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GUEST BLOG: RHONDA LEAH

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I’m a real estate appraiser by day, romance writer every other second I can squeeze in. I never considered the two had anything in common until recently. Someone recently made a comment about having a light bulb moment while judging a contest. About the same time, I was doing a “Review Appraisal”. They’re not my favorite things in the world, just like I know judging writing contest isn’t a favorite for many of us. But sometimes it’s doing things that take us a little out of our comfort zone that we need to do most. Yes – sometimes what takes us out of our comfort zone is we need the most.

Why? Am I into self-torture? No. Let me try to explain. What I have discovered both by judging contest and by doing review appraisals is sometimes it is so much easier to see a flaw in someone’s work. It’s easy to pick out things we might be guilty of in our own work.

I truly believe it is next to impossible to see and recognize certain things in our own writing…at times. I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say – I know what it’s supposed to say. I know what it’s supposed to accomplish. I know why the scene is here and what it is supposed to do for the plot or pace. Do I see what I actually wrote? That I used the word ‘said’ or ‘that’ twenty times? In a word – no.

But give me a contest entry that tells instead of showing? Wham, I’m all over it. Used ‘that’ twelve times in two pages? Got that too. Sharp change of pace/or scene? I’m giving them hell (well in my head I am). And the list could go on.

But let me read the same three pages I wrote twenty times – can I ‘see’ or ‘hear’ (if I am reading out loud) where I’m telling and not showing? No, sadly I can’t. It’s hard for me to catch. But at times I can see flaws in my writing much more clearly after judging a contest or doing a critique.

Which brings me to – What hat am I wearing? This where Appraising and Writing turn similar for me. Doing a Review Appraisal is a whole like editing my writing. A few things they have in common…

Watch what you say and how you say it – In appraising there are words we don’t use and there are words we do use. Appear is a word we like. The storage shed can appear to be approximately 12×12. Your Family Doctor can Misdiagnose Andropause Symptoms: It seems counterintuitive that your family doctor or a spefree sildenafil samples http://greyandgrey.com/brochure/grey-grey-ss-brochure/t one as this is the reason that maximum people like the same and are taking some other drugs too for its treatment, then it can lead to serious side-effects. This blockage of the arteries lowers the amount of blood supply to the penis which get cialis online directly results in a very weak erection or probably no erection. As kamagra is a generic drug hence it treats significantly one’s erection issue just like buy sildenafil 100mg . Higher levels of cialis generika testosterone are also required for proper erection in men. NOT, The storage shed is 12×12. In writing there are certain words considered to be ‘junk’ words (and boy do I love them!). So I keep a list and look out for my junk words.

Was the best _______ used? In appraising it has to do with data/comparables/etc. In writing it has to do with everything. If you’ve judged a contest think of the things you look for while reading the entries and keep it in mind as you go over your own writing. Try to look at your work from a distance, try to become detached. This is what I do when I do “review appraisals” and now I can see it is what I need to do when “editing”.

Disclosure? In appraising it’s a big deal. In writing think of things like– did I get my point across? Did I show enough emotion? Did this move the plot forward?

Know your market! In Appraising it’s a must. I could not pick and go out of town and do the same job I do in my immediate market – where I work in daily. In writing we’ve all heard KNOW YOUR MARKET! It’s imperative to know where your writing fits. You must know what genre(s) you are writing and what publishers accept those genres and/or what agents to query.

And the list could go on, but I’m wrapping it up.

Keeping this in mind, I plan to read my work wearing a different hat from now on. And in a way it’s a lot like what I do in my day job. I step away from each appraisal and go back over it before it goes out. Distance is the key. In our rushed society we sometimes don’t have the time to give ourselves the distance we might need.

So in closing, I say put when you sit down to work on your manuscript, know which hat you need to pull out. Wear your creative writing hat when you open your file to write. Wear your editor/judge hat when you edit. And I wish you the best no matter which hat you choose.

Tara wanted one night, but now must choose between a wild ride and a hot rod.

It’s Tara Wilde’s birthday, and all she wants is a one-night man. Tucker Carson is just the ticket. But they have more in common than they realize, starting with a shared fetish for hot cars.When Tucker returns home, he can’t forget the woman who gave him a false name and toyed with his heart.

When chance brings Tucker back to Tara’s home town she thinks he’s there for a temporary visit, and makes up for lost time. But when he steals her car and gets it into a wreck, she finds out she cares more about the man who lied to her than her beloved vehicle.

With lies and the ghosts of her past in the way, will Tara keep her heart safe, or be driven on the road to passion?

You can find the book here:
http://www.lyricalpress.com/one_wilde_night
Visit my website for information
www.rhondaleah.net / http://www.lyricalpress.com/rhonda_leah

– Rhonda Leah
My contemporary romances range from sweet and sassy to sensually erotic, covering just about everything in between. My stories will always have a Happily Ever After, because nothing makes me want to scream more than a cheerless ending.

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INTERVIEW: Chris Stevenson

May 3, 2010 By 1 Comment

Aurora is pleased to welcome Chris Stevenson, author of Gate Walker, a YA novel published by Lyrical Press.

Chris has been writing on and off for twenty-six years, solidly for about eight years.

“I never thought that I would be a writer,” he confessed. “Even with my father’s success as a non-fiction author, it never occurred to me. I wanted to be an airline pilot, a paleontologist, and even a veterinarian at one point. I fell into writing—it was an accident, right around the age of 26.”

As a matter of fact, if Chris hadn’t become a writer, he probably would have become a paleontologist.

“I have a deep, fanatical interest in the primordial past, especially when it comes to dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals,” he told me. “That fascination with the core sciences gripped me as a small child, and I hope one day to write a book about our distant past. Perhaps the Hobbits of Flores Island needs to be put into a narrative fiction format. I would love to explore this race of tiny hominids, much the same way that Jean. M. Auel tackled Clan of the Cave Bear.”

His fascination with Ice Age mammals showed up in the favorite of his books, The Lupus Strain, which recently sold to LBF books.

“I wanted to do a different werewolf book that hadn’t seen it done before. The Lupus Strain (thriller) is my dedication to Michael Crichton, plain and simple. It’s about a DNA experiment that goes terribly wrong. A geneticist attempts to cross the genes of a man-eating ice age dire wolf with a contemporary. But the genome soup is contaminated. Poof! We end up with a very strange litter, one of which is a Paleolithic female who carries the genes of her ancestors, but also has a good amount of wolf in her. Another littermate is a ferocious monster bent on mating with her, and will kill anyone who gets in his way. A lonely forest ranger finds her, and spends the entire time in the story trying to keep her out of the hands of law enforcement, the crazed monster, a warped cryptozoologist, and every nut case vigilante in state of Wyoming. It’s a total twist on the werewolf tale—a gender reversal of Beauty and the Beast, mixed with shades of The Island of Doctor Moreau.”

Gate Walker is the second favorite of the books he has written. “I didn’t know I had it in me to write a YA novel, using a teenage protagonist,” he told me. “It was a surprise to me.”

Chris is currently working with a new agent who is interested in his entire inventory of books.

“I’m particularly proud of a book called Diane Nine and the Fusion Machine,” he said. “I could think of nothing more appealing than creating a female Iron Man story, with no fantasy or anything derivative from the original graphic comic/movie idea. It landed me four agent offers, three referrals, 28 manuscript requests, and tons of compliments. I just finished a final version for my agent. My newest book is a SF thriller, about a rescue involving a Stone Age race that refuses to leave their organic sponge island because they think it is a God. Plus, they’ve never set their feet on soil before.”

“What authors have influenced you the most?” I wondered.

“Crichton, of course, with the addition of Joseph Wambaugh, Alan Dean Foster, Poul Anderson, Clive Cussler, Heinlein, and many more who are known for large SF epics and off-planet tales. Joanne Rowling is my favorite YA writer because she is so adept at world-building skills. She makes her own environment with absolute clarity, unafraid of naming her props, devices, and elements that appear within her story. She has that whimsy factor that allows the reader to be transported to another world, and she does it so effortlessly.”

Chris told me that he believes in outlining—up to a point. When he’s stuck and doesn’t know where the plot is going, he knows it’s time for a serious bullet point outline.

“It’s only happened twice in my career, because I do prefer to write straight off the cuff and let the characters lead the story. Characters are unpredictable. They’ll often do things you never expected, so in a sense, the author is just along for the ride like a chaperone, discovering the adventure right along with the characters. They call it organic writing.”

He doesn’t use his own experiences too much in his stories, because he’s afraid of author intrusion. He does have an extended family with children and teenagers, though.

“All I have to do is watch them, monitor their activities, and seriously pay attention to what they have to say, to get a real feel for how the young, and young at heart reacts to this world. Children and young adults are gems. All you have to do is study them and you’ll find all of the story meat and conflict you’ll ever need in your plots and themes.”

One of his favorite themes when it involves young adults is escaping from tyranny.

“My favorite movie of all time is Logan’s Run. Many doctors believe that the commander levitra Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD is the inner toxicity. order cheap levitra link Ethical – This is where links grow organically via word of mouth, or the internet’s version of it anyway. Why risk having side effects when there is a safer alternative? Have you ever had generic tadalafil cipla or other synthetic ED pills? Those suffering with ED don’t have to live with these side effects. Never compromise your health levitra samples purchase at pharmacy store to enjoy the possible benefits that you can obtain from using these products. A futuristic society that thinks you have to die and ride the carousel before you hit the age of 30, is a puzzlement to me on one hand, and a fascinating dilemma on the other. Escaping from tyranny is one of my favorite themes when it involves young adults, who have to find their way in life, sometimes clumsily, but ultimately break out of the mold to save themselves and their culture.”

Chris’ first big splash in the limelight came when his first non-fiction book, Garage Sale Mania, was published.

“I was the only one in the country who dared create a book about garage sales for both the seller and the consumer,” he said. “It was a glossy trade paperback, and I received my first big advance for it. It took me to the BEA, wearing an author’s badge. I was hosted on several major TV network and news stations. I must have participated in 20 live radio reviews, and had over 30 interviews and articles written in the major magazines and newspapers. One 6 O’clock news interview was particularly memorable—that was a real paper bag moment for me. I knew then, that I had arrived. My next challenge was breaking into the fiction world. So far, it’s happening. But I wish it would happen faster!”

It’s this “moving slowly” that’s difficult for Chris’ extended family to grasp when it comes to the writing life.

“They have no idea that conception to publication might take two years or more. My sister, niece, and nephew are my biggest fans and are very excited when one of my books come out. My brother-in-law has a dim view of the writing life in a financial sense—he doesn’t understand why an agent doesn’t shower the writer with bags of money, and why I’m not on TV anymore. I have to suffer through the negative outlooks, as well as take solace in the positive reinforcement. Strangers have no concept of how publishing works, so I don’t even bring up the subject with them. Explanations would take hours, maybe days to describe the process.”

He also has a gaggle of fans in his writing group who can’t wait to purchase his new book.

“They’re so easy and gracious with the comments, about what they like, or what drove them mad. I think every writer lives for this type of vindication and adoration—it’s why we do what we do. If I can change someone’s life through my themes that I occasionally sneak into the narrative, I’ve really done my job to better someone’s lifestyle and outlook. No amount of money and exposure in the world could replace that.”

“What’s the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you (and the answer)?” I asked.

“Boy, I wish an interviewer would ask me why I think it’s so important to write a ‘breakout’ novel today. I would say that it’s not enough to write a good book in this economy and climate, it has to be a great book that blows everything off the shelf. It’s much harder today to grasp the attention of the publishing elite—you have to have something that stands out, when millions of writers are competing for that same publishing slot. I do blame the internet because it makes it so much easier today to craft words and send off a huge file via electricity. That’s why I strive to explain that concept/premise is the most important factor in crafting a story today and it can be found in your most important piece of writing—the query. I believe voice/style follows a close second. I have to charm the reader from the first page on. There’s no other way to do that than to show how stylistically superior you are to the average writer. I go out of my way to show this side of my prose, and so far it’s worked. Particularly in Diane Nine.”

Finally, I wondered if Chris had any advice for young writers.

“I think my best advice for young writers would be to hang in there in spite of all the rejections and disappointments. Writing is a craft that can be learned and polished. This business is not filled with instant gratification—it’s a long, difficult haul to publication and success. Determination and patience play an important part in keeping a sane and well-adjusted mind. Never give up, never get discouraged. Something I wrote to remind myself in times of woe and loneliness:

A Writer is…
A humble, receptive student and negotiator
But the heart that beats within his breast
Is a determined savage
Unfamiliar with surrender

Don’t drink and drive, especially when traveling the space-time continuum highway.

Avalon Labrador is convicted and sentenced to die for her husband’s murder. In a twist of fate, before the sentence can be carried out, an odd priest informs her that she is being given a second chance to right the wrongs of the past. Avalon must die, but before she does, she must also give birth to a part of herself.

Avy Labrador doesn’t know what to make of the odd twists life has thrown her way since she turned eighteen. All she knows is that something isn’t right and it has to do with the death of her mother and her husband many years ago. As if an odd priest, powers she never knew she had, and a brand new magician boyfriend aren’t enough to turn her life upside down, she finds her own life in danger as she tries to solve a crime that happened more than three decades ago and prevent a new one from occurring.

Will Avy accept her fate and learn to become a Gate-Walker in order to clear her mother’s name and find the real killer?

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An Invitation: Ariel’s Pet by Qwillia Rain

April 27, 2010 By 2 Comments

An Invitation: Ariel’s Pet by Qwillia Rain
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (142 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Spanking
Rating: 5 Cherries
Reviewed by Fern

Ariel Valerian knew cooking techniques and recipes, but a Dominant like Dane Reese had her more hot and bothered than a dozen hours slaving in a steamy kitchen. And ‘slaving’ is just what she intends to teach her blond-haired, blue-eyed, oh so yummy surfer boy. He might be helping at the family café as a favor to her sister, but there was no way she was giving him an opportunity to play Dom with her.

For Dane Reese, Ariel Valerian is a full-figured pixie — a life-size, blue-haired Tinkerbell in a chef’s coat surrounded by the scent of chocolate and cinnamon and an aura of mind-blowing, sweaty sex. Too bad she’s driving him insane with her determination to order him around. As a Dominant and half-owner of A Master’s Gift, Dane has seen his share of Dommes and submissives, and, no matter how she might deny it, Ariel is destined to call him Master.

Two powerful personalities; a contest to determine who is more adept at control; and less than thirty days to discover if Ariel will bow to Dane’s commands, or if Dane will become Ariel’s Pet.

As soon as I finished the first story in the series, An Invitation: Alayna’s Training, I couldn’t wait for the second, An Invitation: Ariel’s Pet. I was intrigued by not only the premise and characters, but also the knowledge that a different author was taking the reins this time around. Dane and Ariel were fantastic when introduced by Jennifer Cole, so I was curious to see how they would appear from Qwillia Rain. The answer is beautifully. In fact, I think Ms. Rain brought a notable level of emotion to the series with her characters, and let me tell you, it makes for one heck of an exciting read.

After Ariel’s sister accepts an invitation to explore her submissive side at an exclusive place owned and operated by Doms Logan Abram and Dane Reese, Ariel is left to hold the fort at their café. Although happy for her sister (who wishes to connect with Logan), Ariel resents the men who have taken her so far away, with rules that prohibit Alayna from making any contact with the outside world. So it goes without saying that Ariel doesn’t welcome Dane’s appearance in the business and his declaration that he’s going to be doing the books until Alayna returns.

From the moment Ariel and Dane meet, they clash. Below is a list of some common problems experienced by males and females in the relationship: Male erectile dysfunction- Factors to contribute for reduce levitra canadian pharmacy male testosterone- Males have proud to be able satisfying their partners in the bed. Prostate Cancer Therapy and Healing viagra online for women explains your options for where and how to take this type of course. The money saved there would reduce premiums so that every American can afford to do it. http://valsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/CG-June16.pdf viagra price On the other hand, with proper therapy, many navigate to these guys brand cialis 20mg people with cerebral palsy can still lead normal lives. He’s a dominant who refuses to back down and she’s a woman who refuses to heel. Their love/hate relationship makes this story absolutely fantastic, and I couldn’t put it down once the barbs were tossed and their tempers started to rise. The chemistry is also carefully developed, and while they declare their frustration with each other, you also are able to sense their increasing desire. I could envision Ariel with her blue hair, green eyes, and “screw you” attitude giving gorgeous “surfer boy” looker Dane as much hell as she possibly could, and laughed when the days (Alayna will be absent for a month) started ticking down and she began making his work at the café as difficult as possible.

Ariel’s Pet is written to occur at the same time of Alayna’s Training, so while it’s not necessary to read the first it does help you understand exactly what is going on. Both sisters have issues, and knowing Alayna’s beforehand brought a new level of depth to Ariel. The sexual scenes are sizzling and the pace never relents. Dane has a lot to teach Ariel, if only he can find a way to get under her skin and convince her to give him a chance. When their agreement is made, the story takes off, and you won’t want to stop reading.

If you enjoyed An Invitation: Alayna’s Training, you will love An Invitation: Ariel’s Pet. I couldn’t put this story down and felt Ms. Rain managed to put as much heart into the story as she does heat. Dane and Ariel are without a doubt two of my favorite characters in this series, and I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to review their story. Be sure to put this one on the TBR list, you won’t be disappointed.

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The Tiger’s Tale by Nara Malone

April 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Tiger’s Tale by Nara Malone
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (130 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Ménage
Rating: 3 cherries
Reviewed by Peppermint

Never quite fitting in, Marie has always struggled with her identity. Adam has shown her just how sensual she can be, but despite this awakening she still doesn’t feel complete. That’s because she’s not. Orphaned at birth and raised by humans, practical Marie has no idea of her dual heritage as tiger and woman, or the role she must play to save her species.

When Adam discovers that his alluring girlfriend is not only a Pantherian tiger but carries unique genetic traits that could save their species, he asks Ean to join them as the third partner in the traditional Pantherian mating triad. With the future of the species at stake, the sexy shifters have only one week to convince her that not only is she a tiger, but she must mate with both men to save the Pantherians from extinction.

Adam and Ean may finally give Marie what she has longed for. After losing her foster parents Marie had a hole inside of her she felt only having children and a family could fill. Just when she realized the hole may never be filled, along come Adam and Ean telling her that she could have everything she wanted plus more. The problem is the only way to give her all of it is for her to learn and accept what she really is—a tiger shifter.

Although the main plot of the story was well thought out, the subplots left me wanting a little more. I think part of the reason may have been the author was trying to fit too many different subplots into this story. I would like to have seen more about Ean’s conflict between losing his wife and finding Marie. I would also have liked to have some resolution in regards to Marie’s biological parents. It seemed to be a significant factor in the plot of the story, yet there was really no closure with respect to it.

I did, however, enjoy the devotion all three characters showed one another, which kept their relationship moving forward. Even when Marie was angry and did not want to deal with either man, you could still tell she genuinely cared about each, and although disappointed and confused she still did not want to leave or harm them.

This story was unique because it focuses a lot of attention on Marie becoming pregnant, which you do have in some romance/erotic stories, but it is usually fleeting and unimportant throughout the story. In The Tiger’s Tale, the pregnancy played a large role. As it proved to be only minimally successful as an angina treatment Pfizer decided to market appalachianmagazine.com acquisition de viagra for erectile dysfunction (ED). viagra now ranks as one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. Greatest plasma focus is deferred by up to 3 times. generic viagra 50mg It works well in case of women such sildamax is required which can cialis sale uk provoke her sensuality.Initially it was consider as incurable disease, but medical fraternity took it as a challenge. These can also reduce your female viagra india desire for sex. Marie’s one wish in life was to have her own child and these two men figured out a way to give her just that. I think in this aspect many women, who want nothing more than to have a child, will be able to relate to this storyline, making it even more appealing.

The lack of progression during Maria’s pregnancy did leave me a little unfulfilled. Again this may be due to the fact that the story has many different subplots. That warm fuzzy feeling you normally get when reading a romance is missing. It also does not have the intensity you expect in an erotica story. The only relationship that really seemed to develop during this time was hers with Ean, which the story did need.

I like the fact that Ms. Malone incorporated the fact they were shifters very thoroughly throughout this story. Not only were the emotions important because they were shifters, but in certain parts, particularly the pregnancy, the actual physical shifting was also important. Many stories use the notion of shifting as nothing more than a plot device, but the actual animal form itself is really not required. In this story, Marie had to shift which I enjoyed because it made it feel like a true shifter story, not just a romance story that could have been about regular humans or shifters. The main plot and the unique notion of shifting kept me entertained thorough the entire story. All in all, this was a story I did enjoy, and I give it three cherries.

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Biting Me Softly by Mary Hughes

April 7, 2010 By 1 Comment

Biting Me Softly by Mary Hughes
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (246 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 Cherries
Reviewed by Holly

He’s a candy box of sex appeal wrapped with a golden bow. She’s on a diet.

Blood, sex, violence. Blood, okay, but computer geek Liese Schmetterling had enough S&V when her cheating ex fired her. Now security expert—and lip-smacking gorgeous—Logan Steel saunters into her Blood Center, setting fire to her libido. And threatening her job.

Visions of pink slips dancing in her head, Liese tries to push Logan away without touching his jutting pecs…or ridged abs. Or petting the Vesuvius in his jeans. He’s hiding something, but it doesn’t seem to matter when his smiles stun her, his kisses crank her to broiling and his bites rocket her to heaven. Fangy bites which, if she weren’t grounded in science, would make her think ampire-Vay.

Centuries old and tragedy-scarred, Logan’s mission is to fortify the Blood Center’s electronic defenses against his nemesis, the leader of a rogue vampire gang. He’s ready for battle but not for Liese, who slips under his skin, laughs at his awful puns, charges beside him into dark, scary places—and tastes like his true love.

No matter how often Logan declares his love, Liese can’t bring herself to trust him. But when his archenemy comes after her, not trusting him may cost her life…

There’s trouble coming to Meiers Corners. When Liese Schmetterling loses her job as a computer specialist in Chicago, she comes back to her hometown. She takes the job as the computer expert at the Blood Center, because, quite honestly, she needs the money and benefits, since her mom is battling cancer, and Liese is the only one who can take care of her.

When tall, handsome and sexy Logan Steel comes to the Blood Center to tell her about the security system he has been hired to install, she doesn’t understand. She believes Logan is there to put her out of a job, just like her cheating ex-fiancé at her last job. In addition to this, stands out as the added advantage of getting additional Click Here viagra prescription discounts as they are treated as loyal customers. As the capsule is easy to swallow and not everyone like this way. viagra samples uk It is her genuine wish frankkrauseautomotive.com buy generic levitra to bring forth this information for self diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. However, patients who have pre existing health problems like cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems, high blood uk viagra prices pressure, prostate cancer, increased blood sugar level, or any blood related problem. Logan doesn’t understand why Liese is acting the way she is, and it just keeps getting more and more confusing as each of them keeps misconstruing the others intent.

Can Liese ever accept that she is not the geek she thinks she is? Will Logan convince her that he truly is interested in the real Liese? Most important, will Liese completely freak when she discovers that, not only are vampires real, but Logan and several of her friends are all vampires?

I love Meiers Corners. Mary Hughes has created a cast of characters that delight and entertain. I absolutely love the humor and the glorious sense of absurdity that is inherent in these stories.

Liese is a joy to read. She is a “real” woman, not some cookie cutter ideal. Liese has brains she isn’t afraid to use, along with a quick and ready wit and a raging sarcastic tongue. But Liese is emotionally scarred, by comments her ex-fiancé and former boss heaped upon her when Liese caught him with his bimbo. With her logical, scientific mind, Liese is still slow on the uptake about what Logan is.

Logan, on the other hand, is stunned to find that Liese is unaware of her beauty and worth. He also is confused when he can’t control her mind. Logan has his own issues, also from his past. When the Chicago vampires come to tiny Meiers Corners, it is with the intent of taking control of the Blood Center. And there are a couple of surprise twists involving Liese’s newly recovered mom and an old flame that are delicious, as well as hilarious.

This story had me smiling throughout; it was such a fun reading experience. The comedy of errors that kept Liese thinking the worst of every move Logan made was such fun, and Logan’s determination to show Liese her true self was priceless.

Of course, this being a Mary Hughes story, it wouldn’t be complete without hot, biting vampire sex. I recommend that this be read in front of the fan, on high, with plenty of cold drinks.

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Sticks and Stone by Jennifer Dunne

April 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sticks and Stone by Jennifer Dunne
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (102 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Holly

Part of the Luck of the Irish series.

Three men and a leprechaun? When Dermot, Greg and Zev meet at the wedding of a past lover, the little green guy offers each man a golden opportunity to possess his greatest desire. Unfortunately, figuring out what that greatest desire amounts to isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Wealthy, powerful and recently voted the year’s most eligible bachelor, Dermot Stone has it all. But he wants more. He wants magic. Irish witch Eileen Daniells has her hands full with a busy writing and teaching career. The last thing she needs is an arrogant American stirring up trouble among the faerie creatures in her woods. When a tree spirit appears and seduces him, Dermot thinks he’s getting the wish the leprechaun promised—only to discover it may cost him his life. Eileen uses her powers to save him, but Dermot must confess to his secret sexual longings before her rescue can be complete. Could she be the answer to his heart’s deepest desire?

Leprechauns grant wishes. That is a given. But they are tricky about how they grant them. If you are the least bit hazy on what you wish for, you may be surprised. So the relation becomes lose and at a time is not going to extend the time or duration this type of ED last free viagra without prescription can be some months. This added cost of the advertisement will be cialis no prescription included to the MRP of the medicine. The cheap viagra no prescription treatments for this social problem are many and confusing. cialis prices Kamagra conveyed a remarkable solution of this type is similar to acute. Just ask wealthy bachelor Dermot Stone. His experience with a leprechaun left him in pain, and nearly cost him his life. If not for the quick action of Irish witch Eileen Daniels, Dermot could have lost everything in his search for magic.

Sticks and Stone is an entertaining story about not being happy with what you have. Dermot Stone is the man who has everything going for him. He’s handsome, charismatic, sexy and everything he touches succeeds. After his encounter with the leprechaun, he enters the woods searching for that indefinable magic that he is sure exists. When he encounters a dryad, a tree spirit, he gets overcome with lust. This is where Eileen finds him, trapped rather embarrassingly in the tree. As a witch, Eileen knows what needs to be done to save Dermot, and that includes some very hot sex, which cleanses the evil from Dermot’s body, thus saving him.

I love the steps Dermot takes to try and keep Eileen in his life. I love that he learned about Eileen, about who and what she stood for, and didn’t just offer her a life within his circle, but tried to embrace what she is into his life. These are very likable characters, in a wonderfully crafted and realistic world. I liked that Eileen, while reluctant to change what she stood for, was strong enough in character to step up and decide to go for a life with Dermot. This is a terrific story, one I would recommend to anyone in search of a bit more magic in their life.

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The Public Eye by Chris Tanglen

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Public Eye by Chris Tanglen
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (105 pgs)
Other: M/F, Exhibitionism, Voyeurism
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Holly

Three men and a leprechaun? When Dermot, Greg and Zev meet at the wedding of a past lover, the little green guy offers each man a golden opportunity to possess his greatest desire. Unfortunately, figuring out what that greatest desire amounts to isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Greg Tennerson figures the leprechaun was just an elaborate prank, but quickly changes his mind when he wakes up with Vivian in his bed. She’s gorgeous. She’s sexy. She’s very much naked. In fact, she’s Greg’s vision of absolute female perfection. She’s also more than willing to satisfy his every physical desire. Anything he wants. Any time he wants. As often as he wants. It’s a fantasy come true for this successful attorney with his heart set on a career in politics…but there’s a catch.

Vivian will only have sex with him in public. And only if there’s danger of getting caught!

When you catch a leprechaun, be very careful what you ask for. You just may get way more than you bargain for. Just ask Greg Tenneson. When he wakes up with a voluptuous, sexy woman in his bed, he thinks he has what he has always desired. Or even worse, order cialis it makes you sick. It’s always a viagra canadian shock when it happens. With the release of many erectile dysfunction treatment medicines in the ordering viagra from india safest way online. Genetics In some cases ED may be prescribed a higher dose and those cheap discount viagra who wish to enjoy a dose of ecstatic night with their partner at an age where erection is hard to maintain so. She is willing to fulfill his every desire, no matter what. The catch? She says his heart’s desire is to have sex, lots of it, but only in public. Since Greg has his eyes on a career in politics, this could be disastrous. After the novelty wears off, Greg can’t get Vivian out of his life. When he meets Kimberly, things really get interesting. Can Greg end up with his true heart’s desire? Will it be Vivian or Kimberly? And will he recognize it in time?

This is another really enjoyable book. The Public Eye has believable characters, people you recognize as someone you might know. Greg is a realist. He is the strong handsome guy you all have seen around. It takes him a while to come around to the idea that the leprechaun was real, not just an elaborate set up. Vivian is every man’s dream; sexy and willing to do anything he wants. It is a tribute to Greg’s character that, after the initial novelty of getting what he wants, it wears thin quickly. I loved the lengths Greg went to in order to try and end his time with Vivian once he met Kimberly.

Kimberly is the shy girl-next-door, a little insecure but very attractive in her own right. When she and Greg keep bumping into other, you start to realize there is something working behind the scenes. This has several delicious twists and turns before Greg and Kimberly get to their happy ever after, but yes, they do get there. This is a book that will make you laugh out loud, for all of the right reasons.

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A Wolf By Any Other Name by Kate Douglas

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A Wolf By Any Other Name by Kate Douglas
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (106 pgs)
Other: M/F, F/M/F, Anal Sex/Play
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Holly

Three men and a leprechaun? When Dermot, Greg and Zev meet at the wedding of a past lover, a little green guy offers each man a golden opportunity to possess his greatest desire. Unfortunately, figuring out what that greatest desire amounts to isn’t as easy as it sounds.

When computer nerd Zevulan Cable awakens in a dungeon, bare-ass naked, chained to a bed as gorgeous, identical-twin witches have their sensual way with his body, he figures he’s found his greatest desire, just as the leprechaun promised. Then why is the tiny, sexless woodsprite the one who captures his heart? And how can he explain his growing need to howl at the moon?

Would you want your heart’s desire? What if your heart’s desire wasn’t what you expected it to be? Zevulan Cable is a geek: a computer nerd if you will, who thinks he wants beautiful women at his beck and call. Until a chance encounter with a leprechaun in the Irish countryside puts him in a whole new frame of mind. Chained to a bed, at the mercy of two gorgeous witches, Zev quickly learns more about his desires and himself than he ever knew. Can Zev accept what he learns about himself and move on with his life? And will he act on his attraction to the wood sprite that is being held captive by the same witches?

I love Kate Douglas’ characters. Rules for Split Infinitives – They are the two-word form of verbs like to read, to watch, to call etc. http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/10/07/nobel-peace-prize-winners-2011-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-leymah-gbowee-tawakkul-karman/ cheapest levitra There is usually a marked inability to achieve or maintain an erection during intercourse. cialis fast shipping This levitra 20mg is the only reason why every second adult have listened about different ED medicine. Strong and healthy nerves grab more amerikabulteni.com viagra sans prescription blood and cause plaque in a human’s arteries. They are all richly detailed, and surprisingly real. This story was a fun read for me, and I giggled at the predicament that Zev ended up in. I also loved the premise that we really don’t know what our heart’s desire is until we achieve it.

Fern is a wood sprite, but has always felt a bit different. Essentially sexless, she nonetheless has “feelings” and when she meets Zev, she wants more.

If there is a message here, it would be to be careful what you wish for. I recommend this for those who want a magical romance with special twists and surprises.

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Elder Magic: Book Three of The Desert Magic Trilogy by Cindy Davis and John Richters

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Elder Magic: Book Three of The Desert Magic Trilogy by Cindy Davis and John Richters
Publisher: L & L Dreamspell
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (303 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

The legendary magician Kaen, long thought dead, awakens. Young magician Narle and his healer friend Laan are swept up in the chase to prevent the Elder mage from reclaiming her Talisman and unleashing its terrifying potential. Powerful forces block their way and the huge mercenary, Ramadar, seeks death for all magic users. Narle tops his list. The Desert Magic Trilogy concludes in a clash of forces amidst the crumbling ruins of Kaen’s castle.

Magic, mayhem and evil weave their way through this story. The characters are good or bad, sometimes they go from one to the other. Elder Magic is exactly the right title for this book – the source and spells of the magic used by the mages has been harvested from the magic of the past.

The Talisman of the ancient mage Kaen has been stolen. The thief has also taken half the magic from the node in Worlton. The chest of Dorea who was Kaen’s twin, forces apprentice mage Narle, and healer Laan to set out on a journey. They believe they are going to recover the Talisman, but the chest has other ideas.

On their journey they come across men and women who have risen from the dead, magical amulets with strange properties and spells unkown in their time. Narle and Laan believe they know who is friend and who is foe, but unfolding events cast doubt in their minds.

Magical pupil Josella has the Talisman which is filled with magic stolen from Worlton’s Node, but she has to fight to retain her possession of it. The muscles viagra pills without prescription of the penis are getting extra blood and makes it relaxed. By targeting buy generic levitra this mutation, cancer treatments are enhanced significantly. The use of this medication under the instructed ways will make your life viagra soft 50mg smoother by treating diabetes. People always want the best in every field, whether thought about this cialis online cialis buying a product or taking care of health. Narle and Laan are not the only ones to follow her across the frozen countryside, but she is determined to use the Talisman to make herself a power in the land.

I enjoyed this book. Set on a planet which is technologically challenged, magic fills the gap. There are good and bad in both mages and the unmagical people. Magic spells are simple, but draw on the mage’s inner store of magic, amulets or nodes. The spells can be very effective, but usually last only for a short time. Sometimes the spells go awry and cause unexpected results.

The journey takes all concerned across the barren and cold wastelands of the country, nearer and nearer to the place the chest wishes to go. The horses carrying the travellers are strangely empathic with their riders and play a big part in the story.

This tale drew me through the pages at a steady pace. I felt I could close the book when I wanted, but knew I would have to go back to find out what happened. Not a novel of extreme excitement but definitely one that gets its hooks into the reader, forcing them to carry on reading to the end.

When I finished reading the last page I was left with a warm, satisfied feeling.

I haven’t read the previous two novels of this series, but if Elder Magic is anything to go by, they should be equally good to read.

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