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The following titles were reviewed in March 2009:

The One That Got Away by Rhianne Aile and Madeleine Urban
Hope Springs Eternal by Ginger Simpson
Invisible by Kimber Chin
The Sweetest Tattoo by Cameron Dane
Self Preservation by Ethan Day
Getting It Right by Jane Kent
Polar Reaction by Claire Thompson
Almost Perfection by Lynn LaFleur
Seducing the Hero by Kari Thomas
Appetite for Passion by Jesse Blair Kensington
Mexican Heat by Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon
Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo
Love by the Numbers by S. L. Danielson
The Angel of Ballyferriter by Jennifer Mueller
Forbidden: The Claim by Samantha Sommersby
IM by Rick R. Reed
A Capitol Affair by Jamaica Layne
The Ultimate Kink by Cameron Dane
Immortal Seduction by M. E. Monte
Infidelity by Debbie Gould
Hard Fall by James Buchanan
Dangerous Grounds by Shelli Stevens
Ripping the Bodice by Inara LaVey
Blood Vice by Keith Melton
The Curtis Reincarnation by Zathyn Priest
Fairy Rock by Daisy Banks
Dakota Ranch Crude by Leah Brooke
Deadly Wrong by Victor J. Banis
Her Dakota Men by Leah Brooke
In For a Penny by Carol Lynne
Mountain's Echo by Debbie Gould
Focus: Highlighting the Power of the Short Story by Kev Henley and Copy Carver, editors

Title: The One That Got Away
Author: Rhianne Aile and Madeleine Urban
Author’s website: http://www.rhianneaile.com/ and http://madeleineurban.livejournal.com/
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9781935192589
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary - GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

David Carmichael and Trace Jackson may be reporters for two competing newspapers, but they have been the best of friends for years. It’s not as if they live in each others’ pockets, of course; they do have separate lives and friends and loves, but they know they can count on each other in case of an emergency. When David suffers a blinding and debilitating migraine, he calls on Trace, and his friend is happy to pick up the medication and to help however he can. When David subsequently slips and fractures his shoulder, Trace naturally moves in to help his friend recover from the painful injury. And it is during this period of cohabitation that the relationship between the two men begins to change.

David is gay. Trace is not. And while Trace doesn’t have a problem with David’s sexual orientation, David is not quite so comfortable, because the more time they spend together, the more he discovers deeper feelings and an attraction toward the younger man that didn’t exist in the past. The last thing he wants to do is chase away his best friend with unwanted attentions, so he does his very best to keep his feelings – and his hands – to himself. But they’re sharing the one bed in David’s house, and darned if the guy doesn’t cuddle like a pro in his sleep.

Trace isn’t uptight about his sexuality, and he’s willing to admit to himself that he may be attracted to his best friend. He definitely realizes that he has never felt this kind of kinship towards anyone, female or male, and while he’s not so sure about the physical lovemaking part of the relationship, he’s quite open to kisses and flirtation. David is willing to take it slowly, although he figures that he might just expire of frustration before his shoulder heals. But when he is once again sound and there is no longer any excuse for Trace to stay with him, will Trace disappear out of David’s life as well as his house? Will Trace be David’s to keep, or will he just be the that who got away?

Rhianne Aile and Madeleine Urban’s novel The One That Got Away is a study of two friends who discover that there may be more to their friendship than they previously thought.  Well-written and with a narrative that flows with effortless ease, this story is very romantic and extremely sensual, and I found myself glued to it from the beginning to the very end.

In David and Trace, the authors give us two heroes who are well-developed enough to catch both our attention and our affections. These two are comfortable together and are self-confident enough to not be intimidated by the other’s sexuality, and it is a pleasure to watch their relationship blossom from friendship to passion to love.

The sensuality in this story is fascinating. Ms. Aile and Ms. Urban build the sexual tension between the two men slowly until it is so thick that it is almost tangible. The reader can only sit back and wonder who is going to snap first. While there is little exterior conflict in this story, there is more than enough man-versus-himself conflict to go around. Both David and Trace fight an internal battle, pitting their common sense against their wants. Each man is strongly attracted to the other, but neither one wishes to endanger their friendship over what might just be a passing fancy. They realize that there is the possibility that they might cross a boundary in their relationship that can never be repaired, so they must weigh the possible benefits of deepening their association versus the risks.

This is, plain and simple, a love story, and it makes no pretenses of being anything but that. And I appreciate that, because it doesn’t always take feats of daring and danger to make an interesting story. Sometimes it just takes a couple of appealing characters being nudged just a little beyond their comfort zones. And that is just what we have in The One That Got Away.

--Bobby

Title: Invisible
Author: Kimber Chin
Author’s website: http://businessromance.com/
Publisher: Champagne Books
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9781897445426
Length: Novel 
Format: Electronic      
Genre: Contemporary - Suspense
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Maeve Delaney is a forensic accountant. She can make anyone disappear, whether they be criminals, the wealthy, or even victims trying to stay alive. Even herself. She’s a loner, never staying too long in one place and never ever allowing herself to develop emotional attachments. That is, until she forms a friendship with one old man, and even then her philosophy is proven to be true when he up and dies on her, leaving her once again alone. When her friend’s will is read, he leaves Maeve a small token as a sign of his affection. The surprise comes when he leaves his house and all his contents to his favorite grand-nephew, Hagen Rayne, on the condition that he find the deed within a specified period of time. And that he have no assistance in his search other than what Maeve can give him. She doesn’t particularly want to help the obnoxious Hagen, but since this was her friend’s final request, she’ll do so. And then she’ll get the hell out of Dodge.

Hagen Rayner is a very wealthy antiques dealer. He doesn’t need the house, but it holds fond childhood memories for him. He also knows that if he doesn’t find the deed and the house goes to his spendthrift cousin, then the house and its contents will be sold without a thought to pay off his cousin’s bad debts. He figures that he can put up with his grand-uncle’s cute freckle-faced girlfriend long enough to do that.

And so the search is on. As Maeve and Hagen chase through the underworld of Chicago, Las Vegas, and even Belize on the trail of the missing deed, they clash personalities. As they spend more time together, they begin to form an attachment, and although it begins in the bedroom, it soon deepens into something much more intimate. But Hagen is still in love with the woman who left him to marry his cousin, and Maeve is afraid of tying herself down. Once they find the deed – if they find the deed – they will part ways forever. Because Maeve has every intention of vanishing without a trace. Again.

When you pick up Kimber Chin’s novel Invisible, plan your reading time carefully, because once you start it, you are not going to want to put it down until you read the final page. Expect to stay up into the early hours with your eyes glued to the page, ignoring your family’s complaints about wanting silly things like dinner as well as your own body’s need for sleep. This book is simply that good. It has everything you might want in an entertaining read: a great plot, fascinating and incredibly well-developed primary and secondary characters, enough suspense and action to please the pickiest critic, and a romance that is both sweet and sensual.

This story revolves around a treasure hunt. The hunt starts with small clues and soon balloons into a large-scale chase across the country and into Central America. Although they initially get off to a bad start, Maeve and Hagen have to rely upon each other and trust each other in order to reach their goal.

Ms. Chin has done an excellent job giving us characters who will capture and maintain our attention in Invisible. In Maeve, we have a small and dynamic bundle of mystery. She seems tough, especially given her underworld connections, but we also see that she has a fragile emotional side. She desperately wants to have a family or at least people who love her, but she’d rather push people away than get hurt. Hagen is her opposite in almost every way. He is loud and hearty, with a family he adores and a huge appetite for both food and love. I found him to be absolutely irresistible with his incessant talking and his constant need for food, and I also appreciated the fact that he has as many imperfections as the next man.

This story runs a gamut of emotions: from humor to sadness to tearing-the-sheets-up lust and love. I enjoyed every minute of this book and found myself rooting for Maeve and Hagen to not only find the “hidden treasure” they are seeking, but to also recognize the treasure that they have found in each other. I found Invisible to an engrossing and very entertaining read, and I think that you probably will as well.

--Bobby 

Title: Sweetest Tattoo  
Author: Cameron Dane
Author’s website: www.camerondane.com
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books 
Release Date: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59578-477-3
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Teagan

Kelsie Cole spends her life putting her art on people’s bodies. She is in for a relaxing vacation at her brother’s cabin until she realizes that her twin brother has also invited her arch nemesis to the cabin as well. Years of living around John McBride, has taught Kelsie that the straight-laced and uptight man thinks she is less of a person because of her tattoos and pink hair. The two butt heads whenever they are around each other. He may be sexy as hell, but she is going to stay as far away from him as she can. Unfortunately, he is intent on showing her that she has his feelings for her all wrong, and Kelsie is having a hard time denying the heat she feels when she is near him.

Tattoos, pink hair, and a hunky man sure make for one steamy story. Heat and passion abounds, and the interplay between the characters is dynamic. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to. It is a quick, easy, read due to the fact that the story flows so well. The relationship between Kelsie and John is unique and has the reader quickly turning the pages to see what happens. Once John decides to show Kelsie how he really feels, he does so with abandon. It was sweet to see him try and overcome the feelings she harbors for him. I love the moral of this story. Don’t judge a book by its cover, yet the “book” was the one making the judgments and assumptions. So the moral was twisted just right for me. I tend to like to entertain my inner freak, so I identified quite will with Kelsie. As a long time fan of Ms. Dane, yet again she delivers a great story, and she never disappoints. Her talent is boundless.

--Teagan

Title: Getting It Right
Author Jane Kent
Author’s website: http://www.whispershome.com/author_pages/jane_kent.html Publisher: Whispers Publishing
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 3.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

PJ James has a lot to be proud of: she has worked hard and now has a successful tearoom and bookstore in a small tourist town close to Toronto. What she is not particularly proud of is the whole string of broken New Year’s resolutions that trails behind her or the fact that she can’t seem to keep a man in her life. Darn men, anyway. Not that there are all that many to choose from in her tiny town, where all of the good ones seem to be taken or are at least gay. Case in point: Sebastian St. John – her neighbor, the most gorgeous creature she’s ever laid eyes on, and of course gay. She knows he’s gay because her brother told her so when he sent the man to rent the spare apartment in her building, and he also works as a bouncer at a gay bar. What a shame…what a waste!

Bastian St. John doesn’t like lying to PJ, but when her brother Rome sent him to watch over her, he swore Bastian to secrecy. He’s absolutely not gay. In fact, he’s strongly attracted to PJ, but he’s there to do a job and protect her from the threats that a couple of Chinese triad gangs have made against Rome’s and his family’s lives. Bastian’s personal issues will have to take a back seat, even if he doesn’t exactly appreciate the cover story Rome created for him.

The attraction between PJ and Bastian is a strong one, however, and soon he is ready to toss his cover out the door. When he finally comes clean with her, he doesn’t expect her anger when she learns of his duplicity. But to heck with his feelings – how can he keep her safe when she refuses to see him? The threat against her is very real, and Bastian is afraid that the triad will follow through on their threats at any moment.

In Getting It Right, Jane Kent gives us a holiday-themed story that revolves around New Year’s resolutions (or lack thereof) and serendipitous love. Take one frustrated female. Mix with an attractive but completely unavailable guy, an angry Chinese gang, and a rebellion against New Year’s resolutions, strain through a bit of well-intentioned but misguided deception, and serve. Oh, and stand back a bit, because this might get a little messy.

In PJ and Bastian, Ms. Kent gives us two individuals who are both likeable and human. I had to smile at PJ’s list of broken New Year’s resolutions, and while it may appear that she completely over-reacts when she finds out the truth about Bastian, isn’t that human nature? And then there’s Bastian. This man is a dream come true. Too good to be true, even: gorgeous, not gay after all, intrigued with her even before he meets her, and then so into her that he can’t maintain his cover? Be still my heart! His grumpiness at having to pretend to be gay is positively endearing, even though it initially makes PJ think he doesn’t like her.

This story is well-written and entertaining, and it mixes fun and passion and just a touch of suspense. The beginning did not hook me in quite as quickly as I would like, although it does a good job providing PJ’s back story and creating a lighthearted atmosphere. I may have preferred more energy to have been spent on the threat against PJ’s life, but then that’s my personal bias for suspense, and that is not really what the story is about. This story is about finding love when you don’t expect it, not gangsta wars. With Getting it Right, Ms. Kent definitely gets it right. She has given us a story that is quick and light and well worth the reading time.

--Bobby

Title: Polar Reaction                    
Author: Claire Thompson
Author’s website: http://www.clairethompson.net/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: March 2009
ISBN: 9781605044620
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary – GLBT – Ménage
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

With the beginning of winter drawing close, it is time for members of the Antarctic Deep Ice research crew to return to civilization. The twenty-one member crew has come from all around the US to spend six weeks living in cramped quarters studying ice core samples, and they are more than ready to head home, but when it is found that there is not enough space on the transport for all of the men and their equipment, three men volunteer to stay behind for an extra couple of days until a second plane can pick them up. It will be a decision that will forever shape Tuck, Brenden, and Jamie’s lives.

David Tucker has had a yen for his colleague Brenden Aaronson for the past year, ever since they participated in a different research project together. Although Brenden has never given any indication that he might be interested in men, they seemed so share a spark during one moment last year, and Tuck hasn’t been able to forget him. Now he is once again on a team with Brenden, but the cramped living conditions have kept him from reaching out to the man.

Jamie Hunter is a research assistant and the junior member of the crew. During the course of this project, Jamie has had many a steamy fantasy involving Tuck and a few tossing Brendan into the mix as well. Although he has made a pact with himself never to get romantically involved with a co-worker, somehow he thinks that it might be worth breaking his rules for these two.

When a blizzard unexpectedly delays the men’s transport, they begin to fear that they might be stuck at the research facility for the duration of the freezing dark Antarctic winter. As they work to ensure their survival, they turn to each other for companionship and comfort, and they discover a passion among them that lies deeper than any of them have ever felt in the past. Jamie and Tuck freely admit to being homosexual and embrace the feelings that develop between them, but Brendan is confused and conflicted and doesn’t know if he can accept what he is getting involved in. Once the three scientists are rescued from the research facility, he reverts back to his state of denial, rebuffs the attention of the other two, and claims that his behavior with Tuck and Jamie was an aberration from the norm for him.

Tuck and Jamie care for each other, but they know that they are essentially incomplete without Brendan. But with that stubborn man almost a thousand miles away and refusing to talk to them, there is little hope that they can ever convince him to give love a chance.

Claire Thompson’s Polar Reaction is a story about the complexities of a ménage relationship and one man’s struggle to come to terms with his sexual identity. This story is well written with an interesting plot, complex characters, and a narrative that flows with an almost effortless style.

This story is broken into two halves: before the rescue and after the rescue. In the first half, the conflict revolves around the characters’ concern for their survival as well as their discovery of a mutual attraction and passion. While being rescued ensures their survival, it also acts as a death blow to their budding relationship, and the second part of the story concentrates on Brendan’s denial and how it affects the three of them.

Ms. Thompson has given us three very sympathetic heroes in Polar Reaction. Each man has his own internal struggles to deal with that makes him unique. Brendan’s conflict is pretty cut and dried: he refuses to believe that he might be gay or at least bi-sexual. Of the three, he is perhaps the least sympathetic, because it is his confusion and bullheadedness that causes the other two pain. To give him some credit, though, he is trying to come to terms with feelings and behaviors that are completely alien to him, and this would frighten even the most intrepid of individuals. Tuck is perhaps the least developed of the three main characters, yet he is also the glue that binds the three of them together. His main issue is dealing with the abandonment he feels after Brendan rejects them. Jamie appears to be the main character in this novel, or at least he is the most fully developed one. He deals with trying to understand exactly what his role in the threesome is, fearing that Tuck and Brendan may just be putting up with him and might not love him as he wants them to.

This is a very sensual novel that concentrates on an unusual kind of relationship – a ménage a trois. The relationship among the three characters is a very complex one – a true loving ménage would have to be – and this is clearly illustrated in this story through Jamie: his worry about being “the odd man out” at first, his initial jealousy regarding the bond between Tuck and Brendan, and his internal struggle about whether or not he could bow out of the relationship should the two older men decide to be exclusive. I appreciated the fact that Ms. Thompson doesn’t have these three just jump into bed and perform sexual acrobatics, but instead she has them really think about what they might be getting themselves into.

If you want to step just a little outside of the usual box, you may wish to give Polar Reaction a shot. While ménage is not the usual type of novel that I read and review, I thought this was quite well done.

--Bobby

Title: Almost Perfection
Author: Lynn LaFleur
Author’s website: www.lynnlafleur.com  
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing        
Release Date: March 2009
ISBN: 9781419919725
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan

Brent Cooper is gorgeous, and he knows it all too well. Part owner and top earning escort for Cooper’s Companions, he has his pick of beautifully perfect women. His life is easy and unencumbered, and he enjoys all the pretty women with the beautiful bodies. Cooper’s Companions needs a website facelift. Robin Howell is a graphics artist that specializes in web design, and she has been hired to give the website a new look. Brent is blown away by the gorgeous Robin, until he finds out about her scars. He doesn’t think he has room in his life for someone that isn’t quite perfect. Robin has a horrifying past that is about to come back and haunt her. Brent is fighting his feelings, but will he realize in time that beauty is only skin deep?

Robin is a wonderful heroine. Her ability to cope with the previous terror in her life and come to terms with her imperfection shows a great wealth of strength that endears her to the reader. I found her feelings well written enough to have this reader feeling the same thing and rooting for her. She is determined and courageous. On the other hand, Brent does not make himself a very likable character in the beginning. He seems shallow and petty, yet realistic for a person who thinks so highly of himself. Luckily, he does much to redeem himself, and I found him to be intriguing in retrospect. The relationship is dynamic, and the addition of the suspense makes the book even more likable. I couldn’t put this book down, and I enjoyed every facet of it. The inner turmoil and conflict between the characters is riveting. Lynn LaFleur creates a wonderfully enjoyable book. I will be reading anything I can get my hands on by her.

--Teagan

Title: Seducing the Hero
Author: Kari Thomas
Author’s website: http://www.authorkari.com/
Publisher: Eternal Press
Release Date: March 2009
ISBN: 9781926647470 (Electronic),
           9781926647555 (Print)
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic and Print
Genre: Contemporary - Paranormal - Humor
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 3.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Ex police officer Colt McKnight is trying to make a go of the ranching life. Still recovering from a nasty divorce and trying to care for his invalid sister while at the same time working the ranch, he feels like he has a lot on his hands. When he receives a call from an old friend asking him to help protect the man’s cousin from a stalker, Colt means to say “no,” but he still finds himself collecting her from her home in the early hours of the morning. And facing down what appears to be a herd of snarling small animals.

Baylie Campbell is a lingerie model who has made it big in New York City. She’s also a witch – a kitchen witch – although she certainly doesn’t advertise her abilities. She has made the move from New York to Tucson to try to get away from this stalker that is following her, and now she finds herself face-to-face with an angry cowboy who has somehow gotten on the wrong side of her pets. He might be cute, but he’s awfully grumpy, and she and her pets are bundled up and stuffed into his Jeep with a minimum of luggage and a surfeit of attitude.

From the moment that Baylie and Colt meet, sparks fly, but neither one of them can deny that they are attracted to the other. Colt is leery of forming attachments, though. He figures that he learned his lesson after his ex-wife cheated on him and then left him, and he’s not going to put himself through that kind of pain again. But as time passes, he can’t help but feel possessive of her, and when her animals no longer seem like a threat, he knows he’s lost the war. With Baylie’s stalker closing in on the ranch, Colt knows he needs to stay alert. He wants to keep Baylie in his life, but first he must keep her alive.

Kari Thomas’s Seducing the Hero is a quick and cute novella that combines humor and suspense with just a touch of magic. It features a larger-than-life hero, a somewhat quirky heroine, and a quartet of mismatched animals whose antics will surely bring a smile to your face. This story is not to be taken seriously – in fact, it’s downright silly at times – but I strongly suspect that this is the very effect that the author was going for.

The plot involving Baylie’s stalker is secondary to the comic elements of this story. Colt’s reaction to Baylie’s menagerie is a running gag, and I had to laugh at the way she uses them as a threat against him. Colt is a big, tough guy – a cowboy and an ex-cop – so the visual of him backing down against a cat, a dog, a pig, and a skunk is very entertaining. I kept waiting for Rosie the skunk to commit an act of odiferous assault against him, but alas…there are no smelly surprises in store for our hero Colt. Actually, the cutest moment in the book is when we realize that he has made his peace with the animals. It makes the reader think that perhaps there is hope for this tough guy. Perhaps he is human after all.

Seducing the Hero has the cinematic flavor of a romantic comedy, and I found it equally entertaining. No, it’s not terribly thought-provoking, but it is cute and fun and good for a smile or two. And we could all use a smile every now and again.

--Bobby

Title: Appetite for Passion  
Author: Jesse Blair Kensington
Author’s website: N/A
Publisher: Ravenous Romance           
Release Date: 12/4/08
ISBN: 978-1-60777-064-0
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 3.75

Reviewed by: Teagan

Sexy chef Ben DeFranco and his writing partner Megan Matthews are working on their third book together, a cookbook about aphrodisiac foods. They have never had a sexual relationship with each other, but after trying a reported aphrodisiac called durian, then are insatiable for each other. They aren't sure that what they are feeling is real or just the durian having its effect on them. Ben can't stop thinking about Megan, but is still in denial about his feelings. Megan is fighting the attraction as well. While they take off in different directions to traverse the world and hunt down other aphrodisiacs, both are taken on the road of sexual revelations. Will they come to realize they can be happy with just each other, or will they continue to blaze their way through sexual partners and temptations?

Appetite for Passion starts out with a sexual bang and rarely lets up. Ben and Megan are both sexually liberated, and the addition of the aphrodisiacs opens even more doors to amazingly edgy sex. The sexual journey that ensues is not for the faint of heart. It is downright naughty, and you will be fanning yourself from the intensity. I found myself a bit out of my comfort zone with some of the sexual experiences. I enjoy an author pushing the envelope and making me experience those feelings, though. The characters are insatiable, though the reader can't be sure whether it is from their own promiscuity or from the aphrodisiacs they are researching at first. Megan plainly likes sex for the sake of sex, but she finds herself questioning what she wants. She is a product of her childhood; after losing her mother and father, she refuses to become too close to someone only to lose them. These underlying feelings made the story complete. Ms. Kensington has a definite knack for writing cutting-edge sexual encounters. I will be on the lookout for other work by this author.

--Teagan

Title: Mexican Heat
Author: Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon
Author’s website: http://www.laurabaumbach.com/
     and http://www.joshlanyon.com/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9781605043807
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic and Print (from MLR Press)
Genre: Contemporary – Suspense – GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Gabriel Sandalini is a San Francisco narcotics police officer working in deep undercover to bring down a West Coat drug distribution network. He doesn’t expect to live forever, especially now that he has landed a position as a hired gun for mobster Ricco Botelli. He’s an adrenaline junkie and a risk-taker, aloof and sarcastic and street-tough, and he has no time or inclination to get involved with anybody. That is, until he meets Manuel Ortega, the lieutenant of Mexican drug lord Don Jesus Sanchez. The man is a killer and a hardened criminal, but that doesn’t keep Gabriel from being attracted and fascinated.

Antonio Lorenzo, an FBI agent, has been working on Operation Tequila Sunset for over five years to infiltrate the Mexican drug mafia. He knows that it’s unprofessional to get involved with the bodyguard to Ricco Botelli’s sister, but there is something about this young man who is angel on the outside and demon within that stirs him. When he finds out that the aggressive little punk is an undercover cop, he is relieved that he’s not falling in love with a criminal.

Regardless of their identities, the chemistry between these two is explosive. They only have one night in a small Mexican town to really explore each other, however, because the clock is ticking for both of them. Gabriel knows that he has outlived his welcome in his crime boss’s organization, and Antonio is watching the final FBI bust rapidly approach. When it finally happens, somehow the bust goes horribly and violently awry. When the smoke clears and the drug dust settles, one of these two men will have his cover blown wide open, and the other will be left on the ground…not breathing.

Mexican Heat by Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon takes us on a journey into the world of organized crime, where money is power and drugs are money and only the very strong and well-connected survive. And what a ride it is! Individually, Mr. Lanyon and Ms. Baumbach are wonderful writers who have given us unique and entertaining fare. As a team, they are equally excellent, and in Mexican Heat they have created a novel filled with tension and suspense and sensuality.

The two heroes of this novel are an interesting blend of toughness and vulnerability. Gabriel is not a particularly likeable guy, but he’s a great main character. He’s a lot of mean attitude and spare energy rolled into a small package. He doesn’t want to get close to anyone, especially not the man he thinks to be a crime lord’s underboss. However, for all the bluster and posturing, we see that he does have a human core, and we see that his restlessness and sarcasm are shields that he uses to protect himself. Antonio is extremely different. He projects an urbane and sophisticated air of ultimate self-confidence. Although he plays the role of gangster well, he is actually very gentle and open with his emotions. If Gabriel wants to be treated roughly, he’s willing to do that, but he has no intentions of hurting the younger man or acting against his will.

Along with giving us a couple of protagonists that will hook our interest, Ms. Baumbach and Mr. Lanyon have done an excellent job developing an entire cast of antagonists. The two crime families are well depicted and believable, and while we may at first have some sympathy for Gina Botelli, it is soon apparent that she is as rotten as the rest of them. And just when you think you’ve seen the baddest of the bad in the Botelli and Sanchez families, along come the Mexican drug suppliers. They are wonderfully amoral and make the other players look like the tooth fairy.

Mexican Heat is filled with violence and adrenaline and I-don’t-want-to-want-you-but-I-do-anyway sex and romance. It’s a fast-paced trip into a dark underworld that will have lovers of action and adventure hanging on tight and enjoying the ride. Best of all, I see that this novel is the first in a series called “Crimes & Cocktails” by this writing team. I’m not sure where Ms. Baumbach and Mr. Lanyon are going to take us in these future novels, but rest assured that I’ll be waiting eagerly for their release.

--Bobby

Title: Land of Falling Stars
Author: Keta Diablo
Author’s website: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com/
Publisher: Ravenous Romance 
Release Date: December 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60777-076-3
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic       
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan

Title: Love by the Numbers
Author: S. L. Danielson
Author’s website: http://www.sldanielson.com/ 
Publisher: Publishamerica
Release Date: January 2009
ISBN: 1608131130
Length: Novella
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 2.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Scott Williams is probably the biggest geek in high school. He’s gay, and he’s comfortable enough with that. His parents are supportive and even encourage him to find someone special and date a bit, but Scott hasn’t had much luck finding a boyfriend. Tall, overweight, and a whiz at math, he’s a little shy and self-conscious, but that hasn’t kept him from crushing on the most popular jock in school.

Jared Adamson is the school baseball star. Although he excels in sports and the social side of high school, his grades are less than stellar. In fact, he’s failing algebra, which could put him on academic probation from his beloved sports. When the math teacher pairs him up with Scott Williams for a tutor, he’s not exactly thrilled, but he’s certainly willing to try to improve his grade. If he can’t participate in sports, he’ll be in trouble at home with his father, and that is something he wants to avoid at all costs.

Although the two young men are polar opposites of each other, they get along surprisingly well together and soon become close friends. Scott helps Jared with his math, and Jared encourages Scott to take care of his health and control his weight. As time goes by, Jared reveals that he too is gay, and the friendship grows into love. Life ought to be rosy for the two boys – they’re seniors, they’re in love, they have the support of Scott’s family. But Jared has a painful secret that he has hidden from his friend, although the bruises that he sports frequently on his body tell the tale without him. His home-life is filled with fear and darkness, and Jared is afraid that if his father finds out the true nature of his relationship with Scott, it will put both his friend and his friend’s family in danger.

S. L. Danielson’s novella Love by the Numbers is a sweet love story about first young love and the difficulties that two teen-aged boys encounter as their relationship develops from friendship into love. In Jared and Scott, Ms. Danielson gives us two sympathetic young characters who are on the very brink of adulthood. While the members of the Williams family are almost too “good” to be true, they provide a foil for what appears to be happening in the Adamson household – a light to contrast with the darkness.

Ms. Danielson keeps the storyline moving through the use of suspense. We the reader know that something is “off” at the Adamson household, and as the story progresses we see just what difficulties Jared and his mother are experiencing. I found myself quite interested in this aspect of the story and wish that Jared’s father had been developed more as a character. As it is, he is more a shadow and a threat than a real person, even though he is the driving force behind Jared’s behavior and his fear of commitment.

Although at times the narrative of this story felt a little awkward and stilted, it was not enough to discourage my interest in the story. I enjoyed the “teen speak” as the two young protagonists interact with each other. It underlines their youth and naiveté, which is further underscored by their youthful protestations of undying love. We know that what they believe to be a “happily ever after” is probably more like a “happily for now” and that the boys won’t be together forever. But that’s okay, because this is a first love...not a forever love. I also thought that having one of the characters – Scott – have issues with his weight was a very realistic touch that not only made the story more believable but also showed both of the young protagonists in an even more sympathetic light.

It may not be at the top of my read list, but I’m still glad that I read Love by the Numbers. Although there may be some stylistic issues, this remains a sweet and “feel good” story. And a happy ending is always appreciated.

--Bobby

Title: The Angel of Ballyferriter
Author: Jennifer Mueller
Author’s website: http://www.jennifermuellerbooks.com/
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9781604352948
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 3

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Robert Aherne is a high-school English teacher who has come to the village of Ballyferriter to attend their Gaelic language school. The only other man in the class is a bit of a jerk and is the traditional “loud-mouthed American,” but Robert agrees to have a pint with Jack at the local pub anyway just to be neighborly. And it is at the pub that Robert first sees the beautiful red-haired barmaid Alana Riordan. When Jack takes it upon himself to sexually harass Alana, Robert steps in to help her deflect Jack’s advances. And so begins a romance and flirtation between them.

Being a small village, Ballyferriter has an active rumor mill, and rumor has it that Alana had her seventeen-year-old son out of wedlock. That’s not a problem to Robert – he figures that folks should mind their own business – but he is a little nonplussed when rumor has him sleeping with Alana when he’s never even had the opportunity to kiss her.

Robert is fifty years old and a widower. He knows that he should grab this chance at happiness with Alana while he can. He would even love to bring her home with him. But Alana’s son is still in high school, so she can’t leave, and Robert has his teaching job waiting for him, so he can’t stay. It just doesn’t seem to be in the cards that they be together after this summer is over.

Jennifer Mueller’s The Angel of Ballyferriter is a sweet romance about two people finding love during their middle years. Lovers of Ireland will be delighted at the village setting and the frequent use of the Gaelic language. The use of the language is not overdone but instead makes the setting feel that much more real. For those of us not familiar with the language, Ms. Mueller provides translations for the Gaelic phrases used in the story.

Ms. Mueller has done a nice job developing her characters during the short duration of this story. She makes them feel very real, all the way from the almost-too-nice Robert to the obnoxious Jack to the gossip-mongering busybodies of the village. She makes the reader care about Robert and Alana and their future and root for them to somehow find a way to be together. Surely these two deserve a happily-ever-after.

Moments of humor are sprinkled throughout the story, such as when Alana’s son translates the phrase “kiss my ass” in Gaelic that Robert has used as well as the boy spreading the rumor that Robert is sleeping with his mother. I’m always a fan of a little levity in a story, and these struck the right note for me.

Readers looking for a quick and light read that combines the beauty of Ireland and her native language with a little romance may wish to give The Angel of Ballyferriter a shot. It will make you wish you were at the pub yourself, sipping a pint and chatting with the locals.

--Bobby

Title: Forbidden: The Claim   
Author: Samantha Sommersby
Author’s website: http://www.samanthasommersby.com/ Publisher: Linden Bay Romance, LLC
Release Date: March 2009
ISBN: 978-1-905393-42-8/978-1-905393-32-9
Length: Novella
Format: Print/Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Vampire
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan

Byron Renfield, Ren, is the youngest Dominie in the vampire clans, even at 379 years old. He has lived his life by the straight and narrow in order to attain that level of achievement. His life is the life of solitude on the island he grew up on. He never expected to have his life turned upside down by a mere mortal. With his family background, he knows the consequences of becoming involved with a human. Violet is tempting him beyond reason. After she shows up on his doorstep to see her “aunt” and learns that her aunt has passed away recently, the immediate chemistry between Violet and Ren makes them both wish for things that shouldn’t be. Violet is unaware that Ren is a vampire and immortal and doesn’t know the consequences for the feelings they both want to act upon. Can Ren fight what his heart is demanding of him?

I was quickly drawn into this wonderful story. It is unique, sweet, and sensual. I especially enjoyed the distinct vampire world that Ms. Sommersby has created. She has added her own special qualities and rules to the undead. Ren is not your typical vampire; though the dark in him seems to be right beneath the surface, he is a caring, passionate man. His care of Violet is heartwarming while at the same time his need for her sexually is sizzling hot. I found Violet to be an easy character to identify with: she is strong and goes for what she wants . . . Ren. The conflict that arises is written with a flair for the unusual, while keeping the reader enmeshed in the drama that unfolds. I found myself reading as quickly as I could to see what the outcome would be. If you are looking for a wickedly enthralling read, this book is for you. I can’t wait to read more by this talented author.

--Teagan

Title: IM
Author: Rick R. Reed
Author’s website: http://www.rickrreed.com/
Publisher: MLR Press, LLC
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9781608200153
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic and Print (from Amazon.com)
Genre: Contemporary – Suspense – Horror
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When a serial killer begins to prey on gay men in Chicago, Detective Ed Comparetto draws the case. The murder scene he visits first is grisly and upsetting, but he does his usual thorough job conducting the investigation. Unfortunately, he is not able to pin down the perpetrator right away, and the killer hits again. And again. Ed is not especially popular in the police force right now, having recently admitted his homosexuality in a local newspaper article, but he is dedicated to his job and is determined to find the killer. Ed knows that the force has been just waiting for him to slip up, but when he is fired for falsifying a witness, he can’t quite figure it out. They tell him that the man he interviewed at the very first murder scene has been dead for years, but Ed knows that’s not possible – the man he interviewed was very real indeed.

When Ed looks a little closer, he finds that the man in question, Timothy Bright, did indeed die two years ago, a victim of a brutal murder that resembles those of the current killer. Someone has played him for a fool, and Ed suspects that person may very well be the killer. He also knows that the man he spoke with at the crime scene looks exactly like the deceased Mr. Bright. But how can a dead man possibly commit these horrible crimes?

Ed throws himself into his investigation in a manner that can only be called obsessed. His job on the force has been almost his entire life, and he knows that if he has any chance to get his job back, he must prove that Timothy Bright is not dead. His investigation will consume his life, alienating his few friends and threatening his life and that of the man he loves. When the dogged determination of one man meets up with the evil and insanity of another, the end result is a deadly game of “catch me if you can.”

No doubt about it, Rick R. Reed has a magic touch with suspense and horror, and his novel IM is a perfect example. This story will grab you by the throat and draw you in to this world of madness and bloodshed from the first sentence. It will then hold you spellbound and fascinated page by page, until the final climax comes crashing down around you, and you wake up and realize that the story is over.

Mr. Reed has written this story from several different viewpoints, allowing the reader to experience the unfolding drama from the eyes of many different people involved – Ed Comparetto, his lover, Timothy Bright, Timothy’s aunt, the victims – and giving insight into each one. This makes us understand, although not necessarily sympathize with, the motivation behind their actions. The way the story jumps from viewpoint to viewpoint, sometimes in the present and sometimes back in time, builds the suspense and stretches the tension tight until it quivers on a breaking point. And there it hangs as we watch in horrified fascination as the climax of the story approaches.

The main characters in IM are well developed and feel very real in a horrible kind of way. Ed Comparetto and Timothy Bright share the limelight, and while Ed may be considered the “hero” of the story, Timothy is in my opinion the main character. We are given Ed’s back story, experience his emotional turmoil, and root for him to flush the malefactor out, but we also seem to witness this all from a couple of steps back. Timothy, on the other hand, we get “down and dirty” with. We delve into his mind, read his aunt’s journal entries, and experience his crimes and his rage in the first person. As we look into this killer’s psyche, we even may have brief flashes of sympathy for him, but then we pull back and see him for the monster he is. Mr. Reed’s description of Timothy as an “evil elf” is very visual and quite effective. It brings to mind horror movies and thoughts of Freddie Krueger and Chucky the homicidal doll.

I found it very difficult to choose a “sensuality level” for this novel. The sexual acts that occur in the story are not especially detailed – this is certainly not a romance or erotica. However, the antagonist’s recounting of his own past sexual experiences and tendencies is pretty graphic. I’m giving it a "3" in an attempt at an average, with the caveat that the reader understand how I got there. In this case, the "3" means that it might be a little graphic for younger readers, not that it’s sexy. Because it’s not sexy…it’s frightening. And purposely so.

In all, IM is a very well-executed and wonderfully horrifying novel. If you enjoy suspense and horror, there is little doubt that you will enjoy this as much as I did.

--Bobby

It looks like Jasmine Rand's job is coming to an end. She is a high profile PR for a right-wing, anti gay rights Senator that has been caught with his pants down (literally) with a cheap male hustler. Jasmine has been able to do a pretty good job up until this point covering up the Senator’s predilection for sex, but this time, it doesn’t look like there is a snowball’s chance in hell. Trying her best to save whatever part of her career she can, Jasmine decides to call on the high-powered editor-in-chief of the most popular rag paper in town, Rodney Doyle. Rodney is no stranger to sex and sex games, and he has a pretty extensive reputation as a ladies man. Jasmine didn’t count on her reaction to him or his being “smitten” by her. It is lust at first sight. Rodney has some ideas of his own on how Jasmine can turn around the unfortunate events and have her come out on top with a new job in the process. Little does Jasmine know, it will be the start of a sexual awakening she never dreamed of while possibly being the downfall of her life.

A Capitol Affair delves into the dark recesses of sexual play and political intrigue. Political games take on a whole new meaning. Jasmine finds herself enmeshed in a game of sex and need. Her adventures are blatantly sexual with an abundance of naughtiness, from dominance to ménage and quite a few things in between. There is a sexual surprise around every corner. The sex is in your face,very edgy, and not for everyone, so be advised that this is sizzling hot. Jasmine's journey is quite varied and adventurous; her affair with Rodney is hard to define as even Jasmine herself is unsure what is happening. While the sex is abundant, there is still a romance to be found. The development of the relationship between Jasmine and Rodney is unusual yet quite sexy. I like a bit of conflict with my characters, and the author didn’t disappoint.

Just when I thought the book was almost over, the author threw in a twist and took the book in an interesting direction. The secondary characters play interesting and surprising roles.

Ms. Layne has written an imaginative, sexually adventurous book. If you like your sex varied and kinky, this book is for you.

--Teagan

Title:  The Ultimate Kink
Author: Cameron Dane
Author’s website:  www.camerondane.com/
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
Release Date: November 2008
ISBN: 9781596328310
Length: Novel
Format:  Electronic
Genre: Contemporary - BDSM
Sensuality Level: 4.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Kasey and Canin have worked together at Quinn Security for over seven years, but they’ve never had a case like this one before. One of their clients owns a sex club, and some of her clients – all married couples – have been harassed and assaulted lately. Due to the nature of the club, they refuse to contact the police, so it is up to Quinn Security to find out who is responsible for the crimes and stop them. In order to infiltrate the club, Kasey and Canin must pose as a married couple. This wouldn’t be so difficult except that they are also expected to participate in the club’s main activity, which is kinky and unusual sex. Sure, they’re professionals, but having sex in public is a little beyond their scope of experience.

Canin has been attracted to his beautiful associate for years, but Kasey projects a “don’t touch” air that has always discouraged him from trying to pursue a relationship with her. Canin is a very big man, so he is surprised when she turns aggressive and dominant on him. As they pursue their investigation, it becomes clear that she is no neophyte to bondage; however, she wants to tie him up…not the other way around. Kasey’s predilection for bondage isn’t just a whim for her. In fact, she can’t have sex without tying her partner up. Obviously, something has happened to her in the past, but she refuses to talk to Canin about it. He knows, however, that if he ever wants to get past the barriers she has erected against him, he has to earn her trust. But first they need to track down and stop a nasty sexual predator, which means that they have to become his next victims.

Cameron Dane has a deft touch weaving together a compelling story and erotic romance, and The Ultimate Kink is no exception. This is a story about trust, love, sex and coming to terms with the scars created by past experiences. Although this is second in this series after Finding Home, which tells the story of Canin’s brother Rhone and their associate Adam, it is not absolutely necessary to read the previous story in order to enjoy this one. It will, however, enrich the reading experience if the stories are read in order.

We’ve been forwarned by the title that there is going to be sex in this book. Lots and lots of it.  And here’s something I don’t usually put in a review: this story is hot. We’re talking keep a fan and a bowl of ice handy at all times hot. Push you out of your comfort zone hot, even. Some of the sex scenes definitely pushed my comfort level a bit, especially those that involve voyeurism. Those scenes certainly elicited a response, however, and I’m sure that was Ms. Dane’s intention.

But it is not just the reader who Ms. Dane pushes – it is her characters as well. She has developed them in a manner that makes them both very human and sympathetic. Kasey appears to be a dominant, sexually aggressive woman on the surface, but it is quite evident that this is simply camouflage that hides a lot of pain and damage within. Canin is likewise larger than life, but he too holds on to past pain, and that makes him almost ridiculously overprotective of the ones he cares about. However tough he may be, it is evident that he has a “soft” side, as is evidenced his handling of the cat, Zin. The contrast between the big man and his gentle handling of the tiny cat is striking and makes him much more approachable. In addition, I was struck by the strength that it must have taken for Canin to submit to Kasey. His willingness to give up control to her signifies something: love, trust, perhaps desperation?

For all that many (ok most!) of the sex scenes in this book are what one might describe as “kinky,” it’s pretty clear in this story that the kink only works when companioned by love and trust. When those emotions aren’t present, it feels “off,” and this is illustrated several times in this story. And just as the reader has perhaps gotten comfortable with this adventurous sex, they are confronted with the namesake of the book: the ultimate kink. Suffice to say that it’s an eye opener…one that the reader will most likely appreciate.

I’m not going to say that this was an easy read. It pushed me and made me step a bit outside my safe little world, but I appreciate that. And I’m going to keep my eyes open, because I strongly suspect that this might not be the last novel in this series.

--Bobby

Title: Immortal Seduction 
Author: M. E. Monte
Author’s website: N/A
Publisher: Torquere Press
Release Date: September 2008
ISBN: 9781603704663
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal - GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Darren Cox has been a Retriever for the Agency of Afterlife Activity ever since he died ten years ago. His main job is to assist the dead as they pass over into the afterlife, but every once in a while he is called upon to oust a demon from the land of the living and send them packing straight back to hell. Having grown up in a series of foster homes and then made his living as a sniper assassin for the CIA, Darren has no need to be close to anyone. He is brusque, abrasive, and antisocial…and he takes pride in the fact that he has gone through a string of partners lately, none of whom could stand him. His latest partner, however, is not as easily brushed off. Tanner Simms is an ever happy, hyperactive, perpetual chatterbox whose (after)life mission must be to annoy the stuffing out of Darren. Tanner’s only nineteen, which makes him the baby of the agency, and much as Darren finds him an irritating brat, he also finds the boy extremely attractive. Seeing that Darren never found men attractive when he was alive, this is somewhat confusing. Doesn’t keep him from being hooked, however.

When the ghost of a serial killer is reported to be back on earth, Darren and Tanner are assigned the job of dispatching the demon. This is a very dangerous job, and the two Retrievers risk losing their souls in a death that is more horrible than they could imagine. As they work together, Tanner begins a pursuit of his uncompromising partner, determined to seduce the man and to make him love him. No matter how rude Darren has been to him, no matter how many times he has called Tanner a “brat,” Tanner finds him fascinating. Darren may be the immovable object, but Tanner is definitely the irresistible force. However much Darren wants to deny it, his partner worms his way into his heart, and this creates a distraction that could very well compromise their pursuit of the demon. Tanner isn’t just a cute blue-eyed brat of a ghost, though. He has a secret that makes him different from the other Retrievers. And it could also compromise the Agency and everything it stands for.

M. E. Monte’s Immortal Seduction is a unique blend of action and romance that gives us a peek into a world of life after death, where there is a constant battle of good versus evil. In an interesting twist from the usual “demon hunter” fare, the main characters of this story are all ghosts, police officers for the dead who exist in something of a Purgatory, caught between Heaven and Hell. I found this novel to be well executed, with narration that flows smoothly and a plot that has enough action and suspense to keep it interesting as well as enough emotion to satisfy the romantic in all of us.

The demons in Immortal Seduction are satisfying gruesome and are not the usual cloven hoof and pitchfork type of creature. They are nasty, smelly, evil...I like them!  I also enjoyed the main characters and found myself forgetting they are ghosts and not “real” people. Darren is wonderfully grumpy. He was a loner during his life, and he’s just as antisocial after death. He seems to take a twisted joy out of denying himself any sort of pleasure, whether that would be sharing a smile with a coworker, enjoying a meal, or living in comfortable surroundings. Even though his relationship with Tanner – his polar opposite – changes him somewhat in this regard, it’s highly amusing to witness just how reluctant he is to change his ways. Tanner on the other hand is almost too cute. Basically, he’s a whole lot of attitude hidden behind big blue eyes, and watching him pour on the “poor pitiful me” routine with Darren in order to manipulate the man is almost comical. Indeed, this story has a number of humorous elements to it that help to lighten a potentially heavy atmosphere. I always appreciate a little levity in what I read and found this to be a nice touch.

In all, M. E. Monte has given us a diverting and quite engaging read with Immortal Seduction. I’ll close with a final thought: if people have a “happily-ever-after,” what do ghosts have? Ecstatic eternity?

--Bobby

Title: Infidelity 
Author: Debbie Gould
Author’s website: www.deborahgould.com
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Release Date: July 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60435-171-2
Length: Novel
Format: Print, Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5 + Keeper

Reviewed by: Teagan

Melanie Giordano has been hiding the truth behind her marriage, but when the abuse goes too far, she calls her brother to help her. Years of living in her own private hell, it ends in the death of her abusive husband and her unborn child. Her brother and his partner, her old flame, rescue her and take her home to heal. Unfortunately someone doesn’t want her to heal . . . someone wants her dead.

Dan and Luke are partners in a security business, and when Melanie calls for help, they both are there to help her. Dan feels like he let his little sister down and wants to be there to help her recover. Luke has been living in his own private hell. During a tour in Iraq, he was captured and tortured, and he feels he is ruined for life. When Melanie is hurt he is there to be with the one person he regrets losing, his high school sweetheart. He will protect her if it’s the last thing he does . . . and it just might be.

Have your tissues ready and your emotions in check, this book is moving. The strength of character that Melanie shows is a role model to any woman that has been abused. The feelings the author evokes with her story are overwhelming at times. I was drawn into Luke's torment and anguish. The romantic feelings between Luke and Melanie are wonderfully melded with their own personal demons to make the story heartfelt and sweet while overcoming their tragic pasts. Ms. Gould offers up likeable, compelling characters and a chilling suspense that keeps the reader turning the pages until the shocking ending. Another winner!

--Teagan

Title: Hard Fall
Author: James Buchanan
Author’s website: http://www.james-buchanan.com/
Publisher: MLR Press, LLC
Release Date: 2009
ISBN: 9781934531822
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary – Suspense – GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When the report comes in that a German tourist has fallen to her death in the canyon lands of southern Utah, Garfield County Deputy Joe Peterson prepares for a Search and Rescue body recovery of the most difficult kind – scaling sheer rock cliffs. Since his usual rock-climbing partner is out of commission with an injured wrist, Joe turns to Kabe Varghese for assistance. Kabe is a newcomer to the area, an ex con on parole and an expert and daredevil rock-climber, and Joe has been keeping an eye on him at the request of the young man’s family. And also because Kabe is beautiful, hot, and has a boatload of attitude that makes him irresistible. As much as he would love to give in to the temptation that Kabe presents, Joe reins in his desires. He is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and if the local Bishop ever got wind of his preference for the male sex, Joe knows that he would find himself both outcast and excommunicated.

The tourist’s death smacks Joe as suspicious, and after the body recovery is complete, he finds himself investigating the incident a little closer. He also finds himself drawing closer and closer to Kabe, who stirs feelings within him that he has repressed for more years than he cares to remember. In his desire to keep Kabe close, however, Joe ignores departmental protocol and involves him in his investigation. This may lead to expeditious results in the investigation, but it will result in disaster for his personal life. Joe has always been known as a “straight arrow” and an exemplary citizen. Suddenly, though, he finds himself suspended from his job, reviled by his church, and under public scrutiny. He’d had such a comfortable, albeit lonely, life up to now. Is this young man worth the heartache of possibly losing his church and the respect of his peers? His heart says yes, but the fearful little voice at the back of his mind is not quite so sure about it.

Hard Fall by James Buchanan is a story about a man who is struggling to reconcile his religion and his community with his sexuality and the love he has for another man. It blends physical action and personal introspection into an appealing package that is fast-paced and original. Not only has Ms. Buchanan set her novel in some of the most beautiful landscape in the country – the spectacular red rock canyons of southern Utah – but she also has made her main character a member of the LDS church. I am not all that familiar with the customs of the Mormon Church, but I do know that the LDS church supported Proposition 8 banning same sex marriage in California, so I assume that it holds the same negative attitude towards homosexuality as many religions do.

Joe Peterson is a strong and multidimensional character that readers will find very appealing. He has a distinctive and revealing voice that runs through the story, which is told by him in the first person. His identity is as a part of the mountains that surround him, he relates to them on a visceral level, and his religion is part of his very soul. There is a scene in this book where the Bishop is giving Joe what he calls a “righteous talking to” about his sexuality. Joe reveals how much he has struggled to come to terms with who he is and proves himself to be not only strong of will but also strong of character. Because this man not only has to defend himself against the church, he must also defend his personal views of religion against others who may judge him.

For all that he is Joe’s obsession and love interest, Kabe is a secondary character in Hard Fall. He acts as Joe’s foil, and his presence can be summed up in this one observation by Joe: “I had faith that Kabe wouldn’t let me fall.” Kabe might be a wild city kid, but he engenders trust in Joe, and it is this trust rather than the physical attraction between the two that eventually turns into love.

The narration in this novel flows smoothly and easily, making reading it a pleasurable experience. Add to that a distinct and well-developed cast of characters, scenery that will knock your socks off (enter Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park into Google and prepare to be stunned), and a story that will make you think about love and religion and tolerance, and you have a novel that is very enjoyable and well worth the read.

--Bobby

Title: Dangerous Grounds

Author: Shelli Stevens
Author’s website: http://www.shellistevens.com/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: January 2008
ISBN: 9781599989921 (Print),
          978159998850X (Electronic)
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic and Print
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan

Madison Phillips has dreams of coffee, and she is in the right place to open her own coffee café, Seattle. She also has dreams of seducing one hot, sexy Seattle cop by the name of Gabe. She wants sex, and she wants it now; unfortunately, Gabe is not complying. He sees her as his best friend’s little sister and he doesn’t want to risk that friendship. It’s not easy to resist when Madison is turning it on full force.

When a criminal called the Espresso Bandit hits Madison’s shop and she is the only one that can identify him, things start to get sticky. Gabe does the only thing he can after an attempt on Madison’s life – he takes her into hiding. Madison is more determined than ever to seduce Gabe, and she pulls out all the stops. Gabe must come to terms with the fact that resistance is futile.

Humor, suspense, and red-hot loving, combine to make a fabulously entertaining novel. The suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat while you are laughing at the predicaments that Madison gets herself into. The characters come alive on the pages. The descriptive wording formed pictures in my mind like a movie. The relationship between Gabe and Madison is unsure, yet they have an undeniable chemistry that they can’t ignore. The underlying emotions and suspense add to this multi-dimensional story. The Pacific Northwest is my stomping ground, and Ms. Stevens does it supreme justice! She has a penchant for storytelling, and I can’t wait to read more by this talented author.

--Teagan

Title: Ripping the Bodice
Author: Inara Lavey    
Author’s website: http://www.danafredsti.com/
Publisher: Ravenous Romance
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9781607771395
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary - Humor
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

It’s pretty safe to say that Cassandra Devon is addicted to romance novels. She collects the “classics,” she always has two or three (or twelve) in her bag, she even daydreams their plots. She can just see herself: a vision in white cotton gauze being swept off her feet by a rogue on a white horse. Or perhaps a spicy flamenco dancer teasing a Spanish don. All this dreaming about being swept off her feet by the perfect romantic hero has set her standards ridiculously high – no flesh-and-blood man could possibly live up to her ideal.

When she suffers yet another disappointment by an oh-so-imperfect real life boyfriend, Cassandra decides to accept her best friend’s offer of a vacation. For a whole week, she’ll share Val’s San Diego hotel suite, enjoy the beach, and read enough romances to give her a face full of cavities. Oh, and eat chocolate – lots and lots of chocolate. When she arrives at the hotel and meets Val’s cousin Raphael, Cassandra is floored. Talk about the physical embodiment of her ideal romantic hero! And he seems to find her attractive as well. All of a sudden this tame vacation takes on a much more interesting light.

Raphael is at the hotel with his business partner, Connor Callahan. There is something about the irritating Irishman that brings her ill temper to the surface, however chivalrous he may be. Cassandra has her sights set on Raphael, not the aggravating Connor, yet there Connor is, poking her and teasing her at every opportunity. And while Raphael stars in her daydreams and woos her gently, it is Connor who stirs her libido. Darn him for grabbing and kissing her, and darn Raphael for being just so…nice. And boring. And predictable. It’s just plain not fair – life and love aren’t this complicated and confusing in her romance novels.

If you’re looking for a big dose of fun to go along with your romance, look no farther than Inara Lavey’s novel Ripping the Bodice. This story positively sparkles with wit and humor that will keep the reader laughing all the way through and wondering what on earth could possibly happen next. Along with that humor, Ms. Lavey has given us an absolutely addictive cast of characters, who are colorful and well-developed and almost larger than life. At the center of the story is our heroine Cassandra, an aficionado of what she calls “politically incorrect romances” who has been living in a fantasy world for so long that she can barely see the real world that surrounds her. In her search for happily-ever-after she has ignored the possibility of finding “happily-for-now,” and her disappointment almost crushes her when she finds life isn’t living up to her ideals.

Cassandra’s love interest is the gorgeous Raphael, who she calls a “vision of male pulchritude.” Yes, she definitely pulled those words out of one of her beloved pot boilers! While Cassandra wastes her time envisioning him as all sorts of romantic hero, he is in actuality almost a cardboard cutout. And purposely so, so that we the reader see just how ill-suited he would be for her. On the flip side, we see very clearly how perfect she and Connor would be together, and it makes you want to grab her book out of hands, smack her with it, and tell her to look at what is right in front of her.

Connor Callahan is not your “typical” romance hero. He’s not as pretty nor as slick as Raphael is (nor does he dodge bullets, ride a destrier, or wield a shining sword), but Ms. Lavey has made him appealing nevertheless. He has a sense of fun that is top notch, even if Cassandra – silly girl – doesn’t recognize it as such. He also has a bit of an Irish accent that thickens when he gets annoyed. When he starts dropping his H’s, we know he is almost the end of his string.

The action in Ripping the Bodice teeters on the verge of being slapstick, and if that doesn’t make the reader laugh out loud, then Cassandra’s steamy and extremely silly daydreams surely will. In her mind, she experiences a romance novel that changes characters and plots as the story progresses. These hilarious daydreams take the form of almost every type of romance novel out there.

Overall, reading Ripping the Bodice is a delightful experience. Ms Lavey has a masterful touch with parody, and I hope she gives us another equally entertaining novel soon.

--Bobby

Title: Blood Vice - The Nightfall Syndicate, Book 1
Author: Keith Melton
Author’s website: www.keithmelton.net/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing Ltd.
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60504-388-3
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Vampire
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by Teagan

Karl Vance isn’t your typical creature of the night. A hit man for the mafia in Boston, he satisfies his hunger by killing the scum of the earth. He has vowed to never feed on innocents, so the job fits his nature perfectly. Even though he has an ulterior motive for working for the Ricardi mob, he is the best, and they call on him to quietly take care of their problems. He isn’t prepared to meet the boss’ daughter. Maria Ricardi acts tough as nails and wants to be more than just the accountant for the family.

Maria Ricardi is the crime boss’ daughter, and she has her eye on being more than the family money launderer. She figures that the quickest way to establish herself is with the help of Karl Vance. Karl is hired help her “clear out” the people standing in her way. She doesn’t count on an old enemy of Karl’s taking her as one of his sirelings to get to Karl.

Karl has spent years tracking down the killer that murdered his friend, and he has found him in Boston. Alejandro Delgado has been Karl’s nemesis for centuries and thinks he has found a chink in Karl’s armor...Maria. By making her one of his minions, he will be able to lure Karl out and kill him once and for all. Karl has plans of his own and will protect Maria at all costs.   

Enthralling! Purely and simply a book that will hook you in the first paragraph and keep you ensnared throughout. The complex workings of Keith Melton’s vampire world is fascinating. His detailed account of the lifestyle of the vampires make the reader feel as if they are there and witnessing everything that happens. The paranormal has never been so sexy and ruthless. Karl’s personal turmoil is tangible through the author’s words. His character comes alive (well actually undead) on the pages and draws you into his emotional conflicts. Though Maria isn’t exactly the girl next door, she is a unique character with unusual dreams. She was not quite an endearing character – as a matter of fact I didn’t really like her – but she is so well written that I found myself rallying for her. The realistic inside look into the mafia is fascinating, and Mr. Melton does a wonderful job of explaining the hierarchy within its ranks. The secondary characters hold just as much interest as the main characters. Blood Vice is a paranormal work of art. I cannot wait for the next installment of The Nightfall Syndicate. Keith Melton is undeniably talented and writes unforgettable characters.

--Teagan

Title: The Curtis Reincarnation
Author: Zathyn Priest
Author’s website: http://www.zathynpriest.com/
Publisher: Torquere Press
Release Date: November 2008
ISBN: 9781603705400
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary - GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Gothic rock superstar Tyler Curtis is something of a musical prodigy. He’s only twenty years old, but for the last two years, he has had the music world in an uproar with his good looks, his abrasive personality, his hard drinking and doping ways, and his ceaseless womanizing. His fans adore him, and women throw themselves at him constantly. When Jordan Braxton’s sister Rebecca wins two tickets to a Tyler Curtis concert, she insists that he accompany her. She has her sites set on bagging the delectable Mr. Curtis and figures that any female companion would just be a distraction. Although initially revolted by the morals and attitude of the rocker, Jordan tags along. And at the concert wrap party, he meets up with a Tyler Curtis that is completely unlike his expectations. The man he meets is shy, sweet, friendly and lisps adorably, and although he has always had a reputation of being cold and somewhat standoffish with strangers, Jordan is bewitched by the younger man. It take only a little conversation, a shared pizza, and a kissing session for him to fall completely in love.

He may appear tough on the outside, but Alec Tyler is actually a fragile soul. Orphaned at seventeen, verbally and physically abused by his manager, cut off from the world and forced to play a role, Alec is overworked, exhausted, and hungry for friendship. It doesn’t take much for him to fall for Jordan, who treats him like a person and not an idol or a punching bag. Even though the two men have found love together, fate contrives to make life difficult for them. Someone is trying to extort millions of dollars out of the young musician, and they are not above preying on Alec’s weaknesses to do so. In addition, Alec suffers from epilepsy, and he has been suffering from episodes of increasing frequency and duration lately. Just as they begin to dig Alec out of this nasty situation, the world comes crashing down around them in a different way, threatening not only Alec’s career but also his life.

The Curtis Reincarnation  by Zathyn Priest is about a man who puts up a front for the world while at the same time suffering enough loss and abuse to fell a man twice his size. It is a novel of love, pain, and poetic justice, and it has enough emotional appeal to satisfy even the most demanding of readers. This well-written story will hook you in from the very beginning and will keep you involved until the finale. The narration is smoothly executed, and the plot progresses at a consistent pace. It doesn’t bog down in the middle, and even when the action is in a bit of a holding pattern, the story still manages to be compelling.

Mr. Priest has created a cast of main characters in this novel that will grab your affections from the very beginning, and his villains are so extremely rotten that you will love to hate them. Indeed, you will undoubtedly be plotting revenge on these malefactors right along with the heroes. The main characters are studies on contrast within themselves. Alec suffers physical torment, psychological pain, and ill health yet at the same time finding great joy in his relationship with Jordan. Although he has been forced to act the bad boy his entire musical career, his true nature comes out after he decides to split with his manager, and his humor, intelligence, and charm make him positively glow in the public eye. Jordan projects a cold and untouchable, even obnoxious, air to those who don’t know him, but when his affections are engaged, he becomes a dedicated caring lover and an indulgent brother. Rebecca projects an air of mischief and calls herself “sexually amicable” (a response to her brother fondly calling her a slut), but once she gets past her pique that Alec chose her brother over herself, she becomes his fast friend. This doesn’t keep her from taking advantage of his wealth and hospitality when it is offered, of course, because champagne in the limo and room service at a luxury hotel are simply not to be passed up.

This novel runs the gamut of emotions – from humor to anger to grief and despair. It is at times funny and at times intense, but it is always extremely absorbing. You will laugh, and you will cry (ok, I cried… so sue me! I’m a sucker for this stuff.), and you will be thoroughly entertained. Excellent job, Mr. Priest. I will undoubtedly be seeking out more of your work in the future.

--Bobby

Title: Fairy Rock
Author: Daisy Banks
Author’s website: http://daisybanks.co.uk/default.aspx
Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Release Date: June 2008
ISBN: N/A
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Fantasy
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 3.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Alex is a middle-aged rock-star who retired some time ago. Lonely and depressed, he lives like a recluse in the English village he moved to three years ago, drinking too much bourbon and smoking too many joints for his health. His only company is the young girl who occasionally cleans his home, and while Janet is a sweetheart, she is way too young for him.

Actually, Alex does have company, and he’s had it for twenty years. The tiny fairy named Blossom has been his constant companion, although he doesn’t know it, and she has been worried about Alex for some time now. Although she fell in love with his music years ago, now she just wants to see him happy. In her eyes, that means married with children, and she thinks that Janet is just the right match for him. Janet is not as young as Alex thinks, and with a little boost from Blossom, he might just open his eyes and see that happiness is finally within his grasp.

Daisy Banks’s novella Fairy Rock is a sweet little fantasy of a love story. Actually, it’s two romances rolled up into one, because not only does Alex have a story, but so does the fairy Blossom. Although the pairing of Alex and Janet feels like something of an afterthought, the storyline following Blossom and the fairy named Beech is actually quite fun. Their bickering is entertaining, and while they appear to fall in love rather quickly, this appears to be due to the nature of fairies rather than being rushed by the author. The fairies have pretty well-developed personalities, and I had to laugh at Blossom’s dislike of her stereotypical pink fairy dress.

The humans are not quite as compelling as their tiny counterparts, although Alex does have an interesting dilemma on his hands regarding his ex-bandmate. I felt more annoyed with him than sympathetic regarding his plight, because he seems to be so downright lazy and self-absorbed. Nothing that a swift kick or two from Janet can’t cure, I’m sure. Janet may be a lot younger than Alex, but she is not afraid to go after what she wants…even if it does take a bit of a shove from a fairy to make her realize she wants it.

Overall, Fairy Rock is a sweet and fun read. Certainly not a bad way to pass some time. Ms. Banks’s fairies are entertaining enough that I shall undoubtedly be checking out the story about Beech’s brother Ash.

--Bobby 

Title: Dakota Ranch Crude - Dakota Heat 2
Author: Leah Brooke
Author’s website: N/A
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 1-60601043606
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Menage
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan

Samantha Cross is used to getting her brother, Pete, out of scrapes. This is one hell of a scrape this time though. Pete has messed with the wrong people and is in jail, while the bad guys are looking for Samantha. Pete has stolen an expensive bull from his employers to try and pay off his debts to the bad guys and has gotten caught in the process. Samantha has no choice but to appeal to his employers to drop the charges so her brother can get out of jail. Samantha isn’t prepared for Jackson and Shayne Montgomery, two bigger than life cowboys that demand Samantha work off the debt by being their housekeeper . . . among other things.

Jackson and Shayne like to share many things and among them are some of the women in their lives. Jackson is the golden boy that can charm like no other, and Shayne is the rough and tough part of the duo. Shayne believes that he is just too rough for any woman. When fate drops Samantha into their lives, the two men can’t get her out of their minds. Samantha is still in danger from the people Pete owes money, and Jackson and Shayne decide that the only way to keep her safe is to keep her close . . . at least that’s one of the reasons.

Dakota Ranch Crude is sexy, innovative, and titillating. Ms. Brooke continues to come up with inventive stories for the polyamorous romance fans. The main characters are all complex in their own right. Samantha has always taken care of everyone, and being on the other side of being taken care of is not easy for her. Her attraction to Jackson is a given, as he is charming and nice. Her attraction to Shayne is more in-depth, and his fear of hurting women draws Samantha to him. I especially enjoyed Shayne; he is the tormented soul that doesn’t see his worth, and his emotional uncertainty makes him a very believable character. I was drawn to him just as Samantha was. He is an alpha male with an inner fear that comes alive on the pages of the book. This erotically charged story will keep a smile on your face and have your heart racing.

--Teagan

Title: Her Dakota Men - Dakota Heat 1

Author: Leah Brooke
Author’s website: N/A
Publisher: Siren Publishing Inc.
Release Date: December 2008
ISBN: 1-60601-368-8
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Menage
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by : Teagan

Stacy Daniels had left the ranch for many reasons, among them the abuse from her father. Her father is dead and she is now facing the other reasons she left . . . all three of them. Cash, Wolfe, and Travis Dakota are the foreman’s sons and had grown up with Stacy and always looked out for her. She couldn’t handle the fact that she loves all three of them so she left so no one would be hurt. Coming home has opened up all her guilty feelings of loving three men. Cash, Wolfe, and Travis have some ideas of their own, and Stacy doesn’t know what she is up against with Her Dakota Men.

Her Dakota Men puts a new and fresh twist on the term menage. The surprising storyline adds a new dimension to the relationship among the four main characters. The story is enticing and draws the reader into the emotional conflicts that are warring inside Stacy. The story touches on the abuse she received from her father and it helps the reader to understand her inner turmoil. Her love for all three men is hard for her to come to terms with, and she feels the guilt building as she finds the love for each growing stronger. This is a compelling story that keeps the reader enthralled with the dynamics of a polyamorous relationship. The sex is very erotic and spicy. Ms. Brooke is talented and I am running to get the next book in the series.

--Teagan 

Title: In For a Penny
Author: Carol Lynne
Author’s website: www.carol-lynne.net
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, LLC
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary – Western – Suspense - GLBT
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Seven years ago, Raven Black was kicked off the family ranch after he made a pass at his foster brother Zane. Since then, he went a little wild, grew up, and joined the FBI, and now he’s a highly trained field operative working deep undercover. Now he’s back at the Lazy C Bar at Zane Connor’s request, investigating the disappearance of some cattle as well as the murder of a young Mexican boy. During the time apart, Ray never lost his feelings for Zane, and he is more than surprised when Zane admits the very same love. It was concern for Ray’s reputation and well-being that caused him to banish the younger man last time. But now Ray is all grown up and fully capable of making his own decision and choices. And he chooses Zane.

As Ray investigates the happenings at the Lazy C Bar, he comes to the terrible realization that he knows the man behind the crimes. He knows him too well. In fact, he had hoped that once he came to the ranch to live as a boy that he would never see him again. And while this man’s mischief has almost ruined the financial well-being of the ranch, what he really has on his mind is murder, and he has both Ray and Zane in his sights. As Ray watches in horror, his childhood nightmares unfold before him. He is no longer a child, however – this time he can fight back. Because there is no way in hell that he is going to lose the man he loves now that he has found him again.

Carol Lynne’s novella In For a Penny is a story of love, suspense, and danger in central Texas. This appears to be Ms. Lynne’s first release with Resplendence Publishing, and it has just a slightly different flavor than her other works. Not that this is a bad thing, because it is not at all, and I certainly enjoyed reading this book.

In this story, while her heroes are as beautiful and larger-than-life as ever, they have just a few quirks that make them unique and human. Raven is big, tough, and strong, with tattoos and piercings that advertise his status as a rebel. Even a piercing (eep! Don’t look!) below the belt. But then you step into his house, and it looks like something that June Cleaver has put together. It’s funny and a little bit sad as well to see how this big guy has tried to make a home for himself when all he really has wanted is to go back to the ranch and be welcomed as family again. Zane is not quite as “out there” as the younger man, but he has a little too much pride that gets in his way. When the one he loves is in danger, however, he is more than willing to cast that pride off. He’s even willing to sell the ranch that has been in his family for generations if that is what it takes to keep Ray safe.

While the main focus of the story is the relationship between the two heroes, Ms. Lynne doesn’t neglect the mystery aspect. She does a fine job building up the suspense as to who is behind the criminal mischief. She also builds a credible story behind that person’s motive as well.

Overall, I have to conclude that In For a Penny is one of the better stories by Ms. Lynne that I have read. I enjoy the slightly different feel that it has and look forward to seeing more stories like it.

--Bobby

Hold on to your seats and to your hearts, Ms. Gould has penned a suspenseful romance that will warm your insides and have you wondering what is going to happen next. The adventure is as exciting as the love story is sweet, and it is the perfect combination for a thrilling and sensual story. The conflict between Maggie and Jake is especially emotional; I was torn between their feelings and whose side I was on. Maggie is down to earth, intelligent, and compassionate, while Jake appears to have a hard exterior with his emotions riding just below the surface. This combination creates a wonderfully satisfying yet edgy story. The sensual aspect of their relationship adds just the right amount of fire. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Maggie and Scott, and their familial closeness is so sincere it gave me the warm fuzzies. I was drawn into the story and couldn’t drag myself away. Mountain’s Echo is a must read with in-depth characters in a well-written story. Debbie Gould is extremely talented and is definitely an author to keep your eye on.

--Teagan

Title: Focus: Highlighting the Power of the Short Story

Author: Kev Henley and CopyCarver, editors
Author’s website: http://www.excessica.com/
Publisher: eXcessica Publishing
Release Date: January 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Anthology of Short Stories
Format: Electronic
Genre: various
Sensuality Level: 4
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Focus: Highlighting the Power of the Short Story is a collection of 17 short stories by a diverse group of authors. These stories run the gamut of genres and themes: from straight to gay and from erotic to literary to horror. Each of these stories has a forward written by the editor that helps to explain the story and put it in perspective. These small forwards are an unusual touch that I find enhances the reading experience greatly.

Butterfly Wings by Renee Blaine:

Locked away in a mental hospital, a young witch who has been driven mad by her power begs the man who once loved her for help ending her life.

This is a lovely and evocative story. The heroine is like the butterfly that she holds in her hands: she is too damaged to continue with her life yet too whole to die. Death for her is the ultimate kindness.

Dancing Wildly by Will Belegon:

After suffering the frustration of a long-distance relationship and six months of the delays that life can bring, a young man reunites with his girlfriend. Although he is initially uncertain of the reception he will receive from her, it soon becomes plain that their connection is as strong as ever.

The author of this short story has combined a poem with narrative to tell a tale of young love and joy. Although I am not a fan of poetry overall, this one is very well executed, and its use in this story is very effective in evoking an emotional reaction.

Monday by Selena Kitt:

A schoolgirl who is being raised by her drug-addicted  mother is shocked and frightened when she witnesses her mother turning a trick for her dealer. 

Since the action in this story is seen through a child’s innocent eyes, it takes a moment for the reader to realize what is happening, although it is immediately evident that the little girl is somewhat neglected. Much of the tension revolves around us knowing that although she files the experience away and remains a carefree child, it will surely affect her when she reaches adulthood.

Virgin Tracks by Natalie Lamont:

In order to pay off her family’s debts and have college tuition, a young woman sells her virginity to a high-class brothel. The money is necessary, but she is resentful that her first time will be with a man who pays for it. However, the greatest shock is not her actual deflowering, but what happens after the customer leaves.

This is a very surprising and original story where what you see is not necessarily what you get. There is not a lot I can say without giving away the plot twist, but I can say that the author has created a very well executed and clever surprise for her readers.

Prince Raskolnikov and the Rusalka by Norman A. Rubin:

A prince, weary from battle, rests beneath a tree. He awakens to find a beautiful sprite of a woman who so inflames his lust that he follows her into the river to make love with her. And there he finds that she is no ordinary woman but a beautiful – and deadly – spirit of the water.

This story is told with an air that makes me think of traditional oral storytelling. I can almost envision a bard sitting in a great hall entertaining the people with his story. The language is poetic and descriptive and feels almost like a song in some places. Well done…very well done, indeed.

Linda Turns Another Page by Ralph Greco, Jr.:

As his girlfriend reads a book and ignores him, a man with a breast fixation masturbates in her lap, deriving sexual pleasure from the humiliation of her supposed indifference and her indirect dominance of him.

This is a very funny story, and I dare you not to be entertained by it. The narrator is a somewhat perverted fellow, but the reader will like him in spite of – or even because of – this. He has a very appealing voice, and one cannot help but be amused as he recounts this sexual experience.

Float by Tessa Buxton:

In a hotel on Jupiter’s moon Io, a man falls in love with an android. Although he has made the artificial boy the object of his obsession, the man also knows that there is no future in his feelings. Because the android is at the end of his life cycle and is slowly dying.

This little bit of science fiction reflects the pain and yearning felt by the main character very effectively. While it may seem to be strange for someone to fall in love with an android who is so obviously not human, one can’t refute the depths of the main character’s feelings. This story is sad and sweet although not just a little bit twisted.

Knead by Alessa Brio:

A woman recounts her experience receiving a professional massage. While her body enjoys the attention, her mind races as she deals with a lack of self confidence and the discomfort of her body image. The experience is highly sensual while not being sexual, and the narrator reflects on the meaning of beauty.

This is a very relaxing and contemplative read, and it is incredibly well done. Indeed, after reading this story, I really want a massage! The narrator comes out of her experience with a renewed confidence and a changed body image, and it is a beautiful thing to witness.

In Their Shoes by Kev Henley:

A woman’s cat becomes a human man hoping that his love for her will make her happy after a string of lovers have not. However, he finds that nothing can force her to be happy when that is not what she actually wants.

This somewhat sad story, told from the cat’s point of view, underscores how human nature tends to overanalyze issues. The woman cannot allow herself to let go and find her dream but must instead talk herself down into believing that she must be miserable in life. The cat’s perspective is a unique one. His actions and thoughts are a well executed composite both the human and the feline and made this story very enjoyable for this cat-lover.

Thank You, Sensei by Amy Lee and Annastasia:

After suffering an emotional meltdown after a BDSM session with his dominant, a young man slowly comes down to reality and re-centers himself with the help of his Master.

This story makes it very clear that both of the participants in the BDSM relationship – both the masochist and the sadist – have needs that are met by their activities. Even though those of us who don’t understand this scene might have a little difficulty seeing how someone might take pleasure from pain, it is obvious that the act of submission and masochism gives Jonathan satisfaction as well as expressing his adoration and gratitude for the man he calls Master or Sensei. The emotional scene at the beginning of the story is clearly an aberration from the norm for him.

Amanuensis by Tessa Buxton:

A winged woman sits in a cage with no door and thinks back on her youth, ruing the choice that she made to leave her own kind and live with a human man. She has given up her freedom for a life she does not enjoy and is sinking into madness and self-neglect. Nothing forces her to stay, but she makes no attempt to leave this life that makes her so unhappy.

This is a poignant story that will make the reader feel sad for the caged woman but at the same time frustrated that she takes no action to change her situation. There is a deep feeling of melancholy and loss on the part of both of the characters as well as a sense of helplessness as their lives wend to an end. This story left me feeling unaccountably upset, but it is quite well done.

Downriver by Gwen Meyers:

Every year, the most beautiful girl in the village is sacrificed as an honor to the gods. This year, the chosen girl prepares for her ordeal but is instead rescued by the young man who adores her. After they avoid capture, the two affirm life with sex, switching the sacrifice of life with one of the girl’s virginity.

After reading this story, I can’t help but wonder about the people who have been sacrificed to various gods over the ages and what they must have been feeling at the time. It seems like such a terrible practice, yet it was the cement that held societies together. I appreciate the fact that this one young sacrifice doesn’t make it to the alter in this story.

Faith by Selena Kitt:

An angry and depressed mother finds out that at age forty she is once again pregnant. As her pregnancy progresses, her anger grows, and she does everything she can do to harm the baby growing within her. She is determined not to let the unwanted child ruin her life, regardless of the wishes of her husband.

In this story, a woman practices her own method of abortion. Although the narration is from her perspective, she is drawn to be an extremely unsympathetic character – she dislikes her husband, envies her own children their youth, and wants only to maintain her career. The person in the story we feel sorry for is the husband, who still loves his wife for all that she has tried to kill that love. Although the conclusion is sad and shocking, it is not unexpected.

Triple Forged Coupling by Anthony Beal:

Hiding in the recesses of a closet, a man watches his lover cheat on him in fascination and pleasurable agony. As the couple has sex, he begins to see them as machines instead of people. After they are finished and the woman departs, the voyeur rejoins his lover, who no longer looks mechanical but is once again the man he loves.

This story is something of a surprise, and it is a tale of voyeurism rather than cheating. The imagery in this story is very well done, and as the two spied-upon lovers copulate, they are redrawn in the readers’ eyes with machine parts instead of soft flesh. In the eyes of the voyeur, it is the act of sex that makes man (and woman) into something mechanical. It is an intriguing and quite original viewpoint.

To Save a Witch by Kiki Howell:

When an inept young witch uses the power of the full moon to cast runes and look into her past and her future, she conjures a dangerous ghost and must be rescued by a man who has loved her from a distance. She finds that she is doomed to always want and never be fulfilled unless she can learn gratitude.

This is a story about a woman learning from the mistakes of her past lives and finding love by relaxing her pride. It is mildly entertaining, but I didn’t find it especially memorable as some of the other stories in this anthology are. Still, a happy ending is always pleasurable to experience.

Alabama Hotel Room by Renee Blaine:

In this story, a man seeks retribution for the murder of a young woman by systematically killing everyone involved in her death. He sees himself as an executioner and has followed those who he believes to be human monsters around the entire continent.

This story is a journey into the mind of a killer, a man who may very well be sliding into insanity and who is aware that he is turning into a monster himself. The atmosphere of horror is thick and ugly, and the reader is left wondering if the dead woman is just an excuse for the main character to go on a killing spree.

Gender Issues by Elliott Mabeuse:

When a man meets a young woman at a party who is dressed as a man, he is intrigued and wildly attracted to her. All he can think of is making love to her, so does that mean he’s gay? It’s all very confusing to him, but in the end, it doesn’t matter if she is a boy or a girl, and it is equally inconsequential whether he is straight or gay. What they have found is a connection that goes beyond gender and that wipes the slate of their pasts.

This story ends this anthology with a bang and is the shining star of the collection, in my opinion. It is well written, surprising and extremely sensual, and it raises some interesting questions about gender identity while at the same time raising an eyebrow or two. No toss-away read, Gender Issues will linger in your thoughts well after the conclusion.

--Bobby