WINGLESS by Shelley Martin

Publisher: Pink Petal Books

Date published: August 2012

ISBN: 978-1-938257-26-1

Sensual paranormal romance

E-book

Reviewed by Helen

Weblink: http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Wingless-by-Shelley-Martin.html

Obtained via publisher

April has developed Multiple Sclerosis, but with it, she has found once again her first love, Luke. No one else can see him, so she hasn’t even told her best friend, Jen, that Luke is back in her life.

Nathan loves April with all his heart, and is overjoyed when she agrees to marry him. But shortly after their wedding she’s in a dreadful car accident and almost dies. Nathan wants April. April wants Luke. What does Luke want? And who gets the casting vote?

This is an unusual book, and gets points for being quite different from your average romance. Everything is all very logical and explained, and similar things happen in movies but to me it’s not a true romance story, even though it’s all about people being in love with each other. If this story had been presented as an unconventional romance book I would have been happier about accepting the basic premise, although I still wouldn’t have found the story fulfilling. But labeling it as a standard romance spoils it for me. Sure, various people are in love with various other people, but the ending is not what I wanted.

Later in the book it’s almost as if the author threw in a few things to try to make the reader dislike one of the characters, but it didn’t work because by then the main protagonists’ characters had been clearly developed.

Some of the reasons given why the heroine does something are cheesy verging on pathetic. Almost like a child being told a moral lesson and only giving the required answer to win the candy bar.

Even though the ending ties things up neatly, it was not the ending some readers will be looking for. Although it’s hard to imagine how there could be a perfect ending, the story is paranormal and I, for one, was hoping the author would pull a magical rabbit out of her hat at the last moment.

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

 

SHIFTING WINDS Tales of the Darkworld Book 1 by Lex Valentine

Publisher: Pink Petal books
Date published: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9824885-2-2
978-0982543504 (Paperback)
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Electronic/Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher




CLICK TO PURCHASE! Vampire Elysia Granville and her siblings own the Darkworld Cemetery. When she goes to the local Undertaker’s Ball, Elysia doesn’t expect to find the one man to give her everything she craves and then some. Looking for a one night stand, Elysia is about to find that destiny has another plan for her in the form of hunky Declan Antaeus. Can these two find a way to bridge their differences and admit they are falling for each other?

SHIFTING WINDS is the kick off to the wonderful Darkworld series by Lex Valentine. With some amazingly life like characters, fast paced storyline and simmering sexual tension, this author keeps the heat turned on high and the reader eager for more. I loved the other books in this series and frankly this introduces the reader to this fabulous world and the many characters who populate it.

Ms. Valentine delivers a heart stopping ride from start to finish and creates a world that is populated by vampires, dragons and more. The characters are multi-dimensional and the sex is scorching hot as well as has emotional depths that will capture the readers’ heart. SHIFTING WINDS is a novella that will get the reader intrigued with the Darkworld this author has created and eager for more. If you enjoy vampires, dragons and other paranormal creatures, then grab this fascinating series. Just make sure to keep the ice bucket nearby to cool off from all the heat it generates. Ms. Valentine is fast becoming one of my favorite authors and I look forward to more stories from her in the future.




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

RIDE THE LIGHTNING Tales of the Darkworld Book 4 by Lex Valentine

Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Date published: December 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9826023-0-0
Paranormal Erotic Romance/BDSM
E-Book
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by publisher




CLICK TO PURCHASE! Emily Carrington is a Red Dragon and thought she had found her mate in Black Dragon Vahid Delray. Between miscommunications, secrets and more they destroyed the bond that was growing between them. Both long for the other yet cannot admit they are falling in love. Can both dragons find a way to bridge the valley between them or will it all be for nothing?

RIDE THE LIGHTNING is the next chapter in the Tales of the Darkworld Series by Lex Valentine. I loved this story. You have a ice-queen heroine, a hot blooded alpha hero and lots of issues to resolve between them. Ms. Valentine keeps the pace fast and the readers on the edge of their seats, hoping Emily and Vahid can work things out between them. The characters are a pure delight especially as both finally admit, even if to themselves, that they have fallen in love. For these two the path of love is fraught with trust issues and more. Can they finally admit to each other how they really feel for each other?

Meet Emily Carrington, a self-professed Ice Queen or so her mate Vahid Delray thinks. She doesn’t think he can ever love her and he doesn’t think he even likes her but two hearts are about to find that even love has no distinction. Secrets, betrayals and more are between them but for these two stubborn dragons, fate is about to throw them together in a way that will either bring them together again or tear them apart-forever. Ms. Valentine does a marvelous job in creating two of the best characters I have read. Both are insecure, have secrets they keep from the other and just seem to rub the other the wrong way yet they fall in love. With a sweep of her pen, this author captures her characters inner soul completely amid the pages of RIDE THE LIGHTNING and gives the reader a glimpse into their hearts as well. With a strong secondary cast of characters, new and old, RIDE THE LIGHTNING is a pure gem to read complete with some really hot scenes to keep the winter cold away.

RIDE THE LIGHTNING is a strong story that will leave you breathless even as you flip the pages again to read your favorite parts. This is an author who completely captivates you as you read her books and this is no exception. With a wonderful cast of characters, twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and some scorching love scenes that will make you squirm; Ms. Valentine is fast becoming my favorite author. I look forward to more stories set in her Darkworld. If you want a highly erotic dragon shifter book that will set the screen on fire, then grab RIDE THE LIGHTNING and settle in for one wild reading adventure. Just make sure to keep a bucket of ice handy nearby or your significant other.



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

HOT WATER Tales of the Darkside #2 by Lex Valentine

Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Date published: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9824885-3-9 (Electronic)
978-0982543504 (Trade Paperback)
Erotic Paranormal Romance
E-book/Paperback
Obtained by Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn


Black Dragon Eden Antaeus just found out by her brother that she is considered the “Queen of Kink”. Not knowing if its true or not, Eden runs out to prove him wrong and ends up with something so much more after going to the vampire club Carpe Noctem. What she finds instead is a man who just might be all that and more for Eden is about to find something even she wasn’t looking for……love.

HOT WATER is the second story in Lex Valentine’s Tales of the Darkside series and it is a very intriguing one at that. I love the way Eden and Colin meet and find that their one night of explosive sex has them intrigued with one another. Secrets, passion and destiny all play their hand in HOT WATER.

Meet Eden Antaeus, a black dragon whose brother Sean just informed her she is the “Queen of Kink”- one who doesn’t like Vanilla Sex. Eden finds she is appalled and ends up at vampire club Carpe Noctem trying to find someone to prove her brother wrong when she bumps into Colin Granville. He is a delightful male who stirs Eden like no other had and soon these two are finding that passion runs hot between them. Can Colin persuade Eden that she isn’t who her brother insists she is? Will Colin’s secret force Eden away? These two have got to be the most interesting couple I have read in a long time. Eden is spunky and not afraid to show Colin what she desires while Colin is a strong man that can teach Eden she isn’t who she thinks she is. Lex Valentine delves right in and keeps the reader glued to the pages even as some wonderful secondary characters had me laughing with their quips. I am hoping some of the secondary characters come back in future stories.

HOT WATER delivers laughter, pleasure and more as Lex Valentine delves into her Darkside world and captures the essence of Colin and Eden in its pages. If you enjoy some enthralling multi-dimensional characters, a fast paced storyline and some really hot sex, then turn into HOT WATER and get ready for the heat of the Darkside.

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

FIRE SEASON Tales of the Darkside series #3 by Lex Valentine

Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Date published: July 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9824885-9-1 (electronic)
978-0982543573 (Trade Paperback)
Erotic Shapeshifters M/M
Electronic/Paperback
Obtained via Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn


Black Dragon Holden Antaeus is satisfied with his life. He enjoys his job, the sex is plentiful with many ladies eager to sample his charms and all is right in his world until the day his brother hires Green Dragon Garret Renquist, a man who is intelligent and stirs Holden’s imagination. Just one slight problem- Holden is straight and Garret is bi-sexual. Can Holden and Garret figure out a way to have a relationship even as the mating pull forces them to be together?

FIRE SEASON is a wonderful blend of strong alpha males, scorching hot sex and stereotypes that are shattered amid the pages. This is an author who goes under the typical stereotypes and ends up with a story the reader will fall in love with. The pace is fast, the action is hot and the storyline sucks you in with each page. Lex Valentine is a wonderful storyteller who delves in the world of the Darkside and shares a story that will leave you breathless and longing for more.

Meet Holden Antaeus, a black dragon who is very happy with his life. He loves his job and frankly, never seems bereft of companionship of the ladies. When his brother hires a new executive for the family corporation, Holden finds his life and what he figures it is blown to bits with the arrival of green dragon Garret Renquist. Here is a man who stirs Holden like no other and Holden is confused as he is a straight man but his destined mate is a man. I love the way this author goes beyond the stereotypes and gets to the heart of the matter between Garret and Holden. These are two strong alpha males and when they shift into their dragons it was like pure magic. Lex Valentine captures the confusion of Holden as he tries to work his feelings out even as he feels the pull of the mating for Garret. The fact that Garret wants Holden, even with all his insecurities and such, had me smiling and rooting for these two strong men to come together even as this author keeps the sexual tension on high. Some great secondary characters help keep the story flowing smoothly and the scorching hot sex scenes enhance the story even as it stirs the reader up in the process.

FIRE SEASON is a delightful story that keeps the readers’ attention and captivates their hearts. I am looking forward to more Tales of the Darkside stories in the future. If you enjoy a gifted storyteller who has a knack of giving the reader some memorable characters, then grab FIRE SEASON and settle in for a wild ride.

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

SPIRITED by Cari Z.

Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Date published: August 2009
No ISBN # Given
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
E-book
Obtained Via: Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn


CLICK TO PURCHASE! Five years ago, Detective Andrea Haney and her partner, Darren O’ Connel, were involved in a relationship that ended badly. Andrea has been determined to never fall for his charms again and when a case she is working on has her working with Darren again, eager to get back into her good graces, will Andrea be able to resist the one man who has a hold on her heart? Will they be able to find a way to stop a sorcerer manufacturing a deadly drug that is killing people all over?

SPIRITED by author Cari Z. was a pleasant surprise and well worth the few hours of reading pleasure I got this afternoon. Ms. Cari Z delivers a story that keeps the reader enthralled from start to finish, had tight writing, some interesting characters and a mystery that keeps things tense between Andrea and Darren. These two characters are a joy to read as Andrea tried to keep her heart locked behind a wall and Darren was determined to break it down. The sexual tension between these two was quite electrifying and it helped that even though they had a past, Andrea and Darren also knew how to do their jobs as well…in this case to find out where the manufacture of the deadly drug, Fairy Dust, is and who is controlling it. Ms. Cari Z. is definitely an author to keep an eye on in the future and I just hope to see more of Andrea and Darren in the future.

SPIRITED introduces Det. Andrea Haney to the readers. A dedicated cop who is determined to find and bring down whoever is manufacturing the deadly drug, Fairy Dust, as it kills more people. Darren broke her heart five years before and she is determined to not succumb to his charms a second time. Can Andrea find a way to forgive the one man who is destined to hold her heart? SPIRITED answers that question and more as this author delves into the world of Shamanism and magic and Ms. Cari Z. deftly weaves a spell around you as you get into the problems Andrea faces as she squares off with Darren over their painful breakup. All the while trying to find a way to stop the toxic drug from killing others. With a fast paced storyline, this author keeps the reader intrigued even as the tension between the main characters heats up to almost boiling over.

If you enjoy a quick read that will keep you highly entertained and introduce you to memorable characters, than grab SPIRITED and settle in for a enjoyable ride. Ms. Cari Z. is a “new to me” author that I am going to keep an eye out for. I highly enjoyed SPIRITED and hope you can check it out as well.

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

THE PURRFECT MAN: Pink Petal Books Presents-Shifters Anthology by Mary Winter

Publisher Pink Petal Books
Date published October 2008
ISBN 978-0-9820050-5-7
Paranormal/Shifter
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn


CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Dante is a man cursed to be a cat for nine lives and he is on his very last life. If he can’t find the one woman to love only him, then he is gone forever, never to return. Althea is allergic to cats and frankly doesn’t want to open her heart to another animal again. Can Dante get Althea to fall in love with his cat form to break the spell?

THE PURRFECT MAN is a sweet, sexy tale of a man cursed to be a cat until he is able to have a woman love him and break the spell binding him to that form. With humorous characters, and “melt your panties” sex, Ms. Winter delivers a charming tale that will have you rooting for Dante to open Althea’s heart once more, even if she sneezes every time he comes around and questions every aspect of that opening.

THE PURRFECT MAN introduces you to Dante, a charming man who was cursed over a hundred years ago to wear the form of a cat for nine lives until the one woman can break the spell by loving him. Sexy and sinful, this reviewer was a little choked up by how patient and loving Dante was towards Althea even after she sneezed and wheezed around him. Althea loves animals but sneezing each time she got near one has her wondering if she is certifiably nuts to take to the tomcat who leaves her flowers and slips past her defenses. THE PURRFECT MAN is a fast paced story that leaves you breathless, as Ms. Winter delivers two characters that will choke you up and in turn make you laugh as well.

If you enjoy a story that will get you laughing and at times, sighing with passion, then grab THE PURRFECT MAN and get ready to search for your own. Ms. Winter has done it again with captivating characters and a story that will leave you breathless.

KEEPER: Pink Petals Books Presents-Shifters Series by Shaunta Grimes

Publisher Pink Petal Books
Date published October 2008
ISBN 978-0-9820050-4-0
Paranormal Shifters
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn

CLICK TO PURCHASE!
For cat shifter Jude Felini, loving bird shifter Avery Dole was always a given. Until the one time she turns to a non-human and ends up getting him addicted to her. Jude has only one chance to save her from being incarcerated into the sanitarium that Jude’s mother died in. Now the race is on to find a way to save Avery from a fate similar to his mother’s and to bind her to him once and for all. Can the mythical Triad Sacrament bind Jude and Avery to the point where she won’t be a danger to any non-human?

KEEPER is the first book I have read from Pink Petal Books and I found it utterly engrossing, if a little short. It delves into the world of shifters and in this case, between a cat shifter and a bird shifter. Add in a council of shifters, sexual magic mystery and a whole lot of sizzling sex, you got the makings of one wild, pulse pounding ride.

Meet cat shifter Jude Felini. He has loved bird shifter Avery Dove for a long time yet never dealt with that attraction until she gets in trouble with the council of shifters for addicting a non-human to her. Now he has to race against the clock to save her from the fate his mother dealt with long ago: confinement in an isolated sanitarium for the rest of her life. Strong, tough, vulnerable and sexy as sin is Jude and this reviewer was panting as I finished reading KEEPER. Avery Dove is a bird shifter and has loved Jude forever and after waiting for him to finally have him realize that she is his one and only, she makes a bad decision to sleep with a human, one that gets addicted to her. Sweet, impulsive and full of unrequited love for Jude, Avery is a wonderful foil to Jude’s overweening ego sometimes. Both characters played off the other beautifully and Ms. Grimes delved deep into their hearts, opening up the vulnerabilities each have as well as the strength that measured their actions. With the right amount of love, patience and pride, both characters get their hearts desire by the time the last page was read.

With intriguing characters and a fast paced storyline, Ms. Grimes delivers a story that has the reader rooting for Jude to save Avery from a fate worse than death and for both of them to give into the passion that fairly crackled the air between them. I was pleasantly surprised by KEEPER and though it was a little short, since I wanted to see what happens with Jude and Avery next, Ms. Grimes delivers a wonderful addition to the shifter genre with KEEPER. If you like different shifters, engrossing story and sizzling passion that fairly explodes, grab KEEPER and get ready to find your own KEEPER!

KING OF CATS: PPB Presents-Shifters: by Jessica Quinn

Publisher Pink Petal Books
Date published October 2008
ISBN 978-0-9820050-3-3
Genre Contemporary Erotic Romance
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn


CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Melody Young never expects to find a sexy man in her office when she rescues a stray cat after it got hit by a car. Ty Felix is sexy, sinful and easy on the eyes, Melody finds herself drawn to the mysterious man and finds herself more than she bargains for when the fight to save her No-Kill Shelter gets ugly and Ty is the one man she can count on to help her save the day.

KING OF CATS is a delightful story about cat shifter, Ty Felix, who after being “rescued” by Melody Young, finds the one woman to give his heart to and shower her with a passion that will singe your fingertips. Melody Young is running her late mother’s no-kill shelter and trying to fight a local developer from buying her building and sending her on her way. She never expects to find the cat she rescued is a man who will help her in more ways than one.

Ms. Quinn delves into a story of magical shifter and the one woman who steals his heart away. With a fast pace and some “melt your panties” sex scenes, this reviewer was hard pressed not to groan when the last page was read. The only complaint I had was it was too short and I really wanted to now what happens next with Ty and Melody. KING OF CATS is a charming tale full of fire, spice and everything nice. Full of delightful characters, fast paced storyline and sizzling passion, this reviewer is hoping to find more from Ms. Quinn in the future. If you enjoy an entertaining story, then grab KING OF CATS on a cold winter afternoon.