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The following titles were reviewed in July 2009:

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
Slade and Kally by A.E. Rought
Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries
Mary and the Bear by Zena Wynn
Space Escapes by Jason Edding and Angela Fiddler
Barefoot in the Snow by Melissa Harlow
Fire Season by Lex Valentine
Dawg Town: Mad Dawg by Tuesday Richards
Dawg Town: Homecoming by Seleny Illyria
Dawg Town: Bad Dawg by Lena Austin
Dawg Town: Hustle by Anne Kane
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
Ghosts of Alcatraz by Carol Lynne
Stella by Colin Galbraith
Midnight Medusa by Stephanie Draven
The Avalon Patrol: Road to Avea by Lynn Lorenz
Bend in the Road by Jeanne Barrack
Mama's Charm by Luxie Ryder
Cara by Julia Barrett
The Transformations by Dex Quire
Beauty Tempts the Beast by Leslie Dicken
Playing the Field: Play On by J.M. Snyder
Deadly Dreams by Victor J. Banis
The Feline Fugitive by Esmeralda Bishop
A Liar's Truth by Kimberly Garland
Mating by Lex Valentine
Lil's Boy/Everything Good and True by Sarah Rogers
Heiress for Hire by Erin McCarthy
Faith of the Heart by Sandy James
Keeping Karma by Tory Temple
Grey's Awakening by Cameron Dane
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber
Wicked Redemption by Nancy Henderson
Impetuous by Lori Foster
Calling Dr. Love by G.A. Hauser

Title: Grave Sight
Author: Charlaine Harris
Author’s website: www.charlaineharris.com  
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd.
Release Date: October 2005
ISBN: 0-425-21289-0
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Harper finds dead bodies for a living. A freak lightning accident when she was younger has left her with the ability to find the dead. She has recently been commissioned to find the body of a missing teenager in the small Ozark town of Sarne. Though people want Harper’s help, they can’t help but be skeptical of her ability and even feel anger after she finds the body. It’s a thankless job. Harper and her brother Tolliver do their job and high tail it out before any problems . . . usually. The residents of Sarne are not happy with what is being dredged up by the two newcomers, and events are obstructing their fast exit. There is a killer on the loose and prejudice around every corner.

********

Grave Sight is not your typical mystery. The concept of a person who can find a dead body is a new, and exciting twist: one that I found to work wonderfully well. The story is fascinating, and Ms. Harris does a great job of keeping the reader absorbed in the plot; there are twists and turns that keep the reader guessing what is going to happen next. A true nail-biter, this story has it all; a bit of romance, a lot of mystery, and edge of your seat suspense. Harper and Tolliver make a great team, and their unusual background adds great depth to the story. As a big fan of Ms. Harris, I am thrilled to enjoy another of her series.

Title: Slade and Kally
Author: A. E. Rought
Author’s website: http://www.aerought.com/  
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: December 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60504-246-6
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Western
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

After suffering physical abuse from her fiancé for the past year, Kally Jensen has finally had enough. She knows that she can’t run to her sister, because Matt will find her there and might hurt her sister's family; instead, she packs her life up into her little Toyota and heads out to Wyoming, where her best friend from childhood lives. Ironically, this very act of fleeing almost kills her, because Kally is not used to Wyoming snowstorms, and her car spins out on the icy roads to end up crumpled in a culvert. Suffering hypothermia and fading quickly, she is rescued by a blue-eyed angel in a cowboy hat.

Slade Carlson isn’t an angel. He’s just a rancher, an ex-police officer who quit the force to help his family run the Fourth Moon Ranch. He has been running from predatory women for years, but something about the pixie-like blonde he finds half dead on his property tugs at him. She is sweet, sexy, and downright spunky, but he also sees a shadow of fear in her eyes. Somebody has mistreated this woman in the past, and if Slade wants to keep her – and he most definitely plans to  – he is going to have to convince her to trust him.

As Kally recovers on the Carlson’s ranch, she grows to love the handsome, gentlemanly rancher. He is kind and gentle; there simply isn’t a mean bone in his gorgeous body. She would like to make a life with him, but can she actually learn to trust a man again, given the abuse she suffered at Matt’s hands? Even if she can, the future is uncertain, because Matt is searching for her. He is not going to stop until he finds her, and now his anger at her has developed into a murderous rage.

********

Lovers of western romances, here’s one for you. When you pick up A. E. Rought’s Slade and Kally, prepare to be immersed in this novel, to be entertained, and to even be moved. This is a very sweet story of love and trust that features a spunky heroine, an almost too good to be true cowboy hero, and a villain who is one nasty piece of work. Set in the incredible Devil’s Tower area of Wyoming, this is an easy, fast-paced read that combines romance with enough suspense to keep a reader engrossed throughout the entire story.

This story is written from two separate points of view, which gives a well-rounded perspective. Kally tells much of the story in the first person, which puts us squarely into her mind. As she experiences emotions, as she falls in love, we do as well, and when she acts in a matter that might be considered somewhat irrational by an outside viewer, we have a window straight in to her motivations and fears. Slade’s point of view is not neglected, however. His part of the story is told in the third person from his point of view, which saves the story from being focused too narrowly on any one character. By looking at the action through two separate pairs of eyes, the story becomes fuller and more multidimensional and in my opinion much more satisfying.

The characters in Slade and Kally are well-developed and engaging. From the two principals all the way down to the minor players, the characters feel very real. These are people you and I might know. They have their imperfections and are each very human, down to Slade’s obsession with Tabasco sauce and Kally’s insistence that she is not a “girly girl.” Kally is a woman with many different facets. Although she fears her abusive fiancé and has trust issues that result from her misuse by him, she also has spunk and backbone. This is no passive victim, regardless of her past, and her little bit of an attitude results in a couple of “cat fights” that are absolutely priceless.

Overall, this is a very readable and entertaining novel. It made me smile, it made me shed a couple of tears, and it held my attention securely throughout the entire story. Definitely worth the read, in my opinion. According to Ms. Rought’s website, Slade and Kally is book one of a series called Letting Go of the Reins. If the subsequent novels in this series are anything like this one, we are in for a treat. I will definitely be seeking them out when they are released.

--Bobby

Title: Wed Him Before You Bed Him: The School for Heiresses Series
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Author’s website: www.sabrinajeffries.com
Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4165-6082-1
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Widow Mrs. Charlotte Harris, owner and headmistress of Mrs. Harris’s School for Young Ladies, is in a predicament. Her beloved school is in trouble. The neighboring tyrant wants to sell his land to make a racecourse. When her ex-fiancé, the man she mistakenly wronged years before, shows up on her doorstep, she isn’t sure what to think. She has lived for years corresponding with her anonymous benefactor, and he is the one that has allowed her to maintain her school and her life. Unfortunately he will not answer her letters, and she is afraid what might come to pass for the school. Unbeknownst to her, her ex-fiancé is that benefactor, and what started out as revenge has become an affair of the heart. Can they put the past behind them, or will his secret, if revealed, tear them apart?

*********

As a fan of the School for Heiresses Series, the sixth installment has been much anticipated since I started reading, and it does not disappoint. From the beginning of the series, I was dying to know more about "Cousin Michael", and I am so thrilled that Ms. Jeffries ended this series with him. I couldn't be more pleased. From the first page until the last, I was hooked. Ms. Jeffries has an uncanny ability of bringing her characters to life, and the colorful details are unmatched. Charlotte has been a bit of a mystery from the beginning, and I am delighted to finally read her story. The chemistry between Charlotte and David sizzles, and the mastery of such an unusual plot adds to the bond between them. I found the book highly entertaining and a quick, sexy read. My only complaint: the series is at an end.

Title: Mary and the Bear
Author: Zena Wynn
Author’s website: http://www.zenawynn.com/
Publisher: Phaze Books
Release Date: November 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59426-675-1
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Shapeshifter
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

After the death of her twin sister, Mary Elizabeth Brown feels overwhelmed. When her sister was alive, Mary Elizabeth was the overlooked twin, the disappointment to her mother, but now it seems like the entire burden of keeping everybody happy lies on her shoulders. Her boss’s offer of a career move to Refuge, North Carolina, couldn’t have come at a better time, because Mary Elizabeth needs a chance to put her life back together without having to deal with her demanding mother or her overly-clingy widowed brother-in-law Charles.

The first person Mary Elizabeth meets in Refuge is her new landlord, Hugh Mosely. Hugh is a massive bear of a man with a deep voice that resounds within her. Mary Elizabeth is not a small woman, but Hugh makes her feel positively dainty in comparison. He also strikes a sexual spark within her, and while she is in no way interested in a relationship, she is more than willing to have a brief affair with the man.

Refuge isn’t your typical small town. It is a community of shape-shifters as well as humans, and while the majority of the shifters are wolves, Hugh is a bear shifter. He isn’t looking for an affair but wants a mate, and he recognizes something within Mary Elizabeth that tells him she is his one true mate. Somehow, Hugh must convince her to give him a chance to love her, because whether she believes it or not, they are destined to be together.

********

Zena Wynn’s novel Mary and the Bear is the second book in her True Mates series, and it continues the saga of the shape shifters of Refuge, North Carolina. This is a story about a woman who is afraid of being hurt and who has to admit that she is deserving of love before she can accept that emotion from others and love back. While Mary and the Bear can be read as a stand-alone story, I would strongly suggest that readers take this series in order and read True Mates first, because True Mates introduces the town of Refuge and explains the one true mate bond.

Mary and the Bear captured my attention early on and held it for the entire novel. Not only does it tell a sensual love story between the characters Mary Elizabeth and Hugh, but it also contains a very interesting secondary story line as well as an undercurrent of suspense. As we witness the mating dance between Hugh and Mary Elizabeth, we also watch the machinations of the character Charles. Ms. Wynn gives us intriguing glimpses into Charles’s less-than-sane mind, and we wait in apprehension for him to make his move on Mary Elizabeth. Ms. Wynn also continues the story of the werewolf Shannon and the vampire Nikolai that she began in True Mates.

The love scenes between Hugh and Mary Elizabeth are positively incendiary. Hugh is a bear, and as such he is not prone to being gentle with his mate. The sex is primal and rough and messy, and it suits both of them perfectly. Yet for all the basic immediacy of the lovemaking, there is still an undercurrent of tenderness, because the true mate bond is about love as well as earth-shattering sex.

Overall, I found Mary and the Bear to be a very enjoyable read. It contains great characters, plenty of conflict, memorable emotion and sex, and just a touch of danger – a little bit of everything. I definitely plan to keep up with the inhabitants of the town of Refuge, and I look forward to reading Shannon and Nikolai’s story next.

--Bobby

Title: Space Escapes
Author: Jason Edding and Angela Fiddler
Author’s website: http://jasonedding.books.officelive.com and http://angelafiddler.wordpress.com/ 
Publisher:  MLR Press
Release Date: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-934531-76-1
Length: 2 Novellas
Format: Electronic and Print
Genre: Futuristic Sci Fi GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Dark Robe Heart: Dark Robe Society 1 by Jason Edding

After four hundred years of servitude, Jack Harrow has finally escaped the clutches of the Dark Robe Society, a group who has clandestinely taken over the world through the use of cloning. Jack himself is a clone who has been recreated, memories intact, many times by the Dark Robes. When his masters try to convert him from diplomat to assassin, he breaks away, knowing that they will follow and either reclaim him or dispose of him as they see fit. If he can just make it to Jupiter’s moon Europa, he believes he will be safe.

The Dark Robes have indeed sent an assassin after Jack. Disguised as a young and somewhat foolish military cadet, the clone Edge Fland insinuates himself into Jack’s life and his bed in order to carry out his mission. Somehow, however, he can’t bring himself to kill the man. And even though Jack recognizes Edge as the one sent to end his life, he too is reluctant to dispose of the young man. Clones are supposedly incapable of feeling love, so what’s going on here?

The love that the two men feel for each other bonds them together and makes them stronger, but it won’t necessarily keep them safe. Even when they reach Europa, Dark Robe assassins are hot on their tail. The enemy is strong and numerous and nothing is going to dissuade them of their goal: the deaths of both Jack and Edge.  

********

Dark Robe Heart: Dark Robe Society 1 by Jason Edding is a fascinating peek into a possible future, where genetic cloning has been used for evil and mankind has populated space. This is a story about a struggle for survival, the beginnings of a war, and the surprising power that love can bring. It is a detailed, fast-paced, action-filled tale that will keep the reader hanging in suspense as the heroes race to avoid death and capture by the agents of evil: The Dark Robes.

In Jack and Edge, Mr. Edding gives us two very unique characters. They are men, but they are also clones. Neither is supposed to be capable of feeling love, but they do nevertheless, and this gives them an unexpected power that can destroy their enemies. Jack and Edge act overall like humans, but there is a not-human aspect to both of them that pops up occasionally to remind us of their origins. The love they feel for each other is very human, but when Edge reverts to his “killer clone” origins, he appears very much like the well-trained automaton his creators meant him to be. I found this human/clone contrast to add an interesting dimension to both of the characters.

In my opinion, the outstanding feature of this story is its imagery. Mr. Edding’s descriptions of Jupiter and its moons bring the setting of the story to vivid life and give it a realistic feel. As I read these passages, I felt as if I were the one looking at the planet and moons and experiencing the otherworldly environment.

Dark Robe Heart is fast-paced and hardly pauses to take a breath. There is little “down” time, and the story only slows down when the two characters are having sex, which is quite detailed and frank. Yet for all the basic earthiness of the sex, it is very evident that these two love each other.

This is the first of what appears to be a multi-part story regarding the struggle against the Dark Robes. Of course I must read the rest; the gigantic cliff-hanger at the end of the story ensures that. Not only am I looking forward to reading the conclusion of this story, but I will definitely be on the lookout for Mr. Edding’s future releases.

########

The Bright Side of Midnight by Angela Fiddler

Newly graduated from university, Dr. Tavish Pan has returned to his home colony of Midnight to try to find a cure for a mysterious disease that is killing the people working in the mines. The assignment is not wholly his choice, but Tavish is indentured to the Midnight corporation for his education, and with both his father and his brother branded as traitors to the colony, Tavish feels that it is up to him to prove his loyalty.

Tavish finds upon his return to Midnight that much has changed in his absence. His brother is a rebel in hiding, and his childhood friend and son to the governor, Jordan Patrice, is a junkie to a designer drug known as Dose. The governor rules with a totalitarian iron fist, and he makes it very clear to Tavish that he expects results and a cure for Black Lung immediately.

As Tavish works to save the lives of the colony’s miners, he begins to kindle a relationship with Jordan. He also begins to realize that the political unrest that flows throughout Midnight is about to come to a head. And both he and Jordan may very well be two of the casualties that result.

********

Angela Fiddler’s The Bright Side of Midnight is a story that mixes a little suspense and political intrigue into its science fiction. This well-written story is a pretty quick read that will keep you involved throughout, because the conflict is two-fold: that of the governor and his political machinations as well as Tavish’s race to find a cure to a disease that appears to have no source and no remedy.

The characters in this story are a mix of political rebels, junkies, backstabbing politicians, and of course our hero. No one – except Tavish, who appears to be the only straight-up “good guy” in this story – is exactly who they appear to be, and this lends an intriguing depth to the tale. The characters cannot be divided into “good” and “bad” categories but instead are many shades of grey in between.

Ms. Fiddler has developed a fascinating little world, and she brings it to colorful life in The Bright Side of Midnight. This is a world that revolves around a mining community, but there is still a sense of beauty to it. It’s an ephemeral beauty, because we know that aspects of the planet are slowly being destroyed by the very mining that keeps it alive.

I found The Bright Side of Midnight to be intriguing and enjoyable. Well-developed characters, a suspenseful plot, and even a bit of a love story combine to make this story well worth the read.

--Bobby

Title: Barefoot in the Snow
Author: Melissa Harlow
Author’s website: www.melissaharlow.com
Publisher: Whispers Publishing
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 3

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Dave is pretty happy with his uncluttered life. Divorced and with his grown daughter out of the house, he limits his entanglements with women to occasional bar hookups and takes joy in the freedom riding his motorcycle gives him. For the past year, he has been admiring the hot blonde who brings her Cadillac Escalade to the garage he runs. She’s another man’s wife, but no harm comes in looking and a little gentle flirting, right? And if Dave has noticed that she always looks sad and bears the signs of abuse, well there’s nothing that he can do about it. She’s an unattainable fantasy for him, anyway. Or so Dave thought until the night that she came running through the snow to him for help, barefoot and terrified and clad only in her nightgown.

Joy has landed in Dave’s lap like a beautiful scantily-clad parcel. She is equally attracted to Dave and gladly accepts both his offer of shelter and protection and his sexual advances. Even with Joy’s husband and his threats lingering in the background, this situation almost seems like a dream come true for Dave. Frequent and enthusiastic sex and affection from such a gorgeous creature? He would gladly hang on to her forever. But Joy is almost twenty years younger than Dave and has a different set of expectations out of life. Even if Dave can convince her husband to let go of her, is he truly ready for how his life would change with Joy in it?

********

Melissa Harlow’s novella Barefoot in the Snow is a quick sexy read about finding a second chance at love. This is a take on the “damsel in distress” theme, complete with a knight in shining armor. Or, rather, a knight on a shiny Harley. It features a couple of main characters that will definitely make an impression on the reader as well as a nasty villain.

I can’t say that I made a real connection with any of the characters, but Ms. Harlow definitely does a good job developing them in this story. The character Dave feels pretty realistic. He has many “typical” male features and human failings that make him a sympathetic character. He is very much an alpha male, almost over-confident in his ability to keep Joy safe while at the same time completely lost when it comes to dealing with a crying woman. He is selfish regarding sex and birth control but at the same time very gentle and tender in the way he wants to take care of Joy.

While Dave feels real, Joy does not. She’s more like a doll, it seems, and almost too sweet, passive, and biddable. Her yearning for a real family is poignant, however, and it somehow redeems her in my eyes and keeps her from appearing to be a two-dimensional character.

The thing I enjoyed the most about this story is the wish fulfillment aspect. Both see each other as a fantasy. Joy’s wishes involve a romance story, while Dave’s revolve around having a beautiful, young, busty blonde in his bed. The sex scenes in this story – which are many – are very sensual, and the chemistry between Joy and Dave positively sizzles.

The ending feels a little rushed, which is a bit of a shame. I would have liked to read more about our main characters dealing with the antagonist. It’s probably my own penchant for violence and mayhem, but I do enjoy a good versus evil struggle or two, because it makes a happy ending all the sweeter. Regardless, Ms. Harlow does tie up the loose ends neatly, and I appreciated that.

--Bobby

Title: Fire Season
Author: Lex Valentine
Author’s website: www.lexvalentine.com/
Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9824885-9-1
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Futuristic Paranormal GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Holden Antaeus is a ladies’ man. He has been playing the field for years, not interested in settling down and certainly unconcerned about finding his mate. He’s a black dragon, an immortal, so there’s plenty of time for pairing up sometime in the future. When his brother Sean, who is also his boss and the head of the Antaeus business conglomerate, calls an impromptu team-building weekend for their group and pairs Holden up with new employee and financial whiz kid Garrett Renquist, Holden is upset that the intimate weekend away that he had planned with his latest lady friend has been usurped. He never suspected that his brother planned the entire thing to get him together with his destined mate. If he had known, he never would have gone.

Although he, too, is taken unawares, Garrett is quite open to the fact that his mate is a man. But then Garrett, a green dragon, is bisexual. He is extremely attracted to Holden and is more than willing to give their fated relationship a shot. Holden, on the other hand, is not so sure about this. He’s been happily heterosexual for his entire life and has never even felt a twinge of attraction to another man. But the bond between mates is a very difficult thing to ignore, and if denied, it can lead to a lifetime of unhappiness and pain for the unmated pair. Somehow Holden must come to grips with finding his sexual orientation turned upside down. Garrett can do his best to help, but he can’t force his mate to accept him.

********

Lex Valentine’s novel Fire Season is a story about a man who must learn to accept his destiny even though it means changing who he is. This is a very well-written and sensual tale that will have its readers believing in fate and dragons and love as they are completely enveloped in Ms. Valentine’s Darkworld.

Holden and Garrett are both quite likeable characters, and they each must make concessions in order to adjust to the fact that they are mates. I found Holden’s struggle to come to grips with the fact that his mate is a male to be quite believable. One certainly can’t expect someone to give up a lifetime of sexual orientation at the drop of a hat, and Holden is frankly terrified. On Garrett’s side, although he refuses to be a plaything or a toy, he knows he has to give up a certain amount of control in the relationship until Holden is more comfortable with what’s going on between them. The way these two are pulled together is amazing and incredibly sensual. Yet for all this, it is the emotional bond between the two men that I found the most appealing. Holden is willing to admit that he cares for Garrett long before he is willing to try sex.

I found this story to be engaging and entertaining. In fact, I read it in a single evening, refusing to go to sleep until I had finished the final page. This, of course, led to a certain amount of sleep deprivation the next day, but I have to say that it was worth the sacrifice. Ms. Valentine has a very pleasing writing style, and her imagery is vivid enough to bring the story to life. I especially enjoyed the men in dragon-form; they charmed me with their playful antics while shifted.

Fire Season is sure to raise the temperature of the reader and possibly hook them on the Darkworld series. While this is the third book in what I’m told will be a ten-story series, it is definitely a stand-alone tale. Even though I jumped into the saga in mid-flow, I had no trouble following the storyline or understanding the dynamics of the Antaeus family. And this family is definitely worth getting to know a little better. I’m very pleased to have discovered Ms. Valentine’s writing, and I will definitely be seeking out more of her work in the future.

--Bobby

Title: Dawg Town: Mad Dawg
Author: Tuesday Richards
Author’s website: www.tuesdayrichards.literalseduction.net/
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60521-252-4
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Shapeshifter
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 3.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When Bryce, aka Mad Dawg, wrecks his motorcycle avoiding a prairie dog in the middle of the road, he feels as if his best girl is down for the count. Stuck driving his cage until repairs can be completed, he sits at the bar nursing a drink and mourning his Midnight. That is, until a beautiful and feisty woman wanders into the joint. Dolly Madison’s car has broken down in the middle of nowhere, Kansas, and now she’s completely stranded. Dolly is a resourceful gal, however, and before long she is tending the bar and going home with the most gorgeous biker she’s ever seen.

Bryce likes Dolly and plans to hang on to her. Great sex aside, will Dolly want to stay when she finds out who he really is? Bryce is in for a surprise, though; Dolly has a secret of her own, and it’s a doozie.

********

Fans of cute and furry, look out. Tuesday Richards’ Mad Dawg puts a special twist on cute and furry, and it is funny and sexy and downright entertaining. This story involves tough bikers, a feisty heroine, a slight case of mistaken identity, and a heavy-handed dose of humor that will make readers laugh and groan at the same time.

Dolly and Bryce are an engaging pair that you can’t help but like. Neither is exactly what they first appear to be, and this adds to the overall comic slant of the story. These two have sex at every opportunity, and they always seem to be getting caught in the act. Not that it bothers Dolly much.  I should probably also mention that there is a quick ménage scene mixed into Dolly and Bryce’s sexual adventures, although a ménage relationship is not the focus of this story.

Mad Dawg is a quick, lively read that will leave you wanting to read more about Barkus and its quirky residents. Luckily, this is part of a series of stories published by Changeling Press called Dawg Town, so we should probably be on the lookout for more of the Prairie Dawgs. If the other stories are like this one, we’re in for a good laugh or three.

Title: Dawg Town: Homecoming
Author: Selena Illyria
Author’s website: http://selenaillyria.com/ and http://selenaillyriasthoughts.blogspot.com/
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60521-226-5
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Shapeshifter
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 3.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Before she left town five years ago, Alicia revealed her love to Taylor and was rebuffed for her efforts. Now she’s back home to stay in Barkus, Kansas. She still loves Taylor, but she’s not going to fight for him. He’ll have to come to her if he’s interested.

Taylor didn’t want to break Alicia’s heart, but all those years ago she was too young and inexperienced for him to admit to her how he felt. She needed a chance to grow up and experience life first. Now that she’s back, though, he has every intention of claiming her for his own. And if it takes breaking out the handcuffs and doling out a spanking or two? He can do that. In fact, he’s looking forward to it.

********

In Selena Illyria’s Homecoming, we have another story in the Dawg Town series. This one is not as overtly humorous as Mad Dawg, but it will still bring a grin to your face a couple of times. This story features a ticked-off and spunky heroine and an alpha hero who is dead set on claiming her. Interaction between the two is a sexy clash of wills as each tries to gain the upper hand on the other. This story flirts with discipline and bondage in a lighthearted way, as handcuffs and spanking take their place in the sex play between Alicia and Taylor.

Along with telling the tale of Alicia and Taylor’s spark-filled reunion, this story also seems to set the stage for future installations of the Dawg Town series by introducing other townsfolk who have their own small dramas. Ms. Illyria does an excellent job of keeping us wondering what the residents and the town of Barkus have in store for us next. She has given us a quick, sexy and fun read with Homecoming, and I am quite interested to see how other stories in this series will pan out.

Title: Dawg Town: Bad Dawg
Author: Lena Austin
Author’s website: www.LenaAustin.com
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60521-229-6
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Shapeshifter
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When Loren’s trainer ditches him at a truck stop in the middle of Kansas, the trucker-in-training believes he’s got a long cold night ahead of him waiting for a replacement and no motel in sight. But when a gorgeous biker who is the embodiment of all Loren’s wet dreams picks him and offers him a place to stay for the night, Loren knows that what began as a nightmare has turned into a sexual fantasy come true.

BD, or Bad Dawg, is a man of few words, but he certainly seems to know what both of them want and need. Can a long-haul trucker allow himself to fall in love with a man with roots in small-town Kansas? And even more important, how will Loren react when he finds out that the “Prairie Dawgs” patch his brand-new lover wears on his jacket is more than just the name of a club? Prairie dog werewolves are the visions of madmen and morons, right?

********

One of the stories in the Dawg Town lineup from Changeling Press, Lena Austin’s Bad Dawg features BD, the bike doctor we first met in the story Mad Dawgs. In this series, folks tend to get stranded in Barkus, aka “the middle of nowhere,” Kansas. In this humorous and clever story, the victim is Loren, who is training to be a long-haul trucker but who has been ditched by his homophobic trainer at a truck stop. Lucky for Loren, though, Bad Dawg is having a meal at the same truck stop, and he’s not shy about packing Loren up and taking him home.

I have to admit to being somewhat charmed by Loren and BD. Ms. Austin has done an excellent job developing them in a short period of time. Loren has a very entertaining inner voice that is definitely good for grins and that will have readers identifying with him almost immediately. And BD might be a man of few words, but his playfulness that is at odds with his tough biker image is quite entertaining. Watch for his smile and you’ll see the cute little prairie dog in him.

About half of this story is a drawn-out sex scene, but it’s fun and playful sex instead of down and dirty screwing around. And what are the odds that two vegans would run into each other in the middle of Kansas? Bad Dawg is amusing from beginning to end, and it is chock full of comic similes and metaphors that make for very vivid and humorous imagery. Readers looking for a smile and perhaps a laugh or two should enjoy this story; I certainly did.

Title: Dawg Town: Hustle
Author: Anne Kane
Author’s website: www.annekane.literalseduction.net
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60521-228-9
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Shapeshifter
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 3.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When Kaylee wanders into the Prairie Dawg Saloon, she’s looking to burn off a little steam. Lately, she has been getting way too much attention from men, which has resulted in her being fired from her job. She likes men, but this is getting ridiculous. Maybe a beer or two will help calm her down.

Logan notices the gorgeous female that waltzes in to the bar right away. But then, so does every other man in the joint, because Kaylee might not know it, but she’s in heat. In fact, he could bet that Kaylee doesn’t even know that she is a prairie dog shifter. Never a man to let an opportunity pass by, Logan immediately intercepts her and engages her in a game of “strip pool” to get her naked as soon as possible.

Will Kaylee accept Logan’s claim on her? And, more importantly, how will she react when she finds out that she’s a shifter – one of the legion of cute cuddly creatures who live in Barkus, Kansas?

********

Anne Kane’s Hustle continues the saga of the furry inhabitants of Barkus, Kansas, this time pairing up a shifter who doesn’t know she is one with a leather-clad, bike-riding financial planner who happens to be a cute little rodent as well. As with the other stories in this series, Hustle is a quick, light read that is good for a grin or two along the way.

This story revolves around a sexy game of “strip stripes and solids.” Each of the two main characters – a playful pair – play a game with the other, and although they are not exactly the same game, they ultimately have a common goal. Logan’s game is to grab the female in estrus before any of the other dawgs do and to trick her into getting naked with him in the back room of the bar. Kaylee’s game is to pretend to be clueless about the game of billiards when she could actually take Logan to the cleaners over the game.

This story has been written with the same sense of fun that marks the other titles in the Dawg Town series.  Although it is really just a quick scene of foreplay and sex, it still manages to give us a couple of sympathetic characters in something of a comic situation. And it is that underlying thread of humor that keeps us coming back to Dawg Town to visit its residents.

--Bobby

Title: The Spellman Files
Author: Lisa Lutz
Author’s website: http://www.lisalutz.com/
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: 2007
ISBN: 978-1416532408
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary Humor
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Isabel Spellman works for Spellman Investigators, and if you notice the last name is the same, there is a reason. The Spellman agency is a family business. Privacy is non-existent in such a family and Izzy has done her best to buck the system since she could remember. What else can a girl do who has a perfect brother and parents that run a background check and stake-out your boyfriends? She can live a life that is hilarious and not the least bit mundane.

********

The Spellman Files is a unique, quirky, and hilarious story that will keep a smile on your face. From the first page, I was pulled into the life of an investigator, and felt as if I was there right along with Izzy for the ride. What a ride it was; I found myself giggling most of the time. I can only imagine a family that puts round-the-clock surveillance on a child to find out who their boyfriend might be. Isabel is the comeback queen, and her totally snarky attitude makes the story unforgettable. Following her as she grows and defies life in general is downright fun. This is a story worth reading, especially if you like to laugh. I thoroughly enjoyed how off-the-wall it was, and I was never sure what to expect next. Ms. Lutz is uniquely talented. I am running out to  buy the next story in this series.

Title: Ghosts of Alcatraz
Author: Carol Lynne
Author’s website: www.carol-lynne.net
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59632-952-2
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Futuristic Paranormal GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

A series of deaths at Alcatraz, the newly rebuilt maximum security prison for cybercriminals, has authorities completely stumped. When the pace of the deaths suddenly picks up, life at the prison becomes a grisly blood-soaked nightmare, and Alcatraz’s warden, Jensen Black, becomes concerned about the safety of his inmates. Evidence suggests that whoever is causing the deaths is not exactly of the corporeal world.

Parapsychologist Brian Phipps has been sent to Alcatraz to investigate these supposed murderous ghosts and to try to determine a method of banishing them. For Brian’s safety, he masquerades as Jensen’s lover, but it isn’t long before he and the warden become involved with each other for real. The connection between them is electrifying, and neither man can ignore it.

When Brian’s investigation turns up not only a hoard of extremely angry spirits but also an evil entity that could only originate in hell, the situation goes from dire to extreme. In order to vanquish this evil and put the ghosts of “The Rock” at rest, Brian and Jensen must put themselves and their relationship at risk. The investigation may possibly tear them apart and smother their love forever. That is, if it doesn’t kill them first.

********

In Ghosts of Alcatraz, Carol Lynne takes her readers on a bloodstained trip to the future, where the infamous prison of Alcatraz has once again been placed in service to incarcerate the most dangerous of criminals. This novella a bit of a departure for Ms. Lynne. Yes, it is a story of love and sizzling hot sex, but it also contains an element of horror and paranormal violence that will both fascinate her readers and send shivers up their spines. I feel as if this is truly the best work Ms. Lynne has given us to date.

The descriptions are vivid and clear and put me right on “The Rock” with the characters. In addition, the modifications that Ms. Lynne makes to Alcatraz in order to house these cybercriminals are very interesting and felt very real to me. I have an affinity for a good horror story, and I was completely drawn in to Ghosts of Alcatraz and the world of the new Alcatraz prison. This story contains striking imagery that at times feels almost cinematic. The wonderfully creepy and bloody scenes are a nightmare in words.

Along with the horror, Ms. Lynne gives us a love story. But the conflict in this love story doesn’t lie in whether or not these two men will fall for each other. Jensen and Brian are immediately drawn to each other and seem to fall in love very quickly.  Rather, the suspense revolves around whether the ghosts of Alcatraz are going to pull them apart, literally or figuratively.

For its atmosphere of paranormal horror, scorching romance, and vivid depiction of the Alcatraz of the future, I found Ghosts of Alcatraz to be an excellent read. Bravo, Ms. Lynne. I hope that you will give us many more stories like this in the future.

--Bobby

Title: Stella
Author: Colin Galbraith
Author’s website: http://www.colingalbraith.co.uk/
Publisher: Eternal Press
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-926704-05-0 / 978-1-926704-13-5
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic / Print
Genre: Contemporary Suspense Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

International intrigue is Randolph Lowe’s game for the British Government. His latest mission is to tail and possibly eliminate a beautiful woman that might be an assassin given the code name Stella. Randolph tracks Stella across the world and in the process finds himself falling in love with the woman he comes to know from afar. Stella has been playing a game of cat and mouse with Randolph, but Stella is hiding a dark secret, and her secret obligates her to be a killer. Nothing is what it seems, and the terrible truth could destroy all that she holds dear.

********

Stella is a pleasant surprise. I find it exhilarating to come across a story that has the ability to catch me totally off-guard. I enjoy a good suspense story, and this was right on the mark. It is refreshing to find so much story packed in a small package that includes so much detail. As Randolph pursues Stella, I found myself feeling as infatuated as he was. I wanted to understand her. Stella, on the other hand, is a complete mystery, and again I say that I was blown away by the unsuspecting twists in her story. The paranormal element made the story even more interesting. Mr. Galbraith is a truly gifted author. I personally would love to see more of these characters and this story.

Title: Midnight Medusa
Author: Stephanie Draven
Author’s website: http://stephaniedraven.com/
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Release Date: April 2009
ISBN: 9781426833304
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 3.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Renata Rukavina has a lifetime of anger built up inside her. Anger for the parents she lost and the childhood that ended before its time during the Bosnian War. An artist and a sculptor, she uses that anger as fuel for when she sculpts. And if her subjects are war criminals who die as soon as their likeness is finished? So much the better for the world.

When Renata is kidnapped by a man who professes to be a son of Ares and who claims to feed off of fear, she doesn’t believe him at first. But Damon’s insistence that his war-mongering brother and his aunt Athena want to use her talent to encourage war as well as his insistence that she is a monster, a Gorgon, inside eventually break her down. Damon swears he will never allow her to sculpt – and kill – again, and this is akin to denying her air to breathe. How can Renata possibly love a man who would deny her one source of joy? But somehow, she does.

********

Stephanie Draven’s novella Midnight Medusa is a story about a woman who must learn to change in order to do good in the world. This story combines mythology and reality in a manner that I found quite interesting. War is the central theme. Of all the gods of various mythologies, it is only the war gods who have any real power in the world of this story, and there is a struggle for power within the ranks of these war gods. On faction of gods thirsts for violence of any kind and another is sickened by modern warfare.

Although some of the phrasing didn’t quite “work” for me, the story is overall strong and quite unique. In addition, Ms. Draven has created a number of interesting characters. The twin war gods Damon/Deimos and Phobos compare and contrast quite effectively. And while Damon is the hero of the story, he is not exactly what one might consider a “good guy.” He feeds off of terror and is unapologetic about that. He is also more than willing to use this as a weapon, and the scene where he uses this against Renata is very striking.

Renata is filled with anger and agony that has built over the years; however, although she feels is righteous in her anger, it is in actuality very destructive. She must deal with her inner monster and must realize that the end result, which is death of those who destroyed her family, doesn’t always justify the means used. The relationship that she has with Damon isn’t your basic formula romance love but mixes love and hate into a unique anger-filled emotion.

Overall, I found Midnight Medusa to be both unusual and intriguing. It is not your usual hearts and flowers type story and is surprisingly dark for a romance. This story is a little something different, and that, in my opinion, makes it worth reading.

Title: The Avalon Patrol: The Road to Avea
Author: Lynn Lorenz
Author’s website: www.lynnlorenz.com
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-602720540-9
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Fantasy
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5+ Keeper

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

After living for years in the off-world, Sarah Tallow has come back to the majik world. Though her majik is rusty, she has been accepted as a Patroller at the Avalon Station, and her purpose is to train them in a new method that she brings with her from the off-world, a mix of martial arts and evasion skills. On her first day in the station she encounters a man that makes her blood race, and her attraction to him is puzzling. Inspector Stefan Bane is the best at what he does, he takes his job seriously, and the arrival of the new trainer has him questioning her skills since she lacks the majik knowledge she needs to be a Patroller. Stefan’s carefully erected wall around his emotions begins to crumble from the minute he meets Sarah. Evil forces with new tactics are emerging, and the world the Avalon Guard protects is becoming besieged by the evil Sorcerer and his follower Lord Blackmoor. The attraction between Stefan and Sarah is becoming more than each can withstand but can they overcome their fears and find the love they deserve?

*********

I can sum this book up in one word: amazing. From the first few pages I was addicted and drawn into Ms. Lorenz’s fantasy world. The vivid descriptions jumped from the pages as if they were alive and painted a picture of reality. I found myself so enraptured I couldn't put the book down, not even for a bit of shut-eye. The author develops her world in such a manner that the reader discovers it naturally while the story progresses. I liked the fact that extensive background information is simply unnecessary, and I was able to focus on the story without trying to figure out background. Sarah is brave, confident, strong, and bold while at the same time fragile in her ingrained distrust of men. She is a character that leaves her mark on the reader's mind. Stefan initially comes across as an uncaring hard-ass, yet as the story develops I found his character evolving in emotional ways I would never have imagined. Stefan's dark past has shaped the man he is, and his own distrust of people. His staunch resolve to fight his feelings for Sarah interfuses the right amount of conflict into an already wonderful story. Stefan is best described as unforgettable.

I am hard pressed to call the other characters in the "secondary" as they are an integral and pivotal part of the whole story. Rolf and Luci have a story all of their own. Rolf has a dark secret and feels he can't fall in love with any woman. Sarah calls upon her beautiful friend Lucinda to show Rolf that there is always hope. The story between Rolf and Lucinda adds a new dimension to a simply unforgettable story.

This is my first book by Lynn Lorenz, and my only regret is that I haven't read her books sooner. She is truly a superior writer, and I will be waiting impatiently for the next installment in this series.

Title: Bend in the Road
Author: Jeanne Barrack
Author’s website: http://www.jeannebarrack.com and http://thesweetflagmenlove.blogspot.com/ 
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60820-002-3
Length: Novel (two novellas)
Format: Electronic and print
Genre: Historical GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Bend in the Road is composed of two related novellas set in 1880s Eastern Europe: In the Lion’s Den and From Stage to Stage.

In In the Lion’s Den, Aryeh Nachman has been fired from his position as a tutor and kicked out of his employer’s house with absolutely nothing to his name. He falls on his feet, however, when he is befriended by a travelling Yiddish theater troupe. And he falls in love when he meets Dani, the adopted son of the group’s leader.

Dani might be young, but he knows that women have never fascinated him the way the group’s new leading man does. When he is given a chance to play the female lead in the current play, Dani finds unexpected joy in wearing a woman’s costume. But will Aryeh share that joy with him, or will the older man look elsewhere for love?

In From Stage to Stage, the theater group’s musical director, Yuval Smolenski, meets gardener Tsvi Pasternak while arranging a play for a rich patron. Tsvi might look rough, but he has the most beautiful voice that Yuval has ever heard, and he also has a love of music that makes him shine in Yuval’s eyes.

With anti-Semitism on the rise in Europe, the environment is no longer friendly for Jews. Most of the small Yiddish theater group have decided to emigrate at the end of the season, including Yuval. Will these two men be separated just as they find each other? Because Tsvi has a secret he is hiding that could possibly put the troupe at risk if it were discovered.

********

Jeanne Barrack’s novel Bend in the Road follows the members of a travelling Yiddish theatre troupe as they work, love, and deal with the changing social climate of their time. Although this book is broken into two separate novellas, I recommend that you read both stories in order for maximum enjoyment. And enjoy them you will. I have to say that I was absolutely fascinated with this novel. Not only did it introduce me to a new society, that of the nineteenth century Eastern European Jews, but it bought that society to full-scale life for me.

The setting and the characters feel as real and as colorful as they would be if they were standing right before us. Ms. Barrack has developed an entire host of personable characters in this novel that will both entertain and intrigue her readers. Not only do we grow to care about the four main heroes in these stories, but we get to know almost the entire theatre troupe. From Onkle Moyshe and Tante Rivkeh all the way to Yuval’s simple sister Ruteleh and the matchmaking Malkah, these are people who will steal your affection and grab your attention as they work, play and squabble together.

Part of what makes this novel feel so real is the liberal use of the Yiddish language by the Jewish characters. So readers won’t get lost in the words, Ms. Barrack has provided a guide to Yiddish words and phrases at the end of the book. I found myself using this frequently when I first began to read Bend in the Road, but as the story progressed, I became comfortable enough with the phrases used to not need the guide quite so frequently.

Ms. Barrack has a polished writing style that draws the reader right into the heart of the story. As I read Bend in the Road, I felt completely immersed in the world of these characters. I was so captivated that I barely took a break as I read and definitely did not want to see the end. When I was finished, not only had I been royally entertained, but I also felt like I’d learned something. And that alone would make this novel more than worth the read. Excellent job, Ms. Barrack. Thank you for sharing these stories with us.

--Bobby

Title: Mama’s Charm
Author:   Luxie Ryder
Author’s website: www.luxieryder.com
Publisher: Siren Publishing. Inc.
Release Date: April 2009
ISBN: 1-60601-325-4
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

When Wade comes into her store asking for answers about his cheating wife, Martine’s tarot cards don’t show her the storm of lust that is blowing in. Martine tries to fight her feelings for the married man, but she is lost. Wade can’t believe the strong feelings he has for the exotic beauty. His marriage is a sham, and he isn’t sure what to do. He just knows he can’t deny his feelings.

Strange things are starting to happen, and Mama Susu has used her magic to watch over Martine, but an evil bokor wants Martine and will stop at nothing to get Wade out of his way. Can their love overcome an obstacle as big as voodoo?

********

I enjoy a story that is not the run-of-the-mill romance, and that is exactly what Mama’s Charm delivers. From a Haitian voodoo priestess that protects to an evil bokor that destroys, this tale will take you on an unbelievable ride. The chemistry between Wade and Martine is hotter than hot, and left me looking for a fan to cool me down. Martine’s strength and willingness to do what she must to protect Wade is a wonderful quality. Wade’s war with himself and his guilt over his marriage makes him a believable character that evokes a feeling of sorrow. When I first began the story, the fact that Wade was married gave me a moment’s hesitation, but Ms. Ryder quickly builds a story around his marriage that gives an understanding to his need for Martine. The darker side of the book just adds to the appeal of this book. The style of writing is a bit different; it is written from both Wade and Martine’s view, and I found this to enhance the story. It worked very well for this reader. Ms. Ryder has done a fine job of telling a story that will appeal to everyone.

Title: Cara
Author:  Julia Barrett
Author’s website: http://juliabarrett.wordpress.com/
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 9781419920875
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Cara is a one-of-a kind woman with a troubled and painful past. Having been a victim almost her entire life, her need to feel safe and disconnected has lead her to marry an older and financially secure man who bears a resemblance to the man she loved and left back home. What she didn’t realize when she first married him is that her husband is a criminal, a drug-dealer who views her as a disposable plaything and that his veneer of love for her masks a cruelty that rivals any that she has encountered in her short life. And she is no stranger to the evil that men can do to women.

When Cara fled home after a vicious attack, she left James Mackie, the man who loved her and promised to marry her, behind. James was always there for Cara when she needed him most, but she broke his heart when she left without a word. Now he just wants to pull himself back together and move on with his life. And that means trying to forget Cara, who was the love of his life.

When life with her husband becomes dangerous and unbearable, Cara has no choice but to try to flee again. She has not only herself to worry about, but she has her unborn child as well. But her husband is not letting her go without a fight. He would rather kill her than lose her. 

********

Julia Barrett’s Cara is an intense and emotional story about a woman who, by the time she is twenty-one, has suffered enough physical and psychological trauma to last a lifetime. This novel is set during the 1970s, an era with different attitudes towards drugs, sex and women, and it documents the life of a woman who is knocked down so many times by life that it’s a wonder she can stand back up again.

This novel is very well-written and interesting, but it is not an easy read. If you are easily upset by references to violence against women and domestic abuse, please be forewarned. Cara has not had an easy life. In fact, she has been victimized, raped, and beaten. She stands up to be knocked back down again repeatedly, and this can be painful to read. It’s well worth the read, however. Cara has a compelling plot, strong and well-developed characters, and an intriguing thread of suspense.

For the character Cara, life has been a battle. She is physically beautiful but so scarred inside that she can hardly hold herself together. Yet even though she is a victim, we can see a core of strength within her that develops gradually over the course of the novel. We can’t help but love her even as she wanders through part of her life in a disconnected and sometimes drug-induced haze.

While there is a romance involved in this story, it is not the focus of Cara. This novel is about a woman picking herself up repeatedly and gaining strength in spite of the difficulties she encounters in life. Her life is influenced by many different people, not just her main love interest, James, who is merely a secondary character in the story.

The secondary characters in Cara are as well developed and captivating as the main character is. Ms. Barrett gives us villains we can revile and friends we can love. There is something about Cara that seems to instill in men either the desire to protect her or the need to possess her. And it is this need to possess that is the root of all her difficulties in life.

As I read this story, I was drawn completely into Cara’s world. I wondered just how much trauma she could withstand before she simply folded and gave up, and I watched with admiration as she grew from a helpless victim into a woman in control of her life. Ms. Barrett is a very talented writer and storyteller, and she has given us a gem in this novel. I’m very glad that I had the opportunity to read it.

--Bobby

Title: The Transformations
Author:  Dex Quire
Author’s website: http://www.blueguitarpress.blogspot.com/
Publisher: Blue Guitar Press, Intl
Release Date: 2007
ISBN: N/A
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary Satire
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Our hero is something of an unattractive loser. Not only can he not attract the attention of women, he wiles away much of his time reading and watching pornography and dreaming of becoming a porn star himself. When he sent away for a miracle cream to enlarge a certain vital part of his anatomy, he had visions of becoming the next John Holmes; he certainly didn’t mean to make an ass out of himself, literally. But before he knows it, he has become a donkey. And so begins a grand misadventure.

Dubbed “Mr. Tails” and incarcerated in the zoo, our hero thinks that his life couldn’t possibly get any worse. He’s wrong. Having lost any control of his life, he finds himself relegated to being a beast of burden: working for a religious cult, playing donkey basketball, giving rides to tourists in Mexico, and even helping to harvest a drug lord’s cash crop. And he still can’t score with the chicks. Regardless of his genitalia of epic proportions, not even the female donkeys will give him the time of day.

What’s a guy to do when he’s imprisoned in the body of an overly-endowed donkey? Is he going to be stuck eating hay and oats for life? If our hero ever gets out of this situation, he’s laying off the porn. All it seems to lead to is a boatload trouble.

********

Dex Quire’s novel The Transformations is a modern retelling of Apuleius’s Metamorphosis, or the Golden Ass, a second century Latin novel. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a dry work of literature, however. Far from it. This story is humorous, entertaining, and very well-written. It features a narrator who is such a complete and utter loser that we have to love him and adventures that are so ridiculous that they are fascinating.

Through his use of the first-person point of view, Mr. Quire puts the reader squarely into the head of his hero. We experience his transformation and the resulting difficulties along with him. We see the world from his no-longer-human eyes and share in his attempts to make sense out of his situation. And when the foolish fellow makes a meal of hundreds of dollars worth of contraband marijuana, we even get to ride his stoner donkey high with him.

In The Transformations, our hero changes in more than one way – he is physically transformed into an ass, but he also changes within. Although he begins the story very much a sad sack, he comes to appreciate what it is to be human and to see the world in a less egocentric light than he did previously.

I found this novel to be unusual and engaging and just plain fun. Mr. Quire has a very comfortable writing style that makes reading it a pleasure. The narrative flows almost effortlessly, the characters are quirky and real, and the humor is positively addictive. In all, reading The Transformations was time well spent. I hope I’ll see more from this talented author in the future.

--Bobby

Title: Beauty Tempts the Beast
Author: Leslie Dicken
Author’s website: www.lesliedicken.com
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60504-617-4      
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic      
Genre: Historical         
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Vivian Suttley has come to Silverstone Manor to marry a man called The Monster, and she must not fail. She is on the run from a despicable man that her father has promised her to. Vivian is sure that even though Lord Ashworth protests her being there, her will to stay will overcome any of his protests. Her feelings for him become stronger every day, and even though secrets surround them, she is determined to tempt him into taking a chance on her.

Charles, Lord Ashworth lives in his own private hell. He doesn’t welcome anyone into that hell, and yet his mother insists on sending young chits for him to scare off quickly with one look at his scarred face. Vivian has raised his interest more than any woman in a long while, but he wants to keep her safe, and the truth is he doesn’t think she will be safe as long as the monster inside him is present. His secrets must be kept, and even though he yearns for her, he must find a way to make her leave . . . for her own good.

*******

Beauty Tempts the Beast gave me a nostalgic feeling of reading a classic gothic with a decidedly modern twist. It contains everything that will entice the reader; a dark hero, a damsel in distress, a sinister character, and a decaying manor on the cliffs. What more can I ask for? Ms. Dicken has rolled together suspense, mystery, romance, and red-hot sex into one white-hot novel. I was hooked from page one and sat up way too late reading because I couldn’t put it down. I found the characters intriguing and well-written. Vivian is strong-willed and determined. Charles is fraught with angst and pain; he is the perfect dark, brooding hero. The villain is pure evil, and he is a great addition that adds depth to the story. Secrets abound, a mystery is afoot, and romance is in the air: all the makings of a fabulous story that does not disappoint. I can’t wait to search for more of Ms. Dicken’s work. 

Title: Playing the Field: Play On
Author: J.M. Snyder
Author’s website: http://www.jmsnyder.net/
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60272-527-0
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

After Sean sees the new guy at soccer tryouts, he has a hard time concentrating on anything else, including his game. All he can think of is getting his hands on the guy, because he is everything that turns Sean on. When a little bit of flirting confirms that Cordero returns his interest, practice can’t be over fast enough. Sean has plans for this fine soccer player that don’t include the field. When Sean’s inattention to the soccer field lands him on his back seeing stars, he knows he needs to get his head back in the game, but all he really wants to do is follow Cordero back to his room after practice and get to know the dude intimately.

Except for soccer, Sean and Cordero don’t cross paths on campus at all. They have separate classes, separate friends, and separate lives. The only time they are able to get together is after soccer practice, and this leads to a certain amount of distraction on both of their parts and a marked decrease in Sean’s game. When the coach pulls both boys aside to warn them, he gives them an ultimatum: lose the distraction and improve their game or else. Neither Sean nor Cordero want to give up playing soccer, so does this mean an end to their affair. Sean’s pretty sure that Cordero will chose the game over him, but Sean’s not sure that he can play on the same team with Cordero if all they are is just teammates.

********

J.M. Snyder’s Playing the Field: Play On is a quick-reading novella that revolves around a youthful love affair between college soccer teammates and the pressure that this relationship puts on their game. This is not a love story, per se, because the two main characters never even discuss the “L” word. It is more a story of sex and friendship and the delicate balancing act between private and public lives.

This entire story is told in the present tense, which gives a free-flowing, right-now feeling to the narrative that feels very appropriate to the story. Play On is more a slice of life than a full-blown emotional saga, as if we saw a few young men playing a soccer scrimmage on the field, and we wondered who these boys are and what their story is.

Ms. Snyder does an excellent job of developing her two main characters in this story. Both Sean and Cordero use a lot of urban slang, what Sean calls “whack,” in their conversation, and this makes the characters seem very real and very young as well. These boys may mainly have sex on their minds, but they are still an engaging pair. Sean may put up a macho cocky front, but he also has some deep-down insecurities that he doesn’t want to admit to.

Play On is a happy-for-now story. We aren’t left with the feeling that these kids will be together for the rest of their lives, and that’s okay. They are simply too young to commit to a lifelong relationship. I finished the story thinking that it was good enough that they’re both happy with their lives as they are right now. The future can wait until they grow up a bit.

 --Bobby

Title: Deadly Dreams
Author: Victor J. Banis
Author’s website: www.vjbanis.com
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: May 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60820-039-9
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic and Print
Genre: Contemporary Suspense GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When Tom Danzel finally agrees to move in with his sometimes-lover Stanley Korski, he knows that his time on the police force has come to an end. Even in San Francisco, one of the most gay-friendly cities in the nation, the police department is a bastion of homophobia. Even though Tom is an excellent detective, he willingly quits the force to open a private investigations firm with Stanley. Stanley can be the brains, and he can be the brawn; it’s an almost ideal partnership. Or Stanley believes it would be, if Tom would just admit his feelings for him. He thinks. Perhaps.

Before they can even take a case, life becomes complicated for the two men. The death of Stanley’s father, discovery of a brother that he never knew about, and a visit from Homeland Security just kick things off. Now it appears that someone is following Stanley, and that someone may have ties with terrorism and is certainly not a stranger to murder.

Tom sees himself as Stanley’s protector. He might not be able to say the three magic words that Stanley so wants to hear, but he is adamant about keeping the other man safe. If someone wants to get to Stanley, they’re going to have to come through Tom first. Unfortunately for the two men, whoever is following Stanley is more than willing to do just that. Over Tom’s dead body? Not a problem.

********

Deadly Dreams is the third novel in Victor J. Banis’s Deadly Mystery series featuring Tom Danzel and Stanley Korski, an unlikely pair if there ever was one. Unlike the previous two stories, which were essentially mysteries, this novel is suspense. There is no doubt who the villain is or what his intentions are. Instead, the question is how he is going to impact Stanley and Tom and what kind of carnage he is going to leave in his wake. This story is well-written and involving with an intelligent narrative and almost poetic phrasing that is very typical of Mr. Banis’s work

Although Deadly Dreams is the third book to feature Tom and Stanley, Mr. Banis keeps the characters fresh and interesting. There is absolutely no taking these two for granted. They are multidimensional characters that have so much going on in their psyches that this series could probably continue indefinitely, and we would still feel as if we are just getting to know them.

Stanley is the philosopher, while Tom is the man of action. Stanley is the butterfly; Tom is the caveman (who else would call their penis “King Kong” in all seriousness?). Their relationship seems so impossible, so doomed from the onset, that we can’t help but hope that they somehow make it work. Life and love is not easy for this pair. They seem to take two steps forward just to slide one step back, and that is part of what makes them so fascinating.

Tom is a very conflicted character. Regardless of his intimate involvement with Stanley, he still refuses to believe that he might be gay. He thinks Stanley is adorable, is an eager participant in sex with him, and even acknowledges that he has strong feelings for the man; however, a part of him holds back emotionally and even looks down on Stanley a bit for being queer. And yet another part of him is incredibly possessive of the man and devoted to keeping him free of harm.

Stanley, on the other hand, thinks he knows what he wants. But does he really? He might appear to be the injured party in much of his dealings with Tom, but there is a kernel of selfishness buried within him that causes him to make mistakes that put Tom’s to shame. When this is brought to his attention towards the end of the story, he must face some pretty painful facts.

I found Deadly Dreams to be dynamic and entertaining, and as soon as I finished it, I was eager for more. This series and these characters are positively addictive. However many novels Mr. Banis has planned (and I hope it is several more), I can’t imagine the stories ever getting stale. Granted, Mr. Banis could probably make next week’s grocery list sound poetic, because he is just that talented a writer. Book Four of this series can’t come soon enough for me; I am very interested to see what is in store next for Tom and Stanley.

--Bobby

Title: A Liar’s Truth
Author: Kimberly Garland
Author’s website: N/A
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, LLC
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60735-037-8
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Healer Lady Christine’s castle has been taken by none other than the darkest knight in the kingdom. He has been called many names; Murderer of Moscow, Horror of Hamburg, Sorrow of Sicily, just to name a few. Lady Christine’s father, step-mother, and step-sister have thrown her to the murdering marauder, Lord Brandon, in order to save themselves. Christine is resigned to her fate and expects to be murdered directly, so she is surprised when Lord Brandon instead takes her to tend his wounded. Even though she knows he is supposed to be a monster, she can’t help but admire his treatment of her father’s people. Her feelings for him are more than they should be, but can she find a place with a supposed monster?

Lord Brandon may be called many things, but they mean nothing as long as he gets back the castle and land that are rightfully his. As a lad, his ancestral land was stripped from his family wrongfully and he intends to make the man that set it in motion pay. After laying siege to the castle, he is surprised by the unusual Lady Christine; it is apparent she is vastly different from her family. His interest is peaked and his feelings for her are strong.

********

A Liar’s Truth is an enjoyable, sweet romance with just the right amount of sexiness. The characters are well-written and for a short story show great depth. Lady Christine is a heroine anyone can look up to., Even though her family treats her terribly, her compassion and strength endear her to the reader. Lord Brandon brings an interesting twist to the story, and his character will keep the reader guessing throughout. The story is short yet keeps a great pace so that it is not easy to put down. I enjoyed the way Ms. Garland was able to give such vivid background within so short a story. I look forward to reading more by this talented author.

Title: Mating
Author: Lex Valentine
Author’s website: http://www.lexvalentine.com/
Publisher: Freya’s Bower
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Werewolf
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Roul Verlaine is Alpha wolf of his clan. When he comes to the agency run by Morgan Kale for help investigating his brother’s new mate, he is startled by his immediate and urgent physical reaction to Morgan. He’s not looking for a mate of his own, but he is more than willing to indulge in a few days and nights of passion with this fascinating woman.

Morgan is a lone wolf. Cast out by her clan due to a rare genetic mutation, she has been on her own for a long time. She recognizes Roul as her mate but has no intention of letting him in on that secret. She knows that if he were to realize that they were destined to be mates, he would insist that she come home with him and take her place in his pack, and that’s a risk she is not ready to take.

They may be fated to be mates, but Morgan’s lone wolf status could possibly cause trouble from within Roul’s clan. Even though she is an Alpha herself and very strong with it, she’s not sure she can survive being rejected yet again should the clan not accept her. Is the promise of being with the one who completes her worth gambling her heart?

********

When two alphas come together, we expect to see fur fly. But what if they are in love, and what if there is potentially a conflict between that love and the duty an alpha owes his pack? Lex Valentine’s Mating is a story about two strong people who come together only to find that they are destined mates. Whether they are willing to accept this mating and how they deal with the fact that they are both alphas generates the main conflict in the story, which although short is sexy and satisfying.

In Morgan and Roul, Ms. Valentine gives us two unique characters. In spite of the brevity of the story, she develops them well enough to make them both interesting and sympathetic to the reader. Morgan is strong and self-sufficient, but this is because she has had to be in order to survive as a lone wolf. Inside, she still aches from being cast aside by her pack, and her biggest fear is that she will once again be rejected. Roul, while every inch the dominant predatory male, is a little wistful about the happiness that his twin brother has found with a mate so suddenly. His love for Morgan develops because she is so strong, not in spite of it. He acknowledges that they are equals, and I for one though that was pretty cool. Definitely not a “usual” trait you find in an alpha wolf.

One aspect of Mating that I thought was quite interesting was Ms. Valentine’s use of scent as an identifier. It seems to be very appropriate that the first thing wolves would notice about each other would be their scent and that this would draw them together sexually.

In all, I enjoyed Mating and found it to be well worth the reading time. The story is well written, sensual, and entertaining, and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Valentine’s work in the future. I am told that there will be a companion piece to this story that tells the story of Roul’s twin, Ranulf. This makes me wonder if we’ll see Morgan and Roul again, then. I certainly hope so.

-Bobby 

Title: Lil’s Boy/Everything Good and True
Author: Sarah Rogers
Author’s website:  N/A
Publisher: Torquere Press, Inc.
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60370-730-5
Length: Short Stories (2)
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical GLBT
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

This Torquere Press Single Shot is comprised of two short stories that are linked together.

In Lil’s Boy, Alexander Jordan, newly wealthy after his father’s death, meets piano player Tom Craig in the bar of a brothel. Enchanted by both the music and the young man who makes it, Alex pursues Tom, and they begin a relationship. When Alex discovers that the mother he thought had died when he was an infant had close ties with the brothel, he begins to fear that Tom’s motives for getting to know him might be more mercenary than he previously believed. Will he allow his suspicions to split them up, or is he willing to take a gamble on happiness?

In Everything Good and True, Alex and Tom have been together for over four years when they are separated by the Great War. When they finally reunite, Alex is permanently changed by an injury. He knows that he should count himself lucky to survive at all, but he can’t help but feel self-conscious and frustrated. As Tom and Alex try to rebuild a life together, Alex slowly begins to push Tom away, even though he needs Tom’s love now more than ever. Is Tom willing to let him go, however?

********

Sarah Rogers’ stories Lil’s Boy and Everything Good and True are two halves of one whole, visiting two points of conflict in the relationship between the two main characters. These stories are short but intense, and they contain an interesting contrast between East and West Coast and pre- and post-World War One. While either one could possibly be read individually, it is the combination of the two that gives the greatest impact.

These stories are about Alex’s struggles with his internal dramas, yet even though the narrative is from Alex’s point of view, he is very matter-of-fact in his storytelling. We are not as privy to his thoughts and emotions as one might expect. The reader is left to untangle his feelings and motivations, probably because the character is not willing to admit them even to himself and second-guesses himself constantly. Alex has built walls around his emotions and tries to disassociate himself from his feelings. In Lil’s Boy, this is due to the negative influence of his stern father. In Everything Good and True, this is due to his disfigurement from the War and his inability to cope with his loss. The closest he comes to admitting how he feels is when he recounts Tom playing the piano and his reaction to the music by Beethoven and Chopin and Brahms. In both stories, it is up to Tom to knock those walls down and open Alex’s eyes.

These two stories combine into a pretty emotional whole. I found myself quite affected by the story of the men’s reunion after the War, hoping that Alex would find a way to come to terms with his injury to that they could carry on with a “happily every after.” Ms. Rogers has done an excellent job of fitting a lot of story into just a few pages.

--Bobby

Title: Heiress for Hire
Author: Erin McCarthy
Author’s website: www.erinmccarthy.net
Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: January 2006
ISBN: 978-0-425-21484-8
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary Humor
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Amanda Delmar’s daddy has cut her off. He cancelled her credit cards, and refuses to give her a penny more until she bends to his will. Amanda is stranded in Cuttersville, Ohio, supposedly the most haunted town is the state, and she has no choice but to get a job. What kind of job is suitable for a socialite that up until this point has never worked and has had limitless funds? Farmer Danny Tucker just found out he has an eight-year-old daughter; she has been literally dropped on his doorstep. Though Danny has always dreamed of a wife and family, this wasn’t exactly the way he figured he would start a family . . . eight years late. He is thrilled to be the dad to his super shy daughter who will only stay by his side or the side of Cuttervilles newest arrival, Amanda Delmar. He has no choice but to ask Amanda to babysit. The problem is his growing feelings for Amanda, even though he knows she wouldn’t give him the time of day.

********

Heiress for Hire will keep a smile on your face and a laugh on your lips. In this follow-up book to A Date With the Other Side, the secondary characters from the first book make a story all their own, and it is one that you don't want to miss. I instantly fell in love with Amanda; she is quirky, smart, and oh-so-misunderstood. Ms. McCarthy does a wonderful job of making Amanda appear to be superficial at first glance, showing that in actuality her depth is unfathomable. I enjoyed that Amanda’s beauty is eclipsed by the real woman inside, even if she doesn't realize it. Danny is a great surprise for me in this story; I wasn't taken with him in the last story since as a secondary character he seems just too nice. I was definitely taken with him in this book, and his personality is perfectly suited to the storyline. The addition of Danny's daughter adds a sweetness as well as sadness to the story that pulls at my heartstrings. Besides laughing like an idiot while I was reading, I found myself tearing up as well. Ms. McCarthy remains a personal favorite for me, and I always look forward to her unique brand of writing.

Title: Faith of the Heart
Author: Sandy James
Author’s website: http://www.sandy-james.com/
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: 1-60601-404-8
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Sarah Reid grew up a wild child, partying, drinking to excess, and living her life the way she wanted. That all ended abruptly when her best friend died because Sarah was too drunk to save him from his impulsive behavior, and she has lived since then steeped in guilt. When she survives a lightning strike just to develop the power to heal, Sarah figures that this is God’s way of giving her chance to redeem her sins. Even though each healing leaves her on the verge of coma and makes her progressively weaker, Sarah turns nobody away.

Reporter Joshua Miller lost his wife to cancer a year ago in spite of the efforts of a charlatan faith healer. He is bitter and deeply suspicious of those who claim to heal by touch, so when he hears about Sarah and her claims, he sets out to prove her to be a fraud and a con artist. Fully armed for an encounter with a snake oil salesman, Josh certainly doesn’t expect to find Sarah to be a sensitive, fragile woman who is as genuine as others declare her to be. And who without a doubt has the power to heal. Instead of crucifying her, Josh wants to protect her, and that means getting her away from her mortally ill clients as well as her manipulative sister and greedy brother-in-law.

The last thing that Sarah wants is another exposé on her abilities. Not when it brings the religious fanatics and the haters to her door along with the people who genuinely need her help. But Josh seems to truly care for her, and it doesn’t take long for him and his teen-aged daughter to win a permanent position in Sarah’s heart. Can Josh convince Sarah that she is worth being loved? Her abilities are incredible, but the one thing that Sarah is not capable of healing is her own heart.

********

Faith of the Heart is Book Four of Sandy James’s Damaged Heroes series. In this story, we revisit a few old friends as well as make some new ones. It is not necessary to have read the previous novels in this series to enjoy this story, but it may enhance the reading experience somewhat. I found this to be well-written and involving, a mixture of both sweet and sensual romance. Along with the interesting paranormal aspect of this novel, Faith of the Heart is a novel about a woman who must learn to love herself before she can move on with her life and accept the love of others.

In this story, Ms. James addresses the painful issue of life in the aftermath of losing a loved one. Both Sarah and Josh have suffered losses that have left them emotionally scarred – Sarah with a soul-deep sense of guilt and Josh with anger and resentment. Each clings to the past and needs the intervention of something earth-shattering in order to move on. Sarah has punished her body almost beyond its limits by healing people; Josh holds on to both a stone from his wife’s graveside as well as his anger at the faith healer who fleeced her. It is only through these two coming together that they realize that they still have a future in spite of the tragedy they have suffered.

As I have noted in the past, one of Ms. James’s great strengths lies in her character development. This story is filled to the brim with vivid and believable characters, from our two main characters all the way down to the small supporting roles. Josh is overall a sympathetic character. He’s a loving father, a thorough journalist, and is obviously bowled over by Sarah. Sure, he makes a few missteps and is sometimes clueless in a way that only a man can be, but there is no malice in his heart. Sarah believes whole-heartedly that she has been given her gift in order to make up for her past. Even though she pushes herself to the point of disaster, she doesn’t give the impression of being a martyr. She’s just someone who refuses to forgive herself. Yet even through her grey haze of sadness, she shows the occasional spark, and this keeps her from being a maudlin figure.

Sarah’s sister Hannah and her brother-in-law Doug fill the role of villain in this story, although calling them such may be a bit of a stretch. They are more annoyances than “bad guys.” They are quintessential ne’er-do-wells and freeloaders, and the character Doug is almost comically so. Ms. James does an excellent job of making them individuals that readers can revile and boo and hiss at.

This story is for the most part sweet and emotional. I certainly found myself sniffing a time or two, and then looking around to see if anyone on the bus noticed. The lovemaking scenes are sensual without being overtly graphic, and they fit comfortably into the rest of the narrative. While I had to suspend my disbelief a tiny bit in order to accept the fact that a thirty-year-old woman could be a virgin, the reasoning behind this is actually quite plausible, and while the contortions that Josh goes through in order to reconcile with Sarah may have felt like a little bit of a stretch, they were still entertaining. Any man who is willing to admit his errors in public like he does is definitely worth hanging on to.

In all, I found Faith of the Heart to be involving and agreeable. I truly enjoyed the characters and their story, and I thought that the faith healing aspect was both unique and well done. Ms. James has definitely given us a treat with this story. Those who enjoy romance are bound to be pleased by this book.

-Bobby

Title: Keeping Karma
Author: Tory Temple
Author’s website: www.torytemple.com
Publisher: Torquere Press, Inc.
Release Date: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60370-680-3
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Alex Myers has an unusual talent – he can hear animals. Not communicate with them, per se, but he can sense their thoughts and instincts. This along with his love of animals has lead him to pursue veterinary school and volunteer at the local animal shelter. It also comes in handy in his job in a veterinary clinic. Alex just has to make sure that he doesn’t concentrate too hard on his patients’ thoughts, because that can lead to a migraine if the vibes he picks up are strong enough. Any potential boyfriend would call Alex nuts if he told them about his abilities, so he doesn’t talk about it with anyone. Ever.

When Alex meets animal control officer Dylan Travers, he knows that he has found a kindred spirit. Not only is Dylan hot and gorgeous, but he loves animals as much as Alex does. And he puts up with the playful if somewhat destructive antics of Alex’s pet ferret, Karma. But how will he react when he finds out about Alex’s abilities? When an emergency forces them to light, Alex can only hope that Dylan will trust him enough to believe him. Can their relationship withstand the truth, or will this be the beginning of the end for them?

********

I’m going to admit right away that I picked this book because of its cover. Look at it. Go ahead and scroll up; I’ll wait. Is there any wonder that I fell in love with that picture as soon as I saw it? In general, I try not to pick my books because they have cute furry animals on the cover, but this was simply irresistible. Add to that the fact that I’m a sucker for animal stories, and the result is me being a complete pushover for Keeping Karma. Even before I read it. So how’s that for a confession?

In actuality, Tory Temple’s novel Keeping Karma lives up to its promise of cuddly cuteness. It has a simple and sweet story, endearing characters, and a whole host of furry (and some scaly) critters to entertain us. It also has sensual romance, a bad guy we can revile, and a paranormal premise that is both fun and unique.

Ms. Temple has developed the talking animal theme of this book in a way that makes it almost plausible as well as entertaining and that keeps this story it from looking like a rehash of “Mr. Ed” from our childhoods. Alex senses a vibe from animals that translates to words in his mind, but he also acknowledges that this is not a two-way conversation at all. Any talking that he does back to his pets or other animals is strictly for his own pleasure and is understood by the animals only to the extent we might normally expect. I found the way that Ms. Temple depicts the vibes Alex feels to be very effective and to match both the sentiment and the animal perfectly.  They are also amusing at times, such as when a yappy toy dog declares itself to be a fearsome watchdog or when Karma acts especially playful.

So who says that you can’t judge a book by its cover? This time, it was spot on. I enjoyed reading Keeping Karma very much. It kept me entertained and smiling the entire time I was reading, and I was sorry when the story was over. Now someone please talk me out of wanting my very own Karma. I really don’t need another pet…right?

-Bobby

Title: Grey’s Awakening
Author: Cameron Dane
Author’s website: www.camerondane.com
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Release Date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59578-560-2
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Sick of being surrounded by people in love and in dire need of a vacation, Greyson Cole has escaped Raleigh to the mountain cabin that he and his sister own. Grey views romance with a cynical eye and doesn’t feel the inclination to have anyone latch on to him in the clinging, needy, manipulative fashion that love seems to encourage. He’s a practical man, a linear thinker, and he lives by a strict set of personal guidelines. And if that makes him look cold and has lead to three years without a date? He’ll survive. He expects to enjoy two weeks alone in the mountains. He does not expect to walk in and find a man in nothing but a towel in residence. A huge, gorgeous man with a killer body and a tattoo on his chest that only his sister could have inked there.

A plumbing problem has temporarily displaced Sirus Wilder from his cabin across the lake, and Grey’s sister Kelsie has given him permission to stay at their place until the repairs are completed. He’s as taken aback by Grey’s arrival as the other man is but is also immediately intrigued. After a painful breakup with his previous lover, the last thing Sirus wants is to get involved and hurt again, but there is something about the abrasive, remote Grey that attracts him.

Sirus and Grey immediately clash wills. Both men are strong and stubborn, but they don’t seem to communicate on the same plane. Perhaps that’s because Grey refuses to communicate at all. Although they are drawn together into a physical affair that is intense and incendiary, there is little hope that their association will last more than the two weeks of Grey’s vacation. Because Grey doesn’t believe in love and refuses to get tangled up in a messy relationship, and Sirus is tired of being hurt and wants someone who will accept him and love him for the long haul. Neither man is willing to give up his position, and there is simply no room for compromise. Period.

********

Cameron Dane’s novel Grey’s Awakening is a story about trust and acceptance and taking a chance on love. It features two strong, uncompromising main characters, a remote cabin, a gigantic communication gap, and more testosterone than I ever thought possible to cram between the covers of a novel.

This novel is well-written and intensely sexual, and it pulls its reader along for a passionate and emotional ride. Ms. Dane has instilled her characters with enough aggression and physical dominance to strike sparks off each other at each encounter. It doesn’t matter whether the scene is one of blisteringly hot sex or heated discussion, Grey and Sirus are involved in a battle of wills on a grand scale, and the resulting sexual tension between the two is stretched tight enough to be at the breaking point.

Rather than having an outside source of conflict, Grey’s Awakening focuses on the interpersonal dynamics between the two main characters. Here are two men who have much in common yet are also extremely different. Grey is remote and untrusting. He’s not an especially sympathetic character at first, but over the course of the novel, we come to understand how he developed the personality he has. He’s a pro at putting on an indifferent veneer, but however much control he has over his actions and appearance, his internal emotions run amok. His feelings for Sirus conflict with what he has come to think of as his personal code, and that scares the hell out of him.

Sirus of the “insane” body always seems to fall for unsuitable men. This makes Grey perfect for him, since Grey would be unsuitable for just about anyone. Sirus finds the fact that Grey won’t talk to him on any meaningful level more than a little bit upsetting. Although he is a very big man, he is willing to give up some control in his relationship with Grey, and Grey’s refusal to reciprocate is extremely frustrating.

Their relationship is like a dance; they move closer to each other and then back again. Grey gets to the point of sharing and then backs off. Even when they start to actually talk to each other, and we believe that their relationship has taken a positive turn, they are prone to miscommunication and therefore misunderstanding.

For all that the main characters growl and snap at each other frequently, Grey’s Awakening contains a number of scenes that are intensely emotional. These people don’t love tepidly – their love is possessive and aggressive and even brutal at times, because that is what it takes for Sirus to crack the hard shell that Grey has encased himself in. This novel has all the hallmarks of Ms. Dane’s work: it is intense and affecting and very high in entertainment value. And did I mention hot? Keep a fan close by, and maybe an ice bucket or two.

-Bobby

Title: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker
Author: Leanna Renee Hieber
Author’s website: www.leannareneehieber.com
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing
Release Date: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8439-6296-3
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Historical Fantasy (Gothic Paranormal Suspense)
Sensuality Level: 2
Rating: 5  

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Miss Percy Parker is newly arrived at Athens Academy from the convent where she has grown up. Her unusual circumstances as well as her strange appearance have not made life easy for Percy. She is immediately drawn to the enigmatic and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, never before has she felt this way. Percy's inordinately pale skin, white tresses, and luminous eyes only add to the strange gift she is vexed with. Percy's life seems to be intertwined with the mysteriously haunting happenings in London. The Ripper is on the loose, and her unfathomable Professor's group called The Guard is trying to rid London of the terrible grip the Ripper holds it in. A Prophecy foretells of the one that will help vanquish the darkness that is befalling London, but everything is not what it seems. 

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"Strangely Beautiful" is an apt name for this enthralling tale. It encompasses many elements that draw the reader into its intrigue. Suspense, mystery, and the paranormal are all rolled into a historical novel with a gothic flair that will entice the reader and leave her wanting more. I was engulfed within the first few pages of the book and couldn't put it down until I was finished. The story is unique, and I was drawn into the world that Ms. Hieber has created with such vivid detail. I felt as if I was right there with the characters in a real world with a paranormal element that makes you believe in the unbelievable. Ms. Hieber's character Alexi reminds me of a dark, brooding Mr. Darcy. How can anyone resist that? His inner angst and dark resolve is the perfect foil to Percy's timid, deeply emotional lightness. Though I usually avoid stories with timid female characters, Ms. Hieber has created a circumstance that calls for this style of character, and it works wonderfully with the plot. I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a book with substance and outstanding characters. Ms. Hieber is an artist that puts her art into words. I look forward to reading more by her.

Title: Wicked Redemption
Author: Nancy Henderson
Author’s website: http://www.nancyhenderson.com/
Publisher: Champagne Books, Inc.
Release Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-897445-59-4
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 3.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

All her life, Maggie Webb has seen ghosts. They have annoyed her and alienated her from her family and friends, but they have never once tried to harm her. That is, until the night she finds herself locked in an entity’s angry strangle-hold struggling for her life. She knows that this is the same demon that tried to kill a friend of hers years ago. She foiled his attempts back then, so he must be back for revenge this time.

Cole Turner has escaped from Hell to enact a little payback. He may have lost the battle to kill Maggie, but he has also lost his memory. He has no recollection of ever having tried to hurt her, and he doesn’t understand why she tells him he’s not alive when he lives and breathes as truly as anyone else. He’s no demon – she’s plainly the crazy one.

Cole and Maggie form an uneasy truce. Maggie fears that if Cole regains his memory, he will once again try to kill her. Cole, however, wants to regain his lost past. Neither trusts the other, but they cannot deny the attraction between them. Their troubles are much more severe than they realize, however, because The Dark One has put a price on Cole’s head. Will Hell’s bounty hunters catch up with Cole and drag him back to the underworld for an infinity of torment? Maggie will find that if their budding love is to be given a chance, she may have to brave the pits of Hell for him.

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Nancy Henderson’s novella Wicked Redemption is a story about redemption and second chances. This is not your usual love story. It isn’t pretty and romantic; rather, it is filled with fear and hate, fire and pain. Although it was not especially easy to read, I found this to be a very unique and colorful if somewhat startling tale with vivid imagery and distinctive characters.

This is a very surreal story that at times has an almost stream-of-conscious flavor to it. Ms. Henderson does an excellent job rendering a dark atmosphere and conflicted characters. In fact, her main characters are in a way anti-heroes, since the hero and heroine pose a real physical threat to each other. The story begins with Cole attempting to murder Maggie, and there are several instances in the book where Maggie has every intention of returning the favor. Even as these two move towards love, they don’t trust each other in the least. It is a very unique situation, combining love and hate at the same time.

I’ll admit that as I read this story, I found myself getting a little mixed up occasionally. Wicked Redemption is comprised of short scenes which change so quickly that I had trouble keeping up at times. It sets a frenetic pace that feels almost cinematic, like the progression of a horror movie.

This story made a definite impression on me. It is unusual and original, and even though it confused me at times, I found it to be worth the reading time.

-Bobby

Title: Impetuous
Author:  Lori Foster
Author’s website: http://www.lorifoster.com/
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.
Release Date: 1996
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3413-4
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic/Print
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.50

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Carlie McDaniels never even wanted to go to the masquerade party her best friend was having. The costume her friend bought her is too much. A skimpily dressed harem girl is the polar opposite of her frumpy grade-school teacher’s image. Carlie uses her shapeless clothes to keep away men, and it works perfectly well. Until she finds herself in the skimpy costume and in the arms of the man she has secretly had a crush on, playboy Tyler Ramsey. After a sizzling night of sex, Carlie runs and knows that Tyler will never realize that it was his sister-in-law’s frumpy friend behind the mask. Tyler and Carlie are thrown together on a project, and Tyler doesn’t understand his feelings for the fashion-challenged Carlie and the barriers she throws up would ward off most men. But most men aren’t Tyler.

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Impetuous is Lori Foster’s first published book that has been reissued for a special Harlequin 60th anniversary celebration. I had the honor of reading this book when it was first released, and I must say that it was just as enjoyable thirteen years later. Carlie is a memorable character; she hides behind her oversized clothes yet has an ingrained wit that will have the reader rooting for her from page one. The banter between Carlie and Tyler is classic and highly entertaining. The conflict is wonderfully written with the right amount of humor to keep the reader interested throughout the book. Tyler and Carlie’s story is wonderfully executed. This was a great start to a stunning career for Ms. Foster. She is an author worth reading again.

Title: Calling Dr. Love
Author: G. A. Hauser
Author’s website: www.authorgahauser.com
Publisher: The G. A. Hauser Collection
Release Date:  June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-44861-057-0
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic and Print
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Who could fortell that a power failure would lead to true love? When a power outage strands Dr. Christopher Love in the men’s dressing room at Nordstrom, he and the one other man in the tight space are left scrambling in the dark for their clothes. Wandering hands lead to hilarity and then to a heated sexual encounter that blows both Chris and his partner in seclusion, Phil, away. They are mutually delighted when they finally have a chance to see each other after an entire night locked in the dark department store; each man finds the other to be a walking wet dream.

They would like nothing more than to continue their association, but can they possibly make it work? Phil is an exotic dancer in West Hollywood who works in the porn industry for extra money and can hardly make ends meet. Chris is a wealthy plastic surgeon. Regardless of how attracted they might be to each other, their difference in social status intimidates Phil to the point of distraction. He doesn’t see what a man like Chris could possibly want in a lowlife such as himself, unless perhaps it’s a little disposable sex and bragging rights.

Chris sees a sweet, loving and kind man who needs love and security. Sure, he’s not crazy about Phil’s chosen career fields, but he truly wants to give a relationship a try. Actually, what he really wants is for Phil to just let him take care of him, but Phil’s pride will not allow him to act like “the little woman” to anyone, regardless of how he might feel about his lover. Can these two find happiness together in spite of the differences between them, or will ego and misplaced pride strike a death blow to their relationship?

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In Calling Dr. Love, G.A. Hauser gives us a story of opposites attracting and the damaging potential that pride can have. This story is set in the Los Angeles area, and it touches on both the glossy surface glamour of this area as well as its seedier side. Ms. Hauser has written quite a few stories where her two heroes come from different ends of the social spectrum and find love together in spite of the odds against them. The men are physically beautiful and usually kind-hearted. Frequently one may not be overly intelligent and may demonstrate poor judgment. This story fits neatly into this popular and entertaining formula and should definitely please fans of Ms. Hauser’s work.

Our two intrepid heroes are a sympathetic and entertaining pair. When they play, they are funny and naughty together; when they fight, they break each other's hearts. Neither man is particularly deep, but they are well-developed and charming enough to capture the attention and affection of the reader. Calling Dr. Love is essentially a Cinderella story, except in this incidence, Cinderella is reluctant to be saved. Phil has extremely low self-esteem. He admits to making a lot of bad decisions and knows he probably needs a strong man in his life, but he doesn’t want to the “the little woman” in a relationship and is tired of being objectified. He is physically beautiful, and he is also somewhat shallow and a little bit of a gold-digger, but even with these negative characteristics and all the irresponsible decisions he has made, we can’t help but like him.

Chris may be intelligent and successful, but his book-smarts don’t necessarily mean that he is an expert in the relationship department. He is a little bit clueless, but at least he’s honest with himself. He knows that he is insulting Phil when he offers to “take care” of him, and he hates himself for it. These human failings are just what make Chris and Phil likeable characters. As these two blunder their way towards love, we can’t help but wish them well. And hope that they don’t injure each other along the way.

This is a light and diverting story. Overall, I enjoyed reading Calling Dr. Love and was entertained and charmed by it. It might not be particularly deep, but there are a number of amusing scenes that will tickle the reader’s sense of humor and enough engaging melodrama to warrant a soap slot during daytime television. And that cover? Whoa boy! Nice job, Ms. Hauser.

-Bobby