Knightmare Arcanist by Shami Stovall


Knightmare Arcanist by Shami Stovall
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Length: Full Length (360 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

Magic. Sailing. A murderer among heroes.

Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to be like his hero, the legendary magical swashbuckler, Gregory Ruma. First he needs to become an arcanist, someone capable of wielding magic, which requires bonding with a mythical creature. And he’ll take anything—a pegasus, a griffin, a ravenous hydra—maybe even a leviathan, like Ruma.

Impotence disturbs the love life by making the sex life viagra in the uk unsatisfactory. Additionally, this medication will not increase one’s sexual desires. amerikabulteni.com canadian viagra sales The energy viagra in the usa could be good, or it could be bad. If you wish to impress a girl with your manpower, this is one highly viagra online consultation recommended product. So when Volke stumbles across a knightmare, a creature made of shadow and terror, he has no reservations. But the knightmare knows a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer out to spread corrupted magic throughout their island nation. He’s already killed a population of phoenixes and he intends to kill even more.

In order to protect his home, his adopted sister, and the girl he admires from afar, Volke will need to confront his hero, the Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma.

A fast-paced flintlock fantasy for those who enjoy How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, Unsouled (Cradle Series) by Will Wight, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan.

I stayed up way too late two nights in a row reading this book because it drew me into this world, and I didn’t want to have to leave it for anything as mundane as sleep (despite having an early morning wake up call!) The story is told from Volke’s point of view, and it was interesting to see just how badly he wanted to get out of the situation he was in and what he would do to reach his goal. I’m left wondering if the other books in the series, the other kids we get to know will get their own chance to shine.

We follow Volke, three other teens from his island home, as well as two other kids who join the same guild as apprentices after having been bonded to magical creatures – a wide variety of eldrin are described quite well – not only those of the apprentices but also the masters. Each character, human and mythical, have their own unique personality – great job on that!

The story grabbed me at the first page and kept me enthralled as I followed Volke on his quest, through heartbreak as his first plan didn’t pan out, then the excitement of discovering Plan B. There was plenty of action, but more than that, there was a great deal of character development. I am a sucker for character-driven fiction and, with Ms. Stovall’s first book in her new series, you have that in spades. I loved the characters in this book and am really looking forward to following them on their missions as part of the Frith Guild.

Brides of Banff Springs by Victoria Chatham


Brides of Banff Springs by Victoria Chatham
Publisher: Books We Love Publishing
Genre: Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full length (161 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Dryas

In the Dirty Thirties jobs were hard to come by. Having lost her father and her home in southern Alberta, Tilly McCormack is thrilled when her application for a position as a chambermaid at the prestigious Banff Springs Hotel, one of Canada’s great railway hotels, is accepted.

Tilly loves her new life in the Rocky Mountain town and the people she meets there. Local trail guide Ryan Blake, is taken with Tilly’s sparkling blue eyes and mischievous sense of humor, and thinks she is just the girl for him. Ryan’s work with a guiding and outfitting company keeps him busy but he makes time for Tilly at every opportunity and he’s already decided to make her his bride.

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Will they find the missing bride and will Tilly accept Ryan’s proposal?

In 1935 a young woman Matilda ‘Tilly’ McCormack leaves everything behind in Medicine Hat, Canada to come to the well-known The Banff Springs Hotel for a job as a housekeeper. While she stands on the railroad station, she misses the last car to the hotel and was worried about how to get to her job in time. She meets Ryan Blake, who works for the hotel transporting guest’s luggage and guiding the tourists via horseback around the beautiful area. He offers to take her with him in his cart. Tilly was instantly attracted to him. A great quote about how their relationship is going to develop is, “I think I’m going to have to marry you”.

Tilly is a perfect match for him. She is tender, hardworking, with a spine of steel. She lets Ryan know in no uncertain terms that she has her own opinions and she should have a say in matters. She makes friends easily, especially her roommate Felicity ‘Flics’ takes her under her wing and introduces her to some of the other workers. What surprises everyone is how she became friends with one of the guests, Burma Evans. Although they do not have much in common Tilly feels sorry and somewhat responsible her welfare. What really made Tilly mad and sorrowful is seeing the situation between Burma and her fiancée. This is a great example of how every woman is treated the same no matter their cast in life.

There are three different relationships going on at the same time, each one showing an example of how each circumstances and personalities can affect a relationship. The first couple is Tilly and Ryan. Their relationship is incredibly strong, both of them finding love in each other’s arms. They are not embarrassed to show the world how they feel.

The second relationship is Fliss and Saul, who is a bellhop at the hotel. They are not allowed to show their wedding rings or their feelings. Then there is the third relationship between Burma Evans, a rich socialite who has plans to marry Frederic Vanderoosten, a handsome young man who is full of charm until he gets what he wants.

I really enjoyed this book because of the wonderful characters and the wonders of the environment and the culture. It’s enjoyable being able to see the different relationships and knowing that each one has its own problems but the way each one supports the other will determine how things will turn out. If you enjoy a sweet romance book this is a great book for you.

Over the Fence by Mary Monroe


Over the Fence by Mary Monroe
The Neighbors Series Book 2
Publisher: Dafina
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (336 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Bootlegging was Milton and Yvonne Hamilton’s ticket out of poverty, prison time, and plain bad luck. Now they’ve moved on—to a bigger, richer pool of clientele—right in their own respectable new middle-class backyard. And their growing friendship with seemingly-perfect couple Joyce and Odell Watson is proving golden in more ways than one . . .

As Milton soon learns, Odell is hiding an outside family and dubious business dealings. It’s the perfect recipe for a blackmail scheme that will help Milton hide his own dirty
secrets—even from Yvonne. Better yet, he can take ever more dangerous risks to ace out his
liquor-smuggling rivals—and add a lucrative temptation to his illicit services. And Yvonne, emboldened by her husband’s new gravy train, delights in tormenting Joyce about everything the snobbish matron doesn’t have—especially children.
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But even a winning hand can be played too far. Pushed past their limits, Odell and Joyce will play on Milton’s careless boasting—to get him and Yvonne out of their lives for good. And soon, a devastating frame-up will plunge one couple into a living nightmare—and set the stage for explosive retribution . . .

A mix of bootlegging, blackmail and two neighbors who are total opposites something is bound to happen.

Bootleggers Milton and Yvonne Hamilton and the seemingly-perfect couple, Joyce and Odell Watson, are neighbors. In the second book in The Neighbors series we hear Milton and Yvonne’s story told through their alternating points of view.

This is the second book in the series and before reading this book I didn’t read the first book. I use to read a lot of Mary Monroe’s books but at some point I stopped keep up with her latest writings and I am sorry that I didn’t because I’ve surely missed out. I enjoy her writing style and the way she tells a story with such lively memorable characters. As soon as I finished this book I started reading book one.

The characters are authentic and the dialogue is believable and humorous. I enjoyed Yvonne and Milton’s solid love for each other. Yvonne loved Milton despite that others thought he wasn’t that attractive to look at. Another favorite character of mine was Willie Frank. Willie Frank is a true friend to Milton and Yvonne. He and Milton were thick as thieves in their get rich quick schemes. Even though they are up to no good I still felt the need to hope the outcome for them was good. The grammar is perfect for the setting of the late 1930’s. The detailed description of the food, the town and its people puts the reader right in the midst of the south.

Milton and Yvonne have made enough money to move to a better neighborhood where the wealthier colored people live. Because of their background of prison and being lower class, their new neighbors Joyce and Odell seem to look down on Milton and Yvonne because of their lack of education and upbringing. Joyce’s holier-than-thou act impacts Yvonne, and her husband gets an ear full each time Yvonne’s feelings are hurt. But remember there are two sides to every story and we are only hearing Yvonne’s side to her conversations with Joyce. Milton also has to hear from his wife how wonderful Odell is but it doesn’t bother Milton as much as it should to hear his wife boast about another man because Milton knows a secret about Odell. Reading the antics that Milton goes through with his habit of gambling and his bad money habits is tiresome. While reading I keep wondering, at what point will he learn? I knew something was bound to happen, that Milton couldn’t keep going the way he was going so the ending wasn’t a total surprise. I was more surprised of the details that happened at the ending. Let me warn readers that this book didn’t bring about closure. A third book in the series is expected and I will be waiting for the release date!

I enjoyed the story and found it very entertaining. Once I started reading it I didn’t want to put it down. Milton and Yvonne are characters whose personalities stayed with me long after I finished reading the book.

Lucky by RH Webster


Lucky by RH Webster
Publisher: Outer Boundary Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (256 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Life in the space lanes isn’t the easiest, but for Trigg Donner, commander of the space freighter Rosebud, it’s more than a steady paycheck–it’s home. But when a routine landing on San Pedro unearths a mystery simmering on his own ship, Trigg comes face to face with his own fears and distrust.

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Trigg is commander of the spaceship. He has a good crew, a very good pilot and his load of passengers. One more passenger joins them. She’s been working on the planet and finally has enough funds she can go home. She’s earthbound by a circular route. The commander does not want to get the news they are one staff member short. He got shot in a bar fight. Now he has to find someone to replace him quickly. They are due to take off…

Ms. Webster creates a grand space adventure with lots of varied characters. She keeps the story tight and the tension up and suspicions abound.

Trigg hires Lucky to be his new administrative aid. He assigns the other one to the cargo area to replace the dead man. When they just barely get off the planet and the steel plates they walk on start to move, it’s not unusual but it’s early. Why do they do that?

This flight is unusual in other ways, too. They find a stowaway, they learn of a smuggling plot, and things go downhill from there. The commander gets shot by his captain in the local bar so he’s not surprised when he finds he was part of the smuggling ring. But he’s not prepared to see who the other major player was.

As they try to survive the various attacks and get back on track, Lucky and the commander find themselves falling in love. This is a very nice touch that adds some heart to the story.

Not everyone survives but it ends on a positive note and it is great fun to read.

Bespoke by Jayne Fresina


Bespoke by Jayne Fresina
Publisher: Twisted E-Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length Full length (452 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

He’s been sent from Scotland Yard to solve a case of blackmail in the Yorkshire Dales; she’s just opened her own business in York baking bespoke cakes. He wants a peaceful life; she’s aiming for revolution. He likes to keep both feet on the ground; she dreams of scandalizing the neighborhood on a bicycle. He prefers to fade in with the wallpaper; she’s proud to be a black sheep that stands out in the crowd.

He’s never getting married again—most women ought to be stamped on the forehead with a danger warning and clapped into handcuffs. She thinks men are simply an obstacle to her ambitions and if it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his digestive system, that explains why a great deal of gaseous waste frequently finds its path out of the wrong end.

Effects may take longer levitra 20mg price to appear than alpha blockers, but they persist for many years. The doctor also works to recognize the viagra properien current issues with an erection, ejaculation & sexual wish. Regular massage of the male organ using Mast Mood oil, the best and effective herbal erection oil to prevent ED, from reputed online stores using a credit card. canadian viagra no prescription Appearance tadalafil in canada has a lot to do with blood circulation. The two of them might appear to be mismatched flavors in an unlikely recipe, but when blackmail turns to murder, it’s the start of a remarkable partnership in crime-solving. And a match made in chocolate.

It’s late Victorian England and the world may be on the cusp of change, but is it quite ready for this pairing? They’re not even prepared for it themselves. Nevertheless, some wayward kind of chemistry keeps drawing them together and it can’t be blamed entirely on the cake.

Or the corpse in the conservatory.

He’s a detective. His wife and child have died, he almost dies from gunshot wounds and when he comes back to Scotland Yard, they send him to another district to help a rich man find out who is blackmailing him. All he wants to do is solve it and get back to Scotland Yard. Then it turns into murder. And there is an unexplained leg that fell out of the sky into the middle of a tea tray a maid was carrying to the outdoor party. It doesn’t go with the dead lady. Does that mean there are two bodies?

When it appears she might have been poisoned by a piece of cake, he goes to the bakery to check it out. Miss Greenwood is highly insulted he would suggest such a thing. Most women her age would be married but she is an independent woman making her own way and doesn’t feel she needs a man. She even tells him that. Tolly tells her he’ll let her know if the woman was poisoned and gets ready to go on his way. Lucy offers to help him solve the case. After all, she’s read all the Sherlock Holmes novels. He tells her real life is not like a novel and he doesn’t need her help. He gets it anyway.

Ms Fresina writes a complex mystery with many secrets. She also adds a bit of romance. Tolly thinks women should have danger stamped on their forehead and handcuffs on. Lucy needs no man to get through life or hold her back. Yet they both find an interest in each other. Their cautions and differences seem to make them come together.

This was an enjoyable read with a growing romance and a case that isn’t solved until the inquest. This author is worthy of being read again.

Larry Boots: Exterminator by John Inman


Larry Boots: Exterminator by John Inman
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (172 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Sex
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Dryas

Kenny Long is living a new life. Blinded in an accident, he has taken control of his unexpected reality the best way he can, and it’s working out better than he hoped.

Of course Larry Boots doesn’t know any of that. All he sees is a beautiful man sitting on a park bench.

Larry has a few problems of his own: his mother. His job. The lack of romance in his life.
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His job. In the course of that job, Larry strikes up a friendship with Kenny. The next thing he knows, he’s so head-over-heels in love, even his mother doesn’t seem so bad. Of course his career is still a problem, but he’s working on that. Hopefully he’ll have the problem resolved before the man he’s being paid to murder succeeds in murdering him first.

And before the man he loves finds out he’s a cold-blooded killer.

Meet Larry Boots, a young man with a special job. He takes care of criminals that have slipped through the law.

Although this has a lot of dark areas there are also plenty of funny moments involving his mother, Greta, who is a 70-year-old hippie. There are also humorous moments with his poodle dogs.

What really struck me was how well the author portrayed a blind person. As it turns out, Ken is a teacher for the blind. He had lost his sight in a car accident and I know how hard it is to adjust to a whole new way of life. The characterization of Larry is so well done, and he takes the high moral ground not letting the disability affect him. Their conversation was rather stilted, but who’s isn’t when you first meet a new person? It was obvious at their first meeting there were sparks between them. Their relationship develops slowly and has realistic problems. On the first date Larry takes him to the zoo thinking that Ken would enjoy the sounds and scents of the animals. It was so sweet seeing Ken’s reaction, full of wonder and happiness. They end up in bed together and have better sex then most men they had been with. There are lots of facets to this story, but I’ll let you read it to get the full effect.

I would recommend this book to anyone. The characters are so well described that you feel part of the family. Being visually impaired myself I was impressed how realistically Ken was portrayed. Although Larry kills people, I can’t find it in me to be disgusted because he was just doing his job. With a wonderful relationship which helps both men’s life, Larry learns to let go of the rage for his brother and Ken learns to be more confident in himself.

This book is a fun and thought-provoking work that many would enjoy.

Evil Embers by Cristelle Comby


Evil Embers by Cristelle Comby
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: Full Length (319 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

There’s “hard to kill”—and then there’s Bellamy Vale.
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After narrowly preventing the destruction of Cold City, PI Bellamy Vale needs a rest. Or rather, he needs a plain and simple vanilla case—no monsters or otherworldly creatures involved!When foreign businessman Eli Smith shows up at his doorstep with a thick wallet and a request to find his missing sister, Vale doesn’t think twice before agreeing.If he’d known body-hopping demons and smoke monsters came attached to this job, however, he might have.

This is the second book in the Vale Investigation urban fantasy series, but although my reading might have been a bit richer had I read the first book in the series (an omission I plan to rectify as soon as possible), I had no trouble following the book or the characters. There was some elements of the world building I felt I would understand better had I read the first book (and I would love to hear how Bel become Death’s supernatural detective), but I love these characters! We get to meet some interesting characters from the other side of a portal that apparently opened in book one. One group is really awesome… the other group, not so much.

The story starts off with a bang and doesn’t slow down. I also really enjoyed the supporting cast and could well see this on the big screen. What an exciting thrill-ride that would be!

Although the book kept me on the edge of my seat, there were also some humorous moments – mostly in the dialogue between Bel and.. well, everyone… and the way Eli learns about life in Cold City. I don’t want to say more about that because of the fear of spoilers, but Eli and his sister are among some of my favorite characters.

I have bought book one and am anxiously looking forward to the next book in the series. Kudo, Ms. Comby!

Hide and Seek by Mary Burton


Hide and Seek by Mary Burton
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (337 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

She’s hunting. He’s watching.

Special Agent Macy Crow is a survivor. After a vicious hit-and-run nearly kills her, she gets right back to work, and now she’s gunning for a spot on the FBI’s elite profiling team. As an audition, she offers to investigate the recently discovered bones of Tobi Turner, a high school girl who disappeared fifteen years ago.

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Macy and Nevada race to put this monster behind bars before he can come out of hiding. But the murderer’s had years to hone his skills, and soon Macy herself becomes a target. She’s no stranger to pain and terror, but will Macy’s first profiling case be her last?

If fans of romantic suspense haven’t picked up this book, they’re missing out on an amazing white-knuckled ride. This whodunit kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. Just when I thought I could put it down at the end of a chapter, a turn of phrase, an emotion or a development caught my interest and dragged me right back. The only reason I was able to sleep afterwards was because a) the bad guy made that final slip-up, b) I finished the novel, and c) there was a HFN for Macy and Nevada and a wonderful epilogue.

The strength of Hide and Seek came from the dialogue. It was reminiscent of Dragnet, one of my favorite police shows from way back. It’s hard-hitting, sometimes abrupt, always on point and their choice of words painted a picture of the leading characters, the community and the town. This novel would be great as an HBO special. I think that’s the venue for it considering some of the crimes are of a sensitive nature that were either described as it occurred (not gruesomely graphic but enough to feel the fear, horror and anger), or referred to from events in the past.

Because it was central to the plot, and the driving force behind Macy’s passion to solve the mystery, no matter the cost to herself, I kept reading. Even after I was introduced to the antagonist and becoming uncomfortable with what he did, I also became angry. See, that’s why I kept reading – anyone who does something like that has to be stopped. Has to. For sure it grossed me out but Macy had a vested interest in nabbing the deviant criminal. The reason why it was an obsession for her was revealed in the course of the story and it was at that point I understood. I appreciated her determination, strength of mind and heart and pure grit in her search for the killer. Her goal was to insure no woman would ever again be victimized. I don’t like reading about rape but in Hide and Seek it’s the crime and the author ensured that I was absolutely vested in his takedown. I cheered for Macy and Nevada. I wanted them to win, to succeed, and deliver justice and closure for all the families devastated by what happened in their small town.

As for Macy and Nevada – oh, I liked meeting them. I enjoyed the simmering passion leftover from a past hook-up and watched it smolder between them as they worked together to stop the murderer before he struck again. I thrilled to the fact that Nevada was more in to her than she realized, and I was relieved when Macy finally figured it out – that what was between them was real, passionate and reciprocated. Nevada is one sexy man.

There is a lot more I want to say about some of the secondary characters (awesome) and some of the twists and turns (whoa) but I want to steer clear of diluting the suspense, and edge-of-your-seat plot points so I’m going to end here. I strongly encourage fans of mystery, suspense and those who don’t mind some light sexy spice between the main characters, to read Hide and Seek. My advice for this well-written winner – start to read a lot earlier than I did so you can enjoy the ride to its fullest and still get some quality zzzz’s.

All About Charming Alice by J. Arlene Culiner


All About Charming Alice by J. Arlene Culiner
Romance in Blake’s Folly Book two
Publisher: Five Star Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (155 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Alice Treemont has given up hope of meeting the right man and falling in love. Living in depopulated Blake’s Folly, a quirky community of rusting cars, old trailers, clapboard shacks and thirsty weeds, she spends her time cooking vegetarian meals, rescuing unwanted dogs and protecting the most unloved creatures on earth: snakes. What man would share those interests? Certainly not Jace Constant whose life in Chicago includes elegant women, fine dining and contemporary art.

Jace has come to Nevada to research the new book he’s writing, but he won’t be staying; as far as he’s concerned, Blake’s Folly is hell on earth. He’s disgusted by desert dust on his fine Italian shoes, dog hair on his cashmere sweaters and by desert bleakness. As for snakes, he doesn’t only despise them: they terrify him.

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In need of some juicy romantic gossip, the other 52 residents of Blake’s Folly have decided Alice has been alone for long enough. The attraction between her and Jace is obvious to everyone, so why worry about essential differences? If you trust in love, solutions do appear. But don’t those solutions call for too many compromises, too much self-sacrifice?

This is a special book. I’ll explain why but first I want to say that I am not a writer nor could I ever be one. I respect and admire those who can write, especially books that leave an impact on me such as this one has. I enjoy reading and try to write honest reviews. I’ve been reading romance stories for thirty two years. I’ve read my share of series. It’s not often that I’m thrown for a loop like I was after reading “All About Charming Alice”. The reason I say all this is because the author, J. Arlene Culiner is truly brilliant in my opinion. Typically in a series an author develops a cast of characters and recycles them through out each book in the series, basically changing the hero and heroine and giving them their own story. Other authors often give previous leading characters a turn as a guest appearance throughout the series. Traditionally this makes readers enjoy a sense of community, a sense of family and home, especially when they’ve read the series in order. For those that read it out of sync, well, it can be a little challenging for a reader to connect with the characters but not impossible. In fact it’s highly doable in this novel. I imagine it’s challenging to write a series that can be read as a standalone yet, that is exactly what J. Arlene Culiner has perfected!

This is why All About Charming Alice is a special book. This series is not wrapped around the characters per se as much as it is focused on the location. The setting is in a deserted town called Blake’s Folly. The loop I referred to and that I was thrown by was, after I read book one, Desert Rose, I had expectations from past experiences how book two was going to be. There wasn’t a guest appearance by the leading characters from book one. In fact it’s as if it didn’t exist. At first I was disappointed that the characters are written in both books at around the same time period but then I realized that is the coolest idea in the whole world. That allows the books in the series to be truly read as a standalones yet be part of a series. It me took thirty two years to find a series like this. For me that sells the book right there. The unique writing style is ultimately why I’d recommend this book and series.

This is perhaps the longest review I’ve ever written but I have to share how the leading lady in All About Charming Alice was another highlight as to why this book should be read. I appreciate unique characteristics in heroines. Alice loves dogs and snakes. Yes, I said snakes. Trust me it’s hilarious.

The hero, Jace, was written as a perfect counterpart for Alice. I felt the chemistry and enjoyed his persistent positive attitude to win Alice’s heart.

The first few pages caught my interest and held it throughout the book as I steadily turned the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the ups and down as they worked out the logistics of their relationships.

I sincerely recommend this story and hope people won’t pass on it because the heroine is a herpetologist. It was a great book! Now, if it was a spider specialist, then that’s an automatic pass. Ha, ha.

Sweet Wild of Mine by Laurel Kerr


Sweet Wild of Mine by Laurel Kerr
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full length (416 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Love runs wild at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo…

In a bid to revitalize his career, bestselling author Magnus Gray has come to Sagebrush Flats to write about the local zoo’s latest rescue—an orphaned baby polar bear. But Magnus dreads the drama of small towns and is bullishly determined to keep to himself.

June Winters is a people person, and delights in welcoming Magnus to Sagebrush Flats, though it seems unlikely she can get the handsome stranger to crack a smile. Then a mishap with an open gate forces Magnus and June to deal with a stampeding flock of fainting goats, an adorable but clingy polar bear cub, a cranky pregnant camel, and two star-crossed honey badgers. Never mind small town drama—the lively animals may just convince these two that opposites really do attract…

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The author provided exceptional respect, care and consideration to a topic I have no knowledge of – speech dysfluency. There’s a naturally organic plot involving rejecting and accepting, hiding and being open to possibilities, fear and courage, with love and healing woven throughout. Ms. Kerr captured the heart of romance, the perfect balance of hopes and dreams among the landmines of traumatic pasts. In their own ways, both Magnus and June have broken pieces inside of them and they’ve dealt with them by means of various coping mechanisms, some positive and some stifling. The thing they have in common is not being complete, that something is missing but have no idea what it is or how to identify it. They’re pretty much clueless. Their first meeting was inflammatory and yet, it started something bigger and more profound than anything they could have imagined. My heart, emotions and feelings, were all engaged in this delightful and truly marvelous journey of love, forgiveness and discovery. I feel fortunate to have read this because it’s simply beautiful, fun, entertaining and charming.

Another strong element is the theme of family. Not all of it is good, especially on Magnus’s side, but most of it is, and it’s as real as it gets. I read so many scenes that I could relate to. June’s Nana reminds me of my aunt because they both are suffering the same kind of condition. What June is going through touched me deeply because my own family is starting that emotional journey, making those same heartrending decisions. It’s not easy or without pain and I could relate to June’s position on a more intimate level. The thing that touched me the most is how Ms. Kerr made sure that a reader felt the unconditional love June had for her Nana.

Magnus’s family situation is not only sad but when he revealed the truth to June, it was horrifying. The reveal was powerful, and June wasn’t the only person reeling from the enormity of what the hero lived through. I was also tremendously relieved that the hero experienced some level of reconciliation but I won’t reveal how, when or with whom. I’m just happy the author shared that with me.

The only advice I have to give about reading this novel is to have on hand a glossary of Scottish slang. I used the one from Wiktionary. The author was clever in her usage by having her characters utilize them naturally in conversation. I could guess on the meaning and more often than not I got it right. But there were some colorful ones I wanted to be sure of so I could enjoy all the nuances. I actually had fun learning some of them and found them so fascinating, I’m thinking of adopting a few into my own vocabulary.

I could go on and on about all the awesomeness that can be found in Sweet Wild of Mine, from the adorable polar bear cub, the camels, the secondary characters, and the sensual exploration between the sheets showcasing the physical side of Magnus and June’s love. Sometimes it was hot, other times sensual but at all times perfectly well placed and well written.

Romance readers are in for a solid treat, a memorable story and a remarkable and amazing romance between two characters easy to fall in love with. I enthusiastically recommend reading Sweet Wild of Mine for yourself.