Tempting the Pirate

Tempting the Pirate by Tamara Hughes

Publisher: Entangled Publishing: Scandalous Imprint

January 2015

ISBN: 978-1-63375-169-9

Pages: 187

Historical Romance

New York City 1721

Charity Goswick slips onto a ship to escape an arranged marriage to a man who is a brute.  What she doesn’t know is that she hasn’t snuck onto an honorable King’s Navy vessel.  She has ended up on a pirate ship instead.  In just a short amount of time she is discovered by a rake who is both irate and handsome and he locks her in his cabin.  Charity knows she should be very scared but instead all she feels is the most unladylike feelings for her captor.

James Lamont is trying to track down his brother which is the only reason he is on the ship to begin with.  What he ends up with is a spirited little stowaway that provides plenty of distractions especially with her many failed escape attempts.  With each attempt the passion between them grows a little stronger.  Charity is going to have to trust James if she is going to have any hope of surviving the violence and danger that gets worse as they travel the high seas.  Though the arrogant pirate just might end up stealing her heart.

This is a fun historical romance that starts out fast and never stops.  Reading how the characters overcome their beliefs to find happiness together makes for a very satisfying read.  It also gives a small glimpse into the world of pirates and brings it to vivid life.  It will also have readers wanting more from this author and this world.  The reader falls into the story so completely that they think it is a short read which is belied by the actual number of pages.  For readers that enjoy historical romances this is definitely one to check out.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Midnight Promises

Midnight Promises by Lisa Marie Rice

Publisher: Carina Press

January 2015

ISBN: 9781426899348

Pages: 197

Contemporary Romance

Portland, Oregon

Sean “Metal” O’Brien is a former Navy SEAL medic that knows exactly what to do with a gorgeous, bleeding woman that is on the run who falls into his arms.  Keep her safe while tending to her and healing her.

The one thing he seems unable to do is keep his guard up around her.  With her haunted, hunted beauty she knocks down all of his defenses.

Facility Ward knows all about secrets.  She was raised in the Witness Protection program and her whole childhood has been one huge lie.  What she never imagined that was that her family’s secrets could spark a nuclear war. Secrets she never knew she was keeping.

Even with the life she has led nothing prepared her for the sexy, tough warrior that has saved her life and has now vowed to protect that life no matter what the cost.

This is a story that starts out fast and never stops.  The action and romance are non-stop and makes for a book that is hard to put down.  The characters are complex and fascinating and they move the plot of the book along very well.  It also gives a little glimpse into a history that is long gone.  The story will also have readers wanting to read more from this author.  The secondary characters prove to add a lot to the story line while not detracting in the least.  Readers will want more from this world as they will hate to leave it once the story is over. 

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

The Gentleman and the Lamplighter

The Gentleman and the Lamplighter by Devon Summer

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

January 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4668-8148-8

Pages: 60

Historical Romance, m/m

London 1880

Giles Fullerton has been destroyed by his former schoolmate’s death and yet he can’t show his grief publically.  The only time Giles is able to safely mourn is when he is walking the streets of London in the middle of the night.  Mourn the only person he has ever loved.  One night he has a chance meeting with a lamplighter that changes everything for Giles.

John Banks is a widower that understands all about grief.  He recognizes a kindred spirit in Giles, a man that is both handsome and haunted.  John has also admired Giles from afar.  The two men soon discover they have more in common than the grief they deal with.  They have found a shared passion and just maybe a forever love.  First they have to overcome social taboos and their own fears.

This is a quick read that feels like it is over too soon. Readers that enjoy this genre will find a book that will keep them turning pages until the very end.  While readers might wish for a little more detail and story it is still well written and moves along smoothly. It will also have readers wanting to check out more books by the author. 

Received a review copy

I give this one 4 red roses

LRH

The Life I Left Behind

The Life I Left Behind by Colette McBeth

Publisher: Minotaur Books

February 2015

ISBN: 9781250041227

Pages: 304

Contemporary, Mystery, Romantic Elements

England

Melody Pieterson was attacked and left for dead six years ago.  A dog walker is the only reason she is still alive.  David Alden was Melody’s friend and neighbor.  He was also the one convicted of her attack and imprisoned.  With David’s betrayal of their friendship Melody found it hard to trust her own judgment.  Melody became a different person. She also no longer trusted her friends to the point she no longer really has any friends.  She has cloistered herself away behind walls, gates and security codes. This is now her life.

Soon after David is released from prison another woman, Eve Elliot, is attacked almost exactly as Melody was but this time Eve is murdered.  Now Melody’s neat ordered secluded life is turned upside down.  She is now forced back into the messy world with the new police investigation.  The more Melody learns about Eve’s death the more she wonders if David was ever guilty of her attack.  Perhaps David never did betray her after all.  Perhaps it was someone else entirely. Someone that has been out there all along and just might be prepared to strike again.

This is a mystery that is told well with a great deal of suspense threaded throughout the book.  It is narrated alternately by Melody and Eve’s ghost.  With each clue that is revealed it will have readers guessing just who is doing what.  Also as readers think they have the answer another clue is revealed that will have readers wondering if they know the truth or not.  This makes for a book that proves hard to put down as readers will want to know the answers. Nothing is as it seems with this one. For readers that love mysteries this is definitely one to put on the must read list.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Knight in Highland Armor

Knight in Highland Armor by Amy Jarecki

Publisher: Rapture Books

January 2015

ISBN: 9781942442028

Pages: 382

Historical Romance

Scotland

Lord Colin Campbell is grieving from losing his wife.  He pens a missive to the king as he listens to the cries of his newborn son.  Colin needs a stepmother for his son and he has no marriage prospects so he petitions the king to help him in his endeavor.  Colin is determined to never fall in love again as it just brings more pain than losing a contingent of men on the battlefield.

Margaret Robinson is smart, feisty and quick tongued. When her father receives a messenger from the king she is delighted.  At least until she learns the news he brings.  She is to be wed in a sennight to the notorious Black Knight.  She is sure her life is about to end.

The wedding has tension and from there things just get worse.  At least until an accident brings Colin and Margaret together.  Just as Colin and Margaret fall in love Colin receives a request from the Pope that is dire.  Colin is to join the Crusades at once.

With their new love still fragile it is going to have to withstand some formable seductions.  Margaret is being tempted by a laird that is a scoundrel and Colin is courted by Satan himself.  With the war for Christendom raging it just might destroy their dreams forever.

This is fantastic book that takes readers back into history and brings it alive.  It has a lot of action that keeps the story moving along at a pace that readers won’t want to put it down.  It paints a picture of what the Crusades where like along with the Highlands of Scotland.  The description of all the different places comes to vivid life and takes the reader back into time.  The characters bring the story to life and makes for a book that readers will devour.  It will also have readers wanting to revisit the places again and again.  Readers will want to see more from this author after reading this book.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Never Again

Never Again by J. Lea

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

December 2014

ISBN: 978-961-93705-2-0

Pages: 186

Contemporary Romance

Ella Vaughn is on the verge of everything she dreamed of, happening just the way she wants.  She is becoming a professional masseuse right after graduation and she has moved in with her boyfriend.  Just as everything seems perfect tragedy strikes and her world is completely shattered. 

Jake “The Beast” Burns is a motorcyclist that is world famous.  Jake is a desirable bachelor that is living the dream life with money, fame, a loving family and great friends.  He has it all.  At least he thought he had it all until he meets Ella. Ella is nothing like the normal girls he hangs out with.  She is completely different and that difference is what snags his attention.  While it seems everything is out in the open it isn’t.  Jake is hiding a secret that no one has been able to uncover.  The question is, is it a secret that will drive Ella away or is it something she can forgive him for.

This is the first book in a series and it ends in a cliffhanger.  Though the cliffhanger works well with the overall story it will have readers wanting to read what happens next.  It is an emotionally wrenching story that will have readers reaching for the box of Kleenex.  The characters move this story along very well and keeps readers guessing as to what is going to happen next and how things will turn out between Jake and Ella.  It will pull readers in with all the emotion that is spread throughout the book.  It has some difficult to read parts because of the emotional upheaval but it makes for a read that will stay with readers for a long time to come.

Receive a review copy

I give this one 4 red roses

LRH

Awakening

Awakening (Raptures Edge Book 1) by Caris Roane

Publisher: Twin Bridges Creations LLC

December 2014

Pages: 2014

Contemporary, Paranormal Romance

Seattle, Washington Mortal Earth, Phoenix Two Second Earth

Duncan is a warrior that has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a woman that isn’t interested in the fighting of their world and just wants peace in her own life.  Suddenly Rachel is in his life again and even though he tries to keep his distance the breh-hedden, the myth-that-isn’t-a-myth, hits him and keeps Duncan in a perpetual caveman-like state.  Now Duncan is torn as he is a man of war that is falling in love with a woman that only wants peace.

Rachel has spent years getting over Duncan only to have him back in her life.  The fights they have had over the years involve his love of being a Militia Warrior and her dislike for the war.  The problem for Rachel is that she has never stopped loving him and now that Duncan is in a trance state she is going out of her mind with worry.  Then the breh-hedden takes over and she is only interested in Duncan in her bed preferably right now.  How is she supposed to have a relationship with a man that represents all of what she dislikes the most about their ascended vampire world?

This is another interesting story is a series of stories that brings a whole new twist to the different stories of vampires.  The world building is amazing and brings it to vivid life for the reader.  The stories prove to get better and better as the world building gets more involved and the way it is done there is no limit to where the stories can go.  The characters are complex enough to make for a story that pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the very last page.  This is proving to be an addictive series of books and novellas that will have readers constantly looking for the next book or novella.  For readers that love vampire books and paranormal stories this is definitely one series to check out. 

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review*

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

At The Viking's Command

At The Viking’s Command: Warriors Unleashed Book 2 by Anne Marsh

Publisher: Anne Marsh

November 2014

Pages: 96

Contemporary, Paranormal Romance

Las Vegas, Nevada & Greenland

Tyra wasn’t asked if she wanted to be a werewolf but now she is.  She now just wants to get on with her life.  Unfortunately because of a prophecy that foretells werewolves bring about Ragnarok, the Norse end of the world her new Pack is in the sights of the paranormal world. 

Calder is both a mercenary and soldier of fortune.  He has clawed his way to the top of the Viking world and is determined to defend his brothers-in-arms even with his last breath.  He was never prepared for a newly turned werewolf demanding his help.

Calder has no intention of trading sex for favors.  Though with the intense sexual chemistry between Tyra and him the lines between duty and pleasure are soon blurred.  For Tyra if she plans to keep her Viking she is going to have to learn submission.

This is a fun story that is different.  It is a fast read which makes for a great break from the world.  The characters are interesting and keep the story moving at a fast pace. The characters will also have readers wanting to read more from this world.  The action keeps coming throughout the book and keeps the reader guessing just what is going to happen next.  This is one book worth checking out.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

The Barbarian

The Barbarian: The Herod Chronicles by Wanda Ann Thomas

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

November 2014

ISBN: 978-1503023753

Pages: 330

Historical Romance

Judea, Egypt and Rome

Kadar the Northman is an outcast and a pagan.  He also can’t ignore the plea from Lydia Onias who is both highborn and a Jewess.  She is desperate to recover her son.  Lydia has been wronged by her father who is power-hungry.  Lydia is also at the mercy of her father.  Kadar had been a comfort to Lydia during her bleakest moments. Kadar and Lydia have denied their love believing it was impossible to do anything about it.  Now they have found more trouble as they align themselves with Herod, whose power has been threatened by palace murder and conspiracies. 

When Jerusalem is attacked by an invading army everyone’s lives are put in jeopardy along with their future prospects.  As Herod travels to the dangerous courts of both Cleopatra and Mark Antony to gain men and money to strike back, Kadar travels with him.  Herod’s family and Lydia are all stranded atop the water-starved heights of Masada.  The fate of the woman he loves and the nation depend on Kadar’s sword. 

This is proving to be an interesting take on history.  While this is the second book in the series it proves to be able to be read as a standalone but it is much better if the books are read in order.  History comes to interesting life for the reader as they delve into the story and the characters that takes readers on a ride to another time and place.  With each word that is read it takes the reader to back in history and will have them believing they are living it with characters.  It also gives a different spin on a period in time that is not well known.  It makes for a great read.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Embrace the Dark

Embrace the Dark: Blood Rose novella by Caris Roane

Publisher: Bella Media Management

November 2013

eISBN: 978-1-937515-69-0

Pages: 188

Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

Flagstaff, Arizona & Merhaine Realm

This is a world of blood-starved mastyr vampires and the rare women that can satisfy their deepest needs.

Gerrod, is the mastyr vampire of the Merhaine Realm. He never thought a human could satisfy his blood-needs. Abigail is not ordinary by any means.  Gerrod is stunned by her telepathic ability not to mention the richness of her blood.  Though her human DNA makes her unacceptable as a mate.  Gerrod doesn’t know how to turn her away when she is the only one that can satisfy his blood-starvation for the first time in a hundred and fifty years.  Abigail wonders if she will succumb to the temptation that is Gerrod and give herself to him even if he is a vampire. 

Abigail’s human life is suddenly turned upside down when the Invictus, the enemy of all realm-folk, attacks a fae wedding. Now Abigail has to decide if she has the courage to pursue the path she finds herself on and that means giving herself body and soul to a mastyr vampire.  She has to decide if she is going to return to her normal existence in Flagstaff or if she will embrace the dark.

This is another unique take on vampires by an author that is proving to write stories that pull the reader in and doesn’t let go until the very last page.  This makes for a story that is fun and different and takes a genre and makes it fresh for readers.  The story also proves to be a fast read as the reader will not want to put it down until the full story has been unveiled.  It will also have readers wanting to read more about this unique and different world.  This is definitely worth check out.

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review*

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Brink of Eternity

Brink of Eternity by Caris Roane

Publisher: Bella Media Management

May 2012

Pages: 166

Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

Phoenix, Arizona & Second Earth

Elise Jordan had ended her intense relationship with Gideon when she could no longer handle their literally being worlds apart.  Elise is a human living on Mortal Earth.  Having a vampire boyfriend and lover that was from another dimension just wasn’t for her.  The problem is that she never got over him nor the passion that exploded between them.  For years she has denied her own fledgling powers but that is hard to do with her supernatural abilities and prophetic visions increase to the point that she can no longer deny them.  She knows she is being called to ascension.  She will now become a winged vampire just like Gideon, which means she will be facing death vampires that will be wanting her blood.  Now she has to harness her powers so that she can protect herself from the darkest of enemies.  It will also let her build a life with the one man that has claimed her soul.

This is a wonderful story that holds up well on its own.  For readers that have not read the books in the series they will not be lost in the slightest as they read this novella. It will have readers wanting to read more from this world and will want to immerse themselves in this new and unique world of vampires.  The action is fast and furious and the passion is hot and steamy and will have readers reaching for the nearest glass of ice water.  The characters are complex and enjoyable to read about and makes for a story that is hard to forget even after the reader finishes it. 

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review*

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

November 2012

ISBN: 978-1-250-01446-7

Pages: 308

Contemporary, Suspense, Romance

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Charley Davidson is the grim reaper though she has been trying to avoid her destiny which refuses to be denied.

Being the grim reaper can be quite grim at times.  Charley has taken a couple of months off to wallow in self-pity as her last case went very wrong.  Charley forces herself to rise above her self-pity or at least get dressed when a woman shows up on her doorstep because the woman is convinced someone is trying to kill her.  Charley knows something is off when everyone that knows the woman tries to tell Charley that the woman is insane.  The more the people dispute the story the more Charley is convinced it is true. 

Meanwhile, Reyes Farrow, also known as the sexy, sultry son of Satan is finally out of prison and out of Charley’s life.  Which was what she wished for and after several perfectly timed death threats.  Though his absence has put a crimp in her sex life.  Charley is having a hard time staying away even with other considerations like the fact that Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist.  What makes everything worse is that Reyes might be involved too.

Just when Charley thought her life was getting back to normal.

This is one series that just keeps getting better and better.  The characters create a lot of humor which will have readers hungering for more.  The pace is fast and keeps the reader guessing just what is going on until the very end.  Charley is a heroine that makes for a great read.  It will also have readers wanting a Charley in their lives to liven things up.  This is a very unique storyline that makes for great reading and will have readers staying up all night just to finish each book as they will hate to put them down.  It will also have readers wondering what next will happen to Charley.  This is one series that is not to miss. 

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH