Virginia Nelson, Taming Tabitha

Title:  Taming Tabitha

Author:  Virginia Nelson

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre:  Paranormal Erotic Romance

Keywords:  Seer, Ménage, M/F/M, Bond Of Three Series

Page Count:  Quickie            

ISBN E-Book:  978-1419949852  

Price:  $2.49

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link:  http://www.ellorascave.com/taming-tabitha.html#

Reviewer:  Stacey Krug 

 Blurb/Summary:

Book 1 in the Bond of Three series.

As a Seer, Tabitha has always known the day would come when she’d have to face her destiny and succumb to her future mate, as only then would her powers fall fully under her command. Tradition dictates that Tabitha run, forcing her intended to prove his worth—and his desire. But it is the discovery that Tabitha is destined for two mates, creating a bond of three—unheard of among her people—that sends her running faster than she’d ever expected.

Gage and Lancaster have been chasing Tabitha for over a decade. Though sharing goes against their basest instincts, the primal urge to find and seduce Tabitha overrides any desire to fight between themselves. As Gage and Lancaster close in, Tabitha must face the truth—though her people may scorn a bond of three, there’s nothing on earth strong enough to destroy the chemistry and soul-deep longing Tabitha feels when she finally stands her ground and faces her men.

A Romantica® paranormal ménage erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Review:

This is the first story to the Bond of Three Series.  Taming Tabitha sets up the stage for the next book with hints of magic and darkness in the future.  There is mention of a queen and I’m hoping the next book will go into a more involved explanation as to what exactly they are as a people.  We are led to believe they are immortal and a different species all together, but how did they end up with humans?

In this short story we are introduced to Tabitha Hoffman who is a Seer and has visions.  Lancaster and Gage are her mates and on the hunt to claim her together.

We get a little back story on each character and the path they traveled that led them to the decisions they made.  Fear and uncertainty ruled Tabitha and kept her running.  Lancaster and Gage have been searching for answers.  When the three of them finally start communicating there is an explosion of passion.

Taming Tabitha is hot and steamy just how an erotic romance should be.  These three eager characters get down and dirty, but their loving intentions and actions keep it sweet too.  I’d like to see more of Tabitha, Lancaster, and Gage and what Virginia Nelson has in store for them.

Marie Harte, Whispered Words: A Power Up! Story

Title: Whispered Words: A Power Up! Story

Author: Marie Harte

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: Multicultural

Keywords: Ménage, Voyeurism, M/F/M, Graphic Language

Length: Short Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-471-6

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Whispered-Words-A-Power-Up!-Story.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

A casualty of funding wars and an overzealous Defense Department trying to clean up its reputation after several failed experimental programs, the Psychic Warfare Program (PWP) is scrapped in its infancy. Its participants are transferred to other defense agencies, but a few decide to leave the government behind, knowing full well their freedom hinges on keeping a low profile and living under the radar.

Chloe King has worked for the government ever since she left college. First as a cop, then as an agent, she's been putting away the bad guys for more than ten years. A clairaudient who’s always been able to escape trouble at the last minute, she’s now part of a group of people who understand what it means to be different, but now she's with a private organization, without the government's protection. She should be working less dangerous cases, trying to retrieve paranormal objects gone missing. Yet her luck has taken a turn for the worse.

She’s just getting over being nearly murdered by a serial killer when a stalker nearly brings her down. The voices she’s heard more than half her life have disappeared, and she’s afraid her life is coming to an end. If she can’t hear those voices again, she’ll die. She can feel it. But she never counted on the voices being real. Or belonging to two strong, sexy men resolved to keep her for themselves.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: anal sex, ménage (m/f/m with no m/m sexual contact), voyeurism.

Review:

Whispered Words: A Power Up! Story by Marie Harte led me once again into the PWP world. Chloe finds she must leave on hiatus to find her voices, the ones that have quieted while formulating a plan to stay one step ahead of a stalker trying his best to assassinate her.

During her travel she runs into two men who’ve helped her before, Xavier and Josh. Attraction is at an all-time high and Chloe finds she craves both powerful men. Keeping passion locked away proves impossible. Xavier and Josh consume her thoughts, and she theirs as well and not in just a ‘psychic’ way.

Josh needs more than a bedroom affair. Though he and his brother have shared passion before, he wants the illusive, a woman who will take the both of them for life, a pipe dream. Xavier wants Chloe as well; he isn’t as guarded as his brother. While their emotions and sexual tension continue to build, a psychopath is still on the loose. They must embrace their powers and give into the need to bring him down for good. This was one fantastically written story and I can’t wait to read Nathan’s story.

Sindra van Yssel, Secretary for Two

Title: Secretary for Two

Author: Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Keywords: Ménage, BDSM Theme and Elements, M/F/M

Length: Short Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-430-3

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Secretary-for-Two.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Executive assistant Nicole Kerrigan has been in love with her boss, idealistic genius Austin Summers, since she first saw him. She has no idea he's fallen for her just as hard. Or that when Austin needs to be two places at once, his identical twin brother Tony steps into help. Tony's a hardboiled private eye who doesn't have qualms about sleeping with his secretary-- or his brother's -- and makes the move on Nicole that Austin didn't dare make. But when a hit man tries to take out Austin, she rushes to his side, and deception gets piled on top of deception.

Now Nicole is torn between two very different men who happen to look exactly the same. Can the three of them unravel the half-truths they've told, and can a woman serve two masters? Nicole is about to find out.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and content, ménage (m/f/m).

Review:

A fun story of two twins switching places to accomplish a goal. However, one twin decides to up the stakes and takes what he wants. Now that he has it, can he give it up? Suspense and thrills with danger lurking, can their love survive?

Austin and Tony are great heroes. Twins but very different people. Their love for Nicole transcends their differences. After two years of working with Nicole, Austin knows he’s in love with her. It only takes Tony a day to act on what he feels.

Nicole has been pining for her boss so when Tony presents her with her fantasy she can’t help but follow his commands. She quickly realizes she’s a submissive and Tony helps Nicole live her dreams.

Sandra van Yssel did a great job of setting up the characters and driving the plot. Secretary for Two is a page turner. The hot BDSM scenes are tastefully done and will have you wanting more of these characters. I also have to say the cover art by Valerie Tibbs is intriguing and will draw your attention.

Berengaria Brown, Flash Flood

Title: Flash Flood

Author: Berengaria Brown

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Ménage, M/M, M/F/M

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419933660

Price: $4.45

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9170-flash-flood.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Phoebe is on her way to a business meeting when a landslide causes a wall of water to flood the road, sweeping her car into a river. She’s pulled to safety by Connor and Patrick…and a night of extremely satisfying, “thank God I’m alive” sex seems a fitting end to the day.

With a week off work to recover, Phoebe is invited to accompany the men on a business-and-pleasure trip. They have a great time and the sex is awesome, but Fi is unsettled by emotional undercurrents that she can’t quite grasp. Oddest of all, she finds herself humming “For I am a Pirate King”, possibly because of Connor and Patrick’s tendency to tell pirate jokes. Or maybe not…

Review:

I loved that Fi yelled at her car like it could do anything on its own. It had me laughing.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and plot. There was no lull just a balancing act between story and great sex. Patrick, Connor and Fi set the pages on fire with their passion and erotic love play. Berengaria Brown knows how to write a great ménage scene.

Flash Flood is a really fun, short story. Due to the length, I would have expected the editing to be crisp and clean. Instead, it was a bit distracting. That being said, as a reader, you will love these two hunky men and adventurous woman. It’s hard not to get caught up in their adventure.

Louisa Trent, The Outlaw of Ironguard

Title: The Outlaw of Ironguard

Author: Louisa Trent

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM

Sub-Genre: Historical Romance

Keywords: Graphic Language, BDSM Theme and Elements, Dubious Consent, Humiliation, Ménage, M/F/M

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-415-0

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/The-Anarchy-Tales-2-Outlaw-of-Ironguard.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Series: The Anarchy Tales

Previous Book: The Devil of Nettlewood

No apology, Ysenda loves cock. Upon occasion, she even loves the man attached. For a night, and not an eventide more. Not that she’s fickle or fussy. Nay! Just the opposite. Any lover will do her. Including Almaric, the thieving wizard who seduces then abandons her. And Talon, the murderous overlord who killed her sister, Mitri. See? Not fickle or fussy at all. At eight and ten, she had her way with a fine strapping farmer and never once looked back since. To satisfy a yen to mate, she’d pull a lad on and push him off when she was done, then send him on his merry way, uncaring what became of him. Easy cum, easy go -- that was just the way coupling went.

Until she ambushes Almaric the Wizard on the moors and then schemes her way into Lord Talon’s solar at his keep. Whilst the magician’s desertion breaks her heart and the overlord’s dominance pains her other places, she falls in love with the thieving and murderous bastards despite herself. A quandary. No matter. Revenge is sweet and ‘tis hers for the taking --

All she needs do is betray one Outlaw of Ironguard and assassinate the other.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, strong BDSM theme and elements, dubious consent, humiliation, ménage (m/f/m).

Review:

The Outlaw of Ironguard by Louisa Trent was a delightful read. Ysenda captured my attention from the get go and Almaric/Lord Talon had me wanting to find out why he was masquerading in the first place. I thoroughly enjoyed the lay of the land and the setting of this story. Ysenda a strong woman clearly had an agenda of her own. I loved her duplicity in attempting to gain justice by her own means, showed bravery and a strong constitution.

Lord Talon was great. I loved the emasculated side of him versus the alter ego side that had no issues in the bedchambers. It was great to see the two separate parts of him emerge into one and to see the sparks fly between he and Ysenda. I thought it clever that she didn’t see through the ruse at all. Adding in his bailiff was great and I enjoyed all the aspects of submission and domination. This story was filled with humour, intrigue, suspense and white hot sensuality.

Michelle Cary, Shelter Me

Title: Shelter Me

Author: Michelle Cary

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Erotic Contemporary

Keywords: Ménage, M/F/M, Voyeurism, Graphic Language

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-61118-429-7

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Shelter-Me.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Previous Book: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

As head of the Werner Dairy Farm empire, Teagan Werner has no time for nonsense in his life and even less time for love. When a sexy sable-haired vixen shows up demanding he sell some of his land to her non-profit organization, he's both incensed and intrigued by her display of strength and determination. Quickly it becomes apparent that ignoring his attraction to her won't work, but does he really know enough about the woman to trust her with his heart?

A former victim of domestic abuse, Kyrie Hart has seen her share of hardship and she's determined to give others the same opportunity for escape she had. Leery of men but stern in her convictions, she wants not only the property Teagan Werner owns, but the handsome millionaire too. When her resolve to help abused women collides with her need to follow her heart, Kyrie is forced to choose between her cause and her love. Her decision isn't easy and in the end might very well prove to be the biggest mistake of her life.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, ménage (m/f/m), voyeurism.

Review:

Shelter Me by Michelle Cary was one intense read. The visual setting reeled me in with the tranquility of small town comfort. I loved Kyrie and her passionate nature, and gusto at getting her way. I also enjoyed her lack of curiosity with the voyeurism happening between Talon and Abby. It showed well that she came from a rigid society.

Teagan may have been hard headed but from the beginning you could tell he had a good heart and was a dependable man, unlike Kyrie’s ex. As the story developed and I gained glimpses into the domestic abuse and was able to see Teagan’s ignorance, through it I hoped he’d educate himself or try to see what she went through in her eyes. They always say don’t judge a person unless you walk a mile in their shoes. The passion was smoking hot but the smoldering deeper emotions mixed with the physical made for a great read. The ending really had me drooling and thinking damn now that’s one lucky chick.

Lily Harlem, Shared Too

Title: Shared Too

Author: Lily Harlem

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Ménage, F/F, M/F/M, F/M/F/M, Bondage

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419933035

Price: $5.95

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9259-shared-too.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

A sequel to Shared.

Ten years on I’m still convinced I’m the luckiest woman on earth. Two devastatingly gorgeous husbands committed to my satisfaction—phew!—life doesn’t get much better or much sexier.

But as though the mere concept of a perfect existence was created to be shattered, one day Quinn turned to me and said, “Shared too. I want to be shared too.” Add in the monster that haunted my nightmares and I was struggling to keep a grip on my sanity.

I soon realized the path Quinn wanted us to travel would stretch not only his experience of giving and taking, but also mine and Liam’s. In a whirlwind of desperate emotions, dark desires and erotic fantasy, we were all so distant but also so sublimely close. Sharing had never been as sweet as it was bitter, or as depraved as it was heavenly.

Reader Advisory: Features the sharing of multiple bodies (F/F, M/F/M, F/M/F/M), bondage and other naughty sexual adventures!

Review:

As a sequel to Shared it was interesting to see a more day to day life for the threesome in Shared Too. We get a better understanding of the three main characters Quinn, Liam, and Ariane and how they make their relationship still work.

I was very apprehensive when Eve was first introduced and felt outraged on Ariane’s behalf. As a reader, I didn’t want anything to mess up the relationship between Quinn, Ariane, and Liam. I had to keep reading. I had to know how Lily Harlem was going to make it all okay.

There ultimately is major disruption to the threesome. Along with a plot twist that will have you on edge. I’m not going to give away more than that or it will ruin the story. The story revolves around the disruption and how the characters deal with it together and on their own.

I will say that this is one hot, erotic story that will leave you breathless. The love scenes are sensual because Lily Harlem has previously set up a connection to the characters giving them depth and making the reader care about them. The sex scenes are just off the chart hot and exciting.

Even though I was a little apprehensive about the direction of the story, I really liked the journey that it took me on. As the story unfolds, the adage of “if you love something set it free” becomes a mantra. I really liked the way this story was wrapped up and the adage “what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger” rang true here.

Annabel Joseph, Owning Wednesday

Title: Owning Wednesday

Author: Annabel Joseph

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM Contemporary

Keywords: Ménage, M/F/M, BDSM Theme and Elements, D/s

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-952-2

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Owning-Wednesday.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Wednesday is released by Vincent, her long-time Master, only to find herself in a new, much more emotionally intense BDSM relationship with Daniel. But is Vincent really out of her life forever? Can Wednesday bear the intimacy of her new lover's demands? The three soon find themselves in an uneasy and sometimes downright contentious love triangle.

Wednesday wants to submit to Daniel, but self-protective impulses and bad memories make their budding relationship a constant struggle. In a world of passion, promises, and power exchange, Wednesday and her lovers must come to understand the difference between being “owned” and loved.

Publisher's Note: This book is a substantially re-edited, revised version of a book of the same title previously released elsewhere, and contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, ménage (m/f/m), strong BDSM theme and elements.

Review:

Owning Wednesday by Annabel Joseph was one gut wrenching emotional read. One I loved from page one to the end. The dynamics of BDSM and D/s are not easily explained or understood. Yet as the pages turned and I was able to see all three characters and the deep insight to the very core of them insight dawned into a beautiful thing.

Vincent comes off as an overbearing and almost abusive Master. I almost worried that he was too much for Wednesday and that she needed to get out. I was wrong but wouldn’t know it until much later.

When Daniel came into the picture there was a glimmer of radiance brought out in Wednesday that Vincent never got from her. From his reaction it was plain to see. I loved the gentle loving side of Daniel but disliked the other side, the possessive one. I wasn’t sure how Wednesday would act, with her past issues and abandonment issues from Vincent’s departure in her life. All of it seemed to turn into a cataclysmic disaster, one I wondered if it had a happy ever after.

I think in this time Wednesday had too much time to herself and never was I so glad to see her Dom come back in and pull her back into her comfort level. The passion in this story surged white hot, the emotional tangle of any relationship had me holding my breath, sheer stubbornness on both parts and a coming to terms with the third party eventually deescalated, love kept them together.

I enjoyed this read on a multitude of levels and can’t wait to read the next work by Annabel Joseph.

Eliza Gayle, Black Moon Rising

Title: Black Moon Rising

Author: Eliza Gayle

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Shape-Shifter, Ménage, M/F/M

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-874-7

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Black-Moon-Rising.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

One man claims her by blood, the other by possession. One wants revenge.

At the rise of the Black Moon, Sierra is to be named the new Alpha of her pack. But first, she must take a wolf mate before she can claim the position. Problem is, she’s in love with two men, one of whom is strictly forbidden. Willing to live a lie, she publicly acknowledges one and keeps the other her dirty little secret.

Nolan and Marek understand Sierra’s needs. Nothing gives them more pleasure than to make her burn, body and soul. Until the pack is attacked and a temperamental stranger from the past threatens to send them spiraling apart. Now she must choose between love and duty, a decision with fatal consequences. Whoever said you could be Alpha without making the hard choices...lied.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, ménage (m/f/m).

Review:

Black Moon Rising has a lot going on for a novella. The reader is introduced to Sierra’s mate, Marek, and her guard, Nolan, right before a mating ceremony. The mating ceremony doesn’t go smoothly and is interrupted. Past mistakes rear their heads to complicate the new alpha’s life. What made this story even more intriguing is that the alpha is a female.

This is a fast moving story with some action. Sierra, Marek and Nolan have an explosive ménage that just gets better as the story unravels. The major characters are all very likable. Eliza Gayle does a nice job of giving us some villains, but also making the certainty of their evil ambiguous until the end. There are a couple plot twists that will keep you turning the pages to find out how it ends.

JC Szot, Braided Desire

Title: Braided Desire

Author: JC Szot

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Ménage, M/F/M

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-975-1

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Braided-Desire.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

Josh and Cole live alone on an isolated, six-hundred-acre farm. Chelsea, a local girl from town, visits them sometimes to help them keep their needs met. She thrives off Cole's dominant nature. The meaningless ménage is not enough for Josh, who wants a woman who can help him reach Cole emotionally. Who can help him win Cole's love?

When Toni arrives at the farm, she quickly discovers the men's arrangement with Chelsea, and that it's not satisfying Josh at all. As Josh and Toni's attraction and connection grows, Josh becomes sure she's the right fit for both of them. He knows she's the one who can help him break through the ice around Cole's heart. But first, he's got to find a tactful way to get rid of Chelsea, and then, he's got to convince both Cole and Toni that Toni wants them both.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, ménage (m/f/m).

Review:

Braided Desire by JC Szot touched me. Toni, the heroine, had tragedy touch her life at an early age. The tragedy affected her ability to form long lived relationships. She sequestered her time as an accountant in a big firm, a job that could be done in solitude and pursued her other passion in dancing, a way to unleash her complex emotions.

Cole owns a farm on the outskirts of town and is doing poorly after his own personal loss. He’s a handsome man with a broody temperament who gives his passion to the townee he and Josh share as a casual fuck. But with Toni, there he finds he desires more out of life but drowns himself in booze instead of reaching out and taking.

Josh loves his best friend but won’t stand idle and not enjoy the passion he feels for their new tenant. He treats her as a gentleman would, but also enjoys long passionate nights with her. At the cost of ending his friendship, it eats him away until they find a way to bridge Cole’s barriers and bring him into their arms for a threesome that will bond them together forever.

This story held me enthralled with all the complex barriers each one of them possessed. I loved the peace keeper Josh, his ability to de-escalate a given situation, and how he boldly loved them both.

Cari Z., Mahalia Levey, Ross Baxter, JT Whitehall, Silver Wings (Anthology)

Title: Silver Wings (Anthology)

Edited by: Leigh Ellwood

Authors: Cari Z., Mahalia Levey, Ross Baxter, JT Whitehall

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Steampunk

Sub-Genre: Homoerotic Romance

Keywords: M/M, Bi-Male, Ménage, M/F/M

Word Count: 53,000

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60659-589-3

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Phaze

Buy-Link: http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Silver+Wings/exact_match=exact

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Wayward cowboys with mechanical toys, an enterprising post-Civil War pleasure seeker, lovers conflicted in flight, and a lonely inventor whose salvation washes up on the shore of Penzance ... these stories of passion in the time of steam are guaranteed to set fire to your sense.

Silver Wings, an anthology of M/M and bi-male steampunk, features works by Cari Z., Mahalia Levey, Ross Baxter and JT Whitehall, edited by Phaze bestseller Leigh Ellwood.

Review:

Silver Wings is an anthology revolving around a homoerotic steampunk theme.

Nothing Ventured by Cari Z. is a hot, erotic story with plenty of action to keep you engaged. Sean and Nick are wonderful characters. The plot is interesting and the story contains some magical elements as well as steampunk.

Spoils of War by Ross Baxter is an erotic story with a dark undertone. As a reader, you want to smack Tom and yell at him that he’s being used, but on the other hand you hope he’s not. You’re kept on the edge waiting to see what happens. While you wait you’re treated to a hot male ménage. Intrigue and blackmail add spice to the story. The story is well written and will leave you wanting more, but there are some editing issues that are a bit distracting.

Surface Tension by JT Whitehall is a good love story with a happy ending. The bit of mystery revolving around Geoffrey gives the story just the right amount of drama to keep the pages turning. Sheldon is an interesting and curious character that is very enjoyable.

Steamy Surrender by Mahalia Levey is a story that starts out with an erotic twist that will keep you reading. This is a page turner with a lot going on in such a short story. The author does a nice job of keeping the story engaging. Mahalia Levey uses the steam power theme in her story very creatively. This story has a very hot, erotic, steamy ménage that will leave you wanting more of Cadence, Merrick, and Braeden.

Overall, I enjoyed this anthology and the creative takes on the theme the authors used. I found the inventions, innovations, and fantasy with a foothold in an altered earth history to be very entertaining. If you enjoy steampunk romance then try out Silver Wings.

Lynn LaFleur, The Birthday Gift

Title: The Birthday Gift

Author: Lynn LaFleur

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Ménage, M/F/M

Length: Quickie

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419932427

Price: $2.49

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8985-the-birthday-gift.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

What does a man give the woman of his dreams for her birthday? Her fantasy, of course. But when Amanda admits to her husband that she’d like to be part of a ménage a trois, Jake isn’t sure if he could ever share his wife with another man.

Then his cousin Patrick comes for a visit.

Publisher’s Note: Previously available in the Happy Birthday, Baby anthology.

Review:

The Birthday Gift is a quick short story that will leave you very satisfied. Lynn LaFleur gifted all of her readers with a wonderful ménage a trios.

This story is filled with love and selflessness. Jake puts aside his own needs and wants to help fulfill his wife’s desires. Jake and Amanda’s love for each other flows off the pages. When Patrick enters the picture their love ignites the pages. The three share an erotic encounter that will leave you wanting more, of the characters and Lynn LaFleur’s writing.

I hope that we will get to revisit these characters in the future! Based on this story, I would seek out other creations by Lynn LaFleur.

Suzanne Rock, Down on the Boardwalk

Title: Down on the Boardwalk

Author: Suzanne Rock

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Shape-Shifter, Ménage, Werewolves, Psychic, M/F/M, Violence

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-836-5

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Down-on-the-Boardwalk.aspx

Reviewer: Tonya

Blurb/Summary:

Gwen's psychic abilities first make her an outsider among the werewolves. Then they make her a slave. Forced to use her power to help a deranged werewolf seek vengeance, she gives up on her dream of ever being accepted and loved. That is, until Nico and Tony are thrown into her cell. Her attraction to the Kyron Pack brothers is immediate and overwhelming. As she submits to the physical attraction, old wounds heal and her powers strengthen. The brothers think she can save them, but to do so would require more than just physical intimacy, and would reveal a secret too dark and horrifying to share. When Nico and Tony use their lust to help their battered mate, buried memories rise to the surface, and jealousy threatens to destroy the fragile wolf in their care. As each of them bonds to Gwen, they begin to withdraw from each other. Now they must heal their inner scars and forgive the past if they ever hope save Gwen and escape the Boardwalk alive.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, menage (m/f/m), violence. Review: Paranormals are my absolutely favorite books to read. Suzanne Rock is one of my top paranormal writers to read. She amazes me with her talent and storylines. Each book is new, fresh, and different. Gwen is a strong, independent woman, she is a heroine every girl wants to be and every man lusts to be with. She knows what she wants, she accepts her powers and it makes her stronger. Nico and Tony are two strong men, very sexy and charming. Witty and romantic and very rough around the edges. They are two men all women dream of having around. These three characters bring the story to life, as I’m reading I can see the scenes playing out in my head. I felt like I was watching a movie not reading a book. Not many authors have such a vivid imagination where they can create a masterpiece that draws you into the story as if you were the heroine, hero, or someone watching this movie play out from the sidelines. Ms. Rock has that ability she never fails her readers, she delivers every time.

Christopher Newman, Deviant Ark

Title: Deviant Ark

Author: Christopher Newman

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Erotic Romance

Sub-Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: BDSM, GLBT, Interracial/Multicultural, Ménage, Futuristic, M/M, M/F/M

Word Count: 81,158

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60435-728-8

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Buy-Link: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?products_id=623

Reviewer: Sally Sapphire

Blurb/Summary:

It is the near future and Earth has vastly changed. Political, social, and religious reforms have melded the vastness of humanity into one voice and world. Deviant Behavior isn't permitted. An underground movement has sprung up to free humanity from terrible persecution, blind prejudice, and false progression. Marlene Strombella, a native of the Mars Colony she hides her lesbian passions from the general public. She lives a lie, a false marriage, to avoid detection by the government. A starship of alien refugees has been granted political asylum from their home planet. Nicknamed "Dualies" for the tall, elegant aliens possess both set of genitals and are shunned by most humans. Marlene finds herself attracted to one of them. A willowy and elegant creature named C'est'a. She strives to come to grips with her fascination. But between her regular job, her role in the Resistance, and the "re-genderization" of her last lover Marlene cannot cope with it all. Does she have time to uncover the truth of her feelings for C'est'a, break through the distrust her would-be lover's race have for humans, and still carry out her covert operations? Or will Mars erupt into possible interstellar or inter-species war first?

Review:

Deviant Ark is one of the most near-perfect reads I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying in a very long while. I went into it with such high expectations that I was actually reluctant to begin reading it and risk disappointment. Much to my surprise, it fulfilled all of my expectations, and even presented a few wonderful surprises.

Much of the book revolves around the various conflicts between the ‘straight’ authorities, the ‘deviant’ human resistance, and the equally ‘deviant’ alien refugees of I’leana. In a future where the world has been homogenized under a single government and a single religion, deviance is not tolerated in any form. Gays and lesbians are hunted down, abducted, and forcibly ‘reconditioned,’ all broadcast live on TV as a form of state-sponsored entertainment. Meanwhile, the dual-gendered alien refugees are mocked as much for their gender as for their blue skin and pointed ears, confined to the worst human slums, and treated like slaves.

While a covert Martian resistance cell does exist, operating as much for political as for sexual reasons, they’re simply incapable of driving the kind of change needed to allow the ‘deviants’ to find acceptance. There’s a sense of hopelessness to their efforts, although you can’t help but admire their perseverance.

What holds the story together and provides us with hope is the budding relationship between Marlene and C'est'a. It’s a wonderfully awkward love affair, with Marlene unsure she can handle being attracted to a woman with a penis, and C’est’a exploring her first feelings for a human woman. Her parents are divided in their opinions of the relationship and end up presenting Marlene with a challenge to prove herself. It is through this challenge that Marlene not only wins their respect, but takes the first steps towards orchestrating cooperation between the resistance and the I’leana.

If the story has a failing – and it may have been intentional on the part of the author – it’s that morality is so closely tied to sexuality. With one or two minor exceptions, the ‘straight’ population is portrayed as a bastion of cruelty and negativity. Similarly, despite a few rough edges, the ‘deviant’ populations, both human and alien, are almost portrayed lovingly and positively.

Ultimately, Deviant Ark is a serious science fiction story first, an LGBT romance second, and an erotic romp third. The story starts and ends with well-orchestrated space battles, and the climactic confrontation in the streets between the resistance and the army is as horrific as it is heroic. As for the sex scenes, they’re sporadic, but inventive and exciting in their intensity. More importantly, the sex plays a key role in the story, exposing the alliances and deceptions upon which the fate of the world rests.

Recommended for anybody with an interest in the human condition.