BEYOND MAGIC by Lizzie T. Leaf

The Magical Love series book 1
Publisher: Passion in Print
Date published: January 2011
ISBN: e-book 978-1-60820-296-6
Print: 978-1-60820-242-3
Paranormal romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by author


Emma Grant is pushing forty and still doesn’t have a man or even think she ever will. Emma is a tour guide and she has been asked to do a tour in Scotland. She starts to read up everything she can find which includes a book on magic. Thinking nothing would happen, she tries a spell to find her soul mate. The tour gives her a headache and they are finally stranded, lost in bad weather with a broken down coach. Emma heads off to a nearby castle where she finds Ian. Life as she knows it will now drastically change. Ian is the grandson of Oberon and Odin who live in the mortal realm. Even Emma herself is not what she seems to be. But a Scottish Cailleach’s magic has started them on the road to true love, if certain obstacles don’t get in their way.

In this first book of the series, Lizzie T. Leaf has masterfully woven Greek gods, Fae lore and some good old fashioned romance to create a story that is captivating and interesting. Her characters are multi-dimensional and I especially enjoyed the antics of the elderly ladies, Emma was showing around Scotland. Ms Leaf knows how to infuse just the right amount of humor in the right places to bring a smile on the readers faces. Ian is a great hero. In fact, Emma and Ian are two protagonists that I especially rooted for. The road they travelled was not easy as full of rocks and obstacles, but they had some pretty powerful friends to help pull them through. I had to reach for a tissue at the end of this story as it was very heart-touching. Oh, did I mention the love scenes? Yes, Ms. Leaf writes some very sensuous and passionate love scenes that may have you squirming in your seat. This is a promising start to what looks like a great series. I am looking forward to the next one.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

BUTTERFLY KISSES by Lizzie T Leaf

Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Date published: April 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60168-289-5
Contemporary Cougar romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by author


CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE! Susan, an artist, has lived happily without a man. She has raised her son Scott and has had moderate success as an artist. One day, Scott brings his boss and friend, Tony, home to spend Thanksgiving. Tony and Susan are attracted to each other at once and they share some passionate nights together. But Susan is worried about their age difference and tries to resist him. Tony’s ex-girlfriend doesn’t seem to want to let go and when Susan sees them together one day, she makes the break. Scott is also having his own girl troubles. Can Susan and Tony overcome their problems and find a happy ever after or is their relationship only a temporary lust?

I may be a bit biased in my review here because I have enjoyed many stories from this talented author. This one also captured me on the first page and I enjoyed it a lot. Being interested in art myself, I liked the heroine right away. Tony was a hero to fall in love with and their passion fairly heated up the monitor. Ms Leaf masterfully describes Susan’s feelings, her doubts about the relationship but also her wants and needs. I found myself rooting for them both. I also enjoyed the subplot with Scott and his ladylove. As Susan didn’t know how to explain her relationship with Tony to Scott, it was amusing to see that he was having some similar experiences. I find myself highly enjoying ‘Cougar’ stories, maybe it is because I am myself a woman of a certain age. I know that when you read this book, you will want to take a look at Ms. Leaf’s backlist.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

DEAD HUNTER by Lizzie T. Leaf

Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Date published: November 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60168-257-4
Short contemporary paranormal
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher



CLICK TO PURCHASE!Arie Anne Hews has been trained especially to track down and kill vampires. She knows nothing else. One night she meets some people who she at first doesn’t realize are vampires, except for the fact that they have some strange vibes. They seem so nice, friendly and want to be her friend too. She is especially attracted to Dr. Jonas Nickels. But Jonas doesn’t want to get involved with a human. Arie finds out that her family are not what they seem either and she will have to work together with her new found ‘friends’ to combat an evil that is out to destroy the vampires and take over the world. The enemy is far worse than a vampire. Can Arie survive? Can she take care of her heart? Her world is about to be turned upside down!

Lizzie T. Leaf knows how to pen a story that is exciting and captivating. She writes a dark story but adds a dash of humor to lighten things up somewhat. I was held captive from the first page. I loved the characters in this story, not only the main characters, but the secondary ones too. I could really feel for Arie. She’s a woman on a mission, a strong woman who knows what she needs to do. But when her world turns upside down, she is at first shaken, but then gets on with what she has to do. Ms. Leaf writes a great story that is well paced, well rounded and very well written. And the sex scenes are hot and yummy! I believe that fans of the paranormal will definitely enjoy this one and I am sure that Ms. Leaf’s fans are not disappointed either.



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

DOGSPELL by Lizzie T. Leaf

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Date published: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60435-389-1
Contemporary, paranormal romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie



CLICK TO PURCHASE! Randall McAllister was not very happy when his mother asked him to keep an eye on his twin sisters. Magic runs through the women of the family, and while his mother, as High Priestess of the Witches Council, needed to take care of important business, Rand is left in charge of the Demon Duo. When he arrives at the house, he catches them poring over a forbidden book and when he surprises them with his presence, they accidently throw a spell that they were in the middle of at him. He immediately turns into a dog! When he runs after a cat, he’s run over by an SUV which happens to belong to a vet. Amanda is shocked and takes care of the little dog. She gets attached to the little critter and Rand is falling in love. The twins need to find a way to get Rand back into human form before their mother returns, or Rand may have to spend the rest of his life as a Scottie.

With a book from Lizzie T. Leaf, you can be sure of a really fun read with lots of comic relief. This story is no different as Ms. Leaf leads her characters through a merry dance. Her characters are absolutely charming. Her hero loveable, her heroine sweet and the secondary characters give the story life and depth. I really enjoyed the interaction between the animals and I must say, even though poor Rand is actually human, when he was a dog, he acted very doggie-like...ha! This is a story that will have you smiling all through it. It is witty, fast-paced and just plain entertaining. This talented author’s slogan is Humor with Heat, and the heat is in this one too. The romance elements start sweet and end up steamy and sensuous. I really liked the ending of this story. It gave me a nice, warm feeling around my heart. So, if you are a reader who likes a good dose of humor with her paranormal romance, then please pick this one up. I guarantee you won’t stop with this one but will be looking up Ms. Leaf’s backlist.

Barely Legal by Lizzie T Leaf

Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Date issued: March 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60168-179-9
Erotic contemporary romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie




CLICK TO PURCHASE!Katherine finally wakes up to her husband’s philandering ways and leaves him. Her best friend persuades her to go to Vegas with her and get a quickie divorce. While they are there and enjoying the clubs, they meet some hot young studs. Corin didn’t really want to go out that night and he has had more than enough of older women who only see him as a sex toy. That’s why he is pleasantly surprised to meet Katherine, who seems to be a genuine and intelligent person. They soon become lovers, until Katherine’s husband shows up and wants to reconcile. Her friend is almost killed, is her husband now faithful and what shall she do with Corin? Maybe he needs a lover his own age.

This is a lovely story about an older woman who is trying to find herself again after the bitter disappointment of her marriage. Lizzie T Leaf writes wonderful characters you can really warm up to and fall in love with. She also writes an interesting story that is not only about a hunky man and not only about some hot sex. No, this clever author gives her readers an exciting story where the reader is not quite sure where things will lead. There is one ending the reader will be rooting for, but will it be the one that actually happens? Oh yes, dear reader, you will have to pick up this entertaining story and enjoy it for yourself. Then you will want this talented author’s back list.

CALL ME by Lizzie T. Leaf

Publisher Aspen Mountain Press
Date published May 2008
ISBN 978-1-60168-117-1
Erotic Contemporary Romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie



CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Amber Lewis is desperate for money to be able to stay in school. One of her school mates encourages to join her in the phone sex business and introduces her to Dulcie, the lady who runs the business. Soon, Amber is talking dirty on the phone and earning good money. Ken always helps out Dulcie and the girls when they get any trouble, so he takes on Amber’s problems when she attracts a stalker. Amber never thought a hunk of a man like Ken would be interested in someone like her. Although he always keeps his hands off the girls, something about Amber makes it very difficult to keep away from her. He’s desperately attracted to her and is about to throw his own ‘rules’ to the wind.

This is a very entertaining story that I really enjoyed. Lizzie T. Leaf can always be counted on to give her readers satisfaction for their money. She manages to write a great plot, wonderful characters, adds a dash of humor and carries her readers off on an adventure they won’t forget too easily. This was for me a quick read but none the less a very enjoyable one. I really liked Amber. A woman who is not too sure of herself and innocent, she blossoms and grows as the story continues. Of course, Ken is hunkalishous. I enjoyed the twists in this story, as there was a little conniving going on....but sorry, no spoilers here! Go get this hot, sexy little story and read it for yourself.

DEAD FAINT by Lizzie T. Leaf

Publisher Aspen Mountain Press
Date published May 2008
ISBN 978-1-60168-105-8
Paranormal Vampire romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie



CLICK TO PURCHASE! So, what’s a girl to do when she needs to celebrate one year of being one of the undead? Dovey is in a funk, she’s desperately hungry all the time and moody. When she spies a woman in need, she grabs all her self control and turns the dying woman into a vampire. Now, to get help. Her husband is out of town so there is only the stuffy vampire, Daniel left. Daniel is not too happy about keeping the young lady in his house, but with Dovey’s changing moods he is bound to help out. If only the lavender eyed lady wasn’t so delicious. He’s gotten over the sex thing and as the new King of the Vampires, there’s not much place for a woman. And she talks like something out of My Fair Lady! And Daniel ain’t no Henry Higgins!

I did like this story. It’s funny, cute and the characters are wonderfully written. Lizzie T. Leaf always gives her readers a fun, adventurous story that keeps the reader entertained. I especially enjoyed the play on My Fair Lady. And when the heroine tells Dovey she’s pregnant, that was a hoot. I enjoyed the interaction between the hero and heroine and the love scenes were hot and emotional. Daniel is very much a Professor Higgins type of person and it was wonderful how he finally realizes his feelings for Billie Joe. Although there are a lot of laughs in this story, it is a powerful read with a romance that is intense and sizzling. If you’ve never read a story by this talented author, I would strongly suggest you get on it right away. You will not be disappointed at all.