Denysé Bridger, Jaded Hearts

 Title:  Jaded Hearts

Author:  Denysé Bridger

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Erotic Fiction

Keywords:  Quickie, Moderne 

Word Count:  8200        

ISBN E-Book:  978-1419939938

Price:  $1.49

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave 

Buy-Link:  http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10108-jaded-hearts.aspx

Reviewer:  Stacey Krug


Tagline:  Two lovers face a truth neither of them has considered—their passion is more than intense attraction

Blurb/Summary:

Protected federal witness Carlos D’Alejandro and Special Agent Jade Lazlow–Whinton have had a relationship of convenience over the years. Jade’s retired, but when her estranged husband needs her, he uses her attachment to the enigmatic Carlos to lure her back into the field. When she recovers from near-fatal wounds and discovers the deceit, she goes to the one man who will never lie to her. Carlos.

The idyllic Pacific island paradise D’Alejandro calls home is the stuff of fantasy, but it isn’t long before reality knocks on the door and shatters their peace. The news is grim. People they loved have been killed, and these two unlikely lovers are forced to face a truth neither of them has been willing to examine too closely—that their passion is more than intense attraction.

Review:

Jaded Hearts is one of those stories that you can’t put down until the last page.  It is filled with intrigue and deceit that will have you turning the pages.  This short story packs a huge punch.

From Denysé Bridger’s descriptions, I could almost feel the breeze and smell the ocean.  I was right there on the balcony with Carlos and Jade.  I really don’t want to give any of the story highlights away because I enjoyed having it unfold before me and so will you.  I will say that I loved the mystery that is Carlos, and wish that we could have gotten to know him better.  Jaded Hearts focuses on a specific time frame and events but we get glimpses of the past.  Carlos is a character that you just know led an interesting life.

Then there is Jade our heroine of the story that is strong, smart, hard, and human.  She’s made mistakes, been used, and fallen in and out of love.  Jade wants what everyone wants, to feel safe and loved.  Her path keeps leading her to the one man that has been a stable constant in her crazy life as a special agent.  As a reader, I was rooting for her to find peace and love.

Jade and Carlos together light up the pages with their love scenes.  Ms. Bridger writes the scenes so that even though we are just meeting them, it’s easy to see they have a long history together.  It made the love scenes seem even more intimate.

Carlos and Jade have so much history that it’s clouding their future.  Will they be able to overcome their pasts to see what is right in front of them?  I recommend you read their story and find out. 

Wendy Campbell, Through The Window

Title:  Through The Window

Author:  Wendy Campbell 

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Champagne Rose, Spicy

Page Count:  360       

ISBN E-Book:   161-2170293

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-029-9

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=4820

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Getting caught burglarizing Jordan Stone's home wasn't the worst thing that happened to twelve-year-old Melanie Quinn. Realizing she'd been conned by her father was.

Sixteen years later, Melanie's ready to face her cat-burglar past and deal with a town that doesn't want her back. But can she handle the return of her father, and his attempts to pull her back into a life of crime? 

Jordan Stone, the town's sexiest firefighter, came home to heal his heart. When he pulls Melanie Quinn from a burning car, his past takes a backseat to lust. He refuses to be swayed by old rumors and an overprotective brother, but all too soon, he realizes the old rumors were true.

While the sparks fly, an arsonist targets Melanie. Jordan needs Melanie's help to stop him but she can't tell him what she knows without exposing her past. Will they learn to trust each other before it costs them their lives?

Review:

Coming back to face your past after years of running isn't the easiest thing to do.  Once you've been branded as something, no matter how much has changed, it's hard to have others see you that way.

Melanie has had her share of regrets.  Think back.  Haven't you ever done things for someone you loved, even if you knew they were wrong?  It's like you want to gain their approval, even if it will cost you so much.  That's the situation Melanie faces as a young impressionable girl.  She needs to come back, make amends with her past, and try to live in the now.  There are a few things that stand to get in her way...

Jordan has seen Melanie at her worst.  What she doesn't know is his feelings for her.  Now they are face to face in the present, and if fate allows, they could begin something. 

Through The Window is a book about second chances and redemption.  The characters are so well crafted that I could just see myself there with them.  I felt some of the humiliation and regret Melanie lives with, making her easy to relate to.

This is a very well done contemporary romance, sprinkled with a bit of suspense.  I couldn't put it down.  I enjoyed Wendy Campbell's Through The Window. 

Gail Symmonds, Diary of the Heart

Title:  Diary of the Heart

Author:  Gail Symmonds 

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Historical Romance

Sub-Genre:  Time Travel Romance

Keywords:  English Tea Rose, Spicy, Scottish Highlands, 17^th Century

Page Count:  368       

ISBN E-Book:  161-2170307

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-030

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_138&products_id=4809

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Within the pages of a secret diary, modern-day bookworm Julia Brown discovers an intriguing tale of mystery and deceit. But, little does she realise just how much her existence is intertwined within the ancient journal...until she is thrust back in time to the Scottish Highlands 1681. Armed only with the passionate writings of a woman long gone, she will pursue the truth of her own past...and discover the man of her dreams. 

Review:

Prepare yourselves to be swept away, into another time.  Allow an enchantment of Diary of the Heart, as this book sweeps the reader into a story that is engaging, riveting, and enjoyable.

Ms. Symmonds cleverly combines the past and the present in this story as a young woman is taken to another time and learns things she never imagined possible.  The story follows Julia as she struggles to understand.  There's plenty of action, romance, suspense, and intrigue.  I love time travel novels and this is one that definitely didn't disappoint!

Kudos to the author on a job well done.  This is definitely a keeper. 

Nicole Helm, All's Fair in Love and Politics

Title:  All's Fair in Love and Politics 

Author:  Nicole Helm

Rating:  Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Champagne Rosebud, Spicy 

Page Count:  208       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-160-9

Price:  $3.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4842

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

When sexy reporter Doug Kapshaw shows up on Abigail Fortman's doorstep to cover her state senate campaign, Abigail knows to keep her guard up. Doug's not after her story. He’s after an expose on Abigail’s U.S Senator father. Though Abigail’s relationship with her father is tense at best, she’s not going to be the pawn that brings Grant Fortman down. 

Despite his assignment to use Abby, Doug can’t help but be attracted to her mix of strength and vulnerability. When Grant gets Doug fired, Abby is ready to take a stand against her father. Working together to bring Grant down, Doug and Abby can no longer fight the attraction between them. Attraction turns into much more, but while the secrets they uncover promise to revive Doug’s career, the ugly truth about her father poses the biggest challenge to Doug and Abby living happily ever after.

Review:

Lies, cover ups, scandal....yes, there's so much of that going around, and it certainly doesn't stop with Doug.  But things are going to take an interesting turn when his attraction comes front and center with what he's trying to accomplish.

All's Fair in Love and Politics is what you'd expect with a title such as this- plenty of things going around.  Doug and Abby are in the middle of a war it seems, and the only way to get out is to 'fess up.  Or is it?

I wasn't too keen on the idea of Doug “using” Abby.  It bothered me some, but then as time went on and his feelings surfaced, I wasn't as upset with him.  It did make a good story, and he became redeemable.

Nicole Helm pens a good contemporary story with this book, and it is pretty enjoyable.

Julie Harrington, Something to Talk About

Title:  Something to Talk About 

Author:  Julie Harrington 

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Western Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Yellow Rosebud, Spicy

Page Count:  224       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-113-5

Price:  $3.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4822

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Born-to-be-bland meets born-to-be-wild...

Annabelle Leahey is ready to be bad. Fed up with quilting bees and bridge clubs, Ann has to change or grow old alone. But going from bashful to bold won't be easy—especially since thong underwear is her idea of risqué.  So Ann needs a guide, and rancher Mitchell Black is the perfect candidate.

The last thing Mitchell needs is more trouble.  He hasn't lived down his bad boy days yet and he has no intention of resurrecting them now. But when Ann asks for his help, he can't refuse. Especially since the preacher's daughter has suddenly become a fireball of temptation.

Mitchell's determined to keep his role in Ann's research hands-off, but Ann has plans of her own. She intends to show Mitchell what's he's missing—and that being bad with the right person can be o-o-o-oh so good. 

Review:

When a good girl is ready to have some fun, to be bad, the whole town better watch out!

Annabelle wants to get rid of her image.  She's been a good girl, a preacher's daughter, and far too sheltered.  It's about time to turn things around, but she isn't even sure what she's doing.  When it comes down to it, all Ann wants is to not be so alone.  It's hard when everyone has certain expectations and no one truly understands how you feel.

Mitch rescues Ann from herself, on a night when men are on the prowl.  He doesn't mean to get caught up in her troubles, but there he is anyway, right smack dab in the middle of it.  He could show her a thing or two, but he's trying to keep his responsibilities and not go back to his bad boy days.

When a good girl meets bad boy and the roles seem to be reversed, there really is Something to Talk About!  This book is a blast.  The characters are fun, Ann and Mitch have some learning and life exploring to do, and they just might be good for each other.  It's a lighthearted, enchanting story that keeps readers engaged. 

Maxine Mansfield, Touched By The Magic

Title:  Touched By The Magic

Author:  Maxine Mansfield

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Fantasy

Sub-Genre:  Erotic 

Keywords:  Erotic Scarlet Rose, Humor, Multiple Partners, F/M/F/M, Voyeurism, F/F/M/M, Graphic Language

Page Count:  374       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-371-9

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-370-2

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wilder Roses

Buy-Link:  http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=182&products_id=872

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

New to The Academy of Magical Arts, Briarlarn Tumbleweed wants to learn the art of a True Healer, but her nerves get the best of her when she’s paired in the sexually dynamic healing class with Uthiel Stoutheart, Paladin of the Realm. Between burning off his eyebrows and overturning a candle on certain exposed male parts, she isn't making a very good impression. But how can she focus when Uthiel is strong, brave, and touches Briar in a way that leaves her weak in the knees, quivering with pleasure, and begging for more?

Falling in love with the accident-prone but talented Briar was not what Uthiel had planned, but life with the sexy healer is adventurous, hilarious, mind-blowingly stimulating, and clearly his destiny. His soul awakens while taking her to new heights of ecstasy, yet he can't allow his own pleasure. There’s no getting around it—he must leave The Academy and pursue his quest to right the wrongs done to his people if he can ever hope to find happiness with Briar.

But is their love strong enough to mend the magic so desperately needed to preserve their world, and that touches both their souls with a searing heat?

Review:

Touched By The Magic was a lighthearted, fun read.  A wonderful blend of the erotic and humour tied together with leather bands of fantasy.  And yes, it touches on bondage but manages to turn it on its head to where you want to laugh at the circumstances that Briar and Uthiel find themselves in.  I managed to read through the entire book in two evenings, reading way past the time that I should have turned in.

Briar, has a secret, in a world where most much younger than her have received training in the arts of love, she is without an education.  Worse yet she has lied on a school application for a job that requires said training.  Uthiel also, has his issues.  He is a paladin, sworn to protect dragons, which he is determined to kill due to previous heartache.  Together, they manage to botch almost every lesson the school of magic has to teach, while managing to save the world. 

And if that isn't amusing enough for you, throughout the book are cameos by a perverted, potty mouthed gnome who likes to steal woman's underwear for the blow up sex doll he carries with him almost everywhere.  If you are looking for some lighthearted fantasy, with hot sex scenes, this is the book for you!