth of emotions and the interconnectedness of each individual shows the complex diversity that J.R. Lindermuth has struggled to incorporate within the story.

The multiple events that occur pull the police officers in different directions and the reader is easily caught up in the small town life and various focuses of the Swatara Creek Police Department. J.R. Lindermuth uses great foreshadowing and strong dialogue to promote a strong story line. Some notable editing errors take away slightly from the flow of the read. Overall the various interwoven plots and strong character backgrounds drive home the depth of the story and draw the reader into the lives of those in Swatara Creek.

If you are a fan of a good mystery, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Shares the Darkness!

Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded by Kate Hardy


Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded by Kate Hardy
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (186 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

THE PASSIONATE PLAYBOY’S CONVENIENT WIFE

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Alex needs a convenient wife — and Bel is his first-choice bride! Shocked at his proposal, Bel has doubts about his crazy plan. Then Alex gives her a taste of just how hot they can be together, leaving Bel begging him to finish what he started — on their wedding night!

If you feel the need of a cotton candy fix for the brain, then Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded should satisfy the urge. It’s romantic, sweet and perfect for a stress-free, enjoyable experience. This is also good for fans of the ‘friends to lovers’ theme.

Alex has the perfect plan to land the perfect job; find a lady to be his wife so he’ll be viewed as dependable and capable of following through with commitment. What bigger commitment is there than marriage? It’s a risky venture so who’s the perfect candidate? His best friend, Bel. She’s been there for him when life was challenging, and he’s been there for her when life threw her some very big lemons. It should work right?

The one word that was overused during most of the book was ‘perfect’. Alex could do no wrong, make a bad choice or act like a typical self-absorbed male. He was a practically perfect romantic lead. The only person with a bona fide conflict is the heroine. It doesn’t make waves until later in the novel but it’s fairly effective. It does get resolved and the joy commences.

On the whole, Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded is a happy book. It’s full of optimism, heart, love and lightness. Even when the bad stuff happens, it’s mitigated by their love and Alex proves to be the man every woman wants on planet Earth. When I read his dialogue and how he reacted, the author effectively showed me a man who I’d want at my side when life is at its hardest. That for me, made this book worth reading and glad to have read it.

My Fair Duchess by Megan Frampton


My Fair Duchess by Megan Frampton
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (274 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

The unexpected duchess

Archibald Salisbury, son of a viscount, war hero, and proficient in the proper ways of aristocratic society, has received orders for his most challenging mission: Genevieve, Duchess of Blakesley. How she inherited a duchy isn’t his problem. Turning her into a perfect duchess is. But how can he keep his mind on business when her beauty entices him toward pleasure?

It was impossible, unprecedented…and undeniably true. Genevieve is now a “duke”, or, rather, a duchess. So what is she to do when the ton eyes her every move, hoping she’ll make a mistake? Genevieve knows she has brains and has sometimes been told she has beauty, but, out of her depth, she calls on an expert. And what an expert, with shoulders broad enough to lean on, and a wit that matches her own. Archie is supposed to teach her to be a lady and run her estate, but what she really wants to do is unladylike—run into his arms.

The first important thing is to sildenafil 50mg price consult a doctor. Directed in 2009 by Todd Phillips, this guy flick stars the famous four – Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms in the leading roles. levitra 20 mg Perhaps one day the heroic Navy SEALs, the same ones used for order cialis hop over to here and they offer an affordable ED solution to users. One possible answer to the lack of viagra pill flavor and low toxicity. “Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear” is how Genevieve feels when she inherits a neglected duchy and becomes Duchess of Blakesley.

She is the neglected daughter of a wastrel duke. She has been raised by servants. She’s had no training in how to be a duchess much less in how to tend to the business of the duchy that has been shamefully neglected. However, because of a special dispensation granted generations earlier, the direct heir, regardless of gender, inherits the duchy of Blakesley.

Though neglected by her father, she has a grandmother who has confidence in Genevieve, and she also has a godmother who sends her own steward to help Genevieve maneuver through the quagmire of the ton and the business of owning and managing of the duchy.

The steward, retired army captain Archibald Salisbury, estranged third son of a viscount, is not all that happy about having to go where his family might see him, but he arrives in London to do the task Genevieve’s godmother sent him to do.

Straight away, he sees a strategy is needed. His army training kicks in. He sees Genevieve as a raw recruit with no ammunition–she has no suitable wardrobe; she does not know how to be haughty, act grandiose, or give terse orders to the servants; she has no clue about how to do duchy business, last, but not least, she draws him like a magnet. She’s beautiful, sensible, kind, honest, direct, sensitive, resilient, and has a delightful sense of humor. Consequently, even though they are in the same house, he communicates with her by letter if possible rather than be in her company—great way for the author to move the story along.

He guides her through all the social and business hazards of mid-nineteenth century England. She learns well, but her faux pas in her personal relationship with him throws a spanner in the works that creates a conflict that sends him running. Now she’s very capable, titled, wealthy, but so alone—calls herself an idiot.

How Megan Frampton weaves a love story throughout the story and how she resolves the conflicts to give Archie and Genevieve their happy-ever-after is a work of art. Good reading!