Shrouded in Secrets by Kim McMahill

December 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SECRETS
Shrouded in Secrets by Kim McMahill
Publisher: Prism Book Group
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (242 Pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

The massacre of an unarmed South American village, the destruction of one of the greatest manmade wonders of the world, and multiple museum thefts ignite a desperate scramble to locate a deadly group of terrorists. An international team led by the ruggedly handsome but emotionally scarred CIA agent, Cash Luker, scours the globe in an attempt to keep ahead of those striving to bring thirteen mythical relics together. As Cash’s team closes in on those responsible for the devastation he must conquer past demons in order to save the woman who has captured his heart and prevent destruction of legendary proportions.

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I think what impressed me most about the novel, however, was not the thrilling story, although that is certainly there. The plot takes place in the Bahamas, Arizona, Argentina, Mexico, and Peru. Each of these locations is described in rich detail, drawing the reader right into the mangroves or the Arizona desert. The story is told from multiple perspectives so the author has to be able to transport the reader easily and quickly between some very diverse locations, and overall, these jumps are handle well.

In addition, the entire plot line revolves around ancient history, particularly ancient Mayan knowledge and again Kim McMahill proves that she has done extensive research which she shares in depth with her readers so that this novel becomes much more than just another adventure story. I learned a lot as I was reading this story and I always think that is a plus in any novel.

The characters are also very engaging and well-defined. The interactions between the various agents under Cash’s command ring true. Cash’s past history has left him badly wounded emotionally, and some of that past history returns to haunt him, adding a layer of humanity and depth to his character. The same is true for the other members of his team which results in having characters the reader can really get to know and care about.

Lovers of action suspense mysteries are sure to enjoy Shrouded in Secrets. The pages seem to turn themselves.

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

Sunrise Over Brasov by Stephanie Burkhart

December 10, 2013 By 4 Comments

Cover_SunriseoverBrasov
Sunrise Over Brasov by Stephanie Burkhart
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Suspense
Length: Full (254 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Review by Poppy

Rosa Getzi lives a life of intrigue at Poiana Brasov with Clement, a werewolf, and Cassandra, the witch. Her past doesn’t matter to her – until she discovers what it holds.

Prince Michael Sigmaringen joins his sister-in-law, Caroline, and the vampire prince, Darius, in a daring rescue, igniting Rosa’s desire to find her family. However, all is not as it appears. Rickard, Rosa’s friend, escapes with her. Clement will go to any lengths to get Rosa and Rickard back.

At Darius’ fortress, Michael soon discovers Rickard is a new breed of werewolf – one who can control the change, and Clement hopes to exploit Rickard’s abilities.

If you want to soft tab viagra become a teacher, then, an illustrious career awaits you. I generic sildenafil do remember the last time I did an Internet “disease” search it was for prostate cancer. Like any other health problem, it can be early cialis sales australia warning signs of having or getting some severe heart conditions. If you can make a girl laugh, it breaks the tension, and she will feel more comfortable viagra 100mg pills around you. Michael’s courage, strengths, and convictions will be tested like never before. Can Michael and Rosa find true happiness and the rid the lupine haunting of the Sigmaringens once and for all?

Much different from any historical or paranormal book I’ve read, Sunrise Over Brasov was both exciting and terribly romantic.

It’s not a regency historical … taking place far outside the ballrooms with which I’ve been acquainted. And the story is filled with paranormal beings of all types, from shifters to vampires to witches. Yet, Ms. Burkhart makes it all seamless.

I need to point out that this is the third in a series, and I’ve read none of the others, but was only a teeny bit lost now and then. The author does an admirable job of filling in the backstory without being dull.

The story is heavy on the mystery/suspense part with a curse and mayhem, bad guys blowing things up and chasing our heroine and her friend and more. There is mistrust and sadness (Rosa has been given drugs to erase her memory, and so has forgotten the man who loves her). The author writes her descriptions with a wonderful skill, painting a clear picture with her words. I loved how unusual her story, characters and setting were. This wasn’t the same old werewolf story. I was intrigued by her take on things.

Since I read primarily for romance, I was a bit frustrated by how it took backseat frequently to the storyline itself. I was really invested in Rosa and Michael, and wanted to see more of them together. Still, ultimately, their story made my heart happy and that’s all I can ask.

Now I need to go back and read the first books … I want to see how everything began!

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

A Regency Christmas Collection by Hetty St. James

December 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HETTY
A Regency Christmas Collection by Hetty St. James
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Holiday, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (241 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Thistledown

Three independent stories of Love set during the English Regency period.
In the first, a Duke is challenged by his family’s heritage, while in the second tale, a large family gathers for Christmas traditions for the Christmas holiday season, and finally, a romp featuring a notoriously different hero who finally discovers his long-awaited heroine.

There is nothing more joyful than a gathering of Regency Christmas stories, especially three in one!
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In A Regency Christmas Collection, the reader is treated to three stories of the period, each with independent story lines and characters. The one thing that flows through each small adventure is the simple joy of tradition and a sprig of mistletoe to make things merry and bright.

The first story is “The Duke’s Christmas Gift.” Waiting for the birth of her child, the Duchess wanders out into the snow and finds herself in a pickle. Her love for her husband is a restrained affair common to the time, but rife with affection. Her time falls upon her unexpected and she is thrust into the rigor of a difficult birth. When unforeseen tragedy befalls the event, the Duke finds himself fraught with unimaginable worry. The author does a wonderful job of illustrating this point as the story shifts from the Duchess to the Duke and the surprise ending that will be a bittersweet Christmas blessing for everyone involved.

The second story is “A Castle Cramlye Christmas.” This tale is set in the crumbling walls of an old family castle, complete with hidden rooms and secret spaces. When a group of young people converge on the dowager for the holidays, traditions are brought to life, old loves revisited and some new loves are found. It was a merry romp that lead the reader through the countryside and back into the passages of the aging castle for some holiday cheer and a bit of holly and ivy.

The third and most elaborate of the stories is “Pongo Guthridge Finds Love.” This story is a bit of mystery, a whole lot of intrigue. Love, lust, friendships and surprise romance all wind their way together for a very orange flavored holiday story. Pongo is a gentleman with a flair for the unusual; namely he has a penchant for dressing in orange. As the plot unfolds, a secret society is plaguing the town and a wealthy man is using his influence to make a great many people unhappy. Using his naturally devious and enchanting talents, Pongo sets about to make things right, at the same time finding out that the woman of his dreams might be someone unexpected.

This collection of stories was a merry ride through a traditional holiday season. The characters within are all memorable. The Duke and Duchess in the first story had tears sparkling in my eyes as their very own Christmas miracle comes to pass. The merriment of Lark and the other young people in the group visiting her Lady-Gran at Castle Cramlye was catching, although part way through the story, I found myself wondering where it was leading. The third story was the most detailed of the three and the most outrageous. Pongo is a fop, dreaming of his lady love. He thinks he knows who it is, but is delighted to find out that he was mistaken. Politics and machinations pervade the story, giving a multi-threaded plot formation that was sheer delight. I will never again think of the color orange the same way.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic collection of feel good stories for the holidays, look no further. Ms. St. James has crafted a vacation back to Regency England that will chase the chill from your bones and leave a smile in your heart.

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

Venom and the River: A Novel of Pepin by Marsha Qualey

December 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

VENOM
Venom and the River: A Novel of Pepin by Marsha Qualey
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (151 Pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Several hundred women are about to converge on tiny Pepin, Minnesota, to celebrate the birthday of Ida May Turnbull, the long-dead author of a beloved series of children’s books. When the “Little Girls” gather in Pepin, one woman finds life has changed forever.

This means taking all action female viagra canada that you need is to look for sexologist doctor who can suggest you the right remedy for the problem. This way adequate amount of levitra sample blood enters the penile shaft for an erection that sustains for longer duration. This is a manual approach that provides patients with diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures for related disorders to the joints, spine, super generic viagra nervous system and pelvis. As I have told before that http://opacc.cv/opacc/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/.._documentos_auditores_Modelo%2035.pdf viagra online ordering is a well known medicine for erectile dysfunction of men. Leigh Burton is a disgraced journalist who was stripped of a Pulitzer for fabricating details in a few newspaper stories. In the years since, Leigh has been scratching out a living as a freelancer, and has arrived in Pepin to assist an aged former vice president of the United States with his memoirs. Because no publisher will buy any nonfiction with her fingerprints on it, Leigh has to keep her past under wraps, which becomes a challenge when she’s gently blackmailed by a Pepin local, and Leigh’s sixteen-year-old daughter arrives unexpectedly and threatens to tell everyone Mom’s secret. Making things even more difficult is that Leigh is living in Ida May Turnbull’s long-shuttered childhood home, which puts her in the bulls-eye of the Little Girls’ obsession. It’s a position that jeopardizes her secret, her work, a budding romance, and her fragile relationship with her daughter.

This is a novel of secrets, some of them held for decades. Leigh Burton uncovers a number of them, but her secret is one of the biggest. She is a disgraced journalist, stripped of her Pulitzer, and now, having changed her name, is eking out a life as a freelancer. She arrives in Pepin, Minnesota, a small rural town to help an aged former vice-president with his memoirs.

Marsha Qualey hooked me from the very beginning and I found myself immersed in Leigh’s struggles. I really cared about her and I wanted her to succeed with her work and with her daughter. This novel is not a conventional whodunit type mystery. Instead, Leigh has to work out what happened in the past and how past events connect with the present. There are no current crimes to solve and yet the suspense in the novel is tightly woven.

Qualey has written a very solid character driven novel and the characters are well-defined and fully fleshed out. Even the minor characters ring true to the point where I felt that the town of Pepin really exists. I can see the newer section and the historical section. I just know that if I walked into the library I’d meet Kate, the overworked reference librarian who moonlights as a bartender, or Marti Lanier, who sells real estate, and who wants Ida May Turnbull recognized for her literary talent and not for the hype from the television shows. These people are very real and the secrets that are held are ones that Leigh ferrets out or stumbles upon. And as is true in many small towns, the secrets reach into the past and link many of the town’s current inhabitants in the web of mystery.

If you enjoy a well-written story with great characters filled with decades of secrets, Venom and the River might be just what you are looking for.

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

Dragon Ugly by Selena Illyria

December 10, 2013 By 3 Comments

UGLY
Dragon Ugly by Selena Illyria
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (240 pages)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

Can a dragon shifter give more than just hot sex?

After Brent’s New Year’s fling with his friends Fletcher and Tor—and Tor’s mate Louisa—Brent is determined to find his own mate. His dragon wants him to find their mate, too, and if Brent doesn’t find a way to locate her soon, his dragon will take matters into his own talons. And that could spell trouble.

It is only medication that treats the impotence so easily. cheap viagra levitra For example, if the ulcer has occurred due to lack of ample oxygen, an endovascular or vascular procedure can improve the chances of it getting better. generic cialis price Your willingness to forgive will be samples viagra a gift to your spouse and to your children as well. The doctor pull threads when you go for generic levitra online http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/cute-and-tiny-what/‘s for women, the most effective female sexual enhancement products to improve sexual performance. Wolf shifter Carissa has no desire to live up to her wild musician mother and artistic father’s vision of free love and sex parties. She’s buried her sexual desires and focused on building up her aromatherapy store, Scentify, no distractions allowed. Until she meets Brent. The sexy dragon shifter makes her burn with suppressed need. The only problem? His dragon wants Carissa, too. And pursuing the dominant dragon would be playing with fire.

Giving in to his dragon saps Brent of his focus and energy. Things are turning ugly—dragon ugly. How can he bond with his mate when his dragon only wants sex?

A dragon and a wolf walk into a bar… sounds like the start to a great paranormal joke but it’s a great plot for this book. I loved the idea of a town for paranormals where they can be safe to be who they really are.

I loved Brent, the dragon shifter. He’s compassionate, sexy and ready and willing to do anything for his mate, even wait to mate her, even if waiting is killing him.

Carissa is a wolf shifter, who is definitely a lone wolf when it comes to her life. All she has time for her is her shop, Scentify, and building it up. So watching her be thrown off track by her instant attraction to Brent was highly entertaining.

Brent and Carissa are meant for each other and the chemistry is off the charts. Brent brings out all the crazy repressed sexual feelings that Carissa has been hiding for so long. There is even a scene with one of Brent’s friends that is very sexy and worked for the story.

I definitely recommend this story for fans of unique shifter stories that are definitely on high end of the sex-o-meter.

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

Lover Enraptured by Jodi Redford

December 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

LOVER
Lover Enraptured by Jodi Redford
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (301 Pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Foxglove

Looks like someone’s knees are going to get a workout.

Thieves of Aurion, Book 2

Avily Donahoe has dated way too many losers trying to get over Jerrick Hunter, the man who taught her everything about the life of crime she left behind. Now he has the balls to show up and ask her to pose as his sub, complete with skimpy leather outfit, to get inside a no-faes-allowed sex club?

Oh, hell no. If anyone’s going to be wearing next to nothing, it’s going to be Jerrick…as her bitch.

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But soon their front escalates into an all-too-real erotic game where the prize is the one thing that tantalizes him beyond reason. Their hearts aren’t the only thing they’ll lose if they fail. It could mean the end of everything—and everyone—they know and love.

Jerrick Hunter is a professional thief, the best Fae thief around. When he is hired to find a reclusive scientist and his mysterious formula, he soon learns that it is hidden away in a popular sex club, one where Fae are only allowed when accompanied by humans. After much consideration, he contacts the female he used to partner with, although it is against his better judgment.

Avily Donahoe is human, and Jerrick pushed her away from him when she offered her innocence to him many years ago along with her love. It isn’t that he doesn’t care for her, it’s that he cares too much, and thinks she deserves better than a Fae thief to love her. When Jerrick approaches Avily, he proposes that they go in as a couple, with Avily as his sub partner, but Avily changes their roles and Jerrick becomes ‘sub Bill’ to Avily’s domme role. As their adventure continues, those that hired Jerrick threaten Avily, and Jerrick discovers just how far he will go to keep her safe from harm. And he also discovered that there are some hidden agendas to this whole operation, with other players looking for the same objective, for different reasons. Can Avily play her role convincingly enough to help Jerrick gain his objective? Can Jerrick keep her safe, and keep his heart from becoming involved? Will these two finally give in to the passion that rises every time they are together?

Jodi Redford has built an intriguing world with this one, the long awaited follow up to Lover Enslaved. There is an edge to this society, and the atmosphere is daring and a bit dark, with characters that are well defined and passionate. I like this world, and hope Ms. Redford will visit it again, with stories of some of the characters from Lover Enraptured.

Avily Donahoe is a strong and independent woman. She has loved Jerrick Hunter for a long time, and has finally decided to move on after many years of unrequited feelings. When Jerrick comes back into her life with a business proposition, Avily is determined to make sure everything goes her way this time, and tell him so, in no uncertain terms. I like Avily, with her strength of character, and her never give up attitude. I like that she is willing to face Jerrick and set the rules for the job ahead, not letting him get the upper hand.

Jerrick Hunter is a Fae thief, a handsome and talented one. He also has a code of honor, and he pushed Avily away years ago because, in spite of his feelings for her, he feels she deserves more that a thief and scoundrel in her life. When he has to go to her for help, he has to accept her terms, and then when she is threatened, he will go to any lengths to keep her safe. I like Jerrick, with his honorable intentions and his determination, and I enjoyed watching as he slowly fell under Avily’s spell. I also like that he was willing to follow her lead when she set the rules for their partnership.

This is a fast paced story, with action and danger around every corner, and lots of seriously hot tension between Avily and Jerrick. The secondary characters in this are intriguing, and it is surprising who works for whom in the greater scheme of things here. There are some tender moments between Jerrick and Avily, and because this is a Jodi Redford book, there are some scorching hot spots as well. Do Jerrick and Avily find the formula, keep the evil doers from winning, and find a happy ever after? You will have to read Lover Enraptured for the answers to these questions.

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

Once a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth

December 9, 2013 By 1 Comment

SEAL
Once a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (281 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

It’s going to take a SEAL’s strength to make this marriage work
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Every woman dreams of marrying the perfect man-handsome, thoughtful, strong, and sensitive -and Aria Kavanagh believes she’s found the ultimate hero in Chief Petty Officer Daniel McCullum. But being a U.S. Navy SEAL wife is a serious challenge, especially when the missions are putting more than their love in the line of fire. Can they jump the hurdles and handle the daily rigors without falling apart? Or will the pressures attached to the handsome uniform have them both questioning if their dedication is worth it? Every moment matters when the only thing that truly lasts is love.

Sometimes the happily ever after doesn’t come the way you expect, but it’s exactly what you need.

Anne Elizabeth writes a crisp story of two people muddling through married life. This book starts with the wedding. There isn’t the getting-to-know-you lead up like in many books and I found this refreshing. This might not appeal to readers who want a long courtship. But don’t let that keep you from enjoying this book.

Aria and Dan are typical people. They have their ups and downs and Ms Elizabeth shows them with startling realism. I rather liked that these people weren’t perfect. That said, there are moments where I wished she’d have been a tad stronger as a heroine. I wanted to see her handle the issues of being the wife of a SEAL with a little more strength, but I could relate to her feeling thrown off the deep end. Dan is very much a SEAL (I know, you wouldn’t expect less). He’s focused and alpha. I wished I could’ve seen more of him outside of his job, but sometimes a man is married to his work.

This book is on the sweeter end of steamy. That’s fine. I liked the change in pace. Not everyone has sweeping, crazy hot sex. I connected with the characters and am looking forward to more from Ms Elizabeth.

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

Highland Rake by Terry Spear

December 9, 2013 By 2 Comments

RAKE
Highland Rake by Terry Spear
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (205 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed byXeranthemum

Dougald MacNeill is the next to youngest MacNeill brother and he’s not about to settle down, until Lady Alana Cameron is placed squarely in his lap…and then, the trouble begins.

When Dougald finds Alana roaming the heather on the MacNeill lands, he takes her in hand to see his laird brother James at Craigly Castle to determine her fate. But who has sent her there and why? Her uncle, laird of the Cameron clan, that has warred with the MacNeills for years, has made a marriage arrangement with another clan and now that is even at stake.

Having witnessed her father’s death, and even believing he had returned her home when all along he had been dead, Alana discovers she has the gift, or curse, of seeing the newly departed and sometimes those who should have long ago passed over. Her own deceased brother continues to plague her, the rake, and now another, who is very much of the flesh, Dougald MacNeill, has her thinking marrying a rake might just have its benefits. Dougald’s sister, who is one feisty ghost, has offered to help Alana keep Dougald in line if he thinks of even straying.

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I found an impish sort of delight in reading about a secondary romance in this story between two ghosts. They appeared to tease and guide and, when possible, assist the heroine on her own rocky road to romance with a most dashing and tempting rogue in a kilt. This story has enough twists and turns to keep a reader captivated. There are two mysteries to solve, killers to catch and enough witty dialogue to keep the pages turning.

This is a standalone read and follows another MacNeill brother as he finds his own one true love. If anyone has been following this series, this is the brother who always seems to find himself in a dungeon and has to be rescued by a winsome lass. The tradition continues, much to my delight. I also gave this book a high rating because I’d read it once and didn’t write a review right away. Too much time had passed so I figured that I would just skim it to refresh my mind of certain facts. Instead I found myself drawn back into the story and I re-read it again from cover to cover. I still found myself enjoying the plot, the characters, the camaraderie and the dialogue. I’d forgotten some key parts and was amazed all over again. I laughed, smiled, giggled and snickered because there were so many clever quips and digs between brothers and friends, jesting and general fun sprinkled throughout the book, it was a joy to read. Even when there were sad moments or times of reflection or distressing realizations, Ms. Spear never let the somber facts drag the story’s optimism down. This novel is a celebration of life and love.

Alana is the heroine and she is cursed. Of course she’s not really cursed but that’s what everyone whispers behind her back. Only a few know the truth. The actuality is fascinating and provided a lot of entertainment. I also commend the author for her writing skills. Alana sees what others cannot. The hero accepts this unusual behavior which allowed for a challenging writing dilemma. How does a person write about a character who sees other characters from the point of view of a different character who can’t see anyone else at all? How does an author convince a reader that the hero truly does accept the impossible all the while listening to only one side of a conversation? Ms. Spear pays attention to details, that’s how. It’s the words the author chose as she described Dougald’s reactions and his feelings that appealed to me and convinced me.

Dougald is a wonderful hero. He has quite the reputation to overcome and once he admits to how he truly feels about Alana, he knows he has his work cut out for him to prove he has found ‘his one’. The hero is a romantic at heart and I enjoyed discovering that about him. He’s a strong, fair, upright man, with a wicked wit. I loved how protective he was of Alana – he didn’t talk down to her. How he talked to her, dealt with her and handled her showed respect, reverence and a healthy dose of lust. That last part caused him no end of trouble and a lot of fun for me.

There were wonderful cameos from Dougald’s brothers, like James, Angus, his cousin Niall and even his sister, Seana. I liked Alana’s brother a lot and I also liked the Cameron, although I wasn’t too sure about him in the beginning. I actually felt bad for Hoel, but not too bad because he did act like a spoiled brat. I even felt bad for Landon and was totally sad about Alana’s dad. Love is a very strong theme throughout this book and it takes many forms. A reader can only understand the scope of it after reading the book. The flip side of love is hate and there are shades of that too which causes some unique double mysteries that plague Alana, her clan and Dougald. It’s another aspect that kept my eyes glued to the pages.

One of the most fun elements is when Dougald introduces Alana to the joys of being a woman. It wasn’t the hero’s prowess that impressed me. It was Alana’s reaction, quick learning style and her blossoming cheeky wit when it comes to wrapping her man around her pinky. Just thinking of the two of them together makes me smile.

Highland Rake is a sure pleaser of an adventure. Yes, it has sexy Highlanders, some terrific Scottish brogue, some sword fights, quite a few surprises and a satisfying happy ever after, but it’s the romance that is the star of the novel. It’s wonderfully scripted and its delivery has exactly what I look for to push my happy buttons. The editing was clean, the characters were engaging and the story has a strong re-readability factor. I should know, I read it twice and loved it each time.

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

Dragon Defender by J.A. Blackburn

December 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DRAGON
Dragon Defender by J.A. Blackburn
Publisher: Pip & Grey
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (236 pages)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can’t figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter’s twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother’s disappearance.

What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined – where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter’s uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it’s Peter’s turn.

Few people know that dragons exist. Even fewer know how to find them or what to do to save this threatened species from extinction. Luckily Peter is about to join at least one of these groups.

Once the sexual activity has been completed, blood flow to the penile area, thus buy cialis canadian making an erection possible. These on-line services have proved to be rare supplement which alone can support as many as ten viagra price in india different male sexual health needs and problems. The ASRM also declared that females are unable to reach the climax. levitra low price Smoking elevates blood sugar levels buy cialis from india http://djpaulkom.tv/music-dj-paul-releasing-vegas-nights-edm-mixtape/ in a diabetic person, making their disease more difficult to control and puts them at greater risks of developing complications to eyes, nervous system, kidney and heart. The non-stop action makes Dragon Defender hard to put down because Peter lives a completely ordinary life before his uncle’s unexpected visit. I liked the fact that Peter was written to sound like the opposite of what most of us would expect in a hero. He’s shy, nerdy, unathletic, and seems to be a little awkward around his peers. What made me appreciate this description of him even more is that these things aren’t automatically portrayed as negative personality traits in this universe. One doesn’t have to be strong or outgoing in order to make a difference.

Some of the secondary characters speak a mixture of English and Spanish, and the latter is not always translated for the reader. Most of the time it is easy to for people who don’t speak Spanish to pick up on what is happening thanks to context clues and the use of very common terms, but since this novel was written for elementary students it would have been nice to have a glossary of the less well known Spanish words at the end of the final chapter. While I always knew what the characters were saying, people who haven’t grown up around this language may have difficulty picking up on certain nuances in the plot because not everything is translated.

Most of the illustrations that begin each chapter are simple sketches of ordinary objects or places. It was fun to see what certain objects look like, though, and I had a good time attempting to guess how they would affect upcoming scenes when they reference things that have yet to occur. Including one sketch per chapter makes perfect sense, although this reader certainly wouldn’t complain if there are more of them in the sequel!

The main characters gradually reveal their personalities as they work to protect their dragons, but I would be quite interested in learning more about Peter’s flaws in the future. His courage and ability to think on his feet have a chance to shine more than once during the course of his journey, but I quite never figured out what his weaknesses were. It would be really nice to see him become a more well rounded protagonist as he grows up.

Peter is 12 when his adventure takes places, but it is clearly written for an audience a few years younger than that. I chose the 10+ age group due to chase sequences and mild violence that may be too intense for younger readers. While the first half is perfectly appropriate for 8 and 9 year olds, I’m hesitant to offer a blanket recommendation for these ages due to certain events in later chapters. This is something that should definitely be decided on a case-by case-basis, but I would not recommend this tale to anyone under the age of 8.

This is the kind of book that is great for reluctant readers, though, due to the fast-paced, exciting, and plot-centered story. The descriptions and vocabulary terms are ideal for students who prefer not to be bogged down by extraneous details, and while I certainly hope that the sequel will provide more information about how the Dragon Defense League operates the author’s conservative approach to background information works well for this particular tale.

Dragon Defender is a solid young adult adventure that I would recommend to anyone who loves dragons or fantasy tales set on modern-day Earth.

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

Angling For Love by Lea Barrymire

December 9, 2013 By 1 Comment

ANGLING
Angling For Love by Lea Barrymire
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (180 pages pgs)
Other: M/F/M, Menage, Anal Play, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

Arin Walters decides that after ending her long-term relationship with her cheating boyfriend, she needs a vacation in the Montana mountains. She packs her fly-fishing gear and heads off for a week of relaxation and emotional healing.

Brent and Jared have been best friends since childhood. The abuse they suffered as children binds them together. They want a woman to share and build a life with but they’ve been burned in the past.

There have been cialis online many tests proving great results for treating panic disorder and panic attacks. Men who have taken the medication in the past these problems didn’t getting viagra in canada exist like they do today. Today a millions of men, during the time of intercourse canadian pharmacies viagra in the bed, lose erections and face a feeling embarrassment. With a four- to five-hour stiffness to enjoy after 30 minutes from ingestion and with no side effects or negative results at all. lowest viagra price When Arin shows up at their fishing lodge, sparks fly and all three feel the beginning of something they crave—acceptance and love. Now they must hope that the passion between them is enough to help them leave the past behind.

Arin Walters walks in on her boyfriend with another woman and takes off on her vacation to Montana for a long overdue fishing trip. I’ll admit I enjoyed the idea of a woman who loves to fish, it was a unique skill for a heroine to have. It definitely makes her the idea woman for Brent and Jared, who are looking for a woman to share their lives with.

Arin is a bit conflicted since she just got out of the only real relationship she’s ever been in, yet finds herself falling hopelessly in love with both Jared and Brent. I liked that Arin took the leap and decided to go for it with Brent and Jared even though her father didn’t agree and she’s still dealing with the issues caused by her ex.

Having Brent and Jared tied so closely together because of their past abuse was a new thing for me. It works for them, even if at times I’ll admit it brought me down when I was trying to read for enjoyment. I understood that it was there to add a bit of realism to their relationship but I admit that it was very hard for me to read. Brent and Jared together are perfect for Arin, and their almost telepathic way of communicating was great because they were almost always in sync when it came to Arin and her needs.

The sex scenes were definitely plentiful and in ways more realistic since they took things slow and didn’t immediately jump to full on sex with both men at once. That was appreciated and Ms. Barrymire can write a smoking hot sex scene, I was never left wondering who was where and when. It was all very clear, which is hard to do when trying to keep track of so many people and all of their limbs, but Ms. Barrymire pulls it off seamlessly.

I highly recommend this story, it’s full of hot scenes, lots of the great outdoors and enough internal and external conflict to keep the story moving along.

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