COWBOY OF THE NIGHT by Tambra Kendall

Legends of Loving, Texas series
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Date issued: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60435-322-8
Short vampire, time travel romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via publisher




CLICK TO PURCHASE! The Vampirism Council of Darkness has sent Morgan Remington back to 1880’s Texas. He is not sure what is going on, but he’s been told he cannot feed. He is slowly starving and if he doesn’t get food soon, then the feeding frenzy will take over and he’ll go mad. It seems as if he is being set up so that the Council have a reason to kill him. Not only that, but The Hunter is on his trail. The Hunter is a vampire exterminator, an experiment gone wrong and Morgan’s days, or nights, seem to be numbered. Just when it looks like everything’s gone to hell in a basket, Morgan meets his blood mate. Together, they may stand a chance of surviving.

I enjoyed this story very much. Although it’s short, it encompasses good characterization, a good plot, some exciting suspense and a really hot, sensuous romance. Tambra Kendall infuses her story with emotions and this was a quick, intensive read that sweetened my afternoon. I really enjoyed the time travel theme and of course, the hot love scenes between Morgan and his mate. For poor Morgan, it was the only highlight of his time in Loving. Ms Kendall adds enough conflict to keep the story moving and the reader reading. And not to forget, those hot love scenes....oh, I already mentioned those. But they are worth mentioning again...ha! I think I fell a little bit in love with Morgan. I can highly recommend this story for all you vampire lovers.


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.

SAFE SEX INCORPORATED by Eve Summers

Red Rose Publishing
April 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60435-330-3
Futuristic Romance
E-book
Reviewed by Pam


CLICK TO PURCHASE! An ‘I Love You’ virus e-mail has claimed love is dangerous, changing the future of love and sex around the world. Skyla is the Chief Executive of P.R. for Safe Sex Incorporated, informing people that love and showing emotions, is dangerous. Escorting a school group through the museum, Skyla finds her pulse rate go up when she sees the hunk of a teacher accompanying them. She tries to dampen her emotions when Jin suggests cyber sex that evening, but she’s up for it. Guilt floods her mind the following day, but once she goes behind the door, labeled ‘employees only’ she finds some interesting history. The room is filled with music and books from the past, making her doubt the use of ‘Love Condoms.’ After having unprotected sex with Jin, Skyla questions all her beliefs.

SAFE SEX INCORPORATED might be a short story, but packed into the pages is a glimpse of what could happen in the future. It follows the way history has gone through the ages, from decadence to the Puritan way of life and back to hot sex becoming popular again, with protection from emotions. Ms. Summers has written this with panache, made it sound very believable, and given us an interesting plot. The main characters are very different from each other, and it was interesting to see how Jin seduces Skyla to a different way of thinking. The idea of condoms used to block emotions and children not being with parents, makes it a totally emotionless society, making the reader think of the future.

Keep your tongue-in-cheek attitude and enjoy this unusual story, by a master story-teller as I know I did.

ROCKBOUND by Rochelle Weber

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Date published: November 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60435-241-2
Science Fiction/Futuristic
E book
Reviewed by Dawn


CLICK TO PURCHASE!The United States is in chaos, the constitution is disbanded and those who protest the moves are rounded up and sent off to the moon as indentured servants. For Annie Peterson and Jake Johnsrud, life on the moon is very different to what they are used to and with a little help from some fellow inmates, Jake and Annie find a love worth fighting for in ROCKBOUND.

ROCKBOUND is a different story for me to read and I highly enjoyed every minute of it. Ms. Weber is a wonderful storyteller and definitely delivers a story that you get engrossed in to the degree that I forgot the time or that dinner needed to be done. Ms. Weber introduces you to a world gone mad. The constitution is gone, martial law is in effect and the world as we know it has gone to hell in a hand basket. Here the author introduces you to Annie Peterson and Jake Johansrud, two people who met by chance and then found themselves thrust in a place where life as they knew it, is gone in a blink of an eye. Ms. Weber definitely captures the readers’ attention with her multifaceted characters and strong plot that weaves itself around the reader with each page.

Meet Annie Peterson, a young woman with an entire future to live for in her son and husband, Paul. When the United States is taken over by a dictator and she, along with Paul, march for freedom, they had no idea that in one instant everything they knew was about to change. Jake Johansrud is a man who hated Freezeland and everything it stood for. A chance meeting with spunky Annie, Jake finds himself in a mess that costs him his freedom on Earth as both he and Annie are sent away for their “crimes” against Freezeland. Both characters start off mild and gradually heat things up. Ms. Weber definitely delves deep into their hearts and souls to give the reader a glimpse of what they are inside while they are faced with a mess that has them wondering how they will survive. Can they ever get back to earth after their ten year sentence is up? Will Annie ever be able to let herself find love in Jake’s arms as she deals with the loss of her son and husband?

This is an author who captivates her readers with strong plot, engaging characters and an imaginative storyline that makes you ask, “What if”. ROCKBOUND definitely captures your imagination and I hope Ms. Weber continues with this storyline in the future. This is definitely on my “to be read again” list. Keep an eye out for Ms. Weber; she is a force to be reckoned with in the Science Fiction genre.

THE DIONI CHRONICLES: JONATHAN’S BITE OF THE APPLE by Dana Littlejohn

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Date: January 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60435-097-5
Paranormal Vampire Romance
E-book
Reviewed by Pam

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

Jonathan Destori has been given the chance to find a wife by the head of his clan. Invited to New York by his friend Richard, he stays with his brother Mikhail in an apartment over-looking the park. Watching from the window as a woman jogger fights off an assailant, he decides to get closer and is amazed at how well she looks after herself.

Kenya Baxter has learnt to fight back and is intrigued by the tall, blond stranger who arrives in time to congratulate her. When he asks her to show him some good places to meet people she organizes a meeting for the following night, taking him to Club Rapture. A place where unbridled sex is the norm, he also learns about another place, where vampires can drink from humans.
Jonathon begins to feel there must be something he’s missing, but when he realizes what he’s looking for was right in front of him, he has to find out if the feelings are mutual.

A hot vampire and hot kinky sex are the basics of this tale, as a handsome vampire tries to find love and hot sex in the Big Apple. The characters are believable especially the very intriguing, Jonathon Destori. Kenya Baxter was portrayed as an ideal warrior woman, as with her ever present whip close at hand, she’s ready to take on all comers. It was interestingly different, to have a well rounded woman as the heroine instead of a stick insect. The under-ground sex club with its paddles, whips, chains and masks, gave the feeling of dungeons from the past. Except that here, people lined up to be spanked and tortured. The concept was interesting, the story is great and the characters are very well drawn, but sadly the editing let the book down. For this reviewer, misplaced words and errors, pulls the reader out of the story. A shame because the plot was excellent and could have been longer as the reader explored night life of a different kind.

FINDERS KEEPERS: Dark Avengers, Book 1 by L. A. Banks

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Date published: October 2008
ISBN 978-1-60435-217-7
Paranormal Vampire/Interracial
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn

CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Over two hundred years ago, Odette was murdered by angry villagers who mistakenly thought she was behind the rash of deaths that plagued them. As she breathed her last breath, a mysterious stranger saved her and changed her life forever. Now she haunts the nights looking for the one thing she longs for until she finds it in the eyes of Tony, a man who will change her world as Odette changes his.

Ms. Banks is this reviewer’s favorite author yet in FINDERS KEEPERS, it was hard not to compare it to her outstanding Vampire Huntress series. This author writes a fast paced story with tight writing and though her characters lacked certain panache, they were very likable to a degree. I would have enjoyed seeing what happed to the mysterious man who saved Odette and what she had to overcome to be where she was when FINDERS KEEPERS started. It was a challenge to feel anything for Odette yet once Tony came to the scene it was interesting to see the sparks fly and how Odette changes his life into one like hers. They are both interesting characters though this reviewer would have enjoyed seeing a more in depth look into both characters lives. Ms. Banks is a wonderful storyteller yet with her newest series; it takes a little time to be interested in the characters and the story. Overall, FINDERS KEEPERS is a delight if you enjoy a fast paced story that will keep you entertained for an afternoon.

A SLAVE OF MY OWN DESIRE by Eve Summers

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Date published: October 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60435-110-1
Erotic Romance
E-book
Reviewed by Pam

CLICK TO PURCHASE!
When Clare goes to her sister Gina’s Halloween party, she hadn’t expected it to be so interesting. The sensuality of this story is set right from the first page, when Clare meets a man whose smile makes her heart race. He’s all male, one who fills her head with fantasies and the memory of how much his touch burned and turned her weak, so she runs.

This man is darkly handsome, but an enigma as he begins to flirt in his almost arrogant way with devil horns on his head. Deep within him lurks a romantic, a side he is loathe to reveal as his emotions are buried. What he yearns for now is sexual enjoyment, despite his softer side stirring. The woman he desires has left, leaving him feeling bereft so he decides to follow his heart and see where it leads.

Sensually erotic and told from each of the main characters POV, this is a story that will make you think of all those lovers you almost accepted. The sex scenes are intimate enough to pull the reader into Clare and David’s world, while wishing you were there taking part. Halloween for these two is very at the scorching stage, with a no holds barred encounter as their thoughts spill onto the pages.
A clean, well edited manuscript, made this a delightful read as I was never pulled out of the story, in fact ‘trick or treat’ will always remind me of this tale. David is a hero who deals with the ghosts in his past in a most satisfactory way, chocolate of the most delectable kind. As for Clare, becoming A SLAVE OF HER DESIRES has set her free, as she’s found something precious and knows it.

THE NEW GUY by Jennifer Mueller

Publisher Red Rose Publishing
Date published May 2008
ISBN 978-1-60435-118-7
Short, erotic multi-racial romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie

CLICK TO PURCHASE!
There’s a new guy in town. Tall, chocolate brown and handsome. He fixes cars and Kate now looks forward to taking her car in for an oil change so she can stare at him while he works. Then one day, when everyone is gone and McLain is just finishing up on Kate’s car, he takes her down to the Pit and gives her an orgasm she’s never had before, and he never even entered her. Seems that some of the older, gossipy ladies in town have been telling him all about her, and the fact that she stares at him all the time. Then follows an evening rendezvous with even more mind shattering sex and Kate is wondering if maybe she’s found her man at last.

Wow, I didn’t know that Jennifer Mueller could write an erotic romance, but she can and she does it well too. This is a short, but very hot story. Kate is a woman the reader will root for and McLain a man that the reader can drool over. Jennifer Mueller, in her usual uncomplicated style, puts a lot of emotion into the story, some very hot sex and the reader will get some nice thrills with this one. I have always enjoyed Jennifer Mueller’s work and she delivers a good, well rounded story. The short story, in my opinion is always a challenge, which Ms. Mueller has managed with flying colors. I enjoyed this quickie very much and hope that Jennifer Mueller will thrill us with some more erotic romances.

BOUND BY MAGIC by Amanda Cummings

Publisher Red Rose Publishing
Date published May 2008
ISBN 978-1-60435-103-3
Erotic, fantasy romance
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie


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The Earth realm and the realm of Aldar are held together by magic. A chosen from each realm must come together in able to transport the magic of Earth to Aldar. Amber is a chosen from earth and as Samhain approaches, Tavis of Aldar seeks her out. They are both strong and the bond they bind is deep. They are soul-mates and as they make love, Amber passes on the magic of Earth to Tavis so he can send it to Aldar. This is how Aldar stays alive and thriving. But there is evil lurking, evil that wants to have the magic for itself. Are Amber and Tavis strong enough to hold the evil back? Or will Amber share the same fate as her mother?

This is really quite a good story and the premise is interesting. Amanda Cummings writes a rather entertaining story and gives her readers well rounded characters. It’s easy to read and I was drawn into the story right away. Ms. Cummings had me turning the cyber pages quickly to see what would happen next. There are a few twists and turns and mysteries that intrigued me. It did seem to me that about half the book was sex scenes. Although well written and very steamy, I found myself skipping some of them. In this story, sex is important to get the magic flowing, but personally, some of those sex scenes could have been scraped for more character development. Still, I don’t regret reading this at all.