The Crimson and the Frost by John Williams and James Coletti

December 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

FROST
The Crimson and the Frost by John Williams and James Coletti
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Holiday
Length: Full Length (222 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Delve into a world where magic rules, mystery waits around every turn and a war between two immortals looms on the icy horizon…

Late one night, as young Billy Hampton investigates a strange presence in the woods behind his house, he discovers a curious transport. He makes the hasty decision to climb aboard, and suddenly he is whisked away to the remote winter wastelands of the far north.

Billy finds himself in a town full of mystery and wonder, built by the legendary Crimson Wizard and his devoted followers. The residents had lived here in peace for centuries, protected by a powerful magic jewel known as the Heart of Polaris. It is their only defense against the wicked and covetous King of Winter who wants them cast out of the lands he claims are his alone.

Now, Billy accidentally loses the Heart of Polaris and without its protection, his newfound friends become vulnerable to the power and fury of the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls.
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Its desperate race against time as Billy and his friends search for the Heart of Polaris before they fall victim to the impending onslaught.

Curiosity is a double-edged sword. Sometimes it reveals delicious glimpses into faraway place, but at other times it can get a kid into a lot of trouble.

Billy has an attitude problem. While he’s a smart and resourceful character, his self-absorption and tendency to judge others harshly makes it difficult to like him. He’s so focused on pointing out other people’s flaws that he seems completely unaware of his own. To be honest, he’s not a character that I found particularly appealing until much later on in the plot. Eventually he did grow on me, though, and by the end I was rooting for him.

What makes Billy’s adventure so interesting is how his personal flaws are addressed. The secondary characters are actually more well-rounded than the protagonist in some ways, and the plot shines when they gently nudge Billy into looking at certain issues from other points of view. Sermonizing is much less effective that being the change you want to see in the world. By far the best scenes involve other characters quietly showing Billy better ways to behave.

There were punctuation and grammar mistakes that showed up occasionally in this story. While none of them were egregious enough to change the meaning of the sentences, they happened often enough that I was distracted by them.

While the tone and message of this book is well-suited for early elementary students, I would recommend reading it aloud to them if possible. There are vocabulary words in the text that seem a little advanced for this age group, and I suspect the average 6-year-old would get much more out of it if they had an adult or older sibling around to explain certain terms.

The imagery and world building is utterly mesmerizing when this tale is read out loud, though. The authors did a fantastic job of introducing Billy to a colorful cast of characters in settings that sparked my imagination. Most of the jokes are accessible to kids, but there are enough subtle references to historical events that returning to this story over and over again will be appealing to adults as well.

The Crimson and the Frost is a delightful spin on old legends. I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves the pageantry and magic of Christmas.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A Rebel Comes of Age by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall

December 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

REBEL
A Rebel Comes of Age by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (289 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Seventeen-year-old heroine Angela Jones meets a nineteen-year-old activist named Fabio during the Occupy Wall Street protest in September 2011. Together with three other homeless teenagers, they “occupy” a vacant commercial building in Brooklyn’s disadvantaged Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Over the course of five months, they transform Freedom House into a teen homeless shelter.

When Bank of America takes them to court to obtain an eviction order, Fabio and the other teenagers decide to use automatic weapons to prevent the police from evicting them. Determined to stop the eviction by nonviolent means, Ange reaches out to other groups in the African American community. They help her obtain legal advice and start a large community coalition.
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The court grants the eviction order, and the police arrive to find the church has mobilized seventy-five community members to commit civil disobedience by blocking access to the building. Meanwhile Ange is one of four residents standing at the front windows with an M16.

Enthusiasm is contagious for a while, but eventually even the most dedicated activist must make hard choices. Will Angela know what to do when everyone she counts on tells her to do something different?

Imagine running away from home and finishing your childhood on the streets. While Angela’s idealism and stubbornness make it difficult to like her at times, the idea of growing up homeless is so sad and frightening that I developed a great deal of respect for her due to everything she’s endured so far in her short lifetime.

This tale includes so many characters that most of them had very little time to express their personalities or grow as individuals. Angela has a complicated backstory and nuanced personality, but most of her fellow protestors do not. While allowing certain supporting characters to fad in and out of the plot is quite realistic given the setting and nature of their lives, I would have liked to see more time spent developing at least a few of the people Angela meets at Freedom House. The little I learned about their lives and reasons for moving into Freedom House made me eager to discover more.

With that being said, Ms. Bramhall captures the strengths and weaknesses of the Occupy movements extremely well. Long-term political protests require a level of organization that is extremely difficult to uphold. This is even more true when one is committed to a truly democratic decision making process that requires the cooperation and input of a large group of people. The strongest points in this novel involve showing how this process unfolds over a long period of time when good intentions rub up against the harsh realities of daily life.

A Rebel Comes of Age is a great choice for teen and adult activists alike. I’d recommend it to anyone who has ever attempted to change the world for the better in even the smallest way.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Saved by Venom by Lolita Lopez

December 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

VENOM
Saved by Venom by Lolita Lopez
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (321 pages)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

To escape her father’s debt to a loan shark, Dizzy seeks refuge in the upcoming Grab. She’d rather belong to one of those terrifying sky warriors from the battleship Valiant than to the sleazy criminal who wants her as his plaything.

The years of constant war haven’t been kind to highly decorated sniper Venom. Only the promise of earning a wife kept him going through deadly battles. Catching and collaring Dizzy fills him with incredible hope. Finally he has a woman of his own, a mate to love—and bind and adorn with his ropes.

You can get these tablets in different convenient forms and flavors to use the way you want it. viagra no prescription However, for viagra in patients with birth demands, it’s essential to take semen analysis before taking treatment. http://raindogscine.com/una-noche-sin-luna-estrena-en-san-sebastian/ viagra cialis achat According to FDA regulation, a generic medication needs to have a good stimulation along with a proper diet. Kamagra Effervescent Another version is available generico levitra on line raindogscine.com in the greater part of the ED solutions. After a brazen Splinter attack, the Shadow Force uncovers secrets about Dizzy’s late mother that entangle her in a web of deceit. To save Venom, her father and an operative named Terror, Dizzy digs deep and risks it all.

Venom refuses to stand idly by while Dizzy’s haunted past threatens the future they’re trying to build. He finally has a reason for living—and he’s not giving her up.

Venom just wants to be happy like his friends, Dizzy just wants a chance at something better, and together they find that love is what you make it. Saved by Venom is the third book in the Grabbed series by Lolita Lopez and in some ways Venom and Dizzy have the easiest relationship, because Venom has learned from his friends’ mistakes.

We catch up with past couples and characters and there are unique challenges to Dizzy and Venom’s relationship but overall they easily and quickly fell in love and definitely mesh well together. The world is so well built that I felt like I was right there on the Valiant experiencing it all.

I think this story could be read by itself but since I enjoy this entire series, I’m going to recommend starting at the beginning. It’s a lush world with a lot of sexy scenes because of the way that sky warriors live in their culture. Ms. Lopez does a great job of integrating the sex with story so it isn’t just put there as filler, it adds to the story.

I really recommend this story, this is something I will re-read often. It’s a great sci-fi story that had me on the edge of my seat at times.

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

Endure by Laura Diamond

December 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ENDURE
Endure by Laura Diamond
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA
Length: Full Length (319 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Hollyhock

Seventeen-year-old Justin’s anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

To most of the immortal Vie, his blood is a scourge: untouchable and useless. To some Vie, his blood is a drug. To Justin, it’s something that gets him in a lot of trouble. Being poisoned by a Vie is just one example. His sister getting kidnapped is another. Whether it’s being coerced by a deluded cult leader, or negotiating with Alex—an Vie scientist addicted to Anemie blood—Justin struggles to keep every mutated drop of blood he’s got.

His fight for survival gets more complicated when he meets Alex’s slave, Cara. Despite coming from different worlds, they’re both prisoners, at risk of being drained by a hungry Vie any moment. When she risks her own neck to help Justin find his sister, he’s left with a terrifying choice.
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Saving what’s left of humanity.
Saving his sister. Saving the girl he loves.
Or sticking a stake in Alex’s chest.
Justin can’t decide which option will get him killed first.

When your mortal enemy swears to protect you, should you trust him? Or run for your life?

Endure is a dystopian adventure that tells the story of Justin, an Anemie trying to survive in a world where he faces both extinction and exploitation. When Justin and his little sister encounter Alex, a Vie ordered to kill them, their world turns upside down. Justin must figure out whether Alex is really trying to help them, as he says, or whether he’s just another immortal Vie bent on exterminating Anemies.

With so much YA aimed at female audiences, it’s refreshing to read a story told from a male protagonist’s point of view. Justin is a likable character, and the reader has no difficulty understanding his struggles to keep his sister and himself safe in a world gone horribly wrong. It’s easy to sympathize with his fear and agony as he tries to decide who is trustworthy, who is an enemy masquerading as a friend, and what course of action will involve hurting the fewest people close to him. I also like that the author brought an element of romance to the story as Justin befriends Cara, a human girl who is a slave to the Vie.

Although I enjoyed the story, I think I would have liked it more if the author had provided enough world building for me to fully understand what is at stake. I struggled to grasp not only the dynamic between the Vie and the Anemies, but who or what they are. Or why, since their blood is a drug to them, the Vie are trying to exterminate the Anemies. Part of the problem might be that the writing tended toward the elaborate, which often stretched out scenes and made the story feel as if it was dragging. Better world building could have made Endure more understandable, and a less-is-more approach to the writing could have improved the flow and made for a more involving read.

Overall, though, I think the author has created an interesting world and left the door open for intriguing sequels. I think any young reader who enjoys dystopian fiction will be interested in Endure.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Mine by John A. Heldt

December 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MINE
The Mine by John A. Heldt
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (201 Pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

In May 2000, Joel Smith is a cocky, adventurous young man who sees the world as his playground. But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can’t use, money he can’t spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of Whirlaway, swing dancing, and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past or choose a course that will alter their lives forever. THE MINE is a love story that follows a humbled man through a critical time in history as he adjusts to new surroundings and wrestles with the knowledge of things to come.

Make sure that you spend time together as it shall encourage cialis no prescription uk communication and openness in any of the side effects for a few hours after taking this medicine. This acts as an anti inflammatory agent tadalafil for sale cheap and thereafter helps in soothing COPD. Always make sure to check the expiry date before sildenafil 50mg tablets use. They even tend to conceal it from the medicinal expert online cialis purchase and keep the entire thing suppressed in them. Joel Smith’s life changes forever when just days before his college graduation he wanders into an abandoned Montana mine and re-emerges in May, 1941. He has no resources at all and jumps aboard a train headed for Seattle, the city he grew up in fifty-nine years in the future. He is stuck in an era he has only read about, trying desperately not to change history. He lands a job selling mattresses and also makes friends with his trailblazing grandmother and her friends, all twenty-one years old.

Joel is a wonderful character with a great deal of depth. He could turn into a crook, taking advantage of the knowledge of the future, but that doesn’t even enter his mind. He does make a few bets to build up some capitol but otherwise, he works very hard not to reveal any of his knowledge in a world on the eve of Pearl Harbor. He has a good time, but he also learns the value of hard work and he is always willing to help others. He matures as he sees life not as his playground, but as a very real place with people about to be caught up in World War II.

The supporting characters are also well-defined and very believable. It is fun to see Joel reacting with his wonderful grandmother who is now a college journalist student. He falls in love with a young lady and befriends another. He stands up for his friends in the face of bullies. And when the chance comes to return to his own world, Joel wrestles with some very complex problems.

This is both a time travel adventure and a coming of age story. It is exciting and moving, as well as a lot of fun. The author has obviously done his research into the time period and the details about Seattle in 1941 are expertly shown, drawing the reader back in time.

Lovers of time travel adventures are sure to find The Mine to be an excellent example of the genre and a most enjoyable read.

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

Fortune’s Scion by Ann Gimpel

December 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SCION
Fortune’s Scion by Ann Gimpel
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA
Length: Full Length (154 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Raised by wizards who never missed an opportunity to remind him of his deficiencies, Ned grows up believing his mage skills are seriously lacking. Conscripted at an early age, he fears it’s a back-handed way to ensure he sustains an honorable death in battle.

Battling prejudice, insidious lies and lack of knowledge about his mage powers—which are really quite different from wizard magic—Ned finds ways to keep going. His first mission away from the wizards teaches him he’s stronger and more resourceful than he thought. Against stiff odds, he learns different isn’t necessarily bad and true love has a way of shining through.

Will Ned complete his mission, or leave the world of wizards behind forever?
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Ned’s life has been little better than a nightmare. Even though the wizards have treated him terribly, they are the only family he knows. With the war against the Infernals going poorly, Ned is sent on a mission to find some help. His chance of success is slim, but Ned is grateful for the opportunity to get away from the battlefield. Once he has some distance between himself and the wizards, Ned’s first taste of freedom is intoxicating. Belittled and bullied by the wizards for his entire life, Ned now finds himself in an interesting position. Does he complete his mission and return to the wizards who raised him, or slip away and make his own fate?

It is very easy to like Ned. Despite his upbringing, Ned is a kind young man. Unfortunately, the wizards have all but crippled his self-confidence. I have a soft spot for underdogs, so I found it very easy to cheer for Ned. I can’t believe he has stayed with the wizards as long as he has. I certainly wouldn’t blame Ned if he turned his back on them when given the opportunity.

Everything changes when Ned saves Amanda’s life. Even though she is a complete stranger, Ned doesn’t hesitate to put his own life at risk to save her. It is the first indication that Ned is made of stronger stuff than he realizes. As Ned experiences love and kindness for the first time in his life, he starts to see the world differently, making his decision regarding his mission very clear. I must say, it was a pleasure to watch Ned grow into a strong and courageous man.

The world Ned inhabits is interesting and filled with a variety of unique people and creatures. However, I feel that the story needed a lot more detail to fully round out the mythology that Ms. Gimpel crafted. As I read, there were several times when I found myself frustrated when details were sacrificed in favor of a faster pace. I wanted to know more about mages, wizards, and how the Earth got into such a terrible state. Sometimes a bit of explanation was provided concerning these topics, and sometimes they were completely glossed over. Despite this issue, I will say that Ms. Gimpel always provided enough information to keep the plot moving smoothly and avoid confusion.

Overall, I think Fortune’s Scion is a good book. Ned is a great character and I truly enjoyed watching him grow into a fine young man. I recommend Fortune’s Scion to anyone looking for a fast paced fantasy with a touch of romance.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Hidden Passions by Emma Holly

December 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

PASSIONS
Hidden Passions by Emma Holly
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (207 pages)
Other: M/M, spanking, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Sexy fireman Chris Savoy has been closeted all his life. He’s a weretiger in Resurrection, and no shifters are more macho than that city’s. Due to a terrible tragedy in his past, Chris resigned himself to hiding what he is—a resolve that’s threatened the night he lays eyes on cute gay werecop Tony Lupone.

Tony might be a wolf, but he wakes longings Chris finds difficult to deny. When a threat to the city throws these heroes together, not giving in seems impossible. Following their hearts, however, means risking everything…

I’m so excited for Tony! He gets his happy ever after! However, this being the Pocket, jam packed with supernatural politics, Fae plots and interspecies rivalries, getting to the happy ending takes a bit of work. It was plenty hard on the hero but it was great fun for me.
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I wouldn’t read Hidden Passions without reading Hidden Dragons first. The reason being is that Tony’s story takes place practically simultaneously with his brother Rick’s story. I loved how Ms. Holly wove the two together. There were times in the first book that the brothers worked together until Rick went his own way to save the baby dragons. This story takes those short scenes and tells them from Tony’s point of view. Where I knew what was going on in the background, Tony hadn’t a clue. I felt so bad for him because I couldn’t tell him all would be well, eventually. What I found profound about Hidden Passions was seeing how not knowing induces so much stress, worry, anxiety and fear in the loved ones left behind and out of the loop. It was an effective emotional hook and well written.

The emotional conflict of not knowing what’s happening to his brother notwithstanding, the more potent and relevant personal conflict comes from Tony’s being gay and out, being lonely and feeling like he’s on the outside looking in. Ms. Holly tackled the sticky wicket of how unfair it is to be burdened by the expectations and judgment of society all because you like/love the same sex. Some are courageous enough to stand up and be who they are 100% and others, like Chris, the other hero, who hides his preference. Chris is fully aware that those he works with are not tolerant at all. His job is his life and his salvation and no way is he going to put that in jeopardy. That conviction was strong up until Chris actually had a chance to meet Tony. That’s when the sparks flew, the attraction became overwhelming and the fun began.

The very first passionate encounter with Chris and Tony was electric. Not only was it well written but it was seductive and feelings were definitely in play. Erotic romance readers and fans of M/M romances will find the love scenes hot, convincing and exciting.

While most of the love scenes and interaction between Chris and Tony work, there were times when I felt Tony’s character fell flat. In mulling it over, I came to the conclusion that for the critical fight scene to work, I had to believe in his capabilities. I don’t believe the author showcased his skill on the job enough to convince me he had the proficiency to take on the quasi-villain. For Nate, one of the secondary characters, to make a statement that Tony could wasn’t enough to make me believe it. I wish there were more examples of his expertise prior to that pivotal moment. Previous to that, I saw Tony being submissive to Chris. Tony isn’t a wimp, far from it. There were times when he was the aggressor in the relationship and that was fun too. Still, there’s something. Maybe it’s because Tony is younger than Chris? Maybe that’s what I saw? I’ll have to leave it up to other readers to decide. Maybe it’s just me.

Overall, this story rocked. There are surprises with the dragons, some major decisions that have to be made and it was actually quite fun to re-visit the party and see it through someone else’s eyes. I enjoyed the dialogue, the fast pace of the story, the dynamics between the two men and those they care for and the conclusion of Chris’ personal journey. Whereas Hidden Dragons was an adventure with a daunting external plot and plenty of action, Hidden Passions is about romance and falling in love.

Hidden Passions is a sexy, potent and engaging romance that’s a sure pleaser. If anyone had their heart strings tugged when they first met Tony in the previous book like I did, then they’re going to be so relieved and happy for him as he finally finds the love he thought he’d never have. The kind of powerful passion that his brother Rick and Cass share is duplicated between Chris and Tony and the happy ever after convinced me he’s finally contented and at peace. I’m a happy reader.

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

Rumors Among the Heather by Amanda Balfour

December 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HEATHER
Rumors Among the Heather by Amanda Balfour
Publisher: Vinspire
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (250 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Can love survive lies and secrecy?

Juliana Hastings is heart broken by her father’s death, which has left her destitute. To make matters worse she is jilted by her fiancé. She takes a position as a governess to Matthew MacDonald’s nephew in Scotland. Love is the last thing on her mind, but her heart has other plans.And Matthew doesn’t make things easier with his growing attraction to her.

Baker made stops in the state’s largest urban centers, Boston and Worcester, as well as Wakefield and his hometown of sildenafil generic from canada Birmingham, Alabama, where he became a successful insurance and tire company executive. Majority of men and women are searching for wholesale viagra india‘s that can help them to enhance their sex drive. This is the only reason why an ED suffering man fails to get sexual viagra professional uk confidence when it comes making love to the partner. You will get free levitra enjoy youthful energy to enjoy intimate moments with your female. Matthew’s actions have made him a fugitive once the Jacobite Rebellion ends. He turns to the only one he knows he can trust for help—Juliana. But when he is captured, he thinks she has betrayed him. Once free, he’s determined to find the woman he loves and make her suffer for her actions.

Dramatic settings completely overshadowed by even more dramatic people characterize this gripping historical romance slash action novel. Baron Bonnliegh, Matthew, marches through the city streets and laughs easily into the face of danger. He’s more than equal to any threat, or so it seems.

Our heroine is no shrinking violet either. Juliana proves her courage just in setting off into a whole new life, when her own life drastically changes, rather beyond her control. She sets off to make the most of her one opportunity – and predictably, bumps straight into this incredibly confident Baron. There is a moment there that we see coming. ‘Ah ha – another predictable tale,’ we wonder..for barely the space of a sentence, for few things go as we might foresee.

Like so many a governess, Julianna becomes admirably fond of her charge, wicked Scottish Island home notwithstanding. Her attraction to Matthew is also undeniable – yet his own circumstances might suddenly be a little ‘beyond his control.’ Even more surprising is who he chooses to blame. Warnings come to him – veiled perhaps (like, ‘Your luck is bound to change!’ while gambling) but he never worries.

Matthew is a man of action as well as conviction. He might be a tiny a bit lacking in sympathy (we readers won’t feel frustrated with his leap to a certain conclusion only once…) but he is a towering figure and you will lose your heart to him immediately. Julianna is equally likable, just for her attitude.

I originally assigned this brilliant and fast paced read a 5. Great, gripping, fast… and I forget to write the review. 2 weeks later I find I still have recall of the story – of the characters especially – and don’t mind picking it up for a second look at all! That rates somewhere higher than a 5, I am sure – Do put this on your reading list.

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

The Prince She Never Knew and Kholodov’s Last Mistress by Kate Hewitt

December 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

PRINCE
The Prince She Never Knew and Kholodov’s Last Mistress by Kate Hewitt
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (380 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The Prince She Never Knew

Behind the royal wedding…

While the world believes her romance with Prince Leo Diomedi, Alyse knows it’s just a calculated sham.

Yet beneath his icy exterior, Leo’s kisses give Alyse a taste of the man behind the crown… But will their fairy tale survive the headlines threatening to rip everything apart?

Kholodov’s Last Mistress

An innocent in Moscow

Cold-hearted Sergei Kholodov was shocked by Hannah Pearl’s wide-eyed approach to the world. Fearing her effect on him, Sergei obliterated all traces of her from his life.

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Two stories in one book means twice the fun, the passion and the foibles and challenges that face two couples while falling in love.

The first story, The Prince She Never Knew is about the painful transformation from puppy love to adult love, from loving the exterior to discovering the passionate and complicated emotions of the person hidden deep inside.

It’s not a light-hearted romance but one that explores the pain and suffering of children when their parents are too into themselves and they forget to be parents, leaving the kids to find their own ways to deal with the emotional fall out. Leo pretty much walls himself off from everything and Alyse gives too much, almost like overcompensation. It’s how these two unlikely and hurt people, now adults, find their way to openly love and accept each other that makes this story so compelling.

The author captured the stiffness of Leo and the yearning of Alyse by using clever dialogue, descriptions and environment. Secondary characters were only on scene to reinforce the elements that made Leo as dysfunctional as he was. It was Alyse’s strength of character that saved them. She had better insight into what made the hero tick once he let her in. It wasn’t a lot but since the heroine hadn’t shunned emotion or personal involvement in her own life, she was better equipped to recognize what was really happening and then deal with it. Not that she didn’t feel emotional pain, she did and the writing made that abundantly clear.

Even though I thought Leo’s stubborn aloofness overshadowed the romance despite my understanding of why it happened in the first place, the romance’s progression was clearly shown. The story had elements and shadows of the past writing style of Harlequin romances but in this case, at least readers can get into the hero’s head and understand why he is the way he is. It gives a reader a chance to have empathy for his plight and a reason to want to him to have his happy ever after.

The Prince She Never Knew is a poignant romance with heart.

The second story in the novel is Kholodov’s Last Mistress which is another tale that explores the redemption of a tortured hero. When Sergei and Hannah meet it’s unconventional to say the least. The heroine is different than anyone he’s ever known and despite his best intentions to leave her be, he just can’t. She reminds him of something…or someone. It’s that tiny crack in time that fate drives a wedge through, making the hero face the man he’s become and open himself to the possibility that it’s not all he could be. Hannah makes all the difference – and it drives him wonky.

The author painted a clear picture of the kinds of people both Sergei and Hannah are in the beginning of the book. Ms. Hewitt used dialogue, descriptions of eyes, mouth and skin color to mark their emotions and the effect their words had on each other. The story is told from both points of view and is well balanced so a reader feels that they’ve got a handle on the characters’ personalities. In fact, I’d say that Sergei had a whole lot worse childhood than Leo did in the previous story. I also think the author did a better job of making me care for Sergei than the other hero. No matter what Sergei thought of himself, Hannah, with her Polly Anna attitude, had it right. And I agree with her. Ms. Hewitt wrote one of the most impassioned, romantic and amazing scenes in this entire two-book novel when Hannah stood up to him, and really opened her heart to him. When she asked him that one simple question, a reader could almost see the light bulb pop over Sergei’s head. Genius.

Another thing I enjoyed was seeing the transition and maturation of both the hero and heroine. They grew, changed and brought out the worst and best in each other. It was very much like Hannah and Sergei had to walk through fire, expunge all the burdens and perceptions they had of themselves and their backgrounds before they could go forth. It wasn’t easy and it certainly provided me with plenty of emotional drama that kept me flipping the pages. The best part is the end, when Sergei learned to trust, believe and to love and Hannah learned to recapture her sunny nature and balance her man’s newfound belief in himself. It was very poignant.

The best part was the ending. It came full circle and I thought the delivery was brilliant, clever and very sweet. Of the two books, Kholodov’s Last Mistress was my favorite.

If romance fans love reading Harlequins because they’re quick, interesting and fun, then rest assured these two stories deliver all of that. They’re not fluffy and brainless. No, these two explore tortured heroes and the women who lead them to salvation. It’s a showcase of love’s strength and perseverance and is worth taking the time to read.

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