Entries Tagged 'Erotica' ↓
March 7th, 2010 — 1 Star, A-C, ARC, Erotica, Guest Reviews, LGBT, Paranormal, Supernatural
by Isabel G.,guest reviewer
The main character is a mortician named Jake Marshall who lost his partner and is searching for someone new with whom to share the rest of his life. It is difficult for him to find someone who measures up to his expectations and is also understanding about his profession. However, things start to get complicated when a voodoo priest resurrects a cadaver laying at the funeral home where Marshall works. The corpse, turned walking dead, known as Mark Hartner, is fouler as a person than any smell a zombie could eject. The pain he caused many people, both physically and emotionally, is why he was brought back to life to suffer.
I began reading this book without any bias that it’s a gay/zombie themed story, which is not what I’m normally used to reading. However, I was willing to try something new and looking forward to an exciting erotic experience nonetheless. Unfortunately, the author does nothing to excite me as a reader neither with the story nor the erotica. Despite the fact that there are only 200 pages to this ebook it was an uphill battle trying to finish reading it. In the end, I could not. I found it to be unrealistic, tasteless, and there were details that were unnecessary and off-putting.
At one point the main character has a never ending ejaculation, in a dream like state, while having an orgy with people that died years ago. Oh, did I mention that it’s painful and not fully enjoyable for our hero? Yeah, as a matter of fact, most of the sexual encounters in this book are not enjoyable for the characters. It was just a bit much, in a way you really don’t want in an erotic read.
Something else that bothered me was that the main character claims to be searching for someone worth spending the rest of his life with yet he sleeps with several men after finding a guy he feels that way about. He seems more interested in sex with everyone versus what the author wants you to believe about him. Another thing that was longer than it needed to be is that the main character goes on and on describing the color of someone’s eyes and you feel as though the author just wanted to bulk the story with more sentences rather than giving the story substance.
I liked the idea of a voodoo priest being the reason a zombie was walking. The idea was unique, yet, the rituals were not what a reader expects nor does it make that religion intriguing.
Disliked: Most of the book for multiple reasons including but not limited to descriptions of licking outie belly buttons, balls dropping, saliva drenched chest hair, dry sweat licking of underarms, sex obsessed hero, necrophilia, rape scenes, etc…
If you’re attracted to any of the above mentioned then I guess there really is something for everyone! Personally, I do not recommend this book to anyone, straight or gay.
Rating: 1 Stars
Buy: For the Love of the Dead: Gay Zombie Erotica
Publisher: Ravenous Romance
ISBN-13: 978-1-60777-312-2
Copyright 2009
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
Page: 202
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March 5th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Contemporary, Entrepreneur, Erotica, J-L, Pirate, Rogues and Rakehells, Spectacles, United States of America
Old School romance daydreams + embarrassing contemporary situations * 2 potential heroes = exponential fun.
Inara Lavey writes loving parodies of old school romance for Cassandra to daydream. Of course our plucky heroine (who is the very definition of spitfire) gets caught out time and again. She lands in some very funny situations as she sleep walks during some of them.
Cassandra Devon works in customer relations at a paper product company back in San Francisco and when her skuzzy boyfriend ditches weekend holiday plans she is determined it’s for the last time and dumps his sorry butt. Cassandra calls up her best friend Val and remakes plans to enjoy a holiday with her in Palm Springs.
There she meets:
Connor is the charming Irish rogue who’s passionate personality makes him the ideal romance hero.
Raphael (Rafe) is “the physical incarnation of every romantic hero who'd ever strode, seduced, stalked or swashbuckled across the pages of countless romance novels.”
What did I tell you about Lavey? That's just a sample of her voice. Trust me, her writing is a hoot! Cassie’s internal dialogue is as sassy as any contemporary romance heroine and the daydreams are as equally riotous.
Now the only question that remains is who Cassie will choose: Rafe or Connor?
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Buy: Ripping the Bodice
Originally posted 2009-04-23 05:42:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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March 3rd, 2010 — 4.5 Stars, Book Review, Cinderella, Erotica, Historical Romance, J-L, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Revenge
Once upon a time, in a land far far away a beautiful girl by the name of Mariella decides to find herself a husband. Not just any husband mind you – but one that will be rich enough to provide her with a sense of freedom. She would love to wake up in the morning whenever she wanted to get up, spend the day pursuing whatever she felt like pursuing, and live a relatively carefree life that up to now she has not had. To find the husband she desires Mariella attends the balls set out for Prince Teodor’s wife hunt.
Never in all her wild imaginings did Mariella expect to find herself kissing the confused but eager Prince. She wasn’t looking to elevate herself in society to the point where wealth became an obligation – and with all the other girls vying for his attention she hadn’t expected him to gravitate toward her! What’s a girl to do when the devilishly good looking Prince proposes? By switching roles – I mean the rules – of course!
In the Glass Stiletto you will find what I think is light D/S. They play with ribbons and take turns being submissive (Teodor more so than Mariella.) Beyond that there aren’t any kinks that I think could possibly be offensive to anyone. There are a few words used in these scenes I would have switched out – surprisingly one of them is sexy; for the setting and the time period I felt seductive would have been more appropriate. Still, it’s hardly enough to nitpick.
I really, really, enjoyed listening the narration of the Glass Stiletto. It made all the difference. The acting in the bedroom was wonderful and a wicked thrill. Kenley knows how to tell a steamy tale that is for sure! If you’re listening in your car, the story may just fog your windows it’s so delightfully naughty.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Buy the audio here!
Originally posted 2009-04-06 05:33:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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February 19th, 2010 — Book Intro, Contemporary, Erotica, Guest Blogger, LGBT, S-U
by Jeanne St. James, erotic romance writer.
I love the romance genre. I should. I write it. Well, to be more exact, I have published two erotic romances: Banged Up, a m/f erotic romance, with Liquid Silver Books, and Double Dare, a m/m/f interracial ménage, with Loose Id. In addition, I have published a gay erotic novella. I’ll repeat that again… an erotic novella. I did not mention romance.
When Phaze Books had a special call for submissions for their “rebel”-themed Heatsheets (short stories), the only requirement was that it be about a “rebel” and it be short. So I decided to write my first strictly gay novella and decided to keep it short by using one scene – one interaction between the two characters – for the story. So the story (one night in the two men’s lives) involves them going back to a school reunion and exploring (sexually) the secret crush they both had on each other back in high school.
Rip Cord’s Blurb:
Gil Davis hated high school. Ever the geek, he has no intention of attending his 10th year class reunion. The last thing he wants is to relive the taunting and teasing he received during his teenage years. However, there is one thing he missed from high school: the star Varsity football player. The one he had a crush on since the first day he laid his eyes on him.
The last thing he expects is the now pro football player to come back to their home town to attend a lame high school reunion. Known as the Bad Boy of the NFL, Ripley “Rip” Cord, not only shows up, but shows up without a date and an eye for Gil.
Since the novella is only about 12,000 words, I was limited on plot. I wanted to use an already established relationship – Gil and Rip being classmates – in which the two discover a hidden attraction – a secret crush. That allowed me to throw them into the story a lot quicker.
So, my point is… I’ve been getting mixed reviews on Rip Cord. People either love it (5 star) and want a sequel or say it’s so-so (2 star). Why? Well, I’m guessing it’s because someone is reading it thinking it’s an erotic romance. It’s not. The difference for me between erotica and erotic romance is the ending. The ending on Rip Cord is not HEA (Happily Ever After) like my erotic romances. This little story has a HFN ending (Happy For Now) that means things were left up in the air at the end. The men had plans to meet up again in the future, it’s just not known where or when. Of course, they are both “satisfied” sexually during the book but there isn’t a complete emotional connection. No “we’re getting married” or “we’re having a baby,” for example, like a typical romance.
Because of that, I do not consider Rip Cord an erotic romance. That’s why I label it erotica or an erotic novella. Two men thrown together having hot, steamy man love and then each go on their way -- at least at the end of THIS story. It doesn’t mean they won’t hook up again or eventually achieve that HEA.
Here’s a review in which the reviewer “got” what kind of story it was:
From Seriously Reviewed:
"Well, I sat down to read and burned dinner! I couldn’t stop reading. The story is fast. Gil attends his high school reunion. And we all remember how enjoyable that is…not. But with a hot jock like Rip, at least he’ll have someone to stare at during dinner. But wait. This is hot gay erotic romance. So when boy sees hot football star, boy lusts for football star, and holy shit, the football star has game of his own. The sex was raw and brazen, the dialog refreshingly natural and the ending pleasantly simple and satisfying."
Now, she considered this HFN ending satisfying. Someone looking for a HEA might not. So what makes a book a romance? My opinion (and this is only my opinion) is the HEA ending. But rest assured, both the HFN and HEA story can be a pleasurable read. What’s YOUR opinion?
EXCERPT FROM RIP CORD:
CHAPTER ONE
Gil Davis couldn’t believe it had been ten years since he’d last walked through these doors. Where had the time gone?
When the invitation to his class reunion had come, he almost tossed it out, just as he had with the notice of his fifth year reunion.
He was not into reliving his high school years.
No way, no how.
But something on the invitation had caught his eye… this time they were holding it at the school. So instead of immediately pitching it, he had thrown the invitation on his kitchen table. Unfortunately, Katie, his best friend and roommate, found it and hounded him relentlessly until he agreed to RSVP.
And, of course, Katie insisted on being his date.
Which thrilled him to no end… Not.
Now he wasn’t so sure if he wanted to go in.
He wasn’t sure he was ready for a night of teasing from his former schoolmates.
Yet, here he stood, just inside the double doors of his old high school staring at the registration table by the gymnasium doors.
Someone grabbed his elbow. Firmly.
“You’re not chickening out are you?”
Gil just shook his head and swallowed hard. “Did you find the restroom all right?”
“Fine,” Katie said in her little no-nonsense tone. “Let’s go.”
The harder she tugged on his arm, the more he dug in his heels. He didn’t want to leave his little corner of safety yet. “Hold on.”
“No, Gil. It’s not going to get any easier. You look fine. We’ve – okay, I’ve worked really hard to get you to this point.” She smoothed the hair back from his eyes. Gil was surprised she hadn’t spat on her fingers first like a hovering mother hen.
The problem was, he was still a nerd at heart.
“Now, get your shit together and let’s go!” She gave his arm one last hard yank and dragged him over to the table.
Sucking in a breath, he steeled himself for what was to come.
The two women sitting at the table wore big predatory smiles.
“Gilbert? Gilbert Davis is that you?” the toothy piranha on the right asked. “I swear I didn’t recognize you without your bottle-bottom glasses and pocket protector.”
Those glasses were long gone thanks to Katie dragging him years ago to the optometrist for contacts.
Gil leaned forward to read her name tag. Bonnie (Trusk) Smith.
Bonnie Trusk. He remembered her. She had been part of the Homecoming Court their senior year.
And had accidentally run over his foot one day in the parking lot with her Eddie Bauer Explorer. Why? Her excuse had been she hadn’t seen him. Yeah, he had been the invisible man, “invisible” to all of the popular kids.
“Just Gil,” he corrected her.
She laughed and waved a hand toward him, clearly dismissing him.
The other woman, Patti Petroski-Harrison, shoved a “Hello! My name is… Gilbert Davis” sticker at him. “And your hair! It looks…” Gil expected the next word out of her mouth to be “normal.” Her face showed her internal struggle. “Nice.”
He was a geek. He knew it. He had been one ever since he could remember. And his classmates had always teased him about it.
She sized up Katie. “Are you his wife?”
Katie laughed and patted Gil’s arm. “Oh, no.”
Gil gave her a quick warning look.
Katie just gave him a sugary smile and a noisy kiss on the cheek.
“Well then,” Patti said. “When you go through the doors, Gilbert, there will be a table with place settings. Find your name and that will tell you where you’re seated.”
“Just Gil,” he corrected again, but by then both women were flashing their beaming smiles at another couple who had come up behind them.
Katie tugged him to the side to avoid being crushed by the new arrivals’ hugging and squealing. Gil didn’t recognize the newcomers. But then they had probably been a part of the “in” group.
Gil had been a full-fledged member of the “out” group, but not the “out of the closet” group.
A woman’s shrill scream shot a bolt of pain through his head.
“Did you hear Rip Cord is going to be here? Can you believe it?” the one called Patti asked, her question ending in a squeal. She looked as if she would bust a vein.
Gil stumbled back a step from the table, barely avoiding Katie’s toes.
Holy hell, he never should have agreed to come to this thing. Especially if he’d known Rip would be here.
Gil had a crush on Rip since high school. Unfortunately, Rip was definitely of the heterosexual persuasion. Being captain of the football team, he’d had every girl in school chasing after him, one way or another.
So he’d admired the well-built, handsome jock from afar. Very afar.
Hearing Rip’s name brought all those old feelings back to the surface.
All the insecurities.
Gil certainly had never expected his secret crush to come back to town for a ten-year class reunion. Rip had become way too famous for that.
Gil grabbed Katie’s arm and, with her squeaky protest, dragged her through the double doors into the gym.
“Jesus, Gil. What’s going on?” she asked as he pushed her against the wall just inside the doors.
“Did you hear that?” He struggled not to hyperventilate.
“What?” Katie peeled the backing off of Gil’s name tag and slapped it onto his chest. Not so gently either.
“Rip is going to be here.”
“Rip?” She wrinkled her nose. “What the hell is rip?”
“Not what. Who!” Gil swallowed hard and blew out a long breath. He realized then he was squeezing her upper arms. Way too hard. He relaxed his fingers.
“Okay, okay. Calm down. And let up a little more please.”
He released her and wiped his sweaty palms along his slacks. He never should have worn slacks. Slacks were nerd-wear.
Why didn’t Katie talk him out of wearing them? He should have worn torn jeans or leather pants or --
“So is Rip a band? I would’ve thought they just would’ve hired a DJ. It’s cheaper.”
“Wait. What?” Gil shook his head. “First of all, why would they need music?”
Katie pointed a finger upwards. “Hear that, nerd-o? Music. You know, it creates atmosphere and gives you something to dance to.”
“Dance?” Gil swallowed hard. He cocked his head. He did hear music. He hadn’t noticed it because he’d been too panicked about Rip being there. “Okay, just don’t ask me to dance.”
“No can do, Gilly. We will be dancing. I didn’t come along to be a wallflower.”
“Katie, you know I can’t dance,” he hissed inches from her face.
She had the nerve to laugh. As if his lack of rhythm was something to laugh about. His coordination left something to be desired. Gil considered it a handicap – maybe not one recognized by the government. But no one should make fun of the handicapped!
Gil frowned. “I didn’t see anything on the invitation about dancing.”
Katie sighed. “Gilly, don’t worry, we’ll fake it.”
“Don’t call me Gilly here. It’s bad enough people will be calling me Gilbert.”
“Okay, Gil. So if Rip isn’t a band then who or what is it?”
A low murmur throughout the room behind him caused Gil to look up. Coming through the doors…
Gil pressed a hand to the wall to steady himself. His legs had suddenly lost all strength.
Coming through the doors was…
“Him,” was all Gil could get past the lump in his throat.
Buy link: http://tinyurl.com/phaze-ripcord
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February 17th, 2010 — Erotica, G-I, Guest Blogger, Paranormal, Supernatural
by Eliza Gayle, guest blogger and author of Lucas: A Black Cougar Novel
To be honest it was a fast and furious trip. Despite my love for reading and my early adventures in fanfic, (although I had no idea the fact I was writing sequels to Star Wars movies was called fanfic back then) I had not really given much thought to becoming a writer.
From the very beginning it’s been all about romance. I used to hide in the corner of the library devouring Rosemary Rogers as a pre teen and eventually wound my way to Nora Roberts. I’ve never been a reader of Horror of Science Fiction so it wasn’t until Sherrilyn Kenyon started writing the Dark Hunters that I realized paranormal romance was awesome. I fell in love with Valerius and that was it for me I was hooked. I sought out more books to read and I kept my library hopping for quite a while. Then two things happened that changed my life.
I picked up a copy of the Romantic Times magazine and I found Ellora’s Cave. My first EC book was by Lora Leigh and I swear my eyes were probably bugging out of my head. I kept turning to my husband with that OMG, deer in the headlights look. I even commented to him “They can write that? Wow!” Yes, I was truly oblivious to erotica until that moment. Somehow I’d made it into my thirties unaware. But I loved it and the wheels started turning. I wanted to write some but I didn’t have a clue even how to get started.
This is where the Romantic Times magazine comes into play. I came across the advertisement for the 2006 RT Convention in Daytona, Florida where they offered a pre-convention beginner’s writers course. That was only an hour away from my childhood home and my mother had been bugging me to come for a visit anyways so why not? I took that course with Judi McCoy who I will credit forever with starting me on this crazy path that I love so much. Her realistic approach to the business is awesome and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
I returned from that trip in May of 06 and sat down and began writing a story about shapeshifters in the North Carolina mountains. I finished it in September and put it away. I needed some distance from it before I began edits and I had a short story idea I was dying to write. The short I finished in two weeks and sent it off to two publishers. The first rejection came and I sent it out again. The story sold a few weeks later and thus Eliza Gayle was born and it’s been crazy ever since.
That very first manuscript? Well, I poked it and prodded it here and there until in late 2008 I finally got serious with it. It needed a lot of work but I couldn’t let go of the premise. After a few name changes and a couple of other hurdles that book is now called Lucas and is my latest release and the first in the Black Cougar Trilogy.
Here is the blurb:
Lucas: A Black Cougar Novel
Kira MacDonald is in trouble. Plagued by false visions and erotic dreams of a man she’s never met, she fears losing both her psychic powers and her sanity. The cure? Finding and bonding with her mate. The stubborn red-haired warrior might not want one, but fate has other plans, plans that include her rescuing Lucas Gunn.
As the Guardian of his shape-shifting clan, Lucas Gunn lived a quiet, solitary life. Until he was kidnapped, examined, and tortured. Now imprisoned, his only tie to the outside world is the memory of his dreams and the passionate woman who appears nightly in them. He thought she was nothing more than a vision. Then she came for him.
An uneasy alliance, a mating call that won’t be denied, rituals that must be honored, and unrelenting enemies who will stop at nothing to get what they want. It all comes together in the first of Eliza Gayle’s sensational Black Cougar Series. Passion and Pride. Duty and Danger. In the end, there’s really only one choice…for Lucas.
The link to read an excerpt is http://elizagayle.net/books/lucas
Buy: Lucas: A Black Cougar Novel
Follow me on Twitter @elizagaylebooks
Or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elizagayle
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February 10th, 2010 — A-C, Erotica, Guest Blogger, Paranormal, Vampire
by Teal Ceagh, guest blogger and author of the Destiny's Trinities series.
I’ve been on a marathon viewing of the second season of True Blood
. The TV series is a huge departure from the Sookie Stackhouse
books by Charlaine Harris, which I’ve read at least twice over, all nine-point-five of them. I’m looking forward to reading book ten in May, when it’s released.
One of the more interesting convergences of the books and the series, though, is the question that constantly plagues both humans and vampires in the series: What is the difference between humans and vampires? And should vampires work to maintain their human-ness, or let it go and embrace their differences?
I find that a fascinating part of both series and I find the same questions tend to creep into the books that I write — although I tend to deal with the questions in much more intimate ways, as I’m writing erotic vampire romances. I love watching vampires struggling with feelings. After centuries of growing cynical and objective about temporal humans, seeing vampires brought to their knees by love, especially love for a human, is an especial treat — and the greater and more powerful the vampire, the more delightful it is to watch his or her topple from their ivory tower.
To fall in love with a human must be devastating for a vampire. They know from experience built over decades, centuries and sometimes even millennia, that the human they have feelings for will soon wither and die and still they cannot help themselves but feel romantic love for them. How does that make a vampire feel? Weak? Vulnerable? Powerless? An idiot? A fool? Human?
What if that human does not want to be turned to a vampire as they age? What if they prefer to age and die and leave the vampire to go on alone through the ages. Or what if the vampires refuses to turn the human when the human requests it?
There are dozens of moral, ethical and emotional questions and dilemmas that sex and romance between vampires and humans beget and beg to be explored. Is it any wonder that vampire romances are so popular? There’s so much uncharted emotional conflict still to be shaped into delicious stories and heart-stopping tales. I know I’m not about to stop writing them any time soon.
Nearly one hundred years after their last dance together, Eva’s long-lost love Edward makes contact again. Eva, now a lonely vampire, can’t resist falling into his arms and under his erotic spell. She’ll do anything he asks of her…
Until the spell is rudely interrupted by Ryan, a demon hunter on the trail of an incubus. He seduces Eva with a searing night of dance and passion—and attempts to avert the disaster that hovers over the delicate, beguiling creature.
Buy Eva's Last Dance
Excerpt
Usual warning folks…This is not kiddie fare. Read at your own moral risk.
Chapter One
Eva brushed her gloved hand down the length of her gown nervously and stepped out onto the roof, her heart pounding. At the other end of the roof, he was standing there waiting for her and she thought she might die.
“Edward,” she whispered, coming to a halt.
“Yes, it’s me.” He came toward her, holding out a rose. “I know it’s a shock but I can explain all that.” He handed her the rose. “Just as I know you can explain how you came to be here. Now.” And he smiled, just like she remembered, his blue eyes dancing, his easy smile lighting up his face. His blond hair was slicked back as always and he wore a white suit, just as she remembered too.
“You don’t look any different,” she said and her voice was husky.
“Neither do you.” He picked up her hand and drew her toward the centre of the roof. “It’s not the Waldorf, but would you care to dance?”
“I haven’t danced since…since then.” She looked around at the paper lanterns he had strung. “What about music?”
He pulled a small remote control from his pocket and clicked it. “Modern living has some advantages,” he confessed and a Strauss waltz emerged from an MP3 player and speakers set up on a small table. Waltzes. She loved waltzes the best and he knew it. She melted into his arms and wished that she was able to cry, to give expression to the overwhelming joy of being nestled in Edward’s embrace once more. Soon she would have to find out how this miracle had happened. But not now. For now she would simply enjoy it.
And dance. It had been such a long time.
Once, long ago, she and Edward had danced every night, their bodies pressed against each other, their eyes locked, the knowledge of their future together written in each others’ gazes.
She turned her head now to look him in the eye. “Edward.”
He looked at her and she saw once again the gleam in his eyes. The dancing had often been their only way of expressing their physical needs for each other, that they would not be able to fulfill until their marriage. Now she saw and understood the lust in his eyes and welcomed it. There was no impediment and her heart raced. As their steps slowed to a gentle swaying, his big hand gathered up the skirt of her gown, lifting it and his mouth captured her lips.
She moaned as his tongue pushed into her mouth, rough and commanding. Fright tore through her. They would never have been this daring when they were first engaged. Their families would have been shocked and horrified at the public display. But the fright was edged with arousal that swiftly overcame the old barrier. She wanted more.
Edward bent her over his arm, his hand sliding under her gown, past her stocking tops, to the tops of her thighs. His hand was cool but nevertheless, she found his touch made her tremble with anticipation. This was Edward, the man she had loved and thought she had lost.
His lips trailed down her throat to kiss her breasts above the low décolletage of her gown and his hand pushed between her thighs. She was slick with moisture and bare of undergarments. She longed for him to thrust his hand—
“Hey, asshole!”
Edward turned his head around toward the access doorway, questing like a wolf surveys the landscape.
Eva tried to stand up, for there was a man on the roof a few paces from the door, wearing a three-quarter length coat against the April chill, his legs spread in an aggressive stance. Black hair that was supposed to be short but needed cutting and glinting blue in the soft lights. Dark eyes surveying them with a world-weary expression and a sharp jaw set at a sardonic angle. Worse, there was a double-barrel shotgun over one shoulder.
Edward made a sound that was inhuman. A banshee howl. And he dropped her. She fell flat on her ass as he turned and strode toward the stranger, careless of the gun he had over his shoulder.
The man flipped the gun over and fired one barrel and Eva screamed as Edward clutched at his stomach with a shocked expression.
“Surprise,” the stranger said. “Think I’d use normal pellets on an asshole like you? Salt bound with holy water, with my compliments.” He walked up to Edward, put a boot on his shoulder and shoved and Edward fell on his back.
“What are you doing?” Eva cried, scrambling over to them.
“Saving your ass, honey. Don’t get in the way.” The man reached under his coat and pulled out a black knife with a flat, wide blade. Edward lay clutching his stomach and gasping with inhuman, whimpering sounds and the man leaned toward him and thrust the knife into his heart.
Eva screamed. She leapt on his back, reaching for the knife, moving as fast as she could but before she could pluck it from Edward’s heart, he disappeared. She stared at the black, smoking outline where his body had been, disbelief crowding all thoughts from her head.
That was when the man flipped her onto her back on the roof and straddled her, his black eyes glinting dangerously. “You’re a fucking vampire!” he railed.
Ryan watched the delicate little blonde’s crystal blue eyes get very large. “How do you know that?” she whispered. “No humans—”
“I just off’d an incubus. You think I don’t know about vampires?” he railed. “Question is, what did the thing want with you? They go after humans. Not your kind.”
“You’re a hunter,” she said breathlessly, fear blooming in her eyes.
“Relax,” he said, sitting back on his heels. “I took vampires off my hit list five years ago. But that still doesn’t answer my question.”
“Edward…was an incubus?” she asked. She looked like she was about to burst into tears and Ryan put it together with an almost audible click. “Jesus Christ, they duped you, didn’t they? Who was Edward to you? An old boyfriend?” He got to his feet. Normally, he would have let her get up on her own but something about her dress—the olde worlde quaintness of it, the long gloves and the way her golden curls were piled on top of her head…or maybe it was just the way her big blue eyes were gazing at him with such desperate need for help and information—whatever, okay, all right, he was a weak-minded idiot—he picked her up around the waist and put her on her feet. And damn but his hands nearly met around her middle.
And just for a second he flashed on a mental image of gripping her waist as he pounded his cock into her petite little package, making her scream his name.
He stepped back, dropping his hands from her waist like she was a hot potato and picked up the shotgun and reloaded it, giving his suddenly shaking hands something to do.
“Edward…was my fiancé,” she said softly. “We were supposed to have married, May 1, 1912. I was to join him in New York and booked passage on the Titanic.” She looked up at Ryan with a small smile. “I was not one of the women who found an early seat on the lifeboats. But a man who found me as I was dying offered me an alternative and I took it. He made me into a vampire, which allowed me to survive the cold that night and pass as human until we arrived in New York on the Carpathia. I could not go to Edward after that. It was part of the price of becoming a vampire.”
Ryan expected her blue eyes to swim with tears, until he remembered that vampires could not cry. He cleared his own throat. “What happened to him?” he asked.
“He died in the great war,” she said softly. “A hero, they said.” She looked over at the still smoking outline of the incubus. “So when I got his note today, saying that he had returned and wanted to see me, I thought that perhaps he had found a way to live on, just as I had.”
Ryan recalled the image he’d seen as he’d first stepped onto the roof—the demon’s lips on her breasts, his hands between her thighs, the gown hiked up around her hips and realized that his cock was straining against his pants, beating a steady tattoo that echoed in his temples. He was lusting after a vampire. Shit. Who’d have thought?
He waved toward the blue satin dress she was wearing. It made her waist look tiny and her breasts look like they might spill out at any moment. The sleeves looked like they would fall from her arms if he gave them the slightest encouragement, further exposing her breasts. He already knew that beneath the long panels of the dress she wore delicate stockings that stopped just above her knees and nothing else.
“Is this what you used to wear, then?”
“Almost,” she said, with a small smile. “My momma would have spanked me for not wearing a corset, or…other items. But yes, this is what we wore then.” And she blushed.
Ryan knew he was lost then. The blush did it. That and the dress that covered up far more than women exposed these days, yet did more to say “fuck me” than most porn. He was gone. Hook, line and sinker. He wanted to wrap himself around her delicate beauty and at the same time pin her to the wall and fuck her until those blue eyes hazed over with sensual repletion.
“So the fucking bastard gives you one dance and you’re putty in his hands,” he ground out. “Didn’t you even stop to ask for his credentials?”
“It was Edward. Why would I ask? And he danced with me. We always danced. We…” Her blush deepened and she dropped her gaze. “We danced instead of…” Then she lifted her head and looked him squarely in the eye. “We danced instead of sex. It was the way of it in those days, Mr.…”
“Ryan,” he said stiffly, as ideas exploded in his mind. “Jesus Christ, you’re a virgin,” he said softly.
“I most certainly am not,” she said stiffly. “I’ve been a vampire for nearly a century, Mr. Ryan. I assure you, virginity is a technicality I left behind a long time ago.”
“Just Ryan.” He held up a hand, frowning. “Technically speaking, you might still be. These things count in the demon world, let me tell you. I’m not talking about toys, or other vampires, or the loss of a hymen, if that’s what you mean.”
Her chin remained up but her blush deepened and he knew he’d hit the mark. He put the shotgun down again, to make himself less threatening and dropped his hands to his sides. “Have you ever had sex with a human male?” he asked softly.
She took a breath. “No,” she admitted.
He nodded. “That’s what the incubus wanted—your virginity. They prey upon humans because they’re easy marks but finding virgins is becoming more and more difficult for them. But when they do, they get all the power that comes with that virgin’s blood. But a virgin vampire’s powers? Sex with you would give them power beyond belief. No wonder they went to such effort to fool you.”
She backed up and sat quickly in the fold up chair next to the table, like the strength had suddenly run out of her legs. “I had no idea,” she said.
“There’s a war on,” he said dryly. “Didn’t they warn you about this stuff?”
“I’ve never… I didn’t tell anyone,” she said.
Ryan knew he had to give her the rest of it. “They’re going to keep coming at you, you know.”
Her blue eyes looked up at him helplessly.
“They’re going to keep coming at you until you do something about it,” he finished harshly.
“What do I do?” she whispered.
His cock throbbed. “Have sex with a human,” he said. He fought for a casual, offhand tone. “I’m willing to help out, if you want.”
To buy this book from Ellora’s Cave, click here.
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Giveaway: Teal is offering to giveaway one copy of any of the three books from the DESTINY’S TRINITIES series, (BETH’S ACCEPTANCE, MIA’S RETURN or SERA’S GIFT). The winner gets to choose their prize. As they’re a series, it’ll depend on what the you have read so far, as Teal says they really need to be read in order. To enter leave a comment. One entry per relevant comment; multiple entries allowed. Ends: February 28, 2010. Good Luck!
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February 7th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, A-C, ARC, Alien, Erotica, Great Britain, Kidnapping, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Knight, Magic Users, Paranormal, Politician, Queen or Princess, Space, Stowaway, Warrior
Today I am reviewing Knight’s Fork by Rowena Cherry. This is my first ARC (advance review copy; official book release is September 30, 2008) and I eagerly read the whole novel in two days! Knight’s Fork is just one novel in the futuristic set series about the Great Djinn race. Knight’s Fork contains all the right stuff from a stowaway princess to a knight’s quest and the threat of death licking at their heels. This book and series would be great for any lover of alien paranormal romance or paranormal romance in general.
Watch out for the ‘Dj’ names! There’s quite a few to remember and follow! The romance novel is filled to overflowing with political intrigue and the key players are trying to play everybody else all at the same time to get their way. The main characters have to watch out for who their enemies are and who their allies are.
Cherry titles her novels after chess moves, and yes the characters do play chess and the move in question is used several times throughout the novel. Knight’s Fork in particular is about a choice between two evils – you’re going to lose something and the decision becomes which loss is acceptable?
This choice is ‘Rhett’s, a Saurian Knight, and it is between power and a female. Saurian is another alien race, but don’t let this fool you about this white knight. Back to the point - how can power or a female be a bad choice whichever you choose? A grab for power will set other leaders in a tizzy and the female is another male’s mate that’s how!
The rival male is King of another alien race, the Volnoth, and taking Electra could start a war on par with the ancient Greek war over Helen of Troy. It’s too bad for ‘Rhett that he’s tempted by Electra and not by the power offered. Far more tempting is that she wants him… for his sperm. What’s a knight to do?
This novel and series isn’t for the fainthearted that likes their romances to be mild and sweet. Urban colloquialisms for sex and emissions abound, the Great Djinn even regularly swear by Carnality! However for those who crave the contemporary slang and straightforward nature to the approach of sex Knight’s Fork is deliciously racy and erotic. The whole novel revolves around sex!
You could compare Cherry’s novel to Laurell K. Hamilton’s Meredith Gentry series about fairies because the Princess Electra seeks to get pregnant just like Meredith does. Or you could compare the novel to the Twilight Saga with ‘Rhett being a virgin, sworn to a vow of chastity, similar to Edward’s chase behavior. Whatever parallels you draw, Cherry spins a great story.
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Originally posted 2008-09-11 05:56:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 28th, 2010 — About, Character Type, Erotica, Genre, Sheik/Desert, Story Hook
This question has been asked in one form or another since romance novels went mainstream. Authors have been dismissed because they write romance instead of science fiction or crime books or other normal genres. If the cover has bulging pectorals and swooning women then it must be girl porn. Shame on you, haven't you heard the advice never judge a book by its cover?
Romance has been dismissed and labeled by many derogatory terms such as trashy romance novel, bodice-rippers, girl porn, chick porn, chick-lit, virgin bibles, horny hystericals, etc. Some of these terms like trashy romance novel have become a badge of honor to declare with pride by readers. i.e. "I love trashy romance novels!" Similarly there are people out there who will tell you they are proud that they don't read them. Did you know that the romance industry sells over 50% of all paperback books? Looking at figures like those, it's hard to mock romance.
Writing a romance novel takes a lot of work. What happens if you start off with characters and can't make them come together romantically in a believable way? You'll wind up with the square pegs in round holes syndrome and a book you can't possibly sell. Just look at JKR's Harry Potter Saga
- the best romance in the book is the only one she didn't attempt to show or explain and that was James and Lily Potter. Clearly writing romance is not Rowling's forte. So if a world renowned author can't write romance believably wouldn't that prove it's a tough quota to fill?
To be able to repeatedly produce quality heroes and heroines that fall in love, have sexual tension, and resolve all their issues is phenomenal and should be awarded not punished.
But the sex and the sin!
A lot of people are under the misapprehension that sex, marital or otherwise in a romance is sinful and shouldn't be read. Romance novels are only okay if you can read them to your grandmother. But what if you're grandmother is particularly savvy and cool? Wouldn't this test be disqualified?
On an interesting note the romance industry not too long ago, think 80s and earlier, thought premarital sex would turn readers away. This is where the term bodice-ripper is derived, specifically in conjunction with Desert and Sheik love.
Erotica writers take sex in romance to a new level - is this a bad thing? No, I say, it's not. Sex has its place, so does plot, dialogue, and deux ex machina. It's hard to write - just read the author interviews here on this website and you'll see what I mean.
So I say to the unenlightened, this is the new millennia. Get over it or please tell me you only watch Bollywood movies where even kissing is taboo in most cases. (Though Bollywood movies can easily pour on the heat - it's all that unrequited tension! Yum!)
Does that mean that all sex is good sex in a romance or in other words when is sex gratuitous like a bathroom scene in a movie? The answer again is no. I think sex is gratuitous when it serves to just be there as page filler just like the bathroom scene in a movie.
Conclusion:
Clearly, I think the issue lies with personal phobias. The idea of being caught with a romance novel is embarrassing to some. These are the people I feel should most definitely be introduced to romance novels. It's okay, we're here to hold your hand and if absolutely needed, you have our permission to read it under the covers with a flashlight.
In the end I must ask, who's out there demeaning men for watching dare I say it - man porn?
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2008-12-05 18:53:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 18th, 2010 — 3 Stars, Alien, Another Planet/Dimension, Book Review, Contemporary, Erotica, Interracial, J-L, Kidnapping, Magic Users, Mistaken Identity, Paranormal, Politician, Secret Agent, Space, United States of America, Virgin Heroine
Have you ever read your name in a romance book? How about with different spelling? I rarely do as my name is fairly unique. Listening to my name as a protagonist in Destiny's Jewel was definitely a bit of naughty fun.
Rebecca Rogers, who narrated Maestro's Butterfly, narrates Destiny's Jewel and does another amazing job! Five out of five for steamy!
I recently went on a road trip to meet with some friends and Destiny's Jewel was my trip companion. Who needs the radio? Seriously! Listen to some erotica instead - it's sure to keep you awake and get your blood pumping.
Kyra L'orrac has been entrusted to guard a royal treasure, a giant sapphire known as the Stone of Destiny. It is her first big assignment under the Royal Special Forces (RSF). She is protecting it from the incoming vizier and magician Ellard J'aron, who seeks it for personal gain and power.
For Ellard it is imperative that he retrieved the star sapphire and its two sister jewels, an emerald and ruby respectively. If he fails to bring the trio home to Dolnair he faces execution and his family the ultimate disgrace. As if Ellard's troubles aren't enough he is under a very strict time limit and the pretty girl who holds the first of the jewels inspires passions he should not-nay can not-indulge, even if he wants too... desperately.
Rating: 3 Stars
Buy the Audio Version Here!
Side note: I marked this book as interracial because of one partner being magical and one partner being non-magical.
Originally posted 2009-04-05 05:01:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 18th, 2010 — Book Intro, Contemporary, D-F, Erotica, Guest Blogger
by Tina Donahue, guest blogger and author of Deep Dark Delicious.
Ever wonder what draws you to a man or to a hero in a book? Is it the intensity with which he regards the heroine? His struggles to have her for his own? Heroic moments when he saves her life?
Well, yeah. But it’s also something much simpler.
I’ve often heard from friends and from what’s discussed on talk shows that women find it incredibly romantic when their spouse/life partner/boyfriend/whatever does the dishes, takes out the trash, gives them a moment to themselves by taking care of the children, or any of a myriad of seemingly unromantic things.
I’d like to take it one step further. Perhaps something we rarely think about, and that’s when a man teases a woman playfully and lovingly. We all know what that feels like. We may be miffed at first, but then we laugh. A glow spreads through our bodies because deep inside we know how special we are to that person. People joke around with folks they like, not ones they don’t.
To illustrate what I mean, there’s a scene in my newest book Deep, Dark, Delicious, where Eden and Rafe are in her bathroom tub – his cell phone has just rung, a call from his brother, which Eden tells him to take. Rafe doesn’t want to, he’s already falling for her. She’s afraid to reciprocate because of an emotional trauma in her past. Not wanting the storyline to be too somber, I decided to play with my characters a little here and to have Rafe play with her. Read on:
His cell phone rang again.
Rafe swore.
Knees pressed together, she pulled her feet to her cunt as if to keep the caller from seeing it. “If you get rid of whoever it is, we won’t be bothered again.”
If he tossed the phone in the toilet and flushed it away, they’d reach the same goal. Sighing, he reached over the lip of the tub for the damn thing and glanced at the number on the display. Victor’s.
Eden twisted her torso so she could look. “Who is it?”
“My brother. It’s probably not important.”
“He must think so if he keeps calling.”
Grumbling, Rafe answered the phone on the final ring before voice mail kicked in. “What is it? Why do you keep calling? Is there an emergency? If not, then why are you bothering me?”
“You’re in bed with the woman, no?” Victor asked in a serene voice. In the background Madrigal played, a bolero by the Cuban singer Beatriz Márquez. “Have you disappointed her already? Is that why you’re swearing?”
Rafe chuckled. “If you call again, I’ll fire you.”
“Mama would hire me right back and give me a much-deserved promotion and a raise.” He spoke quickly, interrupting Rafe, “And I haven’t phoned before now. Anna Marie has. Three times in fact. At least that’s what she claimed when she called me in tears because she couldn’t reach you.”
Rafe frowned. “Anna Marie’s the one who’s been calling?”
The name produced an instantaneous and unwanted response in Eden. Her body stiffened, shrinking from his. Rafe wound his free arm around her waist, just in case she intended to flee. Holding her as tightly as he dared, he interrupted Victor’s rant. “Quiet. I have another call. Could be it’s Anna Marie.” He put his brother on hold and pressed his cheek to Eden’s. “Remember when I told you I had a godchild, the youngest daughter of my aunt whose husband saved me from drowning?”
Although Eden’s breathing remained somewhat shallow, her body relaxed. She lowered her legs, no longer protecting her cunt. “Anna Marie’s your godchild?” She sounded embarrassed. Before he could answer, she added, “She’s okay, isn’t she?”
“At times, it’s hard to tell.” He pulled back his head. “She’s about to turn fifteen. Everything’s a tragedy.”
“Maybe you should call her, find out what’s wrong.”
“Perhaps when I’m through with you.” His hand slid from her waist to her belly and beyond…her inviting cleft.
Eden’s back arched at his fingers swirling over her swollen bud already primed for his touch. On a sigh, her body collapsed into his, her head against his shoulder. Gladdened, he took Victor off hold. “It wasn’t Anna Marie.” He stroked Eden’s clit expertly, thoroughly. Her legs jerked, splashing the tepid water. She shook her head as if to say no, he shouldn’t be doing this while talking to his brother. Smiling, he continued with both activities. “So why is she trying to reach me?” he asked Victor.
“She wants you to speak to her mother. Aunt Carmen hates the boy Anna Marie wants to invite to her quinceañera and insists one of the male cousins will escort her and pretend to be her date. Anna Marie’s locked herself in her bedroom. She refuses to eat. She’s threatening to run away. Call her before she drives her mother and me crazy. Tell her you agree with Aunt Carmen.”
“I’d rather have Anna Marie drive you insane.”
Victor made a disgusting sound and added what else Anna Marie planned to do if she didn’t get her way, then reminded Rafe of his duty as the girl’s godparent.
During the lecture, Rafe rubbed Eden’s nub, insistent on bringing her to a quick, unrestrained orgasm. Equally determined to fight him, she dug her nails into his thighs, nearly drawing blood. He gritted his teeth and continued. She tried to keep her strained mewl to the lowest level possible so Victor wouldn’t hear her or know what went on. Interrupting his brother, Rafe said, “Deal with this yourself. Don’t bother me again.”
Victor swore in Spanish. Eden’s ass scooted back, her body pressing into Rafe’s as she attempted to evade his fingers. They followed, hopelessly drawn to her sensitive nub. On his next stroke, her hips lifted. Faster than he would have guessed, she pushed away from him, her body shivering like a wet dog. The water splashed noisily with her efforts to turn so they’d be face to face. At last, she succeeded.
Victor continued to speak. Not about Anna Marie any longer, something to do with one of the restaurants.
“What?” Rafe asked his brother distractedly, while he cocked one brow at Eden. She wasn’t intimidated at his expression. Face pinched from her workout and near orgasm, shoulders bobbing with her heavy breaths, she leaned forward, her hands slipping beneath the water’s surface, her fingers wrapping around his balls and shaft.
Rafe’s toes lifted from the tub’s floor. They curled as she squeezed and pulled on his rod with more power and control than her cunt ever could.
“So that means the supplier can’t meet our deadline,” Victor explained. “My thinking is we should –”
“Wait!” Rafe growled at him and Eden.
She smiled wickedly, answering his request by fondling his balls. Spurts of warmth followed, dazing and overwhelming him. Rafe clenched his teeth. His chin lifted to the ceiling.
“What am I waiting for?” Victor asked.
Rafe choked out his words. “I have another call.” He put his brother back on hold and muttered to Eden, “I am really going to enjoy punishing you.”
“Promises, promises.”
A new growl, carnal in nature, cut off his next comment. She worked his cock and sac pitilessly. Payback for when he’d ignored her pleas to stop – her body couldn’t take any more stimulation.
His was no different. With a shudder and a shout he came, his fingers fisted so tightly around his cell phone he figured he’d break it.
Eden didn’t appear to care. Leaning forward, she licked his Adam’s apple. It bobbed convulsively with his hard swallows. Undoubtedly pleased with herself, she put her mouth to his ear and whispered, “Shouldn’t you take Victor off hold? The poor man might be wondering what happened to you.”
If Rafe tried to speak in his current state, his heaving breaths would tell poor Victor all he wanted to know. His head fell forward. He conceded. “I need a minute…please.”
Eden stopped squeezing his pecs. Genuine worry shaded her voice. “You okay?”
What man wouldn’t be after experiencing three orgasms in so short a period with a woman he genuinely liked, one who might possibly be leading him to love? “Just a little winded.”
She slipped her fingers beneath his chin and lifted it. Even with her help, his head was still too heavy to keep up. He allowed it to fall to the tub’s tall back.
The crack of his skull hitting porcelain pulled a gasp from her. “Oh my god. Are you all right?” He didn’t respond. She shook his shoulder. “Rafe, answer me. Can you open your eyes?”
Her unnecessary worry touched him so deeply tears threatened. Something he’d rarely experienced with anyone outside his family. His mouth, however, turned up in a sleepy smile. “Relax. I didn’t knock myself unconscious.”
She countered. “Your eyes are still closed. You’re about to fall asleep. You could drown.”
“Not if you drain the tub first.”
She swore beneath her breath. “Come on, finish your call with Victor, make a quick one to Anna Marie, then go to bed and take a nap.”
He finished his loud yawn. “No. I’m –” His words stopped. His arms stalled in mid-stretch. Bringing them down, he frowned.
Eden placed her hand on his chest directly over his heart. “What’s wrong?”
“You said I should finish my call with Victor and make one to Anna Marie. Who are they?”
“What?”
Rafe pried his lids open and stared at her. His voice shook with his frightened whisper. “Who are you?”
Her eyes rounded.
He laughed as hard as his weariness allowed. “You are so easy to fool. Hey!”
She slapped the water a second time, sending a new wave into his face. “You’re a prick, Rafael Zayas.”
He blinked water from his eyes. “I do my best. And you know you love it when I tease you.” Not about to wait for her retort, he took Victor off hold.
In that scene, Rafe’s playfulness endeared me to him even more. I found it to be very romantic without even trying. It’s what I want from my guy. 
Deep, Dark, Delicious is available from Ellora’s Cave
My website: www.tinadonahue.com
My blog: http://www.tinadonahue.com/blog/
Deep, Dark, Delicious YouTube video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/tinadonahue
Email addy: tina@tinadonahue.com
For today’s readers, I’m hosting a scavenger hunt contest!!!
Rules: Periodically throughout the day I will post a question (four in all). You will find them in the comments of this post, with the exception of #1; it is below. Answers found on my website: www.tinadonahue.com Keep all of the answers until the last question has been posted. Then, email me your answers at tina@tinadonahue.com. The first reader to contact me with all four questions answered correctly will win.
Prize: A print copy of my novel Adored. http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7772-138-adored.aspx
Winner will be announced: January 20th at this site and at my website: www.tinadonahue.com
Thanks for stopping by!
SCAVENGER HUNT QUESTION ONE: What are the names of the Hero/Heroine in Lady Love?
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January 9th, 2010 — 4 Stars, ARC, Dukes and Earls, Erotica, Guest Reviews, Historic America, Love Triangle, Magic Users, Mystery, P-R, Paranormal, Revenge, United States of America, Widow or Widower
by Susan S., guest reviewer
Sex and Subterfuge is a compelling novella with likeable characters, palpable emotions, and a great plot.
This is book two in Roman’s- The Dark Desires of the Druids series.
Does it stand alone? Yes. Although, if you read its predecessor Murder and Magick, you’ll learn the events which cause Lucien to flee England. Sex and Subterfuge has brief references to characters from book one: Isadore, Raven, Mac, Corwin, Gareth and Beckett. But, the author does a nice job of explaining their character roles.
Note: The hero Lucien Harrington (Earl of Granville) was also in book one.
Recommendations: Do you like jealous heroes and love triangles? How about sizzling sexual encounters atop of dining room furniture? If you answered yes to either question, you’re going to love this novella. I’m also recommending it, if you enjoy reading paranormal romance, historical, or erotica.
If you’ll remember in Murder and Magick the setting was in England. Well welcome to America! The setting in Sex and Subterfuge takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It’s been more than 130 years since the magickers from Europe and the American magickers have been in contact. So why the devil is Lucien in America! That’s precisely what the heroine (Morgana Blackthorne) intends to find out. When Lucien tells Morgana there are rogue magickers in “her” American community, she is adamant that there isn’t. Until her visions indicate danger of a murderous kind.
Should she trust this new Englishman and give in to her lustful emotions? Or, will she face the danger alone and send this hot Earl packing?
When reading a story, I can usually pick out “one” main character that appeals to me. Usually. In Roman’s novella though, I loved not one, but “three” equally.
Morgana: Is a strong powerful Master with a responsibility to protect her people. Yet, she has moments of weakness and vulnerability.
Lucien: He’s a tall, blond- haired, blue-eyed Englishman; with one “wicked” magickal affinity. Loved him!
James Blackthorne: Gosh, I loved him too! He’s Morgana’s cousin. I found it touching how he protects and looks after her.
The novella didn’t garner five stars for one reason only. I felt the novella should’ve been fleshed out more. Book one gave us blood magick oaths and ancient words of healing. I wanted more of the same in Sex and Subterfuge, and was disappointed when a New Moon Ritual was mentioned, but not described.
The Dark Desires of the Druids is a wonderful series. It’s my intent to read “all” of the remaining books within this series.
Books three and four are currently available for your reading pleasure. Desert and Destiny is the third; Temptations and Treachery is the fourth.
4 Star Rating
Buy: The Dark Desires of the Druids II: Sex and Subterfuge
Erotic Romance, Historical, Paranormal, Ravenous Romance, Fantastica Publication, Copyright 2009, eBook Novella, pages 160.
ISBN# 978-1-60777-107-4.
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December 18th, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, A-C, ARC, Business, Contemporary, Enemies, Erotica, Foster/Orphan, Gambling, Travel, United States of America
There are quite a few things I admire about this romance. The first is that the characters are dramatically different than most any I have read—especially the hero.
Betting with Lucifer reminded me strongly of LaVyrle Spencer’s Morning Glory not because the setting or plot was the same but because both leads were powerless characters. Now looking at their positions in their careers you wouldn’t expect it but both the hero and heroine are deeply flawed individuals.
The heroine, Lyndsay (Linny, Lynds) Eden is the Director of Marketing at her late mother’s hotel (not to say the mother owned it, but worked at it too). Her goal is to be promoted to General Manager in the same time frame her mother did. How she figured on doing this, is hard to say. Lyndsay is an extremely timid person. It terrifies her to small talk and glad-hand. Thus Lyndsay works herself very hard and pushes herself more to man up; to get in front of people to do her job.
The hero, Lucifer (Luke) Pierse, was technically an orphan growing up. His surviving parent was an alcoholic who never saw him. He on the surface is everything Lyndsay is not. On her business-communications marketing team, Luke unnerves her without trying. His outgoing, wise-cracking, good old boy, routine works well in Luke’s favor on most days but really hides a second nature of himself. Sometimes he is even aware at how he secretly sabotages everything he does.
The two have a very rocky road to travel to find their HEA, especially when Luke is promoted to Director of Public Relations, a stepping stone Lyndsay was hoping to claim for herself.
That said while I enjoyed the risk Tracy took in writing these leads, they just didn't do it for me. I did not really like Luke as a hero and there were times when all I wanted to do was shake some sense into Lyndsay.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Available at Ellora's Cave. Click: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7571-betting-with-lucifer.aspx
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December 12th, 2009 — Author Interviews, Erotica, J-L, Vampire
Today's intimate interview is with Rhonda Leigh Jones, the author of Maestro's Butterfly, which was reviewed the other day. I'm excited to share her with you today as we're going to be discussing audio books, epublishing, her books, writing and more!
Q: I have just finished listening to Maestro's Butterfly on audio and it was wonderful. What was your inspiration for the book?
A: First of all, thank you for listening, and for having such kind things to say. For me, characters usually come before story, and so I was aware of Claudio for some time before I began to write MB. I didn't know his name at first; I just had a face and the hint of personality. That actually came from a minor character in a movie I'd watched.
Q: Have you had the chance to hear your audio book? How did you feel hearing your writing the first time?
A: It was both thrilling and painful! Thrilling because Rebecca did such a wonderful job. I really wasn't expecting French accents and the whole nine yards, and so it was a great pleasure to hear someone "act" my story. But hearing her say some of the things I'd written made me blush terribly. I kept putting my hands over my ears and saying, "No, turn it off; turn it off!" And then, "Turn it back on!" I can't believe I write these things, lol.
Q: What do you think of your narrator and the voices? Did she give you chills? My favorite voice was that of Claudio. Shiver. Grin.
A: Yes, it's pretty amazing that, on one level, you hear this woman reading the part, and on another level, you hear his voice, at the same time. I think she did a great job with Claudio. He was so much fun to write. If I have a character that could be considered my "Lestat," meaning that I love him as much as Anne Rice
obviously loved Lestat, then that would be Claudio. He's such a beast, lol. There is an interview with him on my blog by the way, and another with Chloe.
Q: Do you think readers get more out of the audio version than they do in the print?
A: I think it depends on the reader. And I think it's hard for the writer to say, because I'm so close to the material. I personally get a lot out of the audio version because I've been looking at this book in print for years, and I'm fairly sick of seeing the words. But when it comes to me in a different format, it's like experiencing the story for the first time. For the first time, I can really step back and see - or hear, rather - what I did. I'm very glad there is an audio version because I know that there are plenty of people who would rather experience books that way. And who knows? Maybe some readers will like the story so much they have to experience it both ways.
Q: Do you prefer listening to or reading erotica?
A: I would rather read it because, honestly, I tend to skip a lot. I'm a very tough customer, and easily bored. Especially when it comes to sex, because my buttons are hard to reach. And I'm a very visual person. And if I'm terribly interested in a story, I'll devour it quickly, which you can't do with audio.
Q: Can you share a bit about Maestro's Apprentice and Maestro's Maker? What order should your books be read or does it matter?
A: Maker is the second in the series, but it's actually the prequel. It's the story of how Claudio became a vampire, and it's set at the beginning of the French Revolution. "Claudio" is actually an Italian name, so we see how he got that. If you look beyond Claudio's arrogance and his frightening qualities, you'll see that he really is a very loyal man who is very concerned with family. Maker goes into that, and also reveals some of the reasons why that is true. And there is another person in the book that Butterfly readers will know. Apprentice takes place right after Butterfly, and focuses more on Adam, although it's really more about one of the feeders. All of these books are really about how Claudio affected other people. So, though he's the series main character, the books have their own main characters-the women he has affected.
Q: Of the three works, which is your personal favorite and why?
A: Easy! Maestro's Butterfly, because it was the first. It was the work that really taught me how to write a novel. I suffered terribly while writing it because I wasn't sure at first what the story was, but Claudio's presence was so strong I couldn't stop tinkering with it. It was a very romantic time of my life. I spent many late nights working for my vampire muse. And it led to my meeting one of my best friends, who is also a writer with a sexy vampire. We would both be up working late, and so ended up emailing and supporting each other quite a lot.
Q: I sort of have this mental picture of Claudio in my head and you mentioned earlier that he was inspired by a minor character... so dish if he were played in a movie by an actor, who would it be?
A: LOL! Stephen Rea, because he looks like Rea's Santiago in Interview With the Vampire. Except that was 20 years ago, so Rea is a bit older now, so we'd have to get someone younger. But Victoire would definitely have to be played by Adrien Brody, lol.
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Ravenous Romance and epublishing. How are you finding the whole affair?
A: That would be so much easier to answer if I had something to compare it to! They've been very good about keeping in touch and troubleshooting things and listening to me. I know that friends who are published by traditional publishers have communication issues that I don't have. And if a mistake is made, it's very easy for Ravenous to fix it. They seem very enthusiastic about what they're doing. In addition, I think they're on the cutting edge, because the industry is changing, thanks to the alternatives that technology gives us and the shifting economy. I really like the idea of epublishing for various reasons. It's greener. It's convenient. You can have so many more books this way. So I've been happy with the experience. And I think the name is perfect, since my first series happens to be about vampires!
Q: What do you think makes a great [written] bedroom scene?
A: I'm glad you asked me this, because almost everybody does it wrong. A great sex scene is all about the conversation. It isn't enough to tell readers who is doing what to whom. Let's face it: Sex is basically "insert Tab A into Slot B." The rest is foreplay and there are only so many variations. Once you see where a scene is going, physically, you don't need to read the rest. However, if the scene is about how and why this or that is done, then you have a conversation. If you stress the conversation, then you have as many unique scenes as you want to write. The conversation of sex is going to be different at different times, even with the same couple. The actions should show mood, power structure, and whatever else is going on in the person's mind.
For instance, think about blow jobs and power. If the dominant male demands that his submissive female give him a blow job and she complies happily, that is one story. But what if she is angry with him? That should come out in the scene. What if it is a dominant female giving her submissive male a blow job? What if she is angry with him? See how many different scenes you have? And all with the same act. Nuance is everything.
Q: Got any pet peeves when it comes to romance or writing?
A: I hate HEAs. I do. I like a certain realism in writing and I don't want things tied up neatly at the end. It seems silly to me. So I write Happy For Nows. I like to have the suggestion of motion present, even at the very end. I prefer grit and darkness, which is why I write about things like punishment. Real corporal punishment is something you will see in every erotica story I ever write. As far as writing in general goes, I don't like it when authors get so happy about what they can do with words that they forget to tell a good story. If you must sacrifice prose or story, sacrifice prose.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
A: I can't think of anything at the moment, but something may come later.
Thanks again. 
Rj
It was a pleasure to talk with you Rhonda! Be sure to check out Rhonda's blog at http://rhondaleigherotica.blogspot.com.
You can buy the audio version of Maestro's Butterfly here.
Originally posted 2009-03-16 05:20:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 9th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, Book Review, Contemporary, Erotica, J-L, Kidnapping, Musician, Paranormal, Rape/Abuse, Runaway, United States of America, Vampire
Listening to the Maestro’s Butterfly is an experience that will leave you flushed and begging for more. You’re in luck too because there are two more books after this! Rebecca Rogers is a truly phenomenal narrator. Her character voices are a treat and she’s a real actress. Quivering sighs, harsh words, moans, groans, she does them all without ever breaking form. Rogers draws you into Jones’ secret world of vampires and you can not escape… just like Miranda you are trapped, captivated and set a fire.
Jones' mythology is unique. Her vampires have heartbeats, never get sick, can't reproduce, and fangs that extend. The feeders once bitten become the perfect meals, producing more blood, become slightly stronger, and live longer younger. Holding one's breath even ruins the flavor of blood. To be taken by a vampire is to know the true meaning of sex as they love to combine feeding with intercourse.
In the Maestro’s Butterfly, Rhonda Leigh Jones sets a sexy stage and does not fail to deliver. If you’re into dominant/submissive power plays, vampires, and kinky sex you will love this story. There are elements of S&M, including whipping, public/stage sex, voyeurism, sex with multiple partners (not at the same time unless you count in sync with watching others), and anal sex. Very hot!
Miranda wants to be dominated. She wants to include fear, surrender, and the unknown in the bedroom. She longs for it and is afraid of her desires. Her dreams involve running down darkened streets and being caught and forced upon by the mysterious hunter. In her day life she’s a musician and with a lucky break gets Claudio du Fresne to tutor her for half price. One night after a performance of his, he invites her back to his place and along the way they strike a bet. He will be the partner she has always dreamed of and if at the end of 30 days he will make her his forever… if not she will allowed to leave and he will continued to tutor her at the prearranged deal.
But there is a darker side to this story. Miranda is unaware of Claudio being a vampire. That’s not all… in addition Claudio has struck another bet, this time with his brother, Victoire "Jack" du Fresne. If at the end of 30 days Miranda stays with Claudio, Jack will pay for Claudio quarter of a million dollar performance piece. If however, she bolts like Jack suspects, Miranda will belong to Jack… whether she wants to be or not.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Get the audio version here.
Originally posted 2009-03-15 05:57:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 4th, 2009 — 3 Stars, Blind, Book Review, D-F, Erotica, Friends, Gentry, Historic America, Scarred Hero, Soldier, United States of America, Virgin Heroine, Wartime
I recently finished the audio book version of the Land of Falling Stars. This Civil War erotica loosely brings to mind Gone with the Wind
with Rhett, Ashley, and Scarlett… only this time played out by Gavin, Jesse, and Sophia. Gavin and Ricochet were my two favorite characters. So scrumptious! (Gavin not the dog.) My least favorite was probably Sophia from the good guy team; she was so hot and cold and acted very childish on several occasions, which made it hard to like her. The story did include one of my favorite character flaws: blindness. Several yummy sex scenes occur throughout the blindness of Sophia.
Gavin returns to Arbor Rose with terrible, soul-wrenching news. He must deliver this news to his childhood love Sophia and he doesn’t know how he can do it. Haunted by what he’s done in the war, Gavin knows he faces censure at home not only because he chose to fight for the Yanks but also because he is Jesse’s murderer. It doesn’t matter if it was in the middle of battle and he didn’t know who he was aiming at – the outcome was the same. Jesse, Sophia’s fiancé, was dead by his hand.
Mistaking Gavin for another cruel heartless Yank, Sophia shoots him on sight only to learn it’s her childhood friend and protector come back from war. Horrified by what she’s done, Sophia races to his side and nurses him back to health. It’s been months and months since she’s heard from Jesse, and all the while she’s with Gavin she can’t help forgetting the perfect man her father found her for the scarred and imperfect flesh and blood man before her. Terribly confused by her attraction for Gavin, Sophia wavers and falls, then returns to teetering and vacillating and questioning with several relapses while trying to sort out her feelings for the man she was supposed to love and marry, and the man she can’t live without.
Rating: 3.0 Stars
Get the audio version here.
Originally posted 2009-03-21 05:33:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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