Lost to the Desert Warrior by Sarah Morgan

This story broke my heart and encouraged me.  The strength that Layla had, to risk everything to head off into the desert to find Raz was amazing.  At points even though she is an adult I just want to hug her even though she is a fictional character.

When Layla overhears her fathers adviser say that he is going to make Layla his bride, the Princesses form a plan.  That is to ride out into the desert and hope they find Raz, who is the enemy of her family.  When she finds Raz he says that he will offer her is protection if he marries her.  To protect her sister she agrees.

The problem is that there are people in Raz's camp that are trying to kill her.  Raz thinks that she has been spoiled by palace life and he is fast learning how very wrong he is.  Will Layla be able to make Raz see beyond his past so they will have a future together?

You must read it to find out!

The Divorce Party by Jennifer Hayward

I loved this book and to think of having a divorce party as a way to keep the wife you love with you is ingenious.

Lilly and Riccardo are considered by the media the golden couple.  She walks out on Riccardo and wants him to sign the divorce papers thinking that he couldn't really love her.  He tells her that he is throwing a divorce party and that she needs to show up if she wants the papers signed.  That is exactly what she does.  Little does she know that Riccardo has other plans.  He still loves Lilly and wants to keep her in his life by hook or by well blackmail.

Riccardo manages to get her back in their home and in his arms, that is when the sparks really begin to fly. The question is, will they divorce or will it be happily ever after?  You must read it to find out.

The Training by Tara Sue Me

It started with a hidden desire.

Millionaire CEO Nathaniel West has always played by his own strict set of rules, ones he expects everyone to follow—especially the women he’s dominated in his bedroom. But his newest lover is breaking down all his boundaries and rewriting his rule book.

Abby King never imagined that she would capture the heart of Nathaniel West, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors—and its most desirable dominant. What began as a weekend arrangement of pleasure has become a passionate romance with a man who knows every inch of her body and her soul – yet remains an enigmatic lover. Though he is tender and caring, his painful past remains a wall between them.

Abby knows the only way to truly earn his trust is to submit to him fully and let go of all of her lingering inhibitions. Because to lead Nathaniel on a path to greater intimacy, she must first let him deeper into her world than anyone has ever gone before…

This was a great book, but since I didn't realize it was the final book in the trilogy I was lost at first.  I plan on going back and starting from the beginning because Tara Sue Me is a wonderful author!  Abby is on the verge of having Nathaniel train her as a sub.  She feels that he is so out of her league but she finds herself falling in love with her Dom. She isn't sure how their relationship can progress further, Nathaniel helps her realize that he has forever on his mind and he plans on making it work.  The "scenes" in the book are wonderful written.  I recommend starting with the first book in the series and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Never Say No to a Caffarelli by Melanie Milburne

"I play by the rules, but they're my rules." 

Poppy Silverton is as untouched as the leafy English village where she runs a tearoom. But her home, her livelihood and her innocence are under threat…. 

Rafe Caffarelli is a mouthwatering specimen of Mediterranean manhood. He's a playboy billionaire and determined to buy Poppy's historic dower house. 

Poppy will not give up the only thing that remains of her childhood and family. She'll fight Rafe—and her attraction to him—all the way. And be the first woman to say "no" to a Caffarelli!

This was a great book.  I loved how Poppy wasn't afraid to stand up to Rafe and tell him NO on many occasions.  Rafe began to realize that there was more to Poppy than he first thought.  Rafe wanted to turn the area into a Resort but Poppy thought the place needed to be a family home, even though a Resort would be good for her business.  Rafe decides to buy the building her tearoom was in and that's when the sparks really fly.  If you are looking for a good read that makes you want to laugh and cry then pick this book up.

Once She was Tempted by Ann Barton

I love Regency romances for the fairy tale-like qualities and this story was such a winning combination of enchanted make-believe and genuine reality. From fancy ballrooms, to drawing rooms and an entertaining house party, the locations are everywhere I want to be. The Earl of Foxburn is so unlike the usual charming, amiable leading men of this time period and I found his sharp comments and repellent attitude actually make him more authentic, more endearing. Ben definitely needs some compassion and empathy but he doesn’t need pity and Daphne is just the woman to give him the loving attention he needs and have the backbone to stand up to his disparaging attitude. Daphne is such a kind-hearted yet headstrong woman. She will do anything for those she cares for and I believe I could not have asked for a more splendid ending to such a charming book. I have not read Belle’s story but I will definitely be picking it up and any other novel I can find written by this author. I loved the style, the setting the scenario and I especially enjoyed the characters and would love to see them all make reappearances in many more books to come.

Her Wicked Angel Blog Barrage

Her Wicked Angel, the sixth book in Felicity Heaton’s Her Angel romance series, is now available, and to celebrate the release she’s holding a FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY at her website and she’s also giving away the first book in the series, Her Dark Angel, for FREE at selected Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books and Apple iBookstore sites.

Find out how to enter the Her Wicked Angel international giveaway (ends September 29th) and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website, where you can also download a 6 chapter sample of the novel:

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Wicked%20Angel

FREE EBOOK: You can find all the links for the Her Dark Angel free ebook offer (and two other free paranormal romance ebooks) at:

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/paranormal-romance-ebook-offers.php

The King of Demons and the Devil’s right hand man, Asmodeus is a dark angel born of evil and created for destruction. When his master orders him to venture into the mortal world and retrieve a female for him, he seizes the chance to leave Hell for the first time, uncaring of what the Devil has planned for her… until he sets eyes on the most beautiful woman he has ever seen—a female who awakens new feelings within his black heart, unleashing passion so intense that it controls him and desire he cannot resist.

He will not let his wretched master have her. She will belong to him.

Liora is a witch with a bad reputation and an obsession with fighting demons. A mission gone wrong sees her sent to Paris to cool off, but when a dark and deadly warrior with a gaze of golden fire lands in her life, she ends up burning hotter than Hell for the wicked angel. Nothing will stand between her and the immense, forbidding male. Not her cousin. Not Asmodeus’s sworn enemy and twin, Apollyon. And certainly not the Devil.

Caught up in a tempest of danger and soul-searing passion, can they survive against the odds and seize their forever after?
Her Wicked Angel is available from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iBooks stores and many other retailers. Also available in paperback. Find the links to your preferred retailer at:

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Wicked%20Angel

Excerpt

"What business do you have with me?" Asmodeus casually preened his feathers, preparing them for the flight home, and ignored the Devil’s scowl.

The male hated it when he spoke to him without an ounce of respect. Everyone else under his command simpered and scraped at his feet. As far as Asmodeus was concerned, the Devil had enough pathetic creatures kissing his expensive Italian leather shoes. Asmodeus wasn’t about to join them. He was above them.

The Devil’s right hand man.

A male created for destruction and bloodshed.

"You are to travel to the mortal realm and retrieve a female for me."

Asmodeus’s black eyebrows pinched in a frown and it took him a moment to absorb exactly what the Devil had said and the connotations it contained.

One, he was ordering him to lower himself to the role of minion, retrieving him another female for his harem. Treating him like a servant. That irked him. He was not just another of the Devil’s servants.

Two, he was offering him a taste of the mortal world, granting him leave to step outside the environs of Hell for the first time in his existence. That intrigued Asmodeus. He had always wanted to see the mortal realm with his own eyes and experience it.

Asmodeus stared at him, weighing his options. Swallow his pride and finally fly in the world above, seeing the buildings and the colours, and all the things he had only ever seen in the pool on the plateau, or tell the Devil to stick it and spend the next week in the cells, probably tortured, possibly maimed permanently for his disobedience.

Asmodeus swallowed his pride and it tasted bitter. "Fine."

The Devil grinned, revealing short fangs. "Good. You will find her in Paris, in the middle of the park near the base of the Eiffel Tower. She will be wearing crimson and black. Bring her to me."

Asmodeus nodded, took a step backwards and then turned away from the Devil.

He threw his hand out in front of him and a black vortex appeared, swirling like smoke. It had been many centuries since he had bothered practicing glamours and veils, having given up on ever leaving Hell and having no need for changing his appearance in this realm. He hoped he hadn’t forgotten how to cast them.

Asmodeus focused on himself, casting a veil so none would see him when he stepped through the portal into the mortal realm.

"Bring her to me quickly, Asmodeus," the Devil said behind him and Asmodeus nodded again.

Perhaps he would dally just a little. Who knew when the Devil would allow him to leave Hell again?

He stepped through the black portal and tensed as he appeared in the mortal realm. His eyes watered and he blinked against the assault of strong light, leaning back into the shade of the tower that speared the blue sky above him.

Blue.

Asmodeus tipped his head back and stared up at it, and then looked at his surroundings. Green trees. Dark metal. Pale stone. Mortals dressed in a multitude of colours. The warm air carried strange scents. Dust. Something sweet. Smoke. Sounds came from every direction. Blasts of noise and distant rumbles of what he suspected were vehicles. Constant chatter. Laughter. Squeals of happiness. All alien to him.

All choking and closing in on him.

He didn’t like it.

He took a step back towards the portal behind him and glared at everyone as they passed. Ants. Hundreds of them. Swarming. Shoving. Jostling each other. He wanted to kill them all. They were noisy. Brutal. Irritating.

Insignificant.

Powerless.

Asmodeus grinned, his golden eyes narrowing with it, and flexed his fingers. His fangs began to lengthen and his black claws followed them.

Prey for the hunter.

He would drown out the disgusting scents with the smell of blood. He would replace joy with fear, with screams and sobs and pointless pleas for mercy. He would bathe this colourful world in crimson.

Crimson.

A flash of that colour caught his eye and his gaze zeroed in on it. It was gone, lost in the sea of other hues. It flickered again, further off to his right, and his eyes shot to it. Wavy chestnut hair bounced against crimson ruffled material with each light step. He caught a sliver of black jeans. Crimson and black. The female the Devil wanted.

She turned and he glimpsed her face, and his desire to bathe his hands in the blood of these puny creatures slipped away, calm suffusing him, making him forget his irritation and dark desires.

She blinked, black lashes shuttering luminous hazel eyes, and turned away, continuing onwards towards a strip of green land to his right beyond the shadow of the tower.

Asmodeus felt a tug behind his breastbone, pulling him in her direction, but something told him it wasn’t the Devil commanding him to follow her. It was something else that made him want to track her through the crowd.

He focused and altered his appearance as he walked, hiding his pieces of gold-edged black armour with a black dress shirt, black jeans and leather boots, and shielding his wings. He lifted the veil that concealed him from mortal eyes and stalked the female as she moved through the thinning crowd, keeping his distance but remaining close enough that he wouldn’t lose her.

She stepped out into the bright sunlight on the vivid green grass and it cast golden highlights in her hair. Asmodeus’s heart missed a beat and then thumped hard against his ribs. His palms sweated.

Why?

He had hunted thousands before for the Devil. This female was no different. He would capture her and take her to him.

He wouldn’t.

Asmodeus shook his head and paused at the edge of the crowd, staring after her.

He wouldn’t?

He had pushed the Devil to the limit of his patience a thousand times but he had never disobeyed an order. He would not begin now.

He would take the female to his master.

The female in question turned on the grass and peered up the height of the tower, using a slender hand to shield her eyes, and Asmodeus’s heart missed another beat.

He slammed his hand against his bare chest and coughed. What was wrong with him?

Was the mortal world making him sick? He had never been sick before, but he had heard that demons could become ill. He wasn’t a demon though. He had never heard of an angel growing sick. Was it possible?

All the more reason to grab the female and return to Hell.

He took a step towards her, and then another one. She turned her back on him and he closed in until he was only a few metres away.

He just needed to grab her and then deliver her to the Devil. It wasn’t difficult, so why was he hesitating? He had never hesitated before. He had carried out his master’s orders without pause or regret, spilling blood and carving flesh, destroying lives. This was easy. Grab. Deliver. End of mission.

The Devil would have a new female for his growing harem. Asmodeus would return to his castle.

His stomach turned at the thought of that male laying his filthy claws on this delicate, dainty female.

He stared at the back of her head, replaying how she had looked when she had paused to glance up the height of the Eiffel Tower.

Wide hazel eyes.

Soft rosy lips.

Delicate perfect features and porcelain skin.

Chestnut hair cascading over her shapely shoulders.

Beautiful.

Pure.

Asmodeus wanted to close the gap between them, gently lay his hands on her shoulders, and slowly turn her to face him so he could drink his fill of her beauty and purity all over again.

Instead, he took a step backwards, distancing himself from her. Foreign feelings and thoughts collided in his mind, filling it and sending him in circles, tearing him between completing his mission and doing something that astounded him.

He could leave her here, in peace, and come up with an excuse. He couldn’t let his despicable master ruin her. He wouldn’t.

He turned away and held his hand out before him, focusing on the air there to call a portal back to Hell.

"Where do you go, Asmodeus?" The soft female voice caught him off guard.

His shoulders tensed and his outstretched hand shook.

She knew his name. She recognised him. And she spoke in English, even though they were in France.

English was not the native language of this land.

He had never left Hell before.

How did she know him?

He looked over his right shoulder and found her standing where he had left her, but facing him, her hands clasped in front of her, over the point where her crimson short-sleeved gypsy-style top met her black jeans.

A serene smile curved her rosy lips and it was then that he felt the incredible power in her.
Find all the links, a fantastic 6 chapter downloadable sample of the book, and also how to enter the Her Wicked Angel giveaway and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Wicked%20Angel

Books in the Her Angel romance series:
http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Dark%20Angel Her Dark Angel (Her Angel romance series book 1)

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Fallen%20Angel Her Fallen Angel (Her Angel romance series book 2)

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Warrior%20Angel Her Warrior Angel (Her Angel romance series book 3)

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Guardian%20Angel Her Guardian Angel (Her Angel romance series book 4)

Her Demonic Angel/with main giveaway/Find out how to enter the Her Demonic Angel giveaway and be in with a shot of winning a $100, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website:

http:/www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Demonic%20Angel
Her Demonic Angel (Her Angel romance series book 5)

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Wicked%20Angel Her Wicked Angel (Her Angel romance series book 6)

Find out more about the Her Angel series at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/series/54822-her-angel

About Felicity Heaton:

Felicity Heaton writes passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, Felicity Heaton’s best selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series she writes as F E Heaton or any of her stand alone vampire romance books she writes as Felicity Heaton. Or if you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try Felicity Heaton’s new Vampire Erotic
Theatre series.

In 2011, five of her six paranormal romance books received Top Pick awards from Night Owl Reviews, Forbidden Blood was nominated as Best PNR Vampire Romance 2011 at The Romance Reviews, and many of her releases received five star reviews from numerous websites. 
If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

Blog: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/felicityheaton

Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton 
 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e1375425/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Wrong Billionaire's Bed by Jessica Clare

Audrey the good twin has been carrying a torch for Cade for years.  When Cade offers his services to help Audrey with the bad twin, she is overjoyed.  Who wouldn't be, alone in a mountain cabin with the man you have had a crush on for years and your twin sister.

Audrey and her twin sister Daphne  arrive at the cabin, only to discover another couple in the hot tub.  Daphne hides while Audrey tries to get rid of them.  That's when the sparks begin to fly between Reese and Audrey.  Reese can't figure out why Audrey hides her passionate side or as he calls it firecracker, under big clothes with her hair in a tight bun.  Reese finds out that Audrey is in love with Cade, but Cade has feelings for the other twin.  Reese makes it his mission in life to bring the firecracker in Audrey and blackmail her.

I can honestly say this is the first book I have never read a book by Jessica Clare before and I am very sad that it took so long for me to find her.  The chemistry that Ms. Clare puts between her characters is great.  I honestly felt I was in the cabin watching a verbal sparing match between Reese and Audrey.  Even the sex scenes are well written and VERY hot.  You will not be disappointed with this book!  I am a faithful fan for life and can't wait to read the others books by Ms. Clare.

To All The Rakes I’ve Loved Before by Ann Barton

After being jilted by her former beau, Miss Amelia Wimple retreated to her Mayfair town house and her ever-growing collection of gossips rags. Now, almost two years later, not even her beloved cousins, Rose and Olivia Sherbourne, can persuade her to give love another chance. But an unexpected midnight caller may open her heart once more.

Lord Stephen Brookes is the prince of pleasure, the duke of decadence-and it seems his exploits have finally caught up with him. When Stephen comes to Amelia seeking refuge, she can't deny him . . . or the intense desire he sparks. As he attempts to heal her broken heart, they indulge in a private passion unlike anything either has experienced. Stephen knows sweet, sensual Amelia is meant to be his one and only. Now, he will do whatever it takes to convince her that a rake really can change his ways.


Oh my, but I have spent hours daydreaming about being swept away by a Regency rapscallion and it seems so has Ann Barton for she brings to life a sublimely delightful scoundrel with this story. I remember reading that a reformed rake makes the best mate and let me tell you Lord Stephen Brookes is one very successful seducer. He is ultimately charming and genuinely likable. I love that his feelings run deep and that he makes no excuses for his outlandish behavior. Amelia is a wonderful heroine who I found it very easy to relate to, because who hasn’t felt like an outcast? I enjoyed her non-traditional attitudes and her no-nonsense manner. I was fond of the sweet yet sexy story and the fun adventure it took me on. The author has a skillful style with description and dialogue and this novella has turned me into a fan and I cannot wait to read the other Honeycote books.

The Back Road by Rachel Abbott

One girl is fighting for her life in hospital. One village is struggling to hold tight to its secrets.

When a young girl is knocked over and left for dead at the side of the road, the small community of Little Melham goes into shock. And why was Abbie out so late at night? Why wasn't she missed?

For Ellie Saunders, the truth about that night could put her marriage and even the safety of her children in jeopardy. She has to protect her family, no matter what the consequences.

Former DCI Tom Douglas thought that Little Melham would offer a peaceful retreat from the daily trauma of his work for the Met. But as he is drawn into the web of deceit, his every instinct tells him that what happened to Abbie was more than a tragic accident.

Only one person knows the whole story – why Abbie was out that night, and who was driving the car. For that person, the accident spells disaster, and somebody has to pay.

 

Having just finished reading The Back Road , I can understand why Rachel Abbott's first novel, Only The Innocent, reached the Amazon no.1 slot and stayed there for so long.I expect The Back Road will do the same. Not only is it tightly plotted, with intricate twists and turns, the writing is also of the highest standard.

The novel opens with a punch in the gut and goes on to tantalize, Leo and her sister Ellie have some seriously bad family history, but both girls have made good - Leo is a successful Life Coach and Ellie has an apparently perfect marriage and affluent life-style. Ellie has just moved into their childhood home - which she has inherited - and is having a dinner party to celebrate its renovation. Leo has come, reluctantly, and is courageously trying to face her demons.

The pace slows, momentarily, for us to meet the dinner guests - a mixture of childhood friends and their partners and a new, very attractive, policeman who has recently moved into the village. The celebrations are overshadowed by a terrible accident that had occurred the previous evening - when a young girl had been knocked down on the back road and left for dead. Ellie is nursing the girl in the hospital intensive care unit and the prognosis isn't good.

 

The story is an exciting and complex one, where past and present echo and reflect one another. I love the fact that every time I thought I knew what was happening she would throw in a curve ball, but in a Rachel Abbott story there's more there than immediately obvious. This is a tightly written psychological thriller, very nicely paced, and I enjoyed it very much. My attention was caught and kept by the intrigues of the people in the village. I wasn't able to guess the full implications until close to the end. It seems to me that some of these characters might appear again in further works by Rachel Abbott, as their story and their possibilities haven't been exhausted. I hope to see the characters in another novel.

The Alibi by Sandra Brown

Born into a fine old Charleston family, Hammond Cross is determined to be the city's next district attorney - without sacrificing his integrity. Prosecuting the sensational murder of a real estate magnate could be his ticket into office. Yet, while Hammond anticipates his success, someone near him is plotting his downfall. Is it Steffi Mundell, colleague, ex-lover and rival? Rory Smilow, homicide detective and Hammond's avowed enemy? Is it the dead man's widow, wily, beautiful and Hammond's lifelong friend? Or is it Hammond's prime suspect, the mysterious woman who shares the secret that would be fatal to Hammond's ambitions?

 I found "The Alibi" very enjoyable reading indeed. I was too busy enjoying the story to try and figure out the killer's identity and motivation. I got caught up in the magnetic pull between the two main characters. Ms. Brown made me care about them. Hammond's struggle with issues of integrity and Alex's battle against her dark past were compelling, believable reading. The interaction between these two hot,hot,hot. It was steamy, in part because there wasn't that much of it. [This is a mystery after all, not erotic fiction.] The author let me use my imagination to fill in details. She later expanded on what I thought I knew, which made it even better. Ms. Brown introduced several intriguing subplots and characters that I would have liked to get to know better, like Davee. Sadly, some of these were left dangling at the book's conclusion, prompting me to ask, "what happened to them?" There were a number of clever plot devises. I liked how the story skipped back and forth between past and present. If Ms. Brown did this to keep me guessing and paying attention, it worked.Sandra Brown's choice of title was perfect and accurate. Hammond Cross is continually checking suspect's stories, and his alibi, and fearing he might be the alibi for Alex Ladd. The idea of unknown or hidden character alibis made the story interesting and exciting. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone. The characters are well developed, the plot is suspenseful, intense, and the ending is completely unexpected. These aspects make The Alibi a wonderful book. The ending alone would make the book a best seller. The ending was a complete surprise yet logical when all the events, facts and dialogue were added up and put together.  In general, I love this author and enjoy all of her books. If you want to read a terrific book, do yourself a favor and read The Alibi.

Dragon Rising, Interview character Lyra

Story blurb:

Clues left by her missing father lead Lyra to a gorgeous, mysterious Caido, a descendent of fallen angels. When she discovers that his brother is also missing, she's determined not to let the exasperating man shut her out.

The last thing Archer needs is an emotional Dragon at his side, especially one whose heat reaches beyond the icy walls he, and all Caidos, erect for good reason. Working together? Smart. Falling in love? Foolish … and inescapable.

Series blurb:

Miami, a city of decadence, sunshine, and Dragons, Angels, and Sorcerers. As humans who hold the essence of ancient gods, Crescents walk the knife's edge between the mundane and the Hidden, a world of dark magick, deadly power, and hot passion.

　

　
Blurb: They are the Hidden. Not quite human. Far from normal. And never, ever safe . . .

After her father falls victim to a serial kidnapper, cunning Dragon shifter Lyra Slade is determined to rescue him. When she discovers a clue to his disappearance that leads her to a sexy but aloof stranger, she knows she shouldn't trust him to help her, but she's run out of options.

Archer Grant, a descendant of fallen angels, is reluctant to aid the beautiful dragon because her evidence implicates his own brother . . . But when his brother also goes missing, Archer must work with Lyra to uncover the truth. But even as a supernatural desire grows between angel and dragon, they are hunted by an evil force. Faced with the deadliest of dark magick, can even love save them?

ABOUT JAIME RUSH: Things that go bump in the night have always fascinated Jaime Rush. Sometimes those things are human; other times, not so much. Now she has twisted them all together in the Hidden, a trilogy about humans with the essence of gods who walk the knife's edge between the glamour of Miami and a place filled with dark magick and dangerous beauty.

Jaime is the author of the Offspring series and also writes under the name Tina Wainscott. She is the bestselling author of eighteen romance novels. She lives in Southwest Florida with her husband, daughter, and cat.


I thought it would be fun to celebrate the e-publication of Dragon Rising by interviewing my intrepid heroine, Lyra. Since I’m about to put her through some pretty tough times, I’ll give her the chance to tell me what she’s about before things get hairy. To give you an idea of what she looks like, I see Lyra as a twenty-something Reese Witherspoon.

[Lyra narrows her eyes.] I like the Reese Witherspoon part, but that ‘pretty tough times’ comment is scaring me. This has something to do with my father being missing?

Jaime: Yeah, sorry about that. But if you’re part of one of my books, darlin’, there’s going to be all kinds of conflict and danger. On the upside, there’s also a lot of sexy romance.

[Lyra waves her hand.] Now you’re just throwing too much at me. First let’s talk about this conflict and danger stuff. And my father. My Pops, he means the world to me. He raised my twin brother Kirin and me after Mom died. We run a bakery together, Pops and I. Though I suppose you know that.

Jaime: I know everything about you.

[Lyra frowns.] Well, that’s just kind of creepy.

Jaime: I did create you, after all. Let’s move past the semantics. I’m supposed to be interviewing you.

Lyra: I know, but I’m still hung up on all that conflict and danger stuff. What’s going on with my pops?

Jaime: That’s for you to find out. It’s your story.

Lyra: It was supposed to be for me and Kirin to find out. But a fat lot of good he is, running around with his ex-girlfriend. And not telling me a damn thing.

Jaime: He has his own mystery to solve, and though it dovetails into your father’s disappearance, it’s his story (Dragon Mine). I have someone much more interesting for you to work with. That’s where the sexy romance part comes in.

[Lyra splays her hand on her chest.] Wait a minute. I’m going to have a sexy romance and save my pops? How is that even possible?

Jaime: Oh, it’s a juggle. But I’ve been doing this for a long time. Trust me, it works.

[Lyra frowns] I don’t deserve a sexy romance. Not after what I did to Kirin’s relationship. I suppose you already know that.

Jaime: You do deserve it. You just have something to work through. That’s the conflict part. The guy involved in that sexy romance has some things to work through, too.

Lyra: I’m not interested in any kind of romance. I’ve got too much going on, and— tell me more about this guy.

Jaime: How do you feel about non-Dragons?

Lyra: I’m totally not interested in a guy who is not a Dragon like me. I need fire. I need passion. Besides, my inner Dragon wouldn’t go for it. [Pause] What is he then? Well, he must be a Deuce. I’ve never been attracted to any of those sorcerer types, unlike my twin. I just can’t imagine falling in love with someone who doesn’t hold the same god essence I do.

Jaime: He’s not a Deuce.

Lyra: He’s not a Mundane, is he? You know it’s against the rules for a Crescent like me to date a regular human. [Rolls eyes] Of course you know; you created the whole world.

Jaime: Yes. Yes, I did. [Feeling supreme satisfaction] So, of course, it’s not a Mundane. You’re forgetting one type of Crescent.

[Lyra’s eyes widen.] A Caido? No. No way. I’ve never even met one of those fallen Angel descendents. They’re snobs, you know. I mean, none of the three types of Crescents really get along, but Caidos hardly leave their ivory towers. They keep to themselves, they’re reclusive, and from what I’ve heard, they are cool. Like in the opposite of heat and passion. Not happening.

Jaime: If you say so.

[Now Lyra narrows her eyes.] You’re up to something. That’s where this conflict comes in, right? You’re going to throw us together, aren’t you? Is he going to help me find my pops?

Jaime: Not willingly.

Lyra: Oh, nice. An unhelpful, cool, Caido. Yeah, I’ll be falling for that. Stop giving me that cat-that-ate-the-canary grin. [Crosses her arms over her chest.] You can’t make me. I may be one of your characters, but I do have a will of my own.

Jaime: That’s what I love about my characters. They surprise me and turn the plot in amazing ways.

Lyra: Okay then. So I can make a choice. Right? This Caido, he’s not going to use the Thrall on me, is he? I know those Angel types have this sort of mesmerizing effect on others. You’re not thinking—or planning— or plotting— that he’s going to seduce me, are you?

[Jaime laughs] Oh, no, he has no intention of doing any seducing. Especially with a Dragon.

[Lyra sighs in relief.] Good. Then there won’t be any of that sexy romance stuff going on between the two of us. You’re giving me that smile again. It scares me. If you do one of those evil villain laughs, I’m out of here.

[Jaime holds back just such a laugh.] You should probably get going anyway. You have a lot to do. Oh, and good luck with that not falling thing. Let me know how that goes.

Giveaway!
2 winners will be chosen, they can have their pick of an E-book copy of  Dragon mine or Dragon Rising. They have to comment, follow our blog, and leave an email. US ONLY and winner will be announced at the end of October.

A Terrible Love by Marata Eros

What would you do if you learned your step brother had a sadistic side?  You would run and hide knowing that he killed your friend to hurt you.  That's exactly what Jewell MacLeod does.  She runs from her family shutting her past out.  She changes her name and hair color and wears contacts to hide.  The one thing she couldn't hide is her love for Ballet.

Jesse Mackey aka Jewell Macleod see's danger in every corner.  She meets 3 guys and starts to fall for all three.  You have the nice guy the pretty and the bad boy.  As terrible things start to happen at her school, Jesse is pulled in different directions by all three men.  Only one will win her heart and step up to be the hero when her step brother finds her.

I will admit when I first picked up this book, I thought that I wouldn't like it.  I was so wrong.  I LOVED this book.  Marata Eros has a way with writing that makes you feel like you are actually there in the story watching it happen.  I want to read ALL the books by this author.  If you are looking for a great read this is it.  This was my first time reading a book by Ms Eros and it won't be my last.

The Vampire Affair (part 2) by Vivi Anna

I loved the Vampire Affair so much that I had to read the second book in this series.

This book is the continuation of Makayla and Johnathan's story.  Makayla is trying to get the story of her career and get the inside scoop on Johnathan's secret life.  She dyes her hair and pretends to be a seductress named Yvette.  Yvette realizes that she will never be able to get her story by asking, so she breaks into Johnathan's hotel room.  She finds a human sized container in his closet and now she is really intrigued.

After leading Johnathan on over and over, the pair finally hook up.  When her boss is breathing down her neck for the story, Makayla walks away from her job to protect Johnathan.  Johnathan looks for Makayla and finds her in a club, where the first story began.  Makayla ran thinking that Johnathan didn't know who she really was the whole time.  Only to learn that he did, because he is a vampire.

I personally loved both the books in this series.  If you prefer that your vampires don't sparkle then this book is for you.

Dangerous Proposition by Jessica Lauryn

When Julia Dyson learns her father has been abducted, she believes his hidden profession may be to blame. But when she discovers a man’s name in her dad's caller history, a man suspected of shady business activity and also her teenage crush, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She confronts her father's presumed abductor, resulting in an unforgettable kiss. In the course of one disastrous evening, diamond smuggling kingpin Colin Westwood learns that his best recruit is missing in action, and that the man has been keeping a secret for years—he has a twenty-six-year-old daughter. Determined to protect his identity, Colin vows to find the young woman, and keep her silent at any cost. Later intrigued to learn that she is actually the attractive woman he kissed, he makes Julia an offer. Come to New York City with him to search for her missing father…as his mistress.

This book was a good read.  It had everything from a heroine that stood up for herself and thought on her feet, to a sex doctor.  Julia will do anything to find her father and it leads her into danger at every turn.  She is not really sure if she can trust Colin or not.  She puts her life in his hands and the pair race against the clock to locate her father.

Two Times as Hot by Cat Johnson

One Good Girl…
After he sister snags a hot Oklahoma cowboy, Emma Hart figures its her turn to saddle up and with two country boys pursuing her at once, she is in for a wild ride…

Two Sexy Guys…
Lieutenant Colonel Logan hunt can’t deny the heat between him and Emma is fierce. But Logan isn’t looking for anything serious…just a chance to blow off some steam. So why is he crazy jealous when he sees pro bull rider Jace Mills trying to charm Emma to bed?

Winner Takes all…
Logan knows he and Emma could have something special-and not just because she’s smoking hot. Now he has to find a way to prove that even a no-strings-attached guy like him can stick around for the long haul.



What a great book I loved every minute of it. I love that Cat Johnson explained each character in detail but yet still focused on the main characters. She really showed what a great bond sisters have and that someone does not have to be born in your family to be considered your family. 

The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane

It begins with a chilling phone call to Casey Woods. And ends with another girl dead.  

 

College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they're posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life—a criminal brought to justice with the help of Forensic Instincts. 

Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath's desire to outdo another. As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey—a connection that grows closer and closer to her. 

Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target. As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing clear: he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopathic won't stop until he makes sure she's dead.

 

The case that Forensic Instincts has been hired to look into happened fifteen years ago and it connects to a case that has sometime to do with Casey past. A father has stage 4 cancer and he wants to find his daughter before he dies. Patrick brought the case to the attention of the FI.

Casey it's a phone call saying why waste her talent on a cold case when she can find a warm body. That a blood chain has been started and it will end with her death and rape.  FI team does not plan to let that happen. Casey is not going to stop working on the missing girl case because she is being threatened. The FI team will catch this new killer, before he kills again

 

This is the third book in the FI Series, This book keeps you looking over your shoulder the entire time you are reading. I like the cast of characters at Forensic Instincts, I love how they come together even when they are mad at each other. This book is very well written and keeps a nice steady pace throughout the entire story. You will definitely have a hard time putting this book down and you will be sure to lock your doors when you are finished reading. Andrea Kane has written another winner.

Blue By You by Rachel Gibson

They say you never forget your first time, but there's nothing Blue Butler and Kasper Pennington would rather forget than their brief but fiery teenage love affair. Yeah, it was hot while it lasted, but then he went off to join the Marines, leaving Blue in New Orleans. She's tried to block him from her mind for good, but nothing can really erase the feeling she had when she was with him.

And now he's got the nerve to return—leaner, meaner, and strong enough to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Blue's a successful businesswoman now, with no time to figure out what went wrong all those years ago. But Kasper knows she's the one woman for him … and now he's got to prove it to her all over

 

I think the Rachel Gibson should not have given so many details of Blue and Kasper's homes, family histories etc and focused more on their 'love story'. After they re-connect it was very rushed and lacking in any meaningful details. I know it's a novella so we don't get to really get all the details explained to us such as, how did Blue's Son react? How did their families react?  It also was never explained why it took Kasper so long to tell Blue this when he had been living back in New Orleans for 5 years. I do like the fact that she featured an older couple. I really think that this book would have been better as a full length novel. So if you like a quick short read and you are a fan of Rachel Gibson then this will be a nice tease while waiting for her next full length book.