Coffee Kisses Torquere

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Author: Margaret Leigh
Publisher: Torquere

REVIEW:

Aussie cop Miranda is interviewing Kayleigh, the victim of a robbery and attack. As she’s on her way back to join her partner Sid in the patrol car, Miranda is hit on the head and knocked out by a flying coffee cup!

Miranda discovers the owner of the cup is a pretty nurse, Lorraine, a family friend of the victim. They start dating, and then Miranda and Sid catch the yobs that hurt Kayliegh.

This is a short story so not a great deal happens in terms of plot, but even in the short space allotted, Miranda’s character flourishes as she falls in love with Lorraine. It’s a sweet lesbian romance that shows a slice of ‘normal’ real life –people meeting by chance and falling in love.

There’s a nice amount of humour. My favourite lines were when Miranda, on her first day back at work, receives a joke gift from her colleagues of a hard hat. Later she thanks her partner but says she won’t wear it. Sid replies:

“Aww, and after all the trouble I went to, getting a color to match your eyes.”

I looked at the fire engine red hat and half rose to my feet, scowling at him in mock fury.

“Okay,” he held up both hands, “so I’m color-blind.”

A couple of typos – ‘desert’ rather than ‘dessert’ being the most memorable, but otherwise this was a pleasant little read.

Secret Vol 24 Red Sage

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Authors: Mia Varano, Rae Monet, Natasha Moore and Alexa Ames
Publisher: Red Sage

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A collection of erotic novellas, part of the popular print anthologies from Red Sage Publishing.

‘Hot on her Heels’ by Mia Varano

Former showgirl Viveca Steele runs the Lollipop Lounge, a Las Vegas strip club for women. She’s known as an ice queen, treating men as disposable slaves and never letting them get close to her. But her new stripper, Jack, might just make her change her rules about getting involved with the hired help.

Jack Slater is a PI who’s investigating allegations that many of the strippers become toy boy lovers to rich, elderly women and then rob them of their jewellery. Jack’s looking for a particular dancer named Rock, and the best way for him to investigate is to go undercover as a stripper.

Jack saves Viv from Charlie, the guy who ‘adopted’ her when she first came to Vegas as a teenage runaway. Viv’s tried hard to escape Charlie’s sleazy grasp, but now he wants a piece of both her and the Lollipop Lounge. Then Jack’s identity is revealed and Viv is furious, thinking she’s been tricked. As Jack gets closer to discovering who’s behind the thefts, Viv decides to take her own action against him – and plays right into Charlie’s hands…

This was a great story with which to open the latest Secrets anthology. A thoroughly enjoyable read, I couldn’t put it down as I watched the simmering attraction between Viv and Jack.

Viv is a strong, confident heroine. She’s someone who knows how to cater to women’s fantasies, but doesn’t allow herself to explore or enjoy her own. She fears losing control and making the same mistakes as she did as a teenager, and it takes time for her to learn to trust Jack – only for her to discover he’s not what he says he is.

The apparently superficial PI-undercover-stripper story conceals deeper currents, with a strong plot with numerous twists, as well as very likeable central and supporting characters (I especially liked Chanel, Viv’s best friend and business partner).

The love scenes are sexy but not over the top, but where this story really shines is in the sexual tension between Jack and Viv. Jack’s arrogance and Viv’s coldness are great contrasts that work very well in this fast-paced novella. 4.5 Flutes.

‘Shadow Wolf’ by Rae Monet

27th century bounty hunter Dia is half-Dange, half-Lupine, born without the power to shape-shift. A bloody war has raged between the Lupine and the Dange, who won after they poisoned the water supply to alter Lupine DNA so they couldn’t shift. Dia doesn’t feel like she belongs with either race, but now her skills as a tracker and her ability to scent out a wolf is demanded by the Dange Alliance. They offer her a huge sum of money to capture the Shadow Wolf on Earth.

She travels to Scotland where she meets Roark, a Solarian Wolf Warrior, who’s the prince of a race and secret society that’s been around since the 13th century. He’s bonded with a wolf, Wacipi, who’s the Shadow Wolf.

Dia seduces Roark in order to win over Wacipi, but gets more than she bargained for when she finally understands the connection between a man and a woman. Without realising it, she’s mated to Roark. She thinks she can leave Erath, taking Wacipi with her.

But Roark goes after her to seek revenge and rescue Wacipi. He ends up saving Dia from hostile Lupine fire and forging a wary alliance with her. As their relationship grows, they must learn to trust one another – but then Dia’s boss Zarik turns up to find out why she hasn’t fulfilled her part of the bargain…

This story really wasn’t my cup of tea. I’m not a fan of futuristic or sci-fi romance so I struggled to read all of this novella just because it didn’t grab me. Fans of this genre may love it, though.

Dia was an interesting character but Roark didn’t match her. I found their first love scene rushed and unbelievable, and compared with the other three stories in the collection, the sex was quite tame. Later, Roark thinks the sex happened fast because he was under Dia’s mind-control. He’s supposed to be a warrior and yet didn’t suspect anything, so I found him a bit dumb.

The rest of the plot was simplistic, linear and a little contrived, making it an undemanding but forgettable read. 3 Flutes.

‘Bad to the Bone’ by Natasha Moore

Annie, still smarting from her ex-boyfriend’s comments that she’s boring in bed and in life, has decided she’s going to stop being a good little girl and start living it up as a bad girl. Attending a school reunion with her best friend Lacey, she decided that her first victim will be hunky Luke Kendall, who used to be the baddest boy around.

Classic car restorer Luke avoids commitments. His mother abandoned him when he was a child and he’s accustomed to distancing himself emotionally. Added to that is the fact that his ex-lover stole his money, and now Luke has no reason to trust women. Except he’s intrigued by bad girl Annie – and challenged by her attitude.

Together they burn up the sheets during a weekend of passion. Neither of them want it to end, but Annie knows that bad girls don’t cling. She’s ready to walk away – it’s Luke who asks her for more. They attend a car show together, but Luke’s thieving ex interferes. Can a bad boy ever reform, and can Annie go back to her good girl life?

Remember the scene at the end of Grease when Sandy wows Danny with her sexy transformation? That’s what reading this novella is like. Fun, sassy and blisteringly hot, I enjoyed every minute of this story. I loved how Annie finds the confidence to stand up for herself and take what she wants. Yes, she thinks about her actions and what the consequences could be, but that doesn’t stop her from doing as she pleases. She’s a fantastic heroine – and Luke is hot, hot, hot, more than a match for her.

Much of the enjoyment in this story comes from the shattering of expectations and stereotypes. When Luke kisses Annie for the first time, she reacts in her ‘good girl’ persona. He can sense it and is slightly mocking – and then she turns the tables on him.

With strong characterisation, sparkling dialogue and scorching sex, this is a really great read. I loved every minute of it. 5 Flutes.

‘War God’ by Alexa Ames

Estella, a graduate student, finds an invocation to an unknown deity in an old book of mythology. Inadvertently, she summons the god Ares. At first he hides himself, preparing her for him through her dreams. Then they meet in the flesh, Ares disguised first as a cop and then as a bouncer/boxer.

Since his break-up with Aphrodite, Ares has been searching for the woman whose body and soul contain the essence of Aphrodite. He’s certain that he’s found her in Estella, and demands a trade from Athena – the antidote to the poison he gave to her lover Argus in exchange for the power to bring Estella into the realms of the gods.

Athena keeps her side of the bargain and Estella is whisked away to Ares’ home in Elios. But can a mortal woman ever tame the god of war?

Although well written, it was something of a jolt to read a story that was 80% sex after the previous story. Characterisation is sketchy at best and the plot is thin, serving to link one sex scene with the next. I didn’t care for the depiction of Ares and didn’t buy his growing affection for Estella. The D/s aspect of the story didn’t do it for me, mainly because of the non-con ‘but I can read your mind and know what you *really* want’ aspect, and Estella’s passive attitude.

I enjoyed the exchange between the gods more than the relationship between Estella and Ares, even though several basic tenets of Greek mythology were broken without explanation.

If you’re just looking for a hot read, you’ll probably enjoy this one, but to my mind it suffers from being the final novella in the collection, especially after the high of the third story. 3 Flutes.

Summary

These four novellas are very different, offering a range of fantasies and locales. From bad boys to wolf warriors, PIs to Greek gods, the heroes are hunky, driven men who match their women in life and in bed. From a slice of real life to a strip club to Mount Olympus to futuristic sci-fi, this anthology has something for everyone. Rae Monet’s story is the weakest, but Natasha Moore’s superb novella more than makes up for it. Two light, sexy reads from Mia Varano and Alexa Ames complete the collection, which will be available in paperback from July.

Overall score: 3.8, rounded up to 4 Flutes.

Drive Me Crazy Wild Rose Press

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Author: Janna Lee Hayes
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Alyssa has grown up with stock car racing and provides the timing statistics on her father’s racetrack. Her childhood friend and long-term crush Newt is now an up-and-coming driver poised to move into the big time. When sexy socialite Janie invites Newt to test in California, Alyssa is madly jealous.

Newt has had the hots for Alyssa for a long time. They almost got together at the end of last season, but Lys’ brother burst in on them and split them up. He’s had a lot of women but none get to him the way Lys does. On the verge of moving to California to pursue his dreams, can he really let Lys go?

It’s so unusual to find a book set in the world of motorsport that I really wanted to love this short story. Unfortunately, it assumed far too much of the readers. I know a lot about Formula One, but nothing at all about NASCAR or stock car racing in general. After reading this story, I still know nothing.

Janie’s role wasn’t clearly defined. She’s described as a socialite yet she seems instrumental in landing Newt his trip to California for ARCA testing. I have no idea what ARCA testing is. Since it’s an important plot device, it would’ve been helpful to know what it is. I’d also have liked much more general background and explanation. Motorsport is such an unusual and unique setting, it’s a shame the author didn’t utilise it to her advantage.

I enjoyed the sensual aspects of the story, but overall it read too much like a RPF fanfiction where the author is writing for an audience already familiar with the details of the sport.

Carbon and Ash Torquere

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Author: Chris Owen
Publisher: Torquere Press

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Kiddy League baseball coach Myles is a doting dad on friendly terms with his ex-wife, Susan. His gay friend Todd, a widower and a father, helps out at matches and the two men share beer and food together every week. They also share a little light sexual relief. Things are fine as they are, until Myles goes on a date with a girl, Charlotte, from work. He’s enjoying himself with her until she sees a picture of Todd, Todd’s deceased husband and their adopted son. Charlotte doesn’t mind gay marriage but she dislikes the thought that a gay couple could have a child. Confused and angry on Todd’s behalf, Myles sends her home but doesn’t think too much about his reaction.

As time passes, Myles becomes more comfortable with Todd and their sexual relationship deepens. Meanwhile, Myles wonders if he should try a date with another workmate, yet nothing comes of it. After a baseball match, a group of parents go to a bar, where Myles is disturbed when he sees Todd flirting and exchanging numbers with another guy. Suddenly things fall into place with a massive crash - but now Myles knows the truth of his own feelings, is he too late to convince Todd they should be together?

This is written in an unusual POV (although I’ve seen it a lot in fanfic) - third person present omniscient. It’s a POV that gives a sense of immediacy and flexibility, and it’s used to great effect in this novelette.

I loved this story. Like Owens’ longer work Shady Ridge and the Neon Sky, this is a story about men. Real men, who regardless of their sexuality can relax and jerk each other off like it’s no big deal. Real men who love their kids. Real men who live normal, uneventful lives, and yet because of this ordinariness, they’re incredible. Chris Owen has a wonderful way of writing about real men and their real lives, evoking empathy for every character and building a lovely, believable little world I was sad to leave when the story ended.

Isanne’s Revelation Wild Rose Press

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Author: Laura hogg
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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During the Black Death, Isanne’s husband and daughter die of the disease. Her husband Symon doesn’t go easily, cursing God for causing such suffering. But Isanne survives, and lives again in modern times where she serves in the US Army in the Middle East. On a trip to the UK, she’s shocked when she sees Symon again.

Symon has been waiting for Isanne for centuries. A letter left to him by his sister in the fourteenth century reveals that he must find Isanne again for the chance for them both to return to their own time and to save their daughter. But when they’re taken back in time, their daughter is still sick with the Plague - and their only hope of saving her is with a modern cure. Symon and Isanne must pray for a miracle…

I’m not entirely sure what I think of this story. It’s not quite an inspirational and it’s not really anything else, either. It’s a very short story so the characters don’t have much room to grow, and the plot is… not convoluted but it’s almost too busy for the brevity of the story. Just as you settle into one scene it’s over, and over too quickly for me. I wish this had been a much longer story so we could get to know Isanne and Symon properly.

Where this story comes alive, though, is in the descriptions of Symon’s castle. As Isanne wanders around reacquainting herself with their ancestral home, the reader is right there with her.

Fans of Laura Hogg may enjoy this short story but I prefer her longer, richer works - and wish this had been one of them.

Always Tomorrow Wild Rose Press

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Author: Shada Royce
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Edward, the Duke of Carlisle, is dying on the battlefield in the arms of his friend Gavin, Earl Brockington. Edward’s dying wish is for Gavin to deliver two letters - one to his wife, Sarah, and the other to his mistress. Gavin is desperate to reveal a secret he’s carried with him for too long - he’s in love with Sarah and slept with her before she married Edward.

Fifteen months later, Sarah is still in mourning for her husband despite her housekeeper’s encouragement to look to the future. She’s shocked when Gavin turns up at her door and at first refuses to see him. But when he forcibly insists so he can give her Edward’s letter, she relents.

Sarah still loves Gavin, but she’s suffered while the men were away at war. While Edward’s letter frees her mind, can she take a chance on Gavin to find lasting happiness and love?

The opening scene of this short Regency erotic romance is great. On the battlefield with tensions running high, we’re introduced to Gavin and his guilty secret, and see his love for his friend and also his disgust that Edward could value his mistress Micah (isn’t this a man’s name?) over his wife Sarah. For me this was the strongest part of the story.

Sarah’s housekeeper is far too forward. Very few servants, even an old and trusted servant, would touch or address a Duchess so familiarly. Perhaps a childhood nurse would get away with the familiarity, but this struck a false note for me.

Another error that made me go ‘huh?’ was when Gavin visited Sarah at her late husband’s estate. We’re told it’s near Exeter in the south of England. A few pages later, Gavin thinks it’s time to tell Sarah why he’s come to Carlisle. Uh, Carlisle is in the north-west of England and pretty close to the Scottish border – a good 300 miles or more from Exeter.

We’re not told who Sarah is – she’s obviously a lady of quality otherwise she couldn’t have married a Duke – but her characterisation is thin and I finished the story not knowing more about her than I did at the beginning. Why did Sarah marry Edward rather than Gavin, when she’d already ‘ruined’ herself by sleeping with the latter? Apparently Sarah believed herself to be in love with Edward, but if so, why did she sleep with Gavin? Why was Gavin such a bounder that he didn’t make an offer of marriage before he slept with Sarah? And why didn’t he do it after, if he loved her so much?

This is well written, but the Regency setting is just window-dressing and the story leaves me with more questions than answers.

Pigmalion Wild Rose Press

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and a half!

Author: Sharon Buchbinder
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Levisa is studying for her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology, which means she’s an expert on accents and dialects. She’s intrigued when she meets good-looking Sam, who’s from Pigtown, Baltimore. Immediately, Levisa wants to study Sam’s drawl as part of her thesis, but he refuses to be anyone’s guinea pig.

Sam’s friend, Chip, fancies Levisa and bombards her with emails begging her to meet him. When she agrees to go for a coffee with him, he comes on too strong and Levisa flees. She’s rescued by Sam, who later asks her for help. He was told in an interview to lose his accent, and he wants Levisa to help him do it…

I loved the original Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (and the movie version My Fair Lady), and this short retelling of the tale starts off as an interesting variation. I was intrigued by Levisa’s degree and clinical work, and she started off as a good character.

However, things went downhill fairly quickly, with much of this story coming off as a bit jarring. The scene where Levisa asks “How far do you think you’ll get with that accent in an accounting firm?” and the dialogue that follows struck me as offensive and crass. She’s supposed to be persuading him to take part in her study, but instead she insults him. Her people skills are really lacking here and are not what one would expect from a clinical language therapist.

Also, I’m not a fan of seeing dialect or accents in their written form in fiction unless it’s very occasional. For me it’s enough to say ‘he had a such-and-such accent’. I don’t need to read ‘yew’ for ‘you’, ‘rate’ for ‘right’, etc. It pulled me straight out of the story.

Chip’s obsession with Levisa happens way too fast, and his reappearance in the second half of the story really made me go ‘huh?’ That whole sub-plot seemed over the top and unnecessary. In fact the entire second half of the story seemed contrived and rushed.

This could have been a fascinating update of Pygmalion. Unfortunately the story doesn’t fulfil its potential and left me feeling disappointed.

Happily Ever After Wild Rose Press

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Author: Margo Hoornstra
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Single mum and PTA Treasurer Sarah Walters is looking forwards to the school carnival. Her best friend Roxanne, who’d like to see her settled and happy again, wonders if the handsome, divorced school principal Alex Carter could be the man who puts a smile back on Sarah’s face.

Sarah isn’t one for matchmaking, but when she and Alex end up running a stall together at the carnival, they begin to get to know one another and enjoy a mutual attraction. But Sarah has been hurt by her rat of an ex-husband. Can she trust Alex and her own heart to bring her the happy ever after she deserves?

This is the kind of sweet, quick read you might find amongst the pages of a woman’s magazine. But even in a short read, the author has done a fine job at making Sarah a real character that the reader can identify with. Sarah’s quiet resignation at the collapse of her fairy tale dreams, her love for her daughter and her uncertainty at wanting to believe she can find love again is all very natural and believable. She has a self-deprecating quality that I think most women can relate to, and her growing attraction to Alex is played out in a subtle, understated manner that exactly mimics real life.

Favourite piece of dialogue:
“He’s the school principal. I’m a parent who happens to be PTA Treasurer. We worked together on a school fund raiser. There’s no fairy tale in that.”
“And you lost your glass slipper.”
“It’s a plastic folder.”
“Glass slipper, plastic folder. No difference.”

The story is told from Sarah’s POV so we don’t learn much about Alex, but his actions speak louder than words as he steps in to shield Sarah from an innocent but still hurtful comment from a child. His thoughtfulness is demonstrated further a little later on, too.

Alex and Sarah make a sweet couple who will make you go ‘awww’ when you reach the end of this charming short story.

Sofia’s Lobo Red Sage

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Author: Lauren Blades
Publisher: eRed Sage

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Sofia returns to Mexico with the crew of the television show she works on. She’s there to investigate the sights and sounds of a female ghost, Maria, who mourns her three children. Each year, on the anniversary of her death, the woman’s screams are reported. Sofia’s show investigates the paranormal.

Sofia meets up with her old lover, Antonio. They had parted ways years ago due to his secrets. For one, he is a werewolf. Antonio’s secrecy drove a wedge between them, and Sofia couldn’t put up with tormenting herself with where he was and what he was doing any longer.

Their desire for one another sparks again and, with many highly sexual scenes, they realise they still have feelings for one another. However, when Sofia visits the site where the screaming woman died, she sees a vision—one that appears to include Antonio… Pushing for answers from Antonio, Sofia finally uncovers the truth about Maria’s death. Will Sofia allow Antonio back into her life permanently now?

If you prefer a sex heavy book, then Sofia’s Lobo should hit the spot.

A Warrior’s Woman Whispers Publishing

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Author: Missy Lyons
Publisher: Whispers Publishing

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Kona is sick of being in his brother’s shadow—after all, his brother is next in line to the throne, and Kona only has dreary accounting to attend to. He needs something more in his life than women who only amuse him for a fortnight at the most. His cousin, Dustin, tells Kona of a woman who rules elsewhere—a woman who doesn’t have a husband. Kona’s mind goes to work on the possibilities…

Kona and Dustin visit the female ruler, Kivra. Kona issued a challenge to Kivra—to fight him. She asks what his name is—but he already told her upon entering her home. Small revision/editing slips like this ruin the read for me, as do frequent point of view switches between characters. Some capitalised words that should have been uncapped and punctuation issues also marred my enjoyment.

Kivra doesn’t concentrate on the sword fight—only on how sexy Kona is. I would have thought that her mind would have been on the blade and saving her kingdom rather than what Kona looked like. Kivra loses the fight, which results in Kona taking her upstairs for passion.

A relationship blossoms—with Kona appearing as a sex pest who can’t keep his hands off of Kivra, even in front of other people.

Unfortunately, A Warrior’s Woman was a book that turned me off rather than on. The editing issues irked, as did the predictability of the plot. I realise that a HEA is essential in romance, but when the HEA/plot is obvious from the beginning, I lose interest in the tale. Sorry.

Blood Ties Phaze

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Author: Missy Lyons

Publisher: Phaze

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1777

Priscilla dances with an older man, William, at a party and agrees to meet him outside later. Once outside, she witnesses a couple involved in a sexual act. She has never experienced such feelings herself. Alarmed, she watches the woman bite the man’s neck, producing blood. Turning, she bumps into William. The point of view switches between William and Priscilla in this scene, which I found jarred the read. Later, it switches between all characters.

William bites Priscilla and discovers that she is an undiscovered, immature vampire. Alerted by a female scream, William realises ‘The Hunter’ (a vampire named Van Wilder) is lurking somewhere, so instructs his men—who appeared from nowhere—to take care of Priscilla. Unfortunately, the men think William meant for them to kill her…

2008

Priscilla has waited a couple of hundred years to exact revenge on William for making her a vampire. She didn’t understand what he had made her, why the sunlight hurt so much, but baser instincts kicked in, and her body showed her that she needed blood. She slaughtered many in her lust for blood—and her hate for William grew. With the help of two of William’s men, Priscilla is at last able to deal out the justice that has weighed so heavily on her for so long. Drugged, William is at her mercy, and Priscilla gains satisfaction in knowing his own tools of torture will be used against him. She tortures him well and doesn’t believe his pleas and explanations as to why he left her that night so long ago.

William, left out in the sun to die, sups blood from a cat and survives. Meanwhile, Priscilla visits Van Wilder for his help in killing William. William finds out, and the urge to let her know that they are, in fact, mates and tied by the bond of blood grips him. Van Wilder falls foul of William, Priscilla accepts William as her mate, and all ends well.

As a summary, I found Blood Ties predictable, which tinged the enjoyment factor. The point of view switches became annoying, as did the overuse of the word ‘felt’ and missing punctuation. I don’t like being negative, but do feel that Blood Ties would benefit from an editorial overhaul, as the tale has the potential to really shine.

Seeing Red Freya’s Bower

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Author: Maggie Toussaint
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

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Quentin Stone owns Stone Construction. Emma Heartly has a great, high profile job, but she’s decided to convert her old family home into Heartly Bed And Breakfast, which is her dream.

When Quentin and Emma meet, sparks fly. He falls in love with her old homestead, and Emma talks herself out of falling in love with Quentin…or does she? Enter Emma’s two sisters who refuse to give her a quick claim deed to enable her to get the money she needs to remodel the house. What’s a gal to do when her sisters won’t cooperate, her boss is an ass, and the sexiest man alive wants to help her return the house to its earlier splendor and fulfill her dream?

Well…against her better judgement, she accepts, of course!

But not without repercussions…oh, no! One sister is thoroughly ticked off, and the other sees both sides, but is torn on what to do. Poor Emma is pulled in so many directions she’s afraid she’ll snap.

And then there’s Quentin’s big family who drop all sorts of hints about Emma being the one, but don’t pay any mind to his first three engagements! Oh, and let’s not forget that boss who’s such an ass, and Quentin’s ex-fiancee’s who are bent on having him back—no matter who gets hurt. Who’s tampering with the Heartly Inn rennovations? Who sliced the tires of Emma’s car?

Who? Who? Who? (Damn, I sound like an owl!)

There were many lines and paragraphs in Seeing Red that I liked, but I found the following paragraph special because it gives the reader such a poignant look into Quentin’s heart concerning Emma Heartly.

He remembered the rightness of Emma’s touch. They weren’t dating, and he wanted to keep her away from other men. He wanted to see her by candlelight. To see if her eyes would glaze over with passion for him.

Read Seeing Red. It’s witty, fun, and fast-paced. One of the better romances I’ve read in months! I give it five flutes of champagne.

The Price of Gold Freya’s Bower

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Author: Ansley Vaughan
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

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Alex sets off on his journey to visit his parents. On the way, he has an accident due to bad weather conditions. A woman comes to his rescue. She is a little odd—especially because she has a flame-like halo and seems to know a lot about Alex. When she calls two cats, Aalstein and Valgerour, to her side, Alex wonders what the hell is going on. What is she doing out in the middle of nowhere with those animals? And how does she know things about Alex?

Upon the woman’s insistence, Alex takes her home to meet his parents. His mother knows the woman and calls her ‘Lady’, much to Alex’s confusion. They appear to be old friends, and Lady’s appearance warrants champagne…

Lady is the goddess Freya. Summoned by Alex’s mother, Freya’s on a mission to make Alex take more time for his personal life and not be so bound up with his career. Freya returns to the city with Alex and conspires to ensure he notices Nossa, a woman he has known for a long time.

Freya, unfamiliar with the fast pace of our day and age, makes some hilarious comments, confusing herself as well as those she speaks to. Her cats shapeshift into hunky men, and those men also teach Alex a thing or two…

The Price of Gold is a really fun book that has many laugh-out-loud moments. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Vaughan’s voice and appreciated the research into Freya and mythology—I learned a lot from this delightful read. Thank you!

Tiffany’s Twisted Wild Child Publishing

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Author: Christopher Tran
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

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Michael has a lot to cope with this summer. With his mother dead, he lives with his father and brother. Sadly, his father is dying of cancer, and for Michael, his father’s illness overrules the happiness that graduation should bring.

Michael has had a crush on Tiffany for a long time. She shows interest in him and, surprised, Michael can’t believe his luck. However, Tiffany isn’t quite right. Saying she’s sick and twisted is an understatement, but love is blind, and Michael can’t see what’s right in front of his face. His friends try and make him see that his new girlfriend is as crazy as a loon, but Michael isn’t having any of it…

Tiffany has scores to settle. She seeks justice for her mother’s death—and stops at nothing to get it. Her schemes are atrocious and involve heartache and death. She is insane! Though her antics are shocking, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Life sought to sling her a bad lot, and Tiffany works through it in the best way her whacky mind knows how. She feels she’s entitled to kill people, after all.

Michael’s friends strive to prove that Tiffany Tabor is twisted. Will Michael accept the truth, or will Tiffany wreak havoc on more unsuspecting victims? Why has Tiffany chosen Michael as her boyfriend? And who is the hooded freak who aids her every crime? What is it about the past that joins Tiffany and Michael?

A tense scene at the end makes the heart beat faster and the mind question how some people can and actually have acted in the same manner as Tiffany.

Weird! She’s just so weird!

Phendar of the Avila Freya’s Bower

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Author: Doreen Perrine
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

REVIEW:

Phen has left her home and security to plant seeds by request of her mother. Sewing the seeds could save her people from extinction. A deadly curse has beset the land. While selling trinkets in the market, Phen meets with the Crystal Princess, Gledise, who takes Phen under her wing. Phen becomes Gledise’s companion, and they both grow close.

However, Gledise’s parents aren’t pleased about the union of the two women and try and forbid the princess from being with Phen. True love reigns, and Gledise refuses to be apart from Phen. Phen is sent to the dungeons, but Gledise sets her free, and the two young women move away.

The seeds don’t seem to be able to grow anywhere, and time is running out for the cursed people. Living in a huge bubble, Glendise and Phen reside in a tower with other bubble dwellers. Unfortunately, something paramount to Gledise’s survival is stolen. Can Phen retrieve it and at the same time get the seeds to grow and save their people?

Apart from the above plot being unique and interesting, Phendar of the Avila is a touching story that showcases the love between two women. Not just sexually, but in friendship. The genuine love Phen has for Gledise shines through, and I didn’t want the book to end. I loved the voice/prose and really rooted for Gledise’s life force to be found and for the seed to grow. I wanted acceptance for Phen and Gledise as a couple, for their love is a tangible, wonderful thing.

I loved the premise, loved the word use, and loved the whole book. Very highly recommended.

Whispers in the Wood Freya’s Bower

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Author: Kelly Madden
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

REVIEW:

At first, the title of the book made me think an actual wood or forest whispered. However, that thought was soon scuppered with a refreshing twist. Hana can listen to the tales of actual wood. Whether it still be a tree or wood fashioned into a piece of furniture, Hana can sense and read things from it. What a marvellous concept! Couple that with the fact that Hana visits an old house with a view to renovating it, and I got myself a delightful read that moved swiftly.

Lord Hawthorn is the homeowner. He seems aloof, but with good reason. Sinister goings on have been occurring, and he doesn’t want to appear too pally with Hana lest she get caught up in the weirdness of his house.

Too late—the entity in the home isn’t too pleased with Hana’s presence—and neither is someone else…

Intrigue, suspense, and a wonderful love story, Whispers in the Wood is one tale you won’t want to miss. I really did enjoy it!

PSI of the Beholder Freya’s Bower

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Author: Kelly Madden
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

REVIEW:

Tara has set up shop in being able to help businessmen select the best employees for their companies. The employees are sent on one of Tara’s courses. As she’s able to sense emotions and thoughts, she is quickly able to determine whether a person is right for the position their boss offers.

However, one man joins the course, and Tara can’t read his thoughts nor sense his emotions. How has he been able to block her out? Unsettled, Tara wonders if she’s losing a grip on her talent.

Liesar is the man in question. He needs Tara for a mission—one that will stop a ruthless killer’s rampage. However, Liesar needs to convince Tara that her compliance is essential, and as Tara is so strong willed, he sees trouble ahead…

Tara is transported to another world. Her attraction to Liesar grows, and she learns many things about him and his people. She should be horrified, but somehow, seeing them interact for herself, she isn’t. She agrees to help Liesar’s people knowing she could in the very least be in danger—or at worst lose her own life.

The relationship between Tara and Liesar is well defined. I fell in love with Liesar a little myself. He’s handsome, he’s strong, he’s caring. And he’s a vampire—of sorts.

An excellent read that moved at such a fast pace that the end came before I knew it. I didn’t want PSI of the Beholder to end and was saddened when it did.

Will there be a book 2? Please? Do I need to beg?

Okay, I will.

I’m grovelling. Can you see me? My knees are hurting down here. Come on, have mercy! Write another one, Ms. Madden.

Flexible Sexual Phaze

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Author: AJ Bray
Publisher: Phaze

REVIEW:

In this collection, AJ Bray presents six short stories about the flexibility and range of human desire and sexuality.

In ‘Extra Cream’, coffee addict Samantha rejoices when a boutique café opens in her neighbourhood. But it’s not the coffee that gets her heart racing faster but the sexy barista, Joe. After a long day at work she returns to the cafe to get another fix, but Joe wants to give her more than a Vanilla Spice latte and an apple crumb cake.

Rich with great humour and hot sex, this is a fun and entertaining read to start the anthology. 4 Flutes.

‘A Proper Tea Service’ shows us what happens when four prim and proper heiresses get together for tea. Carmen, a maid, is angered by the racist comments made by her employer and her friends. A sprinkling of shamanic magic in their drinks, and soon the ladies are on their way to becoming much more closely acquainted…

I liked this one less than the first story, mainly because it reminded me of a scene from a porn movie and was a bit clichéd. Still, it had some funny lines and was enjoyable in a giggly, cheesy kind of way. 3.5 Flutes.

Lonely trucker Robert gets more than he bargained for at a rest stop in ‘Trucker’s Heaven’. Charming French-Canadian Pierre is more than happy to take the closeted married man in hand and show him that dreams can become a reality.

This was my favourite of the collection, with some lovely characterisation, especially Robert, whose plight as a gay man with a wife and family was explored without sugar coating his needs or ignoring his hesitation and uncertainty. I liked the acknowledgement of his old high school crush on another boy and how this long-held fantasy has affected him, and how it leads him to act on his desires with Pierre. The sex scene in the shower was excellent, too. 4.5 Flutes.

In ‘Page 146′ we meet Sandra, an aspiring paranormal romance novelist who’s hit writer’s block. Her best friend Tanya orders her out for a night on the town, telling her she needs to get laid. Sandra agrees to try a Goth club, hoping to do some research for her book, but to her disappointment there’s not a single wannabe vampire in sight. There is, however, a sexy Romany girl, Shovani, who catches Sandra’s attention.

Here’s another strong, well-characterised story. Even though Sandra hasn’t been with a woman before, her attraction to Shovani is very natural and believable. A smooth and enjoyable read, with another excellent sex scene. 4 Flutes.

In ‘Kelly Girl’, married couple Gary and Jennifer have decided to spice up their love life by spending an hour with a prostitute. Kelly makes certain that she gives full value for money and pays special attention to Jennifer’s pleasure.

There’s really no plot at all here but the sex is extremely well written and very hot. The writing has a gentle quality to it that I found appealing and which lifted this above pure porn. 4 Flutes.

‘Lessons Learned’ is about an unnamed warring couple, a woman and her jealous transgendered lover. The woman flirts to get a discount on a pair of shoes; the couple argue and the woman taunts her lover that his lack of a real penis means he’s not a ‘real man’. The lover retaliates, showing her exactly what he’s capable of doing.

This was my least favourite story in the collection. I didn’t find either character sympathetic – one was a bitch and the other was almost stereotypically ‘male’ in his desire for revenge and violence. The transgender issue was almost peripheral, and overall this read as an ‘angry’ story that left me cold. 2 Flutes.

Summary

This single-author anthology of pure erotica is skilfully written with a very tongue-in-cheek humour and an eye to quirky, light-hearted fun and gratification. There’s no real agenda here, just an open attitude to sex in all its forms. It’s a quick read, and for the most part enjoyable and sexy. It was only the last story that did nothing for me personally, but overall this was a very readable collection of erotica. Overall score = 3.6, rounded up to 4 Flutes.

Roman Rhapsody Firedrake’s Weyr

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Author: Rita Trevalyan
Publisher: Firedrake’s Weyr

REVIEW:

Olivia, a rich housewife, has sexy dreams about a hunky gladiator in ancient Rome. At 42 she’s still sexy and desirable, although with her children grown-up and gone, she has little to occupy her time except fund-raising, tennis matches and shopping with her friends. She’s drifted away from her husband, Donald, who’s away on business so often she wonders if he’s having an affair.

Her past life and present life bear certain resemblances. In ancient Rome, during the time of Julius Caesar, Olivia is married to a man who’s constantly away. But Roman Olivia isn’t afraid to take her pleasures elsewhere. On an impulse, she decides to help a young woman who’s pregnant, taking her to the safety of the temple of Magna Mater.

Back in the present, Olivia’s routine life suddenly becomes interesting when, at a social event, she meets the modern equivalent of her gladiator. Kearney, a football player, is attracted to her, too, and they have a fling. Donald gets involved with a young woman named Caitlin, who accidentally kills her boyfriend Fred in self-defence. But Fred’s gang are determined to have revenge by any means possible, and Olivia finds her past and present lives beginning to collide.

There’s something curiously flat and lifeless about the modern-day characters. I can’t quite put my finger on why they didn’t work for me – maybe because there’s an over-abundance of detail that results in the author ‘telling’ rather than ’showing’. I suppose it could be argued that the lists of what Olivia eats, the clothes she’s wearing etc are included as a way of showing just how trivial her life has become, but it felt a bit too much like filler at times.

There are other problems too. The scene where Olivia visits her therapist becomes a ‘talking heads’ scenario rather than a dialogue between two people. The scene between Olivia and her friend Tamara, a Tarot reader, is all ‘tell’ and no ’show’. Then the characters go OOC and have a foursome, and the whole sub-plot with Fred’s murder is bizarre and completely sudden. From there the plot lurches from one drama to another, rather like the over-the-top soap opera spoof in Ugly Betty. There’s simply too much going on for this to be rational or believable, which is a real pity.

However where this story really comes alive is during the dreams of Olivia’s past life in ancient Rome. Ms Trevalyan does a good job depicting the might of the late Republic, from the gladiatorial bouts and the contempt for Christians (although historically it was a little later during the early Empire that Christians were thrown to the lions) to the social mores of the times.

There are the bones of a good story in here, but sadly it floundered under too much hysterical drama. I very much enjoyed the Roman part of the story; it was during the contemporary parts that it faltered. Just for the Roman aspect, this gets 2 Flutes.

Quod Tam Sitio Torquere

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Author: AM Riley
Publisher: Torquere Press

REVIEW:

George, a Protestant priest and music scholar, is leading his gay male voice choir when he catches sight of a pale, good-looking man. George has seen this guy several times, and has started to build up a fantasy about him. Seizing his chance to talk to his mystery man, George invites him to attend the next choir practise.

Dominick is an 800-year old vampire who’s drawn to the music and singing of George’s choir. He accepts George’s invitation, but his attraction to both music and man will prove his undoing. Dominick’s sire, Marcus, is jealous and angry that his childe should find solace in religion. He orders Dominick’s mad sister Poinsettia and newly-turned vampire Lawrence to imprison Dominick – but they disobey.

Now Dominick must admit the truth of his nature to George in the hope that the priest will understand and that their love will save him. But while George tries to find a compromise that can bring about Dominick’s redemption, Marcus is plotting to reclaim his childe…

I can’t remember the last time I read a book that had a Latin title that wasn’t an academic text. In case you’re wondering, ‘quod tam sitio’ means something like ‘that for which I thirst’ and it’s part of a Eucharistic prayer that appears as a song in the story.

The parts of the story that deal with music are very good, written with an obvious knowledge and affection for medieval religious music. George is very likable character, and Dominick a good foil for him. Of the secondary characters, only Patricia stood out; the rest are a bit bland. The religious content here is refreshing, too – it’s a story with a message that’s not preachy.

Best lines: He had a naked, beautiful, fully aroused vampire sitting on his toilet, George realized suddenly. This was something they had never discussed at seminary.

I do have some problems with the book, though. In places it’s incredibly vague. For example, the setting. For a long time I couldn’t work out where the story was set - US or UK? There’s mention of ‘the Continent’, which suggests it’s set in the UK, but later there’s a mention of Berkeley. The few descriptions given are so generic it could be anywhere.

But my main issues with this story are in the editorial and religious errors. Protestants don’t celebrate Mass, nor do they have a Eucharist – they celebrate Communion. Also, a Protestant priest is never addressed as ‘Father’. Catholics are ‘Father So-and-so’ while Protestants are ‘Reverend So-and-so’. This makes me wonder if the book’s hero was originally cast as a Catholic but converted to Protestantism for publication.

Aside from these problems, the story is solid enough and the characters engaging. The search for a compromise that will allow George and Dominick to be together can be read on many different levels, making this an intelligent read as well as an erotic one. It’s the author’s confusion of the two Western branches of Christianity that makes me give this book a lower score than it would otherwise have had.

Shady Ridge and the Neon Sky Torquere

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Author: Chris Owen
Publisher: Torquere

REVIEW:

Hank is a cop in the small town of Shady Ridge, a place where things tick over fairly quietly. That’s just how he likes it. He’s gay, but doesn’t shout about it – small towns aren’t always the best places to be out. His peaceful existence is shattered when new cop Charlie is transferred to the town for a change of pace. Ordered by the captain to give up his weekend, Hank shows Charlie around. Things just get better when Hank finds that the captain has arranged for Charlie to stay at his place.

As soon as Charlie’s settled, Hank heads off to join his friends and fuck-buddies Corey, Josh and Billy on their weekend away at the Neon Sky, a roadhouse-motel where they kick back, have sex and do manly stuff. Everything’s fine until Charlie walks in and sees them.

Soon Hank has to face his growing attraction to Charlie. It’s mutual, but is it a good idea to have a fling with a colleague – and can a cautious small town cop unwind enough to keep a sexy bit city cop?

I don’t normally go for cop stories but I loved this book. There’s something familiar and easy about it that makes it a joy to read. The characterisation is sharp and accurate right down to the minor characters. I could picture all of them as I was reading.

The tone of the book is captured perfectly by the opening paragraph:

Hank Brodnax was sitting at the front desk, diligently studying the dust motes floating by the big window, when the door opened. A gust of hot air made the motes scatter and dance, some of them twinkling brightly in the sun. They must have been leftover glitter from Tamara Ordoyne’s dress, Hank figured. She’d been pretty damn sparkly when they’d hauled her in Saturday night for being drunk in a public space. Well, that’s what they said they’d brought her in for; in truth, they were trying to keep the peace. That dress had been about to start a scrimmage on Sycamore Drive, and a riot wasn’t something Shady Ridge’s finest were equipped to deal with.

I also liked the masculinity of the story. While I love reading M/M where it’s one guy for one guy, I know it’s nowhere near as simple as that in real life. Chris Owen shows guys acting like guys – sex without strings, sex as part of friendship, and finally sex as part of love. Early on, Hank thinks Charlie is flirting with him. He dismisses the idea as daft – after all, men don’t flirt with him, they have sex with him. And it’s this difference between sex for the sake of getting off and sex because it’s meaningful that really makes this book something special.

I really can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s so real it’s as if I’m in Shady Ridge watching these guys go about their day. It’s a story about ordinary people living ordinary lives, and yet it makes for an extraordinary read. This is an outstanding read and I recommend it absolutely to any fan of M/M.

Between a Fox and a Hard Place: Threesome Torquere

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Author: Misa Izanaki
Publisher: Torquere Press

Aoi is an elf and ex-whore who strips at a nightclub. Itsuki, a kitsune (Japanese fox shifter) is his boyfriend. Things are just about perfect when a young man named Aya turns up at the club claiming to be Aoi’s son.

It turns out that Aya’s mother was a woman from Aoi’s past – a woman he once fell in love with and who hurt him badly. But is Aya really Aoi’s son? He’s certainly pretty enough – as Itsuki has noticed.

Then Aoi’s father and grandmother turn up and demand that he serves at the family shrine. It seems that Aoi’s problems are only just beginning…

I have a serious weakness for fox stories and there aren’t enough of them around (at least not in English), so I just about jumped on this one. It’s the first episode of a three-part series focusing on Aoi and Itsuki.

This short story is very cute. Yes, it’s light on plot and heavy on sex scenes, with dashes of comedy and angst thrown in for good measure… but this is 100% BL action.

Favourite exchange:

Aoi snorted indignantly. “When was the last time I got into any trouble?”

“Hmm, remember that dragon that was going to burn down the club because of you?” Itsuki raised an eyebrow. “That was what, three months ago?”

“That doesn’t count… he was hitting on me. It’s not my fault he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

There are some nifty ideas in this story. I liked the idea of body modification being so commonplace that the bartender Dante can get himself a set of horns and can casually talk about getting himself a pair of wings next. I also liked the very BL-type details such as a character wearing fortune cookie patterned shorts.

Written very much tongue in cheek and with unmistakable yaoi protagonists and situations, it’s light-heated and fluffy and as much fun as a ball of candyfloss. If you’re looking for deep and meaningful, don’t step this way – but if you’re a yaoi fan looking for an undemanding read, check this out – and imagine everyone drawn by Chitose Piyoko. Kawaii!

A Girl Named Christmas Wild Rose Press

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Author: Kimberlee R. Mendoza
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Chris, whose name is short for Christmas since she was born on that day, is about to turn forty. Her life is comfortable, but dull. Living with a cat named Mike and one of her sisters, Chris fears she’ll never marry. A birthday journal and a Christmas tree ornament sends her on a trip down memory lane, and she recalls the days as a bright teen girl who had once fallen for a boy named Elijah.

What follows is a melancholy tale of a young woman who blames herself for a family crisis. Although well-written for the most part, I found this story a bit melodromatic. My favorite paragaph, however is:

A fresh snow blanketed the ground and the icicles held steady to the roofs, but the sun had begun to break through the gloom. Chris, bundled in at least three layers topped off with a purple wool hat and matching gloves…

This is a vivid section of prose that presents a perfect image of a wintry landscape.

If you like very sweet fiction where life turns out perfectly, you may enjoy A Girl Named Christmas. I give it three flutes.

The Wedding War Wild Rose Press

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Author: Jenny Gilliam
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Wedding planner Mia is struggling with her fledgling business following the death of her beloved aunt. Her best friend Jillian is the heiress to a hotel chain, so when she asks Mia to help plan her wedding, Mia’s hopeful that more jobs will result from organising such a big society event. On her way to meet Jillian and her fiancé Gabe, Mia is forced to sit beside a hunky guy. It’s such a shame that he’s also totally obnoxious.

Jake is on a rescue mission to stop the wedding of his younger brother Gabe. From a young age, Jake was forced into playing the role of a parent to his brother. Their mother abandoned them, and their father became an alcoholic. Jake mistrusts love and is determined to prevent Gabe from making what Jake sees as a big mistake.

Both Mia and Jake have their missions clear. What they don’t count on is finding each other. With Jake determined to stop the wedding and Mia determined to make it go ahead, it’s a clash of personalities and hearts as The Wedding War commences!

I absolutely loved this book. From the strong, humorous opening scene right until the last word, author Jenny Gilliam doesn’t put a foot wrong.

The characters are a joy to read. Even the minor characters fizz with energy. Mia is especially well defined, a sympathetic and instantly likeable heroine. As for Jake – wow, he’s just sex on legs! Take a look at this (slightly biased) description as he and Mia clash for the second time:

Jake Ryan stood in the doorway, one long, sinewy arm propped above his head as he gripped the doorframe. An intricate black tribal tattoo circled his bulging bicep. In his other hand, a bottle of beer dangled from his fingertips. He still wore the black T-shirt that fit him like a second skin, and those Levis. He’d removed the ball cap in what she supposed was respect for dinner, though she still wasn’t convinced he knew how to walk without dragging his knuckles. His black hair was silky, short on the back and sides, a little longer on top. He had close-cropped sideburns that ended at his earlobes. They should have looked ridiculous, but on Jake they were outrageously sexy.

Yum!

As the wedding preparations lurch from one minor disaster to the next – Jillian’s interfering parents, obnoxious relatives, a secret pregnancy, a recalcitrant priest, a hurricane, plus the reappearance of Jake and Gabe’s mother – Mia and Jake overcome their demons and fall in love. With bucket-loads of sexual tension combined with sizzling love scenes, a brisk plot and truly excellent characterisation, The Wedding War is a superb read. This is one of the most perfect contemporary romances I’ve seen in a long time – buy it now!

Queen of Trees Wild Rose Press

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Author: Lynn Lowery
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

REVIEW:

Lana is an orphan raised by her adopted father Marek, the Keeper of World Wood, to follow in his footsteps as a Tree Warder. She guards the forest and has a special empathy with the trees surrounding her, protecting them from harm. When she discovers a group of intruders threatening a lone man, she saves the stranger’s life – only to discover that he’s Kail Mageking, Crown Prince of Mordavia.

Kail has fled his home in the capital Lightforge after the murder of his father the King. Natyva, an evil Dark Chantress from a northern kingdom, has corrupted the government and soldiers of Lightforge. Kail hopes to find allies amongst the World Wood and neighbouring Tunasia Valley – but along the way he also finds Lana, who will become his Queen…

This is the first in a series entitled ‘Royalty’s Destiny’ set in the magical fantasy world of Mordavia. It’s a very short story – and for me, it’s too short.

The concepts, language and plot are all very simple in the manner of a fairy tale, but I can’t help wondering if this story wouldn’t be better off aimed at children. In fact, if the (brief) love scene were removed, it’d be an ideal children’s fairy story as it has all the right ingredients – a confident heroine, a prince needing help, a quest, a cheeky elf, danger to a kingdom, and an evil witch.

The world-building is lovely (maybe a map could be included with the next book?) and there’s a real sense of fairy tale enchantment here, but alas, the story is way too short and the characters not fully developed. However, the series has definite potential and I’d be interested to read the second book.

A Hero For Jessica

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Author: Pamela S Thibodeaux
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Paul is a successful New Orleans lawyer. One evening he gives a lecture and is attracted to a woman, Jessica, in the audience. Thinking that her name is familiar, he discovers that she’s a writer of romantic suspense. He’s intrigued enough to buy Jessica’s books, and at a book-signing event he witnesses a man acting in a threatening manner towards her.

Jessica has long admired the handsome lawyer and has occasionally used some of Paul’s more bizarre legal cases as fodder for her books. She’s looking for a change of direction in her writing and also wishes that she were free of the corrosive influence of her ex, Jasper, who refuses to accept her rejections.

Jessica approaches Paul to help her with a contractual problem, but as they begin to know one another and fall in love, Paul realises he has to deal with a much bigger problem of Jasper before he can win Jessica’s heart.

This is the first time I’ve read an inspirational romance so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The religious references range from subtle (in Paul’s life) to the more obvious (for Jessica and Paul’s mother). Speaking as someone who’s not particularly religious, I didn’t find the book preachy. In fact it was a rather refreshing read in those terms.

However, events happened a little too fast for my liking, which is often the problem with short stories. There were also a few moments that made me go ‘huh?’, such as Jessica’s request that Paul negotiate her out of her contract with her publishers. He discovers that her publisher and indeed her editor are pushing for an inspirational line, which would be ideal for Jessica’s new work. I found Jessica’s ignorance about her profession and publisher a bit odd here.

The character of Paul’s mother was wonderfully written and she really held my interest. I also liked the way the author handled the topic of dementia with both care and consideration.

The resolution of the plot involving Jasper felt too quick, so I didn’t quite get the satisfying ending I was hoping for. A Hero for Jessica is a nice story with three solid plotlines to it, but as a whole it didn’t gel for me. Ms Thibodeaux has a strong voice and a readable style; my complaint here is the brevity of the story and what it does to the characters. I would definitely read a longer work from this author.

Hotter After Midnight Kensington Brava

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and a half!

Author: Cynthia Eden
Publisher: Kensington Brava

REVIEW:

Dr Emily Drake is known as ‘the Monster Doctor’ because she treats ‘Others’ – the paranormal creatures who live alongside humans. Emily’s skill as a psychotherapist comes from her psychic gifts, which enable her to read the minds of, and thus empathise with, paranormal creatures. She enjoys her job until she’s called on by the police to help track down a suspected serial killer who appears to be one of the Others.

Cop and were-shifter Colin Gyth has recently transferred forces after his best friend tried to kill him. He’s learned the hard way that Others are not welcomed by humans, so he hides the truth of what he is. When he calls on Emily to help with the murder case, he’s stunned to realise that she recognises him as Other.

Emily has a rule – don’t date Others, and never get involved with a shifter. As the case progresses, Colin and Emily are forced to work together, building an attraction that they can’t fight. Colin is determined to win Emily’s love, but she’s got a whole heap of skeletons in her closet – not to mention the fact that she’s the serial killer’s next target!

I feel quite torn about this book. On one hand I enjoyed the simple, direct language and style with its smart licks of good humour. On the other, the story itself was pretty forgettable and suffered in terms of pacing and an over-simplification in the world-building.

Emily is an interesting character with whom readers can readily engage. She’s not a kick-ass heroine but she’s tough and streetwise, a real survivor who’s grown used to fending for herself and being alone. She’s the perfect match for Colin, who as a shifter has been made to feel like an outcast. Their romance is well handled and sexy, with plenty of complications on the way to the HEA.

However, the secondary characters, with two exceptions (McNeal and Smith – McNeal in particular really jumped off the page) were fairly faceless. AS mentioned before, the world-building was way too simplistic for me, and given that there are dozens of shifter paranormal romance novels out there, it would’ve been nice to have something fresh and original rather than an ABC approach.

There’s a couple of great twists towards the end that I didn’t see coming, but apart from that, Hotter After Midnight is pretty much formulaic and demonstrates nothing new within the genre. This is a shame, as I really enjoyed the opening chapters and Emily’s profession as ‘Monster Doctor’ had a lot of potential. It’s fun while it lasts, but it’s not a keeper for me.

Seti’s Heart Torquere

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Author: Kiernan Kelly
Publisher: Torquere

REVIEW:

Young academic Logan is less than happy with his new job as assistant to a cantankerous old scholar, Lincoln Perry, deep in the bowels of the museum. He resigns himself to hours of boredom, but when Perry is out of his office one day, Logan opens a forbidden door and discovers an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus. Being a curious individual, Logan opens it, fiddles with the canopic jars inside, and raises the mummy of the pharaoh Seti.

Five thousand or so years ago, Seti’s favourite, Ashai, was murdered by men who wanted to usurp the throne. Seti took revenge, angering the god for whom he was named, Setekh (one of the names of the Egyptian god of Chaos). Setekh buried Seti alive and took out his heart. But now Seti’s awake again, and he’s ready to hit the streets of New York.

But Perry’s one-time colleague Ethan Wilder has plans for Seti. Fascinated by the Egyptian’s immortality, Ethan wants to learn Seti’s secret so he can extend his own life – and Ethan is prepared to go to any lengths to capture Seti.

Together, Logan and Seti embark on a wild ride of treachery, magic, god-baiting, murder, and, of course, true love…

This is an eminently readable and light-hearted romp written with the same easy humour that made Kelly’s previous title Dancing On The Head Of A Pin so enjoyable. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, such as this early exchange between Seti and Logan. Seti has just been served a Budweiser:

Seti cocked a brow, sniffing at the mug. “What is this white foam?”“That’s the head.”

“Your beer is alive?”

“No, that’s just what we call the foam.”

“It doesn’t smell like beer.”

“How would you know?”

“We had fine beer in my day. Brewed with barley and wheat,” Seti answered. He took a small sip of the golden liquid, immediately crinkling his nose. “This is not beer. This is piss water.”

Logan is an endearing romantic hero, shy and studious and completely normal. Seti is a prime alpha male who’s not above doing things differently if it pleases his new lover. The culture clash brings plenty of comedy but also the occasional piece of pathos as both men struggle to understand and compromise for one another.

My only complaint: I could really do without the CAPITAL LETTERS FOR SHOUTING!!!!! It’s a bit too reminiscent of fan-fic.

Overall, Kelly’s style is smooth and entertaining. With plenty of comedy, sex, and angst combined with a strong supporting cast and a boo-hiss contingent of baddies for our heroes to battle, Seti’s Heartis a satisfying and engaging read. This one’s a keeper.

Lutin’s Heir Phaze

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Author: James Buchanan
Publisher: Phaze

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Julius ‘Jules’ LaRousse has settled with his family in Paris, where he’s still mourning the death of his mentor, Cardinal Richelieu. Jules has it all – good looks, wealth, an open marriage to his beautiful wife – but he’s never been able to learn the secret of his birth…until a letter from Richelieu reveals the truth.

Jules discovers that his mother was from the deBussy family. By chance, he meets a young girl of this family, who leads him to her aunt – the sister of Jule’s mother. Soon Jules is embroiled in a battle with the deBussy family as they seek to deny any connection with him.

Jules’ family, his Irish lover Curran and even his long-standing enemy Charlotte ‘la Tisson’ Mollion are all drawn into the war of words and power. At the same time, a strange magic is at work in Jules’ household – and then tragedy strikes…

Reading this was like trying to watch a Harry Potter film when you haven’t read the books. A lot is assumed of the reader – that we’re familiar with the characters (there’s little description given), familiar with the world-building (no explanations are given), etc. This seems to be a sequel, as there are a large amount of references to earlier events. Such references aren’t particularly well explained, and to be honest by the end of the book I still had no idea what Jules was, beyond the rather vague epithet of ‘Le Fé’. Given that the word can cover any multitude of otherworldly creatures, it would have been useful if the author had told readers new to this universe exactly what was going on, rather than drop in a hint on p166 out of 179.

The characters are flat and uninspiring, the dialogue clunky, and the plot meandering. I found myself wishing for more sex scenes to liven the pace. There’s no emotional connection to any of the characters – granted, many of them are meant to be amoral and devious, but at least the hero should evoke some kind of emotion other than boredom.

One of my pet peeves is the irritating habit of characters dropping foreign words into dialogue when we’re meant to assume they’re already speaking that tongue. It gets even more irritating when French words are not just sprinkled but slathered throughout the book. I’ve never seen so many italics on a page and I don’t want to see that many again – it’s distracting and unnecessary.

There’s some very bad editing in this book, with typos scattered throughout, names changing, titles uncapitalised, bad French, place names italicised when they don’t need it, and worst of all, Provence is referred to throughout as ‘Provance’. How this escaped the notice of an editor is mind-boggling.

The only good thing I can say about this book is that at least the history and period detail is accurate. For that reason alone, I give Lutin’s Heir 2 stars.

The Sound Wild Child Publishing

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Author: Stan Grimes
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

REVIEW:

Alien ‘orange-hatters’ have come to town, and their intentions don’t look promising. What are they up to? Why is their location shrouded in secrecy and heavily guarded? How come the town mayor doesn’t seem phased by their presence? In fact, half the town is unperturbed by the orange-hatters. And what has Endwell Inc. got to do with it?

Larson Bash intends to find out just what’s going on. Unfortunately, the orange-hatters don’t take kindly to his snooping. Larson creates a newspaper with the sole purpose of showcasing the orange-hatters and their activities. Someone—the aliens’ leader? The mayor?—decides that Larson needs to be quiet…for good.

Orange-hatters visit Larson’s home and destroy it—and his wife. Despite his massive loss, Larson has no choice but to flee for his life and takes residence at his newspaper office. Sinister occurrences plague his days, and his assistant, Josie, and Larson’s dog, Jonas, stick it out together.

An unknown man attempts to kill them, and Larson’s insurance man proves to be anything but an insurance agent. As the heat gets hotter, Larson, Josie, and Jonas are forced to escape—to a place riddled with more orange-hatters.

Imagine living somewhere where anyone wearing a hat is a suspect. Who do you trust? Orange-hatters don’t have any tops to their heads, and Larson can’t just walk up to random people and demand that they remove their hat. With terror as their best friend, the trio, along with Josie’s sister, Tempest, and a fellow they meet along the way, must overcome all odds to survive.

Will they find out exactly what is going on? Why do spacecrafts suck up animals? What do the aliens want? And just what is Wasp Whiteman up to?

A highly enjoyable read with an excellent main and thrilling sub-plots. The Sound kept me spellbound, and I read it in two sittings. I closed the book at bedtime, and the first thing I did in the morning was open it to finish.

A great read.

In The Gloaming Freya’s Bower

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Authors: Various
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

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At The Edge of Twilight by Cora Zane

Left on her aunt’s doorstep when her parents split up, Colleen O’Shea returns to her childhood home as an adult. Smells of the old days bring back strong memories, and she battles to gain control of her emotions. A kindly man, Herman, cuts the back yard grass, and Colleen is able to once again gaze upon the old oak tree at the far edge of the property.

While enjoying some air one evening, Colleen hears a melody. Is someone playing a tune in the darkness? Despite her fear, she investigates and meets Rowain…

An absolutely charming, well written read. I thoroughly enjoyed the excellent imagery, the emotions, and the ‘being there’ feeling Ms. Zane created. I loved At The Edge of Twilight and urge anyone who adores captivating writing to check out Cora Zane.

Robin’s Cap by Esmerelda Bishop

Graham skydives, and Kat has always feared for his safety. Graham went skydiving without telling Kat. When she found out, she felt he had abused her trust. So Graham takes Kat to Hermitage Castle in an attempt to save their relationship.

However, the castle is haunted. Neither of them really believes the stories surrounding the castle, but they are forced to admit that something sinister is definitely afoot when falling rubble lands near Graham and they get locked inside the castle.

Redcap needs a human… Will he succeed in his quest to ensnare Graham and Kat? Or can the couple outwit him and flee the castle to safety?

Any enjoyable read that deals with adversity helping a couple forget their former squabbles and realise just what they mean to one another.

The Icicle by K.M. Frontain

Elli is on vacation with her mother, stepfather, and stepbrother. Unfortunately, she has a broken leg, so can’t join in the usual holiday activities. This suits Elli—she likes being alone, and for good reason. She has a penchant for her homemade dildo…

Elli’s family head off for some holiday fun, and Elli opts to go in the sauna. Finally glad to have some privacy away from her infuriating step brother, Glen, she settles down for some toy time. Glen walks into the sauna, though, almost catching Elli in a compromising position, infuriating her. Does Glen have a thing for Elli, despite his words and actions suggesting otherwise?

Other wordly beings also have their sights set on Elli, and their appearance stuns and entrances her beyond anything she has ever imagined.

The Icicle explores the frustrating feelings of a young woman learning about her sexuality. Why, if Glen annoys her so much, does she want him all the same? And who are those beings, and what do they want?

Great imagery, great writing, great twist, great plot. What more can a reader ask for? Highly recommended.

The Dream by Nita Wick

Katie is visiting Scotland. Her mind filled with tales of faeries, trolls, and banshees, she explores the area surrounding her hotel in the hopes of seeing such beings. Surely these tales of fantasy must be based on truth and the beings in the tales could still exist? If she found the enchanted forest that the bellboy told her about, this trip would be complete. She rests on a bridge, soaks up the balmy evening air, and closes her eyes…

She dreams of the lover that always visits her during sleep. However, her dream doesn’t go the way it always has in the past, and Katie questions whether she has woken up without realising it. No, she can’t have done, for she and Aidan, the Mr Fantasy of her dreams, find themselves inside a faerie ring—and faerie rings don’t exist. Do they?

They enter an enchanted world, one rich with imagery and rich characters. The Dream is a lovely tale that kept me entertained throughout. I wish it had been longer.

The Enchanted Meadow by Kelley Heckart

Taran leads his men and cattle to some grasslands. While taking it in shifts to sleep and guard, the men find out that the area they inhabit has strange qualities. One particular cow disappears, only to reappear some time later. Is a band of cattle thieves using trickery to confuse them?

While Taran sleeps, he dreams of a beautiful woman. She enchants him. The dream seems so real… Once awake, a tree catches his attention. What is it about the tree that captures him? Is that a face he sees on the bark? No, it can’t be—can it?

Someone or something is trapped inside the tree, cursed to remain there. Who, or what, is it? Who is the woman in Taran’s dream? Can Taran solve the mystery that weaves itself around him and his men?

A unique story, The Enchanted Meadow brings the other worldly right to your door. I felt like I was a part of Taran’s group—a sure sign of a fine writer.

Summary:

In The Gloaming really is a superior set of tales. I have read many authors and many anthologies, and this is the first one for me where every tale is rich and enthralling in their own right. I turned the page expecting more and found myself deflated that the book had ended. I wanted more, damnit!

For Kicks Black Lyon Publishing

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Author: Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing

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Assistant store manager Breeze Cohen has a long-term life plan. She’s set her sights on becoming the youngest ever store manager in her company’s history. Her drive to succeed was instilled in her by her workaholic grandmother, who’s just been retired from the Mendelssohn’s senior staff. Breeze eats, breathes and sleeps her job, and doesn’t see anything wrong with what she’s doing. She hasn’t seen her family for years and can’t remember when she last went on a date.

Logan Chandler is an ex-soccer player turned brand manager for Nitrous Kicks, a special brand of sports shoe aimed at the soccer market. He’s in town to ensure that Mendelssohn’s, which has an exclusive deal with Kicks, is placing the product to its best advantage. When he discovers that the only staff member with the knowledge to deal with Kicks is Breeze, at first he’s pleased by her professionalism – but then he realises just how much her work is ruling her life.

As they work together during a whirlwind tour of several states, Logan coaxes Breeze out of her rigid, self-imposed discipline and teaches her to live a little. But what starts out as a challenge for Logan quickly becomes something more – but can Breeze take that final step and shake off her inner career woman for the sake of true love?

This is one of those ’slow burn’ books that starts off apparently going in one direction and then the heart of the story sneaks up when you least expect it. The author clearly has a background – or at least considerable background knowledge – of working in retail. The first chapter read more like a corporate report than a romance, and my attention started to wander. Too much unnecessary trivia bogs down the all-important introduction to the hero and heroine, and while I’m all for realism and scene-setting detail, it’s laid on too thickly here.

Having said that, the story really picks up after the initial couple of chapters. At first I really wasn’t sure if I’d keep going with it, but soon I was hooked by the cat-and-mouse game of seduction between Breeze and Logan. I liked the quirky character traits like Breeze’s addiction to utilising every second of her spare time with flash cards and kits. The Tarot, self-help books, astrology, reflexology… all of them are used by Logan to woo her.

I’ve lost count of how many love scenes I’ve read over the years, so it’s always nice to find a book where the love scenes catch my interest and really stand out. With this book, the phone sex scene was one of the better ones I’ve read in a long time.

It took a while for Logan to open up as a character, and similarly with Breeze I couldn’t fully empathise with her. In her workaholic attitude and failure at hitting a sensible work/life balance she reminded me a lot of one of my best friends. Sometimes I want to bang my friend’s head against a wall to make her see sense. I wanted to do the same with Breeze. So, while I couldn’t empathise with her, I did want to *help* her – and this is really what the story is about – making the time for a ‘real life’ rather than a ‘work life’.

After a somewhat shaky start, I found myself enjoying this book and rooting for Logan to overcome Breeze’s inhibitions. Ms Bayley-Burke demonstrates fine potential with For Kicks and I look forwards to her future work.

Shadow Cat Phaze

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Author: Zoe LaPage
Publisher: Phaze

REVIEW:

Isabelle, an art historian, has come to the Loire Valley in France to work on a major restoration project at the Chateau Limoges. On her first night as she’s out for a stroll, she’s attacked by a panther – and saved by her new neighbour, Jules Valdrome.

She soon learns that there’s more to Jules than a handsome face and a hot body. He’s a Fav