Dreams of the Muse by Vala Kaye

October 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Dreams of the Muse by Vala Kaye
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (177 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Evil is always listening. Frustrated writer Zach Moore vows he “would trade his soul” if he could write the way he always wanted to. In an attempt to overcome his crippling writer’s block, Zach and his wife Nikki move from New York City to the Hudson Valley, land of the legendary Sleepy Hollow, where he meets Kendra Evans, a beautiful and mysterious young Satan-worshiper. Kendra offers Zach the creativity he longs for. But will getting everything he’s ever wanted cost him everything … and everyone … he already has? Filled with vivid imagery and adult themes, Dreams of the Muse is intended for mature readers only.

The plight of a ‘blocked’ writer is not so hard to imagine, and this desperation fuels author Zach Moore. He’s already a success, but desperate to hang on to it. Does this become the old “sell your soul” story? Well no…because there is a further temptation by the beautiful evil Kendra, and the intrigue develops from there.

We understand Zach, but admire his resilient wife Nikki. Their relationship is everyday, down-to-earth, and somehow nicely parallels their sex life. Dreams of the Muse is entirely unpredictable, largely because of these powerful characters.

Kendra, who would be his muse, his possessor (she is too complex to be simply evil) circles in, gaining power as we somehow grasp her motive. The eerie start is great although the further opening is not at the pace of the rest of the novel but, once past the beginning, the haunting setting, unpredictable plot, and our own desperate hopes all make this a page-turner.

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The Lady of the Forest by Barbara Bettis

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment


The Lady of the Forest by Barbara Bettis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (176 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

The action starts with an immediate attack in The Lady of the Forest. The lady, in quite unusual circumstances, has taken to the trees. Lord Henry, in pursuit of a killer, has no idea of the danger from above. This story Intriguing from the start.

The two are inadvertently on the same quest, though the lady, Katherine of Stonehill, has stepped far outside her usual realm. She is, in a way, hiding in her own domain: Kate’s history itself will involve the readers, as we share her courage and come to understand the forces driving her.

Lord Henry, the knight, is more easily and quickly understood. His quest begins in quite a straightforward way, and his courage is long-since proven.

Humor crops up here and there, even as Katherine and Henry struggle on, in a tale that involves secrets, capture, escape, and an evil master. Stonehill is a place built of wood on lowland; the very irony of its name makes us want to warn the unsuspecting good knight!

An unexpectedly wonderful touch involves a number of secondary characters; these, largely children (think of a band in the forest), contribute enormously to the overall plot, and become strong ‘characters’ in their own right.

I have one complaint about some complex conversations and having to re-read to figure out who-said-what. That sort of thing does take one a bit out of the story. It’s a small complaint though, in what kicks off in a promisingly intriguing way and never, ever lets the reader down.

The Lady of the Forest delivers all the adventures one could dream with a handsome knightly; its definitely stronger than ‘sweet’ but tastefully presented; historical romance fans will enjoy this one. Do read.

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Bound By Love by Edith Layton

October 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Bound By Love by Edith Layton
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (307 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

He sailed to England for revenge…
She journeyed there for love.

Five-year-old Della Kensington first saw the proud, half-starved bond boy who dared call himself a dispossessed earl on the docks of Virginia Colony. The moment she laid eyes on him she loved him. And from that day, in spite of all evidence, she believed his bizarre story, that he was truly Jared St. Andrew Bellington, Earl of Aveston—nobly born, kidnapped, and sold into bondage.

Della had grown into a woman wanting him. Jared had grown into a man burning for revenge. When at last he could return to his beloved Hawkstone Hall, he entered a world of bejeweled ladies and elegantly attired gentlemen, a world he intended to conquer—no matter the cost to his life. Fashionable Georgian England dazzled sweet Della, but her eyes remained clear. She saw that if Jared gained everything he’d sought, she might lose him forever, and he might lose his chance at real happiness. She was ready to fight on this new terrain for his love—dancing a quadrille of intrigue and desire, risking all, and challenging his elegant world with her irrepressible heart.

Ms. Layton’s historical Bound By Love starts off in 1745, in the Virginia Colony, into the very harsh reality of life in the new world. Almost at once, we discover that courage and kindness do not go unappreciated however–and what seemed a dark beginning is actually wonderfully hopeful.

Immediately, we set off on a journey full of completely unpredictable twists and turns. Jared, our uncomfortable hero, is thrust unexpectedly into family life; into travels by horse and wagon, and into the countryside and home. The author gives us just enough of a backdrop for us to feel we are there, without ever slowing the pace of the action.

Early, Jared is established as courageous even if his claims doubtful, though surely we hope those hardly matter. Yet, those claims must finally be established; though Jared must face cruelty from the past, revenge, even hatred. Readers share his emotional turmoil. We can easily see how certain relationships develop–so we are hoping to see those carry forward…but no spoilers here! Suffice to say, that the main characters absolutely make this story, and our hopes and fears for them make this an absolute page-turner.

Fans of historicals will simply love this one. An easy 5 stars.

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A Shadow Away by Joan K Lacy

August 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment


A Shadow Away by Joan K Lacy
Publisher: AlazoPress
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (242 pgs)
Rating 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

When British archaeologist Andrew Seaton discovers a jewel-encrusted golden statue, he realizes he may have uncovered the key to the lost city of El Dorado. The statue disappears before he can verify his findings, and Andrew must rely on private detective Alex Cort to recover the prized artifact.

The two men find themselves caught up in a dangerous race against a corrupt colleague and a ruthless art thief who will stop at nothing to claim the statue for themselves.

As each new clue leads them up the Amazon River and deeper into the jungle, they soon discover things are not quite what they appear. When all seems lost, the mystical powers of a beautiful woman guide them out of danger and ultimately to the ruins of an ancient city, where Andrew must right the wrongs he committed in a past life and Alex discovers a secret of his own.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful archaeological mysteries involving lost cities, treasure, adventure, and magic, then this thrilling series is for you! Fans of author Dan Brown, magical realism authors, like Madeleine L’Engle (A Wrinkle in Time), or who like Clive Cussler, with an added touch of magic, will love the world of Alex Cort’s first adventure. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, and love a quest like the Lord of the Rings, then the race to the finish in A Shadow Away will have you clamoring for more.

Twining myth with today’s world (akin to Indiana Jones) Lacy delivers an intriguing and oddly believable tale of adventure and mystery in Shadow Away.

Andrew Seaton, archeologist, finds what might be the ‘key’ to the lost city of El Dorado (mythic ‘city of gold’) …but the ‘key’ disappears. Enter Alex Court, investigator.

Alex specializes in art theft – and understands how momentous this one particular stolen piece might be, right from the start. Its more than valuable in its own right, but possibly a link to a lost world and culture.

Action is fast – and with that hint of supernatural about it, often unpredictable. Characters are strong and opinionated; their motivation is understandable and conversations engaging.

The story is told in the first person, by Alex, so there is a certain immediacy to events. However, very occasionally this reads rather like third person, and rather confuses the reader to suddenly have Andrew’s thought or intention plain. It’s not often, but is a tad distracting.

Its a very worthwhile read, even so. Anyone who enjoys adventure tales will like this one.

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Highland Honor by Madelyn Hill

August 3, 2018 By 1 Comment


Highland Honor by Madelyn Hill
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (214 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Lady Honor MacAllister can heal everything but a broken heart . . .

Lady Honor does not believe in marriage. Her father’s death broke her mother’s spirit and took her from her daughters emotionally well before her own death. When Honor is attacked in the forest, she keeps the event to herself, lest her lairds search for the man and strike him down. As a healer, she’ll do anything it takes not to cause harm. Rumors of attacks in the Highlands forces the lairds to increase guards and security measures. When Bryce Calder is assigned to protect Lady Honor, she fights the burgeoning attraction for the man, knowing she’ll never risk her heart to love.

Warrior Bryce Calder trusts no woman. Women only strive to better themselves through cunning, as his father warned throughout his childhood. When he is asked to escort Lady Honor while she gathers healing herbs, he is vexed. Training the men and protecting the clan are his duties, not following the sharped-tongued lass about the wood. With each passing day, Bryce becomes enchanted by Lady Honor, despite his father’s words, but his unworthiness halts any proclamation of his desire.

An unlikely partnership develops during the frequent trips to the forest and work in the apothecary. The walls each has erected to protect their hearts and their future crumbles. Until a stranger arrives at the keep. Lady Honor’s secret is threatened to be revealed putting in jeopardy the growing romance between the ardent healer and the reluctant warrior-suitor.

Honor MacAllister is the herbalist of the clan. She’s driven to help others through natural remedies, a skill she largely struggles to develop on her own. Her efforts to acquire proper herbs lead her into the forest…and into horrific danger. Her life might revolve around her apothecary and her magical teas (with the great appreciation of her clan) but those remedies can do little to heal her spirit.

Already mistrustful of men, events land her an equally mistrustful guard, Bryce. He may be a wonderful warrior, but had ‘no use’ for Lady Honor’s ‘kind.’ He appreciates kindness and loyalty, like he finds in his horse. Indeed, we have some sense of Bryce’s kindness first through his care of the great beast. He’s not the sort to charm a woman though: even the thought of Honor’s sharp tongue ‘befuddled him.’

Events are quick, and its hard to stop reading this one, once you begin and, although you expect you can guess where it’s going, you won’t want to miss a minute of it.

Highland Honor is readable and engaging if a tad predictable: you get what you expect here. Fans of this type of historical fiction will enjoy it. The covers of Hill’s books are marvelously well done. They give the reader a wonderful hint about what the books contain.

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The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan

June 20, 2018 By 1 Comment


The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Laura and Casey were once inseparable: as they floated on their backs in the sunlit lake, as they dreamed about the future under starry skies, and as they teamed up for the wild scavenger hunts in their small California lakeside town. Until one summer night, when a shocking betrayal sent Laura running through the pines, down the dock, and into a new life, leaving Casey and a first love in her wake.

But the past is impossible to escape, and now, after seventeen years away, Laura is pulled home and into a reunion with Casey she can’t resist—one last scavenger hunt. With a twist: this time, the list of clues leads to the settings of their most cherished summer memories. From glistening Jade Cove to the vintage skating rink, each step they take becomes a bittersweet reminder of the friendship they once shared. But just as the game brings Laura and Casey back together, the clues unravel a stunning secret that threatens to tear them apart…

Mesmerizing and unforgettable, Amy Mason Doan’s The Summer List is about losing and recapturing the person who understands you best—and the unbreakable bonds of girlhood.

A serious and thoughtful novel, The Summer List drifts back and forth in time, offering unique perspectives from our main character, Laura. She recalls the magic of friendships of teen years and especially the character of her closest friend. She contends with the character her friend has become, as well as her own; so this is curiously a novel of two selves in one, giving we readers an intriguing, though sometimes uncomfortable perspective.

The novel is less nostalgic than psychological, and makes us stop and think; not only about the characters, but about our own once-selves, choices, and reactions. Although billed as a ‘coming of age’ story, it’s more of a confrontation of the self. The main character and her relationships are under review, and in the midst of redevelopment, all so very on-purpose. The work is serious, perhaps–faintly–a touch too serious.

The picturesque backdrop and frequent recollections lend the story a dreamy, thoughtful air. It’s beautifully written, with incredibly believable conversations a highlight. There are awkward moments, heart-lifting moments, times of self-doubt. Doubt in others, both ordinary friends and in the old/potential romance.

Many moments are evocative, but never overdone, never theatrical. Its definitely a novel one can re-read, and find new nuances each time. It is hardly light entertainment, but it is enthralling. Doan is a masterful writer; on style alone, I must give this 5 out of 5 stars.

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Duke du Jour by Petie McCarty

April 18, 2018 By 2 Comments

Duke du Jour by Petie McCarty
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Time Travel
Length: Full (337 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Snapdragon

..a reverse Kate and Leopold…a light-hearted time travel romance where a bewildered modern-day duke ends up in Regency England and meets the girl of his dreams…

Jared Langley, present-day Duke of Reston, tumbles into an abandoned fountain on his ducal estate and travels back in time to the year 1816. There, Reston servants and local villagers think him a dead ringer for his namesake and rakehell ancestor–the seventh Duke of Reston, gone missing at the Battle of Waterloo. Unfortunately, Seven got mixed up with French spies out to assassinate the Duke of Wellington, and an unwary Jared ends up in their crosshairs.

Lady Ariana Hart has loved Jared Langley, the seventh Duke of Reston, since she was twelve years old, until the night the rogue broke her heart. Given up for dead, her rakish neighbor makes a miraculous return from Waterloo–only Jared shows up a changed man and reignites all the feelings Ariana had long ago buried.

Jared is in a race against time. He must waylay the suspicions of his quirky servants and neighbors, get to Wellington before the French spies do, fix his fountain–before Seven shows up–so Jared has a way home, and definitely not fall in love with the irresistible Lady Ariana.

Duke Du Jour kicks off with a surprising scandal – one that we readers could scarcely expect…and this story is intriguing immediately. Kudos to the author for plunging in so creatively. I must confess; given the time period, the titled character, the very word ‘romance’ – I expected my initial thought to be ‘entirely predictable.’ Happily, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Jared, third duke, is not getting his own way – right from the start. People and events transpire to affect him in ways he can scarcely imagine, but somehow, we believe. His meeting with Lady Ariana is both wonderful and awful, because we cannot see how this romance could ever actually work out. No spoilers here – McCarty enthralls us with this intriguing story line.

I’d call this a ‘mostly’ historical romance and suspect historical romance fans will find it enjoyable – don’t be put off by the time travel aspect. Definitely worth the read.

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Death Al Fresco by Leslie Karst

April 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Death Al Fresco by Leslie Karst
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (320 Pgs)
Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

It’s up to Sally Solari to serve up a killer before their family restaurant’s reputation goes up in smoke.

It’s early autumn in Santa Cruz and restaurateur Sally Solari decides an open-air painting class is the perfect way for her to learn more about Paul Gauguin, the inspiration for the restaurant she has recently inherited. But the beauty of the Monterey Bay coastline is shattered when Sally’s dog Buster sniffs out a corpse tangled up in kelp.

The body is identified as Gino, a local fisherman and a regular at Solaris’ until he disappeared after dining there a few nights before. Witnesses claim he left reeling drunk, but his waitress swears the old man only had two beers with is meal. And then the fingers begin to point at Sally’s dad for negligently allowing an inebriated customer to walk home alone at night.

From a long menu of suspects, including a cast of colorful characters who frequent the historic Santa Cruz fisherman’s wharf, Sally must serve up the tall order of clearing her father’s name in Death al Fresco, Leslie Karst’s third delectable Sally Solari mystery.

Another killer of a culinary cozy murder, Death Al Fresco is aptly named. Delectable dishes do take center stage, from the trendy sorts like Sesame ginger cucumber salad and Tahitian sea bass, to heartwarming faves, like absolutely anything smothered in ‘Nonni’s Sunday Gravy.

Sally is a chef, a restaurant owner, and …an accidental discoverer of an untimely death. She not only recognizes the victim, but worries about the victim’s connection to her Dad’s restaurant. She’s got enough on her plate, what with her own head chef to deal with, and Eric, who she assures herself is not a love interest, and trying to make every situation, dish and advertisement she runs into ‘politically correct.’

Still, Sally is a sleuth at heart and tackles the mystery without hesitation. Its exactly what we readers expect – with a fun twist, here and there. The political-correctness thing can get a bit tedious, but given the gorgeous setting and strong, unique characters, this really is a solid mystery. The mild (and less predictable) romantic elements add a little something too.

Fans of the genre will enjoy this, and it comes with a bonus: a small batch of recipes from the storyline wrap up the book.

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

The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter by Mimi Matthews

March 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment


The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter by Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (241 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

England, 1861. A world-weary rake and a prim vicar’s daughter are thrown together during a holiday house party. Will they discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye? Or will revelations from the past end their fragile romance before it begins?

A WORLD-WEARY RAKE
After years of unbridled debauchery, Tristan Sinclair, Viscount St. Ashton has hit proverbial rock bottom. Seeking to escape his melancholy, he takes refuge at one of Victorian society’s most notorious house parties. As the Christmas season approaches, he prepares to settle in for a month of heavy drinking…until an unexpected encounter changes his plans–and threatens his heart.

A PRIM VICAR’S DAUGHTER
Valentine March is not the drab little spinster she appears to be. When her new job as a lady’s companion lands her smack in the middle of Yorkshire with England’s most infamous rake, she resolves to keep her head down and her eyes fixed firmly on her future–a future which most definitely does not include a sinfully handsome viscount.

A MATCH MADE IN SCANDAL
A friendship is impossible. An affair out of the question. But when one reckless act binds them together, will two star-crossed souls discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye? Or will revelations from the past end their fragile romance before it begins?

Unexpected and enthralling are the best words to describe Mimi Matthews’ romance, The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter. Its hard to know where to begin… perhaps with a word about characters, as they are first and foremost. The mostly no good young viscount Tristan is unexpectedly sympathetic; the dear, unattached lady, Valentine, is equally unexpected, as her artistic proclivities are closer to her heart than making the required match…

No spoilers here! Suffice to say, we kick off with two likeable main characters, quickly realize that some of the lesser are also Very Much Not the required respectable Victorian types, and the unexpected is only compounded. Well before the house party kicks off, I was completely enthralled.

I can’t fault this one: it’s the best romance I have read in ages.

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

Brynnde by M. Pepper Langlinais

January 4, 2018 By 1 Comment


Brynnde by M. Pepper Langlinais
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (212 pgs)
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Brynnde Archambault needs to find someone to marry, else she’ll be stuck with dull Mr. Dallweather. The answer to her problem arrives in the form of handsome and witty Viscount Burbridge, but just when everything seems to be going smoothly, scandal strikes and the engagement ends.

Meanwhile, Brynnde has no trouble matchmaking her friends and even her own brother. But while she breezily finds suitors for everyone else, for her time is running out. Must she resign herself to becoming Mrs. Dallweather? Or will Brynnde yet succeed in making a match for herself?

An unexpected gem, Brynnde will restore Regency readers’ joy in reading–and rejoice in discovering author Pepper Langlinais!

Quite properly, if I may say so, this regency romance offers all the correct components: the marriage-mart, the slightly-stifled leading lady, unexpected scandal, ballrooms and tea rooms and gossip! What’s more, Proper Regency though it is, Brynnde (the story and the character) manages to be a bit unpredictable. Brynnde, who “will not be treated like a heifer,” has a good head on her shoulders and is quite the match for sparring in the drawing room. Her combative conversations are superb!

There are a plethora of characters, but they are distinct, and never confusing. The author’s style gives a bit of flavor to this historical. Is it subtle word choice? A particular care when offering a phrase? I cannot quite put my finger on it, but she can twist a bit of ‘funny’ into action, unexpectedly. This is the most enjoyable story I have read in quite a while.

Bryndde is a fun, uncomplicated, well-written read that any fan of the genre should pick up.

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