Love Romance Passion » Cursed Lead http://www.loveromancepassion.com Because Books Don't Fall Asleep Afterwards! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Review: Hold Me If You Can by Stephanie Rowe http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-hold-me-if-you-can-by-stephanie-rowe/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-hold-me-if-you-can-by-stephanie-rowe/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13832

Hold Me If You CanReviewed by Lynn Reynolds

Natalie Fleming was briefly murdered by a deedub. She also owns a boutique chocolate shop. But she has a challenge ahead – creating magical desserts overnight after having her shop looted. She goes into her walk-in freezer and meets her murderer. Boy, that’s one hell of a way to start your day.

Nigel Aquarian comes to Natalie’s rescue. He’s a man with his own set of problems. He’s doing a favor for Natalie’s sister. What makes Nigel unique is that he has some interesting powers. Some of those powers are tied to his art.

Nigel is seen interacting with some other warriors in his penthouse. I love how Nigel talked to them about being “men”. I can almost hear the theme from Two and a Half Men playing in the background. Stephanie also has us laughing as they interact and makeup is added to the mix.

A lot of Stephanie’s male characters are obnoxious. But the women are the ones that seem to keep them in line. It’s nice to see that the hero needs a woman in order to feel complete. This is what adds romance to the story. If you’re looking for a lot of sex between our main characters, you will not find it here.

Stephanie certainly gives us some interesting sounding demons. None that you would want to meet in a dark alley somewhere. But if you could have any type of power, like Nigel and his men, what would you like?

As you read this book you may become a little confused. The three books look like they can be standalones but if you want to understand what the warriors, and demons, are about I suggest that you read books one and two.

Natalie is in need of some help and she will get it from an unlikely source, Ella Smithweiser. Ella used to work for Nigel’s archenemy. Nigel’s art is also turning against him so Ella becomes important for both of them.

Then to add confusion to the mix, another character appears – a dream genie named Charles Morgan. Don’t get confused but sometimes he is referred to as “Smutty”. His jailor also has a connection to Nigel. Mari is the second in command to the archenemy.

Mari thinks she has a noble cause but you know what they say about good intentions. The more I read about Mari, the more I feel that she is just plain crazy. What’s good about this story is that you will see that she gets her just desserts (sorry about the spoiler).

Stephanie also puts a life lesson in her story line although it doesn’t show itself until the end. The story ends with us wondering if there will be a book 4. She leaves us hanging in the balance – who will be the characters to have their story told next?

Rating: ★★★½☆

Buy: Hold Me If You Can

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Reviewed by Susan S.

Please hold. Flip. Flip-flip. After a quick scan of my mental rolodex, Samael Gorasola is the baddest hero I’ve ever encountered. He’s sexy bad and you’ll hate loving him. Or is it, love hating him? Either way works!

Summary: That Old Black Magic, Book 4

Samael (Sam) Gorasola is a dirty-mouthed demon. He’s also sexy as sin and the reason the word bad originated. Sam doesn’t give a damn about anyone or anything. Crank open a thesaurus and all synonyms for bad and remorseless apply to him, specifically.

Gorasola’s a 103 year old demon with 78 years experience as a soul collector. It doesn’t surprise anyone he’s landed in a prison cell at the Demon Detainment Center. Samael is cognizant of his fate: he’ll never be happy. Life dealt him a bad deck and he’s just playing it out. Until wham bamming a white witch (Marabella Blanchard) gives him the wild card he never expected.

Review: Book four is as funny as the earlier installments and equally hot! I enjoyed every milli-second of Sam’s surliness. I’ve always been partial to the roguish rakes in historicals; it seems only natural I’d be just as enthralled with the paranormal baddies. There’s only one thing I would’ve altered, I’d’ve given less scene time to his cousins (Nikki and Cassidy). They were comical. I’ll give `em that, but I wanted more Sam and Marabella time. I’m going to have to give the author extra brownie points, though. She gave me what I wanted! The witch-familiar link.

Recommendations: For Adult Readers 18+

Because the hero doesn’t have a clue and the only thing he knows about romance is that it’s part of a two-worded title to a pop song, I’m recommending this novel to erotica readers first. Who else? Paranormal lovers. Why? There’s magick, angels, demons, and reapers in this story. I’m also recommending it to readers who like bad boy heroes. Samael’s entire DNA make-up is bad. And if you enjoy stories with scarred heroes, Sam is such a hero.

Favorite Characters: The hero and the old warlock.

The hero because he’s crude sexy, aggravating sexy, and broody hot.

The old warlock (Aster) because he’s funny. C’mon, he watches reruns of Days of our Death and is very chatty for a guy, uh, warlock.

Favorite Scenes:

Scene # 1: There’s a scene where Gorasola crashes through a window. Loved how the author wrote that scene!

Scene # 2: When Sam instructs Marabella to get on her knees.

Comedic Touches:

Comedic Touch # 1: Samael gives his bedding an oral onslaught it won’t soon forget. I’m still…laughing over that!

Comedic Touch # 2: The mixed metaphors were hilarious! And I’m going with Marabella as a hugel. (Sorry readers. I’m not spoiling!)

Disclaimer: I received this novel free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Others in the Series:

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: Getting Familiar with Your Demon: That Old Black Magic, Book 4

Samhain Publishing, Ltd., Copyright 2012, eBook, Paranormal Erotic Romance, ISBN# 978-1-60928-755-9.

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Reviewed by Susan S.

Summary: Book Two in That Old Black Magic Series

Clarissa Miles (head mistress of the Beaumont Coven house) is a little stressy lately. Seven years ago she sold her soul and now it’s collection time! Keeping up the everything’s-fine pretenses is starting to take its toll. And whoever said that every cloud has a silver lining wasn’t headed to Demonsville. Yes, time really does fly when you have only one week left to live.

So, what to do with seven days? Well, earth-shattering sex with her wolf familiar for one. But who is she kidding? It’s not meaningless sex if strong emotions are in play. The closer Logan Scott gets to her heart, the farther she’ll retreat. With no future to offer Scott, Clarissa will lie/deceive/pretend that his love is unrequited. Logan though, is about to teach his sexy witch a lesson. That even in the direst of circumstances, hope can still be found!

Review: The second book in That Old Black Magic series had more emotionally gripping conflict than the first novel, the freakiest antagonist I’ve encountered in like…ever, lots of scorchingly delicious sexual encounters, and a love that really does conquer all.

After reading The Seven Year Witch I felt as if I’d just returned from one hell of a trip. Talk about true escapism. An author that causes me to lose myself in a story-is my kind of author. I’m off! Book three’s calling. I hear it includes a sheriff (love those) and well, there’s more to him than meets the fin. Was that too corny? Lol. Let’s just say, book three has a real shark of a man. Reviewer laughs at her own joke.

Recommendations: Do you like bad boys? How about a werewolf who thinks he’s the be-all, end-all in bed because let’s face it…he really is! This novel is for readers who enjoy good vs. evil plots. Paranormal romance readers will be happy to hear there’s: several witches, a hot-as-sin werewolf, and an antagonist who’s really sinful. No. Really! We’re talking seven deadly sins here. The sexual intimacies are biting your bottom lip good! And if you enjoy love conquers all HEA romances, then this novel over qualifies.

Favorite Scenes:

Scene # 1: Three words: edible massage oil.

Scene # 2: When Logan is getting in touch with his, um, can’t say manhood. How `bout werehood!

Scene # 3: There’s a scene where Clarissa is at the top of a stairwell and Logan looks up at her. Time just stands still as their eyes meet. Loved that!

Scene # 4: When the author has all seven sins together in the same room.

Comedic Touch: Scott’s friends tease him because of his permanent erection state as of late.

Disclaimer: I received this novel free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

What’s Next? Books three and four.

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: Seven Year Witch

Samhain Publishing, Ltd., Copyright 2011, Paranormal Erotic Romance, ebook, 433 KB, ASIN# B004TDN7UE, ISBN# 978-1-60928-477-0.

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Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

This is the first book of the "Zodius" series.

Cassandra Powell comes to work for her father and to evaluate some of the soldiers at the military facility.  Not two minutes after literally bumping into one of the soldiers he's hitting on her.  His name is Michael Taylor.  She then goes to meet her assistant Kelly who tells her something interesting about the GTEC soldiers that she will be working with.  I love how Kelly tells Cassandra how to have protected sex - ok Mom!

Cassandra's father seems to be one of the evil forces in this story.  He's done some experiments on the soldiers that Cassandra must now see what the effects are.  He seems to think that he can play God and not be held accountable.  But there is someone who is much more evil than he is.

Michael goes on a mission with two brothers, Adam and Caleb.  Adam shows us how the experiment can take a turn for the worse.  What's even worse is that there is a woman, his wife, who's as evil as he is.  Lisa paints Adam as a very dark sadistic man.  He gets pleasure from other people's pain.  Lisa doesn't make it too graphic but just enough so the reader will understand the type of evil man he is.

Lisa takes the reader on a very suspenseful ride.  From one chapter to the next we don't know what's going to happen to Cassandra and Michael.  But we have to keep reading so that we can find out.  You have to love a hero that in the midst of a war going on, he has time to make love to his lifebond.

Cassandra's father isn't happy on how his soldiers have turned out, now he wants to create a super soldier.  This is one more reason to keep reading.  Was this latest experiment a success?   And how does Michael's mother fit into all this?  Lisa gives us a glimpse into a world where if you fool with Mother Nature, you will suffer the consequences.

I love how Lisa has given Cassandra a strong personality.  She either fights by Michael's side or she'll just go out on her own.  They also love each other - no matter what.  This is the type of love we all long for.

The story ends with us wondering whether good was able to defeat evil.  Who will prevail?  You will have to keep reading the series to find out the answer to this question.  I definitely recommend reading this series.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: The Legend of Michael: Sin and Satisfaction (Zodius)

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Reviewed by Sharon S.

Now, when I first saw this title I thought “Goblin, really?” but I liked the blurb. Boy, am I glad I took a chance! This was an original and dark fairy tale. And yes, a Goblin King can be sexy <G>. More on him later…

This is a paranormal romance, but Husk took the old tried and true PNR plot formula and chucked it out the window. You still have your tortured alpha male and your strong human female, but there is more to the story than a lover’s tale and the characters don’t behave in the predictable PNR fashion. There are secondary characters, like Eliza’s controlling fiancé Steve and Roan’s brother Dai that are as well developed as our hero and heroine. We even get their POV in the story. She also meshes a fairy tale like feel with the elements of a smexy PNR giving the story a wonderfully dark and desperate feel. If I had to choose I would say it could be compared to Beauty and the Beast.

I don’t know much about Goblin myths, but Husk took these and combined them with a magic twist to create a savage and unique world where Roan and his men live called the Shadowlands.

Roan, The Goblin King, is a delicious hero. He is fighting to keep his humanity for the sake of his men, even though he wants to give in. He is always putting others needs before his, even Eliza’s who he desperately wants. Even his appearance is a break from the normal PNR hero. What I wouldn’t give to hear those beads in his hair chime <G>. You will have to read the book to see what I mean ;) I don’t want to give anything away about the book so I won’t go into plot, but if you have been looking for something a little different in the PNR genre then give this one a try.

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: The Goblin King, The Goblin King (UK)

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There are a bunch of novels by Jill Barnett that are being released specifically for ebook format this year and Bewitching was one of them. I found out later after accepting a review copy that Bewitching is considered one of the all time best romances written and I can certainly see why.

It’s the story of a rejected Duke and a bumbling witch. Normally a story like this would fall under the heading of paranormal but it’s clearly more fantasy than anything else with the layer of the Cinderella tale winding its way through the novel. There’s even a witch godmother.

Alec, the Duke of Belmore, was told the next woman he met he would marry by an old flower seller. This is something he scoffs at because he’s planning to leave London, and its fickle debutants behind, for his hunting lodge with his friends. Not a female in sight.

Joyous Fiona MacQuarrie (Scottish) is terrible when it comes to controlling her magic. Even with a familiar, and help from her aunt, she still messes things up. Her latest mishap was a traveling spell that would take her to Surrey and instead lands her on top of a Duke.

At a small coaching inn, a gaggle of gossipy ton members arrives and to save face the Duke asks Joy to be his wife. She tries to tell him this is impossible and tries to warn him she’s a witch but he doesn’t heed her and convinces her yes is the only possible acceptable answer.

Let’s just say their wedding night comes as a surprise. *g* :P

When they finally do have sex, Scottish is hilarious when she thanks Alec for wielding his own magic and making himself smaller so they could fit together...

Barnett weaves a story that is both spellbinding and enchanting. It’s tender and sensual and sweeter than dozens of pink rose petals. Her writing is poetic and fun with clever twists and turns of phrase. If you haven’t had a chance to read this story you must as I believe it to be one of the classics.

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: Bewitching (print), (ebook)

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genre

Gothic romance is a genre you can't find all too easily today. It was a popular genre a few decades ago and lovers of this romance sub-genre will have to troll secondhand bookstores to find titles. Classics of this genre are novels such as Wuthering Heights and Scarlet Letter. Well known authors of Gothic romance/horror include Ann Radcliffe of the past and Stephen King of the present.

A typical Gothic romance revolved around conflict and mysteries. It made the heroine choose between two male characters for love. One is bright, sunny, cheerful and charming. The other was dark, mysterious, secretive, and brooding. Plotlines of cursed leads and daring adventures took place on wind-swept moors, and places that were haunted. The heroine would embark on a thrilling journey to discover if her hero was worthy of love. Her task usually boiled down to find out if the hero really murdered his first wife, brother, mother, insert other relation.

It is interesting to note that Radcliffe introduced this brooding male as the Gothic villain, which developed into the Byronic hero. She is considered a pioneer of the genre. The movie Becoming Jane shows a meeting between Radcliffe and Jane Austen but there's not basis for this meeting. However it does provide an interesting backdrop on the dual rise of the two types of popular novels.

As Gothic or dark romanticism developed it became more distinctly separated. The first direction of Gothic novels glorifies gore. The second took on the key aspects of modern romance. This new evolution made the focus on the romance instead of the mystery. These are the romances that disappeared after the eighties.

So what is a Byronic hero?

Trivia: The name of this hero comes from the English poet Lord Bryon.

The hero himself is highly intelligent, urbane, sophisticated and introspective. In other words he's arrogant, mysterious, seductive, and moody (see bipolar). We see male figures like this all over, you could make the argument that Mr. Darcy is a Byronic hero on top of being a Regency hero, as Byronic heroes dislike social formalities and functions. Of course Mr. Darcy doesn't have a troubled past or flippant air towards the wealthy and privileged, as he is one of that set. While Mr. Darcy was disliked he was not a complete social outcast and exiled from polite company. All these things are attributed to the Byronic hero.

What's a good modern Gothic romance?

Some titles of the modern Gothic romance include: Bells of Widow's Bay by Miriam Lynch, Castle Midnight by Evelyn McKenna, and Satan's Rock by Marilyn Ross.

Authors to look for include (past and present authors): Victoria Holt, Dorothy Daniels, Theresa Weir, Phyllis Whitney, Barbara Michaels, Allison Knight, Mary Stewart, Joanna Challis, and Megan McKinney, Kay Hooper, Eve Silver... to name a few.

Trivia: In the 1980s Harlequin had an all Gothic line of books. See here for Gothic titles. Harlequin Intrigue also contains several titles that could satisfy your craving.

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arcrev

Amanda Grange picks up where Pride and Prejudice ends. Jane and Elizabeth are getting ready for their double wedding, both eager and anxious about the life spreading out before them. On the way to the wedding, Elizabeth experiences a brief foreboding chill but shrugs it off as wedding nerves. The ceremony goes smoothly, Darcy’s vows stirring deep emotions in both.

It’s when they leave the reception that things start taking a turn for the worse. Through the reflection in the glass of their carriage Elizabeth spies a flash of torment crossing Darcy’s features, but a quick look at the real man shows smooth features. Elizabeth believes she has imagined it… unexpectedly he changes their wedding tour plans and routes them from the Lake District to a direct route to France over the channel.

Elizabeth is unconcerned about this change, but wholly concerned with Darcy. She can’t help but compare her expectations to the reality of her marriage to Darcy. He does not visit her bedchamber the first night or the next or the next. When they are together during the day Darcy is everything attentive, kind, and devoted, but at night he disappears.

As Elizabeth struggles to find reasons for this strange behavior, she meets a dizzying array of friends, family, and strangers over the continent. Some people and places inspire a great deal of trepidation in Elizabeth and she spills her worries to Jane in a series of letters.

It’s not until the last one hundred pages that things really begin to unravel and Darcy’s mysterious behavior is revealed. I was surprised by how flawless the transition was from Austen’s Regency romance to Grange’s Gothic flavored romance. Grange has a talent with words and uses this talent to create a believable paranormal filled with stunningly chilling atmosphere and mystery.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Buy: Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

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This Victorian romance is the very opposite of sexual restraint. If you're in the mood for something hot and spicy with a wide streak of naughtiness you'll want to read this book! You’ll love it from the very first page.

Miss Juliet Foster upon her father’s death is given all of his wealth while her brother gets the businesses, and her sister the real estate.  Suddenly Juliet isn’t just a virginal American spinster. She’s also an heiress and the leeches are popping out the woodwork to try to force her into marriage so they can get control of it.

Determined not to get caught but to still enjoy her life, Juliet decides the best thing to do is seduce her way through the Continent. First she’ll go to Britain, find a nice staid man to start. Then she’ll hit France to turn herself into a more sophisticated lover. Next Spain, for a little passion. All because, if she’s going to end up with a man he’s going to be Italian – the most perfect of lovers to be found anywhere! There’s just one flaw – somebody has to take her virginity first.

David Winslow, the Marquess of Derrington, Derry to his friends, suffers from the Winslow curse which skips between generations. If he’s ever going to be happy and successful he needs to find a woman more wild than he is because in taming her he’ll tame himself. It’s his ‘dying’ grandmother’s wish that he marry soon and so he goes to America to find himself the perfect bride, one who meets all his grandmother’s requirements and cares not a fig for his wealth or title. When Juliet Foster asks him to take her maidenhead he’s both flabbergasted and excited because he knows she is his perfect match. When she runs away he knows he has to chase after her.

It’s a fun romp of cat and mouse and hot hot sex. Really, it’s decadently delicious in every way.

My one complaint is how often the heroine runs off. The very last time she does was one time too many for me. I felt the angst moment could have been satisfied a little sooner with better results if the North & South type moment had been seized upon with vigor.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Buy: Miss Foster's Folly

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arcrev1

Lucky in Love is a riot. Brown had fun putting phrases together that read like classic stereotypical western and modern feisty romance rolled into one. You’ll find expressions like: “my hide tacked to the smokehouse door,” “she belongs like a horse apple in a church social punch bowl,” and “heartache bigger than Dallas” to name a few. They were probably my favorite part of the book and never failed to make me smile or laugh out loud when they appeared.

Anthony “Beau” Luckadeau is lucky at everything but not lucky in love. He plans to prove them all wrong by proposing to Amanda, though his heart has long been lost to Amelia Jiminez, a one night stand at his cousin’s wedding. When he does propose everyone forces a smile and shakes his hand but nobody is congratulating him (not that he notices) because Amanda is the worst wife Beau could have picked. She hates ranching, barns, his friends, his workers, his home, and his nickname. It’s not classy enough for her.

Amelia Jiminez on the other hand is none other than sassy Camellia “Milli” Torres. She’s in Oklahoma to help her Granny and Poppy out on their ranch while Poppy is healing from surgery. She and her toddler Katy would never have stepped a foot out of Texas if she’d known Beau was Poppy’s neighbor. If making him dance in the dirt under fire of a .22 rifle doesn’t force him to keep his distance nothing will… and part of her doesn’t want him to stay away which makes him all the more dangerous.

Rating: 4 Stars

Buy: Lucky in Love

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