Making it Real by Synithia Williams

August 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

REAL
Making it Real by Synithia Williams
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (164 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Quince

After five years in prison, Kareem Henderson is starting his life over. Though business is good at his barbershop, his goal is to open a high-end gentlemen’s salon. But the road back is rough, and he needs connections in the society he once snubbed to make his dream a reality. He just never expected his second chance to come from the sexy female barber he hired last year.

Patrice “Neecie” Baldwin escaped the pressure of being the perfect daughter in one of North Carolina’s most prestigious families to live life on her own. When family responsibilities call her home, she fears going back will expose her to the pressures that nearly ruined her. Neecie needs a shield, and tall, handsome, bad boy Kareem seems impenetrable. So she offers him a deal: If he’ll pretend to be her fiance, she’ll introduce him to all of her well-connected relatives.
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But the more time they spend together, the more the irresistible attraction between them builds. They’re from such different worlds, but can this fake relationship make the cut and become something very real?

Making it Real is a story about two people who are drawn to one another by faith. Kareem Henderson is an owner of the shop where Patrice “Neecie” Baldwin works. When her brother forces her to come back home she decided to bring Kareem with her as her fake fiancée. But soon their pretense turns into something real.

The story focuses on building a relationship between two very wounded and fragile people. Both Kareem and Patrice have to learn to trust one another, and to let go of the past. I was hooked on the story from chapter one and wanted to know how the characters will get out from the emotional mess they got themselves into.

Both characters are well developed. At first I found Kareem a bit too much alpha, i.e. dominant and possessing, but in the end he realized a few things. He earned a lesson or two and turned out just fine. Patrice is his perfect match. She does not want to be pushed around by anyone. She’s a strong and independent girl who knows how to take a stand. The conflict between Kareem and Patrice is well done and realistic and it is character driven. Also, the sex scenes are well written and very hot. Furthermore, I liked the interaction that Kareem and Patrice have with their respective families, and also I liked their families. They are complete opposite, but they both care about their members.

Still the story has a few weak points. I couldn’t understand why Kareem and Patrice choose to stay in her parent’s house when her parents obviously didn’t like him. Also, I could not quite understand how Patrice’s older brother can have a teen son when their parents are celebrating 30 years marriage anniversary.

Beside this I enjoyed reading this story. It was a fast and fun read.

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

Too Hard to Handle; Black Knights, Inc.

August 24, 2015 By 1 Comment

HARD
Too Hard to Handle by Julie Ann Walker
 Black Knights, Inc.
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (393 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

“The Man” is back
Dan “The Man” Currington is back in fighting form with a mission that takes him four thousand miles south of BKI headquarters, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. He’s hot on the trail of a rogue CIA agent selling classified government secrets to the highest bidder, when Penni DePaul arrives on the scene. Suddenly the stakes are higher, and keeping Penni safe becomes Dan’s number one priority.

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A lot has changed since former Secret Service Agent Penni DePaul last saw Dan. Now a civilian, she’s excited about what the future might hold. But before she can grab onto that future with both hands, she has to tie up some loose ends-namely, Dan Currington, the man she just can’t forget. And a secret that’s going to change both their lives-if they can stay alive, that is.

Spicy, revealing love scenes heat the blood. Action sends the heart racing and the adrenaline pumping. Breath-holding suspense grips the reader as the bullets fly. Mystery about Penni’s original mission keeps one turning pages. And “testosterone-itis” that only the guys in Black Knights, Inc handle so well makes one’s ears sting and brings a smile or giggle at times. Too Hard to Handle holds the reader’s attention as it races along with danger lurking around every corner, but with an ending that is not to be missed. Much as I want to I’m not telling.

Penni DePaul goes from New York to Chicago to Colombia, South America to find Dan “The Man” Cunnington. They worked together a few months back in Malaysia. Before she has a chance to talk with Dan, the case Dan, Dagan Zoelner, and CIA’s Chelsea Duvall are working on heats up and Penni is pulled into the fray—big time.

Chelsea, a pint size wrecking ball that could make a garbage bag look good with her curvy body, is an intelligence expert with a drone and connections. She and Dagan Zoelner strike sparks off each other at every turn, but when it’s time to fight the enemy, they make a team with single-minded purpose.

Bad guys abound. Winterfield is the man they want, and they want him alive. George Wodehouse, a man with quite a back story, wants Winterfield dead, because that is what SPIDER wants. How the good guys out maneuver bad guys is a touch and go process that just keeps on and on. It does get scary!

If you’ve read previous Black Knight, Inc novels, you will get to catch up with characters like Becky, Ozzie, Rock, Frank Knight (Boss), and the others. If you haven’t read previous ones, this one is a super good place to get to know some compelling, dedicated characters that are clandestine movers and shakers for the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Julie Ann Walker makes G. K. Chesterton’s saying, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him” come to life in a way that engages all the reader’s senses to create a memorable story. The title still makes me smile—Julie Ann Walker does have a way with words!

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

The Rogue You Know by Shana Galen

August 21, 2015 By 1 Comment

ROGE
The Rogue You Know by Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (355 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

She’s beyond his reach…
Gideon Harrow has spent his life in London’s dark underworld-and he wants out. A thief and a con, he plans one last heist to finally win his freedom. But when everything goes wrong, he finds himself at the tender mercies of one of Society’s most untouchable women-Lady Susanna Derring.

…and out of her depth.
Susanna has spent her life in London’s glittering ton, under the thumb of a domineering mother-and she wants out. When a wickedly charming rogue lands at her feet, she jumps at the chance to experience life before it’s too late. But as she descends into London’s underworld, she finds that nothing- not even Gideon-is as it seems. As excitement turns to danger, Susanna must decide what price she’s willing to pay…for the love of a reformed thief.

Susanna Derring needs freedom and wishes she could have an adventure before she has to marry some old, titled man for duty, honor, and riches… Be careful what you wish for.
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She is the daughter of the Dowager Countess of Dane and feels like she is suffocating under the constant badgering of her mother. Three “must-dos” in her life are: marry well, exhibit good ton, and be beautiful, fashionable, and witty.

Gideon Harrow, one of the best thieves in the rookeries of Seven Dials in London, wants out and plans to escape with money he gets from a stolen necklace rather than give the money to his gang’s leader Beezle, who is one bad character.

How Susanna and Gideon meet and acquire a mongrel dog that Susanna names Beauty sets the stage for one hair-raising adventure that takes the reader on a vicarious journey through the filthy, smelly, dangerous streets and alleys of Seven Dials where children are sold, and where prostitutes, thieves, and killers ply their trade.

Shana Galen gives the reader action that moves at a snail’s pace at the sophisticated tea parties then ramps up to action that moves at breakneck speed as Susanna and Gideon run for their lives through the rookeries of Seven Dials.

As usual, for Ms. Galen, her colorful characters” dialogue is sprinkled with wit and understatements even in dangerous situations. The dialogue seems to bring the characters to life as it reveals their hopes, fears, and need to be loved.

She subtly shows the change of the social structure of the times, as the strangled-hold nobility once had on society gives way to a time when the working-class (and lower) marry nobility bringing about emotional upheavals.

The Rogue You Know is a page-turning, adventure, love story that assails all the senses and keeps the heart rate high. Good Reading!

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

The Dance by McKinzie S. Heart

August 21, 2015 By Leave a Comment

DANCE
The Dance by McKinzie S. Heart
Elemental Seduction
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (56 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

The amalgamation of these medications may cause critical issues for one’s health. canadian cialis no prescription Anxiety, stress and depression are some best viagra for women of the common symptoms that can be effectively treated by Pulsatilla. Erectile dysfunction is a disorder where a person faces a number of cheap price viagra issues when they make erections. For example when you log on to our website where you will be guided through the entire body. http://deeprootsmag.org/category/departments/deep-roots-theater/page/2/ cialis online generic Rebecca’s had a horrible marriage. Though the divorce isn’t finalized, she has put as much distance as possible between her husband and herself. She’s forlornly alone but safe. As she spends yet another night in her grandparents’ old farmhouse, strange unexplainable things begin to happen. Has Charles tracked her down or is it some unknown intruder setting her up? And what are these whispers that she’s now hearing? Are they real or in her mind? While she tries to sort everything out as it happens, she has no idea how much is at stake. Not only is her life in jeopardy, but she may very well lose her heart and soul. But that is exactly what might have to happen for her to give in to The Dance.

Soon to be divorced Rebecca spends a sleepless night in her country home that was previously owned by her Nana and Papa. Though the night has a chilly breeze, with impending bad weather approaching this night isn’t like any ordinary night. Rebecca’s fascination with the wind could be what saves her life and could very well bring about the love she desires.

This was a touching story that is sure to be uplifting to any reader. Rebecca comes from an abusive marriage where her husband doesn’t seem to want to abide by a restraining order placed against him.

Something doesn’t seem right in the home, with strange things such as the radio playing, candles burning, tapping at the window but could these only be in Rebecca’s mind?

The Dance is a entertaining read that I truly enjoyed. The author has a talent in giving detailed description that gives such a visual picture. The writing and details are so clear and readable. Though the story is short it delivers in full detail a night when Rebecca’s past marriage meets the true love she didn’t know exist.

There is something so sensual and fulfilling about this story. Seeing a woman that obviously has been through a violent marriage, she finds solace in dancing with the wind, in finding a way of letting go of the hurt and disappointment. She finds some symbolism of healing and moving on with her life. I was happy with the ending and would suggest this book for those that enjoy a sensual happy paranormal ending.

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Shadows by Stella Barcelona

August 19, 2015 By 7 Comments

BookCover_Shadows

Shadows by Stella Barcelona
Publisher: Self
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full (398 pgs)
Heat level: Spicy
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Poppy

Cataclysm. Now. Run.

A cryptic, urgent text message turns the peaceful life Skye Barrows has created for herself and her sister into chaos. She must follow her father’s instructions to the letter, but Sebastian Connelly is blocking her way. Telling Sebastian what she must do is not an option.

What He Doesn’t Know Will Get Them All Killed

When a prison break in the midst of a security system upgrade threatens to destroy the reputation of Sebastian’s company, Black Raven Private Security Contractors, he goes on the hunt for escaped prisoner Richard Barrows – a delusional and paranoid computer software genius.
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Sebastian’s mission: find Richard Barrows and return him to prison, but stonewalled by Skye, who refuses to give him answers, and with the added complication of her special needs sister, Sebastian finds himself always a step or two behind vicious killers.

Nothing About This Case is Normal

For Sebastian, it should be simple, but this case will test him in ways he never imagined. As probing interrogation becomes urgent protection, the search for Barrows forces Sebastian and Skye into a murky world of shadows and illusions.

Terrifyingly possible, Shadows is romantic suspense on steroids. It starts with a bang and never slows down.

Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for fans of the genre, this book was just amazing. The characters are so real, well-developed and rounded. All unique, with their own sets of characteristics and flaws. No cookie cutters here! Even the secondary characters were interesting and integral to the plot.

It’s hard to rave about the book without giving spoilers, but the author has serious writing chops. So much description that you’re thrust into the story, but it’s not intrusive, so reading is more like watching a movie … so smooth you don’t remember you’re in a book. She doesn’t miss the little details that matter, but do keep in mind this descriptive ability also occurs during the more violent scenes as well, so they can be pretty graphic and gruesome.

There is plenty of heat and sexual tension between Sebastian and Skye as well, and when it culminates in sex, it nearly blew my head off… lots of build up and tension there as well.

Seriously, I’m so impressed with this author and have gone back to buy Deceived. If that is as solid a read as this one, she’ll have earned a spot on my auto-buy list, and that’s not an easy place to land.

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

Scarred by Xandra James

August 18, 2015 By Leave a Comment

SCARRED
Scarred by Xandra James
Publisher: Self published
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (47 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Quince

Noelle Travis is unlovable. Scarred and damaged, she’s lived her life as a thief, always in the shadows, never allowing herself to trust in silly dreams. Now the man who viciously controls her wants more, and she has one chance at freedom. But when he pushes her into the arms of her ex-love, Sig, the tight hold she has on her own broken world crumbles around her and the consequences turn deadly.
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Billionaire Sig Randall has everything…and nothing. Tired of the secrets he keeps close to his heart, all he wants is to feel something. When Noelle, the woman he left behind ten years ago, crashes back into his life, he knows it’s for a reason. Trouble runs through her veins and he’d move heaven and earth if she’d trust him again. Thing is, the problems of the past have a way of turning up in the present. And sometimes, to get a second chance at love, your heart needs to be ripped apart…

Scarred is first installment in the series, Broken Billionaires, and it comes with a “To be continued” sign at the end of the last page. Therefore it can be said that this is just an introduction. But it is a good introduction and fast and edge of the seat interesting.

In Scarred, Noelle and Sig meet after they have been apart for ten years. It is very obvious that somebody was involved in breaking them apart. Also they both keep some life-changing secrets. Sig’s life turned out for the better, and he is a billionaire. On the other hand Noelle’s life turned for the worst, and now she is forced to steal from him in order to get out of debt.

Since this is an introduction not much can be said about the characters, just that Noelle is a solo player but she is so deep in trouble that eventually she will be forced to turn to Sig for help. Also it is obvious that they are both still have feelings for one another.

The author made a good beginning of the story. She established a good sense of time and place and I was immediately pulled into this fast paced story. Now that I tasted it I want it more. I will keep a close eye for the second story in the series and I will definitely read it.

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

Anything For A Cowboy by Jenna Bayley-Burke

August 17, 2015 By Leave a Comment

COWBOY
Anything For A Cowboy by Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (89 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Her plan was for them to fall in bed, not in love.

A NotMy1stRodeo.com Story

But as mentioned above, the effects last longer, balancing the bar for devensec.com generic viagra 25mg on this note. Any time a person cigarettes he let’s air pass large amounts check content purchase levitra online of carbon monoxide. These so-called “pink levitra tab 20mg” products purportedly promote an increase of the blood flow to the penis might be caused due to diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, bad habits such as smoking, some prescribed medications and other factors. It’s already been recognized to trigger patients’ order cialis online http://www.devensec.com/cialis-4593.html genitals to reduce. When veterinarian Jacy Weston changes her location on her western dating website profile, she thinks it’s no big deal. Opal Creek…Myrtle Creek…what’s the difference? As little white lies go, this one barely qualifies. Besides, since her brothers have chased off every guy within a hundred miles, the expiration date on her virginity is way past due.

Ray Mitchell is not inclined to waste his time on something as unnecessary as dating, but it’s much easier to take a woman to coffee than to explain to his mother why he’s in no hurry to get married again. Despite NotMy1stRodeo.com’s promises, he doubts he’ll find any woman willing to find herself stuck on a remote ranch raising rodeo stock.

But Jacy is different. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Or to get down and dirty. Ray’s thinking he’s found the one, until the truth comes out…and he realizes the divorcee from the next county he’s been dating doesn’t exist.

Jacy Weston couldn’t believe she was signing herself up to an online dating website. With her relationship options only allowing divorced, widowed or complicated, she felt declaring herself divorced was the closest she could get to the truth about her situation. With four over-protective older brothers crimping her style, Jacy was the last of a dying breed – a thirty year old virgin. While she wasn’t keen to give herself to just anyone, she did want to live her life a little before she was too old to enjoy it. Ray had been married for a brief time and had no desire to repeat the mistakes of his past. But a promise to his mum – one date every month – that he was being held to had him meeting up with Jacy. Can both of them overcome their personal complications to see the very good thing they’re starting?

This is a lighthearted, fun read. I was a little hesitant about the plot at first. While I completely understand why Jacy acted the way she did – lying in her online dating profile – and there is a very solid basis for her deception, I’ve never been a fan of reading romances that start with such an unfaithful base. The chemistry and quickness of ease between Ray and Jacy, however, placated me a lot. The author did a really good job to my mind of showing how these two characters clicked so well. Had they met just by chance in Becky’s coffee shop, then their connection and relationship would have quite possibly begun in nearly the same. So while I still disliked the plothook and enforced conflict of Jacy lying about being divorced and omitting the fact she was a virgin, much of their chemistry and relationship appeared so natural their connection read to me almost as if it were fated to be. I’m not certain, though, that this large plot device will suit every readers taste.

I found the sexual side of the relationship between Jacy and Ray to be really well balanced. While it’s clear from the first page there will be graphic scenes – the whole reason Jacy has signed onto the website is to lose her virginity – neither of them jump into the sack right off the bat. I found the pacing to be excellent. The chemistry sizzled between Ray and Jacy and they took each consecutive date further and further, until they fully consummated their interest. I thought the sex scene was tasteful and hot – but not over the top or extreme. I was a little disappointed when the truth finally came out and there was no real twist – nothing different or surprising in how the scene/s unfolded. I would have been ecstatic if something new had unfolded and given the book a really fresh turn. While it didn’t make the book unique or stand out from the pack for me, neither did I feel let down. The author made both Jacy and Ray really sympathetic characters and my interest in their relationship held all the way through to the end.

With one descriptive love scene and a number of steamy kisses, this is a lovely spicy romance with a bit of a kick to it. While the plot is nothing overly new, the characters and their vibrancy make up for this in my mind. A good, solid book I would definitely recommend other readers give a try.

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

The Archer’s Daughter by Melissa MacKinnon

August 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment

ARCHER
The Archer’s Daughter by Melissa MacKinnon
Publisher: esKape Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (161 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

England, 1381

Cate Archer is a wanted woman. When her father is killed during peace negotiations with the young King Richard, Cate vows she will not rest until she sees her father’s murder avenged and his killer brought to his knees. She never imagined she would fall in love with the man sent to execute her death warrant.
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Lord Owen Grey has only one task—bring in the rebel leaders, dead or alive. His life’s duty is to the King’s Guard, and he has certain expectations to fulfill. Falling for his prisoner isn’t one of them. He understands her cause, but he cannot bring himself to risk his position and honor for an outlaw. Owen must choose between duty and his heart. The Guard is all he’s ever known. Does he stay true to his oath or find himself on the next most wanted list alongside his Cate?

Will Cate’s quest for revenge cost her everything?

Cate is a strong and willful young woman who takes her work as an outlaw seriously. While she is focused on avenging her father, she also makes sure that she passes on food and money to the poor people of her country. I like that Cate doesn’t have any delusions about the path she’s chosen. She knows that sooner or later, she is likely to meet with a violent end. All she hopes for is to avenge her father before her time comes. Cate’s hard edges are softened a bit by her relationship with Wallace, an old family friend. Wallace is a gentle giant who perfectly fills the role of a father figure. Cate doesn’t always follow his advice, but they rely on each other a great deal.

I had a hard time getting a good sense of Cate and Owen’s connection. They met under intense circumstances, but their mutual attraction was clear from the moment they met. However, everything happened very quickly between them, and they were separated before I felt that their bond and been cemented. Their relationship was so new, and they definitely had some serious trust issues. Consequently, their brief interaction didn’t leave me with the sense that they were truly in love.

Even though I had issues with Cate and Owen’s connection, the suspense of knowing how this mismatched couple was ever going to find happiness kept me turning pages. I truly had no idea how Owen was going to rescue Cate. Even though he is a noble, Owen can do very little to help Cate. Her fate seems to be sealed. Owen proves his dedication to his new love by calling in favors and throwing together an insane plan. If even one thing goes wrong, it will all be for nothing. Cate is practically on death’s door. Will Owen be too late?

In enjoyed reading The Archer’s Daughter. The pacing is very well done and the action is intense. Fans of historical romance might want to give it a try.

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Valley of the Shadow by T.H. Gerety

August 6, 2015 By Leave a Comment

VALLEY
Valley of the Shadow by T.H. Gerety
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (88 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Avid naturalist, hunter and birder, Mr. Gerety has constructed a tale of two people who meet briefly then are reunited after death in a place and time other than the one they have always known. In this unfamiliar and pristine environment, his characters find each other, leaving behind their years of professional education and training as well as a lifetime of modern urban assumptions to assume lives of hunters, nomads, lovers and parents in a world emptied of all other people.

As Michael and Val are about to learn, surviving is easier than thriving.

The descriptions of the food made my mouth water. They were written so clearly that I could almost taste the simple, delicious meals that the characters made based on what they’d found to eat each day. These scenes were my favourite ones because they made me so hungry at times!

But as it is invented shortly, it is not found in tadalafil vs cialis any other fruit. Taking the drug with some kind of beverage or alcohol can have an discount viagra sales adverse effect on their relationship with their partners. You will see that it will increase your confidence and overall well-being You can safely buy cialis de prescription from any pharmacist and from a variety of online stores. This buy sildenafil canada type is good for men who hate taking tablets. I was quite puzzled by Val and Michael’s reaction to their new surroundings. They both adjusted to it extremely quickly for reasons that I was never able to determine. This is the exact opposite of how I’d expect two ordinary adults to respond to waking up injured in the middle of the wilderness with no supplies and no way to signal for outside help. I would have also really liked to know why they both knew how to do things like knapping flint, tracking prey, curing animal hides, and figuring out which wild plants are safe to eat. These are all uncommon hobbies for the twenty-first century, so it was surprising to have two characters who were both so skilled at all of them.

The dialogue often made me smile. Val and Michael found ways to tease each other over small things. Writing them this way made their romance more relatable because those sections showed me how well these characters work together. It was also a lot of fun to see what kinds of things they’d come up with next to joke about.

Many words and phrases were repeated over and over again in this story. Sometimes several sentences in the same paragraph would all begin with the same word. At times this made it difficult to keep my place while I was reading because it was so easy to lose my place and accidentally return to a paragraph I’d already completed.

One of the things I liked the most about the ending was how well it blended in with everything that had happened before. While I would have preferred more concrete answers to certain questions I had about the characters and what had happened to them, I appreciated the fact that the narrative stayed true to the author’s style. This section repeated the same themes that had been introduced in the beginning, and that’s a good thing.

There was a great deal of telling instead of showing in this tale. The characters faced circumstances that should have brought a lot of tension and anticipation to the plot. It was difficult to immerse myself into those scenes, though, due to how much distance the narrator left between what was happening and how those events were communicated to the reader. It felt like I was hearing a second or third-hand account of these sections instead of imagining them for myself.

This was a huge surprise for me because I was so enamoured with the blurb when I first stumbled across it. I’m a lifelong fan of books set among hunter-gatherers and other groups who live off of the land. The idea of two contemporary characters ending up in this kind of lifestyle made me feel even more excited to give it a try. This is the kind of premise that snags my attention immediately. The idea of trading all of today’s technology and luxuries for a chance to spend the rest of one’s life sleeping under an unpolluted sky is so fascinating.

I’d recommend Valley of the Shadow to anyone who is really interested in stories about living off the land.

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

Heart of Ice by Sibelle Stone

August 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

ICE
Heart of Ice by Sibelle Stone
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (213 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Will their passion for each other be a blessing, or fulfill an ancient curse and destroy them?

Lucinda Stafford is uniquely unqualified to serve as governess for the children of a handsome inventor. But, she’s determined to prove to her family she’s not a fragile, pampered heiress who can’t take care of herself. She didn’t plan to be attracted to the man who makes her furious one moment and whimper with desire the next. When danger threatens, can she save two innocent children from a terrifying nightmare?

Grayson Thorne has only weeks to prove his geothermal plant can generate electricity, or he’ll lose much needed funding. He’s desperate to hire a new governess, but shocked when his housekeeper returns home with a beautiful, educated female who awakens long dormant desires. She’s the perfect choice, if he can manage to keep his hunger for her kisses and fantasies of taking her to his bed under control.
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An ancient Icelandic curse hides in the hills, haunting the residents of Thornehús. Grayson and Lucinda may be swept away by passion, but they must face an unspeakable horror that threatens them all.

A temporary position as a governess has left Lucinda with permanent attachments.

Lucinda is a smart, outspoken young woman. Unfortunately these are not qualities that are appreciated by the other members of society. However, Lucinda just can’t imagine herself in the role of a subservient, silent wife. When presented with the opportunity for a taste of independence, Lucinda happily accepts a position as a governess. For someone with no experience with children, Lucinda sure is a natural. I love how caring and patient she is right from the start. She never treats the children like an obligation as past governesses have. Instead, she treats them with respect and gentleness. Her warmth and genuine affection wins the children over almost instantly.

Even though the children take an immediate liking to Lucinda, Grayson has a much harder time accepting Lucinda into his life. While Lucinda and Grayson are physically attracted to each other, their personalities clash frequently. The majority of their exchanges are antagonistic, and while it was entertaining to watch them irritate each other, I found myself wishing they had more positive interactions. Privately they admire, respect and even develop affection for each other. I just with this had been more clearly demonstrated in their actions rather than just their thoughts.

Heart of Ice is mainly a Gothic romance, but there are elements of steampunk present. I must admit that the parts of the tale that dealt with technology did jolt me out of the story a bit, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment.

I was expecting the paranormal element to be a larger part of the story. The curse alluded to in the blurb loomed in the background for nearly the entire book and only became a frightening force at the very end. Even then, it was wrapped up much too quickly. There is very little explanation given on what exactly was going on and why Grayson and his family were being targeted. Despite this issue, the climax of the story is chilling and does come to a satisfying conclusion.

Heart of Ice is certainly an enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance with just a dash of the paranormal mixed in.

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