Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Mia Downing, Ripped

Title:  Ripped
Author:  Mia Downing
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Erotic Romance
Keywords:  Scarlet Minirose, BDSM, M/M
Page Count:  98        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-655-0
Price:  $2.99
Publisher:  The Wilder Roses
Reviewer:  Cia


Blurb/Summary:
[Boys Of Summer]

Lifeguard/artist Gavin White has been holding the ripped shreds of his life together by the seams. Facing the anniversary of his sister's death, he fights the dark call of dependency and is at the edge of succumbing when his best friend since preschool returns to his life. Handsome geek-turned-hunk, Erik Clarke wasn't afraid to come out and had been bold enough to kiss Gavin the last time they were together. Damn that kiss. Gavin wants more. So much more, but he was never brave enough to tell Erik his dreams. With his future hanging by a tattered thread, Gavin must trade one temptation for another or risk ripping his life apart.


Review:

Ripped by Mia Downing is one heavy heart felt read.  I was led into the lives of childhood best friend’s who’d lived through the ups and downs together.  Not just any normal up and downs of everyday life, but a tragic event that began a path of spiraling self-destruction for Gavin.  Erik with his selfless ways ignores his wants, needs and desires to help the one man he’s loved his entire life find the power to heal and move forward from the devastation for which he holds himself responsible.

Kink is introduced to a man who isn’t into the lifestyle but will enter if it means giving the man peace.  The journey of friendship to love is ripe in this story.  My heart broke for Gavin and Erik as they navigated a rocky path to self-discovery and healing. To finding love and self-worth.

I’d recommend this book to a friend as well as a few tissues to wipe away tears during this endearing read.


Becca Jameson, Awakening Abduction

Title:  Awakening Abduction
Author:  Becca Jameson
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Shape-Shifter
Length:  Novella        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1419941504
Price:  $4.45
Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave
Reviewer:  Cia


Blurb/Summary:

Hannah is living a normal human life in Boston, until she’s kidnapped from her bed by a man she finds herself undeniably attracted to. James is living a normal lupine life in Seattle, until he’s sent to abduct a woman who disappeared from his pack years ago.

As Hannah and James hurry across the country to reunite her with her family, they must battle his need to claim her. But their lust is overpowering, threatening to consume them both. Mating between the two wolves is unavoidable.

Will their union alone be enough to stop a crazy man from attempting to steal Hannah from James? And will her father forgive their mating and accept the union with open arms?


Review:

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone breaks into your house and says they’re not there to hurt you but they aim to kidnap you in the same breath?  Yeah right.

Hannah is left no choice when James sets them on a path to bring her to a father she thought dead.  With her crazy overbearing mom keeping tabs on her every second of every day, pieces of her memory slowly return.  In the midst of awakening passions for the man sent to fetch her.

James must find a way to break in the secret being held from her, one that is hard for him and his wolf to keep from her.  One thing is for certain, the shit may certainly hit the fan once Hannah finds the truth of her life that’s been kept from her.

Awakening Abduction was one roller coaster read from beginning to end.  The passion between the hero and heroine scorched.  I’d recommend this read to any and every of my friends.

Lea Barrymire, Alpha in Hiding



Title:  Alpha in Hiding
Author:  Lea Barrymire
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Shape-Shifter 
Length:  Short Novel        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1419941115
Price:  $5.20
Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave
Reviewer:  Cia


Blurb/Summary:

It’s tough being the Alpha’s daughter. Emily Prescott spends half her life helping to manage the pack’s business and the other half putting horny he-wolves in their place. When her father sends her on a mission to bring a weak wolf into his shifter side, it seems like just another pain in her ass—until her bitch perks up and takes notice.

Seth has spent years fighting to keep his wolf at bay, but something about Emily brings out the animal in him. Wild sex with Emily turns into an uncontrollable urge to mate her and make her his. But Emily needs a strong mate—someone who can dominate and defend her. If weak, geeky Seth wants to woo her, he has some changing to do.


Review:

This is one smoking hot story.  When Emily’s father demands that she fetch a lone wolf out of solitude, she decides to obey since she’ll get something out of agreeing.  What she is on the receiving end of isn’t what she’d imagined in her wildest dreams.

Seth wants no part of his wolf.  He has spent his life tuning out the other side of him.  He finds his Alpha’s daughter sexy and intrusive. She orders and he obeys.

Neither one of them are prepared for the passion that arcs between them or for what will happen when the other side of Seth is unleashed, accepted and bonded with his human side.  Emily finds her wolf craves the touch of his, a wolf she thought too weak to wake up her carnal side.  Fully awoken, Seth goes through a metamorphism that is sexy as hell and spell binding.  From geek to Alpha.

Lea Barrymire spins a sexy story with Emily and Seth’s story. I was enthralled from beginning to end and would recommend this to all my friends.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Mahalia Levey, Only Skin Deep

Title:  Only Skin Deep
Author:  Mahalia Levey
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Keywords:  Anthology, Multicultural 
Page Count:  169        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61885-377-6
Price:  $4.99 
Publisher:  Secret Cravings Publishing
Reviewer:  Stacey Krug


Blurb/Summary:

All Woman: Officer Taleena Harris may have looked like one of the guys in her uniform, but underneath lurked a sensual woman. Jason Treadway, her target had no clue he was key to fulfilling all her fantasies. He might be her boss, but she held all the aces. It was far past time to play them.
Jason Treadway had no desire to be a one woman type of man. That was until the Armored Company’s annual theme party. A mystery woman on the mechanical bull commanded his attention. He’d do anything for a night of being skin-to-skin with her. The only question… Would one night be enough?

Flaws and All: Nadja Mederios knows what she wants after months of watching Donato keep order at Club Mist, and an intervention from her best friend Taleena. As a lounge singer, she portrays a sensual, sultry woman, but she’s not the high-maintenance girl people assume she is. In fact, a tomboy lies beneath her protective costume. When the real woman comes to light, she hopes Donato finds her just as sexy as the mask.
Donato Falcone isn’t looking for commitment, but when someone touches Nadja without permission, rational thought leaves him and rage steps in. After his temper cools, he sees a different side of Nadja. Her sleek sophistication may well be a front for the girl who could be his forever, if he can find a way to break down her barriers.

Against All Odds: Four months of casual dating isn’t enough. Not for Derek Tresvant. His Deja may think financial security and a successful career are essential to a good life, but he disagrees. The numerous excuses she uses to push him away only entice him to prove he’s in the forever type.
If there’s one constant in life Deja Crane knows nothing is ever one hundred percent certain. After working her ass off to own her business and succeed on her terms, she’ll be damned if one hot sinful man will take all away from her with a marriage license, a picket fence and two point five kids. She’s got a plan of her own that doesn’t include messing with a man.

Review:

Only Skin Deep is an anthology by Mahalia Levey filled with three wonderful stories.

All Woman is a love story of how a girl gets her man to notice her as a woman.  Taleena has been sitting back and hoping to be noticed, until she decides to take the bull by the horns.  She does what it takes to win the eye of officer Jason Treadway.  His heart will follow.

Taleena and Jason have some steamy love scenes that will have the reader looking for more and Ms. Levey delivers.  There is an excellent segue into the next story Flaws and All that doesn’t leave you feeling like you are reading separate stories.

I just loved Nadja and Danato’s story in Flaws and All.  It pulled at my heartstrings and left me with a wonderful feeling.  God knows that we aren’t short on women with self-esteem issues, but it’s the male that can reassure and build her up again that is in short supply. 

Donato sees Nadja for who she is and supports her and her interests.  It doesn’t hurt that some of their interests coincide.  Donato’s thoughtfulness will help Nadja heal and the reader gets a glimpse.

Deja and Derek’s love story, Against All Odds, is out of this world with twists and turns that will keep you glued to the pages.  There are so many obstacles for these two to overcome that it is questionable to the very end whether they can make it work.  They each carry secrets from their past that may prevent them from sharing a future together. 

Deja and Derek share a tumultuous journey together that was enjoyable to read.  The story ended, but it was left open to continue with other characters in the future.  This is one group of friends and family that I will want to revisit.

I really loved how all the main characters in each story play secondary roles in the other stories.  We get to see them again and get a little update on their lives.  The playfulness, goofing off, texting, and teasing between characters gave them each depth and brought them to life.

Only Skin Deep is a terrific compilation of contemporary stories that will run you through your gamut of emotions.  Don’t miss out.  


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Iced, Karen Marie Moning


Title: Iced
Series: Dani O'Malley, Book One
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Adult
Buy-Link
Rating: Five Stars
Review:


I’ve read and heard several reviews about Iced, but as I had it in my hands less than four days after its release (signed by the author, YES!). Most of them were assumptions made, because Dani, the lead of Iced, is only fourteen years old.

I wondered. Trust me, I wondered. I also know KMM breaks literary and social laws/barriers left and right. Because of this, she had me hooked halfway through Darkfever. I will readily admit, I read the Fever series three consecutive times in a row. Being an author in predominate romance, the mainstream, overdone romantic arc gets a little old.

True to form, Karen Marie Moning broke molds, smashed through misconceptions, still possessing grace to curve around and through the delicate issues. Dani O’Malley is barely out of her pre-teens in an adult world. This isn’t YA, and shouldn’t be treated as such. From the carefully laid background and foreground of the surrounding characters, I see the brilliance behind the words, and cannot wait for Burned, coming out later next year.

Dani grew up hard and alone, even amoung a crowd. She’s young, temperamental and on the brink of self-discovery that will reform her into maturity. Some hints of her past are peppered through Iced, but it’s looking at her demeanor and behavior that’s key. Growing up fast sucks. Growing up “after the wall fell” is ten times as harder. I loved her character, how she deals with issues of the fae overriding her world. In her position, with her personality and age, I’d expect her to act exactly as she does.

Ryodan is everything Jericho Barrons is and we loved, with a subtle factor added in. Practiced social charm and poise, a polished quality that allows him to walk through society with any path he chooses. Quietly, or loudly, with niceties or rage, he wields those around him by any means that fits his mood.  

The rundown on the secondary characters. Jo. I hated her in the Fever series, and I hate her more now. Dependent, rose-colored glassed women always have that effect on me. The plot twist that encircled Jo and Ryodan’s escalated relationship had me sardonically laughing and railing at the same time. The only aspect I can see coming from that, Ryodan is using Jo yet again to manipulate Dani. Simple as that. Christian. Just ick. I understand the whole “becoming an Unseelie Prince” has to be a shock to him, but still. He has become psychotic, schizophrenic, ever-changing sociopath. But strangely, his heart, a tiny part of it anyway, just might be in the right place, in a very twisted sort of way. Kat—awesome insight into her introvert, unwillingness to lead, but does whatever it takes to succeed personality. Dancer. The perfect balance for a best friend. Intelligent, resourceful, and levelheaded, he is the grounding point for such a large character as Dani O’Malley. Lor—I’d said it during Fever, and I will say it now, more Lor! Something about his throw-back-to-cavemen-mentality, mixed with dark humor is highly entertaining. As for Mac and Jericho, they didn’t have much screen time, certainly not enough to see any progression in their characters or relationship. We shall see in Burned, the second Dani O’Malley book. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Cyndi Friberg, Therian Prisoner



Title:  Therian Prisoner
Author:  Cyndi Friberg
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Shape-Shifters
Length:  Novel        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1419941917
Price:  $5.95
Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave
Reviewer:  Stacey Krug


Blurb/Summary:

Therian Heat, Book Three

Though Devon comes from a line of cougar-shifters, her own animal nature has not yet been defined. The mysterious “backers” have captured her, intent on using her untapped Therian abilities for unknown ends. She escapes from their prison, but not from the emotional scars left by their abuse.

Ian, an ancient Therian raptor, offers protection and encouragement. Devon has always wanted Ian, always felt a connection deeper than friendship. But Ian insists he’s too old and jaded to make Devon an honorable mate. If she hopes to feel whole again, she must regain control over her emotions and desires. And she desires Ian.

At first Ian resists Devon’s attempts at seduction. She needs a shoulder to cry on, not a demanding lover, and Ian is never satisfied until his partners surrender unconditionally. But Devon stirs primal instincts and awakens ravenous longings he has suppressed for centuries. He wants her, but he fears the darkness inside him will destroy her.


Review:

Therian Prisoner is part of a series by Cyndi Friberg.  I had previously read Therian Prey so I already had a sense of the world and some of the characters.  I did not get a chance to read the second book in the series, but it makes no difference to the flow of this story.  The author does a nice job filling you in with background history as Therian Prisoner progresses and just builds up curiosity of the past.  Even though this is part of a series, it stands alone quite well.

Cyndi Friberg packed Therian Prisoner full of non-stop action that pulls you in from page one and keeps you enthralled.  The story is filled with twists and turns in the plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ian and Devon have a wonderful chemistry together as well as some history.  Even though these characters have been in the previous books of the series, the author ‘introduces’ us to them while letting us know that Ian and Devon have know each other for a very long time.

Ian rescues Devon unexpectedly from the evil backers that have been experimenting on her.  From there everything takes off for the two of them.  Ian helps her overcome some of the horrors that she experienced while in captivity.  Ian has lived a very long time and his experience and background help to make Devon more comfortable and able to trust.

There developing romance does not disappoint.  I look forward to seeing what will become of Ian and Devon in the future for while this story comes to an end the complete story has not been told.

During Therian Prisoner the main characters, Ian and Devon, shine, but there are a lot of other story lines that run through their tale.  It makes for a very interesting story.  There are several secondary characters that sparked my interest in Therian Prisoner.  Hopefully they will get their own romance later.   

This is one of those series that will need to be followed.  The story lines, unanswered questions, and cliff hangers will have me coming back for more.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Jianne Carlo, Hades Squad 4: Demon Seed



Title:  Hades Squad 4: Demon Seed
Author:  Jianne Carlo
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Multicultural Romance
Sub-Genre:  Contemporary Suspense
Keywords:  Hades Squad Series, Navy SEAL, Explicit Sexual Situations, Graphic Language, Violence, Voyeurism
Length:  Plus Size Novel        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61118-697-0
Price:  $7.99
Publisher:  Loose Id
Reviewer:  Kristin Boyd


Blurb/Summary:

“You speak English flawlessly.” With a hint of an Irish accent. Intriguing.
“Gracias. Languages are easy. Not like the physics.”
What a half-assed conversation to be having in the middle of the ocean with a woman he’d just rescued from certain gang rape, being shot, and who knew what else. A curvy, luscious female whose virginity he’d just taken in front of four armed men. Talk about the best laid plans backfiring; Demon’s carefully plotted plan to capture the man who abused him, Pedro Nunez aka The Smiling Killer, was not off to a good start.
“What’s your name?”
“Jacinta Nunez.”
Jacinta claims to have lived her whole life in a cloistered convent. Claims she’s an orphan. Claims she’s only lived in the outside world for fifty-seven days. Yet she’s the mirror image of Pedro’s sister, Rosa. The sister Pedro murdered fifty-seven days ago.
There are no coincidences in life. Not for a SEAL.
Is Jacinta Pedro’s ultimate revenge on Demon?
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: violence, voyeurism.



Review:

Absolutely riveting from beginning to end.  A steamy romance with enough adventure to keep the reader on their toes.  Demon Seed is an expertly written wild thrill ride.
Jacinta, raised in a cloister by nuns, is a rare combination of naievety and passion.  With her sharp tongue and experience with a variety of weapons, Jacinta may feel that she can handle herself in life beyond the walls of the cloister.  Never could she have imagined the web of violence and deceit in which her journey to discovering her family would cast her.  The book opens with an attempted gang rape orchestrated by her half brother and the evil revelations of her family tree build from there with details of kidnapping, murders, drug activity and a rivalry that makes the classic tale of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s seem like a playground argument.  Why did her mother send her to live sheltered and hidden away in the cloister?  Would she ever find the family and love of a family that she so desperately yearned for?  Why would her own brother want to cause her harm?

Demon is the epitome of an alpha male.  When he first encounters Jacinta as a damsel in distress, the last thing he expected was to become engrossed in every detail of her; from the body he finds surprisingly irresistible, to the life she has lived and her lineage.  When the puzzle pieces began to come together and he realizes exactly who she is, suspicion arises in him.  The coincidence of their meeting on a beach that he had been surveying, his original mission and her lineage colliding, and the continuous peril that the couple constantly battles all keep Demon (and the reader) wondering exactly who is the puppet master and what needs to be done to ensure the success of his mission as well as Jacinta’s safety?

The plot of this story is thick.  The sensuality and romance shared by Jacinta and Demon is as hot as the steamy jungle nights they share.  Although this book is one of a series, it is written so well that you do not have to have read the previous installments to understand and enjoy Demon Seed but once you do, you will quickly find yourself scrambling to meet the entire rest of the Hades Squad


Friday, October 5, 2012

Toni Lynn Cloutier, The Patriot Girl



Title:  The Patriot Girl 
Author:  Toni Lynn Cloutier 
Rating:  Four Siren Stones


Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Keywords:  Last Rose Of Summer, Sensual 
Page Count:  248       
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-265-1
Price:  $4.99
ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-266-8 
Price:  $11.99
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Reviewer:  Nikki


Blurb/Summary:

MaKayla Adams has always been curious about the wild side of life. Making love with her late husband wasn't exciting, and she never could understand the big deal...until hunky nightclub owner Dustin James hires her as a public relations consultant. His touch arouses feelings she's never known, and his kiss tempts her to cross the line between business and pleasure. 

Dustin doesn't remember the car accident that put him in a coma three years ago, but since his recovery, he's pushed his own needs aside to be a single father to his young daughter. When MaKayla offers to help publicize his country nightclub, however, she ignites deeper feelings he can't ignore. 

But there is more than mutual attraction between MaKayla and Dustin—there is a shared past connected to her husband's death. Will the truth bring them together or tear them apart?



Review:

When one thing is all you've ever known, finding something new could be quite difficult.  MaKayla is in a difficult place in her life.  Still dealing with the loss of her husband, and dealing with the feelings of having some excitement, she runs smack dab in the middle of it, in the form of Dustin James.

Dustin has his own demons.  There's the accident, and there's providing for his daughter.  But he has a need so deep that MaKayla pushes to the surface, and vice versa.

With a few secrets, this couple is going to have a long way to their happily ever after, but the journey there is emotional and engaging. 

Sasha Cain, Return to Celio

 Title:  Return to Celio 
Author:  Sasha Cain
Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones


Genre:   Fantasy
Sub-Genre:  Science Fiction
Keywords:  Faery Rosebud, Adventure, Spicy
Page Count:  211       
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-326-9
Price:  $4.99
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Maggie Malone falls through a mysterious door during a Hollywood studio tour and lands in a strange world full of man-eating monsters. All she wants, beyond survival, is to return home. The sexy Neanderthal keeping her alive questions her life choices and marches her halfway across creation, but claims he can get her home.

Darrios Derosa is a loner, out to rid his world of the murderous beasts in Celio's Outer Rim. They took his best friend—he won't allow them to take anyone else. The last thing Darrios needs is an alluring woman under his protection—especially one in denial. She wants to be taken home, but doesn't realize what she's asking.

Darrios promises to take Maggie to Inland, where she'll be safe, and from there to Avascon, where she can get home. But first they have to fight the monsters and the fire...the one blazing up between them.


Review:

Return to Celio is an adventurous tale full of magic, time travel, and some sizzling sexual tension between two people from a different world and different time.  Maggie begins a venture she'd never imagine or dream of, but it's all too real.

Darrios is a hero to swoon for.  He's there to take Maggie and protect her, but who is going to protect her from him and the longing he has inside for her?  You'll have to read to find out.

The premise and well-done world building in this story intrigued me.  It's a mix of everything.  Action, science fiction/fantasy, love, and suspense.  This book will appeal to eclectic reader.


T. Sue VerSteeg, Secrets of the Sapphires

 Title:  Secrets of the Sapphires 
Author:  T. Sue VerSteeg
Rating:  Four Siren Stones


Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Black Rose, CIA, Vampires, Shape-Shifters
Page Count:  268       
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-180-7
Price:  $5.25
ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-179-1 
Price:  $12.99
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Reviewer:  Nikki


Blurb/Summary:

Nia Brooks entered the CIA to get to the bottom of her parents' deaths. Joining the Paranormal Division, she learns to fend for herself after dealing with prejudice, not to mention the vampires and shifters. Paired with an egotistical agent, the bloodsuckers and hairy boys don't seem so bad. 

Garrett Van Deren has his own agenda behind joining the CIA. When his dead partner's body disappears without a trace, Garrett knows the vampire underground is responsible and the Paranormal Division offers him answers. He slams head first into a roadblock when he meets his new partner. A hundred pounds soaking wet, he'll be babysitting instead of tracking down the killer. 

Tossed back in time by a mysterious white sapphire, two headstrong agents must learn to trust one another while they search for a way back to the Twenty-First Century and the people responsible for the rift in time.



Review:

In a world so different from ours, shape-shifters are known and roam around.  There's a special division in the CIA devoted to all things paranormal.  Nia Brooks is a part of that, fueled by deaths of family members.  Garrett is driven by a similar reason.

Secrets of the Sapphire is a paranormal, time travel, suspense, and adventurous story.  I was blown away at how the story lines blended so well and kept me reading.  I'd love to read more stories like this.  I found myself very intrigued by the characters and the plot.  And wow, what twists and turns that there were I never saw coming. 

Sylvie Kaye, Honky Tonk Man



Title:  Honky Tonk Man 
Author:  Sylvie Kaye 
Rating:  Four Siren Stones


Genre:  Western Contemporary Romance
Keywords:  Yellow Miniature Rose, Spicy
Page Count:  123       
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-110-4
Price:  $2.50
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Reviewer:  Nikki


Blurb/Summary:

[Honky Tonk Hearts] 

Jace Monroe has rules about rich women…Sunny Brooks hates rules…

Pool shooting, guitar playing, honky tonk singer Jace has a knack for hooking up with the wrong kind of women—rich ones who don't take him or his music seriously. So when Jace meets a down-to-earth, honey-haired waitress at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, he thinks his luck has changed. 

The last place Sunny wants to be is on her daddy's thriving ranch, but her ailing mother needs her. When she fills in as a waitress at the Lonesome Steer to help out a friend, she meets a cowboy who makes her heart sing—but only because he thinks she’s someone else.

When Jace discovers the truth about her, the sweet music they make together might be silenced forever—unless Sunny can show her honky tonk man that some rules are meant to be broken.

Review:

Who needs rules when you're free to roam as you please, singing, playing games in bars, and enjoying yourself?  Until he meets Sunny, Jace has been doing just that.  He's a singer on the down and out side with a past that he'd rather not think about.  Sunny is strung around by her rich family, when all she wants is a life of her own.  Upon their meeting, things are about to change, and get a little on the hot side.

I'm enjoying the stories in the Honky Tonk Hearts seriesSylvie Kaye's enjoyable edition kept me reading, and when I got to the last page, I wasn't ready to leave the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk.  This is a great story, I love books by Ms. Kaye and this latest one is another for the keeper's shelf.