Shared Redemption by Michel Prince

November 28, 2014 By 3 Comments

Shared Redemption
Shared Redemption by Michel Prince
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (277 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poppy

Former slave Nye ended his life in 1859 after losing his love. The angel Gabriel has offered Nye a chance at redemption by hunting demons as a member of the Frozen. With less than seven years left until his salvation, Nye is staying on the straight and narrow – until a woman gets caught in the crossfire during a demon hunt.

After receiving devastating news, Kiriana Kladshon moves across the country, only to get caught up in the world of The Frozen. Nye and Kiriana are pulled into an attraction neither can control. Will it be their ultimate demise or their greatest salvation?

Damarion, is leading a group of female demons on a mission. During his punishment on Earth, Damarion learns of dangers within his coven trying to stop him from returning to his love, still trapped in Hell and A love he was so sure was true…

This story has a neat twist to the paranormal genre. I really enjoyed the idea of having good people who ended their own lives being chosen to become demon hunters as a type of penance and way to earn redemption. It’s also a unique look at interracial romance … usually we either have a historical story where it’s clearly forbidden by society, or a contemporary one where it’s not considered illegal or immoral, but here we have Nye, a former slave “frozen” at the age he was at his death, and in his mind he really struggles to get past the mores of his time.

This story is told in first person, which isn’t a favorite of mine, and it’s also told from several points-of-view which occasionally made it difficult to know who was speaking. It’s not that the author has made characters who sound the same–she hasn’t!–it was just a little difficult to jump from one head to another in first person, so that was a stumbling block for me. Ms. Prince also has a slightly formal voice in her writing, so I sometimes felt as if I should be reading literary fiction and not a romance.

I really enjoyed seeing the two factions here: the frozen and the demon horde and getting into the heads of Nye and Damarian was very interesting. Such completely different people with completely different goals (heaven and hell). the storyline is certainly unique in a paranormal market glutted with shifters and vampires. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to read it and I’m glad I did. If you’re looking for a story outside the norm, with a wonderful romance that will make your heart sigh and a story with the promise of more (while the romance between Nye and Kiri is pretty well wrapped up here, this is clearly the start of a series), then I can happily recommend Shared Redemption. It’s a worthwhile addition to the genre.

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Escaping West by Morgan K. Wyatt

November 4, 2013 By 1 Comment

WEST
Escaping West by Morgan K. Wyatt
Publisher: Secret Cravings
Genre: Historical (early American)
Length: Full Length (218 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Kitty Hamilton is unsure how her life got so out of control. The unexpected deaths of her parents earned her a berth at her embittered aunt’s home. Her latest beau abandoned her, which made the prospect of leaving town appealing.

Her version of leaving didn’t include fleeing town dressed like a man, but circumstances dictate otherwise. Kitty becomes Kit to throw the law off her trail. As the pretend brother to her best friend Harriet, she accompanies her friend out west to her contracted bridegroom.

They encounter Nick Kennedy, flamboyant gambler, who takes an interest in the odd couple. Kitty enjoys the freedom her disguise allows, but she abandons any hope of attracting the handsome Nick Kennedy. Revealing her gender, might snag her a chance at the elusive gambler, but could also land her in prison. She keeps telling herself he isn’t worth it, but she’s not entirely convinced.

Escaping West is a snappy cowboy-centered romance that brings us the indefatigable heroine Kitty Hamilton, who takes up life as a man (out of necessity) but discovers the bonuses of her charade pretty quickly. She never was a stuffy one to start with…and inhibitions and ladylike manners depart without regret.

Unfortunately, the down side is the difficulty she’ll encounter trying to attract super-hot bad-boy Nick Kennedy … She’s discovered a great side of life but Kennedy is oh-so-tempting. Escaping West keeps readers absolutely hooked from the start – because even though we know what we want to have happen, we just cannot imagine how it actually can happen.

Best friend Harriet is a bit more ladylike, but a true friend nonetheless. She’s also ready for adventure and preparing to plunge into marriage …to a lovely fellow she has never met. Crazy as it seems, it soon becomes apparent that Kitty ought to make the same sort of arrangement – or at least, get out of town, quick. Hopping on the train, common as it must have been for them, becomes a whole new world for Kitty, as a young man! Some of the funniest incidents happen to Kitty traveling… Ms. Wyatt has a deft touch with the humorous moments.

Nick Kennedy is that so-likable rascally type that thoroughly enjoys Kitty’s situation – maybe a bit too much. Absolutely enjoyable.  Escaping West should be added to your Must Read list.

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Testing Tom by Lucy Felthouse

August 20, 2013 By 1 Comment

TOM
Testing Tom by Lucy Felthouse
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (51 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Clover

When Katrina’s ex, Tom, turns up on her doorstep, he’s literally the last person she was expecting to see. After dumping her and running off with a vanilla chick, Tom broke the Domme’s heart and left her seriously hurting. So when he returns, begging for another chance, Katrina is understandably very confused and protective of her bruised feelings. She finds it very difficult to believe that he’s turned his back on a vanilla lifestyle for good and wants to be with her, a professional dominatrix. Rather than letting her head or her heart figure out what to do, whether to forgive him, she decides to put Tom through a series of challenges that will prove his devotion to her—or not. Testing Tom is not something she’d ever expected she’d have to do, but to her, it’s the only way she can be sure whether he’s back for good.

Is it ever wise to let an ex come back into your life, even when it’s the lifestyle with you he wants?

Katrina has been dumped and left heartbroken, her life in tatters. Tom, her ex, ran off with a ‘vanilla chick’ and has turned his back on the BDSM lifestyle and her, his Domme. So you can imagine Katrina’s surprise when, while she was watching her favourite TV show, he turns up at her door wanting to come back and prepared to do anything he can to get on his knees before his Mistress once more. But can she trust his sincerity? Only if he can pass a series of seriously sexy, submissive tests.

I really enjoyed this story, it’s realistic and I could follow the thought processes of both characters with ease. It had the potential to be a bit nasty, but it isn’t; its sexy and sensitive, a good look into the lifestyle and a wander into the heads of the two main characters.

Ms Felthouse certainly cranks up the sexy in this book, she also manages a good sprinkle of romance and love, not easy with the themes she’s dealing with.  Testing Tom is written and full of heart.

The final scene in Testing Tom might melt your ereader, and if you’re a fan of a submissive man getting up close and personal with a strap-on in a club setting this could be right up your dirty alley! It’s edge for sure, and pushes boundaries, but with a little suspension of disbelief then it’s a seriously sexy ending to a wonderful novella. Go grab a copy of Testing Tom and settle in for some Fem Domme and hot sex scenes.

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The Guardian’s Heart by Michel Prince

January 2, 2013 By 3 Comments

HEART
The Guardian’s Heart by Michel Prince
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (183 pgs)
Other: M/F, Interracial Relationship
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

Case Thomas is always in control whether its on the basketball court, the lab where he works, or in his love life. He thinks he has everything all figured out. All that changes when his parents pass away during his last year of college and Case is thrown into fatherhood when he becomes temporary guardian to two adorable twin toddlers. Weeks later, exhausted and running out of time, Case must decide if he’s ready to become a father to these children, or give them up and move on with what’s left of his life. Then he meets Gabbie Vaulst.

Gabbie is amazing with the kids, owns her own business, and has all the right curves in all the right places. She can tell Case is attracted to her, but does he really love her or is he just settling for a surrogate Mom who can wrangle his new kids? Knowing that she’s falling in love with him, she chooses to push him away until his world straightens out. Can Case prove to Gabbie, and himself, that his feelings are real? Or is this sudden family too much for both of them to handle?

The odds, as well as members of their past who’ve come out of the woodwork, are against them, but when kids are involved, all bets are off.

There is something about a single father finding love that is simply irresistible. Gabbie certainly found Case irresistible as she watched him muddle his way through trying to wrangle two rambunctious twins. So she did what she knew how to do best –mother the wayward Thomas family.

If Case’s sexy dreads and athletic physic is not enough to get a girl hot, then surely his ability to step up and be the man and father his siblings needs will. Not only does he have a big enough heart to step into the shoes of his father, but he also has enough space left to teach Gabbie how a real man woos and cares for a woman. Case made me look at the men around me and question whether they would be willing or able to do what Case did. At some point I stopped seeing him as a character in a story and started to view him as a flesh and blood man. Now if only I could find out where he lives. Gabbie might have some competition!

Gabbie has been through so much pain, yet she still finds a way to put that aside and be there for everyone. Even through her insecurities it is clear she is able to bring the best out of people. Whether it be her friends, Case, or the kids, even if she can’t recognize it: the best within herself. While I normally find myself drawn towards the male characters in a story I can honestly say that Gabbie also stole my heart. She was a simple, admirable character in a story and was able to give me someone to aspire to be like. I would say that is a truly remarkable feat for this author to have achieved, and was enough to make me want to read even more by Author Michel Prince.

It was clear that the author really had a heart for this story. Maybe it was because the story pulled me in as if I was watching it unfold right in front of me instead of in a book. I can honestly say that I found both Gabbie and Case truly inspirational in their ability to overcome their personal difference and decide to care for each other as well as two young children. This is a story I can see myself reading over and over again when I find myself needed to be inspired.

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A Special Kind of Woman by Jamallah Bergman

November 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment


A Special Kind of Woman by Jamallah Bergman
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Interracial
Length: Short Story (145 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Fuchsia

Collin Noonan has the world in his hands, being the youngest top executive at his firm, the envy of all men as well as the lover of many women. Collin along with some of the other executives takes part in a game, a game in which they must date a woman who is basically ‘shy, homely and undesirable’. Collin has won this game every year and this year will be no exception that is until he meets Regina Talbot

Regina Talbot is your average ‘Plain Jane’, she’s never been part of the ‘in crowd’ always keeping to herself and is extremely painfully shy towards men. She never would think that any man would be interested in her, especially that of handsome Collin Noonan.

Watch as Collin and Regina began on a road of self-discovery of themselves as well as the obstacles that will eventually causes problems for their future.

Regina was your average everyday kind of girl, she was not an extrovert and tended to become very shy when meeting new people. She would freeze up whenever she was around men and she dressed for comfort not for style. She worked in the mailroom of Nichols, Tatum and Rutherford marketing company. Her best friend Maxine helped Regina get the job in the mailroom and was also her sole supporter.

Collin Noonan was the type of man women would stop breathing for, he was handsome and knew the power he had over them. Collin was a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy, always knowing that while he had one woman in his bed his next conquest was right around the corner. He was an executive at the marketing firm where Regina and Maxine worked. Collin along with his associates had a game they played each year where each of the men would bring a woman who they considered homely to a party. Collin has won this game every year and was expecting to win again–all he had to do is find the right woman.

A Special Kind of Woman was a wonderful story which I enjoyed immensely. I loved the characters of Collin, Regina, Maxine and Collin’s Irish family. His cavalier attitude towards women was slowly changed and you saw the other side of the playboy when the one thing he didn’t want to happen happened, Regina found out about the game. I also loved the introduction of Collin’s nine brothers and parents, they rounded out the story and had you laughing and crying. A Special Kind of Woman was just that, special and I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to read a real love story with substance. This story wasn’t just about sex, it showed how even playboys can be vulnerable and changed. How someone as plain as Regina can get a man like Collin to love them just by being herself. Jamallah Bergman had me entranced from the beginning to the end. I hope that she has plans to write stories for Collin’s other brothers which I’m sure will be as good as this one. I’m sure that if you pick up a copy of A Special Kind of Woman you will enjoy it.

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My Life as a Dog by Cynthia Arsuaga and Mike Arsuaga

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My Life as a Dog by Cynthia Arsuaga/Mike Arsuaga
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (203 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Drake Martin—private investigator, ladies’ man, shape-shifter—Yorkshire terrier, named Precious. Enter six-year-old Kady Hartley and life changes. Years later, they meet again. Still a PI, she’s FBI. Follow them on an adventure tracking the Russian mob involving human trafficking through the streets of New Orleans and watch the fur fly.

Following Kady to New Orleans where she is on assignment he knows it will be easier to watch over her if he stays in the shadows, keeping his shifter abilities hidden. He hooks up with the local Sufi, head of the shifter family clan, but eventually engages in a bloody battle with the Russians. But, there is another enemy in their midst, one who won’t rest until he destroys their chance at everlasting love…

Drake has fallen in love. Can Kady love him for who he really is, or will she leave him upon discovering the truth about him?

Oh boy!

For a cute sounding premise, this story has a lot more depth, drama and action of the gun kind than it lets on. For romantic suspense lovers who enjoy movies like The Godfather and The Untouchables, this book has captured the tradition, with a paranormal twist.

My Life as a Dog isn’t a tale of adorable and silly antics, nor is it a book about werewolves and demons. No, this story is about falling in love puppy style and finding out that human love is a whole lot more complicated. That canines and man love differently much to my delight and interest. That there are shifting chipmunks that defy bone density and some bad guys are even worse under normal human skin.

The external conflict is brutal, despicable and eye-riveting reading. There are traitors and sadistic humans, double-crosses and political pressures. The internal conflict is a bit easier to understand. How do you tell a woman you love her when all she’s ever known is your puppy side? That would have been an interesting conversation but the authors chose to have it as an afterthought, subjugated by the very nasty crisis that almost kills the hero and heroine. I guess running for your life tends to put things into perspective.

There are light moments where Martin, the hero, has to resign himself to his name, Precious. For a virile and handsome man, that was a bit hard to take. Since this story is written in first person point of view via Martin, it was fun getting into his head. The authors did a good job of not losing sight of the first person point of view; I know that can be challenging especially with such a busy book.

Kady grows from child to woman, from innocent to FBI agent. She comes from a loving and solid family background. The love that surrounds her growing up will hold her in good stead in her adult life and in the course of this tale. She’s likeable, and tenacious, smart and yet, she turns into a little girl every time she gets to cuddle her “Precious”. I couldn’t help but like her.

Although this book is marketed under ‘erotic’, I found it tame in that department. When Martin explored his love for Kady in the human physical way, it was satisfying and well written but nothing extreme. Perhaps it comes from the description of the rape that goes on at a mob’s breaking-in house, perhaps it was because Martin, as Precious, saw Kady in all her glory. I don’t know. I couldn’t figure that out. The thing that did frustrate me was the use of five dollar words. The words by themselves weren’t the problem but where they were used – like referring to his member with ‘detumescence’ after having sex. I had to stop and look up the word, and sure, based on my dictionary it was appropriate. But it threw me out of the afterglow of the moment. It made me stop reading the book. I like learning new things but when I do, I prefer it not to be during a book of fiction. On top of that, do guys actually have that word in their brains after a vigorous sexual workout? Most the guys I know don’t even know that word exists much less have it in their top five words to use regarding their sex. This book would have been fine and could stand strong on its own without the aggrandizing.

That being said, I did enjoy myself. The book is entertaining with a lot of suspense because I never knew who to trust and who was going to survive or die. Just when I thought things were going Martin and Kady’s way, the rug was pulled out from under their feet. This really is a page flipping book because so much goes on and the authors kept it progressing at an effective pace. The dialogue was clear. When the Sufi spoke, I knew who was speaking. When it was Linda, again, the authors painted her personality and quirks in a delightful way. I liked many of the secondary characters and thought they added panache to the tale.

My Life as a Dog is a very meaty and intricate dance of storytelling with action and mayhem keeping a reader on his/her toes. The romance has to dodge and weave through a minefield of emotions, revealed truths and subsequent betrayals. Romantic suspense readers are going to find a lot to enjoy when they pick up this book. Even the wrap-up is typical for Martin, because he’s a thorough kind of guy and his happily ever after is just as complete. This book is well worth the time to check out.

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Meant To Be by Jennifer Labelle

March 29, 2011 By 2 Comments

Meant To Be by Jennifer Labelle
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (326 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Myrtle

Jenna Baker is shaken up after her recovery with a near death experience. As if, being haunted with visions and losing her husband in a car accident weren’t hard enough.

Could she be losing her mind?

She finally moves on, only to have the husband she thought was dead suddenly reappear.

After the shocking task of convincing Jenna that she’s not seeing his ghost, Tyler becomes overwhelmed with guilt for saving himself and leaving her to almost die.

Jenna’s recovery takes its toll while Tyler’s vulnerability gets the best of him. He’s harbouring secrets that will devastate her and as Jenna unravels the truth her life takes an unexpected journey.

“Is it possible to love someone and hate them all at the same time?”

In this highly emotional tale, you will lose your heart to heroine Jenna Baker and all of the characters will evoke passions, both good and bad. I have never read a book like this in my life and cannot wait to see what author Jennifer Labelle comes up with next. I really don’t know where to start reviewing this amazing story of life, love, and death but might try by saying that it is a nail biting, heart crying, mad as hell tale that will leave you wanting more stories from Ms. Labelle.

The excerpt to this story sold me on it, but what I did not except was the emotional roller coaster that I would ride as I watched the plot unfold. Never have I loved and hated a character as much as I did Tyler. the father of Jenna’s son. Never have I fallen in love with a story line about infidelity like I did this one. I had so many mixed emotions while reading this book and was left feeling bewilderment and admiration when I was done.

If there was one book that I would encourage my friends and family to read this would be it. To say I was totally blown away by all the characters and the plot is an understatement. I was left with the feeling that I needed to give Jenna a baseball bat at times and a shoulder to cry on at others. This book was the most entertaining book I have read in a very long time and was just floored by the story line and the characters. Just be sure to have a tissue or two at hand.

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