Heather McCollum, Surrender: The Dragonfly Chronicles

Title:  Surrender: The Dragonfly Chronicles

Author:  Heather McCollum

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Fantasy

Sub-Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Sensual, Faery Rose, Telekinesis, Magic, Demons, Cowboy

Page Count:  382           

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-62830-000-0   

Price:  $5.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=5467 

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

To save her father, Kailin must control her magical gift of telekinesis and unearth the cryptic Orb of Life in nineteenth-century Egypt. Only one man can help her, a treasure hunter with an agenda of his own. Besides battling demons, Kailin must also battle her attraction to the handsome American cowboy aiding her search.

Jackson Black desperately wants the Orb, an artifact said to have power over life and death. But to get it he must ignore his conscience and do things he never thought he'd do. Falling for Kailin will only jeopardize his mission.
Only Kailin's complete surrender to Jackson, the one man who can mute her powers, will save her life. But when she discovers his secret, it will take more than magic to save her heart. It will take trust and the ultimate treasure--love.

Review:

Surrender: The Dragonfly Chronicles is the fourth in the series.  I have read only the 3^rd and 4^th books of this series.  Surrender follows the fourth sister who has the bulk of their mother's magical powers.  She is so powerful that she cannot ever let down her guard for fear of injuring those that she loves.  Because of this, she has constructed mental walls to stay behind and never integrates with the general populace.  She resides in late Victorian England during the boom of the Egyptian tomb raiding period.  Kailin has been adopted and trained by an archeologist who found her in and Egyptian tomb as a child and is aware of her magic.  The story is rather Indiana Jones-ish and I enjoyed the scenery employed. 

The interplay between Kailin and Jackson Black is amusing.  Jackson is keeping secrets from her and has the role of American tomb raiding bad boy.  Kailin must trust him for them to become the destined mates of prophecy.  But how can one surrender to someone they cannot truly trust when they have spent their life living behind mental walls of safety?  Can Kailin trust the one man who completely disarms her of her magical powers and yet continues to lie to her?  I know I couldn't!  This is a great read with a completely different feel than the previous novel.  Read it, you'll love it.  

Gail MacMillan, Holding Off for a Hero

Title:  Holding Off for a Hero

Author:  Gail MacMillan

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Champagne Rose, Spicy    

Page Count:  256          

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-440-2

Price:  $4.99

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-439-6

Price:  $12.99 

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press 

Buy-Link:  http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=5004

Reviewer:  Marcie Oropeza

Blurb/Summary:

Beautiful, vivacious Emma Prescott has a love-'em-and-leave-'em reputation.  Fact is, Emma's holding off for a hero.  When she moves to a cabin at wilderness Loon Lake and meets her one neighbour, biology professor Frasier MacKenzie, he's still just another guy, even with his killer blue eyes and a body that just won't quit...until he rescues her and her Pug from one danger after another, from drowning to wild animals to a pair of armed and angry drug dealers.  Then he definitely falls into hero territory.  

But the professor has no intention of filling the role of white knight in Emma's life.  All he wants is to be rid of her and her annoying little dog so he can get on with his "research."  In fact, he's ordered to get rid of them whether he wants to or not. 

Looks as if Emma may have to go on holding off for a hero...

Review:

This was a surprisingly enjoyable read!  I found it a bit frustrating at times: Emma’s behaviors were quite often as difficult to take for the reader as they were for Frasier.  

The author did a great job of building background and character as well as suspense and mystery.  The humor in Emma’s personality as she related to Frasier had me smiling to myself quite often. I thought it sometimes took a bit too long to get to some of the important plot points but, other than that, I recommend this as a good read.

Lisa Hannah Wells, Be Still My Lover's Heart

Title:  Be Still My Lover's Heart

Author:  Lisa Hannah Wells

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre:  Science Fiction

Keywords:  Black Rose, Aliens, Vampires, Spicy, Memory Makers Series    

Page Count:  354         

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-338-2

Price:  $5.99

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-337-5

Price:  $14.99 

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=5012

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

[Memory Makers - Be Still My Lover's Heart Book One]

Ethereal beauty Shea, a Lieutenant in a Universal military, has spent the last four years protecting Colony supply freighters on a small space station. If not for her partner and the hopes of a better assignment, the loss of her husband and a devastating illness would leave her little desire to live. 

That is until she meets Tempest, an alien whose species is rumored to be the origin of the vampires.  A man who makes her feel alive in ways she's never felt before.

Tempest has prayed to the Divine One for countless years for his bondmate.  Shea is his long-awaited answer and so much more.  One night will not be enough for a man who has waited a lifetime, but he is determined to make Shea his forever.

With a madman out to destroy them and certain death nipping at their heels, will Tempest and Shea outwit Remi and survive to share a future together, or die protecting all they hold dear?

Review:

Be Still My Lover's Heart is an action romance.  The story is future and space faring based and qualifies as sci-fi/fantasy romance.  It begins, right out of the gate, with a spaceship fire fight against pirates.  The action continues throughout this book at a good clip.  Fire fights, bar fights, illegal medical testing and spaceship fights dot the canvas of this story liberally.

Our heroes are Shea, a human lieutenant for the Earth government in the fight against piracy and Tempest, an 800-plus year old alien of vampiric nature.  Tempest has been waiting an eternity in loneliness to find his mate.  He finds Shea in the center of a bar fight in his establishment and knows that she is the one he has waited for.  Shea is still heart-broken from the loss of her husband a few years back and to sooth the pain, enlisted.  Together they go through the pain of bonding as true mates.

I found this book to be engaging right from the start.  It moves along at a fast pace and draws the reader in.  The characters are fully developed and the future believable.  It was a fun ride and I sailed right through it in no time.  Ms. Wells' book is a great read for both vampire fans and fans of science fiction romance.  The only criticism I might make is that after travelling with them on their journey of discovery through so many adventures, it seemed to end a bit abruptly.  I would have liked to see another chapter of closure.  All in all, a great read.

Michele de Winton, A Talon At Her Throat

Title:  A Talon At Her Throat
Author:  Michele de Winton 

Rating:  Three Siren Stones

Genre:  Fantasy

Keywords: Faery Miniature Rose, Spicy   

Page Count:  89          

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-481-5

Price:  $2.99 

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:   http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4977

Reviewer:  Kristin Boyd 

Blurb/Summary:

Torn between hiding her goddess lineage from mortals and needing her powerful gifts for self-preservation, Yasmin Freeman just wants to be ordinary. But when an assignment leads her to Gray, a Talon shape-shifter able to assume the deadly features of any bird of prey, the true nature of her abilities is revealed.

Fiercely protective of his people, Gray is honor-bound to dispose of intruders, but Yasmin provokes a lustful hunger in him he doesn't understand--a hunger that drives him to disregard the Talon's strict avoidance of humans.

Gray's seductive touch triggers an ancient bonding process Yasmin is powerless to stop. Their bond should hold them together, but without the cooperation of their people, humans, goddesses, and Talons could die. Yasmin must face Gray in battle if she is to plead with the Talon elders for cooperation, yet defeating Grey might mean the end of the fragile trust between them.

Review:

Yasmin is on a mission.  A mission she took in order to redeem herself in the eyes of her people after her previous job went awry.  She wanted nothing more than to go to the landing, survey the land and help her people gain and maintain equal rights and peace within the disputed land.  Gray proves to be a stubborn but very sexy roadblock, whose devotion to his people and their land could potentially deem Yasmin's mission impossible.  She is forced to reveal and use powers that will reveal her true identity in an effort to restore balance.

Gray is an instinctual bird of prey.  One who acts first and asks questions later.  When the Landing that the Talon people have rights to becomes compromised by human invasion, he sees this as a direct threat and will eliminate said threat to preserve his land and his people.  Eliminating weak humans has never proven to be an issue before, but Yasmin is different as are the feelings that he begins to develop for her.  Can this human be trusted?  His first instinct, his sister, and the witches all tell him no while the voice of his deceased mother encourages him to look deeper.

A Talon At Her Throat is a story about balance.  The balance between the people of humans, goddesses, talons, and witches; the balance between love, lust, and manipulation, and the internal balance between the inner beast and humanity within.  Although there were minor inconsistencies throughout, the characters and storyline were written well enough to keep the reader engaged.  The cover art seemed dated and most definitely did not do the hero of the book justice.  The love scenes were steamy and passionate.  This was an entertaining book overall. 

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!

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

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4882

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

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4926

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

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4878

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.