Posts Tagged ‘erotica’

“Spider-Touched,” Jory Strong

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Pros: Stunning & original world; continuation of the fascinating plot from “Ghostland”
Cons: Male lead doesn’t stand out as much; secondary plot not as engaging
Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group.
Visit Jory Strong online.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

In Jory Strong’s lovely Ghostland, we find ourselves “in a post-apocalyptic world where supernaturals have emerged from hiding, wealthy humans delight in decadence while the religious gain power through temptation.” The Djinn, creatures so old that people mistakenly believe them to be demons, harbor a deep hatred of humans for enslaving them—but thanks to one Djinn and the human shamaness (Aisling) who loves him, that might be changing.

In Spider-Touched we follow the story of Araña, a young woman whose touch can kill, even when she doesn’t want it to. She has a unique ability to manipulate others’ destinies, an ability she fears and doesn’t understand. That ability brings her to Tir, a powerful immortal who doesn’t remember who or what he is—only that humans have kept him enslaved for centuries. When Araña frees him he finds himself drawn to her, and they both set out to find out who and what he is—and to free him from his remaining shackles.

 
(more…)

“Up Close and Personal,” Carla Cassidy

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Pros: Wonderful characters; interesting family relationships; delightful suspense
Cons:
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 10/6/2009.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Jordan Sampson is ready for a change. Her daughter seems to be pulling away from her. Her best friend is a drama queen. Her job as a homicide detective isn’t exactly easy street. So she goes to her 15-year high school reunion, where she meets up with her old cheerleading team as well as Clint Cooper, her high school sweetheart. Of course no reunion in a suspense novel could go off without a hitch, and it’s less than 24 hours before the first body turns up: one of the former cheerleaders. Jordan finds herself trying to catch a killer who’s hunting not only her old high school friends, but probably her as well. At the same time, she’s dealing with her daughter’s moodiness, Clint’s single-minded pursuit of her, and her best friend’s dramatics. It’s going to be a difficult—and possibly deadly—holiday season!
(more…)

“Beyond Heaving Bosoms,” Wendell & Tan

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Pros: Laugh-out-loud tears-in-your-eyes funny and highly educational!
Cons:
Rating: 6 out of 5

Also posted on Epinions.com.
NOT a publisher- or author-provided review copy. (Purchased).

 

If you ever thought that romance novels were just “chick porn,” the Smart Bitches (Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan) are here to set you straight. Their blog is wonderful, intelligent, hilarious, frank, and a joy to read, and their book Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels is every bit as amazing, if not better. Within pages I was laughing out loud, and it didn’t take long before I had to start reading quotes to the other women in the room so they didn’t strangle me. By chapter two or three they were all asking if they could borrow my copy; not long after they were writing down the book information so they could get their own. Yes, it really is that good!
(more…)

“Cold Midnight,” Joyce Lamb

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Pros: Great mystery & suspense
Cons: Romance feels forced
Rating: 3 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Ten years ago, Kylie McKay’s rising tennis career—and her knee—were shattered by a brutal attack. The culprits were never found, and she fled town and the people she loved. Now she’s back to rebuild her life, but someone is vandalizing her construction site, and it just might be connected to her attack. Detective Chase Manning loved Kylie in high school, but he never forgave her for running away. Now he’s determined to protect her, find her attackers, and win back her heart.
(more…)

“An Indecent Proposition,” Emma Wildes

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Pros: Characters play off of each other well, romance feels natural
Cons:
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

The Duke of Rothay and the Earl of Mandeville have made a bet. Which one of them is the better lover? The widow Lady Caroline Wynn, cool and unapproachable, wishes to judge under condition of anonymity to prove her dead husband’s accusations untrue. While being entertained by the Duke of Rothay, she begins to learn what love can be like. But while the two of them are getting to know each other, the Earl of Mandeville has to confront the fact that his heart is already attached, to a woman engaged to someone else. Can the Earl press his suit? And could the Duke be open to anything more than a fling with the beautiful Lady Wynn?
(more…)

“Warrior of the Highlands,” Veronica Wolff

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Pros: Sweet, engaging romance between the characters
Cons: Villain seems to be disposed of a little too easily
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

 

Haley Fitzpatrick, a graduate student, is working on her dissertation. While doing research, she discovers a mysterious artifact that sends her back in time to seventeenth-century Scotland, and into the path of Alasdair MacColla, a mighty warrior. Mistaking her for an enemy spy, McColla captures her. Experience quickly proves that she is no spy, and the beginnings of passion prompt him to take care of her. Haley finds herself falling in love, but she knows that without her help, McColla will experience a terrible fate. Can the two of them work together to avert disaster?
(more…)

“Seduced by Shadows,” Jessa Slade

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Pros: Intense, inventive, detailed, and wonderful
Cons: Maybe a little too much misunderstanding between main chars.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 10/6/2009.

 

Sera wants to return to her job of shepherding dying people peacefully off to the other side. But she can’t, because she lost what peace she thought she had when a drunk driver left her scarred and broken. Now something has come looking for her: a man with violet eyes, Archer, who warns her to avoid temptation. And temptation itself, clothed in Archer’s seeming.

There’s a war between good and evil that rages constantly within the human heart, but it also has a physical manifestation. Angels, demons, and repentant demons possess vulnerable mortals and use them to carry out an immortal struggle. The repentant demons are known as talya, and make up one of the weaker sides of the fight. But when Sera becomes the first female talya in living memory, that starts to change. Together she and Archer are stronger than either of them alone. And they’ll need that strength, because one of the real demons has a plan that could finally tip the balance of the fight—forever.
(more…)

“Your Scandalous Ways,” Loretta Chase

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Pros: Witty sense of humor, engaging characters, fast plot
Cons:
Rating: 5 out of 5

 

When Francesca Bonnard’s husband divorced her, she took with her a packet of his letters, letters that could mean the end of his position in high society. Moving from England to the Continent, Francesca became a high-priced courtesan. Now, five years later, her ex-husband wants his letters back, but he’s not the only one. James Cordier has been appointed to retrieve the letters as part of an investigation. Expecting a simple seduction to do the trick, he finds his plans derailed by the willful, independent beauty he meets. Francesca, although intrigued by James, is determined to protect both herself and her independence. But when it becomes clear that Francesca’s ex-husband will do anything to get those letters back, Francesca and James must team up.

 
(more…)

“The Redeeming,” Shiloh Walker

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Pros: Delightful story of good, evil, and redemption
Cons: Beginning felt a bit simplistic
Rating: 4 out of 5

The Redeeming

The Redeeming

Review copy courtesy of a Twitter contest held by the author.
Available from Samhain Publishing.
Visit Shiloh Walker online.

 

Jonah is dead, but his guardian angel gives him a choice: go to eternal torment, or take responsibility for his choices and accept one last chance at redemption. Lilan is a daughter of Lilith, a demon born to drain men’s souls and steal children away. But she’s a demon with a soul, who feels torment over what she’s supposed to do, and that gives her one single chance at a human life. She has two months to prove she can live the life she says she wants—and that time is running out when she meets Jonah. Each of them is on a mission to save a young man’s soul, but will their attraction to each other prove a fatal distraction—or the key to saving him?

 
(more…)

“Chains,” Shiloh Walker

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Pros: Very intense; outstanding characters and relationships; skillful handling of delicate topics
Cons: Wanted a teensy bit more about how the women found satisfaction in their jobs as well as their relationships
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review copy courtesy of Penguin Group.
Visit Shiloh Walker online.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Fifteen years ago, three girls in their senior year of high school in Madison had almost nothing in common—until they experienced a terrible tragedy that bound them together and sent them fleeing from their hometown.

Renee was the icy-perfect prom queen from old money, dating the Mayor’s perfect son. After that night she fled her mother’s plans for her to become a pampered trophy wife, instead choosing to train as a chef and play at the lifestyle of a submissive. Night after night, however, she still has nightmares in which she can smell blood.

Lacey was the school’s sweetheart—as good-tempered as she was pretty and strong. She’s become a photographer, but she’s been told her work lacks heart, and she knows it’s true. Five years ago she found pleasure in the arms of Madison’s sheriff, but he walked out on her, and no one else satisfies her.

Sherra was the school’s bad girl, a pint-sized troublemaker. Now she writes best-selling horror novels to exorcise her own demons. The idea of being touched by any man terrifies her, and now because of the threatening notes and emails she’s been receiving, she’s stuck with an overbearing bodyguard.

All three women are headed back to Madison for their 15-year reunion, and for the kickoff of Sherra’s big booksigning tour. They’ve become friends in the intervening years, and they’ve each found their own measure of success, but they’re lonely and afraid. Now they’re going to have to face their fears, conquer them, and conquer the monster that’s stalking them.

 
(more…)