Christmas Awards 2011

Saturday 31 December 2011

Wicked Werewolf Night


Wicked Werewolf Night by Lisa Renee Jones

Publisher: Lisa Renee Jones

December 2011

Pages 67



Contemporary, Paranormal


Aylia Richardson is a witch that has been helping what is called the Vampire Wardens against some rogue werewolves that has been out trying to destroy the vampires, her coven and also the true werewolf society. Aylia is also trying to deal with the fact that even though a year has past she still isn’t over Nico Moore, the alpha werewolf that is the leader of the Royal Guard of Werewolves. Knowing that they come from two different worlds doesn’t make it any easier to convince her heart that they don’t’ have a future. Now if she can just get her pendant back from Nico she can move on with her life.

Nico Moore may be an alpha in his world but that doesn’t seem to matter to Aylia since she doesn’t always listen to what he says or do what he feels she should be doing. Being away from her has been hell for the past year and now that he has her back in his life he is determined to protect what is his and make sure that she knows exactly where she belongs which is right by his side. Nico is going to have his work cut out for himself as he made some mistakes in the past with Aylia that he has to make up for.

First they are going to have to take care of the obstacles that are in their path so that they can have the future together they both want so badly. There have been traitors that had to be found and taken care of. Now they just have to be sure they have gotten them all because Aylia paid the price the last time there was a traitor and Nico is determined that this time around she will be completely protected.



This is another wonderful story in the series started with the Vampire Wardens. While this one can be read as a stand alone it is much better when read with the first three books. The characters are well written and the reader will find them easy to relate to and enjoyable. The story moves along quickly and keeps the readers attention very well. This one is a must have.


I give this one 5 red roses

Forever and a Day


Forever and a Day by Delilah Marvelle

Publisher: HQN

December 2011

ISBN: 978-0-373-77636-8

Pages: 384




New York City 1830


Georgia Milton may be the head of the forty thieves but she is known for being very forthright with everyone that she deals with even when she would be better off not saying anything at all. When another thief steals her bag a man that she doesn’t know comes to her rescue. Now Georgia feels responsible and is determined to help heal and get better so that he can get on with his life. What she never expects is the passion they share or the truth about Roderick.

Roderick Gideon Tremayne tries to help Georgia out when her bag is stolen unfortunately by helping her out he ends up getting hurt and forgetting who he is and anything about his former life. Now he is finding out more about life than he ever knew and seeing things in a completely different way than he has ever seen them before.

Roderick and Georgia are falling for each other but will what they have found together be able to withstand the truth of Roderick’s life when he remembers who he is and the fact that he his father is a Duke. Roderick is going to have to decide just what means the most to him. The love he has found with Georgia or his life that was ruled by society. Now they will find out just what they are made of and what is most important to each other and to themselves.



This is a wonderful twist on the Prince and the Pauper. The story makes 1830 New York City come to life for the reader and gives them a wonderful glimpse into what life was like for the people that had to work for everything they had in life. It also gives the reader a glimpse of what those same people might dream about for a better life. The characters are very human and the reader is completely able to relate to them even though the time period is completely different. This one that is worth getting and will have the reader eagerly turning the pages just to see what the character will be up to next.


I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Amazon Awakening


Amazon Awakening by Caridad Pineiro

Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings

December 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4592-8276-6

Pages: 87


Paola Lopes is an attorney in New York that lately has not been satisfied with her life and work. She feels like something is missing she just isn’t sure what that something is. She has also been thinking about her father’s family that she has never really known. When Rey Peralta first walks into her office she isn’t sure what to thing of the sexy man. When he first mentions her grandmother though she is instantly wary about just what he wants from her and if she is going to be able to do what he asks of her.

Rey Peralta has been running the Lopes family business for years. Now Patricia Lopes the matriarch of the family wants him to go get her granddaughter in New York and bring her to the family plantation. Once Rey meets Paola the instant connection he feels with her tells him that there is going to be a lot more between them than just her families business. First though he is going to have to convince her that she needs to go and meet her grandmother.

As soon as Paola gets to the family plantation she knows there is a lot more going on than she was first told. She has to figure out what is going on and find out the truth about the family legacy and if she is up to doing what her grandmother is asking of her. For to do what her grandmother wants is to leave behind the life and career she has spent building. Paola is going to have to decide just what she wants in her life and just what she is willing to give up. Giving up the legacy will also mean losing Rey and she is not sure that is something she really wants to do.


This is a very well written story that gives the readers plenty of twists so that they will hate to put this one down. The world comes alive as the reader learns more and gets more into the story. The words give life to the sights and sounds that the characters see and hear. Part of the story is in the Amazon and reading about the area makes it really come to life and is almost a character by itself. This is one book to pick up and read and as it is a novella it is also a very quick, satisfying read.



I give this one 5 red roses

Thursday 22 December 2011

A Vampire for Christmas


A Vampire for Christmas by Laurie London, Michele Hauf, Caridad Pineiro & Alexis Morgan

Publisher: HQN

October 2011

ISBN: 978-0-373-77644-3

Pages: 378



Enchanted by Blood by Laurie London

Trace Westfalen is ready to take over his late father’s council seat but things don’t seem to be going his way. Just when he thinks his life can’t get any more complicated he meets Charlotte Grant. Trace is finding it harder and harder to hide the fact that he is a vampire from Charlotte who is not. Now Trace is going to have to decide what he wants the most, his seat on the council or Charlotte.

Charlotte Grant is an event planner that has just been hired to do Trace Westfalen’s home for the holidays and specifically for a Christmas party. Trying to ignore the attraction between them because she doesn’t want to mix business with pleasure makes her job a lot harder than it should be. Now if she can just convince her heart that her place isn’t with Trace her life would be a lot easier.



Monsters Don’t Do Christmas by Michele Hauf

Daniel Harrison knows since the day he was attacked by vampires and turned into one himself is the day he turned into a monster. Now he is trying to get by the best that he can but with Christmas here that makes him remember what he had before he was turned and that isn’t helping him deal with what his life is like now.

Olivia Adorata is a singer that takes the time around Christmas off so that she can remember what it is like to be normal even for a short while. She may be happy with her life but she knows there are things that are missing and one of those things is a man that loves her for herself and not what her life is like. A chance meeting with Daniel changes her life and she isn’t sure if she is going to come out of this encounter in one piece.



When Herald Angels Sing by Caridad Pineiro

Damien has been waiting for Angelina to come back to him. He knows that if he can find the patience to wait she will come back even if it is a slightly different form. She has come to him twice before and while both times ended in tragedy he is determined that this time it wont end the same way.

Angelina has a job to do that doesn’t seem to be getting any easier. Now if she could just figure out the best way to accomplish what she needs to do she would be very happy. Angelina wasn’t supposed to fall in love with Daniel but now that she has she will do anything she needs to so that his life becomes a much better place. First they are going to have to overcome the one that is after them both so that this time they will have their happy ending.



All I Want For Christmas by Alexis Morgan

Eagan McHale is a cop that hunts supernaturals that are causing problems for both humans and supernaturals alike. The supernaturals are trying to keep their existence a secret and it doesn’t help when there are some out there that are bent on causing problems. Eagan’s job is to protect the innocent so that they don’t get hurt and so they don’t find out about what is really out there.

Della Breit is happy running her little diner and serving her regulars who are like family. Her life is going just fine until the day Eagan walks into her diner and suddenly Della is having a whole love of inappropriate thoughts that would be much better left alone. There is something about Eagan that she just can’t seem to figure out.




This one give a whole new meaning to hot for the holidays. The stories are fun and the characters are wonderful. This one really is heating up the holidays with the vampire in each of these stories that will make the reader want a vampire left under their trees. This one is a great book to read that will help put the reader into the holiday spirit. This one is a must read for the holidays.



I give this one 5 red roses

Tuesday 20 December 2011

A Christmas Sleeping Beauty


A Christmas Sleeping Beauty
Lindsay Townsend
Published by Museitup

When Orland arrives to rescue his princess from her sleep he discovers that it isn't as simple as a kiss. The beautiful girl just keeps on sleeping. He is nonplussed until her fairy godmother explains that he must deserve her before he can claim her. The Prince who has never thought of much but his own cleverness and his own pleasures before must become a better person before Rosie will wake.

This is a new take on Sleeping Beauty and great fun for Christmas.

Enjoy this tale of morality and love

Five red roses
linda Sole

Thursday 15 December 2011

Quinn's Need


Quinn’s Need: A Whispering Pines Ranch Novel by SJD Peterson

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

November 2011

ISBN: 978-1-61372-197-1

Pages: 260



Quinn Taylor has spent the past year trying to deal with the fact that Lorcan James moved away. Quinn has used the work that needs to be done on his ranch as one way of dealing with his loss and escaping to a club that deals in the world of BDSM has helped him handle his emotions. Quinn now makes others beg him instead of doing the begging himself. He is determined that no one will ever get him to beg them again.

Lorcan James is back in Pegasus and while his feelings for Quinn haven’t changed he is still with Jess that one that he originally left town with. Lorcan is dealing with his emotions when it comes to Quinn knowing that even if they are now living in the same town things between them haven’t changed. Lorcan is with Jess and has managed to find a measure of happiness. Now if he can just get his feelings for Quinn under some control he will be even happier in his life.

While Lorcan and Quinn’s feelings for each other may not have changed the fact is now Quinn has caught the attention of Ty Callahan and Lorcan still has Jess in his life. Now Lorcan and Quinn are working on finding their own happiness even if that means that happiness isn’t with each other. Only time will tell if they will be able to find what they are looking for and where that might be.



This story is well written and the reader gets to see the journey each character takes to get where they end up. This is one story that should be read with the first story in this series otherwise the reader will be left feeling they are missing parts of the story. While the first story ends with a happy for now storyline this one closes some of the character’s story line quite nicely. This one may not be for all; but those who read this one won’t be disappointed in the emotional path that the author takes the reader on. Once the reader starts this one they will find it very hard to put down until the very last page.



I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Hot Vampire Touch


Hot Vampire Touch by Lisa Renee Jones

Publisher: Lisa Renee Jones

December 2011

Pages: 78



Contemporary, Paranormal Nevada


Cassie Moore is a werewolf and is also part of the werewolves’ societies’ Royal Guard that protects the werewolf king and the werewolf society. Cassie has made a place for herself with the royal guard and she does a job she loves and is very good at. She is a fighter that knows how to take care of herself and others but when it comes to Troy she isn’t sure she can protect her feelings where he is concerned. Now that Troy is back in her life she needs to find out what happened months ago on their last mission.

Troy Brooks is a vampire that was attacked by a werewolf months ago when he and Cassie were working on a mission together. Now he is neither completely vampire nor werewolf but a combination of both. Troy isn’t sure yet what that means for his future since things isn’t looking really good right now. Troy is looking for answers and those answers have brought Cassie back into his life and while he has been fighting his feelings for her he doesn’t think this time around he will succeed in keeping his distance from her.

Troy is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to him but he doesn’t count on his lack of control when it comes to Cassie nor his need to keep her safe from everyone even himself. Cassie is just as determined to find out what happened so that she can help Troy and maybe have a future with him that she has wanted for a long time now. First they are going to have to get to the bottom of what happened before so they can find out what the future might hold for the two of them.


This is an excellent addition to the Vampire Wardens series. This one will have readers trying to figure out just who the bad guys are and what is happening to the characters in this one. This one delivers some great twist and turns that keeps the story moving along quickly and will have the reader hating to put this one down until the very last page. It will also have the reader eagerly awaiting the next story in this series.


I give this one 5 red roses

Monday 12 December 2011

Echoes of Magic


Echoes of Magic by Donna Grant

Publisher: Donna Grant

December 2011

Pages: 198


Western England, Summer 1127


Adrianna is one of the last bana-bhuideach, better known as a witch, in England. Adrianna is relatively happy with her life even if she doesn’t have the happiness she has always dreamed of. As her kind has always lived under a curse she is resigned to her fate at least until she helps Grayson then everything changes. Adrianna isn’t so sure she can accept what her life has become once she sets eyes on Grayson. All she knows for sure is that Grayson is going to change her life completely but is it going to be for the better or make her life and wishes worse? Only time will be able to tell her for sure.

Grayson knows there are some men after him he just isn’t sure exactly why they are after him. When he is injured and saved by Adrianna he is thankful and while he is attracted to her he doesn’t want to drag her into all of his problems. Unfortunately just by her saving him she is now involved and he will do everything he can to protect her. Grayson was traveling to find out the answers to his past and to see if he could find out exactly who he was and what happened to his mother and to avenge her death. All he remembers is as a child he was torn from her arms and that is the last time he saw his mother. But will finding those answers bring him peace or will it bring about his death. Grayson figures he will die in the search for answers and he is resigned to that fact or at least until the day he met Adrianna. Now things aren’t as clear as he would like and he is determined to find his answers but to also protect Adrianna as she becomes more and more important to him.

There is an evil hunting Grayson and if he doesn’t find his answers that evil just might come out the winner in the battle that is coming for Grayson. Grayson knows there is more to what is going on than he knows but it will be a race against time to find the answers and to find a way to defeat the evil because it is not just his life at stake anymore, it is Adrianna and a man that has been a friend to Grayson for years. Only time will tell if he will be able to stop the evil from winning.



This is the second book in this series and while it can be read as a stand alone it is much better read as a series as some characters make cameos in this one and the reader will understand the story line better. The characters are very rich in detail and the story takes some great twists and turns that will have the reader turning the pages just to see what is going to happen next and what will be revealed in the next chapter. It also sets the scene for the next book which the reader will be eagerly awaiting to see how things turn out. The common thread tying the books together really makes for some great reading. This is one series worth getting for those that love historicals and suspences. This is one not to miss.


I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

Friday 2 December 2011

Demons Like It Hot


Demons Like It Hot by Sidney Ayers

Publisher: Sourcebooks

December 2011

ISBN: 978-1-402-25177-1

Pages: 416



Contemporary Paranormal


Serah SanGermano has always just thought of herself as a very successful caterer. At least until her best friend, Lucy and she unleashed some demons from a chest. Now Serah is trying to hide her new abilities and deny that anything is different about herself. Everything in Serah’s life is changing and she isn’t sure if she can keep up with all the changes. Serah wishes she could convince her friends and Matthias that there is nothing special about her that she is just a normal person and she doesn’t have to face all that is happening around her but as much as she would rather not face facts fate seems to have other ideas for her.

Matthias Ambrose has been a demon mercenary for a very long time and now he is making some changes in his life. Part of those changes is his new mission and that is to protect Serah from the demons that are now after her. Matthias has secrets though that he would rather Serah never found out but if he isn’t careful that is exactly what will happen. Matthias needs Serah to trust him but when she can send that he is hiding information that makes it hard to earn trust. Matthias is going to have to decide if he can live with Serah knowing the truth about him and if it would help him to protect her better.

Matthias is falling in love with Serah but he is convinced that even though he fights on the right side his past will keep him from Serah as she won’t be able to deal with it or forgive for what he has done in the past but his heart isn’t about to let him leave Serah even if it would be for the best. Serah is not sure what to do with Matthias as much as she denies her attraction for him she is sure that he doesn’t want anything to do with her. With the demon gunning for her Matthias and Serah are finding out that they make a better team than they ever thought possible and if they can survive what is coming they just might be able to figure out what each of them feels for the other.



This story is well written and will keep the reader guessing as to what will happen next with all the action happening. This one will also give the reader a different twist to what they have read about angels and demons and other paranormal characters. This is fresh take on a theme that has been covered by others but with this one it will seem like a completely new type of story. This is one that is worth picking up and reading and will have readers looking for more books by this author.


I give this one 4 red roses

Lorcan's Desire


Lorcan’s Desire: A Whispering Pines Ranch Novel by SJD Peterson

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

May 2011

ISBN: 978-1-61581-888-4

Pages: 193




Lorcan James knew he was loved and accepted at home with his family but he wanted more than he had at home so he decides to walk away and find out more about life. What he didn’t expect to find was desperation to find a job so that he can feed himself and get the money he needs to go back home. Even if by going home he will get the good natured ribbing from his family. That is better than what he is dealing with now at least it was until he meets Quinn Taylor.

Quinn Taylor is doing his best to keep his ranch running and that would be a lot easier if he could get his neighbor to leave him alone and accept that he isn’t going to sell his ranch. The last thing Quinn needs is a complication and that seems that is exactly what he is getting the minute he lays eyes on Lorcan. Quinn has always kept his life private from his friends and neighbors’, figuring it was easier for everyone that way. Now Quinn has to re-evaluate his life and he will need to figure just what is most important to him.

Lorcan is finding in Quinn something he never knew he was looking for but he is not willing to be hidden from everyone in Quinn’s life. He needs and wants more than that. Jess is another hired hand on Quinn’s ranch and he is more than willing to tell the whole world how much he loves Lorcan and how proud he would be to have him in his life. Unlike Quinn who seems more determined to hide his feelings from everyone including himself. Lorcan is going to have to figure out just where his happiness lays. Lorcan is determined that he will not be hidden and that the man that gets his heart is one that will be more than willing to show the world jut how he truly feels.



This is a good story but it doesn’t have the typically happy-ever-after. It has a happy for now ending. It is also the first book in a least a two book set that the ending is picked up in the second book with a break between the ending of the first and the beginning of the second. The characters are well written and will be pulling at the emotions of the readers. All three of the main characters are very sympathetic and will have the reader torn on how they wish for this story to end. While some readers may have problems with the subject matter this is a story that is a very enjoyable read.


I give this one 4 red roses

Colonel Brandon's Diary




Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange
Published by Robert Hale of London


Now in paperback, this is the story of James Brandon's life before he met Marianne and the Dashwood sisters. At 18 he is idealistic and filled with plans for his life with Eliza, the girl he loves. However, his father needs an heiress for the estate and the elder brother Harry being a wastrel he determines to marry his ward to Harry
for the sake of the estate. Neither Eliza's feelings or James are allowed to matter and the doomed marriage goes ahead. Devastated, James enters the army and becomes a colonel until both his father and then his brother are dead and the estate is his. Although his search for Eliza is successful she is dying and he takes on the guardianship of her daughter.

The rest of the story is known to millions but this insight into the early years was beautifully done and I found it an enjoyable read. Grange tells her story in a way that is in keeping with Jane Austen's work, but, dare I say it, easier to read and therefore will appeal to some who would not pick up the original.

I did not want to put it down and have nothing but praise for this talented author.

I award the book five red roses for merit. Linda Sole

Thursday 1 December 2011

Dreaming of the Wolf


Dreaming of the Wolf by Terry Spear

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

December 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4022-4555-8

Pages: 384



Contemporary, Paranormal Colorado


Alicia Greiston is a bounty hunter that is determined to bring down a mob family. Because of her career choice she has made sure that she doesn’t have relationships with men for fear of them being killed because they are involved with her. All that changes when she meets Jake Silver. Alicia knows it is a very bad idea to get involved with him but she just can’t seem to help it.

Jake Silver took one look at Alicia and was determined to protect her. Luckily for her Jake is a lot more than he seems and knows how to protect himself and her from whatever threats might come their way. Jake’s instincts are telling him to protect Alicia but when they starting having very real passionate dreams together Jake knows that Alicia is more to him than he first realized and now he will show her how a wolf protects his mate.

With the passion that flairs between Alicia and Jake they are going to have to find a way to take down the bad guys and keep themselves safe while dealing with their attraction for each other. Alicia may not realize at first just how capably Jake is at taking care of them both but she is about to learn just what kind of man Jake truly is.


This is a wonderful continuation to a series that is sure to please reader that love werewolves. The premise of this series really makes it stand out in a genre that has a great many wonderful stories in it. The author has managed to write a series that stays fresh and will keep the reader interested and addicted to the series. This will bring back some characters that readers familiar with this series will recognize and get a chance to visit again. This is one worth reading.


I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

Lord of the Abyss


Lord of the Abyss: Royal House of Shadows by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Harlequin

December 2011

ISBN: 978-0-373-83775-5

Pages: 288





Liliana may be the daughter of the Blood Sorcerer but she is nothing like him. Liliana knows that there is only one hope for the land of Elden and that is to brave the place that Micah the last heir to Elden is at. Forced to live under the rule of her father she knows what it will take to defeat him. Now she just has to help Micah do what needs to be done to defeat the Blood Sorcerer.

Micah is now Lord of the Abyss and has no memories of Elden and the fact that he is the heir to the land. All Micah remember is the Black Castle he lives in now and the Abyss, until a woman braves the land and castle to come to him. Now Micah is starting to remember things that he didn’t know existed and his whole world is changing.

Liliana never expected to find a man that would attract her the way Micah does, but will he still want her when he finds out exactly who she is and what her father has done? Liliana knows that by helping Micah remember the past may destroy her future but she also knows that there is no choice is she wants to save Elden and the people that live there. Only time will tell if she will be able to have the happiness she has only found with the Lord of the Abyss and whether she will be able to survive the battle that is coming because her father has no intention of loosing.


This take Beauty and the Beast and gives it a very unique twist that will make sure the reader never looks that that tale the same again. This story is wonderfully written and very emotionally charged. The reader will hate to put it down for any reason once the start reading this tale. The character come to life for the reader and the reader will get emotionally involved in this one. The trials that the characters have to face make the story line move along quickly and will keep the reader reading until the very end. While this one brings the series to an end the way it ends is very satisfying and will have the reader wishing for more stories by the authors of this series. The whole series is worth getting and reading as readers will not be disappointed in this one.

I give this one 5 red roses