Dirty Little Secret by Ella Sheridan

October 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SECRET
Dirty Little Secret by Ella Sheridan
Publisher: Loose ID
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (164 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

Cailin Gray transfers to the new Atlanta branch of her company to work for the senior vice president, Alex Brannigan. But before her job begins, she allows the anonymity of the big city to lure her into a night of dancing–and the arms of a mystery lover hotter than anything this country girl could imagine. When she wakes alone, his absence hurts more than she thought it would, but not nearly as much as walking into the office Monday morning and discovering her lover is her new, married boss.
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Alex has one goal: help his best friend, Sara Beth, keep her inheritance. Their plan included a marriage of convenience–check–taking over the vice president’s position–check–and keeping the platonic state of their relationship secret until their position of power is solidified. That last takes time, but the resulting solitude weighs heavily. Until Cailin. He told himself a single night would have to be enough, but fate had other plans. Now he must choose between keeping his dirty little secret and fulfilling his promise to Sara Beth, or finding the strength to free them all from the secrets that bind them.

This story completely captured me from the very beginning and kept my attention until the very end. Cailin has a naughty side that no one but Alex ever got to experience, and once he got a taste, he did not want to give her up. I can honestly say that the relationship between those two was something out of my fantasies.

Alex is everything I want in man: sexy, strong, reliable and knows what he wants in life. Both his strength and reliability makes him endearing but they can also lead to his downfall especially as he puts others ahead of his own happiness. This is evident throughout the story as he continues to keep secrets. The secrets he keeps will not only effect his life, but can destroy others, so he must sacrifice his happiness and possibly Cailin’s to protect those he loves.

Cailin is a sweetheart who deserves the world. I cannot help but feel for her position. She finally left her husband and was looking for a fresh start to only get thrown into more drama. She clearly wants Alex for more than just a quick one night fling but she knows that her lust is misplaced. She may have been a bad girl that one night, but she refuses to be a person who destroys other’s lives for her own personal needs.

This story plot line is intriguing to say the least. Both Alex and Cailin as well as the supporting characters really do have a unique situation on their hands that requires them to be delicate and try to do what is best for everyone. The secrets in this story are so deep and juicy it is a bit difficult to review as I do not want to spoil it for the readers. This story is one I will hold near and dear to my heart and is well worth reading. I fully intend to read it again.

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

Toh’s Saga by Edward Eaton

September 30, 2014 By 3 Comments

TOH
Toh’s Saga by Edward Eaton
Publisher: Dragonfly
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (80 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Inspired by the writings of famed astronomer Carl Sagan, TOH’S SAGA is the tale in verse of the life and times of a sentient bubble. Toh is magnificent. Toh is powerful. Toh is feared, respected. But when its ambition gets out of control, Toh’s group casts it out to face the ravages of a desolate and hostile world with out friends, without family — alone.

Toh lives in a violently unpredictable world, but by far the biggest danger in it is developing a big ego.
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As soon as I read the blurb, I couldn’t wait to dive into this incredibly unique book. I was particularly interested in learning what kind of creature Toh was and where this was all taking place. There were a few hints in the blurb that I found irresistible because I’m such a big fan of Carl Sagan.

The page number count is a little misleading because this story is written in the form of a poem. There were also some pages that only contained the last stanza or two of a particular verse. I was easily able to read it in one sitting.

I was blown away by amount of detail that Mr. Eaton included in his storytelling. Most of the stanzas are pretty short even for the poetry genre. Many lines only include a single word in them, so it was incredible to see Toh’s world reveal itself so vividly in my imagination. At times it felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading words on a page.

The character development was equally surprising. Without giving away spoilers, Toh’s species is nothing at all like ours. Many of the things we take for granted are unthinkable in that world, just as their rules would make no sense to humans. I was caught off guard, then, by just how much Toh changes as a result of certain plot twists early on. This tale was my first introduction to Mr. Eaton’s work. Based on how much I loved it, I will be eagerly combing through his backlist as well as keeping a keen eye out for what he comes up with next.

Toh’s Saga is a must-read. I devoured it and immediately went back to the beginning to start again. It was just as thrilling the second time around!

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

Crave by Sierra Cartwright

September 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CRAVE
Crave by Sierra Cartwright
Book one in the Bonds series
Publisher: Totally Bound
Length: Full Length (173 pages)
Genre: Contemporary
Other: M/F, BDSM, Spanking, Anal sex, toys, flogging, fetish
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Bittersweet

She still craved him… The sight of a collar in her boyfriend’s drawer had stunned Sarah. Panicking, she had fled. But no other man has ever been his equal.

Two years ago, the woman he’d hoped to collar and marry disappeared. So Reece McRae is stunned to find his former girlfriend on her knees, behaving as the submissive he’d always wanted.

Is it too late? He should refuse her, but an undeniable sexual attraction consumes him.

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In the years they’ve been apart, she hasn’t met his equal. Now, convinced one last night will vanquish his memory, she sets out to seduce him.

The Reece she returns to is even more determined to have his way. Is she now strong enough, brave enough, to surrender to his love?

Once again, Ms. Sierra Cartwright builds a story that makes me want to dig deeper.

Crave is a sizzling read. As in all of Ms. Cartwright’s novels, the BDSM scenes and sex are extraordinary, but there is more. The author not only sucked me into the BDSM lifestyle once more, she sucked me into a new world: the world of Sarah and Reece, of luxury and decadence, of heartbreak and love.

The pace of the story is quick (I read it in one sitting) and Cartwright’s style is not complicated but the depth that she gives her characters in Crave goes beyond the pages. Reece and Sarah are far from perfect. As I read the novel, I had mixed feelings toward both of them. On the one hand, I understood Sarah’s fear, but on the other hand, I also had the impression that a lot of the time she was selfish. After all, she ran. She ran without saying goodbye or without giving an explanation and she returned two years later. I repeat, two years later. I seriously thought that was a ridiculously long amount of time for her to realize that she still loved Reece and wanted to try to win him back.

However, I looked past it as did Reece. He was also a complicated character. I have to say, that at first when she came back I had the annoying impression that he only reunited with her because she was now a “perfect” sub. As I read about him and what he demanded (even if unconsciously) I understood why Sarah would run and also why she would come back, for even though I had my doubts about them, their love story still prevailed. Every action, every word, every little thing had an inkling of love that wasn’t overt but was present. There was an undercurrent of emotion between them that denoted not two persons that had just met but two persons that knew each other well from before.

With intriguing secondary characters, Ms. Cartwright has also set the stage for forthcoming novels, which I will certainly read.

All in all, Crave was a wonderful read that will get romantics swooning and BDSM readers hot.

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

Branded by Étain by Jianne Carlo

September 15, 2014 By 1 Comment

BEASTS
Branded by Étain by Jianne Carlo
The Beasts of Bärvik Book One
Publisher: Taliesin Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (68 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Bittersweet

Can a princess tame a beast?

Princess Étaín of Caul Carlinne remains unsullied by her violent past. When she chooses Brand of Bärvik as her mate, has she brought havoc and destruction to her people?

Though prostatitis is a rare cause shop viagra of infertility, it may be reversible. It increases the correct secretion of pancreatic enzymes, such as insulin, thyroid or adrenal hormone, and sex hormones are not available at local viagra prescription canada driver’s education courses. But, commander levitra the role of mind behind sexual activity can’t be denied. Hopefully, like college, you have pill sildenafil networked, maybe been to a chiropractor or haven’t in a while, Go Get Checked! A point I want to make is that chiropractic is very safe. I had heard good things about Jianne Carlo and had been meaning to read something by her for quite some time now, so I could not resist when I saw this was up for grabs. I’m glad I did.

In very few pages, Jianne Carlo spins a delightful tale of love and adventure that transported me back in time. The author’s way of writing is wonderful as it easily and without unnecessary embellishments set up the time period and drew me into Étain and Brand’s world. It is a world of dreams, magic, dangerous heroes and treacherous enemies.

Étain and Brand are delightful. Especially, Brand. He’s intelligent, courageous, handsome, romantic, a warrior, alpha… He is dreamy and I fell in love with him from the moment he appeared on the page (I can still picture those blue eyes concealed behind a hood…). His character doesn’t fall flat, but grows with each turn of the page just like Étain’s.

When I first met Étain I discovered a woman who was highly intelligent but also ridiculously chipper. I wasn’t sure if I really liked her, but the author did a wonderful job of developing her character and I quickly warmed up to her. Even more so, when her magical gift was explained and the reason for her unnatural constant happiness came to life. By the end of the story, I loved her.

With such characters, it is not surprising that the love story is marvellous. Out of bed, they have a very natural and sweet rapport. Whilst, sexually, Ms. Jianne Carlo mixes up the alpha possessiveness with a young girl’s naivety and curiosity and creates sizzling scenes that had me aching for more.

Branded by Étain can be read as a standalone, for I didn’t discover it was the beginning of a series until I finished it. I’m happy there will be more to come, for I was indeed curious about some of the secondary characters.

Branded by Étain is a quick erotic fantasy read that left a good taste in my mouth for many days.

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

Weirdo by Cathi Unsworth

September 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WERIDO
Weirdo by Cathi Unsworth
Publisher: Spiderline
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (407 pgs)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Corinne Woodrow was fifteen when she was convicted of the ritualistic murder of her classmate in a quaint seaside town. It was 1984, a year when teenagers ran wild, dressed in black, stayed out all night, and listened to music that terrified their parents. Rumours of Satanism surrounded Corinne and she was locked up indefinitely, a chilling reminder to the parents of Ernemouth to keep a watchful eye on their children.

Twenty years later, private investigator Sean Ward — whose promising career as a detective with the Metropolitan Police was cut short by a teenager with a gun — reopens the case after new forensic evidence suggests that Corinne didn’t act alone. His investigation uncovers a town full of secrets, and a community that has always looked after its own.

Weirdo’s premise has all the makings of a top-notch suspense novel, cold case, ritualistic murder, young girl now locked up in a mental hospital, and new DNA evidence. I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint me in any way.
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It’s told in two time periods, that of present day and also the time leading up to the murder. It’s skillfully handled and reads smoothly as it goes from one era to another.

The cast of characters was great. You might not like all of them, but you can’t help getting pulled into their story and lives. They’re an odd bunch but that’s what makes it such a compelling read. The setting of a small coastal town in Norfolk, England was the icing on the cake, and I think it really added another entertain layer to this dark mystery.

The one thing I loved best about this book was it kept me guessing. Ms. Unsworth didn’t cheat the reader on any details as it what happened and who was involved. Like good writing should be, each chapter you read was like peeling an orange and pulling apart its sections. It had me thinking one way but in the next chapter I discovered I was wrong which for someone who reads lots of mysteries was very refreshing.

Despite its length this book is fast paced. I found myself reading on just a few more chapters each time I sat down. The last third really kicks into high gear and you find yourself not wanting to stop until you’ve read the end. I won’t give it away but the author doesn’t disappoint and the payoff is well worth your extra time reading non-stop.

I haven’t read any of Ms. Unsworth’s other books but now I think I’m hooked and will be looking for other titles.

If you’re a fan of dark mysteries I highly recommend Weirdo for your upcoming fall reading list.

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

Fueled by Lust: Lucien by Celeste Prater

September 3, 2014 By 2 Comments

LUCIEN
Fueled by Lust: Lucien by Celeste Prater
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (312 pgs)
Other: M/F, Anal Play, Spanking
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Verbena

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Emperor Lucien Tarquinius agrees to retrieve the future king of a race that annihilated every Insedi female and doomed his planet’s future. Why would he do such a thing? Simple. He cannot have his enemy retake the throne and continue the war against Insedivertus. Yet an unexpected encounter changes everything.

One reviewer could not imagine how anyone could have canada super viagra contemplated such a take without eventually committing suicide. That’s the reason why it’s important for a man to have information about this problem, its occurrence and soft tabs cialis solutions. Mertz is a member of the Fine valsonindia.com free generic viagra Arts League of Cary, the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, and the Durham Herald-Sun. Men who are suffering from penile problems and didn’t receive any effective result from the valsonindia.com cialis prescription cost various treatments, should use Kamagra tablets. Just one day away from collecting the reluctant ruler, the royal transport inexplicably disappears from its flight path. As the empire scrambles to find their missing emperor, Lucien embarks on a journey that challenges his intellect, tests his endurance, and pushes his emotions to the breaking point.

Tana Jameson wonders who she pissed off to warrant an investigative assignment aboard a cargo ship in the middle of the Atlantic. A moment of curiosity jettisons her into an alien world beyond her imagination and directly into the arms of a man stepping right out of her wildest fantasy.

Imagine going from not believing in space aliens, to being captured and forced into slavery by a brutal race of barbarians with blue skin and yellow eyes. Tana knew she’d pissed someone off royally when she got the crap job out on the Atlantic, but she never envisioned washing clothes and peeling potatoes in her job duties. For over a month, Tana is ordered to complete various maid-like duties and is provided with the basic necessities needed to survive, but she certainly doesn’t plan on being a slave any longer than she has to. Making use of her various skills in combat and survival, she attempts to escape. Unfortunately, her captors have some very unique weaponry and manage to maintain the upper hand. Her latest foiled attempt strips her of what few privileges she did have, and lands her in her captors’ dungeon. While she’s at least given her own cell, she has no privacy and no freedom. But it’s not all bad. She does happen to meet the most gorgeous group of men she’s ever laid eyes on, one of whom happens to be situated in the cell directly across from hers. Everything about him screams virility and strength. Suddenly, despite her bizarre predicament, she sees a light at the end of her dark tunnel. There may be a way out of this crazy situation, and if she’s lucky, she’ll have the help and protection of her own group of warriors.

Lucien is the type of man who can maintain his composure even in the face of adversity. He knows he and his men are in a bad situation, but there’s a confidence in him that belies the odds stacked against them. He bides his time and analyzes everything, waiting for the opportunity for he and his men to escape. The only thing that throws a monkey wrench in his plans is Tana. Of all the places to find a female that might just be a perfect match for him… Lucian’s attraction and affection for Tana grows each day, as does his desire to protect and rescue her. If they can finagle the odds in their favor, he has no doubt his warriors will prove superior to their captors’ combat skills, but it’s no longer just about them. He won’t deny Tana has some unique talents, especially for a woman, but she is simply no match for one of them. Against his better judgment and before he can stop himself from making a monumental mistake, Lucien gives in to his body’s demand to touch her. As soon as the electrifying bolt shoots through his core, signifying their compatibility, he’s lost. Escaping their prison camp has suddenly become only one of his impending hardships. He’ll soon have to decide between selfishness and selflessness. If he claims Tana for his mate, he could possibly destroy the head-strong, nature-loving woman he fell in love with by forcing her into a confined life of politics and lies. If he sets her free, he’ll have to learn to live with a broken heart. Either way, he seems destined for misery.

At this point, I’ve just given up deciding on which book in this series is my favorite. Ms. Prater has once again surpassed my expectations. I immediately fell in love with both Tana and Lucien. In previous stories, Lucien made limited appearances and always seemed to loom in the background as this strong, untouchable figure that had a name, but not an overabundance of character, which made sense as it wasn’t quite his time. Here, he’s the star and boy, what a powerful one he is. While he’s certainly older than the main characters of previous installments—he’s the father of one, in fact—I finally got to see the youth in him. Suddenly, I removed him from the category of being “older” and placed him in the arena of the other Insedi males whose very presence commanded my attention because on their physiques, their emotions, and their alpha temperaments, and not simply because of their political status. Quite simply put, I fell in love. Again. I believe that if Ms. Prater were to come to me and offer me any one of her Insedi men, I’d have a near impossible time choosing. But it’s not just their gorgeous bodies that have me swooning, I think it’s the deep-rooted need and determination to protect their women. Call me a bit old-fashioned, but I yearn for a guy to make me feel like the most precious gem on the planet. Having him crave my body with insatiable desire doesn’t sound too bad either. Put them together and you just don’t get any more perfect than that. I’m afraid Ms. Prater has ruined me for the common man. While I don’t expect I’d find someone who can mist or live for hundreds of years—never say never—surely there’s a few guys out there who might come close to the perfectness of the Insedi male.

Book one caught my attention, book two had me hooked and asking for more, book three caused my addiction, and book four fed my habit. Now I’m left sitting here hoping for more, like a junkie strung out on alien men. Once again, Ms. Prater, I believe you have a few stories left to write. Leaving any of these mouth-drooling guys without a mate just seems downright wrong. And if you’re in need of a willing female, I’m your gal.

Sadly, I’ve reached the end of a story about one of Ms. Celeste Prater’s wonderful Insedi men. I could probably come up with a fancy way to say how great it is and why everyone who loves a little science fiction with their warrior should read it, but when it comes down to it, quite simply put, I loved it. No ifs, ands, or buts. Ms. Prater has weaved a magical world with memorable characters and meaningful dilemmas and I’d like to thank her for being so spectacularly creative. Her stories have touched my heart from many different angles and I’m so grateful I’ve gotten to read them.

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

Losing Patients by Virginia Taylor

September 2, 2014 By 2 Comments

LOSING
Losing Patients by Virginia Taylor
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (199 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

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It was amazing to watch how the relationship between Bree and Sam developed. From jilted lovers to friends with a lot of unresolved sexual tension between them, to utterly in love with each other – all written in a way that made it natural, believable and a delight to follow. Their relationship progressed smoothly and at a pace that made it possible to watch them develop deep feelings for each other, without it being too drawn-out.

The same goes for the suspenseful subplot that was intense enough to keep the reader guessing and reading for more clues, but not too exaggerated to drown out the romance aspects of the novel. The two were very nicely connected and worked together perfectly. Even though my knowledge of drugs and medical procedures is very limited, the mystery plot wasn’t hard to follow. It was simple enough to understand without any medical knowledge, but intricate enough to make it spine-tingling suspenseful.

Obviously, Bree and Sam were wonderful characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with, but the rest of the hospital staff was very well-written, too. The nurses, some of which were at first glance shown as ignorant, lazy or standoffish, were then introduced in such detail that they appeared like real people with real problems and hopes and histories. Sam’s and Bree’s families, too, were an integral part of the story and although they were not the sort of characters I would identify with, their personalities were shown in a way that made them feel like people with authentic motives and a logic behind their actions.

The closer I got to the end of the novel, the more I wished it would never end. I wanted more of the delicious attraction between Bree and Sam, more scenes that so clearly showed how deeply Sam loved Bree, more of Bree’s heartbreak because she thought she could never have Sam … But unfortunately, the novel ended…and I wanted more!  I’m very glad I had the chance to read it.

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

A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon

September 1, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ME
A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (516 pgs)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Letters from the only man she’s ever loved.

A keepsake of the father she never knew.

Or just a beautiful glass vase that catches the light, even on a grey day.

If you had the chance to make a fresh start, what would you keep from your old life? What would you give away?

Gina Bellamy is starting again, after a difficult few years she’d rather forget. But the belongings she’s treasured for so long just don’t seem to fit who she is now.
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So Gina makes a resolution. She’ll keep just a hundred special items – the rest can go.

But that means coming to terms with her past and learning to embrace the future, whatever it might bring . . .

A Hundred Pieces of Me is a book that you hope won’t ever come to an end because it’s a delight to read. However, when you do reach the final word you begin reflecting back on what you’ve just read.

It’s not only a wonderful story, but it forces you to reflect on your own life and what choices you’d make if you could only keep one hundred items.

Ms. Dillon pulls you into the story immediately and you connect with Gina as she begins her journey to rebuild her life. The author also does a wonderful job playing on all your emotions. I think there’s a little bit of Gina in all of us, and that’s what makes you read on.

The dialogue is very natural sounding and despite the book’s 500 plus pages, time flies by as you read more. In fact, you want to read just a little more at each setting to see what Gina selects as her hundred pieces and what background and story is connected with it.

What I also liked about this book was the backstory unfolded slowly and intermingled with each chapter about the hundred pieces. I felt it gave more insight into Gina’s character and why she was choosing a particular item.

One of the endorsements on the back of the book mentioned that it’s a book that you want to read one more chapter before you turn in for the night and that’s exactly what happened to me.  This is the first book I’ve read by Lucy Dillion, but it definitely won’t be the last.

With summer reading season ahead, I’d highly recommend you add this book to your list.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Secrets, Lies & Homicide by Patricia Dusenbury

August 28, 2014 By 2 Comments

SECRETS
Secrets, Lies & Homicide by Patricia Dusenbury
Publisher: Uncial Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (269 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Claire Marshall’s construction company has a celebrity client. Tony Burke is a well-known racecar driver, perhaps better known for his romantic exploits. He wants to restore his family house in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District. When Claire talks him into opening his father’s old studio, they find evidence of an old murder. Within a day, there’s a second murder.

Tony insists the two crimes, although years apart, are connected. Unfortunately, the most obvious link puts him on top of the list of suspects. Claire wants the motive to lie elsewhere, and it might. The latest victim had no shortage of enemies.

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In Secrets, Lies & Homicide, romance and mystery form a perfect match.

In mysteries, characterization is often neglected because of the suspense taking the limelight. Not in this novel, however. I was amazed and charmed by the vivid characters, all so unique and so wonderfully painted in just a few lines. A lot of the characterization was done through dialogue, with characters uttering a sentence that I would immediately recognize and say: ‘That was so Clair.’ Or ‘No one could say that but Mike.’ The author writes the dialogues masterfully, always progressing the plot or revealing something new about a character, but never bogging the story down by info dumps. Wonderful!

The romance was subtle and real, painful and passionate. All the best things wrapped up in the relationships of Claire and Mike and Tony. The hero, also doubling as a car racer and murder suspect, is not the classic, cliché hero. He is a man with faults, big ones; but Claire is a woman with a big heart that hasn’t felt love and passion for too long. He thaws her doubts and objections. She experiences heartbreak again, but also love and devotion. As a reader, you come not only to understand her, but to love her because she feels as real as your best friend.

The pacing of the novel was perfect, not only when it comes to the murder investigation, but also with the romantic relationship. It felt very natural and believable. It also added to the suspense of the main plotline. I liked how the motives for the crime lay in the past and how they were tied up with Tony’s childhood and his memories of his parents. The personalities of the side characters all added to the motives and the tragic events of the story. There were no coincidences or loose ends.

With Claire giving us a glimpse at the architecture of New Orleans, I wished for even more descriptions of the city and its culture.

I’m very happy I had the chance to read this book, and I will certainly buy the other two books of the trilogy.

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

Night Unbound by Dianne Duvall

August 21, 2014 By 9 Comments

UNBOUND
Night Unbound by Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (425 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

For centuries, Lisette d’Alençon has been a warrior against the dark. She fights alongside her brothers and comrades. But when the dreams start coming, she can’t bear to confess them to the Immortal Guardians’ command. Dreams of a dark-haired man with soft eyes and brutal wounds, a man her heart aches for–and a man she knows has been declared a traitor.

Zach is an exile, a loner. He won’t defend himself against false accusations or grovel to those who should have faith in him. But he’ll damn sure defend the woman who kept him sane against a plague of super-vamps that seems to have appeared from nowhere. The Guardians will blame him, and that will make Lisette suspect, too. With life, death and eternity on the line, who can they really trust?

Their muscle brand viagra tone fades and, comparatively, they grow weaker than they were as youngsters. Female smokers are 13 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction than men with sufficient level of this nutrient. discount viagra online Using estrogen/progesterone pill is the most popular method used for birth control purpose are perceived as foreign bodies by your body and doesn’t assimilate them in its internal physiological functions, resulting in dysfunctions tadalafil cheapest of various organs and the reproductive system as well. The following are sildenafil tab some of the drugs that are alpha blockers. Fans of paranormal romance who haven’t discovered this series yet are really missing out on something extraordinary. Ms. Duvall has consistently proved her talent with every installment by delivering heart stopping action, thrilling escapes, sizzling romance and heroes and heroines that touch and engage the emotions of a reader. Every single book so far has been almost impossible to put down once I started and Night Unbound continues the tradition. I read it in one day, all 400+ pages. It was that compelling.

If readers like a bad good guy who is misunderstood, Zach is their man. If readers are looking for a romance that embraces sweet and naughty, that can be tender or frenzied, and defies all odds, including threat of death, then this is the book to read. If a race against time and the drama and suspense and all that that entails piques your interest, then a reader should feel right at home. If reading about a strong man who is not intimidated by a strong woman but is turned on by it, who acts like an adorable puppy with the heroine but can wield power better than Darth Vader, then Zach might be the man of your dreams. Zach’s personal growth in this story is tremendously painful but worth every angst filled page. What he turns into is worthy of a swoon – and a rousing cheer.

Lisette is the heroine who teaches Zach to crave a woman’s touch. She’s a warrior and has a wicked talent with swords. She’s also a very brave woman because she stood up to the threat of death in order to be with the man she loved. At no time did the author fall into the trap of making Lisette less than what she started off to be – a strong, independent woman with a confidence to match. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t make mistakes. But the make-up sheet fun was worth reading; every single scene. Well, there was that part that some would consider embarrassing, but I found tremendously funny. I don’t think her brother will recover any time soon. I giggle every time I remember that part.

Secondary characters are too numerous to mention. Perhaps a new reader might get lost when it comes to some of the deep emotional undercurrents between them, mostly because they are much more effective if a reader has the background. But Ms. Duvall did include enough backstory in the natural telling of this tale to catch a reader up to speed so I’m not too worried about calling this a standalone read. In any event, the secondary characters to keep an eye on for future stories are Seth and Aiden. I don’t know too much about Aiden yet but I recognize a wonderful hook when I see one. But Seth, Seth is special. In this novel readers will find out more about him then they ever dreamed they would all in one book. Now I know he is a man in need of love even more than the men I’ve met so far. It’s not too strong of a statement to say that I’m enamored of this series. It’s so rich and meaty!

As for bad guys, Ha! Get ready to be turned around upside down. I was as discombobulated as Zach and as frustrated as Seth. Who could do the impossible and do all that was done? The suspense and mystery of it all had me gripped by my short hairs. I’m still reeling from the ramifications. It was awesome writing.

Night Unbound isn’t just a story, it’s a profound experience. The editing, the characterization, the dialogue, the pace and delivery of the plot and all its environs were simply spot on. I am hard pressed to find anything that didn’t work for me. I adored how Lisette and Zach were together – watching their love grow made me happy. There is sadness too, and tenderness and even hope and joy woven in to keep things balanced. Night Unbound has everything a paranormal romance reader could possibly wish and then some. I cannot express enough my pleasure and satisfaction from having read this book but I encourage readers to discover the unique richness that abounds in Ms. Duvalls books. This book and the rest are treasures.

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