Cheryl Pierson, Temptation's Touch

Title:  Temptation's Touch

Author:  Cheryl Pierson

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Keywords:  Crimson Rosebud, Spicy, Men in Uniform Series    

Page Count:  180          

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-535-5

Price:  $4.99

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-564-5

Price:  $10.99 

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137&products_id=5007

Reviewer:  Marcie Oropeza (BookFairyMO)

Blurb/Summary:

[Men in Uniform Series]

Two broken hearts find a second chance at love, but only if they manage to survive--
 
When Kendi Morgan witnesses an attempted murder near her home one night, she makes the only choice possible: help the victim. But bringing the handsome stranger into her home traps her in the middle of a deadly drug war.

Wounded DEA agent Jackson Taylor is a man with nothing to lose and nothing to fear--until he falls for a beautiful woman who risked everything to save his life.

With his sting operation gone awry, Jackson realizes he is all that stands between Kendi and a powerful drug lord seeking revenge. Can their newfound love survive? Or will Jackson sacrifice his partner's life and his own in exchange for Kendi's safety and their future together?

Review:

This was a bittersweet story; both protagonists came from horrible pasts.  As a DEA agent, Jackson’s story was especially difficult to read. The plot moved quickly, perhaps too quickly some might think but this story’s entirety spanned less than two weeks so, the reader must take that into consideration.  

The attraction between Jack and Kendi spiked immediately; this reader had a difficult time believing they’d act upon that attraction as quickly as they did, given Jack’s physical limitation.  Oh well….lust! There were several nice plot twists, concerning Jack’s partner and the resolution.

This reader struggled with the graphic details of Jack’s past and of his torture under the hands of the drug lord.  While necessary to the story, be warned.  This was a quick and ultimately, interesting read.

Jannine Gallant, A Deadly Love

Title:  A Deadly Love 

Author:  Jannine Gallant

Rating:  Five Siren Stones 

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Keywords:  Crimson Rose, Spicy 

Page Count:  300             

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-310-8

Price:  $5.99

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-309-2 

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press 

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137&products_id=4940

Reviewer:  Marcie Oropeza (BookFairyMO)

Blurb/Summary:

In the heart of the redwoods, a madman waits...

Recovering from a broken engagement and determined to start over, Brooke Wakefield flees to her grandmother's home deep in the redwood forest. Discovering her teenage crush lives next door is a less than auspicious beginning. The last thing she needs is another man to break her heart, but every time Dillon glances her way, her heat level soars.

Dillon Tremayne isn't looking for a relationship. With a young son, an eccentric grandfather, and a logging company running him ragged, he can't afford any romantic entanglements. But Brooke's humor and strength are hard to resist.

When a woman from his past is brutally murdered and another disappears, Dillon is heartsick—and terrified the killer will target Brooke next. Can Brooke and Dillon find love in the heart of the forest? Or will a madman's twisted dream destroy their chance at happiness?

Review:

What an amazing book!  This one had it all: mystery, crazy serial murderer, love realized, a strong female protagonist, sexy former (widowed with adorable child) crush….who could ask for more?

This book had just the right combination of believable relationships between Brooke and Dillon as well as between Brooke and her Grandma.  The plot points led up to the climax beautifully; the suspense kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out who’d be next. While the outcome and resolution was inevitable, this reader was not disappointed at all!

Sharon Sobel, A Cottage Affaire

Title:  A Cottage Affair

Author:  Sharon Sobel

Rating:  Three Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Last Rose of Summer, Sensual, Thrifty Means Series

Page Count:  364          

ISBN E-Book:  d5611  

Price:  $5.99 

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-026-8

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4800

Reviewer:  Marcie Oropeza (BookFairyMO)

Blurb/Summary:

[Thrifty Means Series]

Small New England towns may bury their dead, but never the past.

With an art scandal threatening her future as a curator, Arden Alexander seeks refuge in the small colonial cottage owned by the women of her family for generations. But her handsome neighbor won't let her hide for long.

For years, Alex Wingate has hoped to incorporate the cottage into his plans for an artists' retreat, and Arden's arrival is his golden opportunity. But when they discover some undocumented history about their families and are drawn into a partnership, Alex's interest in Arden soon extends to much more than her property.

Before long, someone else finds the contents of the cabin too tempting to resist, and Arden and Alex realize they are fighting for their future as well as their history. As they uncover the past, can they also find the truth about themselves and their growing love?

Review:

This is a lovely book; well-written and obviously well-researched.  It’s also about 150 pages too long.  There was more than enough time to develop the characters, however, this reader felt like she was always coming from behind in knowing them.  There was always the feeling that the characters knew more than they were revealing to the reader so the reader was often left thinking, “What’s going on here?”

The formatting was also a bit of an issue; the reader often had to refer back a bit to determine whose dialogue was actually being read.  Quite frustrating.  A good love story with a bit of a historical mystery, but at 364 pages, more frustrating than not and just not worth plodding through to solve it!

Renee Charles, Changes in Autumn

Title:  Changes in Autumn

Author:  Renee Charles

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Black Rosette, Werewolf      

Page Count:  65          

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-549-2

Price:  $1.99 

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5018

Reviewer:  Marcie Oropeza (BookFairyMO)

Blurb/Summary:

Ex-animal control officer, Autumn Reynolds always had a soft spot for injured animals. So when one shows up on her porch with a gunshot wound, she has no choice but to help it. But she gets caught in the maelstrom when the injured wolf turns out to be a hot werewolf and the shooter comes back to finish the job. Now she's going to become a wolf, or die trying. Fortunately, she now has her own Alpha-male who owes her one. However, Autumn fears if she does survive, she might lose her heart in the process.

Conner Grayson owes the beautiful woman his life and feels obligated to help her through her first change. Though he recognizes her as his mate, as her Alpha, he won’t deny Autumn the right to choose once she becomes a wolf. That is, if he can resist the overwhelming need to claim her as his own.

Review:

This was a sweet short story that I would recommend without reserve. The editing was good, some typos that were a bit confusing at points but nothing severe or that impeded reading comprehension.

The author took the time to develop the characters of Conner and Autumn so that the reader feels a connection to them; one can’t help but want a good outcome for them.  The conflict in the story begins with Conner’s cousin, Bear, and continues with Kelley, his mate.  The resolution of the conflict with Kelley came a bit too quickly for this reviewer, however, that speaks to the whole point for Autumn’s response to Kelley and the situation she finds herself in.

The story’s resolution also came too quickly for this reviewer.  I would have liked an epilogue set perhaps a year to two in the future to “tie the bow” on the story’s outcome.  But that just indicates that I wanted to read more and didn’t want to let go of these characters yet!