Review: An Honoured Wife

An Honoured Wife
By Viola Grace

One male Xarit, An Honoured Wife, a death, and two new husbands? Sounds like quite a week for Emily.

Emily has been abandoned by the Alliance on a planet inhabited by a race so alien it is toxic to her. Despite their differences, she has become the honoured wife of their chief.

When a shuttle caught in a comet’s tail falls to the planet, it is up to Emily to rescue the inhabitants. Her talent for precognition is a liability as she foresees the inhabitants of that shuttle becoming her mates. Both of them.

Will she leave her status behind to become the mate of two men she doesn’t know? Or will she remain on the planet to stay An Honoured Wife?

I have to say right off that this story had a decent storyline and was entertaining. It was set in a sci-fi fantasy world where Emily is content, if not happy, in her role as Honoured Wife to the tribal chief of the Xarit. As the Xarit are not physically compatible with humans, or Terrans (they are in fact poisonous to humans) the title of Wife is in name only. Her precognitive abilities are not very strong, but they do give her glimpses enough of the future that she knows to expect the two men she knows are her true mates.

The two male characters, Tabor and Vallej, are twin brothers of a race that is compatible with Terrans, and therefore with Emily. They had been sent to rescue her, but find themselves caught in the same comet tail that originally crashed Emily’s ship. They also knew beforehand that they were destined to be mates with Emily, if they could successfully rescue her from the planet she had disappeared on. When all three meet, the bond is unmistakable, and they set out to fulfill that bond.

I did have issues with this story. I felt the writing didn’t flow as well as it could have. In some areas it seemed rather stilted, and more informational than inspired. The love scenes between the three (yes, I said three) of them were definitely hot, and read a little easier. I realize that when the story is so short it is rather hard to get enough detail and descriptive phrases in to satisfy ones creativity as well as needing to get the information across that is needed to further the story, in that aspect it was well done.

However, despite the bumps, I enjoyed this story. It was entertaining to see how Tabor and Vallej reacted to the differences between their culture and Emily’s. It was touching how the two men were willing to bend over backwards for Emily when they felt she was upset. I really loved the concept of being so attuned to someone else, as the three of them were, and that it was actually a ritual and part of their culture to bind themselves closer than just physically. All in all, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to any lovers of paranormal romance looking for a quick, fun read.

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Reviewed by Viscaria

Review: The Bell Curve

The Bell Curve
By Amelia June

Jason Bell Book 2 – An author finds thrills and romance in the pages of her books, along with a sexy main character to play with.

Jen’s life has been a blast since she became the author of fictional Jason Bell’s stories. She’s gleefully tortured him both on paper and in person. But when the boundless bounty hunter goes missing, Jen begins to worry. A strange summons on her computer lands Jen in Jason’s universe, a place of danger and badly written science
fiction. Oh no!

Spider Princesses, angry revolutionaries and a ship built for sex on the run–Jason Bell’s universe is not to be trifled with. Can Jen make it out in one piece? And who will suffer the consequences of an author’s presence in her own work?

Having not read Book 1, I wasn’t too sure about jumping into Book 2, but my concerns were groundless. Not only was it was easy to figure things out after the first few paragraphs, it was actually fun to immerse myself in this wacky and fast paced world full of humor, silly sci-fi and romance.

Jason is real, yet not. Until Jen gets sucked into his world and finds out he’s more than even she imagined, I chocked Jason up to be a classic Good-Time-Charlie. I figured the story would be mostly about Jen. In a way, it is.

The thoughts that whirled through my mind as they zipped through space in adventures that left my head spinning, were of pen pals. I remember hearing about people who fell in love through their written words. When finally they meet, they marry and stay that way for fifty years.

Even though Jen wrote Jason to life, there’s the element of the creator falling in love with their creation – very Greek Myth, very classic. Like Greek myths, things don’t always end quite the way you’d expect and Amelia June threw me a curve ball. No wait… a curve BELL, lol.

The HEA wasn’t what I expected, neither was it clear cut, but if the purpose was to explore Jason a bit better in the NEXT book, then I’m all for it. Because the written Jason Bell had unexpected depths, couldn’t the real Jason have them too?
Ah! Did I say “real” Jason?

This sci-fi romp was a quick read for a snowy house-bound day. It left me smiling and liking Jen and Jason. Their sex antics were hot and super fast – kind of hard to bask in the afterglow when you keep getting interrupted. *VBG*

If you are looking for a spicy light, fluffy read with the zing of adventure, then this story is for you.

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Reviewed by Xeranth

Review: Target of Deception

Target of Deception
By Jennifer Cole

Officer Adrien Spence’s Mission: Obtain incriminating evidence, which one Alexis Rainier holds in her possession — at any cost.

First Challenge: Earn Alexis’ trust, which is easier said than done. By him using her niece, Alexis’ walls virtually crumble at her feet, as the little girl falls in love with Adrien.

Second Challenge: He must seduce Alexis and keep her off balance, and above all else, his secret agenda must remain just that, a secret.

Third Challenge: Adrien must search Alexis’ house for the damning evidence, without her finding out.

Unfortunately, he didn’t expect to lose his heart in the deal; and when Adrien learns that Alexis has been kidnapped, he prays that he can beat the clock in a race against time to save her.

Her life depends on it.

WARNING: This title contains explicit language, graphic sex, violence and anal sex.

Jennifer Cole delivers what a reader expects in an erotic romance. It has the saucy words, the adventurous physical involvement between characters and enough steam to thrill the seekers of erotic encounters. As a reader, I need more — and although Jennifer had to work her way up to it, once she delved into the suspense and started dropping clues for me to mull over, I was well and truly hooked.

We first meet Summer Rain a/k/a Alexis Ranier. She’s doing her thing on stage; a woman forced to do extra-ordinary things to keep her head above water, much like the classy lady on Independence Day. Remember her? Except Alexis doesn’t have it as easy. There’s a lot more baggage and stress burdening her shoulders that colors how she views the world around her and the people in it.

Officer Adrien Spence is told to protect her. He’s the do-good guy who can’t resist the lure of Alexis. He has a dark side to him as well and that always makes a character more interesting. He makes a few mistakes, assumptions actually, that humble this almost perfect guy. He is also in a situation of being used while thinking he’s the clever one. All along the tide is against him, but as with any knowledgeable swimmer he figured out pretty quick how to work with the riptide.

Did you follow that?

What that means is that the author works a spiraling intrigue throughout this story that had me surprised at the end. Oh sure, I figured out a few things, but not everything, and I enjoyed that.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a slight time burp and a few editing issues early on. Also, don’t be surprised if, after awhile, you get irritated by her calling Adrien “Cop” all the time. You will understand why she acts the way she does, and talks the way she does, when the facts of her life get revealed. Put yourself in her shoes. Once you know what she knows, I think you’d be hard pressed to stop yourself at just saying “Cop”. I could think of a lot more words to use than that.

Be assured that this story transcends those little issues. When the action towards the end starts, it was well paced, well written and had me reading with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Time ceased to exist.

For me, plot is key to a story. The author wrote the physical sex as hot and varied, definitely earning the erotica title – satisfying those that look for that element. But for me,who requires more to a story, Jennifer Cole delivered the meat.
She was right on target.

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Reviewed by Xeranth

Review: Santa Knows I’m Naughty

Santa Knows I’m Naughty
by Tessa Rae

Aimee was a very bad girl this year. Girls this naughty don’t get lumps of coal for Christmas. They get large, bruising, wicked toys from their husbands. But why did Aimee’s husband, Nathan, buy her the toy? Is he tired of playing with her? Has he found a new playmate? When Aimee confronts her husband, determined to force the answer from him, he seizes her new toy and changes the rules to the game.

Is Nathan’s gift more than Aimee can handle? Or will they wear the batteries down before New Year’s?

The whole “Santa” aspect of the story seemed limited to the first line and the end thought. I didn’t feel like it was nearly integrated enough to warrant being the title. It seemed tagged on to me. This story is mostly about a woman so hot for her husband that she uses the amazing vibrator he bought for her while he’s away. They are relatively newly married, and, apparently, go at it like bunnies, because she can’t handle it when he hasn’t satisfied her for the few days before he leaves.

I do wish I had known before reading how much of the sex was going to be masturbation. Really all of the encounters, except the last one, were Aimee playing with the toy, or herself, on her own. That’s just not my preference in erotic romance stories. Also, the final sexual experience with Nathan seemed a bit adversarial and out of place. I wanted it to either be about the toy, or be more Dominant/Submissive with the husband’s and wife’s interactions; with both subjects being there in such a short story it weakened both by being less cohesive.

Still, I really liked the heroine. I felt her emotions were right on target. I liked the small side-note her sister made as a secondary character, too. There were some funny moments, too, which were well developed. I liked her reactions, too. Nathan was also well-written in terms of his motivations.

Review by Aster

Review: Sultry Saudi Nights (Destination Pleasure 4)

Sultry Saudi Nights Destination Pleasure 4
by Allie Standifer

The past is supposed to stay in the past, right? Tell that to Sheik Damon E’Darvue. He showed up in Ariel Lake’s life after a one night mistake three years ago. With amazing amounts of bad luck and bad timing, Ariel finds herself married to a man she’s never been able to forget. But this time will she find the courage to stick around and find out what happens once passion is satiated?

This one is a very quick read, and I do mean quick. I wasn’t quite sure how I would feel about a story that jumped right into the physical aspects of the relationship, but before I knew it I was coming to the end of the story and I had a smile on my face.

When first we meet Damon and Ariel they have been thrown back together after having shared one incredible night of passion. They parted ways three years before due to miscommunication and misunderstanding. Damon wants Ariel back and isn’t above using manipulation of circumstances, namely being in the right place at the absolutely right time, to get her back in his arms where he knows she belongs. Ariel has other ideas, but comes to the conclusion that one more night in this man’s arms could be what it takes to get him out of her system–something she hasn’t been able to do for three years.

While short, this tale did touch me, if it didn’t exactly yank at my heartstrings. Of course, we do get our Happily Ever After with a few touches of character quirks and some chuckles along the way. All in all, this was a fun, quick read, even if I did wish it was longer, just so I could get more character and plot development to satisfy my nosy soul.

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Reviewed by: Viscaria

Review: Only Man For the Job

Only Man For the Job
by Liza James

She never should have left, he never should have let her. Too bad it takes two years and many sleepless nights to realize he’s always been the Only Man For the Job.

Laney Peters is back in town, and this time she’s here to stay. When she decides to have the master bath in her new home remodeled, she is unprepared to discover the love of her life standing on her front porch ready to fulfill all her needs.

This short story is quick in the telling but sufficiently long in heat. Right away we meet Laney Peters, a lady in dire need of a bathroom overhaul.

In saunters Keith Jansen, a handy man with the skills to do the job right. The trick is that these two are fated mates who have a past steeped in misperceptions, hurt feelings and pride.

How do you ask for a second chance? How do you get past the past?

These two realize through their verbal thrust and parry that the passion they shared was the only true and uncomplicated thing they agreed upon with enthusiasm. Could it be the basis for reconciliation? Is the passion still as hot as they remembered? Is Keith really qualified to overhaul her bathroom and her heart?

After reading this, I’m still not too sure about the fate of the bathroom, but I think Laney might be in good hands.

Did I say “might”?

If I had my own Keith Jansen, I’d hope I had more than one bathroom in need of remodeling!

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