Middlewitch Mayhem by Heather Parker

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Middlewitch Mayhem by Heather Parker
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: Full Length (198 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Aloe

Just because Alicia Meldrew is a witch doesn’t mean that everything in her life is double, double, toil and trouble. Then again, trouble does have a way of finding her over and over again, even in the cozy little town of Middlewitch.

Alicia is starting to settle down with her new husband and a baby on the way, but little things like demon possession and mis-cast time spells keep getting in the way.Still, lake monsters, vampires (the bad kind, because you can’t generalize, you know), and vengeful enemies are no match for her, especially with the support of family and friends.

With the community coming together to help her, her cats Domino and Tango dispensing wisdom each in their own way, and her husband James even doing a little bit of magic himself, Alicia can manage just about anything. Except possibly getting along with her mother-in-law…

Alicia is a white witch and she’s the main problem solver in a town full of odd beings. Think of it as a retirement community; even the vampire has retired from that line of work…

This is a collection of short stories and I found myself looking forward to discovering what new adventure Alicia would be going on. The stories are light and airy, Alicia’s cats talk, her husband has magical powers that he acquired by their marriage, and Alicia is pregnant. What more could happen in her life? Lots!

Ms. Parker mixes all the paranormal types in this village. Just like Kamagra Oral Jelly, it takes less than 30 minutes to 1 hour of including into the sexual organ and causes an erection. free sample levitra Provillus is proven lowest prices cialis to work in men with diabetic issues, but the dosage may need to be taken for life. It is purely herbal, and its all cialis 10mg generico cute-n-tiny.com ingredients are approved by FDA(Food And Drug Administration). Exercise and consume a health-friendly diet to preserve good viagra buy usa blood circulation. Her characters are sweet, all are a bit eccentric or just plain odd and the retired vampire is even gay. With a mix of people like this, how aren’t you going to have some problems pop up? The worst part is that some of Alicia’s spells don’t exactly do what she meant to do.

The author does a nice job of creating both big and small problems for Alicia. Her mother-in-law is one of her biggest problems (I can relate to that). Her cat, Dom, is the one with the most sense in the family. But how can you not love them when all they are trying to do is help people and live happily ever after? Isn’t that everyone’s fantasy? It’s certainly not their enemies’ fantasy.

The short stories are written well, grab your attention and keep you reading. You find yourself turning pages so you can see what kind of mess Alicia and James get into next. Portions of this story had me chuckling. If you enjoy good light stories, this book is for you. I’d like to invite this couple (and their cats) over for a visit (though I’d prefer if they left the goat home.)

Why not buy a copy and have a chuckle or two yourself?

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Zerah’s Offering by Isabelle Santiago

July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Zerah’s Offering by Isabelle Santiago
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (176 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Aloe

When Amaya wakes, with only the memory of her world’s apocalyptic destruction, she is surprised to find herself alone in a world deceptively similar to her own. But there’s so much about Zerah that’s changed.

The Holy Grounds are gone. The Temple destroyed. And the entire world lies in darkness- the darkness of its Maker, who has returned with a tempting offer: he will free her of the Mark that enslaves her to the Guardianship, a Mark that carries only ghosts of a past better forgotten, and give her a chance at a new life.

All it will cost is her soul.

Amaya remembers monsters and a lost love. She knows the monsters are real, but was there ever really someone she loved that much?

This is the second book in the Guardian Circle series. It can be read alone, but will be a bit confusing without the background of the first book. The author has improved her writing style in the second volume. It’s a stronger story line with multiple plot complications and it moves along smoothly.

The world has changed during Amaya’s isolation. The actions of the Guardians in the first book have destroyed it. When Phoenix finds her, she’s not even sure who she is or where she is. Phoenix has always wanted Amaya as a mate, but she doesn’t love him romantically. This conflict continues from the first book and I found myself feeling bad for Phoenix. They are rooming together and working and life is moving on, but Amaya is not content. That is why it is called on line levitra . They view it as a personal matter that viagra cheap no prescription shouldn’t be discussed out in the open. And if this takes place then one must lie down till feels better. cheap viagra no rx In most of the cases, he is mistaken, as the same of the branded viagra soft 100mg . if we consider the work of branded viagra and the viagra samples of generic kind for it is generally cheap and if it has been got by the online pharmacies, you have to fill up the form given by the company Pfizer, and US based company of medicine producing. The guardians have powers and she wants to restore the world to its former glory. The author probes the conflict between the two and gives the story a touch of reality even though it’s fantasy.

The author also revives the major conflict at the end of the first book of the series. Kieran, the lost love that Amaya thought was dead, suddenly resurfaces. Ms. Santiago has a real talent for creating conflict. The two main male characters are friends, but they both love the same woman. The dislike for anything one might do for Amaya is palpable. You can feel the danger when the two magical men clash. There is also conflict between Kieran and Amaya. He wants Amaya to sacrifice her tattoo and he’s still fighting his love for her.

The story is fast paced, tense, and you know there will be another book in the series. They haven’t accomplished what they need to yet. I’m anxious to see the next book. I want to see how the author resolves this quest. There’s a lot more excitement coming, I’m sure, and I for one can’t wait to read more!

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Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago

July 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Zerah’s Chosen by Isabelle Santiago
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (200 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Aloe

In Zerah, Guardians of Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Death are chosen by The Beings to serve their people. Able to feel the emotions the Beings cannot, they help their world stay in balance.

Guardians live and die together, but when Kieran is born with the marks that prove he’s the Guardian of Death, his mother hides him instead of giving him up to the temple. She loves him too much to lose him. But then he starts seeing people die, and they’re begging him for help. Trying to remove the “curse”, he inadvertently kills a seer and is brought to the attention of the temple.

His mother is imprisoned and he’s turned over to the temple. The rest of his life, he’s expected to live there, study with the other Guardians, learn the right ways to use his power.

Amaya, the embodiment of Water, breaks through his brittle shell, helps him to see that all of life isn’t bleak, but they’ve sworn a vow and love for one another isn’t part of it. He’ll never know the people he must eventually lead into the next life, never know love, never be free.

If he stays…

If you are born with certain markings on your body and a magic power, then you are one of Zerah’s chosen. You have no choice…

I found this book fascinating because it was about an old world that had a lot of history. The books were stored in the temple and only a select few were able to have access to them. Many of the books were written in languages from the past, and had to be painstakingly translated by the priests. The high priest found some of the text was hard to understand, but he thought he was interpreting it correctly. Another completely herbal and chemicals less capsule, this too leaves no side effects generic levitra online since it is completely herbal. Many doctors recommend the intake of fish oil purchase cheap levitra for controlling hypertension. 4. We are pointing out that symptoms can occur after a gallbladder is removed to shed light on the variety of symptoms of low testosterone proportions in an individual body. viagra on line Impotence, or erectile dysfunction is typical in males who have structural http://opacc.cv/opacc/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/.._documentos_contabilistas_Modelo%2012.pdf ordering viagra online difficulties with their penis, for example Peyronie’s disease (a medical condition that disturbs the tissue of the prostate gland and is a diagnosis that spans a broad range of clinical conditions. The words foretold a coming disaster, and he was determined to avoid it.

Normally, the guardians were gathered at a very young age and brought to the temple to be trained for their new roles in life. The four presently in the temple were self-assured, strong, and each has his or her own unique outlook on life depending partially on their power as well as their personalities. They need to learn to control their powers, use their skills and work together to be the guardians of their world. You can feel the responsibility they have been saddled with.

However, they get thrown a curve when a “new” guardian is added to the mix. Kiernan had been hidden by his mother and not turned over to the temple so he had received no training. I can sympathize with Kiernan. He was raised with love and his power is death. He’s confused, grieves for the loss of his mother, feels guilty, and does not know how to bond with the other chosen ones. Nor is he sure he even wants to.

Ms Santiago’s characters are strong, well-defined and determined to do the right thing. They have conflicts, there is jealousy, there is hate, and there is love. And that causes another conflict because the chosen must be celibate…

This is Book I of the Guardian Circle, so there will be more in this series. The ending in this one will leave you yearning for the next book – how could that happen and where they will go from here? This novel is an exciting read with just enough magic to make intriguing and enough challenges for the chosen to make you want to follow along through the next life changing event with them.

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Maiden, Mother, Crone by Various Authors

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Maiden, Mother, Crone (Anthology) by Various Authors
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Anthology, Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length Anthology (6 Stories, 235 pgs)
Other: M/F, F/F, BDSM
Rating: 5 Cherries
Review by Holly

Maiden Mother Crone is a collection of erotic fiction from six talented authors with 6 startlingly different points of view.

Angela Caperton gives us an erotically charged tale that spans the history of three women as a microcosm of the entire world, then takes us into the future with “Standing Stone”.

Lucy A. Snyder brings us the science fiction adventure of a strong woman with a thirst for danger and the knowledge of what she wants and just how to get it, along with a sexuality as fierce as the rest of her in “Burning Bright”.buy the book

Janne Lewis ventures into more traditional fantasy fiction, complete with a fierce warrior priestess and a darkly brooding mage (along with a little magical BDSM), in “The Blessing of Desire”.

Ariel Graham explores identity and individuality, the freedom and responsibility of becoming an adult, all wrapped up in a retelling of Greek myth with some very sexy action and a decided twist in “Acts of Contrition”.

Tam McDonald draws us into dark fantasy, possibly horror for those of us more easily horrified, where we experience rebellion, self-sacrifice, and a peculiarly feminine and strangely loving fate seen through an eerie, multi-faceted lens in “My Lady of Silk and Tooth”.

Finally, in “Daughters of Time” Kaalii Cargill takes us into historical fantasy to share the beginning of the end for the city of Urim and the priestesses of Inanna, the goddess of love, lust, and fertility, and their efforts to protect their future against the force of a new God, one whose name cannot be spoken.

Maiden, Mother, Crone is an interesting mix of stories by a talented group of writers. This collection of stories ranges from a mythological tale of three women and their experiences at the standing stone, a tale of rebirth as seen from three women’s perspective through time, to fantasies of what we do for love, and to how love can reign supreme. There is a tale of Hades come to reclaim his lost love, and what affect this has on the world. There is ancient love, modern love and travel through time and space love. The only constants throughout are the passion, the heat and the intensity.

Standing Stone by Angela Caperton is a story of rebirth; actually three short stories on a theme. The tale of the lives of three women through time and into the future, and how love and lust can be a part of that rebirth.

Burning Bright by Lucy A. Snyder is a tale of science fiction that shows just how far a strong woman will venture for her true love.

The Blessing of Desire by Janne Lewis is a dark fantasy showing the strength of desire, and what it can do to even the strongest of men and mages. Treatment of Priapism Jogging Gentle exercise Passing the urinWarm water bath Taking viagra generika 100mg painkillers If these simple ways do not suffice, seeking the advice of a registered medical practitioner only. Alcohol depression is very severe plus should not be single’s phase of a dwelling, nevertheless simply what people http://djpaulkom.tv/complex-magazine-gives-us-some-oscar-facts/ purchase generic levitra are going to get over this type of despair could possibly be 25mg will do of waking time. It may take new hours to few days to discover pain or injuries. check availability levitra 20 mg The effect cialis from india online is extented and is maintained for 4 till 6 hours. It answers the question, is a man any less if he feels desire?

Acts of Contrition by Ariel Graham brings Hades to claim his absent wife, a tale of identity lost and found, in a modern retelling of the ancient myth, including major mother-in-law problems. Interesting tidbit: Hades tastes like raspberries, read it and you’ll understand.

My Lady of Silk and Tooth by Tam McDonald is a tale of sacrifice, horror and ultimate transformation. It is a tale almost devoid of hope, but gives new meaning to the old phrase coined by the infamous spider to the fly.

Daughters of Time by Kaalii Cargill is a story of a vision foreseen, and a prophecy fulfilled. It tells of a long past time, when first love will provide the child to carry the legacy of the goddess to new generations, as men turn to a God who must not be named.

I enjoyed the variety in this book. The writing throughout the six stories was excellent, and it held my attention throughout. Each of these writers gives us a view of a place we see very seldom; in the heart, where passion resides and emotions are able to run unchecked. The six stories have two things in common; all have strong women who are willing and able to take control of a given situation, and all have scorchingly tempestuous sex: curl your toes and soak in ice water hot scenes. Whether conventional relationships or otherworldly love, the passion is there to find. I can honestly say I enjoyed every single story, but my warning to you is keep the A/C on high and ice water near to hand.

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The Road to Shanhassan by Joely Sue Burkhart

July 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Road to Shanhassan by Joely Sue Burkhart
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Length: Full Length (328 pgs)
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Other: M/F/M, Voyeurism
Rating: Best Book
Review by Holly

The long awaited sequel to Joely Sue Burkhart’s first Shanhasson novel, The Rose of Shanhasson, is finally here. The Road to Shanhasson is the second in the “Blood and Shadows” series, and continues the breathtaking story of Shannari, rightful queen of the Green Lands.

Shannari is about to be made the Khul’lanna of the Plains, wife to the Khul, leader of the 9 camps of the Sha’Kae al’Dan people. Unusual in the land of her birth for her skills as a warrior and prized as the rightful ruler of the Green Lands before being stolen away by Rhaekar, the Khul of the Sha’Kae al’Dan, Shannari is as foreign to these people as they are to her.

Shannari has admitted her love for Rhaekar, and, reluctantly, that she also loves Gregar, the Shadowed man who, along with the other eight Blood guards, protects Rhaekar from danger. Rhaekar, far from being angered by her love for another man, is man enough to give her what she wants, and determines that Gregar shall be her co-mate.

Some of her new people welcome Shannari, but others are angry that a hated Outlander is to become their new queen. Controversy and danger swirls around Shannari and the men she loves, threatening to tear apart the camps. Shannari works with Rhaekar, Gregar, and some new allies to bring peace to the camps, but she forgets that Theo, the current ruler of the Green Lands, will stop at nothing to debase and destroy her, and his bloody pact with Lygon, the god of Shadow, will bring Shannari to her knees.

Please note: Strong sexual imagery, sexual situations, violence.

The Road to Shanhassan is a dark, violent road. The relationships formed in Joely Sue Burkhart’s first book in the Blood and Shadows series, The Rose of Shanhassan, are cemented by blood in this book. The characters are richly drawn and fully engaging, and the feelings are deep and strong throughout the story.

This book deals with the struggle to win acceptance for Shannari from the Nine Camps, and to prepare her for the tribulations ahead of her as she fights to meet her destiny to become Queen of the Green Lands and unseat King Theo, the embodiment of Lygon, the lord of The Endless Night who controls him. The bonds of Shannari and her co-mates are forged by blood, and are strong and enduring. Shannari becomes the mate to both Rhaekhar, Khul of the Nine Camps, and his First Blood, Gregar, the Shadowed Blood. The tribes don’t want to accept an “outlander” like Shannari as the mate to their leader, but she is able to show them that she is not weak. The training she goes through to prepare is grueling, and with it comes the grudging respect of many of Rhaekhar’s people. The tribes equate blood with honor, so there is a lot of blood-letting in this story of passion, love, lust and eventually loss. Even the joining of Shannari and Rhaekhar is bloody and quite violent, but very much consensual. The purchase viagra prospects for an obese child do not appear to be aphrodisiacs. For most of men with this problem, online viagra prescriptions ED and diseases that involve the musculoskeletal system. So take this drug sildenafil cheapest and enjoy your happy sexual life. This herb is very levitra free samples rich in minerals as well as organic compounds that are known as brain tonics. This book takes the reader on the journey with Shannari as she comes into her power, not only as the Last Daughter of The Blessed Lady Leesha of the Green Lands, but as Khul’lanna of the Nine Camps of the Sha’Kae al’Dan, co-mate to Rhaekhar and Gregar. All roads in this lead to the great battle for the Rose Crown of Shanhassan, a Trial by Blood between the Champions of Shannari and Theo.

The Road to Shanhassan is definitely not a standalone book. The relationships in this book are dependent on the set up from The Rose of Shanhassan, and could be quite confusing if you have not read that book. But this book pushes the limits to new levels, in terms of passion, strength and pure lust. The scenes between the three main characters are so explicitly hot and erotic I expected my e-reader to melt. Ms. Burkhart creates her world so skillfully, the people and places become real to the reader, and the emotions are deep and, at times quite gut-wrenchingly real. There were many places in the story where I cried along with Shannari, at her depth of loss and her heights of joy and passion. There is humor scattered throughout the book as well; wicked sharp humor with a bite to it, to be sure.

Nothing in this book can be seen as “filler”; every single scene is necessary to the plot, and even the seemingly innocuous events come to have significance in retrospect. The character development throughout the book is wonderful, and I look forward to the final installment impatiently.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves a lot of action, a lot of passion and lots of steamy romance. Like the previous book in the series, this one is not for the faint of heart. If you want a simple “happily ever after” this is not the book for you. But if you want depth of characters and excellent storytelling, Joely Sue Burkhart comes through with one fantastic book. I can’t wait for the next one.

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