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The following titles were reviewed by January 2010:

A Man’s Best Friend by G. A. Hauser
Tilly's Tale by Harry Porter, illustrated by Mandy Hedrick
The Little School: Tales of Disappearance and Survival
          by Alicia Partnoy
Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay Books 1 – 3 by Claire Thompson
          Book 1: Finding Chandler 
          Book 2: A Test of Love 
          Book 3: Switching Gears
Cupid in Blue by Sandra Sookoo
Fear and Desire by Kathleen Brandt
The Pleasure Slave by Jan Irving
The Bite of Silence by Mary Hughes
Turf War by Cindy Hutchins
What Happens In London by Julia Quinn
Sins of the Father by D. W. Marchwell 
Rough Cut by Mari Carr
Harm’s Way by Sam Cross
Captured by Julia Rachel Barrett 
Chicken Fried Beefcake by Carolyn Gregg
Biting Nixie by Mary Hughes
An Ordinary Angel by Kathy Otten 
Wicked Business by  Evanne Lorraine
Madcap Masquerade by Persephone Roth
Bite My Fire by Mary Hughes
terrorbyte by Cat Connor
Spark of Desire by Charlotte McClain
No Good Deed by Lynn Lorenz
Stolen Property: The Abduction of Mayree Jacobs by Melissa Harlow
Nothing to Commend Her by Jo Barrett
Divas Las Vegas by Rob Rosen    

Title: A Man’s Best Friend
Author: G.A. Hauser
Author’s website: http://www.authorgahauser.com/ http://gahausersblog.blogspot.com/ 
Publisher: The G.A. Hauser Collection
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1-44959-277-6
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Romance GLBT
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 3.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Ronnie Caruso is an upwardly mobile young architect, and he’s in a dilemma. He’s in love with his best friend, Heath Sherwood, but he also wants to have a family and children of his own. To do that, he’ll have to settle into marriage with a woman, and while that might make his parents happy, Ronnie is torn. When he wakes up in Heath’s bed the morning after a drunken party and discovers his best friend making love to him, Ronnie finally admits that he must be gay. But then he meets lovely Carrie Archer. She’s smart, she’s beautiful, and she wants him. And she would make the perfect mother for his children, he just knows it.

Ronnie loves children and he wants to be a father in the worst possible way, and he loves Carrie as a friend. But he is in love with Heath. Although he sees Carrie socially, it is Heath he sleeps with, makes love with, and dreams of forever with. Ronnie knows that it is not fair to string both of them along, and he has no wish to break anybody’s heart, especially not his own. Heath and Carrie are understandably jealous of each other, and Ronnie feels caught in between. Why does he have to choose between them? Life simply isn’t fair.

********

G.A. Hauser’s novel A Man’s Best Friend is the story of a young man who wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants what anyone might want: love and family. Unfortunately, in this case those two items seem to be mutually exclusive, since he can’t have a family with the person he truly loves and he isn’t physically in love with the person he wants to have a family with. This story has many of the hallmarks that make Ms. Hauser’s stories so popular – fun, sex, and beautiful young men – but while I found parts of this story very enjoyable and even humorous, as a whole it doesn’t quite live up to the high standard that I have come to expect from Ms. Hauser. Don’t get me wrong, however: this is a good story, a fun story, and it has many characteristics that make it quite entertaining. It is just not the exceptional story that I have come to expect from this author.

Ms. Hauser’s heroes usually make a connection that is as undeniable as it is incendiary. That spark was not quite as apparent in this story, although Heath and Ronnie are an appealing duo. They are physically beautiful and have essentially sweet personalities, and they are certainly not perfect. Far from it, in fact. Ronnie is extremely cocky, confident in his appeal, and somewhat shallow. He hates making decisions and fears commitment, but he somehow still manages to be a lovable character. He does truly seem to love children, but I got the distinct impression that he is not mature enough for fatherhood. For most of the story, he has a finger pointed at the man he professes to love, whining “but he seduced me.” Not terribly mature at all. Heath and Carrie, while they can be considered the injured parties in this story, latch on to Ronnie with an inexplicable devotion that can only be called blind. If you need an example of “love is blind,” look no farther than these two.

As always, Ms. Hauser does an excellent job of pulling her readers right into the minds of her main characters so that we can see their struggles from the inside out. This story is no exception. Ronnie can see the mess that he’s made, and while he really does not want to take responsibility for it, he does agonize over it. We can’t help but feel sorry for the fellow as he is feeling sorry for himself.

Typical of much of Ms. Hauser’s work, A Man’s Best Friend has its share of intensely comic moments. Ronnie tends to walk around with a black cloud hovering above him, holding his head and bemoaning the fact that he’s in Hell. It gives him an almost cartoon-character appeal. Carrie’s thrilled response upon finding Ronnie and Heath in bed together and her insistence that they put on a show for her while making love are sure to incite a grin or two as well. Although there were a number of times that I began to feel quite impatient with the characters in this story, each time they would redeem themselves by making me laugh.

While this is definitely not the best I have read of Ms. Hauser’s stories, I still enjoyed reading A Man’s Best Friend, and I especially got a charge out of it being set in my own stomping grounds: the areas surrounding Seattle. Although this story is newly published, Ms. Hauser has indicated that this was her very first novel (see BookWenches’ interview with G.A. Hauser dated December 2009). Fans of Ms. Hauser’s work will find it interesting to see how her writing style has developed since this book was initially penned.

--Bobby

Title: Tilly's Tale
Author: Harry Porter
Illustrator: Mandy Hedrick
Author’s website: Harry Porter 
Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC
Release Date: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9818685-9-2
Length: Chapter Book
Format: Electronic/Print
Genre: Children's Fiction
Source: Illustrator
Rating: 5+ Keeper

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd and Sebastian (her 9 yr. old son)

Once upon a time Tilly had a caring and wonderful owner that gave her the love she deserved. When her owner could no longer care for her, his son took Tilly to his house where Tilly was unwanted and abused. She was left outside with hardly a morsel to eat and nothing to keep her warm. This is the story of Tilly's courageous adventure to a new life.

********

I am completely and undeniable smitten with Tilly's Tale. It is a tale of sadness, abuse, courage, joy, and love. The tears welled up in my eyes on numerous occasions, and I found my heart wrenched as I wound my way through the story. Tilly's Tale is well-written, and the author's loving feelings come through in every word. Children will find joy in this book as well as learn a valuable lesson.

Ms. Hedrick has done a wonderful job of illustrating this heart-warming tale. Her art is perfect for the story, and her rendition of Tilly is a fabulous likeness of the real Tilly.

This story touched me to my core, and I hope that anyone that reads this takes its message to heart. Too many animals are considered throw-away, and there is always room for the unconditional love that a companion will bring into a person's life. Look to those courageous little creatures that only want to please and treat them like the treasures they are.

--Teagan

********

I think that Tilly's Tale is an excellent story. It was sad, happy, and informative. I was very sad that Tilly had such a hard life. I think that the story told me so much about the life of a rescue dog. I had a lot of feelings while I was reading the story. It made me feel like crying, and it made me sad, and then it made me very happy. I am happy that Tilly has a loving family.

I learned very much about rescue dogs. I already knew about rescue cats because I have some, but I had never thought about how dogs needed rescued too. Tilly's Tale made me think about the dogs that need love. I really liked the pictures; they looked just like the real Tilly and reminded me exactly of the story.

--Sebastian

Title: The Little School: Tales of Disappearance and Survival
Author: Alicia Partnoy
Author’s website: n/a
Publisher: Cleis Press, Midnight Editions
Release Date: 1986, 1998
ISBN: 978-1-57344-029-9
Length: Short Stories
Format: Print
Genre: Women’s Literature, Human Rights 
Source: P
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

In January of 1977, Alicia Partnoy joined the ranks of “the disappeared” in Argentina. She was 21 years old and a student activist in the Peronist party when she was torn away from her husband and her young daughter, detained by the Argentinean military, and sent to a concentration camp for political prisoners.  She spent three months in The Little School, blindfolded, wrists tied and tortured before she was transferred to prison. Released from prison in 1979, she fled to the United States to be reunited with her husband and daughter, and in 1986 she published this collection of short stories.

Ms. Partnoy was one of the lucky ones. Most of the residents of The Little School were killed or remain on the list of those who disappeared.

********

The Little School: Tales of Disappearance and Survival is a collection of twenty short vignettes that depict Alicia Partnoy’s three months in concentration camp. Most are just a few pages long, but in these few pages lie an incredible wealth of determination and perseverance. These are very sensory experiences. Since she remained blindfolded for most of her incarceration at The Little School, Ms. Partnoy could only catch brief glimpses of her surroundings through a gap in her blindfold. She relies on sound, scent, and touch for much of her information, and it all combines to give the reader an image of such clarity that it is almost frightening.

I wonder if Ms. Partnoy found writing these stories cathartic. She describes her friends and co-prisoners and jailers in a very matter-of-fact tone in these stories, almost as if she were imparting information rather than telling a story. This appears to mask deep suffering and the anguish of losing loved ones, which suggests that she doesn’t want to dwell on them too in depth for fear of reopening wounds. Each small story packs an emotional punch as it takes a small facet of life in the camp and expands on it. The narrative shows strength of spirit, love of her fellow prisoners, and an agile mind.

Overall, I found this collection to be compelling and highly affecting. Smug American that I am, I began this book unaware of the full extent of the political repression in Argentina at that time. Ms. Partnoy’s glimpses into life in the concentration camp brought much of it to vivid life for me. It broke my heart over and over as she describes the torture, the beatings, the starvation, the filth, and sheer inhumanity of the conditions that she and her fellow prisoners existed in.

I finished this book stunned and saddened, feeling a deep sense of respect for the writer and her experiences. It will be a very long time before I forget these stories, if I ever do. They are a testament to those who have suffered for human rights and a reminder to us all to value the freedom we were born with.

--Bobby

Title: Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay 
          Book 1: Finding Chandler 
          Book 2: A Test of Love 
          Book 3: Switching Gears
Author: Claire Thompson
Author’s website: http://www.clairethompson.net/; http://www.romanceunbound.com/
Publisher: Romance Unbound Publishing
Release Date: 2009, 2010
ISBN: n/a
Length: 3 Novellas
Format: Electronic
Genre: Romance GLBT
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

The Solitary Knights is a group of men who meet monthly in their favorite bar in New York City, The Pelham Bay Pub. United by the fact that they have all given up on love, these men meet to recount their disastrous love affairs, have a laugh, and reaffirm their single status. One evening, however, the pub’s owner challenges the group to go out, find “the one that got away,” and see if they can recapture their dreams. Eric and Ryan are the first to take him up on that challenge.

Eric remembers that someone. Over twenty years ago, he and Chandler were an inseparable pair in college. But when Eric left college for the military, he decided put the past behind him, and that past included Chandler. If he can find Chandler again, would the man even take a second glance at him? Would he ever forgive Eric for the letters that went unanswered and the heart he left broken?

Ryan’s lost love was Thomas Schafer, his college biology professor. The man was his mentor, his confessor, and his not-so-secret crush, but Professor Schafer turned his back on Ryan whose young heart simply crumbled. If Ryan can find Tom again, will Tom finally give him a chance, or will the difference in age and events from the past create too large a chasm between them? Of course, it might not matter, because someone is stalking Ryan, and threats are escalating towards violence that might end this affair before it even begins.

Jack Harris has issues with anger management and hasn’t felt at peace with himself in about twenty years, since he was involved in the leather scene. He decides to look up one man who could put him at ease with himself back then, his former sexual dominant Alexei Spiros. Alexei is happy with a partner, and although Jack swears he is no longer a part of the D/s scene, Alexei sees the need within Jack and sets him up with a professional dominant who he believes can help. When that person ends up being fellow Solitary Knight Marcos Savakis, a man Jack has disliked from the first time they met, it looks like a recipe for disaster. If Jack and Marcos can let go of their mutual antagonism, however, they might just find out they were made for each other.

********

Claire Thompson’s Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay series takes a handful of men who believe they are jaded in life and offers them a second chance at love, a chance to finally catch “the one who got away.” The first of the series, Book 1: Finding Chandler (a free read) introduces the Knights and recounts the character Eric’s tale while Book 2: A Test of Love focuses on Ryan. Book 3: Switching Gears takes on Jack, who is less inclined to romance than his two cohorts are. These are short novellas that each dip into a brief period in the characters’ lives; I found it entertaining get to know the Knights as a whole a little and then to find out just how far each one of them has to fall.

I appreciated the fact that the Knights are not particularly young men. They are in their thirties and forties, old enough to acknowledge and perhaps even learn from past mistakes; however, they are also of the age where they are set in their ways and not all that eager for change. While these stories are too quick for the reader to really become involved with the characters, Ms. Thompson nevertheless develops them as thoroughly as time allows. The two characters that the first two stories target, Ryan and Eric, are not the “hard cases” of the Knights. They are much open and eager for love, although neither believes it will ever happen for them. In Finding Chandler, Eric’s challenge is to prove to his lost love, Chandler, that he has changed with the years. Ryan in A Test of Love has a slightly more difficult journey, as he must fight not only the age gap between them but also the specter of Tom’s dead lover.

The main characters in Switching Gears, Jack and Marcos, are another issue. Jack has anger issues that stem from his refusal to accept his own need to be dominated. What he has lost is himself. He needs to reconnect not with an old lover but rather with that spirit within him that needs to give up control. Since these two characters have continually clashed wills in the past, one wouldn’t think that pairing them up would be successful; however, Ms. Thompson makes it work very well and gives them a connection that positively zings with sexuality and emotion.

Each novella begins with a brief introduction that explains what the series is about. I found this to be a thoughtful touch, because it ensures that even if these stories are read out of order, the reader will understand what the basic premise is.

I found these stories to be well-constructed and entertaining. A Test of Love feels slightly more multidimensional than Finding Chandler because of the tinge of suspense in the story, but it’s always a pleasure to read about second chances at love. Switching Gears introduces a very well-written BDSM element. The diversity of these novellas ensures that we will not feel as if they are reading the same story over and over, even given some similarities among them. Although these are not happily-ever-after stories, they do document happy-for-now. These couples will still need to work to build a firm relationship, but at least they have been given the opportunity to do so. Overall, Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay looks to be a promising series. Given just a taste of it, I’ll definitely be looking forward to more of Ms. Thompson’s stories about her Knights.

--Bobby

Title: Cupid in Blue
Author: Sandra Sookoo
Author’s website: http://www.sandrasookoo.com/
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Incorporated
Release Date: February 2010
ISBN: n/a
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: P
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When the current Cupid doesn’t come back from his Florida vacation, Aaron Bernhardt is tapped for the job. He is less than pleased with the wings sprouting from his back and the new career. They’re cramping his style, and he’s having a heck of a time getting this whole flying business down pat. Right now, he’s got a bad attitude, and his whole body aches from flapping; he couldn’t feel less like the mythical matchmaker if he tried.

To Catherine Alicot, life is a series of business deals and investments. Unfortunately, she’s stuck in this two-bit podunk town of Crystal Falls until she can gain a signature on a Quit Claim Deed, but soon she’ll be back in New York where she belongs. But fate, it seems, has plans for her when she bumps into a gorgeous guy with wings and zero flying talent.

Although isn’t love at first sight for these two, the chemistry is undeniable.  Aaron finds Catherine frustrating but very sexy and intriguing, and all of a sudden he wants to keep her around. Forever. Somehow he’s going to have to convince her that love and magic are real and that she should take a chance on him, but he’s not having much luck. If Cupid can’t handle his own love life, how is he supposed to help millions of people fall in love?

********

Sandra Sookoo’s short story Cupid in Blue is a cute and quick holiday-themed read that is sure to bring a smile or two. The holiday: Valentine’s Day. The problem: Newbie Cupid falls for a smart-mouthed, tough-willed New Yorker. The moral to the story: “When all else fails, read the instructions”; and possibly, “Everything is better with chocolate.” This light-hearted story seems to be part of a series set in the small town of Crystal Falls, but it is not necessary to read the others in order to enjoy this tale of love and magic.

Cupid in Blue is bursting with the Valentine’s Day spirit. Chocolate abounds, hearts appear in every material and venue, cookies are baking, and magic is in the air. It’s almost enough to give you cavities, except for the irrepressible strand of humor that runs throughout the story. This story doesn’t take itself too seriously, and there were numerous occasions where I had to stifle a laugh as I read.

The characters in this story are colorful and well-formed. Ms. Sookoo gives us a Cupid who is trying to learn to fly and utilize his brand-spanking-new matchmaking skills, a woman whose tough exterior hides a certain amount of loneliness, and a best-friend/sidekick who may be hiding a little magic of her own. Aaron gives the impression of a grown-up Cupid, but he is no cherub. He is very much a man, from his refusal to read the instruction manual that comes with his magical bow and arrows to the erogenous zones on his wings. I had to laugh at the scenes where Aaron is first learning to fly, ticked off and flapping his wings madly and ineffectually. Catherine is certainly not the nice girl next door that one would expect the divine matchmaker to choose for a mate. She is a bit of a bitch at first, until we see how her confident façade is a mask and that she can be as goofy as the next person.

In all, this is a very entertaining little story that will make you look for more. Ms. Sookoo does a good job of making the town of Crystal Falls a place of magic and giving us characters we can both laugh with and care about. This is book two of six in Ms. Sookoo’s Holiday Magic series, and it has definitely whet my appetite for future releases.

--Bobby

Title: Fear and Desire
Author: Kathleen Brandt
Author’s website: http://asherose.wordpress.com/
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
Release Date: November 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61650-088-7
Length: Short Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Source: P
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Since she was six years old, Cassie has suffered a debilitating fear of heights. They frighten and repel her, but they also call to something hidden within her. In an attempt to conquer her fear, Cassie chooses to live on the 24^th floor – the top floor – of her apartment building. Each day she stands at her balcony door and dares herself to step outside and face the elements. Each day she progresses one baby step toward her goal. Until one day a gigantic bird comes crashing through her balcony doors, bringing all her fears inside with it.

On closer inspection, however, the creature that bursts into her life is not a bird at all but an angel, a young, naked man with wings who lies dazed and bleeding on Cassie’s living room floor. Although he represents all that she fears, Cassie cannot help but want to tend his wounds and nurse him back to health so that he can once again fly. As the angel heals, he teaches Cassie to understand her fear, to face her desire, and to accept who she is.

********

Haven’t we all entertained a fantasy or two about angels? What is it about men with wings that we find so attractive, anyway? In her short novella Fear and Desire, Kathleen Brandt breathes life into that fantasy as she tells the story of a woman who learns to face and conquer her fears.

I found this story to be quite enjoyable, although it took me a couple of pages to really get “in” to it. Ms. Brandt draws a picture of a woman whose entire life has been impacted by loneliness and severe acrophobia. She draws us into her main character’s head so that we participate in Cassie’s fears and uncertainties. As Cassie is faced with the appearance of her angel, we experience her nervousness, her confusion, and her developing emotions. The angel is, of course, quite beautiful. Both sweet and sexy, he seems to resonate with both innocence and wisdom and gives the impression of being more a pet than a man until Cassie learns to communicate with him.

As someone who shares Cassie’s acrophobia, I found Ms. Brandt’s descriptions of her main character’s fears and reaction to heights to be very realistic. As Cassie's stomach churned looking over the edge of the balcony, I felt a kindred queasiness. The fear of falling, of jumping even without consciously desiring to do so, the pull of the edge and the death that it represents are all conveyed very clearly and concretely in this story. And the moment of truth when Cassie finally understands both her fear and her desire is very affecting. I thought it quite well done.

Overall, I found Fear and Desire to be both diverting and a little bit different. If you have a thing for men with wings (and we all do, let’s admit it) this one’s for you.

--Bobby

Title: The Pleasure Slave
Author: Jan Irving
Author’s website: Livejournal, Blogspot  
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: January 2010
ISBN: 978-1-61581-307-0
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical Romance GLBT
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Injured in his last war campaign, Roman soldier and nobleman Lucius Metellus Carbo is a twisted shadow of the man he used to be. No longer capable of being the proud soldier he once was, he hides in his villa in the city of Pompeii cursing fate and his mangled leg. He feels old before his time and suffers from painful and terrifying flashbacks to his injury. He is not a kind man, but when he comes across a whore being mistreated, he puts a stop to it and makes sure the boy has a chance to recuperate from his rough treatment. And as a result finds himself the owner of a strong-willed but beautiful pleasure slave.

Varick was a farmer in Gaul before Roman soldiers burned his village to the ground and enslaved him. Now he is just a toy. And while Lucius may not remember him, he certainly remembers the proud Roman commander of the conquering army. But even though he is initially antagonistic to Lucius, he can’t help but be moved by the man’s pain. He can tell that gruff new master longs for touch, but whenever Varick tries to get close, Lucius pushes him away. Even as he begins to develop feelings for his master, he knows that love is impossible. He is a whore, and his master is a Roman legate.

Lucius doesn’t want the boy’s pity; he wants Varick’s desire. But how can he ensure the feelings are true without exposing his own fears and vulnerability? That is not the way a master is supposed to act. As master and slave move carefully towards each other, Mount Vesuvius rumbles in the background. Life, love, and unexpected happiness mean nothing to the restless mountain. The city of Pompeii and its bewildered citizens will learn this lesson all too soon.

********

Jan Irving’s novella The Pleasure Slave tells a tale of unexpected love set during the last days of the city of Pompeii. In this story, two men realize that although they may resent the pain and difficulty that they have endured, everything that has occurred in the past has contributed to their coming together. Everything happens for a reason. This is a well-told story that brought life in the first-century Roman Empire and the city of Pompeii to life for me, and I found it to be entertaining and touching and well worth my reading time.

There is a thread of suspense woven throughout this story that grabs the reader securely. As we witness the unfolding of a relationship between the two main characters, we see that Mount Vesuvius is coming to life in the background. And then it strikes us…this is 79 A.D., and these are the last days of Pompeii. Just as we are beginning to care for the two main characters, we begin to worry that they will be caught in the disaster that ended Pompeii and that their love will therefore never have a chance to flourish.

Ms. Irving does an admirable job of making her two main characters pop from the pages of this story. Both men are well drawn and quite sympathetic, although neither would exactly be considered the cream of Roman society in their time. Lucius is a broken warrior but still very much a proud Roman citizen. Varick is a victim of war, forced to be a prostitute, but he maintains a strong will. This might make him a terrible pleasure slave, but it gives him gumption and the strength to persevere regardless of his situation. Both men have suffered humiliation down to their very souls. Lucuis’s humiliation is defeat and loss of self-confidence, losing his entire legion and being left crippled for life. Varick’s is from being taken from a life of freedom and forced to be a whore and a slave who is continually on display.

I enjoyed the day-to-day glimpses of life in Pompeii that Ms. Irving gives her readers. The aquaducts, the streets and shops, even the temple of Apollo where Lucius makes an offering feel quite realistic. And this makes the potential danger that Mount Vesuvius poses to the city seem all too real as well. I found the scenes with ash raining down on Pompeii to be tense and affecting. They feel like a nightmare come to life for both men. The details so very clear that I was pulled right in to the scenes and their sense of urgency and fear.

The Pleasure Slave is not the first story by Ms. Irving that I have read, nor will it be the last. I found it to be well-written and agreeable, the love story between the two main characters to be quite touching, and the sense of danger prevalent in the story to add just the right touch of suspense. Nicely done, Ms. Irving; I look forward to your next release.

--Bobby

Title: The Bite of Silence
Author: Mary Hughes
Author’s website: http://www.maryhughesbooks.com/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60504-854-3
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Twyla likes to annoy the daylights out of Nikos, and since she can't seem to get his attention any other way, why not get it any way she can? Imagine the odds of both of them being on the same plane going to New York City; unfortunately Nikos doesn't take kindly to her and another passenger attempting to join the Mile High Club . . . well if Nikos isn't interested why shouldn't she find another bit of fun? She realizes pretty quickly that it isn't very smart to piss off an ancient vampire that was once a Spartan general.

Twyla never expects to find herself in the middle of a plot to bring all the vampires out of hiding and wreck havoc on the humans via the Times Square New Years Eve Bash. While passion is raging between Twyla and Nikos, can they also save the world?

********

We have yet another winner from Mary Hughes.  The Bite of Silence is just as hilarious and entertaining as the other books in the Meiers Corners series. I am amazed by the talent and ability to come up with new and exciting Alpha male vampires.

The sex is dynamite, and the characters sizzle. Ms. Hughes has a way with words, and her sex scenes are amazingly refreshing. Nikos is superbly male with a great amount of edginess that is appealing. The combination of Twyla and Nikos is electrifying.

The humor has been one of my favorite factors in the Meiers Corners "Bite" series and this book keeps the fun going. The only downside that I can come up with is that the book was too short: I wanted more. If you like your books humorous, edgy, and entertaining as can be, this book is for you. I am still impatiently awaiting the next installment.

Title: Turf War
Author: Cindy Hutchins
Author’s website: http://www.darkmediaentertainment.com/
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61650-097-9
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Horror/Crime/Thriller
Source: P
Sensuality Level: 2.5 (higher for violence)
Rating: 5+Keeper

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Louis Patterson loves what he does. Not his realty business, although that is successful enough. Louis’s true love is murder – violent, messy, and fun. He loves the blood under his fingernails, the act of picking and stalking a victim, the sounds and scent of death, and tiny La Costa, Florida, is his killing field. He is a cool, organized, and intelligent sociopath.

When Louis realizes that there is another killer at play on his home turf, he is at first angered. But then he meets Ben Dettrick, a baby-faced psychopath who holds conversations with a sock monkey and strangles prostitutes. Louis becomes fascinated with Ben and decides that the younger man would make a valuable partner in his crimes – a pet of sorts. If he can control Ben, they would make an unstoppable team. But Ben doesn’t want to be controlled; Ben wants to fight back.

As the conflict between the two men escalates, so do the violence and carnage, and the local police search desperately for clues and suspects. They know that if they don’t apprehend these killers soon, their community will be overrun in dead bodies. Regardless of outcome, they fear that the town of La Costa can’t possibly survive this turf war.

********

Sometimes I get in the mood for a little murder and madness in my reading material. When that happens, I have to push the romance and humor aside and look for something that will shock the socks off me and possibly even keep me up at night. Much to my delight, Cindy Hutchins’ horror thriller Turf War fits that description perfectly. This is a darkly fascinating, extremely well-written, engrossing tale that thrilled and unsettled me, and now that I have finished reading it, it is taking pride of place smack in the middle of my keeper shelf. Read this one, people; it’s a good one.

To say that this story is unique would be an understatement. I’ve never read a story where the miscreants were the main characters, and I thought this was a wonderful change of pace from the usual. Readers experience this story through both the police and the criminal perspective, and while Ms. Hutchins has developed an interesting investigative team – especially her jaded, grieving older detective Don DeFranco – her criminals definitely steal the show.

Louis is someone you love to hate. He is so horrible, so evil that he is fascinating, and I found inside his head to be a very frightening place indeed. He takes an almost gleeful joy in murder and pain and loves every minute he spends committing mayhem.

Can a killer be a “good guy?” Compared to Louis, Ben is just that. I’m not sure what liking a serial killer says about me, but I couldn’t help but like Ben. He has a certain kicked-puppy appeal and doesn’t take the same joy in murder as Louis does. Even though Ben is brilliant, he is obviously a product of abuse, and we can’t help but feel a little sorry for him. Every once in a while, though, a truly frightening aspect of him shines forth, and we see that he is not the innocent that we may want to believe he is.

The strangest character in Turf War has got to be Ben’s buddy Mr. Jinx. This sock monkey is just plain creepy, especially how it comes alive in Ben’s mind. And it truly does come alive, even though we know that Ms. Jinx is a figment of Ben’s psychosis. The way Louis can control Ben by threatening Mr. Jinx would almost be humorous if it weren’t so ghoulish.

Ms. Hutchins indicates that as she wrote this story, she had serial killers running around in her head. Now that I’ve read it, they’re rattling around in my head as well. This is a story that will stay with me a little while if only due to the shock value. I found Turf War to be entertaining, a little gruesome, and very well executed. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading it, and I truly think you will as well.

--Bobby

Note: I was disappointed to hear recently that Turf War is no longer available from Lyrical Press. It is my hope that the book be re-released soon, because it is an excellent read.

Title: What Happens In London
Author: Julia Quinn
Author’s website: http://www.juliaquinn.com/
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-149188-7
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

The gossip around town is that Sir Harry Valentine murdered his fiancée. Lady Olivia Bevelstoke doesn't believe a word, but it is convenient that he is her new neighbor and she can look out her window into his office window to see exactly what he is about. Olivia has observed that Sir Harry is quite unusual and spends too much time going over papers in his office. Not to mention the funny hat with the large plume that he wears.

Sir Harry Valentine can't believe the chit next door has the audacity to spy on him. He is an intelligence agent for the War Office. Well, not exactly a thrilling intelligence agent but one that translates and breaks codes; still she has no business sticking her gorgeous little nose into his business. When the War Office insists he keep an eye on his neighbor because she is being courted by a Russian Prince that may have sympathies with England’s enemies, he can't believe he is going to have to interact with someone he doesn't even like . . . or does he?

********

Ever the Julia Quinn fan, I am thrilled to announce that yet again she has amazed me with a humorous and witty story. I was entranced from the first page, and the smile didn't leave my face from then. Add in quite a few out loud giggles and that alone should tell you how entertaining I found this book. Ms. Quinn's characters are unique and memorable. I may even say that Olivia is my favorite to date. She is hilarious, and I found myself able to identify with her brand of humor.

Harry is just as funny and just as memorable. His exterior hides a very likable man with the ability to make the most of the situations. When Harry and Olivia are together, the laughter as well as the enjoyment factor doubles.

Ms. Quinn has an undeniable talent for grabbing her reader and holding their attention. She never fails to bring a new twist to her stories to enthrall her readers. I am always impatiently awaiting her next novel.

Title: Sins of the Father
Author: D. W. Marchwell
Author’s website: http://www.marchwellbooks.ca/
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: January 2010
ISBN: 978-1-61581-349-0
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Romance GLBT
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Since the death of his husband two years ago, Charlie Kirby has thrown himself into his work as a teacher and his volunteer work teaching high school equivalency at the local prison. Assisting others seems to help combat the loneliness he feels, but that is not the only reason Charlie works at the prison. This is the same prison where his father served time, and although the man refused to see Charlie the entire time until he died, Charlie still feels the need to hang on and help the inmates who have been abandoned by their families.

When Charlie meets inmate Caleb Farmer, the man begs for help writing a letter to the son he hasn’t seen in close to forty years; the son whose mother he killed right in front of him. Caleb is critically ill, and he wants to take these last moments in his life to ask forgiveness. Little does Charlie know when he agrees to help the man write his letter and track down his son that this decision will change his life forever.

It takes time, but Charlie finally tracks down James Marshall, and for the first time since his husband died, Charlie finds a man both attractive and intriguing. Something between them clicks from the very beginning. James wants nothing to do with his father, however, refuses to read any letter of apology, and hangs on to the anger and bitterness he feels towards the man who ruined his life. Charlie wants father and son to have the reunion that he never had with his own father, but he worries that he’ll lose James if he pushes to hard. Will the love that is developing between them survive this tug-of-war, or will Charlie approach happiness again just to lose it forever?

********

In his novel Sins of the Father, D.W. Marchwell gives his readers a thought-provoking and touching story of love and second chances. This is a tale of two men who have both suffered due to the actions of their fathers and who must learn to let go of their pasts and embrace what the future has to offer them. I enjoyed reading this story. While it is not flashy or exciting, it is well-written and very involving, and it tells a very sweet and emotional romance.

While I’m not a huge fan of prologues and epilogues, I have come to realize over time that sometimes these literary devices can enrich the reading experience. Such is the case in Sins of the Father. While the overall novel is written in the past tense, both the prologue and the epilogue are written in the present tense, giving the reader a feeling of three snapshots in time. These scenes may not be absolutely essential to the telling of the tale, but each documents a hugely important and emotional point in time, and the epilogue especially provides a sense of closure.

With his two main characters, Mr. Marchwell gives us a couple of ordinary fellows – “everymen,” if you will – who are undergoing extraordinary events. Charlie is a character that the reader can care for while at the same time acknowledging his flaws. He is less than perfect, but it is because of this that we become emotionally invested in him. To keep himself from dwelling on his own loss, Charlie throws himself into helping others. He may think that he has come to terms with his father’s actions, but he hasn’t, really, and the loss of his husband only exacerbates matters. He clings to the prison and to his GED program there as a coping mechanism. His emotional neediness allows him to become so caught up in the drama revolving around Caleb and James that it won’t let him go. In a way, he lives vicariously through these two, and his absolute need to see them reunited makes him pushy to a flaw.

James is not quite as well developed a character as is Charlie, which makes sense given that Charlie is the main focus of the story. While James is likeable, we don’t draw him quite as close to our hearts, and my only real worry about his peace of mind as I read the story involved how it would affect Charlie.

Mr. Marchwell indicates that all of his stories have at least some basis in fact. This probably contributes much to the feeling of realism that exists in this novel, from the prison to the interpersonal dynamics to the sense of love and loss that the characters feel. There are no feats of daring, good-versus-evil struggles, explosions, or car chases. There is, however, a deep feeling of emotion that permeates this entire story. As I read Sins of the Father, I felt a sense of despair that Charlie and James would ever be able to make a future together. The issue of Caleb and his need for James’s forgiveness hangs over their heads like the Sword of Damocles. The reader knows that one day it is going to fall, and the results will probably not be pretty.

Sins of the Father made me grab for a handkerchief on several different occasions. (I know, I know…I cry at the drop of a hat. It’s a talent, I tell you.) I count that as a good thing, however. Overall, I found this to be involving and affecting and not just a toss-away read. I found reading this novel to be time very well spent, and I will be looking forward to more from Mr. Marchwell in the future.

--Bobby

Title: Rough Cut
Author: Mari Carr
Author’s website: http://maricarr.com/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: January 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60504-872-7
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Romance BDSM
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Ty Ransome may be the latest Hollywood director and action-flick hero superstar, but he is tired of playing the same old roles. He wants to make a serious movie, one that means something to him, and he knows exactly what book he wants to base his movie on: a collection of four stories titled Evening Songs. This book touched him and spoke to something within him that he didn’t know existed, and he has finally persuaded the author to come to Hollywood and co-write the screenplay with him.

When Ty finally meets Gwen Preston in person, she strikes the same chord within him as did her book. As they work through the scenes of the movie, their role-play becomes intensely sexual and delves into the BDSM elements of the stories. Having read her stories, Ty knows she is a sexual submissive, but he didn’t realize just how affected he would be by her. He wants to dominate her completely in the bedroom and love and cherish her in their daily lives.

But Gwen is not as willing to accept that part of her personality as Ty is. Regardless of the sexuality of the stories she wrote, she is convinced that her need for rough and submissive sex is something to be ashamed of, not something to embrace. It’s up to Ty to convince her that her needs are natural…and that the two of them are destined to be together.

********

I’ll admit that BDSM is not my flavor of choice when it comes to reading material. However, no one twisted my arm to read this story. I purchased it for myself, because something about the blurb (and the gorgeous cover image, I have to admit that) interested me. Maybe it was the fairy-tale appeal of the Hollywood actor finding love with a “commoner,” but I think that it was actually the promise of tenderness and discovery that intrigued me. Mari Carr’s novella Rough Cut is the story of a woman who learns to accept herself and embrace her needs and who finds the love of a lifetime while she is at it.

Ms. Carr gives us a couple of three-dimensional and complex main characters in this story. Both struggle a bit with their non-traditional relationship. While Ty doesn’t have problems with being a dominant, he is absolutely surprised at both his emotional reaction to Gwen and his realization that the hard sexual play between them is necessary to him. Gwen is ashamed of her sexual needs and thinks she must have some terrible sort of character flaw as a result.

Rough Cut includes something of a story within a story. Along with the love story between the two characters, we also have the four short stories that Ty and Gwen are transforming into a screenplay. While none of those individual plots are delved into in detail, Ms. Carr gives us enough to make the stories and the idea of a film resulting from them intriguing and to elicit a bit of an emotional reaction from the reader. Well, an emotional reaction from me, anyway. I found the premise of the final of the four stories to be quite touching.

Ms. Carr has titled the chapters of this story to give the reader just a tease of what to expect over the next few pages. I thought this was well-done and entertaining.

Rough Cut brings home the fact that light BDSM can belong in a loving relationship and that it is not just one person shoving another person around and whaling blindly on them. I found this to be a very sexy and surprisingly sweet read, and I also enjoyed the Hollywood fantasy aspect. Overall, I thought Rough Cut was well worth my reading time, and I shall probably be investigating what else Ms. Carr has to offer her readers soon.

--Bobby

Title:  Harm’s Way     
Author: Sam Cross
Author’s website:  http://www.samcrossnovels.blogspot.com/
Publisher:  Whiskey Creek Press
Release Date:  January 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60313-746-1
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre:  Suspense/Thriller
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Claire Boyd doesn’t have many social skills. Having grown up a ward of the state, she has never allowed herself to love or to trust. Marriage didn’t work for her; neither did motherhood. Instead, she lives for her work and has ruthlessly climbed the corporate ladder over the past five years. She’s willing to do what it takes to succeed in business, even sleep with a potential client in order to land his account. When the morning comes that she wakes up in a strange place and with no recollection of the time spent with her client, she becomes worried. And when she finds out that her client has gone missing and that she was probably the last person to see him, her worry turns into something akin to panic.

Although Claire was raised an orphan, a woman claiming to be her mother appears at her door soon after this incident. The woman holds a box of terrible secrets; secrets that lead Claire on a journey to an abandoned house in the town where she was born; secrets that make her fear deep within her that perhaps she is responsible for the disappearance and death of her client. Because murder, it seems, is in her blood.

What follows is a series of events that will shock and horrify Claire. They will challenge her understanding of who she is, make her doubt her own sanity, and change her life forever.

********

On the whole, I try not to rave too wildly or gush sophomorically in my book reviews, but every once in a while, I run across a book that is just plain worth it. When that happens, you’re just going to have to humor me a little bit and let me share my enthusiasm. Or at least I hope you will. It is not often that a book takes my breath away, but such is the case with Harm’s Way. This suspenseful thriller is Sam Cross’s debut novel, and I found to be a truly exceptional read. It mystified me, frightened me, and held me absolutely spellbound over the course of the entire book.

This is a story of blood, death, uncertainty, and fear that features characters who will repel and intrigue you and enough tension and terror to keep you up at night. The characters in Harm’s Way are complex and well drawn. Claire is not what I would call likeable, but she is definitely intriguing enough to capture our interest and pull us into her character. Although she initially appears to be as self-absorbed and cold as they come, as the story develops and her background is revealed, she becomes much more human and sympathetic. In the case of character Jack Horn, a pretty face masks an extremely frightening interior; he is wonderfully creepy.

Although the primary focus of Harm’s Way is Claire, the story is told from several points of view. This variety of viewpoints makes for a richer story, and I found myself watching in horrified fascination as the scene developed from several different angles. This story is dotted with small cliffhangers that keep the suspense building and the tension tight. Readers never really get a chance to catch their breath, because the action is fast-paced and intense. The action jumps back and forth in time depending on whose point of view is on center stage, and while this occasionally requires a scene to be replayed, it never once causes the story to become tedious.

This is no quick, toss-away read. The narrative in Harm’s Way is rich in imagery, almost poetic at times, and it encourages the reader to slow down, enjoy the words, and share in the experience of each scene. In my opinion, Sam Cross is definitely an author to watch. If Harm’s Way is any indication of what we’re going to see from him in the future, then I, at least, have something to anticipate.

--Bobby

Title: Captured
Author: Julia Rachel Barrett
Author’s website: www.juliarachelbarrett.com      
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Release Date: January 2010
ISBN: 1-60601-722-5
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Science Fiction
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

When Mari wakes up naked in a cage and seems to be on some kind of spaceship, she can't believe it's real. Her captors look very similar humans but with feline like eyes, so she decides to try and talk to them and figure out what is going on. Mari never thought that she would be viewed as an animal, or that she would find out that human flesh is a delicacy where she is headed. As the spaceship speeds toward the unknown planet of her captors, she attempts to talk with one of them, Ekkatt, and finds herself finding out more than she wants to about where they are headed.

Ekkatt has trafficked in humans and other beings for many years without ever thinking they were anything but animal-like. His interest is piqued when the human Mari stands up to one of his superiors and actually takes the man down. In all his years, he has never seen any of the humans do anything besides cry and snivel. He never thought they were intelligent, strong, or had anything to offer . . . until Mari. Will he be able to change what he is learned over a lifetime and keep Mari safe?

********

Captured is such a pleasant surprise, that I find myself rethinking my previous feelings about romantic science fiction. I love science fiction, and I love romance but have never sought out the two together due to previous reading in this category that did nothing for me. Ms. Barrett has completely changed my mind. Captured is well-written, well thought out, and will have the reader in its grip throughout. When I started the book, it was a bit alarming since the writing pulled me in and made me think how I would feel if I was in Mari's place. Her terror came across the pages but her level-headed thinking quickly made her survival instincts kick in. I love a strong female character.

Ekkatt, on the other hand, wasn't as popular with me throughout the book. I could see that he had some compassion in the beginning, but it wasn't until I was much further into the book that I realized I just might like him. His character is complex, and the inner turmoil he feels makes him very believable.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that is looking for an entertaining and heartfelt romantic science fiction. I am already a fan of Ms. Barrett, and she has just solidified that. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Title: Chicken Fried Beefcake  
Author: Carolyn Gregg
Author’s website:  http://www.carolyngregg.com/
Publisher:  Red Rose Publishing
Release Date:  2009
ISBN: 978-1-60435-410-2
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Elizabeth Runnels isn’t sure what got into her to get engaged to her best friend’s older brother, but after three months of Wyatt Byrd’s overbearing company and his verbal abuse, and she has had enough. Figuring that the best way to break things off would be in front of his family, Beth drives all the way from Dallas to her fiancé’s family ranch in West Texas. At least she’ll get to see her friend Susan and Susan’s parents one last time before possibly isolating herself from them for life.

When she arrives at the Flying B ranch, the first person she meets is Wyatt’s younger brother, Billy, and she is completely bowled over by him. Billy is Wyatt’s opposite in almost every way. He is a country boy from his gingham shirt to his mud-caked boots; he is gentle, generous, and very forgiving of Beth’s sometimes klutzy ways. And most important of all, he has a sense of romantic and sexual adventure that makes Beth feel alive again. Beth can’t help herself; she falls hard, she falls fast, and she knows that Billy feels the same way about her.

Beth knows that she should not become involved with Billy at the same time as officially breaking her relationship with Wyatt. Wyatt and Billy’s parents would surely condemn her for tossing over one son for the other. What kind of woman is she, anyway? Even with all of Billy’s good qualities, could she possibly be happy with a self-proclaimed hick after life in the city with a wealthy attorney?

********

Being an expatriate of the Deep South, I simply couldn’t resist when I saw Carolyn Gregg’s novella Chicken Fried Beefcake. Because, well, there’s just nothing like a good ole boy on his best behavior. Assuming that he’s not demanding you fetch him a beer or make him a sandwich, of course. In this story, Ms. Gregg takes all the good qualities that you could ever want in a good ole boy – tight jeans, cowboy boots, quiet confidence, kindness, intelligence, and oh did I mention tight jeans? – and rolls them up into one fabulous package by the name of Billy.

In Beth, Ms. Gregg gives us a heroine who is likeable even if she seems somewhat lacking in the common sense department. Beth is incredibly clumsy, but I think that part of her clumsiness is a self-fulfilling prophesy. She expects to trip up, therefore she does. She is very “good” in a bumbling kind of way, and while I couldn’t quite figure out why she felt the need to break up with her fiancé in front of his parents (perhaps because she likes the parents better than the fiancé?), I had no doubt that she believed it was the right and honest thing to do. In addition, Ms. Gregg does a wonderful job making Wyatt an obnoxious jerk that the reader can revile. He is so over-the-top that it is not particularly believable; however, he does make a perfect foil for the almost angelic Billy.

Billy is the anti-Wyatt: sexy and gentle with a playfulness to him that is immensely appealing. After having lived in a borderline abusive relationship with her soon-to-be-ex fiancé, Beth needs some of that gentleness and a lot of his sexual adventure. The sex scenes between these two truly do steal the show in this story; they are sensual enough to curl your toes and will most likely have you reaching for the fan to cool off. They are spontaneous and uninhibited and definitely fun. Although it may require a bit of a stretch of the imagination to believe that Beth and Billy can fall in love almost overnight, they definitely prove themselves to be compatible.

Overall, I found Chicken Fried Beefcake to be cute and sexy and fun. It made me root for Billy and Beth to find their happily-ever-after and for Wyatt (boo, hiss) to receive some sort of comeuppance. In fact, this story almost makes me want my very own pet redneck. I wonder if I’d have to travel all the way to West Texas in order to find one?

--Bobby

Title: Biting Nixie
Author: Mary Hughes
Author’s website: http://www.maryhughesbooks.com/  
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: November 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60504-358-6
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal Vampire Humor
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Punk musician Nixie Schmeling has somehow been volunteered to run the fundraiser in her small town of Meiers Corner to pay for the hotshot attorney that is going to keep them from becoming annexed into part of the big city. Nixie doesn't conform, and the last thing she wants is to have anything to do with the "suits" and their uber-expensive fees, but she must do her duty to her hometown. Nixie never thought that meeting-said attorney would turn her libido on overdrive or that her tiny one hundred pound body would lust beyond reason after the towering blue-blood attorney.

Julian Emerson has come to Meiers Corner to save the city not only from annexation but from total vampire domination. He may be an Ancient and reserved as hell, but he knows that if the Coterie takes over the city it would spell disaster. Julian never thought a pint-sized pixie like Nixie would make him lose his cool. Between slaying rogue vampires and delicate negotiations with the vampire faction trying to take control, his hands are pretty full.

********

Ms. Hughes has penned another winner; the second full length book in the Biting Love series is just as wonderful as the first. I had to unglue my eyes from the book to feed the family . . . and that was grudgingly. I was so engrossed in the characters they have stayed with me even after I finished the book.

I adored Nixie from the moment I started reading about her. She is unique, hilarious, and downright fun. Her language style was a bit hard to understand at first for this old lady, but I caught on just like Julian did and it made the story even cuter! Her inner turmoil regarding fighting the "norm" hits very close to home for me, and I found it very easy to identify with her character. She is very memorable.

I lusted after Julian page after page. Can I order one of him please? He is the epitome of class and sophisticated stuffiness on the outside but pure heat, fire, and sexiness just below the surface. The description of his chest and butt is enough to keep me in happy dreams for a week. The sexual chemistry between Nixie and Julian is amazing. Ms. Hughes writes her sex hot, heavy, and deliciously naughty.

The humor in this book is laugh-out-loud and unforgettable. I was delighted to see some of my favorite characters return in this book as well as some new faces. Again, they were an integral part of the story and added a great depth to the storyline.

I was beyond pleased to learn another book will be coming out in April, though I hate the thought of having to wait so long; with books this good I want the next one now! Ms. Hughes has a fan here and I am off to read her Biting Love freebies on her site to keep me pacified while I wait for the next installment.

Title: An Ordinary Angel
Author: Kathy Otten
Author’s website:  http://www.kathyotten.com/
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Release Date:  2009
ISBN: n/a
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre:  Historical Romance
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 2
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Having chased away one suitor after another due to her “hoydenish” ways, Julianne Spencer has finally promised her mother that she will behave like a lady and restrain her impulsive behavior the next time a gentleman comes courting. This has, unfortunately, landed her with a suitor who just doesn’t…suit. Mr. Terrel Lee Parker is quiet, shy, and just plain boring, and no matter how handsome he might be, he leaves Julianne cold. She wants a man who excites her, a man of passion who can see beyond the prim ladylike front she is forced to wear and who can accept the outspoken and sometimes outrageous person she is inside.

Terrel Lee Parker has searched a long time to find a woman like Julianne. One who is spontaneous, who can bring joy and light back into his life after he lost so much in the Civil War. He has worked very hard to be a gentleman, and her rejection of him cuts him to the quick.

When a gang of outlaws kidnaps Julianne right before Christmas, Terrel Lee must put his life on the line in order to save her. For the first time, Julianne sees that underneath the calm and ordinary exterior beats the heart of a hero. But is it too late for the two of them? Julianne has already pushed Terrel Lee away once. If they make it out of this predicament alive, he might not be willing to give her another chance.

********

Kathy Otten’s novella An Ordinary Angel is a holiday-themed story about a woman who so yearns for a romantic ideal that she is blind to the fact that what she desires has been right in front of her all along. I found this story to be a quick and entertaining read. It has a thoughtful message, an exciting good-versus-evil struggle, and a sweet and somewhat endearing romance.

In this story, Ms. Otten gives her readers a couple of main characters who are very easy to like and who share a chemistry that is undeniable. Although Julianne on the surface may seem a bit petty and idealistic, we see that what she really wants is a relationship that works, where neither party is disappointed in the other. She is a spunky and joyful character; unfortunately, she has made a promise to her mother to hide her true nature, and it is this that causes misunderstanding between herself and Terrel Lee.

I appreciated the fact that part of this story is told from the hero’s point of view. This makes Terrel Lee much more human and easier for the reader to identify with. As we peek into his mind, we understand his longing and the confusion and uncertainty he feels regarding Julianne’s treatment of him. He knows that Julianne can bring joy into his life, but he just doesn’t understand how to go about winning her affection. We the readers can see that both Julianne and Terrel Lee are each other’s ideal under the surface manners, and we root for them to discover this fact before it is too late.

Although short, An Ordinary Angel contains enough action and emotion to make it a satisfying read. The villains are evil enough to revile, the element of danger feels real and not an afterthought, and the hero and heroine suit each other quite well. I enjoy stories where a character who is believed to be ordinary ends up being so much more than that, and this is exactly what An Ordinary Angel gives us.

--Bobby

Title: Wicked Business
Author:  Evanne Lorraine
Author’s website: http://www.evannelorraine.com/  
Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60394-394-9
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Source: R                    
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Desiree Joy Tyler, a.k.a. DJ, works for the DIE, a special investigative branch of Homeland Security. After years as a desk jockey using her language skills, she finally has been assigned to a genuine case. She gets to watch the divinely yummy Eduardo Torres, and her knowledge of Portuguese has put her in the position to watch him on a hidden camera. DJ knows it's wrong to lust after the possible criminal but she keeps hoping that the department is wrong about the do-gooder businessman.

Eduardo Torres has been doing some surveillance of his own. He knows he is being watched, and he has his own team watching the corrupted DIE. He especially likes watching the gorgeous Desiree Tyler. He is beholden to his family and his business, and fitting Desiree into his life would never work, though a few naughty stolen moments can't hurt . . . can they?

********

Wicked Business is both entertaining and naughty, with characters who are interesting and complex enough to intrigue the reader. DJ is at odds with her job and her feelings for Eduardo. Eduardo has obligations that don't include lusting after a DIE spy, yet he can't stay away.

I found the book to be unique; the Homeland Security spy angle is a fresh idea to me. To say that this book is sexually inspiring is an understatement. The heat rolls off the pages and the sexual play between Eduardo and DJ is edgy while maintaining an air of fun.

I will be on the lookout for more books by Ms. Lorraine.

Title:  Madcap Masquerade
Author: Persephone Roth
Author’s website:  n/a
Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press
Release Date:  December 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61581-239-4
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre:  Historical/Regency Romance GLBT
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When Loel Woodbine, Duke of Marche, receives news that his great aunt has engaged him to a young lady he has never met, he’s a little nonplussed. His lifestyle doesn’t exactly lead itself to entertaining the fair sex; in fact, he prefers to devote his attentions to men rather than women. However, Marche owes his livelihood to his wealthy aunt – indeed, he loves the old dragon – and he knows that he must fulfill his duty and marry Miss Valeria Randwick.

Marche never expects to be completely bowled over by his young bride when he meets her at their wedding ceremony, but she is the most beautiful, untouched creature he has ever seen. Given his preference for men, he is extremely surprised by his intense reaction to her. That is, until he finds out that his new wife is actually Valentine Redwick, Earl of Blythestone, who is disguised as his sister in order to distract attention from her elopement with a commoner.

Having been raised among monks, Valentine is innocent in the ways of the world. He knows that his reaction to the man he calls husband is unnatural, but he can’t deny the intense responses of his heart and his body to the man. Valentine doesn’t exactly enjoy the dresses and the corsets, but if Marche wants to continue the charade, he is willing. Before the two men can settle down into their own version of wedded bliss, however, Marche’s aunt is murdered, and blame is pointed at none other than Marche’s lovely new bride.

********

I’ve mentioned in the past that historical novels – especially those set during the Regency period – seem to have lost some of their appeal to me over the past few years. After reading dozens that all sounded alike with characters who were clones of each other and nary an original plot in site, I have become incredibly picky regarding which books of this genre I read. Give me something fresh and unique, please, not the same old wilted story that has been fancied up by changing the names and hair color of the characters. With this admittedly peevish mindset, you’d think I would simply stay away from Regency novels to avoid disappointment, but I can’t. I’m always digging, always looking for something new and fresh and perhaps even fun.

When I came across Persephone Roth’s novel Madcap Masquerade, I knew that I had found what I was looking for: Regency with a twist. This is a Dreamspinner Press title, so we know it’s a m/m romance up front. This title takes this genre one step farther by dressing one of the male main characters in full Regency female regalia, corset and all, and marrying him off to his romantic counterpart in an elaborate gender-bender hoax that seems to fool just about everyone. Except for the husband, of course.

I found Madcap Masquerade to be light and engaging, and while it is a definite stretch to believe that such a complex deception might be pulled off successfully, I found myself more than willing to suspend my disbelief and just enjoy the ride. This story is fast paced and entertaining and has its heroes involved in one adventure after another. We have duels and carriage wrecks, false accusations of murder, secret meetings in a brothel, even a stint on a pirate ship. And while some of it is a little “over the top,” I’ll admit right now that I didn’t read this story for historical accuracy or even believability but rather for the entertainment factor.

Ms. Roth has given us a host of colorful and fun characters in this story. Marche is very likeable in spite of being a spoiled nobleman. Valentine is the dewy-eyed ingénue, having been raised in an abbey and never exposed to society. His decision to help his sister by dressing up in drag is hair-brained to say the least, but it underscores his innocence, big heart and generous nature. He blossoms over the course of the story as he makes peace with himself and with his religious upbringing over his feelings for Marche.

For a little bit of comic relief, Ms. Roth gives us three young men referred to as “The Dandies.” These three flutter about like colorful birds. Their constant gossip, preoccupation with fashion, and endless besotted odes to Val’s feminine beauty at first make the reader believe them to be mindless ciphers. However, hidden beneath the ruffles and frills and ever-present wine bottles is stronger stuff, and they prove themselves to be valuable friends to our heroes over the course of the story. The one character that I couldn’t quite warm up to in Madcap Masquerade is the antagonist, Murdmont. His need for revenge against Marche seemed a little sketchy to me, but he makes up for it with his exceptional greed and embezzling skills.

This story is well-written and romantic, with a tone that is in keeping with the story’s Regency setting. As I read, I found myself rooting for our two heroes to overcome adversity, bring justice to the villain, and find a way to be together in spite of the social mores of the times. I’m not sure if Madcap Masquerade is Ms. Roth’s first published novel, but it is certainly the first work of hers that I have had the pleasure of reading. I hope she continues to write, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her in the future.

--Bobby 

Title: terrorbyte
Author: Cat Connor
Author’s website:  http://catconnor.blogspot.com/; http://catconnor.wordpress.com/
Publisher: Rebel e Publishers
Release Date:  December 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9814256-3-4
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre:  Contemporary Mystery/Suspense
Source: P
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

After over a year of hard work, FBI Special Agent Ellie Conway and her husband, Special Agent Mac Connelly, have finally opened the Butterfly Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting the children of mentally ill and bipolar parents. The high they are riding comes to a crashing end, however, when Ellie is called to a murder scene the very night of the dedication. Ellie’s no stranger to death and the evil of others, but the scene that greets her takes her breath away. Not only is the murder victim staged, but the killer has written lines from one of Ellie’s own poems on the walls and has left her a personal message on an innocuous blue post-it note. The poetry and the notes are eerily reminiscent of a case Ellie solved a year ago.

It is summer in Virginia, and hurricane season is right on top of them. As the weather turns nasty and water pours from the skies, the murders continue. Ellie, promoted to Supervising Special Agent for this case, realizes with horror that the victims are linked by one factor: they are all involved with the Butterfly Foundation. Somehow the killer is using her beloved project to locate and target his victims, making a mockery of the sense of safety and support that the foundation was created to foster. Complicating issues is the fact that Ellie is suffering side effects from an old head injury. She is assaulted by dizziness and migraines, and strange fragments of songs and television series that dance through her mind, leading her to conclusions on the case that are almost bizarrely accurate.

As Ellie, Mac, and their team work to identify and stop the killer, it becomes evident that he is watching them and is leading them on a complex trail designed to distract and obfuscate. But what is he trying to distract them from? Their investigation will uncover a truth that is not only bigger than Ellie could have ever imagined, but it is also her worst nightmare.

********

Fans of mystery and suspense, I’ve got a treat for you: Cat Connor’s novel terrorbyte. This is the second in her series featuring FBI Special Agent Ellie Conway and the members of her investigation team, and it continues where the previous novel, killerbyte, left off. Since this book assumes that the reader is already familiar with the main characters and their somewhat quirky personalities, I would advise that readers take these stories in order.

I enjoyed reading killerbyte this past summer; it is an excellent story. However, I have to admit that terrorbyte outstrips its predecessor by far. This is one of the best suspense novels that I have read in a while. It is very well-written, the plot is intricate and perfectly managed, and the characters are fascinating and wonderfully developed. Since so much of what goes on in Ellie’s head revolves around music, it seems quite fitting that each chapter is named after a Bon Jovi song. I thought this was a clever touch and felt as if I ought to be listening to these tunes as a soundtrack to the story.

terrorbyte drew me in immediately and kept me intrigued and fully involved throughout the entire novel. It made me think, alternately amused and saddened me, and impressed me with its intelligent and well-crafted narrative. This is no simple mystery but instead is a multifaceted story that revolves around not just the murder investigation but also Ellie’s fears regarding her mental health and how this may affect both her and Mac. The investigation itself consists of layer upon layer of difficulty and circumstance that must be sifted through in order to unearth the truth.

Ms. Connor puts Ellie Conway through hell physically, mentally, and emotionally, which just makes her that much more magnetic a character. I couldn’t help but be drawn to Ellie. She has a wry, slightly sarcastic tone, and although she puts up a good “tough” public front, she is a tangle of turmoil and fear inside. She’s afraid that she will eventually succumb to the same mental illness as her mother, and this distracts her to no end. Dealing with the effects of a previous head injury only exacerbates the matter. Her thought processes are interrupted by a slightly off-the-wall jumble of songs and scenes from movies and television shows which are both amusing and disturbing. Overall, we can’t tell if she is prescient or simply a little bit crazy.

I feel very fortunate to have “discovered” Ms. Conner and her work, because she is an extremely talented author. Now that I have finished terrorbyte, I feel quite invested in the characters and am very anxious to find out where Ms. Connor is going with them. I will be holding my breath in anticipation as I wait for her next novel, exacabyte, to be released. If you enjoy mystery and suspense, you owe it to yourself to read these books. They will entertain you, fascinate you, and leave you begging for more.

--Bobby

Title: Spark of Desire
Author: Charlotte McClain
Author’s website: http://www.lyricalpress.com/charlotte_mcclain  
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
Release Date: January 2010
ISBN: 978-1-61650-111-2
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Jessica Decker has spent six years working in a bookstore when her real dream is to be a paramedic. She has procrastinated because in order for her to be a paramedic she has to first become a firefighter. It's her thirtieth birthday and she has just been informed by a very hunky fireman that if she doesn't hurry up she will miss out since the age limit is thirty-one. It's just Jessica's luck that the fireman, Kevin Marshall, has also offered his help in getting ready for the exam. The problem is that there is an attraction between them that could just get in the way of all their hard work, but neither want to admit their feelings.

********

Spark of Desire is an entertaining story that will leave a smile on your face. The story is the second in a series, and it is easily a stand-alone book. The characters are interesting, and well-written. Ms. McClain does not use typical heroes and heroines, and I appreciate that. Jessica is not your model type; she seems very real. I loved how Jessica thought that Kevin was an older man at thirty-six: I assume this is the norm for someone just coming out of their twenties. I think it touched on the thoughts of different ages in regards to perspective.

Kevin did not follow the path I would have expected, and again I appreciate that type of writing. It gives me a sense of reality. Kevin is complex and will have the reader liking him one moment and feeling the opposite a moment later.

Spark of Desire is well-written and humorous; I found myself with a grin on my face quite often. Ms. McClain pens an interesting story.

Title:  No Good Deed   
Author:  Lynn Lorenz
Author’s website:  http://www.lynnlorez.com/
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60272-625-3
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre:  Romance, Suspense, GLBT
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Daniel Chan is the police captain in the small town of Riceland, Texas. Long divorced, he lives alone and buries himself in his work as a source of stress relief. He considers himself bisexual, enjoying women but preferring men, and he has never really had to choose sides in terms of his sexuality. That is, until he meets Mark Montgomery, who is probably the most beautiful creature Daniel has ever seen.

Mark’s involvement in a shooting that leaves a police officer wounded and the assailant dead can only be called heroic, but he can’t get past the fact that he killed a man. Initially considered to be the suspect by the police at the scene, Mark received rough treatment until Captain Chan stepped in with a level head and a reasonable voice. Mark is very attracted to Daniel, but a violent domestic assault in his past has left him emotionally broken, sensitive to being touched and unwilling to trust another man.

As Daniel attempts to protect Mark from public scrutiny and the machinations of overly ambitious local politics, he realizes that he is falling in love for the first time. He knows that if he is to have any kind of a chance with this man, he will have to commit himself one hundred percent to being gay, and that is no small issue for a man in his position. To complicate matters, Daniel and his department are undergoing close scrutiny from the mayor’s office, and past indiscretions are unearthed that may endanger both his budding relationship and also his career. They say that no good deed goes unpunished, and in Daniel and Mark’s case, this adage is proving itself all too true.

********

In her novel No Good Deed, Lynn Lorenz gives readers a story of love, intrigue, sexual indiscretion, and choices. This is a mixture of suspense and romance about a man who has struggled with his personal identity for his entire life, not just in terms of his sexual orientation, but also with his cultural background, his career, and his family. When forced to finally make a choice between being true to himself and the expectations of others, he learns a couple of important life lessons: sometimes a person is their own worst enemy, and love and truth are worth fighting for, even if you have to fight dirty.

I found this novel to be a little different from Ms. Lorenz’s other work but still quite enjoyable. Written in the first person, No Good Deed gives the narrator, Daniel Chan, a very strong presence. Although it took me a moment to get my bearings within Daniel’s psyche, something that always happens to me when I read stories written in this style, I enjoyed the unique narrator-centric point of view that this afforded me. The narrative is very conversational and casual in tone and resounds with both wry humor and cynicism.  You can almost hear the Texas twang in Daniel’s voice, and his occasional pithy asides are both entertaining and give further insight into his character.

Ms. Lorenz has given both of her main characters a pretty complex maze of issues that they must work through. Daniel seems strong on the surface to those around him, but we can see the depression that he battles. Not only is he conflicted about the possibility of being gay in small town Texas, but being Chinese American in an area not exactly known for tolerance of diversity just adds to the stress. Even though I couldn’t help but condemn him somewhat for some of the decisions that he makes over the course of the story, this merely proves that like any human, he is prone to making mistakes.

Mark has an appealing vulnerability and fragility that make the reader want to roll him up in cotton batting to keep him from harm. Not only does he consider himself broken from an abusive past relationship, he is also trying to deal with the emotional trauma of having shot and killed a man. Since this is Daniel’s story, I never felt as if I truly got to know Mark but rather viewed him through the haze created by Daniel’s emotions.

No Good Deed is not a jump in bed and roll around in the sheets kind of a story. Daniel and Mark move slowly and carefully towards physical intimacy; we witness the building of emotional safety between these two well before their relationship heads towards the bedroom. The sex scenes that result from this slow generation of sexual tension can only be called “hawt” and are quite tender as well.

I appreciated the slight change of pace that No Good Deed offers those of us who enjoy Ms. Lorenz’s work. She seems to have a knack for the first person point of view, and I hope that she will offer us more in the future written in this manner.

--Bobby

Title: Stolen Property: The Abduction of Mayree Jacobs
Author: Melissa Harlow
Author’s website: http://www.melissaharlow.com/  
Publisher: Renaissance eBooks Sizzler Editions
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 9781615081486
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

When Mayree Jacobs was abducted right outside of her work, she never thought she would be in a position of begging for her life. She also never thought she would watch a sweet, young man die right before her eyes. Her captor is another entity completely. After locking her in the cellar, and telling her that she can't live because she is the only witness to his crime; she didn't believe that she would fall for a criminal with a hardened shell around his heart. Being overweight and uncomfortable in her skin has been a lifelong battle, but when she starts to see herself through her captor’s eyes, her life changes and she barely recognizes herself.

Hardened criminal Quinn didn't expect to become enamored with the voluptuous creature that he stole to help his dying brother. The feelings she invokes in him are hard to digest. Though he wants her like no one else he has ever been with; he can't help but wonder if she will run at the first opportunity.

********

I was not only surprised by this book, but I was also intrigued. When I first read the blurb, I wasn't sure what to think: a book about an abduction and love? I am glad I went ahead and read it. This is an entertaining read, and Ms. Harlow writes with a hidden depth that a readers might not get to enjoy if they can't see past the sexual aspect.

I especially enjoyed the characters. Mayree is overweight and has no confidence in herself as a woman. She is realistic, and her expectations in life form are exactly what would be expected from someone with low self-esteem. She blossoms before the reader's eyes.

Quinn is quite another story. I can't say that I liked him at all through most of the story; for me this is the sign of a talented author. I like when I can feel more than just warm happy thoughts when I am reading a romance. Quinn fits that need perfectly. He is also complex, and I enjoyed watching his true colors unfold.

On the surface, this is a very sexual book with a bit of deviant pleasure that might not be for the faint of heart. Beneath is a sweet love story that opens into many dimensions, and pushes many envelopes. Is this book for everyone? Probably not. Is this book a good read? Yes. For anyone that may have "delicate sensibilities," enter at your own risk. I recommend this as an entertaining book with a devilish side. I will be on the look out for more by Ms. Harlow.

Title: Nothing to Commend Her
Author: Jo Barrett
Author’s website: http://www.jobarrett.net/  
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Release Date: December 2009
ISBN: 1-60154-791-9
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic, Print
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: R
Sensuality Level: 2
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Even though she has never met Lord Leighton, Agatha has no problem defending his honor to a bunch of snobbish young misses of the ton. Lord Leighton is referred to as The Monster due to the scarring he received in a fire attempting to rescue his wife, and Agatha believes him to be a hero. When she loses her spectacles, and a gallant gentleman helps her retrieve them, Agatha can't even see well enough to realize the same man she had defended is now helping her.

When her father receives a marriage proposal from the very man within days, Agatha is intrigued. She is a plain spinster securely on the shelf. Knowing Lord Leighton had come to her aid and comforted her makes her do the unthinkable and accept. Unfortunately someone is now attempting to kill her, and she isn't sure who she can trust. Can she trust her husband who has married her yet doesn’t seem to want her? One of his loyal servants? This unknown person is determined to get rid of Agatha and destroy any happiness she may have found.

********

Nothing to Commend Her is a delightful breath of fresh air. It holds all the elements that make a dynamic book: romance, love, conflict, mystery, and suspense. The story is captivating, and I found myself unable to put it down for even a moment. I love a historical, but so many books seem like clones these days. Ms. Barrett, however, has penned a uniquely enticing story. Her characters are earthy and complex. She breathes reality into them, and they come to life in the reader's mind.

I favor a heroine that I can identify with. Agatha is not considered a classic beauty but her inner beauty shines through to give her an outer beauty, and with the addition of intelligence she is a force to be reckoned with. She is easily someone I would have to tea and enjoy thoroughly.

Magnus is the humbled hero that immediately creeps into the reader’s heart. Through Agatha's eyes he becomes a true romantic hero. Even though the scars play an integral part of the story; Agatha's feelings for him make them barely noticeable even to the reader. I think it takes an exceptional author to evoke such feelings from her readers.

Ms. Barrett has succeeded in keeping my love of historicals alive. I hope to read more very soon by this superbly talented author.

Title: Divas Las Vegas
Author:  Rob Rosen    
Author’s website:  http://www.therobrosen.com/
Publisher:  Cleis Press
Release Date:  November 2009
ISBN: 978-1-57344-369-2
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre:  Humor GLBT
Source: A
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

What would you do if you found out that the vase that your mother sold for a pittance at a garage sale was actually worth a fortune? This is exactly what happens to Bill “Em” Watson, a recently-unemployed San Francisco bookseller who sees his grandmother’s vase appraised on The Antiques Roadshow. Determined to retrieve his family treasure, Em immediately packs up and heads to Las Vegas with his pal Justin. They don’t have much of a plan, but given the sheer quantity of luggage they tote along, they’ll be dressed appropriately regardless.

What kind of trouble can two fabulous boys get up to in Vegas? They don’t call it “Sin City” for nothing! As Em and Justin attempt to track down the owner of the vase, they encounter kidnappers and criminals, old flames and new friends. Soon they are dressing in drag (sequins are a boy’s best friend), braving the desert heat, and sleeping their way through half the gay population of the city.

But what started as a lark somehow turns dangerous, and when the FBI suddenly shows up, Em knows they’re involved in something a little different than they expected. They knew that they might need to sacrifice their dignity and perhaps even their virtue for the cause, but they never expected to put their lives on the line. Just how much trouble is an old vase worth, anyway?

********

When you open the cover of Rob Rosen’s novel Divas Las Vegas, prepare yourself, because you are about to step out into bright lights of Las Vegas on a lively, nonstop adventure that that will have you laughing from the very first page. I enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down as I followed along with Em and Justin on their adventures. As I read, I constantly anticipated what situation they would find themselves in next, because, believe me, these two guys are magnets for trouble.

Mr. Rosen hooks his readers in from the very beginning of this tale when he presents us with his hero, Em, who is hiding out in a church in the middle of the Nevada desert dressed in nothing put a pair of silk skivvies. The comic effect kicks right in, and we can’t help but wonder how on earth someone could get into such a strange situation. Since Em is the narrator of this story, we know that he must somehow extricate himself from this tight space, so all we need to do is sit back and let him tell us the story. That is, if he can keep from getting sidetracked along the way.

The narrative in Divas Las Vegas is very chatty and almost confiding in tone, as if Em is speaking directly to us. His story is dotted with wry little asides made directly to the reader as well as clever and frequently sarcastic comments. I found that this friendly and fun tone warmed me up to Em immediately; he feels like an instant friend.

Not only is this tale fast-paced and witty, but it is populated with a score of colorful and memorable characters. Our two heroes, Em and his friend Justin, dash from one situation to another at almost breakneck pace. The dialogue between these two is humorous and bitchy as they trade quips and catty insults and compete with each other for romantic conquests. Em throws himself into his adventures and tends to leap before he looks, but we have no choice but to love this guy who sometimes leaves his common sense at the door. And as if Em and Justin aren’t trouble enough on their own, throw in their girlfriend Glenda, and the fun level (and alcohol consumption) goes almost through the roof.

Along with the sexual farce and madcap mystery, Mr. Rosen tosses in an entertaining tour of Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Told from Em’s perspective, of course. He advises us on which casinos are the classiest, which pay off the best, which are tacky, and what hotels are filled with (shudder) families with children. I’ve never been to Vegas, but I felt as if I were right there – in the glitzy casinos on the strip, the slightly seedier hotels off the strip, even in the desert on a horse with no name.

If I had to boil Divas Las Vegas down into a simple description, it would be this: too much fun. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times as I read this story, and since I was on a bus full of tired commuters, that definitely merited a strange glance or two in my direction. This book tickled me and made me happy, and I definitely thought it was worth my reading time.

--Bobby