Annmarie has worked so hard to get her fashion design business off the ground. She can’t afford to lose her head or let her workers lose theirs over the construction crew across the street.

This is the first time that I have read Kate Douglas, and I can see that it won’t be the last. Her characters jumped off the page. I think an author has achieved a good character when you can see some of someone that you know inside of that character. Nick was a good Beta male. He was just the right combination of pushy, cocky, and sexy. I loved how Annmarie’s employees hooked up with Nick’s employees. It was very sweet and romantic. I definitely recommend this!

AGAINST THE WALL
Rhyannon Byrd
ISBN: 1-84360-995-6
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary
Reviewer: Sharon
Rating:

Shea Dresden wants her sexy-as-sin neighbor, Ryan McCall, so much that she changes her normal behavior and dresses in a skimpy little dress, and then she goes to Red’s, a bar where Ryan usually goes on Friday nights. But this time he’s not there, and after an encounter with a drunken customer (she’s saved by the waitress), Shea goes home.

Unfortunately, the drunk follows her, and he breaks into her apartment and attacks her. Ryan and his partner Derek have just arrived next door after work when they hear the sounds of a fight and Shea’s scream. They rush next door and rescue Shea. Derek takes the drunk to jail, and Shea decides to show Ryan just how grateful she is and how much she really wants him.

Ryan wants her just as much, but he has always thought of Shea as the sweet girl-next-door type and believes he’s not good enough for her. But after Shea proceeds to show him how wrong he is, he stops holding back and takes her standing there, right against the wall.

Another hot, steamy erotic romance for Rhyannon Byrd, AGAINST THE WALL has, in my opinion, placed her right up there with the other well-known queens of erotic romance! I loved this book about the nice girl-next-door type who gets aggressive enough to go after the man she wants.

As with her other books, AGAINST THE WALL is full of highly erotic sex scenes, so I HIGHLY recommend this erotic read. Be sure to turn the air-conditioner down a few notches before you start, as the temperature will rise!

AISLYN
Shelley Munro
ISBN: 1-58608-444-5
New Concepts Publishing
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/aislyn.htm
Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Reviewer: RogueStorm
Rating:

Seamus Gallagher is an officer with the Auckland Central Police Station. He’s also a guardian for the fairy colony. As such, it’s his responsibility to marry a rich fairy and bring wealth back to the colony. The only problem with this scenario is that he’s stuck on his best friend’s sister, Aislyn.

Aislyn O’Sullivan is a fairy. She’s determined on two things in her life: First, Seamus will be hers. Second, she will become the first female fairy on the Fairy Force! It’s not going to be easy, but with a little bit of luck and a whole lot of persistence, this rebel fairy is going to come out on top.

Soon, Aislyn’s achieved one of her heart’s desires and is working for the Fairy Force as a human assistant to officer Seamus Gallagher. While in human form, she must remember to take her pills each day or she’ll revert to fairy form, and she has to deal with Seamus’ overprotective streak, which is becoming extremely irritating

Seamus is in a hell of his own making. He has to work closely with Aislyn in the office and on undercover assignments, all the while, keeping his lips and hands to himself! What’s more, he’s got to figure out how to tell Aislyn he’s engaged to a rich fairy while, at the same time, keeping her from finding out that he’s the “Guardian.”

Aislyn’s use of fairy profanity is funny! In fact, I couldn’t imagine, after reading AISLYN, any other way a fairy could curse without it sounding unrealistic. It was easy to identify with Aislyn because she’s a rebel, but not by choice. She just wants the freedom to be herself without fear of being pigeonholed into what others want her to be. Most of us can definitely identify with this!

I found it interesting to see the internal struggle Seamus goes through trying to reconcile his feelings for Aislyn with doing his duty to the colony and then to watch as he tried to reconcile keeping her safe while using her to crack the case they’re working on together. And finally, I couldn’t wait to see how he would get himself out of the fix he found himself in so that he could be with the person he loves.

Shelley Munro’s AISLYN is well written, humorous, and provides enough character description for readers to identify with the characters. As a result, readers find themselves drawn into the story very quickly. I would like to recommend AISLYN as a sweet, funny tale of fantasy and romance.

ALL NIGHT VIDEO – FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY
Sahara Kelly
ISBN: 1-84360-961-4
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Jake Foster, aka “Big John” Johnson, is tired of the porn business. He has been a producer of upscale, high-ranking porn movies since graduating from college. He has won numerous awards and even introduced new film techniques. He is ready for a change. He had no idea that his life altering change would come in the form of Daphne Littlewood, a librarian working on her master’s degree. When she stumbles into the adult store where he is making an appearance, he agrees to help her, for research purposes only, because she seems like the least likely person to inhabit an adult video store. Soon, though, it is evident that it isn’t about research at all, it is about his heart, because he has fallen wildly in love with Daphne. The only problem with that is that she has no idea who he is. When Daphne finds out that her “research assistant” is none other than “Big John” Johnson, will their learning sessions be over?

Daphne feels like a fish out of water in the adult video store. Thank goodness for Jack Foster and his helpful offer of giving her any information that she needs for her thesis. She can’t deny that he awakens feelings in her that she never thought that she had. Who knew that prim, proper librarian Daphne had an inner slut just begging to be released? Well, now Daphne knows, because she can barely spend a moment with Jack without wanting to jump his bones. Now she is more confused than ever, because what started out as a learning project, for research purposes only, has grown into something much stronger. Daphne is falling for Jake, and it appears that Jake is falling for Daphne. Yet when she finds out who he is, will their classes stay in session?

ALL NIGHT VIDEO – FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY is an interesting foray into the adult entertainment industry. Jake is a director who is tired of the glitz and glamour and is ready for something real. Daphne is a librarian who has never even considered viewing an adult video, much less dating a major figure in the industry. Find out what happens when East meets West; they have some hot and heavy sex and maybe get some feelings involved. It well deserved its five-flame rating! There are some wild sex scenes that take place in some interesting settings and a phone sex scene that will make you want to reach out and touch someone… This one is a scorcher! Enjoy getting your sexual education with ALL NIGHT VIDEO – FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY!

ANOTHER CHANCE
Marianne LaCroix
ISBN: 1-59279-259-6
Amber Quill Press
www.amberquillpress.com
Contemporary Erotica
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Alexia and Robert were once lovers. They had a hot and heavy love affair that ended abruptly when she insisted on marriage and he refused. Their shattered affair led to her broken heart and, soon thereafter, a marriage that would soon fail. Currently, she is single, a mother of twin six-year-old girls, a teacher, and an aspiring romance author. When her writing leads her directly into Robert’s path, she takes a chance and approaches him. Will her daring efforts lead to their rekindling an old flame or is their past truly dead?

Robert left Alexia fifteen years ago, when she gave him an ultimatum about marrying her. He wasn’t confident enough about his success as a writer to offer her marriage. His plan was to wait until he was more established and propose. His plan backfired miserably when she married someone else. Now fate has given them a second chance, and he doesn’t intend on letting her get away. She has haunted his dreams for fifteen years, and he is more than happy to have her in the flesh. He has no intention of letting her go the second time around. After all, he has another chance with the love of his life, and that is more than most people get.

ANOTHER CHANCE is the touching story of two people who get a second chance to recapture the love that they let go so many years ago. It is a tender, endearing love story that incorporates romance, love, and undying passion into an erotic novella. It gives readers hope that everyone who has lost out on their first chance at love will get another chance.

ARRESTED
Alyssa Brooks
ISBN: 1-59578-014-9
Liquid Silver Books
www.liquidsilverbooks.com
Contemporary
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Kirsten Montgomery is on the run from her horrid ex-boyfriend when she has to stop in Paradise, Texas. It turns out to be far from paradise, when she gets arrested because her ex-boyfriend reported her car stolen. She ends up a prisoner of Reid Walker, the town’s sheriff. He refuses to believe anything that she says, but he doesn’t refuse to act on their attraction.

Soon they are engaging in a torrid affair that threatens to overcome them both. No matter how much he wants her in his bed, he won’t listen to how she ended up in Paradise with a “stolen” car and on the run. The more time that goes by, though, the more danger she is in, because her ex-boyfriend won’t give up his pursuit of her. She has something that belongs to him, and he has every intention of getting it back from her. It makes no difference to him what he has to do to get it; he wants her dead anyway. It is up to Reid to help her and keep her safe, but what does she have to do to convince him that she is telling the truth? If he doesn’t believe her, then how can she ever trust him?

ARRESTED is a spicy tale of suspense and romance. Kirsten and Reid share a heated passion that makes for a hot read that warms up the pages quickly. Reid is stubborn and sexy, a perfect combination in a male, while she is equally as stubborn, yet determined and strong-willed, the perfect foil for his character. The sex is scintillating and the storyline is exciting, with just the right amount of action and adventure. ARRESTED kept me arrested from start to finish.

AWAKEN TO THE SUN - TAROT: THE SUN
Emy Naso
ISBN: 1-55410-112-3
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Fantasy Erotica
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

Sunlight has not touched the mother world of the Qui’sioe for many turns of the sand clock. The Moon Master rules this dark land. He and his followers fear the return of the light. Each morning, nightmares of the light’s return terrorize them. Sexual gratification is the only way to stave off these nightmares, so they callously use the people as sexual offerings. However, things are about to change, for a battle is about to begin. Will the Sun win the coming battle and rise once more, bringing with it not only its wondrous light, but also love and sexual pleasure for all the people?

AWAKEN TO THE SUN is a unique, imaginative tale that is written in a lush, lyrical style. The story contains several interesting characters, but because it’s so short, the reader doesn’t receive much information about their individual backgrounds. Nevertheless, the powerful emotions--despair, fear, hope, love--emanating from these characters allows you to connect with them. You also learn a lot about them in the story’s very sensual sex scenes, which are all tastefully written.

In AWAKEN TO THE SUN, Emy Naso has expertly blended together myth, fantasy, and sex to give the reader an entertaining read. It’s a great choice for someone who’s looking for an erotic story that’s a bit out of the ordinary.

BLOOD LITE
Dakota Cassidy
www.ellorascave.com
ISBN: 1-84360-980-0
Paranormal/Erotic
Reviewer: Jenni
Rating:

Leah decides she weighs too much and wants to hire a personal trainer. She meets Erik Hanson, the personal trainer who is instantly aroused by her figure. He loves a woman with a few rounded curves. Leah can't believe Erik is so freaking hot she could fry and egg on him. They both are attracted to each other but there’s one thing Erik does not know about Leah - she is a vampire - a four hundred twenty year-old vampire.

BLOOD LITE is a very quick and fast-paced book. I highly recommend it. It’s very steamy and it will keep you entertained. So if you are looking for a fun and sexy book, this is it. You will laugh out loud when Erik finds out his lover is a vampire! BLOOD LITE is a winner!

BONDS OF PASSION
Desiree Erotique
ISBN: 1-894942-15-9
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
BDSM/Bondage, Fantasy, Teaser
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

BONDS OF PASSION is a continuation of Elsa’s Erotic Escapades. Elsa has previously been trained as a Disciple of Pleasure. In this novella, she has been sent back to Earth from Nemi to, once and for all, prove to her militant feminist mother, Charlotte, that she is right where she wants to be with Robert. When Robert leaves for work, Charlotte sends Jamie, Elsa’s childhood playmate, to attempt to lure her back to the mountain where the commune is. Jamie’s attempts are wickedly sensual, and OOPS! Robert catches their antics. Will Elsa prove that Robert holds the keys to her heart on both Earth and Nemi? Or will Jamie prove successful in her ministrations and manage to get Elsa back to the commune?

This is a very interesting little novella that picks up where DISCIPLE OF PLEASURE leaves off. I would encourage the reader to first read it before picking up BONDS OF PASSION. The storyline is very provocative and captivating. Elsa and Robert share a master/submissive relationship. The sex scenes are very heated and intense. Find out what life Elsa chooses in this sexy little tale.

BOUND HEARTS: SACRIFICE
Lora Leigh
ISBN: 1-84360-996-7
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary with BDSM elements
Reviewer: Nancy
Rating:

This is the first of the Bound Hearts series I have read. Kimberly Madison, daughter of Senator Madison, is subject to the terms of a trust that has gone five generations in her family. In order to inherit her mother’s estate, Briar Cliff, and the money that comes with it, she has to be a virgin when she marries. Her father has demanded quarterly physical exams to verify that she is still eligible.

Jared Raddington is Kimberly’s stepbrother. His mother married the Senator after his father died. Jared is intensely attracted to Kimberly and has been for an entire year since the wedding between their parents. He sees her at The Club, with another man, and vows that she will never again be with anyone but Jared. But first he has to convince Kimberly.

The Club is an exclusive establishment run by prominent politicians in Washington DC. Jared’s father founded it, and secrecy is its most important tenet. Most of the members are married and visit The Club with their wives. Only two male members are unmarried, and Jared is one of them.

Kimberly works as a security agent, and someone has threatened both of them. Kimberly’s boss assigns her to stay at Jared’s farm for their safety. Jared wants to dominate Kimberly, but respects her ability and right to say no. For the majority of the book, their interaction is intensely sexual, yet Jared refuses to take her virginity. He understands how important her inheritance is to her, and the knowledge that she will break the trust if she remains unmarried for five more years is foremost in her mind. Yet, she is a woman with a deeply sexual nature.

Jared asks for permission to marry her, but her father refuses. She can only marry a man her father accepts, and the man she marries is expected to restrain her passions and keep her respectable. Jared would restrain her, but not her sexuality.

Despite the lustful beginning, this book is about relationships in the best sense of the word. The relationship between Jared and his mother and their acceptance of each other is admirable. Kimberly hates her father because of the way he treated her mother, as well as the way he treats her. Her mother used Kimberly as a weapon, even implying that the Senator was not her biological father. Lora Leigh uses her craft in such a way that even the Senator becomes sympathetic. I enthusiastically recommend this book, but warn that there are explicit descriptions of sexual practices that may be offensive to some.

BUCK NAKED
Vivi Anna
ISBN: 1-55410-148-4
eXtasy Books
http://www.extasybooks.com/
Erotic Contemporary
Reviewer: Kathi
Rating:

Sabine was on the run after a successful diamond heist when her car broke down in the small Canadian town of Buck Lake. In her line of work, mistakes happen when you let people get too friendly, so she was surprised at how close she became to the inhabitants of the little town, especially Canadian Mountie Evan Brady. He seemed to be the one man capable of resisting her abundant charms. And she dearly loved a challenge.

Evan knew that Sabine was trouble and was determined to fight his growing attraction to her. He’d always wanted a woman who wasn’t afraid of her sexuality and he definitely found it in Sabine. While Evan struggled with his desires, he refused to become just another conquest to her. But could he keep his hormones in check long enough for her to leave town?

Evan Brady is a brooding, super-sexy alpha male, who absolutely made my knees weak. Sabine is the bad girl that most women secretly wish they could be. A woman that’s not afraid to take what she wants. When they are together, you can practically feel the heat coming through your screen. This is a short book, so don’t expect an intricate storyline. But it’s a great way to spend your lunch break. Vivi Anna remains a must buy on my list!

CANAAN
Barri Bryan
ISBN: 1-58608-490-9
New Concepts Publishing
www.newconceptspublishing.com
Historical Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

When a corrupt police commissioner kills her adoptive mother, Coral Morgan flees before he has a chance to sell her to the highest bidder in his brothel. To get out of New Orleans safely, Coral assumes the identity of a dead woman and joins a wagon train bound for Texas. It doesn’t take long for Coral to realize that traveling with the depraved members of the Cult of True Believers is even more dangerous than the life she left behind.

Luke McDade is a hard, tough wagon master. He isn’t a cult member, and he knows the woman claiming to be Lilly Malone isn’t either. Luke is determined to find out who she really is and protect her from the terrible fate that awaits her in Canaan, the True Believers’ settlement. Will he still want her when he learns the truth about her past?

CANAAN is a fabulous romance. It’s the complex characters that drive this story. Coral is a strong, clever, and resourceful heroine. Jake is likable and very sexy, but he does remain somewhat of a mystery. If you try to pick out the biggest villain from among the secondary characters, you’ll probably end up changing your mind more than once because first impressions are definitely deceiving in this story.

Barri Bryan gives this well-written novel a perfect ending by neatly tying up all the loose ends. I highly recommend CANAAN to anyone looking for real, believable characters and a plot that’s full of twists.

CHAINS OF LOVE: BOUND TO TRUST
Jaci Burton
ISBN: 1-84360-970-3
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
BDSM
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

Marina is ecstatic when she is offered a chance to work on a kidnapping case, but what she doesn’t bargain on is going undercover as a sub. Her Dom, Kaden, is a native of the planet Xarta, where these kidnap victims are being transported. How can Marina, being a Dom in nature, become a convincing sub?

I’m not into BDSM at all, but this book was a great read. Marina and Kaden were awesome characters. For those like me who aren’t into hardcore BDSM or BDSM at all, this is the perfect book. The chemistry between the two main characters is explosive from the jump-start. The description, from the characters’ appearance down to the taste of the food, was so good I could almost taste the exotic fruit. Being such a strong personality myself, I didn’t want Kaden to take Marina’s control, and I didn’t want her to hold onto it for too long. Jaci did an excellent job of having Kaden patiently but firmly seduce it from her. I wasn’t dissatisfied with Marina’s reactions to the way Doms treat their subs in this book. They were definitely genuine and realistic. Great read!

COME TO ME
Arianna Hart
ISBN: 1-55410-151-4
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Hawk Adams isn’t quite sure what to do when he lands on a planet of half-naked nymphs. He’s sure not averse to viewing such lovely creatures; however, all good things must come to an end, and he knows he has to wake up sometime. However, his good intentions of leaving this heavenly place that he has landed on are impeded when Tara, a lovely half-human, half-nymph, crosses his path.

Tara has been an outcast her entire life, due to the differences in her body as compared to the others. She has lived in constant shame because of her voluptuous features. Yet Hawk is instantly attracted to her and her feminine features. Will their instant attraction lead to more serious feelings? Or will Hawk leave Tara and her feelings for him behind?

COME TO ME is a romantic fantasy revolving around Hawk’s crash landing into a land of sexy wood nymphs. His instant attraction to Tara takes center stage, making him momentarily forget his plans for leaving the land. Their torrid romance sets the stage for a spicy storyline backlit with a science fiction theme and a fantasy motif. Find out if Hawk leaves Tara and their attraction behind or if their attraction can set the stage for love.

THE COMPLETENESS OF CELIA FLYNN - TAROT: THE HANGED MAN
Vivian Hart
ISBN: 1-55410-117-4
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Historical Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

On her eighteenth birthday, Celia Flynn discovered that her feelings for her three best friends--Robert, Patrick, and Freddie--had changed from friendship to love. She wanted to make love to each young man that day, but shame and guilt overwhelmed her and drove her away instead.

Now, after two-and-a-half years of longing and regret, Celia gets another chance to accept their love, when, one by one, the young men return from the war to convalesce. Right from the start, the men make it clear that they have forgiven her for pushing them away and that they are willing to share her love. Will Celia be able to overcome the guilt and self-loathing she feels and find happiness with Robert, Patrick, and Freddie?

Set in Ireland during World War I, THE COMPLETENESS OF CELIA FLYNN is the tender, compelling story of a young woman who discovers love and self-worth by embracing her sensual, passionate nature. Robert, Patrick, and Freddie each possess a distinct personality, and in order to be whole, Celia needs the love of each unique man. But they need her just as much, for the war has left all three men with terrible scars on their minds, bodies, and hearts. Her love heals them, and when she finally learns to love and accept herself, its healing power grows even stronger.

THE COMPLETENESS OF CELIA FLYNN is erotic romance at its best. This magnificent story tugs at your heartstrings and demonstrates the magical, healing power of true love. I enthusiastically recommend it.

COMPUTER CRIMES: HENTAI DREAMS
Sage Grayson
ISBN: 1595960147
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Futuristic
Reviewer: Avalon Sydney
Rating:

Tiana DeShay works quietly as an anti-slavery hacker. She is financially set, yet she craves the challenge of hacking and virtual sex. She shares a cell with the elderly Kestrel, and her day-to-day life is one of secrets. One day, she stumbles into a virtual world that knocks her socks right off.

Hawk works deep undercover with the Computer Crimes unit. When not working, he shape-shifts into an elderly lady named Kestrel and shares a cell with Tiana. Hawk has been fighting growing feelings for Tiana, but knows that she only feels friendship for him in his old lady persona.

When Tiana’s life is endangered, Hawk is on the case, but he must pretend to be a stranger, and this isn’t easy when he’s so attracted to Tiana.

While I enjoyed this book, it seemed that the world and details dominated the romance and these details took away from the story a little bit. I hope Ms. Grayson will write some longer titles in this series. I was very interested in the world that she created and the characters she built. The world was terrific, and I’d like to revisit it in future books.

DANTE’S FLAME
Christy Poff
ISBN: n/a
Swanbeauty Publications
www.swanbeautypub.cjb.net
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

While walking home alone one night, Melanie Walters passes out after a strange darkness overwhelms her. When she awakens, she finds herself bound between two pillars in Jacob Dante’s basement.

Jacob, a vampire, has been watching Melanie for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment to make her his. Now that he has her, he doesn’t plan on ever letting her go.

DANTE’S FLAME is an okay story that could have been outstanding. The plot and characters are interesting, but the story is simply too rushed to give the reader a chance to really get into it. The sex scenes are the best part. They’re scorching and red-hot, but unfortunately, they are also a tad rushed. Basically, what this story needs is a slower pace and a few more character details, which would make it more believable and give the reader something to savor.

Although I can’t call this story one of my favorites, I can say that I’ll be reading more of Ms. Poff’s work. It’s obvious she has talent, and I’m sure she’ll go far in the world of erotic romance.

DARK CALLINGS: BLOODLINES
Elizabeth Jewell
ISBN: 1-59596-019-8
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Vampire/Same-sex Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Avalon Sydney
Rating:

Riordan is a vampire hunter who hunts his own kind. He is a partially turned vampire who has vowed to rid the world of the bad vamps. His job often takes him to dark places where vampire sex results in him getting the job done post-coitally. He cruises clubs, feeding his appetite for sex and destroying the evil that stalks the night.

When Riordan meets fellow vampire and vampire hunter Roarke, he expects to get a little blood and a little sex out of their relationship. Soon, Roarke begins to mean more to him. This vampire could be a huge help for him. Then again, Riordan could lose a lot more than blood to this vampire.

I found BLOODLINES to be very intriguing. The male/male scenes were at times explosive and erotic. I genuinely loved Riordan but never warmed to Roarke as much. The author opened up an intriguing world, blending the sex and romance with a storyline that left me wanting more. The book was fast paced and yet long enough that I felt satisfied after reading it in one sitting. This was my first male/male romance, but thanks to Ms. Jewell, it won’t be my last.

DARK TOUCH
Vonna Harper
ISBN: 1-84360-993-2
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Paranormal
Reviewed by: Ansley
Rating:

Mace couldn’t explain to anyone, even himself, why he had sought out Sara Parmenter. After finding a photograph of her in her dead husband’s wallet, he had to find her. Her eyes called out to him from the picture, haunted him with the fear, loathing, and desperation. Once he found her, she surpassed anything that he expected. She was no longer the helpless female that was forced into being a sexual slave by her demented husband. His death had given her independence from everything, yet the sexual side of her persona was long dead. Mace knew the moment that he met her that he couldn’t leave her alone, he had to help her awaken what her husband had murdered inside her. Together, the two of them will re-ignite the passion that lies inside her and the sexual desires that she harbors. He will help her to realize that sexual wants and needs are not wrong and that in the right context, giving one’s self to a man is a beautiful event.

Sara is shocked beyond belief when she sees a sexy stranger drive up to her home in her dead husband’s vehicle. She thought that she was free of the evil that he inflicted on her. Her husband might be dead, but his spirit haunts her and she wonders if she will ever be free. Mace makes her feel emotions that she thought were long dead. The more that she is near him, the more that she wants from him and from herself; she wants to be alive and free from the torment that she endured as Ronnie Parmenter’s wife. However, before achieving that freedom she must walk Mace through the hell that she lived as the wife of a demented man. Together, she and Mace will fight the demons that haunt her and rid themselves of Ronnie’s ghost. She might even find out what it is like to be loved by a man who puts a woman’s needs before his own.

DARK TOUCH is just that, DARK. It is intense in its description of Sara’s marriage to a man that treated her worse than an animal. It is dark and upsetting, yet the love scenes that Mace and Sara share are emotional and strangely arousing. However, keep in mind that this book is not for the faint of heart, there are gruesome scenes of sexual humiliation, torture, assault, and rape. If those are issues that can be stomached, then read DARK TOUCH, it has a paranormal aspect and an unusually interesting storyline.

DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS (BOOK III): LEONARDO
Marianne LaCroix
ISBN: 1-59279-179-4
Amber Quill Press, LLC
http://www.amberquill.com/Leonardo.html
Erotic Paranormal Romance
Reviewer: RogueStorm
Rating:

Erin O’Connell is a vampire slayer. She became a slayer when a vampire named Michael killed her family. To date, she has fifty kills to her name. However, none of them were Michael. Now she’s in New Orleans, the vampire capital of the United States, to finally find and destroy Michael. One evening, she stakes a female vampire, and before she can complete the job, a male vampire arrives to stop her.

Leonardo arrives on the scene as the slayer kills one of his friends! He should have killed her, but finds himself lying on top of her and kissing her. What makes this so disturbing is that he’s never found a woman he felt could take away his loneliness--until now!

Erin finds Leo attractive. She recognizes that this vampire affects her like no other male, human or otherwise, but she’s determined to kill him anyway. And Leo recognizes that Erin is his life-mate, but has to punish her for crimes against his kind because, if he doesn’t, another of his kind will.

The third book in the DESCENDENTS OF DARKNESS series is just as good as the previous books. The backgrounds of the characters, Erin and Leonardo, allow the reader to understand and empathize with many of their feelings. Ms. LaCroix mentions Jack the Ripper in passing and states that he was a rogue vampire gone mad. It’s an interesting concept and one that I can’t believe someone hasn’t created a story around.

Erin struggles to accept the idea that “not all vampires are bad” just because a few are. It’s something each of us can identify with because we, too, have to learn the same lesson in life. Generalizing an entire class of people as bad, because of just one bad experience, is plain wrong, and I was glad to see this brought out in LEONARDO.

The sex is hot, the mention of secondary characters from past Descendant books welcome, and the knowledge that there are still more books to come in the series is exciting. I recommend all lovers of vampires and the paranormal read Ms. LaCroix’s DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS (BOOK III): LEONARDO.

DRAGON’S WATCH 1: GARGOYLE
Shelby Morgen
ISBN: 1-59596-004-X
Changeling Press LLC
http://www.changelingpress.com/detail.asp?c=&s=&i=17
Erotic Futuristic Sci-Fi Fantasy
Reviewer: RogueStorm
Rating:

The year is 2110 and Von is a member of the United North American States Army Rangers. While seeking revenge against one of these renegade commandos, Von awakens, without any idea of how she got there, in what appears to be a hotel room, with a beautiful blond-haired, violet-eyed elf sitting cross-legged on her bed.

Pajja is interested in only one thing and that is finding out when mutations began occurring within the human race. However, what he thinks he’s interested in and what he actually becomes interested in changes when Von begins to rub and nibble on his pointy ears.

Each of them feels they are the last of their race. They’re lonely and looking for a little comfort from each other. As they learn more about each other, they begin to wonder if there isn’t some way to preserve their races!

GARGOYLE is very good. Shelby Morgen writes an erotic, imaginatively interesting book with the first in her Dragon’s Watch series. Readers will identify with the loneliness one feels when they think they are completely alone in the world. The hope Von and Pajja begin to feel is wonderful to read about and renews our own hopes for a better world. Although GARGOYLE is short, it packs one heck of a mean little punch. I would like to recommend Shelby’s GARGOYLE to all the lovers of erotic sci-fi fantasy stories.

DUPLICITY
Nikki Soarde
ISBN: 1-84360-917-7
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Lee has been in love with Carter for over a year now, but she has never had the chance to act on her feelings--until now. His long time girlfriend, Sylvia, has abruptly dumped him, leaving him confused and in need of a friend. Of course, Lee is the friend he turns to, and in the midst of her comforting him, he begins to see Lee in a different light. He begins to see her as a sexy, desirable woman, whom he wants very badly. He longs to have her and gets to work showing her just how much. Immediately, they begin an affair that nearly costs them both their jobs and risks public exposure numerous times. No matter how close they seem to be getting, though, there is always someone standing between them, that person being Sylvia. She has now decided that she wants Carter back and that she will stop at nothing to get him. She will do whatever it takes to get him back and marry him. Now Carter has a choice to make. He can choose Lee, the woman who has loved him and been there for him--emotionally, sexually, and physically--or he can choose Sylvia, the woman who dumped him. Who will Carter choose?

Lee and Carter burn up the boardroom and a few other choice places in DUPLICITY! The sex scenes are titillating and arousing, to say the very least. Find out who Carter chooses and if Lee’s sexual prowess can hold on to the man she loves.

ELLORA’S CAVEMEN: TALES FROM THE TEMPLE II
Tielle St. Clare, Patrice Michelle, J. C. Wilder,
R. Casteel, Alicia Sparks & Angela Knight
ISBN: 1-84360-927-4
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Erotic Romance Anthology
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

BY MOON RISE – Tielle St. Clare

Caitlin is secretly pleased to tell Luc that they have to be quarantined until a new virus has been contained. She knows that it is her only chance to seduce him, because he is about to marry another. She is en route with him to meet his betrothed when the quarantine occurs. However, there is one small problem with them being on lock down: Luc is a werewolf, and the moon is changing, thus changing him. He can only put off the change for so long, and then it must occur. There are very few things that can help him prolong the inevitable. He must remain calm, cool, and have as much sex as he wants, when he wants it. Lucky Caitlin--that is just what she has in mind! When she is through with him, he will be lucky if he can remember what his name is, much less that he is pledged to another.

DREAM WALKER – Patrice Michelle

Erin is on a desperate search for Kian when she is in a terrible car accident. The next thing she knows, she is being rescued by none other than Kian himself. She has wanted to speak with him because he has encountered her theories on time travel and is trying to convince her to stop encouraging it. How ironic that he should be the one to find her and rescue her, but she wants a lot more from him than a simple rescue. He is drop dead gorgeous and she wants him to play her hero, in more ways than one…

ONE NIGHT STAND - J.C. Wilder

Rachel is determined to have Lucius DeVille as her own, at least once. He is a vampire that many would love to lay claim to. She sets out to seduce him and decides to proposition him at Chat Noir, a popular jazz nightclub where he hangs out. She knows that he will rock her world, but perhaps she is in for more than she bargained for. Luc just might change her life…

TAIL OF THE TIGER - R. Casteel

Cedric can hardly believe the tales that his father wrote of, stories of half-lings and other creatures on Devarone Island. However, he can’t ignore the written words and decides to investigate things for himself. He finds the evidence of such a creature, a beautiful female named Kat, a female that intrigues him and fascinates him, in spite of himself. She is half human, half tiger, yet he still desires her. In the midst of their newfound desires, there is danger lurking that must be overcome. Then the question can be posed: Can a human and a half-ling engage in a meaningful, lasting relationship?

DRAGON’S LAW: MACE – Alicia Sparks

Eleanora finds herself in the middle of a fight between two dragons--a fight for her! Somewhere in the middle of all of the excitement and the fear of losing her life to them, she passes out. She awakens to find a red-haired man near death, lying next to her. She knows that she must do all that she can to revive him. What she doesn’t expect is her instant attraction to this mysterious stranger. She feels almost helpless to stop herself from acting on her feelings, but when he is lucid, will he feel the same way?

Mace is the red dragon that was battling for Eleanora. His failed attempts result in his becoming human. However, she has no idea that the man that she finds irresistible in his sex appeal is who he is. What is she going to do when she finds out? Mace could care less, all he wants is to bed her and then seduce secrets out of her. He has no intention of having any sort of feelings besides lust for her. He knows he is her first, but that means nothing to him. She succumbs to him over and over again. Her body makes no efforts to deny him, yet he thinks that she has an ulterior motive. What will change his mind?

TAMING JACK – Angela Knight

Jack Ramsey is frantically searching for his sister’s killer. In his quest, though, he is jeopardizing his job and everything else of importance to him. He is approached by a woman with a magic dog named Gav that seems to open a few doors for him and that helps him answer a few questions. However, he can’t solve any mysteries until he gets help from Lark, the woman that he once loved but left. If Lark will help him, all of the pieces to the puzzle will fall into place. It might even be possible for them to recapture the love they once had and threw away.

Lark doesn’t want anything to do with Jack Ramsey, yet she can’t stop thinking about him. She once loved him with all of her heart and soul, but he had no qualms about letting her go from his life. Now he seems to need her help; his life might depend on it. Yet how can she help a man that she wants nothing to do with? She has no desire to be hurt by Jack again. She learned her lesson the first time…but maybe the second time will be different. With the help of a seemingly innocent old lady and a few magic animals that aren’t really animals, things might work out altogether differently the second time around.

ELLORA’S CAVEMEN: TALES FROM THE TEMPLE II is a collection of steamy, sexy tales that are both erotic and unusual. There is a story for every taste, ranging from the paranormal to the eccentric. Whatever your preference, there is a tale for you. The male characters are all handsome, sexy, and, at times, Neanderthal-ish, typical for a caveman, yet sexy and appealing all the same. A thoroughly enjoyable read that will arouse and appeal to the imagination.

ESSENCE
Lynn Warren
ISBN: 0-9748614-5-6
Triskelion Publishing
www.triskelionpublishing.com
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

For years, Ariana Chambers has dreamed of a lover from a past life. While at a club one night, she sees the man in a vision. He is walking into terrible danger. Ariana reaches out with her fledgling powers of witchcraft and protects him from a bomb blast. He survives, and although Ariana knows they are destined to be together, she’s not sure she can trust him because there’s a good chance he could be the man who murdered her in the past life she dreams about.

Quin Lasiter, a retired FBI profiler, failed to catch a killer seven years ago, and now that same killer is out to murder not only Quin, but also the beautiful witch who saved his life. Quin works hard to gain Ariana’s trust, but just when he succeeds, the strange circumstances surrounding his retirement come to light. Quin sees the doubt and fear in her eyes, but he’s determined to overcome them and protect Ariana from the evil that stole her away from him in his past life.

ESSENCE is an awesome blend of mystery and romance. Ms. Warren gives her book a fabulous twist by weaving witchcraft and reincarnation into the story. These paranormal elements help keep the suspense at a pulse-pounding level of intensity. The characters are quirky and unique, and yet they seem very real. With ESSENCE, Ms. Warren delivers a well-written story that proves she’s a wonderful storyteller. I’ll definitely be reading more of her work very soon.

ETERNAL PASSION
Lani Aames
ISBN: 1-84360-910-X
Ellora’s Cave
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-84360-910-X
Erotic Paranormal
Reviewer: RogueStorm
Rating:

Jo Davison hasn’t looked at another man since her philandering fiancé dumped her six months ago. Now she’s sitting in a bar, waiting for her best friend who’s late like normal, and noticing a tall, dark and handsome, mysterious man who’s also noticing her. When her ex-fiancé shows up at the bar, she acts on impulse and walks up to the stranger, asks him to play along, and plants a wet one on him.

Vincenz Cristescu’s visits to Casey’s had been to take a look at life one last time. But that was before he spotted Jobina Davison. She’s unlike any women he’s ever met. When she appears before him asking him to play along, it’s more than any red-blooded man can turn away from, and one kiss turns into a night of sensual lovemaking.

The next day, Jo finds out that her best friend, Tricia, was murdered the previous night, her body found out back of Casey’s, exsanguinated or drained completely of blood. To top it all off, she finds out that the man she’s grown attached to is a vampire and, quite possibly, the vampire responsible for the death of her friend.

First of all, I have to say that I completely identified with Jo’s feelings about her former fiancé and the bimbette he left her for, having recently gone through a similar situation with my ex-husband. (LOL) Second, I would have liked to meet another man just as Jo did and be able to flaunt him in my ex’s face. And finally, it’s my hope that the bimbette does the same to him that he did to me. (Chuckling) Lani hit the nail on the head with this scenario, and there will be many other individuals who will identify with Jo besides myself.

Having said my two cents, let me say that ETERNAL PASSION is a wonderful example of what love is all about. When two people truly love each other, they accept the good with the bad, so to speak, as in the case of Jo accepting and loving Vincenz despite finding out that he’s a vampire. Her struggle to come to grips with loving a suspected murderer was very much real to life, and Vincenz yearning to be loved for who he is and not what he is was endearing.

The suspense of trying to determine who the murderer is and the surprising ending make Lani Aames’ ETERNAL PASSION one very well-written story. I’m sure that, just as I do, many readers will hope that at least two of the vampires mentioned get a story of their very own. If you haven’t read ETERNAL PASSION, please make sure to do so.

EVERGREEN ISLAND WEEWOLVES 1: ELISE AND MICAL
Kit Tunstall
1-59596-034-1
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Werewolf
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

Elise was content to go along with her arranged marriage to the next Alpha. That is, until she escaped her bodyguards and ran wild and free under the full moon. Meeting the wolf of her dreams has given her a change in her tune.

The underlying story of her arranged marriage to the next Alpha, Jared, is perfect. I was interested from the start. The open-ended conclusion was great and I can’t wait for the next installment.

I think that the beginning of the story could’ve used a bit more work. I didn’t get a sense of Elise as a character until halfway through the story. It started off with her running through the forest and then meeting Mical in his wolf form. I know there could be more evidence of Elise that could benefit the story. Mical is a character that could’ve used more work. He is supposed to be the son of an Alpha, but he didn’t exude any characteristics. I don’t know pack law or such, but if someone was born an Alpha, I would think even if his dad was defeated, he would still have Alpha qualities. Elise’s mother was a confusing character. Throughout the story, she was against Elise not marrying Jared, but at the end she suddenly changed sides and that doesn’t seem believable.

FACE OF SUBMISSION
Claire Thompson
ISBN: 1-4199-0000-5
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Genre: BDSM
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Kate revels in her submissiveness, loving the way that Kevin, her master and lover, takes charge of her. She has given up everything to be completely his, her job, her life, and her home. They live together and she spends everyday preparing herself and their home for him. She has never questioned their relationship, until something happens that leads her to have doubts about Kevin and the solidity of their love.

Kevin has admitted to her repeatedly that he is bisexual, and that has never bothered her. In fact, it has turned her on. She even wants to witness him being with another man. However, when Kevin’s college buddy and sexual experimentation partner, Mark, shows up, the game changes for both of them. Mark is a hardcore master and dominator. He takes Kevin and Kate into new realms of domination and submission, testing their limits and their control. What began as a game turns into a troubling situation that makes the three of them question just what is happening. When the event is over, will Kate and Kevin be the same or will it have ruined their relationship?

FACE OF SUBMISSION is a dark and scary look at the world of BDSM. The scenes are intense and extremely dark. There are scenes of forced sex and humiliation, as well as discomfort. This book is definitely not for those offended by reading such material. Ms. Thompson dares to take the reader to a new level of domination and submission, showing just what happens when a person gets in over their head with the scene.

FOR THE LOVE OF JAKE
Kirstin South
ISBN: 1-55410-082-8
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Contemporary Erotica
Reviewer: Nancy
Rating:

Kirstin South has written a book with shallow characters and unrealistic situations. Jake “No-last-name-just-Jake” is a fashion photographer and sought after for his skills. Ashley Moore is a new-in-town model. She is sent by her agency to Jake for a portfolio. Jake insists that she pose nude, and takes various photos, including her genitals, which he refers to as “pouty”. His attitude and manner infuriates Ashley, and she is beautiful when she's angry. Jake's photos earn Ashley the possibility of the coveted job of new “Simms” girl. Ashley goes to a party as Mr. Simms' guest and knows she is expected to have sex with him in order to get the job. This doesn't bother her, but finding out he's into S&M does. She leaves his hotel room without her purse, and a cab driver takes her to another model's apartment to pick up her spare key.

That same night, Jake calls Ashley for help, saying she's the only model who doesn't completely despise him. He tells her that he has been accused of a crime, but doesn't know what or against whom. He asks her to find out and then help him clear himself. In the meantime, she's looking at the quick destruction of her modeling career because she walked out on Simms. Now that he's not wearing smelly clothes and has his dark hair, he's sort of cute, so she agrees to help him.

Things devolve from there. The sexual interactions are gratuitous, if imaginative; they include public sex, lesbian interaction, threesomes, infidelity, S&M, and explicit descriptions of torture. The publisher lists this as Inferno. Unfortunately, despite Ms. South's obvious writing ability, the book misses on several levels. I finished the story disliking the hero, heroine, and the secondary characters as much as when I started. The plot was improbable, and I'm sorry to say, I can't really recommend this to readers. The rating of one flame would have been preferable to two flames, to acknowledge the author's time and effort in producing the story.

FUR FOR ALL
Christine Warren
ISBN: 1-84360-681-X
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Paranormal
Reviewer: Sharon
Rating:

Rafael De Santos is a were-cat, and as Tess follows him one night, she discovers he’s also a very gorgeous man! Her grandfather sent her to deliver a message to Rafe since he is the leader of The Council Of Others.

Rafe knows the minute he steps out of Graham’s nightclub that he is being followed. He manages to turn the tables on Tess, and she finds herself shoved up against a wall as he questions her as to what she wants. He tells her flat out what he wants to do with her, and after she tells him that The Council Of Witches wants to meet with him, he takes her home with him!

Tess finds out from Missy, Graham’s wife (Book Two), that there is a curse on Rafe’s breed. Seems that many years ago, a witch fell in love with a Felix, the leader of the were-cats, and he left her. So she cursed him and his kind. They would have fewer and fewer children until they ceased to exist. The only way to break the curse was for a Felix to fall for a witch and remain faithful to her for a year and a day. But, after only a few days, it seems that pregnant female were-cats are coming out of the woodwork!

Then, if that isn’t strange enough, Tess and Rafe go to meet with The Council Of Witches, but find out there is no meeting, only Tess’s crazy grandfather, who is trying to kill them both!

WOW! Book Five of Ms. Warren’s Fixed series is excellent! Rafe is one hot, steamy were-cat! He and his witch, Tess, really set the pages on fire with their scorching sex scenes! I am a big fan of Ms. Warren’s Fixed series, and I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who loves a great paranormal romance. But start with the first and don’t miss any of them!

GETTIN’ IT ON
Ann Jacobs
ISBN: 1-84360-601-1
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

Book 4 in the Lawyers in Love series

Casey Thompson is fed up with being thought of as the sweet girl-next-door, so she packs up and leaves her small Texas hometown to start a new life in Tampa, Florida. With her new roommate’s help, Casey takes on a sexy, bad-girl persona and makes plans to finally lose her virginity. Her hot new look gains her scads of male attention at the gym where she works as a personal trainer, but Assistant State Attorney Craig McDermott is the only man she wants.

Craig McDermott’s love life has always taken a backseat to his career, and that’s why he’s still a virgin. He’s always been okay with that--until he meets Casey. The sinfully sexy personal trainer drives him wild. When Craig needs to do some in-depth, hands-on sex research for a landmark case, he chooses Casey as his research partner.

GETTIN’ IT ON is a sweet, extremely sexy read. I love the vibrant, charismatic characters in this story. Casey and Craig both fear their sexual inexperience will drive the other away, so each keeps their virginity a secret. This adds a lot of delicious sexual tension to the story, which really makes things sizzle. While it sounds as if Casey and Craig just want sex, they actually have a much deeper relationship than that. Deep down, they are old-fashioned, and all they really want is a love that will last. If you like your romances blazingly hot, you should definitely read GETTIN’ IT ON.

THE GIFT OF ÈLAN - TAROT: THE EMPRESS
Vivi Anna
ISBN: 1-55410-109-3
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Fantasy Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

The lands of Durrich are dying. Empress Delphine de Tiernan’s power to heal the lands and its people grows weaker with each passing day. A new empress must be crowned, but Empress Delphine won’t relinquish her throne without a fight.

While plagues ravage most of Durrich, the village of Terfertill flourishes. Babies are born healthy and plants grow in abundance. The villagers know it’s the presence of Violet de Vie Donne that provides them with the good health and prosperity they enjoy.

When a snake bites Prince Jovan’s horse as he rides through a surprisingly lush forest, a beautiful young maiden suddenly appears and heals his horse. Her healing skills amaze Jovan because only a woman with the gift of élan can perform such magic. He accompanies her to Terfertill, and when he sees her kind, compassionate nature, Jovan decides to make Violet his bride. But will Empress Delphine allow her son to marry a strong-willed, lowborn peasant girl who can’t be manipulated?

Ms. Anna’s storytelling skills really shine in this story. Her vivid descriptions make it easy for the reader to visualize the beauty of Terfertill. All of her characters are brilliantly vibrant, especially Violet. You’ll love her for the strength, passion, and grace she displays time and time again. Jovan is the one who grows the most in this story. I love it when he finally stands up to his mother, a hideously evil woman, and fights for Violet with all his might.

This beautiful love story contains only a few sex scenes, but the romance and suspense will definitely keep you entertained. This is a passionate and pleasurable read. I highly recommend it.

GOLDILOCKS
Kimberly Zant
ISBN: 0-00000-003-4
New Concepts Publishing
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/
Erotic Contemporary
Reviewer: Kathi
Rating:

In disbelief, Goldilocks stared at her car as it sputtered and died on the deserted road. The supposed “short cut” had turned into a nightmare. With nothing in sight, she had no choice but to walk to find a phone. As night fell, Goldilocks began to get nervous. She had walked miles and there had been no sign of a car or house. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck in the dark on a strange road. She breathed a sigh of relief when she finally saw the light of a house flicker through the trees.

Goldilocks ran towards the light and finally approached Bayer Farm. When her banging on the door brought no response, she realized that there is no one home. Desperate for a bathroom and phone she went in, thankful that the door had been left unlocked. Once her immediate needs were taken care of, she was able to explore the obvious bachelor pad. There was no phone in sight, but she did find a picture of the three gorgeous blonds that lived there. Not prepared to go back into the dark night, Goldilocks makes herself at home. After a dinner of cold beer and hot pizza, she fell asleep in the one bed she found to be just right. But what happens when the three hunky owners come home and find the beautiful girl in their bed? How will Goldilocks ever be able to repay them for their hospitality?

This erotic version of the three bears is just right when you are feeling a bit naughty. Goldilocks is no longer the innocent girl that stumbled into the woods. She is a provocative woman who knows exactly what she wants when confronted by the muscular Bayer boys. Kimberly Zant has done a great job of packing humor, and steamy sex into a little package. Just remember to keep the ice chips handy when you read this very adult fairy tale.

GRADUATION DAY
Caitlyn Willows
ISBN: 1-59279-264-2
Amber Quill Press
www.amberquillpress.com
Genre: Contemporary Erotica
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Lily Palmer can’t wait for GRADUATION DAY! It will be finally be her chance to act on her burning obsession for her professor, Greg Nordstrom. She has been sitting in his class for months, tempting herself beyond belief with how much she wants him. Once GRADUATION DAY is over, she fully plans on acting out her fantasies with her sexy professor. Hopefully, he will respond to her advances…

Professor Greg Nordstrom can’t wait for GRADUATION DAY either! He has had it with Lily sitting in his class toying with him for months on end. The moment that the ceremony is over and she is no longer one of his students, he is going to take her to bed and indulge his every whim. He knows that she wants him too, her classroom antics give that much away, the only issue now is getting her there….

WOW!!! That is all I have to say about this one! GRADUATION DAY is too hot for words! Professor Nordstrom is too sexy for words. If I ever had a professor like this one, I would never want to graduate. Lily is assertive, confident, and bold in her sexual advances. She knows just what and who she wants, and is not afraid to go after it. Get something cold to drink, turn the air up, and get ready for this one. It will have you hot and bothered from the first sentence. Read it and see what happens when Lily and Greg heat things up in the classroom and out!

GYPSY LOVE
Josey Holliday
ISBN: 1-59374-098-0 E
Trade ISBN: 1-59374-099-9
Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Contemporary Romance
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Jackie knows that she needs a change in her life, so when she has the opportunity to accept a job with Alex Miraca’s company, she jumps at the chance. She knows from the start that there is something about Alex that intrigues her. The longer she works for him, the more attracted she is to his mysterious manner and his sexy good looks. However, there is someone who is out to sabotage Alex, his company, and his potential relationship with Jackie. The closer they get to each other and to the truth about their saboteur, the higher the stakes become. Someone is out to stop Alex, Jackie, and the new housing developments, no matter what.

Alex is the head of Liberty Developments, a company that builds multi-family housing for those less fortunate. He loves his job and that it helps him help others in the community. He tends to only hire people who seem in need in some form or fashion. Thus far, his efforts have paid off, and his staff has reaped the benefits of his encouragement. However, Jackie is different from the rest. She clearly doesn’t need help the way that some of the others do, yet there is something in her that calls to him, and he can’t resist answering that call. The more that he’s with her, the more that he wants her. Soon he can’t deny himself the pleasure of having her. Yet there is someone who is out to hurt Jackie, their newfound feelings for each other, and his new housing developments. Now Alex has to fight three times as hard to protect himself, Jackie, and his new housing projects. Who would want to hurt them and why?

GYPSY LOVE has all of the elements to attract a large reading audience. It has deception, mystery, suspense, danger, corporate espionage, and, of course, romance. As Alex and Jackie set out to find who is out to get them, they get more deeply involved with each other. Are Alex and Jackie meant to be together? Who is out to sabotage their new developments? Can they overcome all of the obstacles that are in their paths?

HIS SLAVE
Shari Dare
ISBN: 1-59374-150-9
Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Contemporary BDSM
Reviewer: Nancy
Rating:

Shari Dare has written a politically incorrect tale of a woman sold into slavery by unscrupulous men. Cilla Kantwell has gone to Paris with Dalton Roberts to have a year of fun and adventure. He tells her she will make a lot of money if she will become an adult movie star. He drugs her and gets her to participate in several screen tests with Marcus DuPre, as well as with him. Then he talks her into signing a contract without reading it.

When she next wakes, she is in a harem somewhere in the Middle East. She has been purchased to be the bed slave of the young master Rajan. She is in his father’s harem until she has been prepared for him. She witnesses the castration of Marcus and his banishment to work in the family mines.

Rajan went to the United States for college, then law school, and became enamored of all things American. However, after Sept 11, no women wanted anything to do with him. He is treated with suspicion and decides the only way he can obtain an American wife is to buy her as his slave. Without telling Cilla, he gives her fertility tea in an attempt to impregnate her before freeing her. He treats Cilla well and refuses to share her with his brothers, who demand to try her out. Their father intervenes stating that Rajan’s money paid the extremely high price for her, so he is her sole owner.

Cilla is horrified at the change in her circumstances. She can’t believe the man she loved has so betrayed her. Rajan tells her that Dalton put information about her on the Internet even before she went to Paris with him. Dalton is known for obtaining American women slaves. Cilla does her best to fit into the situation she is in and falls in love with her master. A eunuch tells her that slaves who become pregnant are sold to breeding farms.

This novel is well written. Cilla’s reactions are those of a healthy woman who wants to avoid harm. She doesn’t accept slavery, but does what it takes to survive the situation. Rajan is perhaps less believable, but his motivation is clearly explained. He is much less brutal than his family members are, but uses his mastery of Cilla to his advantage.

There are several graphic scenes of castration, references to torture, and lesbian interaction, and the publisher rates this book Charred.

THE HORDE WARS - LORD OF THE DEEP
Sherri L. King
ISBN: 1-84630-720-4
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Paranormal
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

Tryton, the Elder of the Shikar race, has had his share of love and sorrow and is in no rush to repeat the experience. But when he is told that he and his team of warriors must rescue a woman by the name of Niki Akitoye, he can do no less than do his duty. What he doesn’t plan on happening is falling head over heels in love, at first sight.

I can honestly say this is my favorite of the Horde series, and I think it’s my favorite of all the books that Sherri has written. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Tryton’s story, but I was not let down. This story was action-packed and steamy hot from page one. It was like a movie, but instead I was reading it. The Niki character was a pleasant surprise, and she was definitely a breath of fresh air. Her personality and her feistiness made her fit right in with the rest of the Shikar women. The fact that Niki reminded Tryton of Nubian queens of old made me slink down in my seat into a pile of mush. Since this was Tryton’s story there was a much more in-depth description of his looks and his personality, and I liked him from the start. He was so caring and loving, in addition to his position as the leader of the Shikar warriors. I can’t wait to read the story of Niki’s daughter; she was a little pistol. Another few stories I can’t wait to read are Armand’s and Daemon’s. EXCELLENT READ! GO OUT AND GET IT ASAP!

I’M UNDEAD: AND I VOTE - TAROT: SIX OF WANDS
Jackie Rose
ISBN: 1-55410-173-5
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Vampire Erotica
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

Determined to see Senator Felix P. O’Neill become the next president, Tiffany Golden doggedly works as a volunteer for his campaign. Nothing can stop her relentless campaigning--not even a vampire bite. Tiffany looks upon becoming one of the undead as a blessing because it introduces her to a new minority group: the vampires. Tiffany believes their votes will put the senator in the White House and her in his bed.

If you’re looking for sexy, intense vampires, you’re not going to find them here. What you will find in this hilarious story is a cast of zany characters that will have you laughing until your sides ache. With single-minded determination, Tiffany refuses to let anything stop her in her quest to become the senator’s lover. Senator O’Neill, the epitome of a slick politician, will remind you of a certain former president. And I can’t leave out George Zagorsky, Tiffany’s vampire sire. You’ll groan at his corniness, but you’ll also love him for it. Though this story contains no romance and little sex, it is a fun, entertaining read.

IN THE EYE OF THE MOON
Mara Lee
ISBN: 1-59578-027-0
Liquid Silver Books
www.liquidsilverbooks.com
Werewolf
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

Sheila MacKay had finally decided to throw in the towel and give up her aspirations to be a singer in New York. One minute she’s walking down the street and the next she wakes up in the woods a prisoner of a man who thinks he’s a werewolf.

This story was much different than anything I have ever read. This is the first piece I’ve read from this author and I enjoyed it. She has a different writing style than I’ve read so far in romantica. Her characters were fresh and unpredictable. They gave a refreshing change to the obligatory vision of what a werewolf looks and acts like. One thing I can say that felt like it appeared out of nowhere was the subject of Sheila being half werewolf. On one hand, it felt like she just threw that in there for an answer to her problems and, on the other hand, it works. This little inconsistency can be fixed by a little more evidence of her half ethnicities.

JENNIE IN A BOTTLE
Titania Ladley
ISBN: 1-84360-861-8
Ellora’s Cave
http://www.ellorascave.com
Erotic Paranormal
Reviewer: Kathi
Rating:

Jensina endured 400 years alone in a bottle because she failed to have the required 13 orgasms that would promote her from a lowly genie to the Goddess of Carnality. With the men she was with, she couldn’t even make it to number one. But when Luke Slayton released her from her prison, she knew that he was the one man capable of bringing her the much-anticipated orgasms that would fulfill her destiny. After experiencing untold pleasures in his arms, she begins to dread her 13th final orgasm, for it would mean leaving forever the man that she has grown to love. But if she fails in her mission, it would mean banishment in her bottle for all eternity.

Luke Slayton was sure he was dreaming when a goddess of a woman miraculously appeared in his arms, begging for orgasms. As the owner of Hedonist Resort on Carnal Island, he was used to having his way with women, but Jennie was different. In her, he found the woman he would love forever. When she disappears after her final release, he knows that he cannot live without her. But can they defy the gods who have decreed that only an immortal can marry a Goddess of Carnality?

Once again, Titania Ladley has amazed me with her creative imagination and ability to write a truly original erotic story. Jennie is a naïve, yet seductive character who has a very interesting way of making her magic happen. Luke is a yummy hero who could easily make any woman beg for her share of orgasms. Together, they set the story on fire and the reader with it. My favorite scene has to be the one in which Jell-O is the star attraction; you will have to read it to believe it. With laugh-out-loud dialogue, scorching sex, and two wonderfully likable characters, Titania has penned an extremely entertaining story that you will want to read again. I look forward to seeing what her inventive mind comes up with for her next book.

KAROLA’S HUNT
Deirdre O’Dare
ISBN: 1-59279-237-5
Amber Quill Press
www.amberquill.com
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

The forest is the only home that Karola, daughter of Diana the Huntress, has ever known. She has always been happy living with the woodland creatures, but then one day, a strange creature enters the forest and changes everything.

The strange creature is a young hunter named Damien. Karola has never seen another human before, and while the similarities in their appearances intrigue her, it’s the differences between them that truly fascinate her. Damien shows Karola the pleasure those differences can bring, and she soon realizes that one day of pleasure with Damien will never be enough.

Will Damien return to Karola, or will his betrothal to another woman keep him away forever?

While KAROLA’S HUNT focuses mainly on the sizzling sex shared by Karola and Damien, there is actually so much more to this short story. It’s the story of Karola’s transformation from an innocent, naïve girl to a confident, determined woman, and this change is what makes the story great. There’s also a wonderful hint of romance at the end that will leave you eager to find out what the future holds for Karola and Damien. I hope Ms. O’Dare will grace us with another story about this couple very soon.

LIBERTY'S LADY
Alejandro Montoya
ISBN: 1-55410-160-3
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Historical Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

General George Washington gives Thomas Britton and the crew of his privateer, Liberty's Lady, a seemingly impossible mission. They must intercept and capture three British ships that are bound for England. These ships carry gold that had been taken from the American treasury in Boston. If Thomas and his men fail to recover the much-needed gold, America won't able to continue its fight for independence much longer.

After a quick and bloody battle, Thomas and his crew seize control of the first ship and discover that, in addition to the gold, the ship carries two beautiful passengers, Lady Patricia Merston and Mei, her Chinese maid. When Thomas takes the women to his ship to keep them safe, he tries to keep his mind on the mission, but all he can think about is Lady Patricia. Can he trust the enchanting English noblewoman, especially with his heart?

Although she claims to be upset about her captivity, Patricia is actually pleased by it. Not only does it delay her unwanted wedding, but it also brings Patricia into the arms of the most compelling man she has ever met. Will she be able to convince Thomas that she's willing to do anything to remain by his side?

Mr. Montoya displays an impressive knowledge of ships and sailing in this richly detailed, captivating story. His thrilling plot and intriguing characters keep the reader completely enthralled. Thomas and Patricia are a superb leading couple. They both possess a great deal of strength, determination, and fiery passion. Each also has a caring, compassionate side that is shown not only in their love for each other, but also in the way they interact with the secondary characters. LIBERTY'S LADY has a beautiful ending, and although some things are left up in the air at the end, it's still a wonderfully satisfying read. It's highly recommended.

LUNEWULF: IN HER SOUL
Lorie O’Clare
ISBN: 1-84360-965-7
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Werewolf
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

The time has finally come. Trudy Rousseau is free, and she’s taking this opportunity to travel and experience new things. These new things turn out to be American werewolves. What was supposed to be a safe trip turns into an interrogation by a pack intent upon sniffing out its traitors.

This particular chapter in the LUNEWULF series can stand on its own. It was completely different from the other LUNEWULF books and that added more spice to the series. It’s always a good thing for each story to stand by itself without depending on the ones before it. Trudy was an awesome character. I loved her spunky attitude and the fact that she didn’t just lie down and show her belly. But one thing is for sure, if you have a problem with voyeurism, then this LUNEWULF story is NOT for you.

MIK3: ALL KNIGHT LONG
Delilah Devlin
ISBN: 1-84360-830-8
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Vampire
Reviewer: Sharon
Rating:

Joe is back from the second book. He was Darcy’s partner, and after a fight at the end of the story, he was left dying. Darcy chose for Quentin to turn Joe into a vampire rather than see him die. Joe is not happy with the new chance at life, and he leaves the gang to decide what to do.

He meets Lily and saves her from a man chasing her. Joe goes home with her and they become lovers. They find out that Lily is a werewolf who has never made the change into shape shifting. Joe also finds out that, in order to put some closure on his problems, he must go home and face everyone there.

He takes Lily with him and discovers Darcy has married Quentin, but she is pregnant with Joe’s baby! Quentin’s vampire senses tell Joe that not only is Lily a werewolf, but she is pregnant with Joe’s baby also!

WOW! Talk about complications! I hope there will be another in this wonderful series to continue the exciting escapades of these great characters! Poor Joe is trying to handle being a vampire when he suddenly finds out he will be a father not once, but twice! The sex scenes between Joe and Lily really sizzle in this must-read romance!

THE MAIDEN AND THE WEREWOLF
Taylor Manning
ISBN: N/A
New Concepts Publishing
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com
Paranormal Romance
Reviewer: RogueStorm
Rating:

Flame-haired Kira’s first exposure to a destiny that will soon be hers comes in the form of four wolves, two of which appear to have some form of human intelligence shining forth from behind their eyes. On revealing what occurred to her grandmother, she’s informed that her place in the world is beside her mate and in the Army of Light.

Silver-maned Valgar knows Kira is his mate. Convincing her of this is another matter entirely. If he’s not able to convince her in short order, her obstinacy could threaten her very life.

I found THE MAIDEN AND THE WEREWOLF to be well-written. Parts of it were realistic to life. A good example is Kira’s refusal to accept a destiny that she knows nothing about. The story of light versus darkness is an age-old struggle and one that is put to good use in THE MAIDEN AND THE WEREWOLF.

While it was easy to follow along with the plotline, it was difficult to identify with the characters. I feel Ms. Manning could have done more justice with the plotline and characters in THE MAIDEN AND THE WEREWOLF if the story had been longer and the character history more detailed. As it is, the reader gets a taste of a well-written and interesting plotline without enough information to connect to the characters, especially Valgar, and the story ends. With this in mind, I feel comfortable in recommending Ms. Manning’s THE MAIDEN AND THE WEREWOLF as a good, lighthearted read.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS: JAGUAR
Sara Powell
ISBN: 1-59596-024-4
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

Sanika, a priestess of the goddess, hides a young girl who is about to be sacrificed. As punishment, Sanika is forced to take the girl’s place upon the sacrificial altar. Dloto, an evil priest, inflicts many painful, poisonous cuts upon Sanika’s body, but before he can complete his ritual of rape and murder, a jaguar attacks.

The jaguar is Balam, a servant of the goddess. She sent him to save her priestess, but when Balam sees Sanika’s beauty and strength, he wants to do much more than that. Balam wants Sanika to be his mate. He takes the dying woman to his lair and tends her wounds. Will Sanika remain with Balam after she heals? Will she accept a mate who is both man and jaguar?

MYTHS AND LEGENDS: JAGUAR is one of the best shape-shifter stories that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful, and exhilarating. Balam is powerful and arrogant, but Sanika possesses more than enough strength and fire to handle him. Their hot, sultry lovemaking will leave you breathless. Karrak, a shape-shifting puma, is a wonderful addition to the story. He’s just as powerful and arrogant as Balam, but he also has a vulnerable side that will touch your heart.

With MYTHS AND LEGENDS: JAGUAR, Ms. Powell has proven she’s a great writer with a bright future. I’m really looking forward to reading the next story in her Myths and Legends series.

NAUGHTY GIRL
J.W. McKenna
ISBN: 1-84360-876-6
Ellora’s Cave
http://www.ellorascave.com
BDSM Romance
Reviewer: Kathi
Rating:

Blessed with beauty and intelligence, Diedra was everything Carl had been looking for in a woman. When she told him of her past as a slave, he could see how the memories aroused her. As she tells him of her former Master, he recreates the memories in an effort to bring the same excitement and pleasure to their own relationship. When DeeDee is kidnapped by a sex slave trader, Carl is introduced to a dangerous new world that he never could have imagined existed, where BDSM is no longer a game, but a very lucrative and deadly business.

Diedra had always been a submissive. Her first love had introduced her to the dark, erotic pleasures of giving herself totally to her Master. After he died, she had given up hope of ever finding someone she could trust and respect enough to take his place--until Carl. From the first, she felt comfortable with him; he was the first she had ever told about her unusual relationship with Master Stephen. When she is taken to be sold as a sex slave, she has no choice but to submit to the wicked demands of Master Turk. Can Carl save her, and himself, before it is too late?

NAUGHTY GIRL was a very interesting book. Carl’s character was really the only one that I got a feel for. Caught between arousal and guilt, his struggles over his intense relationship with Diedra make him very real to the reader. His gentle, yet strong personality made him an especially attractive character. Diedra was a bit harder to get to know. She spent so much time in a subservient role that it seemed the real DeeDee didn’t have much of a chance to come out. And although that role was a part of her, I felt that there was much more to her character than what came through the story. All in all, this was a wonderful read with action, emotion, and very stimulating sex scenes. Readers should please be aware that there are nonconsensual sexual acts and other scenes that might be offensive to some. But if you enjoy BDSM stories, this one is a great read.

NEWS AT 11
Paris Dixon
ISBN: 1-59279-274-X
Amber Quill Press
http://www.amberquillpress
Contemporary
Reviewer: Sharon
Rating:

Tess is angry when her boss calls her into his office to inform her that, even though he had promised her she would be the sole anchor on the eleven o’clock news, he has hired a co-anchor for her to work with.

In walks Jared Cox, her new co-worker and 6’4” sexy hunk. Tess has to rein in her lustful thoughts about his gorgeous body and remember that he probably wants her job. Tess sets out to make Jared look like a fool on the show. She goes as far as groping him under the desk when he is reading his newssheet to the camera.

After the news is over, Tess runs into her dressing room. The door crashes open to reveal one very angry Jared Cox. After a few heated words their attraction to each other takes over for some steamy sex right there in the dressing room!

Paris Dixon has written another highly erotic romance where the sex scenes between these characters sizzle across the pages. Even though Ms. Dixon writes a short story, she is able to make you feel the emotion between Tess and Jared. If it’s written by Paris Dixon, then I can highly recommend it.

NIGHTS OF FIRE
Leonie Daniels
ISBN: 1-84360-770-0
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
20th Century Historical
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Paul can’t remember anything about the beating that has left him nearly dead and without his memory. All that he knows is that there is a beautiful woman who has nursed him back to health and shared her body with him. His body knows her, even if his mind does not. So who is she? How did he end up in this horrible condition?

Paul is working for the Resistance in France during World War II. He and his wife Gabrielle were working fastidiously to feed information to the American troops until the Gestapo captured him. He can’t remember what he has told them or if he gave them information that might upset the invasion that is coming soon. Moreover, he can’t remember his own wife, Gabrielle, who has been nursing him back to health and watching over him night and day. Slowly but surely, he begins to regain his memory, gaining bits and pieces of information that are vital to his life with his wife and also to the war. The main thing that troubles him is that there is a traitor in their midst who is trying to sabotage their war efforts. Who is trying to ruin their efforts? Why is this person trying to feed information to the enemy? Is it possible that it could be the one person that he holds dear, his very wife?

Gabrielle is heartbroken that her husband can’t remember her or the wonderful times that they have shared in the middle of a horrible war. She hates to see him hurting and nearly dead. Even worse is that when he begins to regain his memories, he begins to suspect her as the traitor in their Resistance group. Surely he knows that his wife would never betray her country, her cause, or her husband like that. He must know that the wife who has devoted herself to helping him would never do that to him. Therefore, she does what she must to help him find out who the traitor is. They spend their days aiding the war and their nights of fire loving each other.

NIGHTS OF FIRE captivated me from the very first page. It is the tale of war-ravaged Europe and the love that survives between two people fighting for the Resistance. Gabrielle and Paul share a love that cannot be killed, no matter what happens. It has action, love, sweet sex, and romance. Everyone can appreciate this one, even if the reader isn’t the biggest historical romance fan.

ONCE A THIEF
Doreen DeSalvo
ISBN: 1-59596-010-4
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Fetish, Bondage, BDSM
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Katherine can’t believe it when Jake shows up in her office. He is an ex-con fresh out of prison, supposedly attempting to rehabilitate. She is an assistant District Attorney, desperately trying to forget her past of poverty. She has no desire to catch up on old times with him, but when he makes no secret that he wants her in his bed, she isn’t opposed to making new memories. They hit the sheets with fiery passion, and he ignites a fire in her that she never knew existed. He introduces her to a submissive side of herself, one that indulges in being controlled and dominated. She allows him to do anything that he wants to her, and she loves it! Kate never knew that she had such inner desires, and now that she has gotten in touch with him, she has every intention of taking full advantage. Furthermore, now that she and Jake have found each other, she has no intention of letting him go either.

ONCE A THIEF is an erotic and startling novella. Jake is a passionate and dominating lover. He pushes Katherine as far as she is willing to go and then past those boundaries. There were times when I was aroused by his tactics and other times when I was fearful of what he would do to her. It made for a very interesting read, being both emotionally charged and gripping. It was fifty-six pages that evoked contrasting emotions and conflicting feelings, which was appealing and disturbing at the same time. I liked and disliked it at the same time.

PALADIN'S PRIDE: OUT OF SIGHT
Angelina Evans
ISBN: 1-59596-035-X
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Futuristic, Sci-Fi
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

Genae has risked everything to uncover a government plot and finds herself on a strange planet trying to escape assassins. A man comes to her rescue, but the only thing is he is invisible.

I loved this story from the start. The chemistry between the two main characters, Genae and Kai, was explosive. The tension in the story, the fact that the assassin is the same race as Kai just adds something deeper to the story. I can’t wait till the next installment is released.

THE PLEASURE BOT
Delilah Devlin
ISBN: 1-84360-878-2
Ellora’s Cave
http://www.ellorascave.com
Futuristic Romantic Comedy
Reviewer: Kathi
Rating:

Priscilla never wanted a man in her life. Why on earth would she want a scratching, burping, demanding man when she had her wonderful erotic toys to fulfill the only needs he would be useful for? Her favorite one, the saddle, had broken at a very inopportune time, and she was desperate for some much-needed relief. Ordering the latest toy from Playthings for Playmates, she looked forward to the delivery of her fully functional, life-size Pleasure Bot.

Declan O’Hanlon needed a hiding place. A smuggler, his newest shipment of illegal cargo had been confiscated and his ship impounded. He needed to lay low until he found a way to get his ship back. When Priscilla’s sarcastic, manipulative AI Computer, Agnes, catches him sneaking into the house, she is convinced that he is just the man Priscilla needs in her life. With Agnes blackmailing him, Declan has no choice but to play the part of the expected pleasure bot. Luckily, he finds desire and passion are very easy to achieve with the beautiful redhead as his target. But after an uninhibited weekend with her “pleasure bot,” how will Priscilla handle it when she discovers that Declan is, in fact, flesh and blood and not the robot she thought him to be?

I hope you have your credit card handy because this is one book you don’t want to miss!! Delilah Devlin has created a hero that will send your pulse racing. Declan is enough to propel any woman into a cold shower fast! His roguish personality, charm, and warmth make him as close to perfect as a man can get. Throughout the whole story, you will find witty dialogue and humor that will leave you laughing. The chemistry between Declan and Priscilla is scorching! All I can say about the sex is HOT, HOT, HOT! I have never been disappointed by a book by Ms. Devlin, and this one is no exception. If you are looking for an exceptionally fun read, look no further than THE PLEASURE BOT!

PRISONER OF THREE WOMEN
Emy Naso
ISBN: 1-55410-150-6
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Contemporary, BDSM/Bondage
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Lewis Jones is on the run, having escaped from prison, when he encounters Dryden Sorrell. Dryden gives him a place to stay and food to eat, keeping him safe from the authorities. All of this doesn’t come free, though. Lewis, who has since changed his name to Alun Griffin, has to work the land that the Sorrells own and marry Jessica, his eldest, most serious daughter. As Alun gets to know the Sorrells, things start to reveal themselves, and secrets begin to come to light. He is interested in Jessica, yet it is Serene, the youngest girl at nineteen, who seduces him into doing her will.

All the while, Alun’s past is fresh in his mind. The horror of prison life and the treatment he received from the “Mistress” of the prison. As he gets in deeper with Serene and her seduction, he relives his experiences from the prison, exploring the odd games that he played with the mistress and her companions.

PRISONER OF THREE WOMEN is a very odd story. It explores the almost animalistic side of human behavior. The characters are dark and, at times, sinister, each seeming to have their own modus operandi. Jessica is eerie in her quiet demeanor and her austerity, while Serene is the temptress, who will do whatever she has to in order to get what she wants. Lewis is nothing but a pawn in their hands, to do with as they please. Between the Mistress of the prison, Serene, and Jessica, he truly is a prisoner of three women, with no hopes of escaping. The ending is a shocker, to say the least. Yet the entire book was unsettling to me, the more I read, the more I almost didn’t want to read, but couldn’t tear away from it. It was at times spine-tingling, at times erotic, and at times just plain odd. PRISONER OF THREE WOMEN is an unusual read that will surprise you and assault your senses with its content.

QUEEN OF HEARTS
Cyndi Redding
ISBN: 1-59578-017-3
Liquid Silver Books
www.liquidsilverpublishing.com
Romantic Suspense
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Audrey “the Ice Queen” Lawless is a psychic researcher for the police department. She is currently haunted by her husband’s tragic death and is frantically looking for the answers. In her quest, she turns to Dan Picolo, an officer on the force, whom she is helplessly attracted to. She vowed after her husband’s death that she would never get involved with another cop. Dan threatens to make her break that vow, especially once she has experienced what it is like to touch him, kiss him, and more. However, Audrey refuses to get close to Dan because it is a distraction to her; she can’t solve her husband’s murder if she is preoccupied. Dan is relentless, chasing her until she can’t deny him. Could that be his intention, though, to get her so preoccupied with him that she forgets all about her dead husband and his brutal death?

Audrey is an eerie character, taking walks in graveyards and constantly trying to feel a vibe from something. She is stubborn, determined, and seemingly made of steel, until Dan breaks through her resolve. Dan, on the other hand, is dark, dangerous, and too handsome for his own good. I got the feeling throughout that there was something behind his handsome veneer and that his intentions towards Audrey might not all be good. Find out if he is too good to be true …

SCORCH
Master Nage
ISBN: 1-55410-040-2
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
BDSM/bondage, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Frank enjoys his job. He is the bodyguard for Lady Jacqueline, heir to the Baron’s throne. She tempts him beyond belief, and there is not one aspect of her body that he hasn’t committed to memory. However, no matter how obsessed that he might be with her, he can’t have her, not even if his life is at stake. He would do anything to keep her safe, even keeping a dangerous secret about a conspiracy against the Baron.

Lady Jacqueline, on the other hand, has no qualms about testing him beyond his constraints. She teases him mercilessly with her endless stream of men, flaunting them in Frank’s face. She could care less about his safety or his mindset. She ends up getting them both in over their heads, in a dangerous situation that they both might not make it out of. Furthermore, she is hell-bent on dominating him and breaking his will. She is intent on making him nothing more than a slave to her every whim, to do with as she pleases.

SCORCH is a SCORCH-er! It is torrid in its intensity. Lady Jacqueline is a character that one loves to hate. The more that she toys with Frank, the more that you hate her. She is calculating and cunning, yet at times completely likeable. Her viewpoint on certain subjects is unclear to the reader until close to the end, while Frank’s feelings are an open book. Packed with action, adventure, a political undertone, and, of course, SCORCH-ing sex, SCORCH packs quite a punch.

SHADES OF GRAY
Bev Haynes
ISBN: 1-59374-056-5 E
Trade ISBN: 1-59374-057-3 P
Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Contemporary Romance
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Heather is in serious trouble. She is the activities director at a retirement community. There has recently been a good deal of theft and other displeasing activities going on that involve the elderly residents. Now she stands accused of being a thief and a liar. Of course, she had no part in it, yet all fingers point in her direction. How can she clear her name of any wrongdoing when it seems so obvious to everyone that it is clearly a black and white situation?

Chad is the owner of the community. He is on a mission to find out who is stealing from the residents and why. He has moved into Heather’s building right across from her, observing her activities, to determine whether or not she is the one who is stealing from his residents. He quickly determines that it is not her, and now he just has to find out who it is. However, the more time that he spends with her and the closer that he gets to her, the harder it is to stay focused on the case at hand. Soon it becomes difficult for him to maintain an attitude of indifference where Heather’s situation is concerned, because it is obvious to him that this is not a black and white situation; there are many shades of gray. When Heather finds out that he has been deceiving her though, will she forgive him easily and allow him to help her free her name? Or will she strike out on her own to prove her innocence? Is her name ever going to be cleared, or will her accusers frame her and make the charges stick?

SHADES OF GRAY is full of mystery, suspense, and romance. Heather and Chad set out to find out who is stealing from the residents while learning more about each other. However, in the midst of discovering their feelings for each other, Heather learns that Chad has been lying about who he is and that she stands to be convicted of crimes that she has not committed. Can Heather overcome the accusations and the deception and trust Chad to help her? Or will she think that where he is concerned, everything is black and white?

A SHIFT OF FATE
Elisa Adams
www.ellorascave.com
ISBN: 1-84360-923-1
Paranormal Romance/Erotic
Reviewer: Jenni
Rating:

Merida wants nothing to do with Royce the vampire, but one night in his bed a year ago has kept him on her mind and in her dreams. Royce wants to get her out of his system so when his friend Wil in Virginia comes across terrible murders, Royce decides to have Merida help with her powers. Instead of getting her out of his system, he wants more, and so does Merida. Together they work together to solve this murder and together they win each others hearts.

This story is HOT HOT HOT! The love scenes are scorching. You will need a bottle of water nearby. You are hooked at page one and it won't let you go until the very end. The romance between Royce and Merida will keep you entertained as they both try to fight what they feel for each other. Get this one!

SILVER AND GOLD
Josey Holliday
ISBN: 1-59374-111-1
Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Historical Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

When newly widowed Betty Rose Pike learns that her husband left her no money and a huge mortgage, she decides to turn her home into Betty’s Rose Garden, a boarding house. Betty Rose is soon sharing her home with three very unusual boarders. The first to arrive is John Roscoe “Ross” Culpepper, a mysterious mountain man. Next comes Cassie Lou Miller, a shrewish schoolmarm, who gets on everyone’s nerves. And finally, there’s Bart Devlin. He looks frightening and dangerous, and he’s an even bigger mystery than Ross.

With the help of Red Hawk and Moon Flower, a young Indian couple, Betty Rose tries to turn her group of boarders into a happy little family. While doing so, she struggles with her feelings of guilt over falling in love with Ross so soon after her husband’s death. And after Ross comes in drunk one night, she must also struggle with her fear of marrying another drunkard. Will Ross win Betty Rose’s heart with kindness and persistence, or will her fear drive him away forever?

Ms. Holliday’s SILVER AND GOLD is full of mystery and sweet romance. It’s the story of an older couple finding love, which, unfortunately, tends to be a rare occurrence in romance books. The lively cast of characters makes this a fun read. The only problem I have with the story is that the dialogue tends to ramble at times. Things get a little confusing when that happens, and it slows down the story a bit. Overall, though, I have to say that SILVER AND GOLD is an entertaining read. Readers who enjoy sweet, old-fashioned romance will love this book.

SLAVE HEART
Master Nage
ISBN: 1-55410-101-8
eXtasy Books
http://www.extasybooks.com
Reviewer: Kathi
Rating:

Sandy Castilla has given up her fiancé, her job, and her very freedom to find the killer of her younger sister. With nothing to go on but her dream of the murder and her instincts, she trains to become a slave in the hard-core Dominance and submission world of the Taleans. Throughout her training, she keeps one goal in mind, to avenge her sister’s death. Yet, she soon finds herself lost in a maelstrom of ever-changing thoughts and feelings. What began as a ruse to find a killer is becoming a natural and desired way of life, but only with Nicco as her beloved Master.

The last place her sister was seen alive was the biannual Tasmanian slave auction. As the auction once again draws closer, so does Sandy’s last chance of finding the murderer. Nicco moves higher on the suspect list, and she fears that she must choose between the man she has grown to love and the sister whose death haunts her. With her life and love on the line, can she find the killer before he finds her?

A magnificent blend of romance, erotica, mystery, suspense, and paranormal, this is a truly unique and memorable book. Master Nage has done a wonderful job of writing this story from a woman’s perspective. I found myself more than once forgetting that the author was a man. With a terrific cast of characters, each one intriguing in their own way, I was fascinated from the first page with Sandy’s journey into the world of D/s. An emotional and erotic story, I highly recommend SLAVE HEART.

SOLD TO THE LOWEST BIDDER
Kay Wilde
ISBN: N/A
New Concepts Publishing
www.newconceptspublishing.com
Contemporary
Reviewer: Sharon
Rating:

Cinda Ellis is young, beautiful, divorced, and trying to take care of her seven-year-old daughter, Sami. She works seven nights a week to pay the bills. Cinda does not have time to herself for things like dating. So when her daughter sends in a letter to an auction for underprivileged children and offers her meager savings account to win the grand prize for her mom for Mother’s Day, a fantasy week-end date with reclusive author Wade Travers, and wins, no one is more surprised than Cinda

After Wade had read Sami’s touching letter that reminded him of the struggle his mother had gone through years ago when Wade was just a boy, well, that was all it took for him to be sold to the lowest bidder.

Wade takes Cinda to his home where they soon discover their attraction to each other and act on it with a really hot weekend filled with steamy sex and lots of emotion. They discover that they never want to leave each other and just like the real Cinderella story they live happily ever after.

Even though this was a short story, it was so very touching with the letter from Sami trying to win the date for Cinda. And Wade sounds like the perfect Prince Charming for her. This is like the erotic version with a weekend filled with sizzling sex and wonderful time spent getting to know each other. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for an excellent read

STAR CHASER
Caitlyn Willows
ISBN: 1-59279-243-X
Amber Quill Press
www.amberquill.com
Science Fiction Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

Book Three of the Star series

Kestral Dermot’s childhood tormentor, Zantar, has been set free. The twenty-eight years he spent in prison drained him of energy, and now he must replenish it by feeding on the strong, pure energy emanating from Anne Sherwood. He also hungers for the energy Kestral keeps hidden within himself, but most of all, Zantar craves the sweet energy of Kestral and Anne’s unborn child.

When Zantar captures Anne, Kestral unleashes the full fury of his hidden power to get her back. Will Kestral’s power be enough to save the love of his life and the child she carries?

STAR CHASER takes you on an amazing sci-fi adventure. As Kestral and Anne fight for their love, their child, and their very survival, you’ll see the true beauty and strength of the bond they share. The sex scenes are steamy and well written, but the best scene is the one in which Kestral and Anne battle Zantar. This dazzling scene is intensely emotional and electrifying, and it holds an unusual twist that is very imaginative.

I highly recommend STAR CHASER. It’s an excellent story that can be enjoyed on its own, but to gain a truly deep understanding of the characters and the universe that they inhabit, you should read the previous stories, STARGAZER and STAR TRAVELER, first.

SUMMER PLEASURES: THE CAPTURE
Anya Bast
ISBN: 1-84360-765-4
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Fantasy
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Lilane wants justice for her family and her fiancé’s death. They were killed by the Sudhraians and now she wants revenge, in the form of blood on her sword. Her plan is to kill Lord Rue D’Ange. Before she can do so, he captures her and begins seducing her. They begin an affair that ignites inner passions and desires within not only her, but him as well. She is drawn to Lord Rue and his cause to help his people in their war. However, it soon becomes evident that she is losing her heart to him. Moreover, in their quest for justice, they could both lose their lives.

SUMMER PLEASURES is a continuation of the Seasons series. The love scenes are passionate and hot. Rue burns up the pages with his dark passion and prowess. If you are in the mood for a fantasy romance with plenty of hot and heavy sex, this is the one for you. Rue is a captivating character that would bring out the baser instincts in any female. What a pleasure it would be to be captured and loved by such a masculine, sexy creature.

SUNLIT
Leda Swann
ISBN: 1-84360-985-1
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Renee
Rating:

Shannon Selkirk dreams of her selkie lover for seven nights before finally giving in to his alluring call. She rows out to the mist-shrouded isle where he lives, and after he takes human form by shedding his sealskin, they spend the day making love. Before leaving, Shannon vows to return to her lover.

When Shannon arrives home, she discovers her promise will be hard to keep. Her father has finally returned home, and he has brought along a new wife. Shannon’s stepmother wants to find her a husband, so she immediately begins molding the wild, hoydenish girl into a proper lady. Will Shannon ever be able to escape the watchful eyes of her father and stepmother and return to her one true mate?

SUNLIT is a lyrical, magical tale. It’s beautifully written and so romantic! Ms. Swann has filled this short story to the brim with love, passion, and desire. Shannon and her selkie share a love that is fiery, yet tender. When they are separated, you can feel their loneliness and despair radiating from the pages, and it will absolutely break your heart. With its undeniable passion and breathtaking romance, SUNLIT is a quickie that’s sure to please.

TAMING THE KING
Samantha Winston
www.Ellorascave.com
ISBN: 1-84360-936-3
Historical Erotic Romance
Reviewer: Jenni
Rating:

King Henri promised his dying wife that he would only remarry a woman who looked like her, but his heart aches for someone else. Her name is Violet and she steals his heart. He wants her and she secretly wants him. King Henri finally gives up and loves the woman he's been wanting for a long time.

Though this is a quick read, it was a bit difficult to get into. The book just does not grab you at the beginning. Some books grab you and will not let go, but this one doesn’t, in my opinion. Yet, it is fun and entertaining, as it was quite enjoyable to watch the struggle these two have, but to see love conquers all. If you love a quick read, this is a book I recommend.

TELL-TALES
Kirstin South
ISBN: 1-55410-118-2
eXtasy Books
www.extasybooks.com
Suspense, BDSM/Bondage, Teaser
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Kerry has come to the lake house to get rid of the tell-tales, the signs of her abusive past relationship. She has come to heal and forget about her horrid marriage and the wounds that Andy, her ex-husband, inflicted on her, body and soul. However, the moment that she arrives at her serene getaway, she has an unexpected visitor. Garth, a trespasser on her land, has been using her dock and the dock house as his dwelling. He immediately senses that he has an advantage over her, especially since she is a woman without any means of defending herself. Garth takes Kerry as a prisoner in her own home and makes her submit to his every whim. She despises him and everything that he represents. Her ex-husband was just like him! So how can she even respond to his sexual advances or his brutal, yet tender ministrations?

TELL-TALES is an unusual, surreal romance that has a surprise ending that will leave the reader stunned. There are no love scenes, as the sex is at times tender, yet mostly rough-and-tumble. Kerry is a woman who has had it with being abused, and Garth is a man who thrives on giving abuse. Find out what happens when these two meet and begin a sexual relationship that both arouses and defeats them. The result is a psycho-sexual love affair where there is no winner, or is there?

TEMPORARY SLAVE
Reese Gabriel
ISBN: 1-84360-998-3
Ellora's Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary, BDSM, exclusive couple interaction
Reviewer: Nancy
Rating:

TEMPORARY SLAVE is the story of Meridian Hunter, a luscious redheaded VP of the company Marshall Wilder has just purchased. She has hot fantasies of him dominating her in various scenarios while in staff meetings with him, as well as while sitting alone in her office. She is embarrassed, but interested, while he seems totally uninterested in her.

Meridian has looked for a real man who would take what he wanted from her, but has never found one. She can't understand why Marshall has become the man of her dreams. She is modern, knows her value in the business world, but longs to melt under his stern chastisement. Her inattention causes him to notice her. Her assistant helps her sign up for a BDSM website, and teaches her how to present herself, then leaves her to decide what to do with the responses.

Marshall has been the Master to his ex-wife and she used his dominance against him in court. As a result, he does not intend to let his guard down again, because once burned twice shy. But Meridian calls to every dominant instinct he has. Then he finds her ad on a website, including photos of her body and decides to teach her a lesson. He begins corresponding with her, and tests her repeatedly. Finally, wanting her to understand the fire she's playing with, he sets up a meeting. He tells her to tell no one where she's going or who she's meeting, and to leave her cell phone at home. To his shock, she complies with every request until she sees that he is Master Nightshade. Then she runs.

Marshall is a man torn. He wants Meridian, but he doesn't want to be burned again. While telling himself he's “teaching her a lesson”, he takes her to his cabin in the woods for a three day education in the reality of being a slave. Every time he pushes, Meridian accepts. She is his dream slave, but he knows he'll wake up to a nightmare if he gives in and continues to train her.

Meridian is falling in love, but Marshall is evasive and harsh with her. But the harsher he is, the more she hates and loves him. Her competitive spirit won't allow her to concede their game.

I loved this book. The interaction, the fantasies, the connection between Marshall, and Meridian all struck a chord in me. Meridian is a real woman with real feelings, and realistic reactions. Marshall also seems real. He lost self-respect, his wife, and a very large amount of money when he misjudged his ex. Meridian is just too good to be true. As she trusts him with her body and submits, he has to learn whether she is safe for him to trust. The conflict is understandable, and the resolution exciting and touching.

I can enthusiastically recommend this book to those who like BDSM between exclusive couples.

UNICORN VALLEY 1: GRYPHON’S HEART
Lena Austin
ISBN: 1-59596-030-9
Changeling Press
www.changelingpress.com
Fantasy Futuristic Series
Reviewer: Kelly
Rating:

Lionel is on a mission to find himself a mate so that his line does not end with him. The problem is on Unicorn Valley there aren’t any more Griphoness’s. His only choice is to choose his good friend Teema as his mate.

There was just something about this story that I could not get into. The plot was sound, but maybe the way the author chose to take this story did not sit well with me. Lionel and Teema had chemistry, but I didn’t feel as if they were meant to be together. However, I did like the idea of Unicorn Valley as being a place full of supernatural creatures. Maybe the sequel to this series will be better.

WILD HEARTS: ONE WILD WEEKEND
Jodi Lynn Copeland
ISBN: 1-84360-972-X
Ellora’s Cave
www.ellorascave.com
Contemporary
Reviewer: Ansley
Rating:

Nate has a little problem with the ladies. He doesn’t get to know anything about them past their likes and dislikes in the bedroom. His brother has a great suggestion for solving the little problem--get to know a female without having sex with her, find out what she is like, instead of what she likes in bed. The perfect time to do this is the Wild Women’s Weekend that is coming up. Women from everywhere come into town and participate in events like hiking and rafting. That would be a wonderful time for Nate to get to know a female in the friendship capacity, except that he isn’t female. So how would he get close enough to befriend one? That should be obvious, Nate turns into Natalie. Natalie infiltrates the Wild Women’s Weekend and befriends a female, thus proving that he is capable of being friends with a female outside of the bedroom. OK, bad idea, how was he to know that he would meet a woman that he would give anything to get to know better in the bedroom, and that he would be dressed like a woman? What happens now? Will Nate ever get his chance?

Kelsey is dumbfounded by her feelings for Natalie. She has never had a desire for a female in her entire life, so what is going on now? What is causing her to be attracted to a very large, attractive female? Kelsey isn’t too sure what is going on, but she is sure that things aren’t what they seem to be. She surely isn’t going to turn lesbian, but how does she get to the bottom of her feelings for another female, a female that she is stuck staying with in the same tent for the weekend? If Kelsey thinks that she is confused now, wait until she finds out that Natalie is Nate and that she has been attracted to a man all along. Will Kelsey and Nate ever get the chance to act on their feelings, or is there no chance for their relationship?

ONE WILD WEEKEND is a wildly amusing tale of Nate’s exploits as Natalie and his attempts to get close to Kelsey while acting as a woman. Join Kelsey while she tries to make heads or tails of the situation and Nate as he gets in touch with his feminine side. Complete with humor, steamy sex, and some interesting romantic interaction, ONE WILD WEEKEND is definitely that, WILD. It jump-starts a series that will surely be a hit if the other books follow in this one’s footsteps.

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