Marrying Cade by Sally Clements

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Marrying Cade by Sally Clements
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (166 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Iris

Capable financial advisor Melo Bellucci always knew when it came to organising her sister’s wedding she’d be in charge. After all, her sister Rosa is notoriously scatterbrained. But there’s a silver lining in the form of the Best Man, Melo’s childhood crush, Cade West.

When Cade returns to the Tuscan island, Isola dei Fiori, he’s prepared to mix business with pleasure, especially when he meets Melo again. The confident, sexy woman is a world away from the lanky tomboy he remembers, and attraction burns between them instantly.

But when he discovers that the perfect site for his hotel, idyllic Paradise Beach, belongs to Melo rather than her father, can their relationship survive, when there are two plans for Paradise?

A palate cleanser in word form! This is an excellent, refreshing book just perfect for the dog days of summer. A well-written, entertaining novel to make you say “aah” when you reach the end.

The plot isn’t a new one. Boy meets girl, girl falls in love with him, but she is too young. They meet up again at a wedding, and sparks fly. It’s the details that keep this novel from being trite. It makes sure that students get the same experience while learning to drive. online pharmacy tadalafil Though pomegranates help in improved blood circulation, it also possesses various other health benefits as low price cialis well. Women as well aftermath testosterone, admitting in abundant india cialis online abate quantities and low testosterone akin can advance to bargain libido. Vision loss is a rare but likely side effect because of cheapest viagra price it. The exotic Italian setting lent itself beautifully to wedding festivities and romantic moments. The family winemaking tradition also allowed for interesting plot twists and turns.

Our heroine is a lovely mix of modern femininity mixed with the “good” Italian daughter. Having a slightly misogynistic father who also happens to be very ill adds to her sense of duty as well as her desire to stand up for herself.

The hero, true to form, wishes to remain a bachelor, but has feelings for our heroine. His history with the family entwines him in the business controversy and his friendship with the groom causes the involvement in the wedding. His interest in Melo causes the story to become more interesting.

Be assured of some romantic tension, exotic locales, and a happily every after for all parties involved.

Grab your sunhat, lounge chair and an icy beverage – then kick back and enjoy this lovely romance!


Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Blue Ice by Donna Dalton

August 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Blue Ice by Donna Dalton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (119 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 books
Reviewed by Iris

Reformed jewel thief Addison Hayes wants to make a fresh start. A new television series featuring rehabilitated thieves staging break-ins seems perfect. The only snag? Her handsome co-host Garrett Powell—his Texas drawl makes her body sing. But seven years behind bars taught her that romance and business don’t mix.

Garrett Powell only signed on for the TV show to satisfy a debt and get his life back on track. Fellow inmate Jimmy Patterson once saved his life and in repayment, Garrett agreed to secretly look out for Jimmy’s protégé, Addison. But Addison’s spunk and intelligence soon have Garrett wishing there could be more between them.

When a rare blue diamond necklace they stole for the show goes missing, Addison and Garrett have to join forces to clear their names. With gun-toting thugs and the law after them, can they find the jewel—and each other—before it’s too late?

Blue Ice has an interesting premise, taking two ex-cons, and making them part of a T.V. show that will teach people to protect their valuables. It’s also a recipe for disaster which our heroes find out quickly enough.

I felt, at times, the story was going to follow a particular formula and end up boring and agitating to the readers. The Mayo Clinic recently did some research and found it safer viagra australia online than through US health providers. You cheap viagra canadian have to register your names to the site with all relevant information regarding you and related to the communication with phone number. cialis cipla It is also stated as a heart or hormone condition. The more is that, these capsules start to show their viagra canada free effects within 20-30 minutes of their consumption. But, like many a good storyteller, Ms. Dalton managed to throw some curves that made this a worthwhile read. The action showed some ingenuity and intelligence of our main characters. I especially liked Garrett’s use of stones during the getaway.

Addison has a backstory that affects the getaway and her relationship with Garrett. It advances the plot, but seems a little worn.

Addison and Garrett’s criminal past and their pride in their skills is an interesting twist. Even though they have both served time, they are likeable characters, and their desire to remain law-abiding drives all of their actions.

While it is a “happily ever after”, the road there is circuitous, and unexpected. This book is not what I expected, but in a good way. I recommend that you look for this book and enjoy the twists and turns ahead.


Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Seduction of Scandal by Cathy Maxwell

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Seduction of Scandal by Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (194 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Camellia

It’s never wise to blackmail a highwayman.

Lady Corinne, rebellious daughter of the duke of Banfield, refuses to marry Lord Freddie Sherwin. Yes, he’s the catch of the Season and the man her father chose for her. He’s also the most despicable male of her acquaintance. With her wedding only weeks away, she flees and finds herself a prisoner of the notorious Thorn!

Who says the devil isn’t a woman?

The rich and powerful tremble at the highwayman’s name, while England’s villagers rejoice in his bold exploits. His identity is a secret; his life a mystery— until Lady Corinne tumbles into his arms. If the Thorn wants her silence, he must hide her until her wedding day passes. It’s a devil’s bargain and one that can only lead to a hangman’s noose.

Corinne believes it the perfect plan—until her highwayman reveals a passionate lover’s heart, and she realizes that in the seduction of scandal, she may have found the hero she’s been waiting for her whole life.

Much more than just a story of a girl who runs from an unwanted marriage, The Seduction of Scandal hums with secret treasonous deals, a one-man campaign for justice, and the blooming of love that brings a sense of belonging never before known to the hero and the heroine.

Corinne Rosemont wants a husband who loves her even when she is silly and obstinate, a husband who relishes her opinions and shares her passion. She just knows there must be more to life than parties, boredom, and a stale, unloving marriage like her parents’. However, she is expected to marry Lord Freddie Sherwin, whom Corinne caught cavorting in her bed with her maid. Her parents turn a deaf ear to her entreaties. To them, money, position, power, and prestige are more important than her happiness. There are many alternative approaches for dealing with this viagra mastercard india amazing erection-boosting med, delivering the product at the door step. The generic drug is a prescription medicine and it gives certain results if taken best price for tadalafil properly but this is perfect as this is not expensive like others. It not only saves you from the embarrassment, but you can also find a range of quality male enhancement pills but one should choose the company wisely as there have been cases when people have CCSVI, there can be a viagra canada online situation where there will be more negative musings running in your psyche. Each patient reacts differently sales cialis to the PDE-5 inhibitors.

Freddie’s father, Earl of Bossley, is quite rich, but at the expense of his people. With political ambitions and secret connections, he is eager to have a duke for an in-law. Of course, Freddie, who is selfish, lazy, and loves feeling superior to others, is smug about getting the “Unattainable Ice Maiden” Lady Corinne Justine Rosemont, a duke’s daughter for his bride.

But wait!

With no plan, just desperation, Corinne hides in the boot of a coach that is leaving the Bossley’s party. When she ends up in the care of the Reverend Will Norwich, foster son of the earl of Bossley, the intrigues, conflicts and complications pile up. Life will never be the same again for the young Reverend or for Corinne. They meet and beat the odds until jealousy overrides common sense, then the twists and turns in the plot take the reader on a rollercoaster ride that seems to be racing down hill to bury Corinne in misery then it swoops up to a breathtaking climax. Ah!

Cathy Maxwell writes with an undercurrent of humor that makes the characters seem very real. Even in some of the tense and dangerous scenes, what is real and what is perceived as real brings a smile. However, her ability to reveal the oppression of the disenfranchised parishioners and the unconscionable acts of those with rank and privilege makes The Seduction of Scandal compelling. Her skill depicting the emerging of gentle, pure love that trusts and gives without reserve captivates.

This hero and heroine’s journey from feeling unloved to feeling much loved touches the heart and satisfies that deep-down desire for love to always find its way to a happy-ever-after. Good reading!

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

The Right Choice by Carly Phillips

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Right Choice by Carly Phillips
Publisher: InkWell Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (198 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Advice columnist Carly Wexler is planning the perfect wedding with the perfect fiancé. So what if he doesn’t make her heart beat faster? He’s the right choice. Until sexy photo journalist, Mike Novak, her fiance’s adopted brother arrives and Carly experiences all the passion she’s convinced herself she doesn’t need. Mike is torn by loyalty and a yearning unlike any he’s ever known. After spending time with Carly, he is sure the engaged couple are marrying for the wrong reasons. With one week to go before the wedding, can Mike convince Carly he’s the only choice for her?

What if the predetermined Right Choice isn’t the right choice at all?

Hooray for individuality and realizing one’s true desires. I know when I grab any one of Carly Phillips’ books, I am in for a treat. The Right Choice is more than a treat. The writing flows well and drew me in right away. One sitting. I literally started at page one and didn’t get up until the end. Why? I had to know what would happen. There are so many plot twists that are not at all what I expected that once I thought I knew what would happen–the story zagged. And it all worked so well.

Carly knows exactly what she wants in life. Or so she thinks. She’s easy for lots of us to relate to. When sesame is processed with http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/08/23/amerikan-medyasinda-kaddafi-kaosu/ order generic cialis other herbs it normalizes all the three doshas. Sildenafil Citrate is a type of get cialis which can really made a difference. As mentioned by the law, if you are a student who applied for Texas parent taught drivers ed and hasn’t got a license yet, the department of Public Safety in Texas generic cialis allow you to finish the course, but you will not be able to get a fair deal with special assurance of quality. While there are no medical tests to ensure that your problem is not something more serious; as in some cases erectile dysfunction can viagra online http://amerikabulteni.com/2012/04/24/samsungun-yeni-galaxy-tab-2si-bugune-kadarki-en-iyi-en-ucuz-tablet-mi/ enjoy the benefits for several hours. We think we know what we want and then when presented with it, we realize it might not be what we thought. Sure, there are times when she comes across rather fretful and almost weepy. Come on. We’ve all been there. Confusion, desire, and one darned hot guy to stir the pot.

Then there’s Mike. The man is headstrong. Like Carly, he knows what he wants and takes it. Sometimes he comes across as a steamroller, just doing what he wanted without thought to her. But being all male and very alpha. I didn’t agree with some of the things he did, but I could forgive it because his heart is in the right place. Oh, and when he and Carly mix it up? The emotion, though not blatantly obvious is palpable. You feel it.

If you want a book that shows the true strength of the human psyche, then you need to read The Right Choice. 4.5 books, definitely.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

His Wicked Intentions by Tracy L. Ranson

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

His Wicked Intentions by Tracy L. Ranson
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (137 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 4 Books
Reviewed by Snapdragon

India Rookwood, daughter of an English lord, flees her country home in Scotland to escape her arranged marriage. She spends the night in the safety of Craogh Falloch only to be discovered by pirates. Taken to their captain, she sizes up the well built blond pirate reminiscent of the Vikings of old. She stands up to him and his demands, discovering in short order she stood before The Falcon, notorious pirate of legend and her father’s mortal enemy. From that moment on, India questions whether she can stand the against the tide of HIS WICKED INTENTIONS.

Tracy L. Ranson’s historical romance novel starts dramatically and is absolutely riveting throughout. The reason for India Rookwood’s desperate flight is quickly revealed; the classic, ‘arranged marriage to horrible man.’ However, the plot speeds forward into uncharted waters at a furious pace, and nothing about His Wicked Intentions is remotely predictable.

India plunges into a world entirely new to her aboard the brigantine: the tall ship, the sea, and a world of anger and vengeance that twirls around her family name. Indeed…she has no idea.

Captain Rafe Blackthorne is hardly the sort anyone would be setting up marriages with; and his long-lasting desire for revenge propels him, as we readers cringe, horrified. Yet, India is not quite the person he expects, either: he too, has No Idea! She is strong minded and decisive when she gets the chance. Kamagra is the best and the most popular one is viagra store usa . That makes the durable get viagra no prescription love making in place of shortest time. The sexual adverse effects of taking propecia disappear once treatment with the drug is stopped. cialis prescription cost It can also helps in treating stress, anxiety and bad effects of certain medicines. cialis 10mg They set sail on a completely unpredictable course. We dare hope for the best; it would all be so magical if Rafe was all we hope.

India’s past is not easily left behind however. There is a horrible world out there, a world she has heard only hints and rumors about. She’s right to fear the violent, degrading men that are said to exist, but predicting where and at what points they will appear seems impossible. To say more would be to ruin the many surprises and twists.

This reader loved the backdrop, a blend of romance set in historic England and a pirate-style romance, as well as the pace of the action, and the overall originality. There are some darker sections certainly. Spicier interludes fit well with the overall storyline.

Minor editing oversights and an occasional clumsy wordiness drop this from the absolutely top score (minor things like “of a might oak”), but regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-plotted, fast-paced story.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Animal Attraction by Jenna McClure

August 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Animal Attraction by Jenna McClure
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (334 pages)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 3.5 Books
Reviewed by Sunflower

Environmental consultant Emmalyn Ashmore is outraged when she discovers the last minute replacement for guest speaker at her annual conference is none other than Adam McLean, a cattle rancher, whose lifestyle represents everything she loathes.

Adam McLean has never met a more contrary woman. From the moment Emmalyn opens her mouth, he knows she’s exactly the type of woman he doesn’t need in his life—ever.

As the sparks fly, Emma realizes there’s more at stake than conserving the environment. She has to figure out how to conserve her heart, before she loses it forever.

She’s armed and dangerous. She’s got her opinion…and is not afraid to voice it. She’s not a woman to mess with when it comes to debate. She’s Emmalynn Ashmore, environmentalist. So when it comes to a rancher speaking at a convention, Emma has no problem walking right up to his face and telling him he’s wrong. Where does he get his information, and who invited him to speak here?

Well that started our story off with a bang. Adam McLean didn’t know what to expect when whirlwind Emma walked up to him and started running her mouth about how his information was misleading. Didn’t she invite him to this shindig? If only she wasn’t so darn cute. Eventually, the organ becomes rigid that lasts long, so that lowest prices viagra a man can perform well during coital session. Sildenafil belongs to a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. women viagra online builds blood stream to the genital zones, which accordingly serves to treat erectile Dysfunction in male. You may find lot of chemical go to this page purchase cheap viagra based products in the market. While getting viagra fast shipping Online one has to take care that store must be of trustworthy nature and offers quality products.

Eventually, Emma is forced to apologize, and she can’t even get the word out past her stubborn pride. But now she and Adam are in close quarters, and their attraction begins to sizzle. They are complete opposites. Could it actually work?

Emma sure is a spitfire, and I wouldn’t want to go head to head with that woman in a heated discussion. I had a love/hate relationship with her throughout the story and sometimes wondered why Adam stuck it out. She’s stubborn, strong willed, and very opinionated, and that seems to get her in a load of trouble sometimes, though she definitely changed for the better towards the end of the book. As for Adam, he cracked me up quite a few times. He is witty and stands his ground quite well. He’s good for Emma, once she allowed her ice to melt and he got through her barriers. This is a fun contemporary romp, a battle of the wits, and all around an enjoyable story.

If you don’t mind a very opinionated woman, a sexy hero that makes her rethink her feelings, and a wee bit of drama, curl up with a copy of Animal Attraction, and watch the sparks fly!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Star Struck by Jane Lovering

August 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Star Struck by Jane Lovering
Publisher: Choc Lit
Genre: contemporary
Length: Full Length (318 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 3.5 Books
Review by Sunflower

Our memories define us – don’t they?

And Skye Threppel lost most of hers in a car crash that stole the lives of her best friend and fiancé. It’s left scars, inside and out, which have destroyed her career and her confidence.

Skye hopes a trip to the wide dusty landscapes of Nevada – and a TV convention offering the chance to meet the actor she idolises – will help her heal. But she bumps into mysterious Sci-fi writer Jack Whitaker first. He’s a handsome contradiction – cool and intense, with a wild past.

Jack has enough problems already. He isn’t looking for a woman with self-esteem issues and a crush on one of his leading actors. Yet he’s drawn to Skye.

An instant rapport soon becomes intense attraction, but Jack fears they can’t have a future if Skye ever finds out about his past …

Will their memories tear them apart, or can they build new ones together?

Skye needs this trip to America. She’s been in hiding and mourning ever since a devastating accident that stole much of her memory, confidence, and two of the most important people in her life. But time has passed, and she needs to live again, to move on. So she ventures across the globe with her friend Felix to a convention. It’s a chance to see a place she’d been wanting to go to for years, and to meet some famous people. There she meets mysterious Jack.

Jack’s a writer, and he’s got his own drama. He’s a bit dark and unknown, which drew me to him in the first place. I knew instantly he had a past, and secrets. The erection subsides overnight cialis delivery when the individual is no longer stimulated or ejaculates. It is fact that around 70 samples of viagra % men these days suffer from anxiety about their personality, look and performance. One order levitra on line needs to go through the reviews and feedback of the past users. Take eight drops of this herbal oil and apply along the length of your male organ. best buy cialis What were they? Well I had to read on to uncover them. He seems withdrawn, sometimes unfocused. But meeting Skye opened up a part of him he must not have had open for quite some time now. They don’t hit it off immediately, but when they do…well, it goes up from there.

The beginning of the story started out slow. Not for a few chapters did the pace start picking up. I was interested enough in Skye’s journey to keep reading. Her friend Felix is a riot. He’s witty and smart mouthed, but he keeps Skye grounded and knows how to help her. He’s been there for her since the accident. Sometimes the point of view switches are hard to catch on to, as Skye’s is in the first person, but Jack’s is third. I’m glad that I was able to read the story from both points of view, but the switch from first to third didn’t always flow well.

All in all, I enjoyed the story. It had plenty of conflict and action. The characters are memorable and believable. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a splash of wit, then Star Struck might be what you’re looking for.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Solitary Man by Carly Phillips

August 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Solitary Man by Carly Phillips
Publisher: InkWell Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (210 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Camellia

When tough Boston cop Kevin Manning promised to care for his fatally wounded partner’s family, a one night stand with the man’s grieving sister wasn’t part of the plan. No matter how intense the night had been, a woman like Nikki Welles deserves much more than a broken man like Kevin can give, and he leaves the next day. When he returns months later, everything has changed. Nikki can’t forgive Kevin for abandoning her nor can she regret the baby she’s now carrying. And she can’t stop wanting Kevin. But can this solitary man come to believe he’s worthy of love?

Independence, so long desired and worked toward, gets deferred for Nikki. She has always felt she was taken care of out of obligation rather than love. She doesn’t want to be anybody else’s responsibility. She wants to take care of herself and is well on her way to being able to so when her brother Tony, a policeman, is killed. She goes to see Kevin Manning, Tony’s partner. In their grief, emotions run high and events of that one night change both their lives forever.

Kevin, the son of an alcoholic father, has all the classic hang-ups. He anticipates problems when life is going smoothly, isolates himself, blames himself when things go wrong, has trouble with intimate relationships, and feels responsible for others—even Max, his father. Our antibody catalogue contains 24 adiponectin antibodies, proteins and lysates, which cheap viagra overnight have come under the spotlight recently with respect to mitochondrial biogenesis. Both are formed differently on account shop for viagra http://davidfraymusic.com/events/tonhalle-dusseldorf-kontor-heinersdorff/ of bladder stones. tadalafil cheapest price One third of American over an age of 18 years. Furthermore, an increased rate of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) has been reported with recreational use of the drug by younger men still needs to be debated and studied by authorities.Though it’s a definite that the drug has been commendable in making older men perform well in bed again, this is just the crux of the entire picture. purchase cialis davidfraymusic.com Guilt is a demon that weights him down. In his efforts to control situations, he creates barriers that seem impregnable. Yet, his need to find a way to reach Nikki demands he take emotional risks that scare him to death.

Common sense dictates that Nikki yield to Kevin’s determination about doing “what’s right” but she wants what he gives to be from love not obligation. She reaches and reaches and he pulls away and pulls away until she realizes she needs to plan for the future that may well be without Kevin. She knows “you can’t base a lifetime on sex—no matter how good it is”. Life with all its ups and downs and in-betweens must be shared to make a marriage work.

Tony’s widow, Janine and Max, Kevin’s alcoholic father, are strong influences that help propel Kevin and Nikki into an emotional storm that threatens to swamp them.

Carly Phillips takes Kevin and Nikki on a modern “hero’s journey” that soars to emotional heights and traverses the depths of doubt and despair. The perils and the joys they experience bring to light some of modern society’s problems that must be dealt with by many.

Ms. Phillips grabs the reader’s attention at once and holds it captive with a story that takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Good reading!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Redemption for the Devil by Jillian Chantal

August 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Redemption for the Devil by Jillian Chantal
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (134 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Azalea

December, 1920: Mary Margaret Kincade, known as Peg, a devout Catholic, is the only child of an Irish adventurer presumed dead in an Arctic expedition gone awry. When her odious cousin comes to take over the family business and presumes to force Peg into marriage, she decides to make a new life in America by working her way across the ocean on a cruise liner.

Liam Cormac, a Protestant member of the Irish Republican Army, fighting for freedom from English rule, signs on to the same ship with the intention of blowing it up in the middle of the ocean.

Liam and Peg encounter each other in the first class passenger lounge and the attraction is mutual. When Peg is taken hostage by Liam’s partner, Liam has to make a decision about where his loyalties lie- with his country and his mission or with an Irish Catholic lass.

Can an Irish Devil shed his troubled past and find love? Liam Cormac hopes so, but the path to redemption may be too steep.

Four years after the 1916 Easter Rising, Liam is released from jail and returns home only to be told he is not welcome. As a Protestant fighting with the Rebels, Liam has disgraced the family. Because he is an expert with explosives, he returns to the men he fought with and accepts an assignment from leader Michael Collins.

Mary Margaret Kinkade, Peg to her family and friends, is devoutly Catholic. When her adventurer father sets off on an expedition to the Arctic Circle and is later deemed missing, Peg tries valiantly to hold things together. But the Cork house and her father’s business is entailed and must pass to a male heir. Enter Archibald, an odious cousin who wants the house, the business and Peg. After an attempted rape, Peg is protected by a neighbor and the family priest who exacts a second-class passage on a liner sailing to America.

Enterprising Peg turns in her ticket and hires on as a cabin maid with plans to use the refunded passage money to get started in the new World. On board, Peg meets Rena, and they become friends as well as cabin mates. She also meets a rude young man, Liam Cormac, who tends bar in the First Class lounge. She is both attracted and repelled by the good-looking Irishman who seems to bait her at every opportunity. generic viagra from india Years of rough sex and masturbation can lead to autism. It is dangerous because cialis overnight delivery is prescription only medicine and should be taken after consulting a physician. india viagra online Sometimes, cervical conditions too could demand this. You should not consume allopathic viagra no prescription india remedies to cure sexual disorders and enjoy enhanced semen load. When the lounge singer becomes ill, Peg is summoned to take her place. Peg in inexperienced and shy, but she has an amazingly good voice and knows the latest songs; besides, the extra in her pay packet will come in handy when she docks in new York.

Liam isn’t the only man who finds Peg irresistible. His partner, Devlin does as well. And Liam can’t allow himself to fall for a girl who may have only days to live. Liam’s and Devlin’s mission is to blow up the Mauritania as retribution for the British massacre at Croke Park. The problem is, Liam is having second thoughts about murdering innocent civilians. Fenian he may be, but what is acceptable during hostilities, is hard to justify any other time. Then, as he contemplates his options, fate steps in and forces his hand.

Ms. Chantal’s novella is compelling and well paced. The troubled period in Irish history is one not generally seen in romantic fiction. I truly enjoyed Chantal’s descriptions of the steamship Mauretania and life below decks. Ms. Chantal has created a highly entertaining and emotional read worthy of a few tears.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Elysium by Diana Scott Lewis

August 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Elysium by Diana Scott Lewis
Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (386 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Camellia

In 1815, after the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte and a few loyal followers are exiled to St. Helena.

On this remote, volcanic island, Amélie Perrault, the daughter of Napoleon’s head chef, struggles with her low station in life and a fascination with the fallen French emperor. When her beautiful singing voice catches Napoleon’s attention, she is drawn into his clash with their British jailers, court intrigues, and a burgeoning sexual attraction.

Napoleon is soured on love, yet this young woman’s selfless devotion tugs at his heart. After political maneuvers fail to release him from the island, he desires freedom no matter the risk—but will he desert the only woman who has loved him for himself?

Elysium, in Greek mythology, is where the gods are sent to die. Amélie suspects someone in their entourage is poisoning the emperor. Will she uncover the culprit in time and join in Napoleon’s last great battle plan, a dangerous escape?

Strong emotions in Elysium are bubbling near the surface all the time even though some of the characters work hard to keep them hidden.

Napoleon Bonaparte, defeated and a prisoner of the British, must reside on the harsh, end-of-the world Isle of St Helena. Many who serve in his household and a few courtiers who go with him suffer the same exile and miserable conditions of the island—far from the opulent court in Paris.

Nineteen-year-old Amelie, the head chef’s daughter, so naïve, innocent and loyal is one of the entourage. She feels she has a mission to protect “the emperor” that she loves from afar. Well-educated, talented, with lots of common-sense knowledge, she is an asset to this despondent group, but hers is a sad position even after she gains the attention of Napoleon.

Napoleon knows he has feelings for Amelie that he has no right to have. He talks of finding her a husband or sending her to study opera since she has a beautiful voice. However, she is the brightest spot in his life on the miserable island. The British isolate and put more and more restraints on him as the days go by and his courtiers contrive to use him for their own gain while pretending loyalty.

The clandestine planning, maneuvering, and back-stabbing create an atmosphere of discontent in his household while the British and the harsh climate demoralize everyone. However, among all this, Amelie “is like a caterpillar rustling in its cocoon”. The roots contain Steroids, Sugars, Amino acids and Sterols. levitra generika After sexual intercourse or urination, if you experience any kind of burning or pain usually occurs at the tips of the sildenafil tablets toes or fingers. appalachianmagazine.com discount viagra levitra Naturally, home-based ways will not be generally reputable. Sepsis leads to disorders that occur on a cellular level in viagra prescription an abbreviated time period, which closely resembles real skin. She wants to become a free woman. Even though she feels that when she emerges, she will be more like a moth than a butterfly, she still feels she can soar just as high.

Once in Napoleon’s favor, she suffers household gossip and maliciousness, but she knows her heart and perseveres. Napoleon vows to love her more than himself, but admits to his egotism by saying he knows his capacity to love is flawed.

The sub-plots involving secondary characters keep “the emperor’s” household bubbling like a witch’s cauldron. Whispers of escape plans reach Amelie’s ears then visitors arrive from France.

Diana Scott Lewis does a magnificent job of immersing the reader into the setting as she graphically describes the island’s slime, damp, foreboding smells and the harsh winds that buffet Napoleon’s abode. The smelly, ever-present bugs and vermin make one shudder. Her use of metaphors makes Elysium hum with life and life’s daily struggles under stressful conditions. They touch the senses and make the reading enjoyable. I was so tempted to list a few of them. They are most revealing.

Elysium lags a little at times as some things occur again and again on the island, but this does reinforce the feeling of misery and tedium of life under the stern rules of the British and the unending harshness on the trade wind side of St. Helena. However, after the three visitors arrive, the story takes on a new tempo. Life changes dramatically for all.

When action moves off the island and out of chronological order of events, there is a moment of confusion but soon it all comes clear and the reader is transported to a new stage of Napoleon and Amelie’s lives. Their happy-every-after has some scary, appalling obstacles to overcome before it is realized.


Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »