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Kimberly’s review of Release Me by J. Kenner

TITLE: Release Me
AUTHOR: J. Kenner
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past—and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him—and us—forever.

REVIEW:
This is a very intense book. Not because of the sex which is actually relatively low key, yet exciting. I mean the characters. We learn mostly about Nikki in this story and she has a very intense past. Her pain is almost palpable on the pages. I did expect a slightly different reason for her pain (a more dramatic reason) so I was a little disappointed in the simplicity of her reasoning for doing what she does but that does not make it any less extreme.

This book will be compared to 50 Shades Of Grey (aren’t all erotic stories now?) and while I can understand the comparison because there are similarities it would not be fair. However, it will be because the synopsis itself is claiming if you like Shades you will like this. But while I reviewed Shades as a haunting love story, this book is more of an intense romance. Damien is very romantic, sweet and there is never a hardness about him. And Nikki is not an innocent.

Yes if you liked Shades you will probably like this book too but not because there is a comparison but because it is the same genre. I assume in the next book (Claim Me) that we will learn more of Damien’s story. Which I look forward to.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Making Him Sweat by Meg Maguire

TITLE: Making Him Sweat
CHARACTERS: Jenna & Mercer
AUTHOR: Meg Maguire
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/19/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s hitting below the belt…

Round 1
In this corner is admittedly romantic Jenna Wilinski, who’s inherited a rather seedy boxing gym from her estranged father. With it, she can realize her dream of launching an upscale matchmaking business…provided she can take on the very intimidating—and wickedly hot—boxer who stands in her way!

Round 2
In the far corner is former pro boxer Mercer Rowley. He’s the only one who can protect his “home”—even if it is a little run-down— from his determined and feisty little opponent. But man, once the gloves come off, his hands just want to touch her everywhere…

Round 3
This matchup is too close to call. But no matter which contender comes out on top, the other is sure to enjoy every minute of it…

REVIEW:
2.5 Stars
I found this book to be almost boring to be honest. The characters did not connect at all. Something was just off with the characters and the writing. I really wanted to enjoy this story but I just couldn’t. I also wanted to think that maybe this was the first book from this author because I did see a lot of potential but I looked it up and she has written quite a few stories so I am not sure why this book just didn’t click.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Jennifer’s review of Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

TITLE: Winterblaze
AUTHOR: Kristen Callihan
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Once blissfully in love….Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy’s secrets are revealed, leaving Winston’s trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections….

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test… Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bears the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy’s love for him to defect the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

REVIEW:
I have been waiting a long time to finally learn Poppy and Winston’s story and Kristen Callihan doesn’t disappoint in her latest installment in the Darkest London series. This is a heart-wrenching tale of a couple that has to battle a demon from the depths of hell to protect their true love. Poppy has always been an interesting character to me as the oldest Ellis sister and we finally learn her supernatural ability that she has gone to great lengths to keep hidden. Poppy was also protecting other deep dark secrets in this novel that would threaten to destroy her relationship with her husband and her family if they became known. I was quite irritated with Winston’s character in the beginning because he had separated from Poppy when he learned one of these secrets and instead of standing by her, decided it was best that they go their separate ways. This secret destroyed his image of Poppy and considering he was holding secrets of his own, made me angry with his character. Poppy was such a strong character in my eyes with all the responsibilities that she had to deal with and had wanted to make the best of the situation even if it meant not living with her husband anymore.

During the course of the novel, they were able to make amends and join forces to hunt a deadly demon, Isley, who threatened Winston’s life and his future with Poppy. He was intent on taking Winston’s soul unless Winston was able to discover the identity of a Moira Darling and the object that she had stolen from this deadly demon. The journey to find Moira Darling brought Poppy and Win closer together but also unearthed secrets that neither had wanted to come to light. I enjoyed learning about Poppy and Winston’s relationship and courtship which appeared via flashbacks during the course of this novel. Kristen is an amazingly talented author and each novel seems to be better than its predecessor in this dazzling paranormal Victorian world. I can’t wait to read her next novel, Shadowdance, which continues the adventures of Jack Talent and the beautiful yet elusive Mary Chase.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Interview with Miranda Stowe

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Hi!!  Thanks so much for having me here today.  I’m a Midwest girl. One husband. One toddler daughter. No pets, or obsessive illegal habits, or sad, traumatic background. I’m just a normal, boring every day average woman who works in a university library during the day, and reads and writes whenever I can sneak in the time.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, pretty much. I can remember wanting to be an author when I was in the first grade!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t write a story in order. I have to skip around to scenes that interest me at that moment. Is that interesting enough???

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Mates Since Birth is an erotic romance shape shifter short story about the kids from the first two couples in the first two books in my Half-Breed Shifter series. See, the hero kind of accidently bonded himself to the heroine when she was like a couple minutes old (oopsie), so now they’re mated for life. This story picks up where he finds her after her father has hidden her from him for twenty years and they try to see if they can break the bond…only to realize, nah, they really don’t want to break it!

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Yeesh, I don’t know really. I went through a Sherrilyn Kenyon stage before writing this story and really, really liked the hook-up scene in her novella Stroke of Midnight. I now have a BIG thing for mated shape shifters ever since!

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I really should be working on my next book in my half-breed shifter series since Mates Since Birth ends in a major cliffhanger, but I keep getting ideas for non-erotic stories. That’s okay, though, since I also publish non-erotic stories under my Linda Kage pen name. So…be on the lookout for some New Adult from Omnific Publishing later on this year!!

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Julia Quinn. I love her stories, and I’ve seen some of her video interviews. She seems really fun and uplifting and inspiring in a romance writing sort of way.  I don’t know if I could meet her one-on-one (I’d be too shy and nervous). But listening to her give a speech in person would be epic!

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Don’t Give Up!

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I want to see the ocean someday.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout. CAN. NOT. WAIT. It’s those books in a series that get you every time!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Um…thanks again for having me here and for your interest in my story! Happy Reading!

 

 

 

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Want a Chance to win a Kindle Fire HD??? Check out a Kindle Serials….

CHECK OUT A KINDLE SERIALS…

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD!!

From Valentine’s Day through the end of March, three romance authors are combining to not only bring readers an easy opportunity for a chance to win a 7” Kindle Fire HD, but also the chance to discover a new and exciting way to read books!

Have you heard of Kindle Serials? It’s a blast from the past, where books are released in episodes in the same vein as in Charles Dickens’ day. Only, instead of getting each episode in a magazine or newspaper, you’ll get them on your Kindle or Kindle app. It’s kind of like your favorite television shows. The ones that leave you hanging each week, anxious to get to the next episode and know more!

Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton each have a Kindle serial releasing, and are hoping you’ll give them a try! In return, they’re giving away a 7” Kindle Fire HD on April 1st, and will give away three $20 Amazon gift cards along the way. All you have to do to enter is go to one of their websites and answer a simple question about their serial. Want to enter three times? Go to each website and answer a question about each serial.

Additionally, after reading each episode, join the fun by chatting with other readers on the Kindle forums, and discussing how you think the next episode will play out! Links to the forums are found on each book’s Amazon page.

Falling for Frederick, by Cheryl Bolen – Laden with mystery and suspense, Falling for Frederick is a fast-paced romance that takes place in contemporary England. Aided by the lord of the manor, a lovely doctoral student seeks a priceless medieval artifact – just a step ahead of those who’ve already murdered to get it.

 

 

 

 

Ex on the Beach, by Kim Law – Andie Shayne is getting ready to host the wedding of the summer at her resort on Turtle Island. As the guests arrive she’s taken aback to learn that her ex–who left her at the altar–is the best man. What he did was unforgiveable, and now he’s back with an agenda for her affection.

 

 

 

 

A Hero Lies Within, by Patrice Wilton – Old secrets linger and two reunited lovers are faced with more deception and mistrust. Can their love survive a second time around? Jake Harrington left her once when her life was falling apart, and now he’s back, and so are all the emotions she fought hard to expel. Can she forget his bitter betrayal, and will he forgive hers when to save her career she must betray his trust?

 

 

$20 Amazon Gift Card giveaways:

February 28th – Winner pulled from all entries from Cheryl’s contest page.

March 14th – Winner pulled from all entries from Kim’s contest page.

March 28th – Winner pulled from all entries from Patrice’s contest page.

7” Kindle Fire HD giveaway:

April 1 – Kindle Fire HD winner will be drawn from all entries gathered from the contest pages of Cheryl, Kim and Patrice. Enter up to 3 times to win!

Subscribe to the Montlake Delivers newsletter

CONTEST FINE PRINT:
By submitting your entry you agree to share your information with and sign up for Cheryl, Kim and Patrice’s newsletters. They agree not to share your information with anyone else. You may unsubscribe at any time.
One entry per person per contest page. (Up to three entries possible, one at each contest page.)
You must be 18 years old to enter.

You must be a US resident to enter.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST, Sunday, March 31, 2013.
One winner will be chosen at random from all entrants for the 7” Kindle Fire HD.

One winner will be chosen at random for each of the Amazon gift cards.

Winner selections are at the sole discretion of Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law and Patrice Wilton. All decisions are final.
Winner will be notified via email.

Winner agrees for their name to be used in newsletters, on websites, twitter, and on the Facebook pages of Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton.
Giveaway is sponsored by Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton. No purchase necessary. Cheryl Bolen, Kim Law, and Patrice Wilton are not responsible for transmission failures, computer glitches or lost, late, damaged or returned mail.

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Kimberly’s review of Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Three Sisters
SERIES #: Blackberry Island #2
CHARACTERS: Andi/Boston/Deanna
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life – buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi’s new future may be coming together, but the truth is she’s just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house.

When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora’s Box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he’s right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she’s lost herself, and she’s in danger of losing her entire family if things don’t change.

Next door, artist Boston King thought she and her college sweetheart would be married forever. Their passion for one other has always seemed indestructible. But after tragedy tears them apart, she’s not so sure. Now it’s time for them to move forward, with or without one another.

Thrown together by fate and geography, and bound by the strongest of friendships, these three women will discover what they’re really made of: laughter, tears, love and all.

REVIEW:

LIVE ~ LOVE ~ LAUGH
These are the best words to describe the ladies of the houses known as the Three Sister. One friend needs to learn to live again after the death of her baby. One friend needs to learn to love and trust again after a relationship ends. And one just needs to learn how to laugh and not take life so seriously.

This is not a story of romance (but of course there is some). However this is a story about love. Learning to love yourself and the women who have become your friends. Each story is told only from the female point of view with three different yet intertwined stories. They are heartbreaking and emotional. The stories leave you sad, angry, happy and renewed. The women that Susan Mallery has given us are so different that at first I thought I wonder which one of these women I will relate to and I found I somehow related to all of them in some way. I was the woman left with a broken heart wondering if I should or could love again, I was the woman who had lost something so incredibly special I wondered if I could be whole again and I was the woman who had done everything to be the woman I was supposed to be and was not sure if it was enough. I think every woman has been these women at some point in their lives. No, not all at once but over time and years.

These women were so poignant that it was hard not to feel the emotions of each as I read their stories and finally decided to just stop trying to fight the feelings and embrace them. I cried, I smiled, I wanted to be at their table having wine and giving them my opinion of what they needed to do.

This is not Fool’s Gold. This is real life encompassed in one single book. How Susan Mallery got through the writing of this book with all the emotions she poured into it I will never know but I am glad she did. I am a better person for “knowing” these three women because I see myself in each of them and realize every woman should spend more time LIVING ~ LOVING ~ AND LAUGHING.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly’s review of Edge Of Dawn by Lara Adrian

TITLE: Edge of Dawn – Midnight Breed #11
Characters: Mira & Kellen
AUTHOR:Lara Adrian
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts

REVIEW:
It was great to be back in the world of the Midnight Breed. 20 years in the future from the last book (#10 Darker After Midnight) the world has changed and all the kids are grown up. I will admit it was a little strange to go from seeing Mira a little rambunctious girl in Darker too this strong warrior woman in Edge of Dawn. But once you get over the time lapse you will be totally fine.

The world is not much better then when we left it at the end of Darker. The Breed has been out in the open and humans still fear them. Wars have raged. People both Breed and human have been lost. The Breed & human are trying to find a way to live peacefully. But not all is what it seems and soon a new enemy emerges that will threaten everything that the Breed has been trying to do for the last 20 years.

Edge of Dawn brings most of the original Breed members back to this story to fight against this new enemy. And since I really don’t like to give spoilers…..

Edge of Dawn is Mira & Kellan’s story And it is a great story of love, loss, betrayal and learning to trust again. I really, really, really, loved this story and loved the new elements that Lara brings to this new world of the Midnight Breed.

I will tell you that I did need a tissue a time or two. I loved to see some of my favorite’s back (even if my favorite was only mentioned) and I have a few new favorites among the younger Breed members now too.

I am very much looking forward to where Lara is going to take us with this new Breed of characters and what she has in store for us with this new enemy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Guest blog & giveaway with Anne Calhoun

When Do You Give Up?

It’s a tough question to answer, but all of the characters in my current release, UNCOMMON PLEASURE, have to face. Each struggles with his or her burdens. Ty Hendricks, a former NCO in the Marine Corps, believes he’s personally responsible for a devastating tragedy. Lauren Kincaid sees so much potential in Ty, but when he’s purposefully cruel to her, she’s not sure she can bear to walk with someone bent on self-destruction. Abby Simmons believes Sean Winthrop gave up on her months before when he decided – without consulting her on the subject – that she was to young and had too much of her life in front of her to support a Marine through a deployment based on a whirlwind thirty-day affair. Sean knows he’s made a mistake and he’s not going to give up on Abby, but sometimes there’s no recovering from a mistake.

When characters get pushed to the breaking point the possibility of quitting is always there. But when they’re at that edge they can also choose to change, to let love in, to admit a mistake and ask for forgiveness, to accept an apology and move forward.

 

Do you like that deep, crushing sense of desperation that all is lost forever in a story, or do you like a lighter-hearted read?

Comment for a chance to win a copy of UNCOMMON PLEASURE!

*****

Uncommon Pleasure

by Anne Calhoun

Coming March 5, 2013

From a “fresh and imaginative” (The Romance Studio) voice in erotic romance come the tales of two women, each daring to challenge the toughest of men…but in these edgy, heated encounters, the greatest thing she’ll risk is her heart.

In Over the Edge, after a tragic incident during Ty Hendricks’ last tour of duty he cut off all connection with anyone he cares about—until a night with Lauren Kincaid draws him reluctantly back into the world. Lauren sees a wounded man in danger of losing everything to his inner demons, but the sensual, no-holds-barred fight for Ty’s soul could cost Lauren her heart.

In All on the Line, Abby Simmons fell hard for Lieutenant Sean Winthrop, but he sacrificed their relationship when he deployed to Afghanistan. Now he’s home, full of regrets and intent on winning back the woman he never forgot. Abby gives Sean her body but holds her heart aloof, until one night of pleasure forces her to choose her U.S. Marine…or life without him, forever.

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Kimberly’s review of Bungalow Nights by Christie Ridgway

TITLE: Bungalow Nights
SERIES #: Beach House #2
CHARACTERS: Layla & Vance
AUTHOR: Christie Ridgway
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Return to USA TODAY bestselling author Christie Ridgway’s Crescent Cove, California, where the magic of summer can last forever… Combat medic Vance Smith made a promise to a fallen officer: to treat the man’s young daughter to an idyllic vacation at Beach House No. 9. One month, some sun and surf, a “helmet list” of activities to check off and Vance will move on. But the “little girl” he’s expecting turns out to be a full-grown woman. With silky hair, big brown eyes and smelling sweetly of the cupcakes she makes for her mobile bakery, Layla Parker is irresistible. And Vance shouldn’t lay a finger on her. Honor-and one heck of a scarred heart-says so.

To Layla, Vance is a hero who was injured trying to save her father’s life. She intends to spend their month of lazy days and warm nights taking very good care of the gorgeous soldier-inside and out…

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this book but I am not sure it was one of my favorites from Ridgway. I enjoyed the story of Vance and Layla. I thought they had a very good chemistry and I enjoyed reading their story. Both of their stories were sad and yet sweet. In the beginning I was not sure about the relationship between Vance and Layla. It seemed a little forced but then it really began to grow. I just wish it had not taken so long. The story of Layla’s dad was just heartbreaking.

However, I just never got into the story of Baxter and Addy. I usually enjoy a background romance but those two had no chemistry at all.

This is the second in the series but it can mostly certainly stand alone. If this is the first time you are reading Ridgway then read the first in the series before this one. Do not base the author solely on this book. I love everything this author writes and this was not an exception it just will not be high on my favorites.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy

TITLE: Platinum
CHARACTERS: Steel & Althea
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/25/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Althea Grant’s Charleston gallery might be suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere, but she’s doing just fine, thank you. When bad-boy sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual—and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

Steel, fascinated by Althea’s rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr designed for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the cool Southern belle into modeling for him is the second.

As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn’t just fine at all—it’s as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she’s failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

REVIEW:
You know what I liked best about this book? Steel and Althea are just normal people. Steel is not some billionaire CEO with control issues. Althea is not some off the street secretary. They are normal people. If anything Althea is the one who was brought up proper and has never known the world that Steel leads her to. He is beer and she is wine but they work together.

Yes, Steel is into having control in the bedroom and his BDSM is new to Althea but he is always willing to let her be who she wants to be. I enjoyed the playfulness that Steel has when he is around Althea. I just really enjoyed the whole story.

I did, however, feel like the ending was a bit rushed. Another couple of chapters (or maybe even just an epilogue) would have been nice. It just needed a bit more. But other than that I think if you like erotica this will be one you really enjoy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts