BookWenches

Our ratings are probably not the same as those for other review sites. For an explanation of what exactly these numbers mean, please visit the Ratings page. Thanks! 

The following titles were reviewed in September 2009:

Maybe by J.M. Snyder
Selling Forever by Kimber Chin
The Wedding Planner by G.A. Hauser
A Hearing Heart by Bonnie Dee
Light My Fire by Katie MacAlister
Murder on Camac by Joseph R.G. DeMarco
Cupid’s Delight by Jamieson Wolf
Fire Me Up by Katie MacAlister
A Rose Among the Ruins by Ariel Tachna
Mr. Charming by Nancy J. Parra
Warrior’s Cross by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux
Pale Immortal by Anne Frasier
Met by Chance by Lynne Connolly
Vampire Diaries 1: The Awakening by L. J. Smith
Best Vacation that Never Was by Lynne Lorenz
Subsurdity by Eric Arvin
The Virgin Widow by Lillith Payne
Beauty Is by Kim Richards
Executive Positions by KyAnn Waters
Beauty & the Bigfoot by Kelli A. Wilkins
At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh
Devil’s Spawn by Sarah Masters
Public Exposure by E.M. Lynley
Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh
Wild, Tethered, Bound by Stephanie Draven
Run, Wolf by Keith Melton

Title: Maybe   
Author: J.M. Snyder
Author’s website: www.jmsnyder.net
Publisher: J.M. Snyder
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: n/a
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Josh and his boyfriend DeMario met when they were working on an off-Broadway musical. For months as the musical toured, they were wonderful together, but eventually the relationship disintegrated into fights and harsh words, and the lovers split apart. Alone after the close of the show, sad and even a little angry, Josh knows he must have pushed his lover away, even if he’s not sure how.

When DeMario shows up on Josh’s doorstep asking for another chance, Josh knows that he still loves him. But a reunion can’t be just that easy – they need more than just love. They first must deal with whatever issues separated them in the first place. Josh has been blaming himself, but perhaps he’s not solely at fault. Maybe they can extend the tentative peace between them. Maybe they have a shot at forever.

********

J.M. Snyder’s Maybe documents the break-up and tentative healing of a relationship between two young actors. It is a quick, well-written story filled with heartbreak and bittersweet love and anger as the main character remembers both the high and the low points of his love affair. As I read, I found myself drawn into the emotion as I tried to puzzle out the mystery of what caused the break-up in the first place.

Ms. Snyder characterizes young people very effectively in her work. Her heroes Josh and DeMario can’t be beyond their early 20s; they are full of life and enthusiasm, ruled by their emotions, and filled with the angst and energy that the very young seem to excel at. Ms. Snyder has created these two to be very “real” people. Life for them is a series of highs and lows, and even as we the readers acknowledge the almost overblown angst and drama as signs of their youth, we cannot help but feel sympathy for the both of them. We watch them take baby steps toward reconciliation and hope that they can make it as a couple, but we also must acknowledge that there is every possibility that they will not have the “happily-ever-after” that they are striving toward.

This is overall a “sweet” romance, meaning that there is no sex and only a kiss or two between the characters. The focus of the story is much more psychological than it is physical. I rated Maybe a 2.5 on the sensuality scale based more on Josh’s thoughts and memories than on any intimacy in the story. And honestly, this story doesn’t need sex in order to have an emotional impact.

Maybe is written for the most part in the present tense, and this gives the reader a feeling that they are experiencing the action right along with the characters. Present tense narrative can be tricky. If it is poorly executed, it can be awkward and completely ruin a story; however, when used by an author as talented as Ms. Snyder undoubtedly is, it can lend a truly dynamic tone. This gives Maybe the feeling of being a play, which seems fitting since the two young heroes are thespians.

All told, I found this to be an enjoyable read. Ms. Snyder has given us a little slice of life in Maybe. While Josh and DeMario’s story is on a small scale, it emphasizes an important issue about relationships: we can’t take them for granted, and they must be nurtured in order to stay alive. I think we can all benefit from that message.

--Bobby

Title: Selling Forever
Author: Kimber Chin
Author’s website: www.businessromance.com
Publisher: Champagne Books
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-926681-56-3
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Cara Jones is a real estate agent at the top of her field. Ever the professional, she is an expert salesperson who thrives on a challenge, so when her brokerage agency runs a contest to see who can bring in the participant that draws the highest bid in a charity auction, she is immediately game. She might not need the money that will go toward the winner, but she knows that the prize will go a long way toward helping her assistant’s family with a down payment for a home. And Cara knows just who to approach: infamously media-shy billionaire Richard Thompson. Sure, he’ll be a tough sell, but that’s what she does best. A little careful research and the use of a contact or two, and she’ll have him in the bag.

Richard Thompson is tired of being pursued just because of his money. He’s a computer programmer, not a public figure, and he has no intention of allowing himself to be auctioned off like a side of beef. But when Cara woos him with home-baked pie and then chocolate cupcakes, he can’t decide which he prefers: the beautiful blonde or her baked goods.

Cara believes in making every business transaction a win/win situation, and with Richard, that belief spills over into her personal life. She is a fixer and a nurturer, and she is convinced that Richard needs her help to overcome his phobia of the media. She is also drawn to the quirky and intelligent man, and it doesn’t take her long to fall in love with him. But as much as he wants to get closer to Cara, Richard is mistrustful of her motives. He can’t believe that she wants him for anything other than his money. How can a man who values his privacy possibly find forever with a woman who lives constantly in the public eye? Cara might not be able to sell Richard on love at first sight, but love at first pie is a definite possibility.

********

Before I picked up this story, if anyone ever suggested that I read a story mixing business and romance, I would probably have declined with a polite yawn. Honestly…how could such a topic possibly be interesting, let alone entertaining? Kimber Chin has done it, however, and it is well done indeed. In her novella Selling Forever, Kimber Chin gives us a lighthearted and clever story about love in the business world. This is a story that will make you laugh, capture your heart, and believe it or not, perhaps even teach you a business lesson.

There is a lot to like about this story: a snappy plot that mixes fun and realism, wonderful well-drawn characters, and pleasing narrative. But one of the most artful characteristics of Selling Forever is the manner in which Ms. Chin has created the entire story to be an allegory of a sale. In this case the item being sold isn’t a car or a house but is instead the “happily ever after” of the two main characters. Each of the eight chapter begins with the definition of a business sales term, in progression detailing the steps in making, closing, and following up on a sale, and the story mirrors these eight steps beautifully. As I read, I found myself anticipating how the main character Cara would implement each individual step, and this made the story quite fun for me.

Selling Forever features characters who will endear themselves to the reader almost immediately. Richard is certainly one of the more eccentric heroes that I’ve read lately. He is unique all the way from his untamable mop of hair to his unexpected living conditions. Who ever heard of a billionaire who lives in the slums because he simply can’t be bothered to move, shops at WalMart, and drives a dying subcompact car? That would be Richard, and his direct opposite is Cara. Cara is a people person, as befits a real estate agent, but she has a big heart that belies the usual stereotype. She is about as far from the shark or barracuda that typifies a highly paid businesswoman as she can possibly be, and this makes her character a very pleasant surprise.

Cara and Richard complement each other perfectly. In fact, they fit together like pieces of a puzzle. He loves to eat, and she bakes like a dream. He hates the media and being photographed, and she devises a sure-fire way to get him to smile for the camera (one that won’t fail to bring a grin to the reader’s face). He’s not a talker, and she won’t shut up.

While I enjoyed the two main characters in this story, I was also charmed by the secondary characters, who are just as exceptional. Among the colorful cast are Richard’s millionaire secretary Shirley, who drives a nicer car that he does and constantly rubs his nose in it; his more than slightly wacky mother, who insists that Richard’s a spy instead of a computer programmer because he “writes code” for a living; and news reporter Fred, who is not above playing wedding-photographer in exchange for an exclusive story.

The humor in Selling Forever kept me smiling from beginning to end, and there were many times that I almost laughed out loud as I read. I think I may be hooked on business romance now, if they are all as well-written and entertaining as this one. Readers looking for just a taste of what Ms. Chin has to offer may wish to check out the stories posted on her website at http://businessromance.com/links/. Excellent job, Ms. Chin. I look forward to your next release.

--Bobby

Title: The Wedding Planner
Author: G. A. Hauser
Author’s website: www.authorgahauser.com
Publisher: Torquere Press Publishers
Release Date: September 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60370-787-9
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

At age thirty, Jordon Buck is ready to settle down, and he knows that he has chosen the right woman to do this with. His fiancée Fawn is a beautiful, independent woman, and they get along quite well together. The only thing that they lack is intimacy, but Fawn’s career as a flight attendant keeps her on the move, and if she prefers to spend her off-time with her girlfriends instead of with Jordon? Well, he’s trying to give her space and understand her needs. He just hopes he doesn’t die of sexual frustration before the wedding can take place.

Jordon’s gay brother swears that he wouldn’t have this problem if he dated men, but although Jordon has been curious a time or two about gay sex, he has never followed through. He wants a committed, trusting relationship, and he knows that no man can give him this. No, Jordon is determined to get married, and he is even willing to act as liaison with the wedding planner, if that will expedite matters. Arranging a wedding is a simple enough task; nothing earth-shattering is involved in choosing a venue and flowers. But one look at Tyler Holliday, the wedding planner, and Jordon is hooked like the proverbial fish. Wedding planners are supposed to be prissy and effeminate little guys, not tall and buff and downright gorgeous ex-pornstar types, right? Suddenly, Jordon’s thoughts are all taken up by one thing, and it’s definitely not his fiancée.

Tyler is certainly not what Jordon would classify as a “typical” gay man. He’s not interested in throwaway relationships and one-night stands, regardless of the mistakes he made in his youth. As he and Jordon develop a friendship based on mutual respect and admiration, Jordon begins to realize that the “true love” that he always scoffed at as myth might actually exist. The only trouble is that the person he shares this love with isn’t his fiancée, and the wedding date is fast approaching.

********

Whenever I pick up a title by G. A. Hauser, I prepare myself for a treat. I expect to not only be entertained, but entertained in style, and very few are the times that I’ve been disappointed. So when I saw that Torquere Press had published one of Ms. Hauser’s novels, this one titled The Wedding Planner, I of course pounced on it immediately and gobbled it up. And I have to say that it met every one of my expectations; surpassed them, in fact.

Even were Ms. Hauser’s name not on this book, we would know that The Wedding Planner is her work, because it carries many of this author’s hallmarks. It features two beautiful (stunning, gorgeous, drool-worthy, you get the picture) heroes, a difficult situation that stars an unpleasant female, spirited and humorous interaction between the lovers, and not just a little bit of angst on the part of the main characters as well.  However, these boys are not as shallow as some of Ms. Hauser’s heroes tend to be. I love her shallow, beautiful boys, don’t get me wrong. These two, however, have morals and a pretty well-defined sense of what is right and wrong. As much as they might yen for each other, neither forgets that Jordon is engaged to be married, nor is either willing to contribute to infidelity. I found this to be something of a change of pace, because in general if one of Ms. Hauser’s heroes wants something, he reaches out and nabs it with the attitude that it is easier to beg forgiveness than it is to ask permission.

What can I say about Jordon and Tyler, besides the fact that I fell for them both almost immediately? Vulnerable and funny and just plain nice, these two. Sure, I wished for Jordon to grow a pair during his interactions with his fiancée, but he is so starved for affection and feels so rejected and unattractive that I had to forgive him. Tyler is dealing with the fallout from poor choices he made as a teen-ager, but even though he dislikes the job he has as a result, he gives it his very best efforts. I had to laugh when Jordon visits Tyler’s MySpace page and gets a little more than he expected – an eyeful, in fact. Of course, I laughed quite a number of times as I read The Wedding Planner, because the repartee between the two heroes is charmingly humorous.

Ms. Hauser builds the romantic tension between the two heroes until it positively vibrates with energy. The first kiss, when it finally arrives, is absolutely electric, and their initial moment of intimacy is an expression of love as well as deep desire. In this story, Jordon learns that what is important in a relationship is trust, companionship, and mutual respect and that true love can be a reality and not just something found in fairy tales and chick flicks. And Tyler finds that the “right” person will not judge him by his past but will see him as the person he truly is.

Perhaps you have guessed already, but this is my favorite Hauser story to date. It is a fun and quite entertaining read, and simmering under the surface is a depth of emotion that will satisfy the most romantic of hearts.

--Bobby

Title: A Hearing Heart
Author: Bonnie Dee
Author’s website: http://bonniedee.com
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Release Date: September 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59578-582-4
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

The year is 1901. After the death of her fiancée, Catherine Johnson moves from White Plains, New York, to small-town Nebraska to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. By throwing herself into her work and the children of the community, she hopes to heal and move on with her life. When she breaks up a fight in town, rescuing stable hand Jim Kinney from a beating at the hands of local heavies, she never expects it to change her life.

Deaf from birth, Jim Kinney has always been considered a simpleton due to his inability to speak. Catherine sees his intelligence, however, and she is determined to teach him to write and to communicate with sign language. The farthest thing from her mind is falling in love again, but as she and Jim spend time together, she finds herself responding to him physically and emotionally in a way that she never has before. Knowing that an association between them would scandalize the tiny community, Catherine tries to fight her feelings.

Jim would do anything to make himself worthy of Catherine’s affections. But how can he expect her to love him when the rest the community looks upon him as an outcast? Despite his efforts, there is simply no way to bridge the enormous gap that society has built between them, and he knows that his love for her is probably just a foolish dream.

********

When the heart leads in one direction but the head in another, how do you determine which one to follow? In her novel A Hearing Heart, Bonnie Dee gives us a story of turn-of-the-century America where the heroine is faced with just such a question. This is a sweet and sensual story of clandestine love that features a hero and heroine from two different end of society who would never normally come together and who must overcome obstacles both natural and man-made in order to find love and happiness together.

I found this to be an appealing and diverting read whose characters are facing an interesting dilemma. The hero and heroine have a love that is forbidden by the social niceties of the community, since not only is Jim physically handicapped, but he is also Catherine’s direct opposite in terms of polite society.

Catherine finds herself torn between her passion for Jim and what she believes to be logic and common sense. Catherine can’t help herself when she worries about the opinions of people in the small town as well as what kind of future she and Jim could possibly make together. While this dilemma is understandable, I found myself becoming impatient with her and her social snobbishness upon occasion. But however much I wanted her to throw social mores to the wind and just accept the love that she and Jim have, her indecision makes her realistically flawed, and I appreciated that. It is not until starts listening to her heart that she realizes that she, not the artificial rules of society, controls her life.

Jim is handicapped in more ways than one. He has the physical handicap of his deafness, but he is also handicapped by the assumptions of a community, who has decided that since he can’t hear or speak he must be stupid.

Jim loves Catherine with a single-minded devotion that is unhindered by outside influences.  His deafness might give him an air of innocence, but that innocence is deceptive; he is not helpless, nor is he perfectly angelic. He equates being worthy for Catherine’s affections with money, and this leads him to make a couple of dubious choices. However, he does finally listen to his innate morality, and that is what truly makes him worthy in my eyes.

This story includes an intriguing sub-plot about a corrupt business magnate who is dead set on taking over the community and who isn’t afraid to use strong-arm tactics and bribery in order to do so. This gives us a break from the romance and the angst that Jim and Catherine feel over their impossible relationship and lends a bit of action and danger to A Hearing Heart. I always enjoy a good-versus-evil struggle, and this one adds not only an element of suspense but also an exciting climax to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed A Hearing Heart. Ms. Dee tells a well-crafted story, and Jim and Catherine are an appealing pair that I was glad to see find their happy ending.

--Bobby

Title: Light My Fire
Author: Katie MacAlister
Author’s website: www.katiemacalister.com
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: November 2006
ISBN: 0-451-21982-1
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Paranormal Humor
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

A new start in London is just what Aisling Grey needs. After being betrayed by her wyvern mate Drake, she heads to London to study with her mentor. But life just can't be that easy for Aisling; being a demon lord, Guardian, and wyvern's mate is anything but easy. Her demon, Jim, has eaten the imp ruler so the entire imp nation is after her. There have been numerous attempts on her life, and to top it all off there is a dragon war going on. Even though Aisling has distanced herself from her hunky dragon mate, she is still required to be present in an official capacity...only her heart may not survive being in close proximity to Drake.

********

Just when you think a series can't get better, you read the next installation and it puts the smile back on your face. Ms. MacAlister is on a roll with this series. In the third installment, Aisling Grey is back, and as funny as ever. With her sidekick demon in a Newfoundland body, Jim, at her side the laughs never stop. Jim eating the imp ruler and having bits of gold sticking in his gums, and swearing he was framed had me giggling non-stop. The reader gets much more information in this story about the paranormal world. Trouble finds Aisling at every turn, and the story unfolds into possibly my favorite one yet. This is a series I never want to end!

Title: Murder on Camac
Author: Joseph R. G. DeMarco
Author’s website: http://www.josephdemarco.com/
Publisher: Lethe Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59021-213-4
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Mystery GLBT
Sensuality Level: 2
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When prominent gay author and journalist Helmut Brandt is shot and killed on Philadelphia’s Camac Street, authorities are quick to write it off as a mugging gone awry. But the man’s bereaved lover, Tim Hollister, has other ideas. He believes that the murder is linked to research that Brandt was conducting on his current work-in-progress, an exposé of the Catholic Church and its involvement in the premature death of Pope John Paul the First thirty years ago. Determined to unearth the truth and to bring the killer to justice, Hollister hires private investigator Marco Fontana to look into the murder.

Although Fontana at first believes Hollister to be something of a crackpot and a conspiracy theorist, the devastation in the man’s eyes tugs at his heart. He takes the case just to help ease Hollister’s pain. But as he begins to investigate, he realizes that there is more to Hollister’s theory than he initially believed. Brandt’s research and writing made a lot of people angry, and there is more than one individual who had plenty of motive for murder.

Fontana’s investigations will take him from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia all the way down to the seediest of gay bars in the city, from the office of the Cardinal to competitive journalists to strippers and rent boys. Brandt obviously uncovered secrets that strong forces don’t want to be revealed. But would they resort to murder in order to keep one journalist quiet? When the truth comes to light, it will reveal secrets and events that will not only shake up Fontana and his crew but will also rock the very foundation of the Church.

********

I admit it: I’m a sucker for a good mystery. Stick a story in my hands with a well-developed whodunit and personable characters, and I’ll stay happily entertained for hours. Toss in a bit of a real-life mystery and conspiracy theory and add a PI who is intelligent, personable, and unique, and I’m hooked tight. And that is just where we are with Joseph R. G. DeMarco’s novel Murder on Camac. So start clearing some room in your library, mystery and detective fiction aficionados, because Mr. DeMarco and his private dick hero Marco Fontana are going to warrant a space of their own on your shelves.

Murder on Camac is as well-written a PI novel as I have recently read. The mysteries presented in this novel are engrossing, the subplots are entertaining to say the least, and the characters are unique and realistically detailed to the point that I felt as if I truly got to know them over the course of the novel. This story is narrated in the first-person by Marco Fontana in the fashion of the hard-boiled detective novel. He progresses through his investigation step by step in a methodical fashion, but it never becomes routine or boring. There is so much going on in this novel – multiple suspects, plots, subplots, dead ends, and the characters’ very complicated and colorful personal lives – that one might fear getting lost in the middle of the drama. But we don’t. Mr. DeMarco has done an outstanding job keeping everything and everyone straight and tying up all the necessary loose ends.

I found the main character in Murder on Camac, Marco Fontana, to be charming in his own way. A determined and tenacious investigator, he has enough quirks and human foibles to make him a pretty irresistible character. He has a thoughtful and dry wit, an agile mind, and the roving eye of a romantic rogue. Fontana inspires both exasperation and adoration in others, and although he frankly admits to being a commitment-phobe, he also has a soft heart and a generous nature that can get him in trouble upon occasion.

Fontana’s supporting cast is as well-developed and unique as he is. He is assisted in his investigation by his secretary Olga, whose dour personality and broken English light up the pages; his friend and sometimes-lover Luke, who runs a professional housekeeping company; and the beautiful and unflappable Anton, a stripper who manages Fontana’s strip club business and dreams of a monogamous relationship with the commitment-shy PI.

It is difficult to do justice to this complex and involving novel in a short review. I was captivated by the plot and the characters, and the portion of the story that involves the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as well as the mystery of the death of Pope John Paul the First is both fascinating and realistically detailed. By the time I read the final page, not only had I been royally entertained, but I felt as if I had made a new group of friends in Fontana and his crew. Murder on Camac is just the first of many cases to come that involve Marco Fontana, and I look forward to adding them all to my library.

--Bobby

Title: Gods of Love Book 1: Cupid’s Delight
Author: Jamieson Wolf
Author’s website: www.jamiesonwolf.com
Publisher: Breathless Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-926771-06-9
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal Humor
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Cynthia Nixon has had pretty dismal luck in the relationship department, but she never dreamed that she would be on the receiving end of a divine intervention as a result. But that’s exactly what the little guy with wings and a quiver full of arrows sitting on the foot of her bed tells her that he’s there for. He swears that he’s Cupid and that he’s there to find her a man, and he insists that he’s not going anywhere until he accomplishes his goal.

Cupid is not exactly the sweet loveable cherub that Cynthia figured such a being would be. Sure he’s got the wings, but he’s crass, cheerfully perverted, and is all man, albeit a very short man. Still, she’s willing to go along with his plans, especially if they’ll net her the gorgeous Taylor Wood, a bartender whom she’s has been lusting over for quite some time. It all seems just too good to be true – and that should have been her first warning. Perhaps trusting a Cupid with a five o’clock shadow and a massive ego isn’t such a good idea. And then again…maybe it is.

********

When you pick Cupid’s Delight for a read, prepare to smile. A lot. This story is filled with outrageous and completely irresistible humor that is both clever and entertaining. It is well-written enough to grab a reader’s attention from the very first line, and the fun starts from that moment and hardly lets up until the end. One tongue-in-cheek moral to this story: don’t piss off Cupid. He doesn’t just get mad, he gets even, and the results are simply hilarious.

Mr. Wolf gives us two main characters that should delight even the most jaded of romance readers. I mean, who doesn’t love Cupid? Cute little cherub surrounded by hearts and all that, right? Wrong. This Cupid is about as original as they come. He’s impatient, belligerent, has a raunchy mouth, and puts on a really tough act. But somehow that makes him attractive, and readers will definitely be rooting for “the little guy.” Just don’t call him that to his face. Cynthia is a woman who may have had bad luck with men, but she can still give as good as she gets. And I have to say that I appreciated her taste in men when she suggests Johnny Depp or Harrison Ford for targets of Cupid’s arrows on her behalf.

The love scene in Cupid’s Delight is very provocative, and this just goes to prove that more isn’t necessarily better. I’ve read detailed love scenes that were dozens of pages long that didn’t have the sensual impact of these couple of pages. Readers will no doubt be breathless and fanning themselves by the end of the scene. Or, at least, I was.

This is the first work by Mr. Wolf that I’ve had the opportunity to read. Suffice to say, I’ve been missing out. If he can roll this much fun up into fifteen short pages, then I’m sold. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

--Bobby

Title: Fire Me Up
Author: Katie MacAlister
Author’s website: www.katiemacalister.com
Publisher: New American Library
Release Date: May 2005
ISBN: 0-451-21494-3
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Humor
Sensuality Level: 2.5
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

After leaving Paris and swearing she won't be the green wyvern's mate, Aisling is reunited with Drake in Budapest when she arrives to deliver an amulet while attending an Otherworld convention, and Drake shows up with the other wyverns to have peace talks. Trouble seems to follow Aisling as dead bodies start appearing around her, and she is the main suspect since the bodies are of other Guardians that Aisling has asked to mentor her. In a moment of weakness, Aisling agrees to become Drake's mate, because he agrees to back her need to become a "real" Guardian. Now on top of everything else, Drake insists that as his mate she must attend the peace talks.

Things aren't always what they seem, and Aisling is doing detective work again trying to clear herself while also realizing that Drake may not be on the same page she is about their relationship. Can't a Guardian and Demon Lord with a smart-aleck Newfoundland demon get a break?

 ********

In the second installment of the Aisling Grey, Guardian, novels, we find Aisling up to her ears in trouble. Aisling is easily one of my favorite characters; she is funny, with tons of personality. Her ability to overcome adversity and try to look at the bright side of everything is the backbone of the story. I especially like how she isn't "perfect." She seems like your everyday person and is easy to identify with. Jim, the demon in the Newfoundland, again almost steals the show. His added humor makes this yet another "laugh out loud" book.

The reader gets more of a look into Drake in this book, and though he is still sexy as hell, I can't say I am as fond of him as I was previously. Ms. MacAlister does a wonderful job of pulling her readers into her stories and making them feel like they are part of it. I have my hands on the next book in the series and can't wait to dive in.

Title: Mr. Charming
Author: Nancy J. Parra
Author’s website: www.nancyjparra.com
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 1-60154-524-X
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic and Print
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Sensuality Level: 2
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When an attempt is made on businessman and playboy Kane McCormick’s life, the police decide to let the public think he is dead as they conduct their investigation. Detective Jason Sumner believes that the safest place for Kane to hide would be where no one would expect to find him – at his sister’s home in the suburbs, in plain sight.

Jennifer Sumner is a radio talk show psychologist. A single mother with an ugly public divorce under her belt, she has had her brush with fame and infamy and prefers to fly under the radar of the press. But even though she wants nothing to do with a man with Kane’s public reputation, she can’t deny her brother’s request for assistance. And when she meets the man, she sees that there is much more to Kane than his womanizer image. The man beneath the slick veneer is warm and kind, winning her love and her son’s affection quickly. But can Jennifer withstand the storm that loving Kane will cause? Having her name linked with his is sure to make the tabloid headlines, especially once he officially comes back to life, and she’s not sure that she can withstand the attentions of the press once again.

This may be a moot point, however, because Kane’s would-be killer isn’t fooled by his disappearance. He has tracked his prey to the small house in the suburbs, and he is determined to finish the job that he started. Kane McCormick must die, and if the woman and her child get in the way? They can share in his fate.

********

In her novel, Mr. Charming, Nancy Parra gives is a very readable story that will not only appease the incurable romantic in all of us but will also keep us involved and guessing until the very end. While this is a sweet story about finding love where one would least expect it and having a second chance at life, it mixes in enough action and suspense to keep the story from becoming cloying or overly sentimental.

Although I enjoyed the “hiding in plain sight” premise of Mr. Charming, I had a little trouble with the way this was executed, only because it seemed strange to me that someone – in this case the detective Jason Summers – would consciously put loved ones at risk in order to do his job. However, after I set that small amount of disbelief aside, I enjoyed the story. Ms. Parra draws the suspense out over the entire novel and keeps the tension tight enough to ensure our undivided attention. When the identity of the killer is revealed, it is a surprise, but it is not completely unexpected.

I found myself charmed by most of the characters in this story, which I suppose is only fitting given the title. The little boy, Thomas, is very sweet, and Kane is almost too good to be true. We never get to see Kane’s public “playboy” persona, but his private self is extremely likeable. Although I’m not sure how a tycoon would get experience doing plumbing repairs, his willingness to contribute to the household immediately endeared him to me. How can you not love a man who will stick his head under the sink to be helpful and almost concuss himself as a result? There is real emotion in Mr. Charming, especially between Thomas and Kane, and I couldn’t help but smile when the expected awkward question comes from Thomas: “are you going to marry my mommy?”

Jennifer is perhaps not so immediately likeable as are her son and love interest. She seems to value her career over her relationships and is more concerned about the damage that public scrutiny would do to her professional reputation than she is interested in being happy. She is afraid to love again, and she buries that fear in rationalization that one can’t possibly fall in love as quickly as she and Kane do. But however annoyed we might get at her for her willingness to push Kane away, we do see that her extreme caution is a result of her past experiences.

Ms. Parra teases her readers throughout the story with little trips into the mind of the killer. While I could never quite determine whether the killer is motivated by money or hate, I still enjoyed these little forays into his psyche. They crank up the tension of the story and help remind the reader of the danger that the entire household is in.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Mr. Charming. It has a pleasing blend of romance and suspense as well as personable and well-developed characters. The story made me root for love and justice to prevail over danger and caution and for the characters to find their happily-ever-after. And isn’t that what romance is all about?

--Bobby

Title: Warrior’s Cross
Author: Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux
Author’s website: madeleineurban.livejournal.com and abigail-roux.livejournal.com
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61581-029-1
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Suspense GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Cameron Jacobs is content with his quiet and introverted life. He enjoys his career as a headwaiter at one of Chicago’s fine restaurants, and he looks forward to the visits by one of his regular customers – a quiet man who dines in the restaurant at the same time every week and who always sits in his section. Cameron is attracted to the man, but he knows the handsome and mysterious Julian Cross is out of his league in so many ways. When the evening comes that Julian approaches Cameron, speaks to him, and even asks to spend time with him, Cameron figures that it is a fantasy come true. And when the night ends with mind-numbing sex of exceptional closeness, Cameron is well on his way to losing his heart.

For all his large size and intimidating demeanor, Julian is gentle and soft spoken. He seems to cherish Cameron and even admits to loving him, but there is a part of him that he won’t share. Although they see each other twice a week, Cameron doesn’t really know who Julian is, what he does for a living, or even how to get in contact with him.

Cameron thought he could live with not knowing the details. He loves the man. He knows that whatever Julian does, it’s dangerous, because his lover is frequently injured on the job – shot, bruised, even mauled by dogs. Julian insists that the secrecy that surrounds him is for Cameron’s own good, but Cameron realizes that he simply cannot deal with his fear for his lover’s safety. Julian is the most wonderful man he has ever known, and Cameron loves him desperately, but he can’t live with this fear on a daily basis. Cameron has no other option but to push his lover away, even though doing so will break both of their hearts.

********

When I saw Warrior’s Cross the first day after it was published, I had to refrain from a completely undignified squeal of delight. Not only is the cover art by the wonderful Anne Cain, but Ms. Urban and Ms. Roux are a one of my favorite writing teams of m/m romantic fiction. Knowing that I was in for a treat, I snagged this book almost before the pixels on my screen could settle, and I pushed everything else off my plate so that I could indulge myself and read it.

And it was worth it; I enjoyed reading this novel very much. It mixes two of my favorite genres, romance and suspense, and tosses in a little bit of action, a healthy shot of danger, and a heaping dose of angst and broken hearts. In this story, the authors’ narrative is comfortable and flows smoothly, their plotting is tight, and their characters are well-developed and interesting.

I’ll admit a certain fondness for tough guys as heroes, and Warrior’s Cross gives us one such tough guy who is absolutely unique. Julian is the man of mystery. Although it is apparent that his job is anything but philanthropic, the authors leave us with just a soupcon of a doubt about his villainy. No man who is all bad could possibly be as gentle and soft-spoken as he is. I found him to be very compelling, and when I found out that he was a cat man? Well, I think I fell a little bit in love with him myself.

The suspense element of Warrior’s Cross is very well done. There are many small mysteries, such as who Julian actually is, whether he will ever open up to Cameron, and what negative repercussions there might be for Cameron because he is involved with Julian. We spend much of the book anticipating some sort of disaster, and when the climactic moment comes, it packs an emotional punch that will take your breath away. I’ll admit to wanting to search for a tissue at this time but also to not being willing to put down the book long enough to actually go looking for one.

My only true disappointment in this book? That I’ve finished reading it. It was a little bit like a slice of birthday cake: beautiful to look at, satisfying to consume, and then mourned when it’s gone. Suffice to say, I’ll be on the eager look out for the next offering from Ms. Urban and Ms. Roux, because it’s just plain good stuff.

--Bobby

Title: Pale Immortal
Author: Anne Frasier
Author’s website: www.annefrasier.com
Publisher: Onyx
Release Date: September 2006
ISBN: 0-451-41224-9
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Sensuality Level: 2
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

The blood is being drained from victims in the small town of Tuonela, Wisconsin. A body has turned up without a drop of blood to be found. Local legend tells of a vampire that drained bodies one hundred years before, and the town is wondering if the "Pale Immortal" from a century ago is back.

Evan Shroud has lived the life of a recluse, a rare disease has made him allergic to the sun. Is it coincidence that a vampire wouldn't be able to go in the sun either? Many people already accuse him of being a vampire. Now with the mysterious murder, eyes are turned in his direction, and too many questions are unanswered and the town is afraid what might be going on. Who can they trust?

********

I could barely put this book down for a minute for want of what would happen next. I found myself riveted to the story and the characters. Pale Immortal combines a healthy dose of suspenseful horror with a smattering of paranormal while a mystery unfolds. Ms. Frasier weaves a web around the reader as they delve into a story that isn't always what it appears to be. I was guessing "whodunnit" from the get go, but even as I read the last page, Ms. Frasier still had a surprise in store. The characters are diverse and well-written. Evan is an enigma, and I was not sure what to think of him. One minute I felt sorry for him, and the next minute I wasn't sure if he was the bad guy. I truly enjoy a book that can keep me unsure and guessing right up until the end. I will definitely be reading Ms. Frasier's next book about Tuonela.

Title: Met by Chance
Author:  Lynne Connolly
Author’s website: www.lynneconnolly.com
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: February 2008
ISBN: 1-59998-892-5
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical Suspense
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Lady Perdita Garland is not interested in marriage. She’s only just arrived back in society after a two-year hiatus, having recovered from a riding injury and a nasty encounter with a fortune hunter. But when she gets a look at the man that her family has decided will be a good match for her, she’s intrigued. Charles Dalton, Marquess of Petherbridge, certainly doesn’t look like a grieving widower with a young child. Painted, patched, and perfumed, he is the epitome of a French exquisite. Not the type of man Perdita favors at all. Except, strangely, she is attracted to him – pink coat, powdered wig, and all. She enjoys his company and his conversation and believes that she may have found someone special. That is, until she meets his young daughter, Aimée, who is unpleasant and spoiled beyond belief and who obviously detests her.

When Charles’s headstrong younger sister elopes with a fortune hunter and kidnaps Charles’s daughter to use as leverage against him, Perdita is stunned and horrified. The man that the girl has taken up with is the very same fortune hunter who ruined Perdita two years ago. Burdened with guilt for not having warned Charles of the other man’s misdeeds, Perdita determines to help rescue Charles’s sister and daughter whether or not he wants the assistance. And so begins an adventure that will take Charles and Perdita to the seedier side of Liverpool, where Perdita will meet and fall in love with the man behind the mask of the French court.

But however much love and passion Charles and Perdita find together, there is still a road-block that prevents them from having a future. The spoiled young Aimée has no intention of sharing her beloved father, and with him wrapped around her tiny finger, she is bound to get her way.

********

Historical novels. We either love them and read them by the dozen, or we tend to avoid them and let our review partner read them instead. You can probably tell where I fall in that range; I burned out on historicals years ago, so it takes something really special in this genre to get my engine revved. Thankfully, I’ve found that something special, and that something – or rather someone – is an author by the name of Lynne Connolly. After having been utterly charmed by Richard and Rose in Yorkshire, I dived face first into yet another story by this talented author: Met By Chance. Whether or not you are a fan of historical romance, you are in for a treat when you pick up Met By Chance.

Before I stumbled across Ms. Connolly’s work, I hadn’t read many novels set in the eighteenth century. Certainly, I’ve read boatloads of Regency novels, but the Georgian period is somewhat akin to undiscovered territory for me. Therefore, a small part of my enjoyment of this story was simply being introduced to the manners and mores of this time. Ms. Connolly’s book trapped me in a web spun by her talented narrative; I was captivated with her characters and was drawn completely into their world and their conflict. By the time the conflict resolved, the setting was familiar and the characters were friends, and I was saddened to see the story come to an end.

The world of Met by Chance is not all perfumed ballrooms and silk gowns. We also have the chance to visit the “everyday” life of the period, which is the complete opposite of the glittering world of society. It is a frequently harsh, rough, dangerous world, filled with noise and odor and uncertainty, and Ms. Connolly brings it to colorful life in this story.

However beautiful the setting or clever the plot, a story is nothing without memorable characters. In Met by Chance, Ms. Connolly gives us characters who leave an impression, from her hero and heroine down to the secondary players. Lady Perdita Garland is no swooning miss whose sole purpose I life is to flutter her eyelashes and blush behind a fan. She is a grown woman with a mind of her own who has learned life’s unpleasant lessons, and while she is still bound by many of the rules of the polite society of the time, she is independent enough to bend them to suit herself. She has the strength to realize that she cannot compete with a child for Charles’s affection and the determination not to allow that child to rule her life, and I couldn’t help but admire her for these admirable traits.

Charles is also unique, with his outrageous clothing and maquillage of the French court. Yet however strange his accoutrements and his affectations, he is a very human character that we can’t help but adore. He is human to a fault, in fact, which is apparent in his treatment of his daughter, who is his great weakness and who is spoiled to the point of being a little monster.

With its blend of sensual romance, action and danger, and just a touch of humor (how can we not grin at a kiss between the hero and heroine that smears his makeup instead of hers?), Met by Chance has a little bit of everything, and it all adds up to a thoroughly delightful novel. I find Ms. Connolly’s writing to be quite addictive; as soon as I finish one of her stories, I want to begin another. Good thing she has quite a few to choose from, then, because I will without a doubt be spending a lot of time in the future with my nose buried in her stories.

--Bobby

Title: Vampire Diaries 1: The Awakening
Author:  Lisa J. Smith
Author’s website: http://www.ljanesmith.net/
Publisher: HarperPaperBacks
Release Date: September 1991
ISBN: 978-0340843499
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Elena Gilbert is the popular, golden girl of Robert E. Lee High School; what Elena wants Elena gets. The new kid in school, the mysterious Stefan Salvatore, is exactly what she wants, and she even goes as far as saying she will have him or die trying. Unfortunately, she may just be onto something.

Stefan has come to Fell's Church, Virginia, to start a new life and escape the darkness he has lived in for many years. He never imagined he would encounter the ever-so-popular Elena, who hauntingly resembles a woman from his past. When Stefan realizes how much Elena means to him, he finds himself revealing a secret that may make her run screaming. Stefan doesn't count on his dark, evil brother Damon showing up and creating disastrous situations for the newly involved couple as well as the town of Fell's Church.

********

First off, let me say that I grabbed this book because I saw that it is being made into a television series, and that peaked my interest. Then I have to admit that I originally read this book and the next two books many years ago, and it wasn't until I was about halfway through that I realized this. This in no way is a reflection on the book, it is a reflection on my thirty-second memory. In fact, it is a very memorable book, with fascinating characters and a story that will having you hanging on the edge of every word. Elena appears to be a superficial social princess, and this is true to a certain extent, but beneath the surface beats the heart of a tiger. Her feelings for Stefan are undeniably deep, and her loyalty to him shows a great depth of character. Stefan could be classified as the dark, brooding hero, but he also brings a certain amount of care and warmth to the story, and this offsets that particular stereotype. The story is a must read, and I particularly enjoy that it appeals to adults as well as young adults. I impatiently await the television series if only to gain a bit of a fix after finishing all the books so far.

Title: Best Vacation that Never Was
Author: Lynn Lorenz
Author’s website: www.lynnlorenz.com
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59632-998-0
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

When Troy’s apartment building burns down, his life comes to a screeching halt, not to mention his vacation plans. He is left homeless and exhausted and coughing up soot, with no place to go and no money to get by on. At least he’s still alive, thanks to the Houston Fire Department and the gorgeous young firefighter who pulls him to safety from his window ledge, naked but for the wet towel around his waist. And as if saving Troy’s life isn’t heroic enough, that very same firefighter offers him both a place to stay for a week and assistance putting his life back together.

Jason’s not sure which was hotter – the apartment fire or the nearly naked dude he pulled off the side of the building. He does know that he wants to get to know Troy better in every possible way, and that means taking the man home with him. Together, Jason and Troy discover companionship, laughter, and the hottest sex either of them has ever had. But it’s only sex, right? No strings and no commitments, just fun. So why does the thought of Troy leaving at the end of the week hurt so much?

********

Lynn Lorenz’s latest offering, Best Vacation that Never Was, is what I would consider the quintessential summertime read. It is quick and entertaining and sure to put a smile on a reader’s face as we follow the characters through a series of lighthearted adventures and watch them fall in love in spite of themselves.

There are a few things that I expect when I read one of Ms. Lorenz’s books, and the most central item is engaging and well-drawn characters. She seems to understand that the characters are what make a story. The best plot in the world would fall flat if the players were wooden stick figures or paper dolls, and in Best Vacation that Never Was, we are given two heroes who light up the entire story. Ms. Lorenz hooks our affections with these two young men, Troy and Jason, and she has imbued them with personalities that are rich and colorful and downright loveable.

Jason is very “surfer dude” and rowdy. Fun-loving, irrepressible, filled with life and laughter, he is a risk-taker and an adventure-seeker. With enough attitude to fill a room all by himself, he challenges Troy and woos him with adventure and romance. Troy is slightly more cautious but is more than willing to place those cautions aside and experiment a little bit. The interaction between these two characters is affectionate, sensual, and frequently humorous.

Besides the characters, another aspect of this story that caught my attention was the realism in their adventures. Whether they are jet skiing, deep sea fishing, or hot air ballooning, I truly felt as if I were experiencing these activities along with them. The sense of fun and the excitement the men feel as they reel in a game fish the size of a small horse, skip across the waves, or float over the countryside is infectious; I probably spent most of my time as I read this story with a grin on my face.

In all, I have to rate Best Vacation that Never Was as “just plain fun.” It is light-hearted and well-written, and I found reading it to be an enjoyable experience from beginning to end.

--Bobby

Title: Subsurdity - vignettes from Jasper Lane
Author: Eric Arvin
Author’s website: www.daventryblue.blogspot.com
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61581-042-0
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GBLT
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.75

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

From the supposedly perfect suburban wife and mother to the gay porn star, Jasper Lane has it all. Melinda Gold insists on her life, yard, and son being perfect in every way, though her flatulently annoying mother is another story. Steve is the provider that has lost his well-paying job, and to keep his loving wife happy, he is looking at alternative ways to make a buck. The new man on the block, James, is ex-military, and Melinda has had enough of him running in nothing but his shorts letting "The Boys" gawk at him as he runs past. "The Boys" consists of David and his super huge hunky gay porn boyfriend Cliff. Terrence is the antique lover that is learning to be a father to the boy that was born out of his only foray into heterosexuality. Rick has lost an eye due to his ex-lover, and is on the mend from that horrific relationship.

The neighborhood matriarch, Cassie, is not all that meets the eye. Her husband has disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and her son won't talk to her because he thinks she murdered him. There is a tight circle of friends on Jasper Lane, and with going-ons resembling a soap opera, who knows what is going to happen?

********

Subsurdity is like no other book I have ever read. I would liken it to a humorous gay soap opera that is a "must see.” It will tickle your funny bone while keeping you transfixed from beginning to end. Though it has numerous characters, and they are all doing their own thing, it is easy to follow, and Mr. Arvin does a spectacular job of having it all come together with ease and understanding. I liked so many of the characters; I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite, but I found Rick to be more than memorable. His emotional tribulations lend a depth of feeling and make the story well-rounded. Rick's feelings for James, and the ensuing difficulties they face bring a realistic feel to the story. I truly wasn't sure what would be the outcome of their corner of Jasper Lane.

All of the small stories going on within the main story have an appeal all of their own. The stable, married man, Steve, turning to a questionably alternative way make money to keep his wife in the lifestyle he feels she deserves was humorous, yet touched upon the things we do to please those we love.

Cassie is an entity all her own. Her husband has disappeared mysteriously, and she seems happier than happy. She surrounds herself with fun people, and yet she takes time to try and make a teenage boy happy by getting him out of the house of his overbearing mother and grandmother.

This story takes so many turns and twists, and I was never sure what to expect next. I was never disappointed in what was around the next corner. I found Mr. Arvin's writing to be wonderfully descriptive, and his plot is never boring. He is wonderfully gifted at humor, but that is only part of his talent. His words entrance the reader, and leave them wanting more.  

Title: The Virgin Widow
Author: Lillith Payne
Author’s website: http://www.lillithpayne714.com/
Publisher: Cobblestone Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60088-455-9
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Having been widowed twice and divorced once, Serena is not exactly looking forward to her fourth marriage, but she doesn’t have a choice. Her half brother as commandeered her land, home, and horses and has sent her away to be married to Duke Zane Trahorn. Serena is an outspoken woman with a temper, but she is determined to make the best of the situation. When she meets her new husband-to-be, she is surprised to find him young, handsome and even likeable, and it doesn’t take her long to fall in love with him.

As committed as Serena is to fulfilling her role as Zane’s Duchess and lady of the keep, she is not prepared for poisonous reception she receives from an old friend of Zane’s, Countess Fiona Huxley. Fiona insults and threatens Serena at every turn, but Serena is determined not to be undermined. And when she uncovers a plot to kill Zane, Serena proves that she is no passive miss but is willing to protect the one she loves.

********

Lillith Payne’s novella The Virgin Widow is a story that mixes sensual romance along with a little bit of intrigue as a woman enters into an arranged marriage with a man she has never met and finds unexpected love and friendship instead of drudgery. This tale has many of the

My attention was captured by the very first sentence in this story. Although it may have felt a little anachronistic for a seventeenth century character to refer to complaints as bitching and to use a variation of the “if a tree falls in the forest” allegory, I have to admit that the entertainment factor in the two main characters’ initial clash of wills is very high. This little conflict strikes a spark between Serena and Zane, and we can tell that their relationship is not going to be the boring and predictable association that they both at first expect.

Serena is a strong and likeable character, and Ms. Payne has developed her so that we the reader can relate to her. She has had phenomenally bad luck in marriage, so we can’t help but wish her luck with the fourth go around and admire her for making the best of an unpleasant situation. I found myself rooting her on as she stands up for herself against Fiona’s insults and asserts her role as lady of the manor.

Zane at first appears to be a strange blend of passive and acerbic that is not particularly admirable, but as the story progresses, he becomes much more sympathetic. And how could we not like a guy who appreciates his wife whether she be covered with mud and dripping wet or decked out in dazzling finery?

Although there are a number of miscreants in this story, the Countess Fiona outshines them all. She is exceedingly nasty and spiteful and is the type of character that you simply love to hate. With every catty comment and antagonistic slight, she digs herself a deeper hole, and I have to admit that as I read The Virgin Widow, I gleefully anticipated her demise.

If I had to find something to criticize about this story, I would say that the characters sometimes acted a little more “modern” than I would expect residents of the seventeenth century to act. This didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story, though, and I am no expert on the manners and mores of this time period. Overall, I appreciated witnessing the villains receive their just deserts as Serena and Zane found their happily-ever-after, and I thought the story to be worth my reading time.

--Bobby

In Memorium

To honor the memory of those who died on September 11, 2001, we at BookWenches would like to observe a moment of silence. There will be no review posted for today. 

Thank you for your understanding.

Title: Beauty Is
Author: Kim Richards
Author’s website: www.kim-richards.com
Publisher: Damnation Books
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61572-039-2
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Horror/Humor
Sensuality Level: 1
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Lettie is a door-to-door cosmetics saleswoman. Determinedly cheerful, she makes her rounds of the neighborhood, sample case in hand, knocking on doors, dropping off product catalogues, and giving product demonstrations. Lettie believes that every woman should look her best, so when she comes face-to-face with a homeowner who is in as bad a state of disrepair as her crumbling home, she knows that her particular brand of magic is desperately needed to avoid a genuine beauty emergency.

The client, Olga, seems friendly enough, even though she looks as if she’ll fall apart at any moment. Lettie smells a sale, and Olga is simply dying to try Lettie’s products, because there’s nothing like a little cosmetic magic to make a girl feel alive. Even if she’s not.

********

Zombie lovers – and I know you’re out there – here’s one for you. Kim Richards’ short story Beauty Is mixes humor and horror into an irresistible cocktail that is sure to please. This story may be short, but it is clever and well-written and entertaining, and it has certainly whet my appetite for Ms. Richards’ work.

Ms. Richards has created a very dark and creepy setting in the Victorian home that Olga resides in. When Lettie steps inside the chilling interior, the contrast between her and the home is startling. She is like a bright and cheerful bluebird in a wasteland, and we wait for her reactions with anticipation, wondering how long it will take her to realize her unenviable situation.

I had to hold my laughter in as the character Lettie fusses over Olga in a manner that can only be called clueless. We the readers are in on the joke from the first moment that we meet Olga, so watching Lettie flutter around her trying to make her beautiful, or at least less cadaverous-looking, is hilarious. We know that when she realizes Olga’s nature, it will be akin to a bomb dropping, and the moment of truth is indeed priceless.

Damnation Books focuses on dark fiction and appears to be a new label. If Beauty Is is an example of the kind of work that they publish, then I can see that I’ll be seeking out more of their stories – and Ms. Richards in particular – in the future

--Bobby

Title: Executive Positions
Author:  KyAnn Waters
Author’s website: http://www.kyannwaters.com/
Publisher: The Wilder Rose Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Avril Blanco has not slept her way to the top of her career, but with a hottie like Ian Collier becoming her boss, she can think of little else than jumping his bones. For four years as Ian has been groomed to take over for his father, she has watched and drooled from afar knowing that he is completely hands off. Avril has a "no relationship at work" policy that she is trying to adhere to. Unfortunately, Ian has other ideas and at the office party decides to show Avril exactly how he feels. But is it wise, and can she come to terms with the possible requirements of her new position under her boss . . . the pun totally intended.

********

This is one steamy short story. It caught me by the libido in the first few sentences and didn't let go until the end. Fiery, steamy, and oh so delicious, this book sizzles. Ms. Waters does a fabulous job of telling a fully-rounded story in just a few words. Avril's attraction to Ian is a classic "look but don't touch," and her inner conflict over how she feels lends credence to the situation. Ian's candid feelings for Avril are refreshingly spicy, and the sexual encounter is deliciously naughty. I enjoyed this quick romp, and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Waters.

Title: Beauty & the Bigfoot
Author: Kelli A. Wilkins
Author’s website: http://www.kelliwilkins.com/
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60272-559-1
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Humor
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Ever since she can remember, Tara’s father has been hunting for the creature called Bigfoot. Being known as “Bigfoot Girl” has caused Tara  a lot of embarrassment over the years, and the entire town thinks her father is a crackpot. Tara has humored her father’s hobby out of love for him, but she never thought that he’d actually find Bigfoot. That is, until he brings the creature home one day.

The Sasquatch, who Tara dubs “Joe,” is huge and hairy and intimidating, but there is something in its eyes that draws Tara. And it’s not only sympathy for the creature’s plight that she feels; strangely enough, she reacts to Joe both physically and emotionally. To her horror, she actually finds herself thinking about having sex with this creature, this wild animal. But if Joe is only an animal, why is Tara having dreams of him in human form?

********

I could use a lot of words to describe Kelli A. Wilkins’ Beauty & the Bigfoot, but if I had to narrow it down to just one summary word, it would be this: fun. I knew I was going to be in for a treat when I picked this novella up; there was just no way that a story with a title such as this could take itself seriously. I mean c’mon…love with Bigfoot? Sex with Sasquatch? How far-out is that? I am delighted to report that I was right. This story was a hoot and a half, and Ms. Wilkins has definitely been placed on my “authors to be watched” list because of it.

In light of the fact that the hero and the heroine are not the same species in this story, I want to dispel any potential freak-outs in advance. This is not bestiality. Beauty & the Bigfoot skirts around the threatened taboo by making it very clear that Joe is more than just a Sasquatch. Ms. Wilkins does an excellent job of bringing Tara and Joe together, however unbelievable such a romance might be, and she does it with wit and a humor that is completely irresistible.

This story brims over with amusing characters. We have a cute, horny and funny heroine, her father who teeters on the brink of being a certified nut case, and a Sasquatch with a dirty mind. In addition, we meet a pot-bellied trigger-happy redneck sheriff, a pack of smarmy newshounds, and an entire small town who thinks Tara and her father are liars and frauds.

I found myself grinning and even laughing out loud a number of times as I read this story. Tara’s smart mouth, her horror at being attracted to the Sasquatch, and her incessant prattle to Joe even though he can’t really understand her make her incredibly likeable. Her father is the quintessential picture of the nutty crackpot who has been vindicated after so many years, calling the media and the press to show off his find. We want to dislike him because of the media circus he creates around Joe, but we can’t help but like the guy. And then there’s Joe. He is, well, a Sasquatch. He’s big, hairy, smelly, and kind of strange-looking, but he is also intriguing. We see that there is something under the hair, and we wonder about who he is and how he came to be in this situation.

I quite enjoyed reading Beauty & the Bigfoot. It is a quick and easy read, entertaining, and even sexy at times. And now that I’ve “discovered” Ms. Wilkins writing, I am definitely going to have to explore her backlist of stories. And maybe sign up for her newsletter as well.

--Bobby

Title: At Last Comes Love
Author: Mary Balogh
Author’s website: www.marybalogh.com
Publisher: Bantam Dell
Release Date: May 2009
ISBN: 978-0-440-24424-0
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

Margaret Huxtable has spent years fulfilling a promise to her parents to take care of her siblings. She even passed up a chance at marriage and love to fulfill her obligations. When her old flame returns widowed and with a child, she doesn't want him to think she has been waiting for him, so she tells a small white lie; she tells him she is betrothed. The small lie might turn into the scandal of the year. Margaret unfortunately runs into the very desperate Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, who needs to be married in the next fourteen days in order to keep his inheritance. So the little white lie grows quite large in proportion especially when the Earl has been involved in one of the biggest scandals in ton history. Margaret is hard pressed to go ahead with the marriage and insists that Duncan woo her to divine if they really will suit.

********

The third installment of the Huxtable family, At Last Comes Love, does a fine job of keeping the reader interested in this family series. From the first book, I have looked forward to Margaret's story, and I wasn't disappointed. The characters remain strong throughout, and I found myself rooting for the outcome, never sure what it would be. At times, there was a bit of a drag in the story while I waited for the wooing to get off the ground, but all in all it held my interest. I truly enjoyed that fact that Ms. Balogh does such a wonderful job of interjecting certain elements that surprise the reader and catches them totally off guard. This series has kept my attention, and I look forward to the other books. 

Title: Devil’s Spawn
Author: Sarah Masters
Author’s website: http://sarahmasters.wordpress.com/
Publisher: loveyoudivine Alterotica
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60054-390-6
Length: Short Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Historical GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 3.5

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Two years ago, Vincent and his lover Julian had an altercation that resulted in Julian sailing off on a merchant ship by name of Le Frai de Démon to pursue a new life and new loves. Since then, Vincent has pined for Julian, and even though he has heard reports of Julian’s sexual exploits, he has remained faithful both of heart and of body.

Now all of a sudden Julian has returned, expecting to take up with Vincent where they left off. And as hard as Vincent tries to hang on to his anger and maintain an aloof persona, his feelings won’t allow him to push the man away. Le Frai de Démon is only in port for a short time, however, and Vincent knows he will have to make the most of the time they have together and prepare for another round of heartbreak. Vincent cannot possibly compete with Julian’s true loves, his ship and the sea; when the ship sets sail in a couple of days, Julian will once again forget Vincent, and Vincent will be left with nothing but lonely memories.

********

Devil’s Spawn by Sarah Masters is the first book in what appears to be a three-part series known as The Master Series. This is a story about pain, anger, and miscommunication that documents the reunion of two lovers after a long separation. It contains a touch of a BDSM element and also packs a surprising emotional whallop for a story so short.

This tale is told from Vincent’s perspective and alternates brief passages in the first person with longer third-person narrative. It is through these short forays into Vincent’s mind that we see the extent of his anguish at the situation between himself and his lover. We also see that however hard he tries to project an uncaring front, inside he is a roiling mass of emotion. I found this to be a unique approach by Ms. Masters; sharing in his emotions definitely brought me closer to Vincent’s character. He is filled with anger at what he feels is Julian’s betrayal and hurt that his lover apparently cares more deeply for a ship and a social club that he does for him.

While Vincent is easy to read, Julian is not. He has a strange air about him that I found downright creepy, and I spent much of this story disliking him intensely. He appears to be predatory and seems to mock Vincent by calling him “my love” constantly. As the story progresses, however, Ms. Masters slowly lifts the veil that obscures him, and we see that perhaps he is not as hateful a character as we were at first lead to believe.

Ms. Masters has only just started the story of Vincent and Julian and the ship Le Frai de Démon, and I am interested in finding out what fate has in store for them. There may very well be a happy ending for them, but I can also see the possibility for tragedy instead. It will certainly be interesting to find out.

--Bobby 

Title: Public Exposure   
Author: E. M. Lynley
Author’s website: http://emlynley.com/
Publisher: Cobblestonne Press
Release Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60088-450-4
Length: Short Story
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary GLBT
Sensuality Level: 3.5
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Drake’s handsome young lover is everything he could ever want, except for one thing: Kerry is a student at the college where Drake is a professor. Even though Kerry is not Drake’s student, he knows that if their affair became public news, he could very well lose his career. They try to stay under the radar, but as their relationship progresses, both men want to try something a little more daring in their sex life. Sex on a public beach at night is pretty chancy, but then Kerry challenges Drake to even riskier proposition that involves a bottle of tequila and the quiet stacks of the university library. If they are discovered, Drake will lose his job for sure. How can the benefits possibly outweigh the risks they are taking?

********

E.M. Lynley’s short story Public Exposure is a quick and sexy romp where two lovers play the thrill of sex in public against the risks of exposing a secret relationship. I found the story to be quite entertaining, with engaging characters and an element of suspense that kept me reading, worried that these two would be exposed but still wishing them joy in their relationship.

In Drake and Kerry, Ms. Lynley gives her readers two very likeable characters who obviously care for each other in spite of any differences in age and professional status. Their risky public sex is the product of their deepening feelings as well as the trust that they have in each other, since Drake risks losing his job in order to give his lover an exciting new experience.

The sex scenes in this story are quite intense and combine sensuality and adventure along with inventiveness. The scene where the two heroes make love on the back of a motorcycle can only be called blistering, because these two become so tied up in each other that they completely forget they could be discovered at any minute. And their meeting in the library combines a dash of humor in the adventure as they deal with the challenges posed by silence that can only be found in a library.

Public Exposure made me smile and squirm and fan myself a bit, and that made it truly worth the read. I hope that Ms. Lynley gives her readers another novel-length story soon, because she is a talented and engaging writer.

--Bobby

Title: Then Comes Seduction
Author: Mary Balogh
Author’s website: www.marybalogh.com
Publisher: Bantam Dell
Release Date: April 2009
ISBN: 978-0-440-24423-3
Length: Novel
Format: Print
Genre: Historical
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4

Reviewed by Teagan S. Boyd

Innocent Katherine Huxtable was an unwilling participant in a wager by one of London's most notorious rakes, although the outcome of the wager was not exactly as Jasper Finley, Baron Montforth, planned. Years later, the two meet again, and not only does Jasper propose a wager of his own to Miss Huxtable, the duo find themselves reluctantly forced to marry. Jasper's wager of making Katherine fall in love with him is still on. Will this rake find his own heart in jeopardy?

********

In the second installment of the Huxtable family saga, Mary Balogh continues to deliver an inviting and delicious story. Katherine is easy to identify with; she is beautiful yet she yearns for true love. I found her to be delightfully down-to-earth, and the care she feels for her family is commendable. She makes the best of any situation. Jasper is an entirely different creature. Although he begins with less than stellar scruples, the reader witnesses his growth of character as the story unfolds. Katherine's insight into how Jasper ticks makes the story complete. I enjoyed the delightful banter between the two characters. The secondary characters are enjoyable and well-written. Ms. Balogh has done a fine job of bringing this family to life, and I look forward to the next few books in the series.

Title: Wild, Tethered, Bound
Author: Stephanie Draven
Author’s website: http://stephaniedraven.com/
Publisher: Silhouette Nocturne
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: N/A
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.25

Reviewed by: BD Whitney

Dessa is a dryad who lives in one of the last existing forests in Afghanistan. With war tearing through her country, the forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, and most of the dryads have disappeared to live among mortal people. Dessa aches with loneliness, and her greatest desire is to have a daughter of her own to love and to help her protect the forest. When she meets the American Marine Second Lieutenant Nick Leandros, he warns her to leave the area, but she refuses, believing that she will be able to protect both her forest and the people who reside close by. The airstrike that follows kills the people who refused to leave, decimates her forest, and sends Dessa running…to the mortal world.

Nick is wracked with guilt over the death of the shepherd family, especially the children. The resulting post traumatic stress disorder causes him to not only go AWOL from the military, it also changes his very being from man to chimera. Now instead of one, he is three, wandering the world broken and without conscience. It’s not until he encounters Dessa five years later that he comes to understand the monster he has become.

When she encounters Nick by chance in the Australian casino where she works, something within him calls to Dessa. He resounds of her lost forest. The years she has spent in the mortal world have not diluted her yearning for a daughter, and even though he is unwilling, she knows that Nick is her mate destined to give her a child. If she has to tether him, bind him to her with her dryad magic in order to get what she needs, so be it. They are both broken by war; can they possibly make each other whole again? Maybe instead of the bindings of magic, what they need is the healing power of the human heart.

********

In her novella Wild, Tethered, Bound, Stephanie Draven gives us an intriguing and emotional tale of pain, guilt, and the healing powers of love. This story mixes the brutal realism of war with creatures of mythos, giving us a reading experience that is both pleasurable and absolutely unique. This is no simple throw-away romance. While this novella is quite short, Ms. Draven packs a lot into its pages, and I found myself dwelling on it well after I had read the final page.

Ms. Draven gives us strong and complicated characters in Dessa and Nick. Neither is what you would typically expect to find residing within the pages of a romance novel. Not only is Dessa a magical being surrounded with the mystique of an immortal, but she is strong and determined and hell-bent on obtaining that which she desires the most. She is also vulnerable enough to catch our sympathy, especially when she sees how her actions affect Nick.

Nick is fascinating. He is a chimera, equal parts dragon, lion, and goat, but he is human as well and a very damaged and fragmented soul. This presents something of a puzzle to the reader. Is he really a chimera of myth? Is the split within him physical or simply psychological? I found myself repeatedly posing this question to myself as I read this story. Ms. Draven does an excellent job presenting Nick as three separate beings who are in actuality one person, and when this spills over into the story’s love scene, the results are surprisingly sensual.

In all, I found Wild, Tethered, Bound to be readable, entertaining, and quite thought-provoking. The blend of fantasy and reality that this story offers us is exceptional, and the conflict and characters ensnared me.  Ms. Draven is a writer to watch, I believe, and I am extremely interested to see what she comes out with next.

--Bobby

Title: Run, Wolf
Author: Keith Melton
Author’s website: http://www.keithmelton.net/
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60604-653-2
Length: Novella
Format: Electronic
Genre: Paranormal
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 4.5

Reviewed by Teagan S. Boyd

Leah Kendrick is in love with a human man, and though it is against pack rules, she has given him The Bite. Her love is so deep that she knows what she did was right in her heart, even though The Pack Council sees it in another light. Leah and Tom are brought in front of the Council to face punishment for their wrongdoing. After all is taken from them and they are turned out into the harsh winter with nothing, they form a plan to get back what is theirs . . . at the possible cost of their lives when the pack comes after them.

********

Run, Wolf is a fast-paced, easy read with a fascinating twist to the werewolf genre. Keith Melton excels at creating a unique world for his readers to delve into. I was captivated by the world and the characters. Leah is easy to identify with as a female in love that will do what her heart tells her to do even if it is what is acceptable. The camaraderie and depth of feeling between Leah and Tom is evident. I found myself cheering for them, and I am hopeful that there will be more to their story soon. I recommend this book to anyone that likes the paranormal intertwined with a healthy dose of butt-kicking!