Collector’s Item by Denise Golinowski

November 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

COLLECTOR
Collector’s Item by Denise Golinowski
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (185 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Daisy

Alpha were-jaguar, Katarina “KT” Marant is trained to protect the pride so when her aunt disappears, KT naturally takes up the hunt. Her suspicion settles on the Collectors, humans who view shapeshifters as the ultimate big game.

Peyton Allers can’t believe he’s got to blow his cover to rescue a shapeshifter “princess.” Even harder to believe is that she wants to stage her own kidnapping in order to catch the leader of the Collectors and find her aunt.

Everything goes sideways when KT is kidnapped for real and by someone she never suspected. Will Peyton find her before time runs out? Or will she become a true Collector’s Item?

Ms. Golinowski opens her novel strong. We have paranormal creatures, introduced by the protagonist KT Marant who hates wet humans: they ‘clog’ her nostrils. We also have a missing Aunt and a young girl wanting to live on her own, away from her own kind. The close attention to all the senses – the splashes, drops and smells, the melting of ‘rich, dark chocolate’ – in this world are a bonus which makes the story come to life. That’s good writing and plenty of plot points to get my teeth into.

There are places I outright chuckled at the peculiarities of KT, particularly during a certain unfortunate incident with her laptop, but she is a brave lead female character, not stupid or clumsy, a woman who does not hide behind the power of her family, or even the men in her life. She is willing and ready to put herself in harm’s way to help others; a respectable quality in any individual.
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However, it took me a while to warm to KT. The shortness of her name is not explained until later and it has a military, cold feel to it which felt too much like an alias or detective’s name to immediately put me on her side and envelop me into her viewpoint. In addition, her hate for wet human made me feel ostracised from her point of view until I had acquainted myself with her world and mindset.

Peyton Allers is her love interest, a Protectorate (law enforcer of sorts) gone undercover and, to some extent, rogue in order to save members of his species. He demands as much respect as KT for his heroism and bravery and his manly sarcasm can be very accurate and funny, for example his assumption that KT will erupt into ‘inevitable hysterics and demands for protection’ after she is attacked.

The similarities between these two makes them a good match and their reluctance to give anything away first in their dialogue makes them an interesting, dynamic couple with lots of sparks.

Unfortunately, KT and Peyton also represent stereotypes – he is the brooding law enforcement type intent on closing a case due to personal pain and she is a princess intent on surviving on her own two feet. Despite the fast paced plot points and exciting gun battles in this new urban, paranormal world, the book doesn’t feel new because of these stereotypes.

That is not to say the characters aren’t original. Their personalities are not copied and pasted from other books but they are of a type which is familiar and hard to alter to create something truly new.

In addition, I feel their paranormal side could have been dealt with better. There are many stories out there where the animal makes the choice in a Were over a mate and many of these use the term alpha to justify a romantic relationship. I felt something new could have been attempted, or at least the word could have been varied more often so it did not jar as much. This seems to be the main thing their animals had to contribute to their relationship.

Having said that, Ms. Golinowski knows how to craft tension and build it towards major plot points and her writing style is good, with occasional humour and brilliant, sensual description so I fully believe, with more obscure or less typed characters, she can write a novel worth five stars or more. She has the groundwork to be a groundbreaking, page turning writer. The Collector’s Item however, is a well executed and enjoyable bath or bedtime read with one or two surprises tucked in for fun.

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

The Pirate Bride by Sandra Hill

November 13, 2013 By 2 Comments

BRIDE
The Pirate Bride by Sandra Hill
Publisher: Avon/ imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (248 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A Viking to bed, not to wed!

Medana Elsadottir, known as the Sea Scourge, never planned to become a pirate, but there’s no denying her talent. Her female-only tribe has an island hideaway, food aplenty, goods to trade…everything except the means to breed. That’s where the strapping Norsemen tied up in her ship’s hold come in handy. Eight godly specimens—and Thork Tykirrson is the most virile of them all. Once their, eh, work is done, they’ll be free to leave. Medana had naught to due with this gods-awful plan, but she wouldn’t mind reaping the benefits.

Wed or bed…this Viking has plans of his own.

Renowned as the wildest Viking of his time, Thork was returning home to regain his father’s favor. Mayhap even (shudder) marry. His brazen—and very beautiful—kidnapper has likely done him a favor in preventing such an irksome fate. That doesn’t mean he’ll let her off easy. No one takes anything from a Viking that he’s not willing to give…not even a violet-eyed vixen who sets off the wildest fantasies.

The first thing that snagged my fancy was the idea that a woman could be a highly successful pirate – it’s about time! The second was the question of how in the world a woman could overcome and capture a well-muscled and experienced swordsman who was used to going a-Viking? By the time the first chapter ended, I had a partial answer and I had a goofy smile on my face. I could tell that this was going to be a very interesting story. I think it was the dialogue that clinched it.

This scares, excites and sometimes causes us to be have fun within worry furthermore. cute-n-tiny.com cheapest viagra tabs The Presence of these components in (super P force) acts marvelously, to ease down the difficulty of ED and PE (sexual disorder). on line cialis To make sure your body rejuvenates, it requires minimum 7 hours of sleep a levitra consultation day. Meals and alcohol: as opposed to cheap levitra which runs greater and more quickly on an empty stomach and won’t perform nicely right after the intake of high-fat foods, levitrarforms regardless on the foodstuff intake. Like most men who become pirates, Medana is also on the run. She’s a fugitive who has had to reinvent herself, learn to survive without a support system and somehow has prospered. In that, she’s a great role model. She proves that women can tough it out and rise above life’s challenges. The biggest challenge of her life is told within the pages of The Pirate Bride. I liked seeing her flustered, teased, taunted and although she has succeeded in the workings of being a pirate, the heroine has not lost her sense of what’s right and wrong. She does have a moral code. I like how she balances the rationality of the two. That was made very clear with the monk scene. The most frustrating thing that she’s ever had to deal with is a man. Not just any man, but Thork, the hero.

I had a ton of fun at Thork’s expense throughout a good portion of the book. It was interesting to see how the author told the story from his POV at intervals in the story. When I was seeing things through the hero’s eyes, I was greatly entertained. His frustration, amazement, gradual respect and continual determined machinations to reach his goal of escape were interesting to watch unfold. His dialogue with his men illustrated his solid and healthy relationship with them, even when it got weird and bit risqué. And when Bolthor, the worst skald in history, would share his latest poem, Thork’s reaction or thoughts about it gave me an insightful look at the hero’s personality. Anyone who could keep a straight face while being forced to listen to Bolthor is a saint. If anyone remembers the minstrel from Monty Python who plagued Sir Robin with his embarrassing lyrics, then they should get a kick out of Bolthor. That’s who he reminds me of. Fortunately, Thork is a HUGE improvement over Sir Robin. *grin*.

One of Ms. Hills’s strong points is how she uses dialogue between her characters. It’s always powerful. Through their discourse, I usually find moments of immense humor, consternation, enlightenment, and when the focus changes to interaction between the hero and heroine, well, sparks fly, passions soar and either someone is about to be seduced or tempers will explode. All of which contribute to an entertaining read. Certainly, it’s not boring.

Secondary characters were numerous. Fortunately, the author kept a handle on them and used them to make sure the hero and heroine slowly found ways to learn about the other and to foster their romance. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, what with one person having a great responsibility thrust upon them and the other wanting nothing to do with anyone. There is definite conflict between man and woman throughout the book.

As strong as Medana is as a character, she’s not perfect. Her relationship with Thork isn’t perfect. There were too many levels of mistrust still for her to overcome. The one thing that really stuck in my craw was her stubbornness. I understand she had to be written that way because she wouldn’t have survived as long as she did if she wasn’t stubborn. But I felt that she caved too fast, too easily at a critical point in the book. I couldn’t believe that she was so weak when she had ample proof to be strong. For most of the book she was strong. That whole area of the conflict when she made the choice for those under her care, to protect them, didn’t sit right with me. It was at that point that I felt she was being stupid, and clichéd. I wanted to yell at her.

A strong positive element is when Medana and Thork finally succumb to their desires. I found it quite satisfying to read, and fun too.

I can’t forget to mention Thork’s family. They play a very significant role later on in the book. And, as boisterous and larger-than-life personalities in their own right, you can imagine the extra confusion, fun and complications they represent. They also have a hand in mixing up the plot conflict. This book isn’t boring by a long shot.

The Pirate Bride is a winner for long time fans and a wonderful introduction to new readers. It’s a solid standalone read with a lot going for it. Even with my issues with the heroine, this is a strong story that provides a reader with all the best attributes Ms. Hill is capable of. There are characters I enjoyed getting to know, I laughed with them and at them, I groaned and giggled, gasped and had mild hot flashes, and am satisfied with the happy ever after. The author nailed all the most important parts of what readers look for in a romance book. The Pirate Bride is definitely a book to read when your frown needs to turn right side round. It certainly worked its charm on me.

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

Behind Palace Doors by Jules Bennett

November 12, 2013 By 1 Comment

PALACE
Behind Palace Doors by Jules Bennett
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (192 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

“I have a proposition for you.”

Their marriage has all the makings of a great romantic movie: a beautiful Mediterranean setting, a handsome prince and fantastic sex. Too bad it’s not real. When Prince Stefan Alexander weds Victoria Dane, the agreement between friends is supposed to be in name only to secure his crown. But it doesn’t take long for buried passion to erupt….

When the low jaw shuts, the generic sildenafil online reduce anterior the teeth naturally hit the ramp and therefore are induced through natural mouth movement in order to advance across the ramp moving the low jaw to some more ahead position. It is not dangerous and symptoms usually disappear within a few days. viagra online store The word ‘erectile dysfunction’ refers to a medical condition in which a man cannot achieve or maintain enough erection viagra prescription uk http://cute-n-tiny.com/category/cute-animals/page/33/ for intercourse with his partner. This is a very unique quality of levitra sample. Victoria gave up a lot for this seemingly fairy-tale life with Stefan, but all too soon she discovers she’s fallen in love with the “Playboy Prince.” Now Victoria must fight for what really matters. Because the one thing she can’t give up is him.

The swift and sassy opening introduces Victoria Dane and the charming Prince Stefan Alexander – friends, we are told, although the sexual tension is obvious from the first phrase. She’s there on his home turf (Greece) to do a job, but somehow, she ends up agreeing to do a favor. Perhaps ‘favor’ is too mild a word – as she marries him! Yet, it’s all business – or is it?

The mutual attraction practically ripples through the pages. We readers know what we want to happen- but there it is: the Prince is a wealthy playboy and their marriage is in name only. Their friendship is important to both of them, and that, perhaps, is what makes ‘Tori’ stand out from his other female interests. Certainly, Bennett more than establishes their mutual attraction. What is perhaps more impressive is that Bennett manages to make both of them such likable people, even with faults. Their conversations, interests and decisions are believable, and they are easy to identify with – even with the Greek Isles as backdrop. Simply said – they are ‘real’ people, wealth and home aside.

The courtship seems so terribly genuine, although both have reservations for the long term. Fortunately they have few physical reservations – the sexual side of things give neither much pause. However, their very real feelings also tumble into a clutter of worry about what the other expects, about the future, and about what the world expects.

Wonderful parallels occur within the story: “Dance with me” he tells her. “We should practice before the official royal wedding dance…” So he gets her to dance with him, but without telling her, just that he honestly wanted to dance with her. He gives her a plausible reason … and so much that happens between has a ‘good reason’ even though its something they also both want!

Well written and lively, this suffers a tad from predictability: still, an engaging read and very much a product that delivers what it promises.

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

Visions of Fire and Ice by Teresa D’Amario

November 11, 2013 By 4 Comments

Cover_Visions
Visions of Fire and Ice by Teresa D’Amario
Publisher: Freya’s Bower
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full (356 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 3.5 Stars
Review by Poppy

Trapped on a planet not their own, the Petiri spend their lives hiding the natural gifts that set them apart from the world. They live long and unfulfilled lives, unable to find their soul mates on this backward planet known as Earth. That is until the night Ramose comes face to face with Tamara, a woman whose gifts rival his own. Determined to find why this human is in possession of an ancient magical Petiri relic, he arranges a meeting.

But Tamara, embittered from past events, is wary despite lifelong dreams of Ramose and a sure knowledge he is her soul mate. Before long the couple find themselves ensnared in a battle that has raged for millennia in Egypt’s desert. Set, Egyptian God of Chaos, is determined to take his just due: the throne of Osiris.
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The only way to stop him is for Ramose to put his trust in Tamara, but first must gain the same from her. The ensuing sensual relationship is filled with romance, lust and love. Their relationship is tested by an unnatural evil. Will her powers over fire, combined with his ice be enough to win the day? Or will the ancient gods and goddesses of Egypt destroy more than just their love?

With a clever plot and loads of tension, Visions of Fire and Ice hits the right notes for a worthwhile paranormal romance.

I was intrigued by the premise of ancient aliens crashing here, mixed with Egyptian mythology and gods. It was a unique story and kept me turning the pages. The heat between our main characters, Ramose and Tamara, was palpable. The strongest part of this story was the sexual tension between those two. There was a nearly unbearable pull, but various things kept interrupting their attempts to consummate their relationship, so that pull just grew stronger until I thought I’d about explode (and they did, too). It never felt contrived or put on, and well-written sexual tension is one of the things I love most about romantic fiction.

As noted, the plot was both unique and interesting, but I struggled in places when things slowed down. There were times when it almost had a “day in the life” feel. I think the prose could have been tightened a bit, and some scenes omitted, and this would have been a nail-biter.

Still, I was very much invested in the story and in the characters (I do wish I’d seen “the Js” meet and fall for each other … I didn’t see that there was a book prior to this one, but it had that kind of feel, like I’d missed their story). The author does a great job with the villain who seems to be irredeemable, but … is he? There’s plenty of mystery and action as well, enough that I can easily recommend this book to those who enjoy a good mash up of science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and romance. Just make sure you’re patient through the slow parts, because it’s worth it to read to the end.

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Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

November 11, 2013 By 2 Comments

SnOW
Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full Length (375 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Once upon a time, Christmas was Kayla Green’s favorite time of year. Now all the workaholic wants for Christmas is for it to be over—as fast as possible! So when duty calls her to snowy Vermont to close a deal with a new client, Kayla is grateful for an excuse to avoid the holidays for another year.

Jackson O’Neil left a thriving business behind to return home and salvage his family’s resort—it’s in his blood, and he can’t let it fail. Now that he’s got marketing whiz Kayla Green working with him to put Snow Crystal on the map, success is on the horizon. The fact they strike enough sparks off each other to power all the Christmas lights in Vermont is just an added bonus.

Kayla might be an expert at her job, but she’s out of her depth with Jackson—he makes her crave the happy-ever-after she once dreamed of, and it’s terrifying. As the snowflakes continue to swirl, will the woman who doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas finally fall under its spell?

Sleigh Bells in the Snow is a heartwarming, feel good, totally romantic story filled to the brim with wonder and holiday magic. I’d just finished reading a less than stellar book and picked up this one by Ms. Morgan in the hopes it would be better. I’m sure other readers know what I’m talking about. The amazing thing is, Sleigh Bells in the Snow was better. In fact it erased completely the screech marks left in my brain from the last book and replaced it with joy, relief, intense interest, complete engagement with the characters and a warm, gooey happy feeling by the end. I was so overcome with happiness and satisfaction, I wanted to hug the book. Since I’d look pretty goofy doing that, I had a celebratory chocolate instead.
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The basic premise is about a woman scarred by events in her past which has the undesired effect of making Christmas and anything to do with it such an anathema, she has panic attacks. Enter in a man from a family who embodies what the holiday’s meaning is all about and chaos ensues. The scenario has been done before but Ms. Morgan introduces her own special touch that makes this plot her own. The one thing that I can count of from this author is a tale filled with people who a reader can relate to, feel connection with and can care for. She outdid herself with this novel.

The story is told from both Kayla’s point of view, and Jackson’s. It was effective because when she has her first major breakdown, I could understand why it was so harrowing and traumatic for her. When the POV switched to Jackson, I got to see a man totally flummoxed by the heroine’s reaction and his internal dialogue revealed why he would not allow her to run. It was a set up that guaranteed my attention and curiosity was roused. I had to know how in the world Jackson was going to break through Kayla’s trust issues in order to reach her heart. It’s a journey worth reading.

Don’t assume that Kayla’s panic attacks turn her into a jabbering mass of female. Far from it. She’s an ice maiden and her choice of coping skills has worked in her favor – to a point. If a reader has been fortunate enough to see the movie Baby Boom with Diane Keaton, and love it like I do, then they’ll see some resemblance to Ms. Keaton’s character. The difference is that this high powered, tiger in business doesn’t get sidelined by a baby, but a cute, chocolate-eyed little puppy. The ‘awww’ factor is quite solid.

The romance isn’t built on physical loving but on words, actions and wondrous scenery. Jackson has tremendous patience with the heroine. The story explains why that is possible. Readers are in for some scenes of romance that will knock their socks off. The waterfall scene was my favorite. The way he proposed truly tugged the heartstrings. If Hallmark were looking to make a Christmas holiday movie, I really wish they’d choose Sleigh Bells in the Snow. The story explores all the emotions and made me laugh, sniffle, smile, melt, and when Kayla and Jackson do succumb to their powerful feelings, I felt hot and flustered, in a good way, too.

Another reason for my believing this would make a good movie is Jackson’s family and the community in which the story takes place. This is the first book of a three part trilogy based on following Jackson and his brothers finding their happy ever afters. The author had the daunting task of not only world building but creating interest in his other two brothers, Tyler and Sean, without diluting the focus from Kayla and Jackson’s romance. The author succeeded. Ms. Morgan wrote a very solid standalone story.

This book is rich in dialogue and quirky people. I got a kick out of the French cook and the family friend who teaches skiing. Sniffles were generated at the powerful scene between Tyler and his teenaged daughter. Concern and grudging respect was felt for Jackson’s grandfather – he’s a crotchety old man with a heart of gold. And Kayla’s boss is a man totally clueless about what really matters in life. His character, although limited on screen time, helped illustrate very clearly the woman Kayla initially was and how different she came to be – effective and powerful writing.

I was extremely satisfied with the manner, pace and direction the author took with Jackson and Kayla’s romance. The emotions that battered the two of them, their reactions and subsequent results made for quality reading.

Sleigh Bells in the Snow is a powerful read. It’s a simple statement for not such a simple book.  Ms. Morgan has created the ‘must read’ romance book for the holidays. She captured the essence of what makes the season so incredible while entertaining readers with her characters. This tale has the capacity of garnering Ms. Morgan some new fans for her books while making her current readers very happy and satisfied. I know I am. I also heartily and loudly encourage fans of holiday romances to not miss out on this book. It’s a treasure.

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

Bride of Fire by Viola Grace

November 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

FIRE
Bride of Fire by Viola Grace
Publisher: Devine Destinies
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (45 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A sleeping beauty wakes to find five Fire Bringers waiting for her to choose one as a mate.

Fayra’s colony ship has been waiting for five years for the Anvin to allow any of their personnel to wake. She is the first one to wake up, and she is also the only one. She is briefed on her situation—she must prove her species’ worth in order to earn a place on this new world. To do that, she needs a mate, a child and nerves of steel.

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Imagine selecting the person who will be your future spouse and co-parent based on the impression you form of them during short, chaperoned meetings. Now imagine making this decision over the course of a few days.

Fayra’s plucky personality instantly endeared me to her. Her reactions to her experiences fleshed out her personality for me in unexpected ways. No sooner would I think I had her figured out than a new challenge would reveal both her intelligence and her impulsivity. I didn’t always agree with the decisions she made, but thanks to the author’s inclusion of subtle hints about the type of person Fayra is I nearly always understood why she thought those were the best choices for her.

I would have preferred to see more time spent developing Fayra’s relationship with the person she chooses as her mate. While I completely understand why she found him sexually attractive, it wasn’t clear to me why she thought he was her best option for a long term relationship based on the albeit limited information provided about his life.

The plot starts off a little slow due to a somewhat complicated backstory that needs to be explained first, but all of this world-building is necessary in order to understand how Fayra comes to find herself in such a unique situation. By the climax I completely understood why the author chose to give such detailed explanations of certain events so early on in the story. The histories of the two races adds richness to the plot and makes me wish this book was the beginning of a series.

Bride of Fire is an engrossing adventure. I’d recommend it to fans of science fiction and romance alike as both genres are well-represented in this tale.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

A Change of Heart by Barbara Longley

November 6, 2013 By 14 Comments

MEDIA KIT Longley_ChangeHeart_FrontCover_Final
A Change of Heart by Barbara Longley
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (312 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 4 Stars
Review by Poppy

Cory Marcel worked tirelessly over eight grueling years to develop a successful military career. After her commanding officer violently assaulted her, she lost everything—especially her trust in people. Despite the emotional damage threatening to sink her, Cory agrees to accept a new job at a furniture store in Perfect—a job that could offer the fragile brunette the chance to start over.

Ted Lovejoy cofounded Langford & Lovejoy Heritage Furniture, but lately he feels like an outsider in his own business. When he meets Cory, Ted realizes his company can do more than just build furniture—it can also help rebuild lives. He longs to help Cory recover from her pain, yet every time he gets too close to her heart, she pushes him away.

While Cory can’t resist her attraction to Ted, she fears the demons haunting her will drag down both of them. Could this kind, soft-spoken man help her finally bury the past…and unlock a future full of hope and happiness?

A Change of Heart is one of the sweetest, most tender romances I’ve read in quite some time.

Cory was brutalized by her commanding officer while stationed overseas. Instead of keeping quiet about it (which is apparently expected), so brought charges against him in a highly publicized case. And because of it she lost everything.
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Now, back living in her mom’s mobile home, feeling like worthless “trailer trash” again, she’s drowning in despair until her lifelong friend, Brenda, comes along and shoves her back out into the world.

I really liked Brenda. She was a hoot and could make Cory do things like only a forever friend could. She truly saved Cory’s life. Along with “Bunny”, Brenda’s brother (and I admit I LOVED that nickname for a big, strong guy) Cory is dragged, kicking and screaming, into the world.

Cory was exceptionally and realistically created. She has to learn how to be human again. How to trust, to allow casual (and less than casual) contact with people, to realize really deep down that the world isn’t out to get her. She knows this in her head, but PTSD doesn’t come from the logical part of a person. Thankfully, she’s plopped down into a group of people who know what she’s going through: the veterans at L&L who’ve gone through similar things themselves.

The odd man out, “not a veteran”, Ted is the love interest for Cory. As much as I absolutely adored Ted–he was everything any woman would want–sometimes he seemed too perfect. Aside from the fact he was not a big, strong alpha male like typically seen in romances (which is good, since Cory would never have been attracted to that type after her experience), he just didn’t seem as if he had any flaws. My first impression of him was when he was talking to several of his employees, all veterans, and he stood with his back to the open door because he knew it made them all nervous, allowing them to keep their backs to the wall. It was interesting to see how well he understood them all since he wasn’t part of the “group”. His only show of being human was his frustration at being called “kid” and the lack of respect afforded him largely due to his relative youth and that he hadn’t served.

A Change of Heart is apparently part of a series, and while I didn’t feel lost, exactly, I could tell I was missing things that might have made this a much richer experience. We have couples, one of whom is expecting their first child, and allusions to the fact that everyone who’s stayed in the carriage house has fallen in love. The story is filled to the brim with secondary characters and I loved that — it’s why I adore choosing small town romances, because of that — but I knew that most of them were probably ones that had been included in the previous books. Again, there is no trouble at all following the story line, but I think you will realize that it’s part of a larger series.

Still, I really enjoyed my time in Perfect. The people were amazing, the story was the kind to make your heart sigh. Watching Ted and Cory fall in love, seeing how incredibly patient Ted was with her as she struggled to be normal again, chuckling over the other characters giving Ted grief, all the while circling their wagons a bit (Cory was warned not to hurt him because he’s such a great guy with a huge heart) … it made me hungry to go back and read the other stories in the series. And I suspect there’s another one coming up …

A Change of Heart is a book I recommend to people looking for a tender, touching romance with plenty of emotion. There are some difficult parts to read when Cory flashes back, and it may be tough for anyone who survived a similar assault to read, but it’s handled well and realistically.

Ms. Longley has done a stellar job with her creation of Perfect and the people who populate the town. I can’t wait for a return visit.

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Wild Fire by Rose Wulf

November 4, 2013 By 1 Comment

FIRE
Wild Fire by Rose Wulf
Elemental Series Book 4
Publisher: Jupiter Gardens Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (178 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Arianna Carosella was only looking for a fresh start. But in her quest to outrun her shameful past and forget about her non-family she seemed to have crashed into a family feud with impossible secrets. Now she was being targeted by a boy who liked to throw lightning, and she was constantly keeping company with a super-sexy man who gave ‘hot’ a whole new meaning. But she was going to have to survive the fight if she wanted to stay in his arms….

With his family in the middle of a war with another, the last thing Dean Hawke was looking for was romance. But the chemistry that flared between him and Arianna was too hot to ignore. The more time he spent with her the more he found himself focusing on her personal problems instead of his own – and he had plenty of his own. Between his irrationally angry sister and the family of weather controlling elementals bearing down on them, Dean really couldn’t afford to lose focus. And he could less afford to lose her.

Is Arianna’s carefully rebuilt life about to come crashing down around her?

Some common side effects are nausea, order cheap cialis Visit Website dizziness, cold, slight change in vision, etc. The Canadian government stipulates a price ceiling at which they allow drug manufacturers to viagra delivery sell to the distributors. You can see them buy cheap levitra Check Out Your shop only for the first few times of its usage and you don’t have to be really worried about these. First of all, a healthy sex life is linked with the sexual problem they suffer from. canadian sildenafil Arianna simply wants to leave the ugliness of her past behind her. Instead, she finds herself an unwilling pawn in a war between two families she knows nothing about. Just moments after having a brief and slightly flirty conversation with Dean, Arianna is immediately targeted by the Hawke family’s enemies who just happen to be able to throw lightning and control the weather.

I have to say that Arianna handles the revelations about Dean and his family extremely well considering how quickly she is pulled into his world. I think she accepts things a bit too quickly, but given the brisk pace of the story and the escalating behavior of the enemy family, Arianna simply doesn’t have time to second guess anything Dean tells her. Fortunately, Arianna is much more than a pretty face. She is smart, tough, and more than holds her own against anyone who tries to hurt her.

Arianna is a great heroine. She is determined to make some big changes to her behavior so she doesn’t repeat mistakes from her past. What I like most about Arianna and her fresh outlook on life and her new found self-respect, is that she isn’t doing it to impress anyone. She is doing it simply for herself. I think she is a good role model for young woman who feel pressured to change for other people.

I have to admit that I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Dean when I started reading Wild Fire. In the previous three books of the series, he seems flippant and impulsive. It is also heavily implied that Dean has a bit of a reputation when it comes to woman. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there is much more to Dean. He cares deeply about his family and his flirtatious manner with woman only serves to mask a wounded heart. When Dean and Arianna open their hearts to each other, they are truly a great couple. They have excellent chemistry and Dean’s impulsive temperament is balanced by Arianna’s more level headed approach.

I found Dean’s ongoing conflict with his sister Angela frustrating. Angela keeps saying she wants to be treated like an adult, but then turns around and throws a tantrum. Dean is a bit slow to pick up on what exactly is bothering Angela, but he would have figured it out much faster if Angela would have taken the time to talk to him rather than fall back on the old, “if you don’t know I’m not telling you” argument. Angela behaves immaturely at times, but I definitely think she has potential. I look forward to watching her grow up a bit.

Wild Fire is an excellent addition to Ms. Wulf’s Elemental series. It is a fun, fast paced story about the power of love and family sure to delight fans of paranormal romance and happy endings.

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Chasing Morgan by Jennifer Ryan

November 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MORGAN
Chasing Morgan by Jennifer Ryan
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (432 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

Book Four in The Hunted Series …

FBI agent Tyler Reed trusts only facts and evidence, until the day a beautiful blonde delivers a life-saving warning … based on nothing more than a vision.

Five years later, the mysterious Morgan Standish has used her talents to help Tyler and the FBI bring down countless criminals. Still, Tyler knows next to nothing about her. She contacts him by phone—and by some sort of psychic connection he’s not prepared to admit exists—but has not shown herself once. Until now.
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Morgan’s gift may let her see things others can’t, but it comes at a price. Getting too close to anyone is dangerous, especially the gorgeous, moody Special Agent Reed. For she’s seen the future: if they meet again too soon, an innocent could be lost.

But when Tyler’s latest case forces Morgan out of hiding, she is the one thrust into the path of a serial killer, the Psychic Slayer, who will stop at nothing to protect the secrets only Morgan can see.

FBI Agent Tyler finally gets to physically meet Morgan Standish … and for more than 5 minutes. This woman has haunted his thoughts and mind through the unique mental link they share. If you have been following The Hunted Series, you are probably doing cartwheels just about now to finally read their story.

Morgan’s gifts of empathy, intuition, and seer of past, present and future is unique. Her link with Tyler goes beyond what she is able to “see” for others. They are linked… fated. She is so courageous! She can see what the future can bring for others, but not for her. She also knows that any action taken can disturb what she has seen and make the outcome unknown. She risks her life for others even though she knows her life is at risk. I loved how this author was able to convey how she “sees” into the past and the future. She is able to convince non-believers (and children) of how her gift is able to help others.

Tyler is exasperating at times. He is so stubborn he actually places Morgan more at risk than she should be. They are both battling two direct threats that could cost Morgan her life. What is inevitable, and we cheer for, is the love he and Morgan are fated to share. He keeps denying his feelings until I was physically shaking my Kindle and asking him, aloud, to get over himself and accept this love. Thankfully, I was alone with my cats while I was doing this… no other witnesses!

If you have not read this series, you can read this as a standalone novel. It is a sizzling romance which time has finally come. I don’t know what Jennifer Ryan has in store for these characters in the future… but I can think of a thing or two that could make a good story for them. I hope she continues to write about them.

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Offside by Kelly Jamieson

November 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

OFFSIDE
Offside by Kelly Jamieson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (227 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

Honey Holbrook is trying hard to leave her past behind her and make a new life for herself. A former spoiled, rich, wild child, her attention-grabbing antics were tabloid fodder for years. Now she has a new job, a new home, and is staying out of the limelight. But the first day of the new job doesn’t go like she expects when her boss and coworkers make it clear she’s not wanted there, and the first project she has to work on is with pro hockey player Matt Heller.

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Now Matt’s back with the Condors but recovering from a serious injury that has changed his whole outlook on life. He’s not impressed to be working with Honey Holbrook, although her cleaned up image arouses his curiosity. And arouses something else…

This story is more than a romance. It deals with the power of second chances at love, at turning your life around, at coming back from an accident. The tenderness in the interaction between Matt and Honey had me hooked from the start. His gentle demeanor and winning disposition makes him a winner.

Honey is a well-developed character as well. She has found her inner strength and has turned her life around. I love strong female characters that have an undercurrent of vulnerability. As Matt points out to her “I love you because you’re beautiful, Honey –on the outside and the inside. You have such a warm heart. “

Offside is the fifth installment in the Heller Brothers Hockey series. All these books in the series are standalone novels. The author has saved the best for last. If I was in love with these hockey players before, I am definitely bowled over by Matt now.

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